GOINGFOR2

DeArion Jones may be a roster casualty.

The Rebs come to Tates Creek for a scrimmage on the 15th. Will try to contribute what I see for Boyle County then.

He deserves mentioning. Very nice player.

Conversely, Creek played a team from Ohio at UKs 7 on 7 Tourny, and they were a 2 tight running team and they literally ran their 1 and 2 receiver routes even though it wasn't conducive to winning a 7 on 7 game. That was more My point

Yeah to be honest, the pics may not have been Clay. I just know that Pikeville, in the first 5 minutes of the game had scored 3 times and picked off the Laf QBs twice. The game was even scoring from there. I'm thrown for a loop if they lost that game. But you seem to have the info. It just didn't mix with what I saw. I trust ya. Lol And I feel you on the move to free up Deandre, I love that kids game. Wasn't a knock on them, just saying that they conform a lot of what they do Taylor'd to WIN 7 on 7 games. No disrespect For them.

I really wanted to see the other side of the bracket but didn't get the chance. I know Henry Clay was playing without Elijah and Davion so that wasn't going to be a very accurate appraisal. But I wanted to see the 1st and 10 team and the Somerset group.

They definitely lost to Pikeville but as you said, they beat Dunbar, this making them 2-1 just like Tates Creek, but they beat Creek head to head and would have given them the 1 seed. That actually makes sense. I wasn't 100% positive on that Dunbar/ Lafayette outcome for sure. Which really was a moot point because it was only pool play anyway.

Also Tates Creek led Lafayette going into the final series of their 7 on 7 game. And was up 2 scores at the half. Hopefully that will answer your questions

Yeah the Dunbar game was hard to judge, hence the my view statement. Also, the game we watched with Lafayette Pikeville, Pikeville scores 4-5-6 times and picked off clay Bolin multiple times. It appeared to the whole section we were with they beat Lafayette handily in the 7 on 7 game we watched. Collins dropping their Corners 20 yards deep playing a cover or cover 4 at 20 yard depth, (coincidentally a 1st down in 7 on 7) is anything but a traditional defense. That's made exactly for 7 on 7. Also, having 4 receivers and a back on one side of the ball thus leaving Deandre solo on the opposite side of the ball as a single receiver, is once again, anything but TRADITIONAL.....

About half........the line mixes in as well but there are players that rotate in the line.......but Creek has more depth this year than the last 4 or 5. I'd say you'll have 4-5 playing both ways a majority of the time.

To be honest. You can come out to 1 of these 7 on 7s and these kids will light it up. Then see the same kids next time out, not really caring about that particular game for some reason. It's good to have some competition and seeing kids playing in the summer. But the reality is, these pads and having the lines back intact is when football is football. 7 on 7 is fun but doesn't mean a whole lot in the major scheme of things. I've seen some teams like Collins who are very good teams, but operate a "7 on 7" system that really isn't their offense/defense. Like dropping 3 corners and safety's 20 yards deep playing over the top defense. Things like that. Then some teams are using it as an opportunity to mix a bunch of guys in, and play the 2's and 3's more than starters. Getting guys reps. Some teams are gung ho after a win, while some teams are more worried about executing their stuff and the wins/losses are a secondary concern. So you truly get a mixed bag. I wouldn't put too much stock and emphasis on it. Now, if they Re never competitive, that may be a concern or problem.

Sorry I didn't get to see the other pod That had Somerset in it. I had to get back to work unfortunately and I missed them coming over for the Tourny portion. I wanted to see them too.

