What does Covington Catholic need to do to improve in 2010? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Find a replacement QB.

Erpenbeck had about 75% of the total offense last year.

Also all the possible replacements play baseball and were not at spring ball.

I saw the frosh play several times and thought their offensive and defensive lines were the best around. They weren't real big, but were very sound fundamentally.

They have a stable of running backs with Leo, Slabaugh, Gray, and Beatrice. I'd look for Gabe Gray to be the main focus, he will put up huge numbers this year. Leo also will play LB and I wouldn't be surprised to see Slabaugh play a little receiver as well as DB. The Oline is solid with Thaxton, Way, Connaughton, Kuderer, and Halpin all lettering last season. Troy Timmerman will be a beast on the Dline. Paul Ritter, Travis Conner, and Alex Cosby return in the secondary. Alex Connelly will be the best wide receiver in NKY. Look for Best, Massie, and McDowell to have good years at WR as well. The only question is QB with Reese, Bir, and Lankheit all playing baseball I havent had the chance to see them practice yet.

I have heard the Line backing corp maybe the biggest improvement over last year. At the end of the season there were 3 Sophomores and a Junior getting the majority of the reps. Add Shaeffer, and Powell to the mix and you will see a vast improvement over how the unit performs.

 

The Guess kid certainly looks the part. He is about 6'2", and is around 215.

Who is the big imcoming frosh qb I've heard about?

I think Blake will do well. I had a good conversation with him a few months ago. Really tried to build his confidence he has all the tools and is a smart kid.

Who is the big imcoming frosh qb I've heard about?

 

More than likely they are talking about the Sam Dressman. He played Qb for the Jr. High team last year. Very good athlete, about 6'1" or so, about 180 lbs.

If Bir starts then Brady Reese would be a nice WR or DB.

More than likely they are talking about the Sam Dressman. He played Qb for the Jr. High team last year. Very good athlete, about 6'1" or so, about 180 lbs.

 

You're right. They're planning on working a lot with Sam this year to try to develop him into a rotating starter as a sophomore. I don't know for sure what Coach Wirth's views are on playing freshman up with JV/Varsity, but I would assume that come October, Sam won't be seeing much freshman football playing time any more.

You're right. They're planning on working a lot with Sam this year to try to develop him into a rotating starter as a sophomore. I don't know for sure what Coach Wirth's views are on playing freshman up with JV/Varsity, but I would assume that come October, Sam won't be seeing much freshman football playing time any more.

 

 

You can take that one to the bank about Sam not playing a lot of Frosh ball this season. Sam, Pope and young Bir have a lot of upside!

For those who follow CovCath, what kind of team are you expecting in 2010, compared to the past few years' CCH squads?

I believe Coach Wirth and Coach Hobbs will take their time in developing Dressman.

He was men among boys last year,however Bir started out practicing with the JV/varsity last year, which was a good idea, but at times looked like a deer in headlights.

Let Dressman develop as a Freshman.

Bir can QB this team,because they have the backs and line to take the pressure off him.

This team will be overall a better team, almost all the starters with have game time last year.

For those who follow CovCath, what kind of team are you expecting in 2010, compared to the past few years' CCH squads?

 

I think "cautiously Optimistic" would be a good way to phrase it. I think there is a potential to have a very nice team /season. The RB's are an area of strength. I think the o-line with 3 starters returning should be solid. The Wr's will have 2 of the top 3 receivers return. The d-line will be anchored by Timmerman, and should be good. The Lb's have potential to be the most improved group on the team. The secondary returns 4 experienced players.

The Kicker and the punter both return. The major question mark will be the QB position. I think all of the candidates have positives and negatives.

 

To summarize, I think most signs point to a good year, with a few unknowns being significant enough to keep expectations in check for the moment.

For those who follow CovCath, what kind of team are you expecting in 2010, compared to the past few years' CCH squads?

 

Would expect them to be back in "stride" soon. Still might be a year away though.