[Carver08]

Ashland loses alot of talent from last year do you think they can pull it together next year and be a contender

[Tomcat68]

Offense - 6 returning starters (RB, T, G, C, WR, WR), 1 returning partial starter (FB), 4 new faces (QB, T, G, TE)

QB - No replacement Ian, but Mahan or McDavid can fill in
RB - Matt Thomas returns for his 3rd, but still not last season as the team's RB
FB - Fields will be an improvement over Reliford
OL - It was poor, should be an improvement with more experience
TE - Should have a solid true TE with Ryan Bonner
WR - Drew and Luke return, but will be hampered by the loss of Angel and Adam

Defense - 2 returning all-state players (LB, CB), 5 returning starters (DT, LB, CB, CB, FS), 2 returning partial starters (DE, DE), 4 new faces (DT, LB, M/R, M/R)

DL - Gallaher returns, lose many starters, but bringing back numerous players who say significant playing time last year due to injuries
LB - 2nd team all-state LB Fields Davis returns, Lose Blake but have many kids who will be able to fill the gaps
M/R - These positions just like the WR, take the largest hit due to the departure of Angel and Adam. These spots are up for grabs, but will be filled in nicely by a good crop of young athletes
DB - All returning - 2nd team all-state CB Drew McDavid returns, Very Solid CB Matt Thomas returns, and team leading tacking FS Luke Bonner returns

Offensive Outlook -

I think the '06 edition of the Tomcats will be a much more ground oriented attack. The backfield should be much more solid next season due to running behind a MUCH more experienced offensive line. "Bowling Ball" FB Fields Davis will get his yards through hell or high water. RB Matt Thomas should find it easier next season to find large gaps in the defense to exploit using his speed.

This leads to one problem though, it takes the ball out of the hands of Ashland's most explosive weapon, WR Drew McDavid. Coach Leon Hart will HAVE to find ways to get the ball into this playmakers dangerous hands, whether it be throw play action passing, screens, or allowing him to play occasional snaps from the QB position. Of course, this whole situation would be alieviated if McDavid were named the starting QB next season.

Defensive Outlook -

The '06 edition of the Tomcats will once again have a stellar defensive featuring 2 returning all-state selections. The Tomcats allowed only 172 points in 12 games last season. The most given up was 32 against Rockcastle County. With that exception, never allowed any other team to reach 28 points. The Tomcats allowed more than 2 TDs only 3 times all season (Rockcastle County(3A Region 4 champions), Russell (2A State Champs), and Ironton (perenial OH powerhouse).

Expect an even better defensive output from the Tomcats next season. The front 8 will be relatively unexperienced with only 2 returning starters and 2 partial starters. The front 8 will be anchored by all-state LB Fields Davis and he will help the young front gel quickly along with DT Travis Gallaher. The defensive backfield all returns with no weak spot. All-state CB Drew McDavid leads while leading tackler Luke Bonner stays at FS while Solid CB Matt Thomas fills in on the other side.

The Tomcats will be reloaded again next season and I expect another great season. The offensive won't be as explosive, but should be able to ground it out on most teams. The defense will be the heart and soul of the team while shutting down most teams they come across. I would be very surprised to see ANY team put 25 points on Ashland next season.

[maroon76]

You Will Probily See Some Sophmores Out There In Special Teams. Tough Hitting Kids Like Josh Salisbury, Blake Mccloud, Trey Keaton Josh Miller, That Can Put Out To Put Some Puniishment On The Oppentent. They Are Hard Hitters All The Way

[strikethree]

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