Observations and impressions from pool play at Lafayette..... Also from watching the 7 on 7 pool play round at Lafayette. I'd say that Tates Creek won the pool play by beating Pikeville and Dunbar and losing a 1 point game to Lafayette. Lafayette definitely lost to Pikeville from what I saw and the Dunbar game looked like Dunbar won that as well. Pool play looked like from what I could tell Tates Creek 2-1 (Beat Dunbar handily, escaped Pikeville, and lost a nail biter to Lafayette) Dunbar 2-1 (Beat Pikeville handily, lost to Tates Creek Handily, Beat Lafayette on a nail biter) Lafayette 1-2 (Beat Tates Creek by a point, lost to Pikeville, Dunbar game was very close as well) Pikeville 1-2 (beat Lafayette handily, got beat handily by Dunbar, lost a tough one against Tates Creek) Best Players in pool play RJ Taylor (Tates Creek) WR/DB was the best player on the field. Scored at least 2 TDs in every game and locked down 1 half of the field when he played at Corner. Would have been the Pool Play MVP if there was one. Seems to always be open and Always making a play. Great speed, great hands, seems to Always be gliding along. Silky smooth. Clay Bolin (Lafayette) QB was the best QB there. Throws a great looking ball. Really liked his composure and poise in the pocket. Gonna be a real nice QB. I think he can be special if he continues to grow and body fills out. WR from Pikeville- Don't know his name but a receiver from Pikeville had great feet and very good speed. He gave Lafayette fits in their game. He looks like he will be tough to handle in EKY football. Very nice fluid looking player. Kylan Nelson (Lafayette)- WR/DB Great speed and quickness. Turns simple slants into home runs. Great athlete. Not extremely big, but can turn on a dime. Really like what he can bring to the table. Emory Thompson (Dunbar) WR/DB/QB. Emory is a good looking ball player. Nice athleticism and a playmaker on offense. Not very natural at QB, but he can definitely make plays from the receiver/slot position. Nice DB. Hawks the ball and goes for the Pick every time. Good looking ball player. Honorable mention was the Left Handed QB from Pikeville. Was throwing the ball very well all day. Didn't have a ton of help from his receivers outside of the 1 outside receiver and a bigger slot receiver. Lots of drops from his receivers. Had great touch and threw some real nice balls. Funniest parts of the day was listening to the Pikeville D Coordinator I believe. He was WAAAAAAAY Into it on about every play. He stayed on his boys and was fired up all day. I loved his energy and enthusiasm and had the crowd laughing more than a couple of times. That's just what I saw.

On a positive note for Somerset. I have a friend who referees some of these 7 on 7 games. And he talked about the receiver from Somerset. He said just looking at him out of pads you may not be impressed with him, but that he was very nice on the field. Good speed and feet. Chevront kid I assumed. He loved the way he played.

Henry clay was just a host for a pod of a tourney that was held at Lafayette

Tate's creek will be in the Franklin County 7 on 7 Tourny today at 5

Thank you.

