08-13-2011, 06:46 AM
(Teams listed in coaches' predicted order of finish)
South Oldham
Coach: Jamie Reed (12-9 overall, 7-4 at South Oldham)
Last year: 7-4 (lost 28-21 to Bullitt Central in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs)
Players to watch: Junior QB Jack Sherry; senior RB Marc Stephens; junior RB Steward Williams; senior WR Jacob Lamb; senior LB Reid Gilson; senior WR Kody Kollenburg; senior LB Dillion Banks; junior DB Dallas Banks
Outlook: Sherry is a dual threat at quarterback after throwing for 17 touchdowns and adding five scores rushing. Stephens and Williams are nice complements to Sherry in the backfield.
Conner
Coach: Dave Trosper (34-56 overall, 21-21 at Conner)
Last year: 5-6 (lost 32-20 to Henry Clay in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs)
Players to watch: Sophomore QB Drew Barker; junior WR Cameron Fogle; senior WR Jake Mullderink; senior RB Blake Kennedy
Outlook: Barker has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the state, and having a veteran duo like Fogle and Mullderink catching passes from him only will help his progress. The team as a whole is young, but there is a lot of talent among the underclassmen. If the defense improves, the Cougars could challenge South Oldham for the top spot.
Cooper
Coach: Randy Borchers (15-36 overall, 8-22 at Cooper)
Last year: 3-7 (missed playoffs)
Players to watch: Senior QB/DB Tyler Morris; senior WR/DB AJ Branch; junior OL/DL Brennan Pike; senior OL/DL James Blau; senior OL/LB Ashley Kalb; junior TE/DL Dustin Mitchell; junior TE/LB Taylor Centers; junior QB/LB AJ Collins
Outlook: A move down into a lower division may prove to be a crucial step toward the young Jaguars program making progress and competing. Replacing running back DeVontae Bradley won't be easy, but Morris now has more of an opportunity to make plays at quarterback.
Scott
Coach: Dave Campbell
(8-24)
Last year: 2-9 (lost 47-13 to Johnson Central in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs)
Players to watch: Senior RB/DB Ryan Sowder; senior QB Joey Heeb; senior RB/LB Brandon Stamper; senior RB/LB Justin Hoskins; junior OL/DB Chase Ford
Outlook: The Eagles return five starters on both offense and defense, but they have a group of young players that need to mature quickly in order for this season to be a success. Campbell says there are over 20 sophomores that will need to contribute this season. With a change of district, Scott should have a better opportunity to make the playoffs.
Grant County
Coach: David Arvin (first season)
Last year: 2-8 (missed playoffs)
Players to watch: Sophomore QB/LB Derek Sutherland; junior RB Tyler Robinson; junior WR Shelby Caudill; senior OL/DL J.T. Allshouse; senior TE/LB Lucas Button
Outlook: Just a sophomore, Sutherland will be handed the reins to lead the Braves at quarterback. Having Robinson to hand off the ball to and Sutherland to catch passes should help east the transition. Although it's somewhat undersized on defense, Arvin expects his team's play to be physical
South Oldham
Coach: Jamie Reed (12-9 overall, 7-4 at South Oldham)
Last year: 7-4 (lost 28-21 to Bullitt Central in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs)
Players to watch: Junior QB Jack Sherry; senior RB Marc Stephens; junior RB Steward Williams; senior WR Jacob Lamb; senior LB Reid Gilson; senior WR Kody Kollenburg; senior LB Dillion Banks; junior DB Dallas Banks
Outlook: Sherry is a dual threat at quarterback after throwing for 17 touchdowns and adding five scores rushing. Stephens and Williams are nice complements to Sherry in the backfield.
Conner
Coach: Dave Trosper (34-56 overall, 21-21 at Conner)
Last year: 5-6 (lost 32-20 to Henry Clay in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs)
Players to watch: Sophomore QB Drew Barker; junior WR Cameron Fogle; senior WR Jake Mullderink; senior RB Blake Kennedy
Outlook: Barker has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the state, and having a veteran duo like Fogle and Mullderink catching passes from him only will help his progress. The team as a whole is young, but there is a lot of talent among the underclassmen. If the defense improves, the Cougars could challenge South Oldham for the top spot.
Cooper
Coach: Randy Borchers (15-36 overall, 8-22 at Cooper)
Last year: 3-7 (missed playoffs)
Players to watch: Senior QB/DB Tyler Morris; senior WR/DB AJ Branch; junior OL/DL Brennan Pike; senior OL/DL James Blau; senior OL/LB Ashley Kalb; junior TE/DL Dustin Mitchell; junior TE/LB Taylor Centers; junior QB/LB AJ Collins
Outlook: A move down into a lower division may prove to be a crucial step toward the young Jaguars program making progress and competing. Replacing running back DeVontae Bradley won't be easy, but Morris now has more of an opportunity to make plays at quarterback.
Scott
Coach: Dave Campbell
(8-24)
Last year: 2-9 (lost 47-13 to Johnson Central in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs)
Players to watch: Senior RB/DB Ryan Sowder; senior QB Joey Heeb; senior RB/LB Brandon Stamper; senior RB/LB Justin Hoskins; junior OL/DB Chase Ford
Outlook: The Eagles return five starters on both offense and defense, but they have a group of young players that need to mature quickly in order for this season to be a success. Campbell says there are over 20 sophomores that will need to contribute this season. With a change of district, Scott should have a better opportunity to make the playoffs.
Grant County
Coach: David Arvin (first season)
Last year: 2-8 (missed playoffs)
Players to watch: Sophomore QB/LB Derek Sutherland; junior RB Tyler Robinson; junior WR Shelby Caudill; senior OL/DL J.T. Allshouse; senior TE/LB Lucas Button
Outlook: Just a sophomore, Sutherland will be handed the reins to lead the Braves at quarterback. Having Robinson to hand off the ball to and Sutherland to catch passes should help east the transition. Although it's somewhat undersized on defense, Arvin expects his team's play to be physical