Meade County Season Preview

[AvoidLloyd]

Meade County Greenwave

2019 record 4-8

Returning starters 

Offense 7

Defense 7

In 2019 the young Greenwave started their season winning its 1st 2 games, beating defending state champion Franklin-Simpson in the opener and P.R.P. in game 2. Junior RB Austin Oppel led the Wave in those 2 victories totaling almost 500 yards rushing in the 1st 2 victories. After losing their QB for the season in game 4,  Meade went through 5 different quarterbacks but never really got the production needed to have success versus one of the tougher 6A schedules. On top of that,  Meade lost  Oppel for almost 4 full games to injury. Towards the end of the season Meade started to play its best football. The Wave defeated beat Barren County 42-12 ending a 6 game losing streak. Oppel made his return from Injury  vs 3A powerhouse Desales and was key in upsetting the Colts. In their playoff game vs Top 5 Central Hardin the Greenwave battled as Senior Trent Mofield found Junior JJ Richardson twice in the endzone for touchdowns and junior Austin Oppel rushed for 162 yards. The Greenwave would eventually come up short, losing 42-30.

Meade showed promise in the last 2 games and with 14 starters returning, the folks in Death Valley are excited to see what this strong senior class can do.

Key returners on Offense- RB Austin Oppel (1,035 yards in 7 games)  WR JJ Richardson (28 catches 238 yds 3 Td's)  RB JT Godsey (6 yards per carry)

Key returners on Defense- CB JJ Richardson (45 tackles 5 interceptions) S Kyle Parker  LB Bryant Rhodes (5-11 210lbs)

The Greenwave look to field their strongest team since 2014 when the Wave went 11-3 and lost to Trinity in the 6A State semifinal. The Greenwave have 2 of the more talented players in 6A football in Seniors Austin Oppel and JJ Richardson. Oppel, who played his sophomore year in Indiana totaled 1,500 yards and 18 td's that year and was well on his way last year before an injury forced him to miss 4 games. He's as talented as they come. The tall, lanky Richardson is a 2 way player who makes highlight catches on offense but is a tall, lockdown corner on defense. Just as important as these 2 is the returners they have on the offensive line. Seniors Cole Knoop (6-3 270), Marshall Jackson (6-6 250), Eli Ridgeway (6' 250) are returning starters who have good size and lots of experience. This should be the best offense the Greenwave have had in years. Also look out for another senior, JT Godsey (5-11 220) and junior Levi Stull to help Oppel out in the run game. The key to the season in my eyes is if junior QB Kyle Parker can take the experience he got last year and make enough throws to keep teams honest, considering most will focus on stopping Oppel. Parker, last years Area Sophomore of the year is a super smart, super tough kid so my guess is that he will.