Thread Rating:
08-19-2013, 03:55 PM
BALLARD (9-4)
Coach: Mike Jackson (sixth season, 36-25).
Starters back: Offense 5, defense 8.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: You haven't heard much about WR Will Bush (Sr.) in a football uniform, but you will this season. Last season was his first year in organized football, and the majority of it was spent on the junior varsity. But Bush (6-1, 200) had a strong showing during offseason camps and displayed his speed in winning the Class 3-A state title in the 100-meter dash in May, beating former Trinity standout James Quick. Bush has a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky.
Other top players: QB Rex Wallace (Sr.), RB Bennie Berry (Sr.), OT-DT Cory Hardin (Sr.), WR-CB De Doss (Sr.), DE Sean Hammonds (Jr.), DE Sam White (Jr.), NG Joe Harris (Sr.), FS Derek Strasser (Sr.).
Outlook: Jackson said team chemistry issues kept the Bruins from advancing past the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year, but he likes the direction of this year's squad. "It seems to be a major strength," he said. Berry is a strong running back who rushed for 961 yards and scored nine TDs as a junior. Wallace takes over at quarterback and is a solid leader who should keep the chains moving, Jackson said. The strength of the defense could be a line led by Hammonds (6-3, 220), White (6-2, 225) and Harris (5-10, 295). The pieces are there to repeat as district champions.
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at St. Xavier 9/27 MALE
8/30 at Jeffersontown 10/11 *EASTERN
9/6 at Collins 10/18 *at Fern Creek
9/13 WESTERN 10/25 *OLDHAM CO.
9/20 at Manual 11/1 BRYAN STATION
*-District game.
EASTERN (11-3)
Coach: Stephen Ruckman (second season).
Starters back: Offense 3, defense 3.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Senior Jacob Biller (6-2, 200) takes over at quarterback after "playing every position on the field last year except offensive and defensive line," Ruckman said. Biller can run and throw but might be most effective as a leader. "We put him at quarterback because we think he's somebody the whole team will follow," Ruckman said. "He gives us the best chance to win ballgames."
Other top players: RB Antonio McClain (Jr.), RB Raeshauntez Johnson (So.), WR Luke Moses (Sr.), WR Zach Kozma (Jr.), OL Cameron DeGeorge (Sr.), OL Matt Benson (Sr.), DL Chaz Owens (Sr.), DT Roland Brady (Sr.), LB Shawn Carter (Sr.), DB Chauncey Johns (Sr.).
Outlook: The Eagles lost a load of talent from a team that reached the Class 6-A state semifinals before falling to Pleasure Ridge Park. The offense should be able to put up some points with Biller at quarterback and McClain and Johnson (a transfer from Trinity) splitting the carries. Moses is a top receiver after posting 31 catches for 648 yards and five touchdowns last year. "We want to gain experience and be fully healthy for our district games and the playoffs," Ruckman said. "I think we have enough to beat everybody we play. It's just a fine line of the kids being experienced enough to get over that hurdle and win consistently."
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 JEFFERSONTOWN 10/11 *at Ballard
8/30 at CAL 10/18 *at Oldham County
9/6 CENTRAL 10/25 *FERN CREEK
9/20 SENECA 11/1 MANUAL
9/27 at Butler
*-District game.
FERN CREEK (2-9)
Coach: Joe Nichols (third season, 6-16).
Starters back: Offense 6, defense 6.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Senior lineman Kermit Gibbs (6-2, 270) might not be the most talented player on the roster but has become one of Nichols' favorites. "He works hard and always hustles," the coach said. "He's been a team player and showed improvement the last three years. He's continually gotten better."
Other top players: QB Marti White (Sr.), RB-LB Tre Webb (Jr.), RB Chris Sharp (Sr.), WR-LB Lamarius Kinslow (So.), WR-DB Dejwan Kincaid (Sr.), TE-DE Justin Nichols (Sr.), OL Cedric Ivy (Sr.), DB Nick Morris (Jr.), DB Kameron Smith (Jr.).
Outlook: The Tigers don't have big numbers for a 6-A school (44 players in grades 10-12), but Nichols said, "I think we'll be better this year because we have better chemistry," he said. "We've been preaching that since we got here. Not everybody is there, but most of the team has really come together." Fern Creek could have two young breakout stars in Kinslow at wide receiver and freshman Kyree Hawkins.
