[gapman]

Biggest surprize of the night for Ashland would have to be #74 Cade O'Bryan at D end. Monster break out first start for him. Ashland has the whole season to develope some rising O & D linemen and ends. O'Bryan, Ellis, Gregg, and I was especially impressed with sophomore Luke Johnson # 71, all had a great game. You could see Johnson gain confidence throughout the game and he kept his head in it and began to actually understand the LC offense and make reads that put him right in the thick of things. Communication among the players between and during plays added to the mix adding the beginning of something called chemistry for the Cats last night as well. I'll say this, it was so sweet to see an aggressive D line in there shaking things up and put a lot of pressure on a good QB for LC. If they can avoid injury and if, and it is allways a big if, they progress and grow as a team each game, Ashland has a chance to be as good or nearly as good defensively as they were 2 years ago when Josh Alber loomed large from his linebacker spot. The secondary has a chance to concentrate more on being D backs this year and Ashland's defense will be way more effective as a unit.