What does Kentucky Country Day need to do to improve in 2017? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Good news...alot of returning talent with a district title and regional final home game in sight.

Bad news...That regional final opponent will be Beechwood.

 

A district title and regional final is never a bad year for anyone.

It all leads up to Beechwood, doesn't it?

 

This is pretty much the same KCD team in 2017 that had a pretty strong year in 2016 and played Beechwood tough for a half in the regional final. So many kids return from that team, bigger, stronger and more experienced.

 

But it all goes through Beechwood, doesn't it?

 

KCD does lose a stud athlete in RB/Receiver Jared Frank, an all state honorable mention this past season. He'll be missed along with RB Ed Johnson. The good news is that Ashton Robinson (9 TDs 384 yards rushing) and Gianni Minor (3 TDs 199 yards rushing) are capable kids with tons of experience to tote the ball this year along with rising Junior, speedy Blake Caldwell.

 

KCD also loses it's starting center who is a real anchor of the line in Robbie Pinto--his dad took the job as President of the University of Cincinnati, so the family moved to NKY.

 

But that's it. Everyone else is back. And this was a pretty good team. What will make it a better squad this year? For one, it'll be tested by a stronger schedule. Non-district play is highlighted by Walton Verona, Lexington Christian and Waggener...put simply the Bearcats have a schedule that will test them and with hope make this experienced team stronger.

 

The strengths on offense will be an experienced line with some size and athletic ability, along with all district performers QB Jackson Diaz and TE Josh Lifson.

 

The defense is anchored by LB Chris Scott, fresh from his stint at the USA Today International Bowl in Dallas. And the defense improved dramatically with a new scheme put in after the Adair Co game. Through Adair Co, KCD gave up an average of 34 points a game. With the new defense in place, KCD gave up 15 points a game for the rest of the season. Big difference. And nine starters return.

 

Like so many 1A squads, depth will be a challenge. There's not a lot of "next up" guys to choose from, so staying injury free is critical here.

 

And then there's Beechwood. How do you beat those guys? They reload every year, the are magnificently coached, especially on technique, and they adjust beautifully when another team throws them a haymaker.

 

When Beechwood made it's adjustments in the second half of the regional final, KCD had no answer. The one thing that was working a little that second half--short passing game, mixed in with a stretch or two to the big 6 4 TE, Lifson. But KCD didn't stay with it.

 

In fact, throughout the season, KCD never threw more than 24 passes in a game--and it averaged 17 passes per game. It's a huge stretch, but slinging the pigskin might be where the Bearcats need to adjust and ramp up it up a bit this year. Nevertheless, it figures to be a fun year on Springdale Road....must take care of business against the always athletic Frankfort and long time nemesis, Holy Cross. But just about everyone is back from the District Champs.

 

Now if it weren't for Beechwood....

Josh Lifson TE/DE (Mentioned above0 is a big time force at TE/DEF END. He had 40 catches last season. He also is getting some looks at the D-1 level (Air Force, Western Kentucky and Duke)Eastern Kentucky and a tough Wofford have also shown some interest in him.

 

Chris Scott (Mentioned above) returns and is the leading tackler. I am guessing he has to be getting some looks for some lower lever(D2,D-3 and/Or NAIA schools.

Update from KCD--QB Jackson Diaz named top QB at the New England Elite Camp this summer. RB/WR Gets an offer from D1 Morehead this summer as well.

 

On the field, a lot of emphasis on keeping the starters healthy as this team won't have a ton a depth. Plenty of offense displayed thus far in the first 7 on 7 round robin....TE Josh Lifson had 6 TD receptions alone. Pass defense is a work in progress thus far.

Looking at their schedule we can see early how solid KCD will be against Walton Verona, LCA, and Waggener. Plus I expect Holy across and Frankfort to be more of a challenge this year.

Looking at their schedule we can see early how solid KCD will be against Walton Verona, LCA, and Waggener. Plus I expect Holy across and Frankfort to be more of a challenge this year.

 

Luckily for KCD, the three toughest non-district games are at home. I don't know that "The Mo" (nickname of the KCD field) offers a ton of home field advantage. But at least the kids don't have to get on a bus and travel.

 

Analyzing the three toughest opponents, I don't think KCD can beat LCA. The Bearcats need to make it more of a competitive game than in past years, but LCA returns a bunch of skill players, quarterback experience and leadership and just plain overall depth. The Eagle offense will wear down KCD with a lot of short passes and screens, just make the KCD kids who play both ways run all over the place.

 

Walton Verona's run heavy offense actually plays to KCD's strength on defense, and I think KCD's QB, receivers and skill position guys will be formidable for WV. KCD really needs to play big and make a statement in that early match up.

 

Finally, Waggener has Tajh Rice and Jarius Brents and a couple of additional studs to compliment their two D1 standouts. KCD has D1 Air Force commit TE Josh Lifson and D1 FCS offered WR/RB Gianni Minor, plus a talented QB in Jackson Diaz. This could be an absolutely entertaining and tight game to close out the regular season.

Maybe surprised to know that WV is going to throw the ball a bit more than the past. They have three receivers 6'2" and over. Their QB this year can really spin it too so there maybe a new wrinkle to this traditionally run heavy offense.

Maybe surprised to know that WV is going to throw the ball a bit more than the past. They have three receivers 6'2" and over. Their QB this year can really spin it too so there maybe a new wrinkle to this traditionally run heavy offense.

 

If Walton Verona brings an accomplished passing game to go along with its traditional strength on the ground--look out! Not just KCD but every other squad WV will play. This team struck me as tough and resilient, signs of a strong program.

Anyone know where the pinto kid ended up?

Anyone know where the pinto kid ended up?

 

I believe he is at Summit Country Day in Cincinnati.

Looking forward to the KCD-Bardstown-Eastern scrimmage tonight at KCD.

Looking forward to the KCD-Bardstown-Eastern scrimmage tonight at KCD.

 

KCD will be missing one of its starting lineman from last year, Senior Zach Ellis who had a summer work commitment that will keep him from suiting up in pads tonight. I'm really interested to see about Bardstown's team, as they have been a big time powerhouse in 3A including last year's squad. Will the mighty mites from KCD measure up to 3A Bardstown and 6A Eastern? And how much will the Bearcats reveal of their offensive scheme for 2017? It figures to be a little different with the weapons this year versus last, but will Coach Jones play it a little more conservative?

I believe he is at Summit Country Day in Cincinnati.

 

Turns out Robbie can't play this year anyway as he had to have orthopedic surgery. But an amazing young man with a great big wide passion for Football. He'll be missed this year at Kentucky Country Day

Bardstown graduated 18 seniors, including most of its starters. This team is young and inexperienced. Tonight will be experimental, but should be high energy as there are a lot of position battles happening.

 

Eastern's new head coach is former Bardstown assistant Justin Blanford. I expect them to be ready to play.