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at Butler 10/3 at PRP
8/30 MANUAL 10/11 *at Oldham County
9/13 SENECA 10/18 *BALLARD
9/20 MOORE 10/25 *at Eastern
9/27 SOUTHERN 11/1 at Waggener
*-District game.
OLDHAM COUNTY (5-7)
Coach: Matt Brown (sixth season, 31-29).
Starters back: Offense 5, defense 5.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Sean Neurnberger (6-1, 230) isn't your average kicker. Originally from Germany -- where his father, Kai, played pro basketball -- he moved to the United States in the third grade. He's developed into one of the state's top kickers and has accepted a scholarship offer from Ohio State. Last season he made 7 of 12 field-goal tries, with a long of 46 yards. He also made 29 of 32 extra-point attempts and put 38 of his 44 kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks.
Other top players: QB James Harding (Jr.), RB Caleb Allen (Sr.), TE Luke Anderson (Sr.), WR-DB Jonathan Stocking (Sr.), OL-DE Luke Collins (Sr.), OL Jeffrey Mikan (Sr.), LB Zach Ball (Sr.), LB Cody Schindler (Sr.).
Outlook: Harding currently has a foot injury, so senior Ryan Grattan is handling the quarterback duties in his place. Allen is the top running back. "He's a north-south kind of guy," Brown said. "He's not going to wow you, but he runs between the tackles and is a hard-nosed kid." Brown said defense will be the strength of the team. "We have more experience coming back there and a lot of kids who play on that side," he said. "We'll be able to sub people and keep them fresh."
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at Iroquois 9/27 at Bullitt East
8/30 NORTH OLDHAM 10/11 *FERN CREEK
9/6 FRANKLIN COUNTY 10/18 *EASTERN
9/13 at South Oldham 10/25 *at Ballard
9/20 at North Bullitt 11/1 JEFFERSONTOWN
*-District game.
http://lms.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...ham-county
Coach: Mike Jackson (sixth season, 36-25).
Starters back: Offense 5, defense 8.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: You haven't heard much about WR Will Bush (Sr.) in a football uniform, but you will this season. Last season was his first year in organized football, and the majority of it was spent on the junior varsity. But Bush (6-1, 200) had a strong showing during offseason camps and displayed his speed in winning the Class 3-A state title in the 100-meter dash in May, beating former Trinity standout James Quick. Bush has a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky.
Other top players: QB Rex Wallace (Sr.), RB Bennie Berry (Sr.), OT-DT Cory Hardin (Sr.), WR-CB De Doss (Sr.), DE Sean Hammonds (Jr.), DE Sam White (Jr.), NG Joe Harris (Sr.), FS Derek Strasser (Sr.).
Outlook: Jackson said team chemistry issues kept the Bruins from advancing past the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year, but he likes the direction of this year's squad. "It seems to be a major strength," he said. Berry is a strong running back who rushed for 961 yards and scored nine TDs as a junior. Wallace takes over at quarterback and is a solid leader who should keep the chains moving, Jackson said. The strength of the defense could be a line led by Hammonds (6-3, 220), White (6-2, 225) and Harris (5-10, 295). The pieces are there to repeat as district champions.
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at St. Xavier 9/27 MALE
8/30 at Jeffersontown 10/11 *EASTERN
9/6 at Collins 10/18 *at Fern Creek
9/13 WESTERN 10/25 *OLDHAM CO.
9/20 at Manual 11/1 BRYAN STATION
*-District game.
EASTERN (11-3)
Coach: Stephen Ruckman (second season).
Starters back: Offense 3, defense 3.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Senior Jacob Biller (6-2, 200) takes over at quarterback after "playing every position on the field last year except offensive and defensive line," Ruckman said. Biller can run and throw but might be most effective as a leader. "We put him at quarterback because we think he's somebody the whole team will follow," Ruckman said. "He gives us the best chance to win ballgames."
Other top players: RB Antonio McClain (Jr.), RB Raeshauntez Johnson (So.), WR Luke Moses (Sr.), WR Zach Kozma (Jr.), OL Cameron DeGeorge (Sr.), OL Matt Benson (Sr.), DL Chaz Owens (Sr.), DT Roland Brady (Sr.), LB Shawn Carter (Sr.), DB Chauncey Johns (Sr.).
