I too think they will strugle early, but should be fine once the younger guys get some experience.

 

 

With this I totally agree.

These are other players from Ironton who are already enrolled in new schools for next season.

 

Walker,Keuhne, Beach McClellan.

Sounds like the Tigers are going through a bad stretch.

I believe Ashland loses 18 out of 22 starters including their kicker. 10 starters leave on defense and 8 on offense.

 

Ouch, this will hurt but Ashland is one of those schools who can bounce back due to the talent they have that was roaming the sidelines and playing special teams last year. Not many schools can just reload, but Ashland is one of the few that can. They may not be great next year, but ones things for sure,.....they won't be bad.:thumb:

Ouch, this will hurt but Ashland is one of those schools who can bounce back due to the talent they have that was roaming the sidelines and playing special teams last year. Not many schools can just reload, but Ashland is one of the few that can. They may not be great next year, but ones things for sure,.....they won't be bad.:thumb:

 

Great post Dolamite. This is the reason IMO for Ashlands deep history of success!

 

Go Cats,

Yoter

Spring practice starts Monday!!!!!!! Equipment will be passed out on Thursday and Friday

Another big concern is the QB position IMO, this team is not good enough for Mahan to fumble away 5-10 snaps a game. Thats basically 5-10 dead plays. Mahans inconsistantcies were hidden by the talent around him last year, but now that they lose most all of that talent and have a lot of young inexperienced players on the field it will come to the forefront.

Another big concern is the QB position IMO, this team is not good enough for Mahan to fumble away 5-10 snaps a game. Thats basically 5-10 dead plays. Mahans inconsistantcies were hidden by the talent around him last year, but now that they lose most all of that talent and have a lot of young inexperienced players on the field it will come to the forefront.

 

Your Quaterback is meant to be your leader and your playmaker. I dont think anyone will argue with me when I say that Ian Holbrook was a leader and at times carried his team on his shoulders. Last season Mahan was lucky and was leading a team of leaders. And like you said Monty, his flaws were hidden due to the success and athletism of those around him. The Tomcats are very, very thin. The offensive line is the biggest question but far from being the only one. If Mahan gets his head on strait and eliminates the stupid mistakes this team stands a chance.

 

On a brighter note, practice starts Monday:ylsuper:

Yoter

Ashland lost a lot of key players and I just don't know if Thomas can carry the team on his shoulders.

Thomas is their playmaker. But I doubt if he will be near enough to win a game.

Defense wins championships and this team has 1 defensive starter returning (Thomas). A few got playing time due to injuries (Slone, Keaton) but they will be missing a lot of senior leadership. This years senior class is very small and will really need to pick it up. Quarterback will also be a question, even though they have a returning starter. But Mahan didn't have to carry the team any last season. Mahan now will be in the forefront, and when the pressure was on last season he melted down. He needs to pick up the effort this season!

Is he the only one that can quarterback?

Good luck the Tomcats after the first week. I hope that you go 14-1 and win the Stae AAA title losing only your season opener. :thumb:

 

Imo Ashland will always be factor with the tradition and the strength of their program, the names change but the tradition and winning stay the same. Ashland is one of the finest programs in the state.

Good luck the Tomcats after the first week. I hope that you go 14-1 and win the Stae AAA title losing only your season opener. :thumb:

 

Imo Ashland will always be factor with the tradition and the strength of their program, the names change but the tradition and winning stay the same. Ashland is one of the finest programs in the state.

:thumb: I agree with this 100%. They also have one of the best coaches in the state.

Ashland will have to have alot of heart this year. They dont seem to have much leadership going into the season, and they also dont have much size on the line. This season could go alot of ways. They could come out and surprise people with a 1 loss or 2 loss season, or they could come out and lose half thier games. It all depends on how bad they want it. Everyone knows that the coaching staff will do all they can in order to prepare the Tomcats, because when you have one of the best coaches in the state with Leon Hart, you know they will be fine there. The Tomcats should be able to realize rather easily that they are not only playing for this season, they are playing for the years of tradition Ashland has, and the A on their helmet.

The coaches can only do so much, they cannot go out there and make a block or make a tackle. They motivate, teach, and make players better.

 

How did the 1st day of spring practice go?

The coaches can only do so much, they cannot go out there and make a block or make a tackle. They motivate, teach, and make players better.

 

How did the 1st day of spring practice go?

 

 

This coaching staff will do all of these, I believe.

 

And today was a beautiful day to start practice.