2007 Bluegrasspreps.com 2A Football Preview

[theguru]

For the complete 2A Preview click here!

 

1. Danville (13-2)

Coach: Sam Harp

2006: Lost to Newport Central Catholic 37-34 in the Class A championship

 

The first thing you have to do is ignore Danville’s record for the first month of the season.

 

The Admirals open the season with four games against much larger schools, so the results of those games might not be indicative of whether they can compete for the AA championship.

 

Rest assured that they can. A host of inexperienced players will move into the lineup, including an all-new offensive backfield, but there is ample talent on hand to make Danville a threat in its new class.

 

Much of it is on the defensive line, where the Admirals return starters Dominique Alcorn (6-1, 225 Sr.) at end and Pearce Nesbitt (6-3, 240 Sr.) at tackle and will start two other veterans: tackle Brandon Klein (6-3, 300 Sr.) and end Evan Hester (6-1, 200 Jr.).

 

Consequently, the defensive front might be the Admirals’ strongest single unit, and it will be the heart of a defense that will have new faces at all three linebacker positions and three of four secondary spots. The only returning starter in that group is cornerback Tyrell Johnson (5-8, 130 Jr.).

 

On offense, the big change is at quarterback, where Trae Gray (5-8, 195 Jr.) takes over. Gray performed well in limited duty last season, going 14-for-25 for 290 yards and four touchdowns and demonstrating a strong arm and strong body that should serve Danville well.

 

The big news, however, might be the return of wide receiver Leonard Macon (6-5, 225 Jr.), who was suspended for the Class A semifinal and final last season but brings his impressive array of skills back to the passing game and the defensive backfield. Macon had 25 catches for 653 yards in 13 games last season.

 

Danville also returns another impressive receiver in Derrick Henderson (6-1, 185 Jr.) and will use Alcorn at tight end. The running game will be led by Johnson and Antwoine Simon (5-10, 200 Jr.), who were supporting players last year.

 

The offensive line will have a new look, as Hester is the only returning starter other than Alcorn.

 

In all, there are only eight starters returning, about 10 less than last year, so the Admirals may take some hits early in that four-game gauntlet that includes Madison Central, Southwestern, Boyle County and George Rogers Clark.

 

But if they stay healthy, they’ll be better for it by November, by which time they should be ready to be a major player in the state title chase.

 

Click here for the 2007 Danville schedule

 

 

2. Owensboro Catholic (9-5)

Head coach: John Edge

2006: Lost to Mercer County 43-0 in the state semifinals

 

Owensboro Catholic’s offense has been garnering the headlines during their recent resurgence that has seen the Aces win four straight Region I titles.

 

However, the defense has been one of the main reasons why the Aces have posted a 45-13 record during that span.

 

In 2007, it will be the Aces’ defense leading the way as Catholic welcomes Fort Campbell into their district.

 

Nine starters from last year’s defense return for head coach John Edge, who looks to become the first team to win five straight 2A Region I titles since Mayfield won 12 straight from 1983-94.

 

“I think our defense will be tough across the board,” predicted Edge, who enters his fourth season at the helm of the Aces.

 

For the complete Ace Preview click here!

 

 

3. Fort Campbell (8-3)

Head coach: Shawn Berner

2006: Lost to Trigg County 28-15 in the first round of the playoffs

 

By Scott Brown

WKDZ Radio

 

Fort Campbell has produced some of the state’s top talent over the past few years, with several Falcons now playing at top-level Division I schools. However, the talent hasn’t produced a single region title trophy.

 

However, losing just four players from last year’s team that won eight games gives head coach Shawn Berner reason to believe that his seventh season at the helm of the Falcons could be a lucky one.

 

For the complete Fort Campbell Preview click here!

 

 

4. Newport Central Catholic (10-5)

Head coach: Bob Schneider

2006: Beat Danville 37-34 in the Class A state championship game

 

 

5. Bardstown (11-1)

Head coach: David Clark

2006: Lost to Bethlehem 23-14 in the second round of the 1A playoffs

 

By Peter W. Zubaty

The Kentucky Standard

 

After 11 years as an assistant, David Clark takes over from Joey Downs to be only the fourth Bardstown head coach in the past eight decades.

 

The reward for his patience? A fast, veteran ball club motivated by the painful memory of a second-round upset in last year’s playoffs; a club that figures to be among the best in Class 2A.

 

“We’ve got a lot of returning starters back — a lot of experience,” Clark said.

 

For the complete Bardstown Preview click here!

 

 

6. Corbin (7-6)

7. Trigg County (10-3)

8. Prestonsburg (7-5)

9. Middlesboro (11-2)

10. DeSales (5-5)

 

For the complete 2A Preview click here!

[theguru]

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