I agree with Mama Bear, these boys being in the weight room and getting to know and help each other will really help. Though there doesn't seem that there has ever been a rivalry with the team, Coach Larkey meshed them perfectly! The football team coming together without a hitch last year really put aside any worries with the whole issue of the consolidated high school. Football is amazing!!!! As our boys are doing in the weight room the bond between the whole county and the new school/football team will keep growing stronger and stronger.

It is a lot. Lots of kids doesn't always mean lots of depth. I do know that most of the kids like the TEs, RBs, WRs, FBs that they will have next year will not be full time two way players. Most of those positions are shared by a few kids. So, most of them aren't on the field as much as it would appear.

 

I can remember TJ Green playing both ways a lot but he didn't play everyplay. Gilliam played some DB, but not as much as he did running back. It's just hard to keep atheletes off the field. I could go on, but like I said earlier Coach Larkey will have more time to get a feel for where players will be best suited and will be able to prepare them more!

I have been a little occupied and am just getting back into things.....

 

I look for a few of the kids to have special years......

 

Ball...Man Child

Dylon Smith...has a pair of rocket boosters attached to him

James Phillips..See comments on Ball

 

One kid I look for phenominal results out of is Jordan Calton. Jordan has the frame and raw talent, if he can pack weight on, to be as good as anyone from around here in a long time.

 

So true about Jordan Calton. He would be a dream player for any coach. He has the work ethics that will make him a great player. Improved already this year in bench from 215 to 285, squat 325 to 410, power clean 215 to 245, 40 yd 5.13 to 5.06.

I have been a little occupied and am just getting back into things.....

 

I look for a few of the kids to have special years......

 

Ball...Man Child

Dylon Smith...has a pair of rocket boosters attached to him

James Phillips..See comments on Ball

 

One kid I look for phenominal results out of is Jordan Calton. Jordan has the frame and raw talent, if he can pack weight on, to be as good as anyone from around here in a long time.

Glad to have you back Bear Paw. I agree with you. Jordan Calton had some phenominal stats this year as a Sophmore. He's only gonna get better. I bet he's packed on over 20 lbs of muscle since last year. I know it was a hard decision for him to not play basketball this year, but I believe it will really pay off for him(and for us fans). He has such a large frame and has a good wing span. I think it was against Fleming Co. last year, he jumped up in the air and blocked 2 or 3 passes like he was blocking a shot in a bball game. He's a beast on defense! I'm gonna guess and say he is 6'3 210. He's solid.

It may be the only issue Mama Bear and I disagree on, but I don't think playing basketball would take away from his game. Calton made a huge improvement from his freshman to sophomore year while he was playing basketball. You can still lift weights and play basketball.

It may be the only issue Mama Bear and I disagree on, but I don't think playing basketball would take away from his game. Calton made a huge improvement from his freshman to sophomore year while he was playing basketball. You can still lift weights and play basketball.

 

Well technically you can but, you have to realize that the football team is lifting during school and then 2-3 hours afterwards getting that strength. Basketball players do not lift on gamedays and do not go to after school lifts, therefore, he would not been able to lift as much as needed to get football strong. It takes a lot of dedication, dedication that Rockcastle for example show every off-season and something that a few of those kids have not seen before. However, playing basketball isn't discouraged or mentioned. Kids sometimes take on what they feel like they need to compete at a sport they want to excel at but if they want they should play all the want and they will have free reigns on their own decision.

 

Harlan County's 8-4 record could have very easily and realistically been 12-2 this past season instead with the same amount of time and togetherness that this offseason has provided, however, the team wasn't allowed to practice together and weights were not started until later into the year.

You have individuals lifting three to four hours a day or is that the time it takes everybody to get in their 60 to 90 minutes?

It may be the only issue Mama Bear and I disagree on, but I don't think playing basketball would take away from his game. Calton made a huge improvement from his freshman to sophomore year while he was playing basketball. You can still lift weights and play basketball.

 

You always make valid points with this issue. I believe that kids can excel at more than one sport. We had some football players this year that did well at basketball and will do well on the football field. I know that Jordan wasn't pressured to choose one way or the other, but felt it was in his best interest to beef up for football and follow his heart. He'd like to play football at the next level and felt like his time would best be spent in the off season building his body up for football. It's a tough choice, but one he made.

 

Speaking of basketball players, I saw Eric Miller is out lifting. I believe he can help us this year. He's really quick!

I have been a little occupied and am just getting back into things.....

 

I look for a few of the kids to have special years......

 

Ball...Man Child

Dylon Smith...has a pair of rocket boosters attached to him

James Phillips..See comments on Ball

 

One kid I look for phenominal results out of is Jordan Calton. Jordan has the frame and raw talent, if he can pack weight on, to be as good as anyone from around here in a long time.

If Ball continues to work, he could be one of the top 2 or 3 lineman in the mountains.

So true about Jordan Calton. He would be a dream player for any coach. He has the work ethics that will make him a great player. Improved already this year in bench from 215 to 285, squat 325 to 410, power clean 215 to 245, 40 yd 5.13 to 5.06.

 

It's the red hair!!!!!

 

Speaking of basketball players, I saw Eric Miller is out lifting. I believe he can help us this year. He's really quick!

 

Definatley will help, most teams will be shocked when they see this kid considering he hasn't played before. Very tall and versatile.

You have individuals lifting three to four hours a day or is that the time it takes everybody to get in their 60 to 90 minutes?

 

There is very little down time at all during those hours spend lifting, very fast paced and hard working. Really gets the sweat glands performing.

Do they lift three to four hours in a session though?

Do they lift three to four hours in a session though?

 

Some is conditioning, the time is broken up between in school and after school.

It is time for some visual effects:

 

The bridge leading to the football field on an island (almost).

 

One from each side. The school is behind the cameraman in this shoot.