2009 North Oldham

[Ram]

What does North Oldham need to do to improve in 2009? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

[markmiller75]

North has a good core of their line back. The questions will be secondary and linebackers. They have one very solid linebacker back the rest will have to step up. The other question mark will be runnng backs with only one starter returning. Who will step up and who can stay healthy may determine how well North does in 09. Will be interested in what Knute's take is on 09.

[Knute Rockne]

Need for some people to step up like you said. Jerrett Link and Jakob Manor both started at HB so they will be fine. Austin Peterson could play qb or Fb to fill the void left by chase maddox and matt alward. Need to develop depth at the tackle spot and most of the offense will be the same except for a huge loss with All-State performer Andrew Tuller. Brad Norris and John Askin return at WR. Luke Nolte should take over the kicking duties from Sr. Paul Althoff. Defense could be as good or even better just less depth. Need a corner, Sam LB for 100 tackle performer Tyler Geers. Ben Lowrey and Zack Fisher are lost to graduation so some of those O- Linemen starters from last year( Alex Miller, Zaxh lagrange, Mica Watson) may need to play both ways or some young guys step up and improve in the weight rooom. A lot will be determined on how these guys work in the off season.

Edited January 15, 2009 by Knute Rockne
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[markmiller75]

I agree we will see who wants to earn it in the weight room this winter into next Spring. I am ready for the year to begin to see where all the pieces come together.

[ColonelMike]

One of the biggest questions for North is going to be who will catch passes. It's not that the talent isn't there - I think it is - but North has been probably 70% run first, and the passes that have comprised the other 30% of the offense have almost all landed in Andrew Tuller's hands over the past three years. Geer was the second-leading receiver, but was well behind Tuller in that department - and he graduates, too...nobody returns with any real experience catching the ball in games.

 

The loss of Tuller and Geer at LB will be felt, especially in the year.

 

There's a lot of talent moving up at North, and there's enough experience returning on the O line to likely give Austin Peterson - or whoever takes the QB role - some time to grow into the role.

 

One question is whether the coaches will - if Peterson plays QB - want to allow Peterson to also stay in his spot in the defensive secondary. He was perhaps the premier defender in the secondary in 2008... The Mustangs didn't show any fear about playing their QB on defense in 08 - Maddox also played in the defensive secondary - but Peterson is a little more slight of build, and the coaches may want to keep him from taking the pounding and risk their QB. That would be big shoes to fill in the secondary.

 

Nolte looks like a nice replacement for Paul Althoff, one of the region's best kickers.

 

Health among the runners will be critical; both Jarrett Link and Jakob Manor are talented, and well-suited to the wing-T offense NO runs, but both have had injury problems.

[markmiller75]

Link had no injury problems in 08. Manor on the other hand seemed to have a problem every week.

[Knute Rockne]

One of the biggest questions for North is going to be who will catch passes. It's not that the talent isn't there - I think it is - but North has been probably 70% run first, and the passes that have comprised the other 30% of the offense have almost all landed in Andrew Tuller's hands over the past three years. Geer was the second-leading receiver, but was well behind Tuller in that department - and he graduates, too...nobody returns with any real experience catching the ball in games.

 

The loss of Tuller and Geer at LB will be felt, especially in the year.

 

There's a lot of talent moving up at North, and there's enough experience returning on the O line to likely give Austin Peterson - or whoever takes the QB role - some time to grow into the role.

 

One question is whether the coaches will - if Peterson plays QB - want to allow Peterson to also stay in his spot in the defensive secondary. He was perhaps the premier defender in the secondary in 2008... The Mustangs didn't show any fear about playing their QB on defense in 08 - Maddox also played in the defensive secondary - but Peterson is a little more slight of build, and the coaches may want to keep him from taking the pounding and risk their QB. That would be big shoes to fill in the secondary.

 

Nolte looks like a nice replacement for Paul Althoff, one of the region's best kickers.

 

Health among the runners will be critical; both Jarrett Link and Jakob Manor are talented, and well-suited to the wing-T offense NO runs, but both have had injury problems.

 

Look for the Mustangs to do most of their passes in warm ups this year. I heard they may run 90% of the time this year instead of 75%. There will be about 6 backs rotating in and out. There are about 20 guys in morning weights and 30 in the afternoons. It is starting to get real competitive for spots. Mustangs are also getting some speed from the feeder programs so look for the 6.3 yard average per carry this year to climb. Some of those 7yd carries could go 90.

[FootballisKing]

I really think that as much as the Tangs lost.... They will just reload next year. There is a lot of young talent and Coach Martin and his staff have them believing in Mustang Pride. Right now it is hard to argue that they do not own the county.

[Tall Trees]

Coach Martin does a great job and has turned the NO program around. He is a class act and I would look for big things from NO as long as he is around. I am a big Mustang fan.

[ColonelMike]

I really think that as much as the Tangs lost.... They will just reload next year. There is a lot of young talent and Coach Martin and his staff have them believing in Mustang Pride. Right now it is hard to argue that they do not own the county.

 

Billy Martin has done an absolutely phenomenal job of creating a top-10 program where there had been nothing. The Mustangs should be a contender in the district again next year, and perhaps beyond. With a new stadium and a sense of program pride, the Mustangs are primed to do well again next year.

 

As for top dog in the county...well...I think you'd have a hard time selling that to most impartial observers.

 

...they have beaten South Oldham two years running...but this year's game was pretty close...meanwhile, Oldham County blasted the Dragons, 56-0. North vs. Oldham might have been a fun matchup this year, but since it didn't happen, we only have comparative scores and observations. I broadcast 6 games involving both teams...and this year, I don't think North would have knocked off 5A Oldham County. Personal opinion for what it's worth, but I think Oldham was definitely the better team. They were bigger, faster, and deeper. Offensively, they had more skill players to hurt you with, and Oldham didn't have as many players forced to play both ways... None of this in any way detracts from the amazing play of North Oldham...but you are comparing a great 3A team with a great 5A team, and that's a tough comparison generally.

[Governor Jake]

Mustang fans can line up and drink all the Kool Aid they want. Problem for the Mustangs next season will be the Warriors from Western Hills. Western Hills has too much coming back. Spencer and Henry will fight it out for second place and that will leave 4th place for your Mustangs. The glory days have passed North Oldham by. :D

[ColonelMike]

Mustang fans can line up and drink all the Kool Aid they want. Problem for the Mustangs next season will be the Warriors from Western Hills. Western Hills has too much coming back. Spencer and Henry will fight it out for second place and that will leave 4th place for your Mustangs. The glory days have passed North Oldham by. :D

 

"Warriors"? Did the Wolverines change their name?

[Knute Rockne]

Mustang fans can line up and drink all the Kool Aid they want. Problem for the Mustangs next season will be the Warriors from Western Hills. Western Hills has too much coming back. Spencer and Henry will fight it out for second place and that will leave 4th place for your Mustangs. The glory days have passed North Oldham by. :D

Ok Jake just don't try the fake punt again. The cast on the kid really fooled us, and was a great call. The glory days for North is kind of absurd since the school is 6 yrs old. You are right about one thing though, the district will be very competitive.

[Knute Rockne]

"Warriors"? Did the Wolverines change their name?

 

That is interesting someone may be trying to fire us up Colonel Mike.

[Governor Jake]

After the Wolverines get through with district play you will agree that they are Warriors. They will be Warriors next season as far as other district foes are concerned. North's last two years were glory days as far their meager output has been. North is an also ran as far into the future that anyone with football knowledge can see.:fire: