Another back with very good potential is Hopper if he could stay healthy and is utilized I think he could develop very well he's a strong runner & loves to hit.The more he runs the ball the better he gets.We just have not seen alot from him in the varsity games.

Another back with very good potential is Hopper if he could stay healthy and is utilized I think he could develop very well he's a strong runner & loves to hit.The more he runs the ball the better he gets.We just have not seen alot from him in the varsity games.

Hopper does have alot of potential. I think Wills could provide some extra power at Fullback that we haven't had this year. Edwards last year had the power to break tackles and the speed to take it the distance. Wills could provide some of that. I don't think Russell has used the middle of the field enough. In that offense teams have to account for that fullback trap to keep them honest.

I would like to see Beekman move to half back and Wills move back to full back.

 

I agree. The backfield has not looked right all year. I realize the coaches see these players every day and know their strengths and weaknesses, but if we are to contend for a championship it seems to me that a big, bruising full back would be an added weapon and a must have in the close game against comparable or better competition in the playoffs. With Nick out with the injury, this seems to be the opportune time to shift some personnel.

With Nick Lewis out how does that shake up the backfield. I would like to see Beekman move to half back and Wills move back to full back.

 

As far as intensity and leadership, no this years team doesn't seem to have the chip on their shoulder that they had last year. They have been in cruise control all season. I do think this team has the talent to repeat as champs but it is time to start playing with more of a purpose.

 

I ask one of the players this exact question and they told me that Beekman is moving into Nick's spot and that Darrell Wells has stepped into the backfield. On Defense right now they are going to start with D. Bailey at corner, so we'll see how the changes work out starting tomorrow.

 

---On a side note concerning the intensity and leadership--- I know for us patrons observing from the sidelines it may seem like the intensity is not there on Friday nights, but you know part of that problem may also be OUR fault. We set there Friday after Friday year after year during the regular season expecting a win each week and so we just sit on our hands and watch the game like were watching a golf match, or a rerun on TV that we've seen a dozen times. Many times I've seen the players on the field, jumping up and down trying to get the fans in the game and we just do a polite "yeah" and sit back down. We fill the stands each week, but we make as much noise as if it were only 1/2 full or less. I know we have a weak district this year, but it still is 0 to 0 at 7:30 on Friday's. We need to bring our intensity with us and maybe we can show it to the players and they will in turn show it on the field. We better not save it for Louisville, because take away this years Ashland Game and we have not showed any enthusiam IMO since last year during the playoff run (Newport, Belfrey, O'cath).

Wells has been running well when he has played on offense. I think he is a nice fit at FB. He runs very hard and does have speed to pull away.

 

I agree that the enthusiasm of the fans has been lacking as well. To me though it shows more in excecution on the field. Going through the motions, missing assignments, silly penalties. In defense of the fans and players it is hard to stay excited for some of these district games. I just hope it does not lead to complacency.

Wells has been running well when he has played on offense. I think he is a nice fit at FB. He runs very hard and does have speed to pull away.

 

I agree that the enthusiasm of the fans has been lacking as well. To me though it shows more in excecution on the field. Going through the motions, missing assignments, silly penalties. In defense of the fans and players it is hard to stay excited for some of these district games. I just hope it does not lead to complacency.

 

Wells is good, Wills would be better; especially for blocking. I think the complacency is inevitable. That's the real downside to playing noncompetitive teams one after another. This year, our non-district competition was lacking as well with the exception of Ashland. Do you think anyone on the team gets on the bus thinking tonite's game is going to be anything other than another rout?

Wells is good, Wills would be better; especially for blocking. I think the complacency is inevitable. That's the real downside to playing noncompetitive teams one after another. This year, our non-district competition was lacking as well with the exception of Ashland. Do you think anyone on the team gets on the bus thinking tonite's game is going to be anything other than another rout?

 

Unfortunately, if you move Wills from guard, you leave a very large void on the line. There are some kids who can step up at guard, but are either unproven or have not produced consistently. I think you lose more by moving Wills off the line than placing Wells at FB.

Wells is good, Wills would be better; especially for blocking. I think the complacency is inevitable. That's the real downside to playing noncompetitive teams one after another. This year, our non-district competition was lacking as well with the exception of Ashland. Do you think anyone on the team gets on the bus thinking tonite's game is going to be anything other than another rout?

I think they have thought that in EVERY game this year. I hope the lessen was learned.

Unfortunately, if you move Wills from guard, you leave a very large void on the line. There are some kids who can step up at guard, but are either unproven or have not produced consistently. I think you lose more by moving Wills off the line than placing Wells at FB.

I agree. Since the FB is not a blocking back in Russell's offense I think Wills is a more logical choice without taking any blocking away from the Oline. Wells could provide a little more power in short yardage situations and maybe move back in the Power I.

Unfortunately, if you move Wills from guard, you leave a very large void on the line. There are some kids who can step up at guard, but are either unproven or have not produced consistently. I think you lose more by moving Wills off the line than placing Wells at FB.

 

Yeah, that's the dilemma. Wills is an excellent gaurd and Ivan's system puts a unique emphasis on that position for the offense to be successful. That being said, I agree that there are others on the team that given the opportunity could step up and fill the void. This conversation was a seqway from the premise that this team did not seem to have the ingredients to make it back to Louisville. Leaving Wills at guard for the duration of the season and not making any changes to the make-up of the backfield reduce the chances of a return trip to the Pizza Box IMO. The staus quo has served us well with the low grade competition that we have faced to date. But I don't believe it will cut it in the 3rd or 4th week of playoffs.

Yeah, that's the dilemma. Wills is an excellent gaurd and Ivan's system puts a unique emphasis on that position for the offense to be successful. That being said, I agree that there are others on the team that given the opportunity could step up and fill the void. This conversation was a seqway from the premise that this team did not seem to have the ingredients to make it back to Louisville. Leaving Wills at guard for the duration of the season and not making any changes to the make-up of the backfield reduce the chances of a return trip to the Pizza Box IMO. The staus quo has served us well with the low grade competition that we have faced to date. But I don't believe it will cut it in the 3rd or 4th week of playoffs.

Yes there are:sleep: on this team if given the opportunity I believe they would rise to the occasion I hope they get the chance that some have had.

Looks like I'm going to miss this one tonight. I hope I don't have withdrawel symptoms.