Tates Creek looks to get back to its proud football tradition of winning District Titles and Playoff football. Being around the Tates Creek Program over the summer and offseason there is a newfound buzz and energy coming from the program. You see it, hear it, and can definitely feel the positive vibes. How can that be, when Tates Creek has come off of back to back losing seasons at 3-8, then 4-7 last season ending in a bad loss to St. x in the Playoffs???? Start with the 23 returning Seniors. To go along with that is a JR. Class of the same size. Tates Creek has been a youth movement for the last couple of seasons, and looks to bear the fruits of those trials of being forced to playing a team of young players across the board. Along with the returning Seniors is 8 Starters on offense, and 9 starters on defense. 17 starters returning, and over 30 players returning with starting experience. The group returning is a very solid, hardened group built through playing lots of minutes early in their career, and taking lumps along the way. This group is ready to receive the blessings of the other side of that coin this year. Offensive Outlook Tates Creek brings back 8 starters from an already explosive offense. There are many weapons in the Tates Creek Offense, starting with returning (2x) All City SR. Standout 5'11 180 lb. (#19) RJ Taylor who finished in the Top 10 in 6A receiving with over 48 Catches and 700+ yards with 7 TDs. Taylor is a threat all over the field and will be used to exploit matchups in a variety of ways, Receiving, rushing, sweeps/screens, motions, a variety of ways. Complimenting Taylor on the opposite side is another major threat, 6'2 175 lb. Sr. (#8)WR TaVon Dunn who finished last season with over 30 catches and 500 yards receiving and 9 TDs. The 1-2 Punch of Taylor/Dunn is as good of a reciving combo as their is in the state. In the backfield, Creek will be returning Sr. (#21) Casey Grimes Who was the 2nd leading returning rusher behind the graduated 1st Team All Stater Dennis Oxendine. Also in the backfield, will be returning SR. FB (#44) Eamon Nasr who is a ground and pound rusher. More players on offense to watch will be JR. speedster RB/Slot (#26) Martavius Carter, and Sr. TE/Slot (#10) 6"2 215 Marshall Gant who is a big target caught a lot of balls last year and is a tough kid with nice hands. All in all, a wealth of talent at the skill positions. And where some teams have question marks, Tates Creek has an overabundance at QB. The returners are both proven commodity's. The battle is between Jr. (#4) Graham Gordon that passed for over 2300 yards and 16 TDs years ago and Big SR. (#6) Jake Ryan, a poised SR. with a big arm and potential. Those 2, shared reps last year and will more than likely start this season the same way until a clear cut starter is named, my gut says it ends up being the JR. Gordon who is a dynamic playmaker and has great rapport with the receivers. But we will see. If its any indication, Graham Gordon has looked better in the summer 7 on 7 tournaments so far, and Creek has been very impressive as a group going 10-2 so far this summer. Tates Creek has a very capable 3rd String QB as well in Peyton Burke. The skill postions will be behind a very experienced SR Laden offensive line. This group has played varsity snaps for the last 3 seasons. And will be a strength this season. SR. #53 Deion Webb 6,2 263 lbs. SR. #65 Jovan Blackburn 6'0 235 lbs. SR. #52 Tanner Gill 6,2 260 lbs. SR. #56 Tyler Sturgill 6'1 221 lbs. Coach Mike Harmon's spread offense has always been explosive. This group will be one of his most explosive groups with Seniors and Juniors all across the the offensive lineup. Definitely a team strength. Playmakers, leadership, and SR Big guys in the trenches. Defensive Outlook The achilles heel to Tates Creek has been its defense the last couple of seasons, and more directly, stopping the ground game. Tates Creek has been a 3-4 defense the last couple of seasons and has not done the job against the run. This season, Tates Creek brings back its most veteran group. 9 returning starters on defense. Led by Tackling machine SR. MLB Eamon Nasr #44, Eamon is always around the ball and led the team in tackles last season. The D-Line will be anchored by some of the O Line names mentioned earlier, with some new names joining the line. SR DE (#18) 6'4 220 lb. Taiwan Hart can be unblockable at times, JR. DT CLint Boyte (#70) 5'11 240 lb. and (#78) 6 ft. 190 lb. Jacob Czarnecki will also provide D-Line presence. The interior of the defense should be pretty stout against the run, depth as Tates Creek does not platoon many players will be the question. Linebackers will be SR. Led with SR. (#44) Eamon Nasr in the middle, SR. Ryan Betlach (#33) and SR. (#10) Marshall Gant will lineup outside of Nasr. This group is a physical group and looks to make plays downhill. Also, look for SO. (#31) Jaren Shelby to defnitely be in the mix, Jaren has looked very good this summer. He is the son of Ex Pro Baseball Player John Shelby and is a heck of a ball player and athlete. And JR. (#2) Max Sweet is a playmaker also at the postion and will play some Outisde backer/Rover. Another strong group, how will the infusion of the young athletes Shelby and Sweet mix into the plans. Secondary will be led by SR. DB (#19) RJ Taylor, 2x DB of the Year/2x All City Member, and (#26) JR. Martavius Carter who led the team in Interceptions last season with 4. SR. (#21) Casey Grimes returns at safety as well and JR. DJ Mayfield returns as well at the Free Safety. The Tates Creek Secondary has been a strength for the past few seasons being 1 of the top passing defenses in the state and looks to be again. Plenty of depth as well as many players will contribute to play a lot of minutes. Look for players like SR. (#34) Wanya Brown, and JR.