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

So who does the Cardinals have returning on the line?

I am going to say that the biggest thing is to find a quaterback.

I am going to say that the biggest thing is to find a quaterback.

Me too.

QB and improve the defense. They scored a lot of points, but gave up a lot as well. Some tough losses to graduation (Bowling, Fields, Cobb, Armfield, etc) but still have some good young talent.

They need to improve on the defensive a great deal. I don't think that they spend too much time in practice working on the D. And it is hard to play defense when all you see is the pass attack in practice IMO.

I am willing to bet that you will see South run the ball more this coming season. They will still put it in the air, but I believe they expect to get a solid running attack and hope for a breakout year from to-be-sophomore Nick Miller.

Has anyone heard for sure who Coach Welch's assistants will be this season? I certainly hope that Chris Hays stays on. His offense has been very effective for several years. I also wonder if Roark could possibly join this staff.

Something has been missing from all the SL talk the past couple weeks, especially the negative talk about defense. A team's offense has much to do with how their defense performs in a particular game... SL has been a predominately pass or die team for the past couple years. They did it well. However, when facing good defenses, many series may end on 3 and outs, with a stopped clock between each down due to incompletions. It puts a strain on defensive players to repeatedly do this. The game is lengthened tremendously if the passing game is not effective. Check the total plays in any given game--O vs. D... The SL/PC game last year is a good example. The D spent an eternity on the field against one of the BEST O units in this part of the state.

Plus, when all you have been known for and all emphasis is placed on O, the D guys and the team get a sense of urgency about the game when the O struggles. Kids over-play and make fundamental mistakes leading to big plays.

SO, Coach Welch understands this and will inevitably improve on putting the D in good situations--winable situations. Offenses have to play a little defense too--if you want to win. Coach Welch will toughen the kids, teach fundamentals and balance, and will be judged as successful when it is all said and done.

Something has been missing from all the SL talk the past couple weeks, especially the negative talk about defense. A team's offense has much to do with how their defense performs in a particular game... SL has been a predominately pass or die team for the past couple years. They did it well. However, when facing good defenses, many series may end on 3 and outs, with a stopped clock between each down due to incompletions. It puts a strain on defensive players to repeatedly do this. The game is lengthened tremendously if the passing game is not effective. Check the total plays in any given game--O vs. D... The SL/PC game last year is a good example. The D spent an eternity on the field against one of the BEST O units in this part of the state.

Plus, when all you have been known for and all emphasis is placed on O, the D guys and the team get a sense of urgency about the game when the O struggles. Kids over-play and make fundamental mistakes leading to big plays.

SO, Coach Welch understands this and will inevitably improve on putting the D in good situations--winable situations. Offenses have to play a little defense too--if you want to win. Coach Welch will toughen the kids, teach fundamentals and balance, and will be judged as successful when it is all said and done.

 

 

You make some very good points and there were certain games where the offensive scheme hurt them. But I wouldn't use the PC game as an example. South scored 60 points in that game, ... and lost. Yes the D was on the field a lot, but when your offense scores 60 and you lose 61-60, you could look at some missed opportunities on defense as well as offense.

 

I would have used the Whitley County playoff game (lost 48-0) or the Mercer County (lost 48-14) game as an example of times it hurt them, but not one where they scored 60 points and lost. This was 22 points more than their ppg average of 38 ppg.

 

Like I said in another post, I think you will see South Laurel run the ball more this season. With the loss of Bowling and some other key players (Fields, Armfield, etc), they will need to take a little of the air out of the ball from time to time.

08/21 A Letcher County Central

08/28 H Williamsburg (Cumberland Valley Bowl)

09/04 A North Laurel

09/11 A Clay County

09/18 H Corbin

09/25 A Mercer County

10/02 A Southwestern

10/09 H Pulaski County

10/16 OPEN

10/23 H Lincoln County

10/30 A Middlesboro

I am hearing that 2 assistant coaches won't be back. Travis McDaniel & Chris Hays.

 

I think not bringing Chris back is a HUGE mistake. Just HUGE.

I am hearing that 2 assistant coaches won't be back. Travis McDaniel & Chris Hays.

 

I think not bringing Chris back is a HUGE mistake. Just HUGE.

 

South Laurel Football :isurrender:

New head coach Larry Welch has a tough schedule considering how much South lost from last year's team. They have to get off to a good start and get some confidence early on in the season.

Not bringing back Chris is going to hurt SL more than people will know. He is a excellent OC and not being there is going to hurt SL.