Outlook: The Eagles lost a load of talent from a team that reached the Class 6-A state semifinals before falling to Pleasure Ridge Park. The offense should be able to put up some points with Biller at quarterback and McClain and Johnson (a transfer from Trinity) splitting the carries. Moses is a top receiver after posting 31 catches for 648 yards and five touchdowns last year. "We want to gain experience and be fully healthy for our district games and the playoffs," Ruckman said. "I think we have enough to beat everybody we play. It's just a fine line of the kids being experienced enough to get over that hurdle and win consistently."
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 JEFFERSONTOWN 10/11 *at Ballard
8/30 at CAL 10/18 *at Oldham County
9/6 CENTRAL 10/25 *FERN CREEK
9/20 SENECA 11/1 MANUAL
9/27 at Butler
*-District game.
FERN CREEK (2-9)
Coach: Joe Nichols (third season, 6-16).
Starters back: Offense 6, defense 6.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Senior lineman Kermit Gibbs (6-2, 270) might not be the most talented player on the roster but has become one of Nichols' favorites. "He works hard and always hustles," the coach said. "He's been a team player and showed improvement the last three years. He's continually gotten better."
Other top players: QB Marti White (Sr.), RB-LB Tre Webb (Jr.), RB Chris Sharp (Sr.), WR-LB Lamarius Kinslow (So.), WR-DB Dejwan Kincaid (Sr.), TE-DE Justin Nichols (Sr.), OL Cedric Ivy (Sr.), DB Nick Morris (Jr.), DB Kameron Smith (Jr.).
Outlook: The Tigers don't have big numbers for a 6-A school (44 players in grades 10-12), but Nichols said, "I think we'll be better this year because we have better chemistry," he said. "We've been preaching that since we got here. Not everybody is there, but most of the team has really come together." Fern Creek could have two young breakout stars in Kinslow at wide receiver and freshman Kyree Hawkins.
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at Butler 10/3 at PRP
8/30 MANUAL 10/11 *at Oldham County
9/13 SENECA 10/18 *BALLARD
9/20 MOORE 10/25 *at Eastern
9/27 SOUTHERN 11/1 at Waggener
*-District game.
OLDHAM COUNTY (5-7)
Coach: Matt Brown (sixth season, 31-29).
Starters back: Offense 5, defense 5.
Class: 6-A, District 5.
Player to watch: Sean Neurnberger (6-1, 230) isn't your average kicker. Originally from Germany -- where his father, Kai, played pro basketball -- he moved to the United States in the third grade. He's developed into one of the state's top kickers and has accepted a scholarship offer from Ohio State. Last season he made 7 of 12 field-goal tries, with a long of 46 yards. He also made 29 of 32 extra-point attempts and put 38 of his 44 kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks.
Other top players: QB James Harding (Jr.), RB Caleb Allen (Sr.), TE Luke Anderson (Sr.), WR-DB Jonathan Stocking (Sr.), OL-DE Luke Collins (Sr.), OL Jeffrey Mikan (Sr.), LB Zach Ball (Sr.), LB Cody Schindler (Sr.).
Outlook: Harding currently has a foot injury, so senior Ryan Grattan is handling the quarterback duties in his place. Allen is the top running back. "He's a north-south kind of guy," Brown said. "He's not going to wow you, but he runs between the tackles and is a hard-nosed kid." Brown said defense will be the strength of the team. "We have more experience coming back there and a lot of kids who play on that side," he said. "We'll be able to sub people and keep them fresh."
-- Jason Frakes
Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at Iroquois 9/27 at Bullitt East
8/30 NORTH OLDHAM 10/11 *FERN CREEK
9/6 FRANKLIN COUNTY 10/18 *EASTERN
9/13 at South Oldham 10/25 *at Ballard
9/20 at North Bullitt 11/1 JEFFERSONTOWN
*-District game.
http://lms.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...ham-county
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08-19-2013, 09:42 PM
This district faces the "super" District in the first three rounds of the playoffs. How Ballard fares in the regular season against Male, Manual, and St. X will shed a great deal of light on how these playoff games will go. This district does have quality head coaches. Best of luck to them.
PS: I understand another large junior lineman has transferred from Trinity to Ballard. "Big Cat" is a great kid. I hope he does well for the Bruins.
PS: I understand another large junior lineman has transferred from Trinity to Ballard. "Big Cat" is a great kid. I hope he does well for the Bruins.
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