(#25) Malik Hartsfield , and SR. Gunnar Garten to provide plenty of support and play lots of minutes for the secondary. A strength of the team, can take away your primary receivers with their DB's and make you 1 dimensional. Very experienced group, lots of athleticism, and a veteran group that has been through it all. Will they make the necessary scheme changes to put the players in the best postion to stop the run. Lots of speed, skill, and depth on this defense. The back 7 will be very difficult to pass on once again. Can Creek stop the run? that will be the question. Schedule Aug. 15 Scrimmage hosting Boyle County Aug. 23 Paul Laurence Dunbar Aug. 30 Louisville Moore Sept. 6 @ Perry County Central Sept. 13 @ Henry clay Sept. 20 @ Rowan County Sept. 27 Bryan Station Oct. 4 @ Dixie Heights Oct. 11 Madison Central Oct. 18 @ George Rogers Clark Oct. 25 Lafayette (Roy G. Walton Bowl) Nov. 1 OPEN Tates Creek has a very solid schedule this season. Road trips to Dixie Heights, Perry County Central, and Rowan county have Creek covering different areas of the state. Tates Creek will play the city teams again and looks to be the favorite in their district. A district with Lafayette, Madison Central, and Clark County. Tates Creek felt the loss of graduation the least of all the programs in the district and should be the favorite. Season Outlook Folks around the Tates Creek program have known for years that this particular class and group would be special when it is all said and done, and that this group that paid its dues as freshmen and sophomore's getting varsity playing time, will now be a SR group. Well, this season is that season, and it is time for Tates Creek to take the step into the playoffs and make noise. Also, Tates Creek drew the Lexington District in the playoffs and will have played wach of them prior to the playoffs. And will have a BYE the last week of the season to prepare, heal up, and get ready for the playoff run. Tates Creek feels that they will be able to make a deep run in the playoffs this season, and with what they return, there isn't any reason that they shouldn't. This SR. group is a close knit group and sees this year as the opportunity to leave thier mark. PLAYERS TO WATCH RJ Taylor - #19 (SR.) WR/DB/KR-PR Do everything player with multiple scholarship offers, plays both sides of the ball, return man, and even place holds and is a threat at all times to make a play. Will be one of the state's top receivers, and one of if not it's best Defensive Back. Rivals rated him as a 2 star DB in its most recent ratings. UK, WKU, Miami of OH, Ball State, and several others look to lead for his services. Was selected to play for the Cincinnati Bengals NAtional 7 on 7 Team. TaVon Dunn - #8 (SR.) WR Dangerous receiver with big play potential. Very good length and even better hands. Runs very good routes and always seems to be open. Very tough around the red zone. Very good potential to play at the next level. Also selected by the Cincinnati Bengal National Team. Eamon Nasr - #44 (SR.) MLB/FB Tough, gritty, hard nosed player that is always around the ball, and always giving 100%. Tackling machine. Is the physical presence of the team, plays 100%. (SR.) Deion Webb #53 / (SR.) Jovan Blackburn #65 - OL/DL 2 Big physical interior linemen, their importance is hard to quantify. They will be counted on to anchor both sides of the line, with all the skill players Creek has at their disposal the holes these guys can open will be vital. Jovan won a national championship with the Cincinnati Bengal Lineman Challenge and Deion is a big physical force and was a 1st team All City selection last season. JR. Graham Gordon #4 - QB Graham threw for over 2300 yards last season and 16 TDs. And should be able to eclipse those numbers with a year of maturity and experience under his belt. Graham has big timeplaymaking ability and as long as he minimizes turnovers and mistakes, can have a truly special JR season campaign, especially considering the system and playmakers at his disposal. Potential Breakout Performers #26 JR. Martavius Carter - Speedster that plays both sides of the ball and is a dangerous return man has the capability of really being a special player. Led the team in Interceptions last season. He will get his chances to shine this season. Watch for Carter to come out of the backfield and screens, can be very dangerous. #21 SR. Casey Grimes - RB/S/LB - Returning starter and 2nd leading rusher from last season, will make a bunch of tackles and is a heck of a ball player. Has potential to be a break out player this year. Tates Creek figures to be a major player this year in 6A.

We played McCracken at the UK 7 on 7 Tourny last week. And they were wearing Black, Red and silver. Nice Helmets. And had some nice players.

Tate's Creek beats Montgomery County Bryan Station Nelson County Ashland

I'm checking into that for you. All i know so far is that Collins, Tates Creek and Franklin County are all in the same pod for pool play. Will be a lot of fireworks right out of the Gates.

Anytime.

Yes. They are in our pool at Franklin County on the 27th I believe.

This season.....we played them in 7 on 7 at Uk And I was impressed with some of their size and athleticism. We played extremely well against them so I didn't use the results as a barometer of them. I'd like to hear about their season outlook and maybe some of their players if possible....