[Concerned_Blackcat]

I hope all of these things are true after they have a 2-4 win season.

2-4 wins is all you see?

4 is the ceiling with the line situation. 

Elliott and Harris are fantastic athletes but regardless of their athletic ability, the offensive and defensive lines will be very weak and it is difficult to move the football without the guys up front. The truth is you’re starting at least 3 guys who have never played a varsity down on the offensive line. And defensively you’d have two to three defensive linemen who played any meaningful snaps coming back. I don’t foresee a team that will be able to run the ball or stop the run. There’s only so much that quick game passing and the screen game can get you. Couple this with the fact that Elliott is the only true play maker that’s on the team (everyone else will need scheme and play calling to assist their production). 

Then you have to add in the inexperience of the coaching staff. (I’ll be nice and not talk about their actual coaching ability). There will be situations that they either haven’t seen since they were a player more than a decade ago or have never seen in an actual game. This is will likely cost them a close game. 

We can talk about the rest of the schedule. Martin, Betsy Layne, Breathitt are all definite losses. Knott, Lewis, and East ridge (should) be definite wins. There’s 4 other games to pick up a win. Leslie, Paintsville, Floyd Central and Pike Central. Leslie will be down from last year but will have the advantage up front and similar athleticism other than Elliott. Thats a toss up BUT it’s at Leslie and that’s the toughest place to win in Kentucky is seems. Paintsville will be  improved just looking at the roster and who returns. I give them the check at QB and across the line. Elliot and Lauffer cancel each other out but Pburg wins the rest of the skill battle so that’s a true toss up. Floyd central returns their whole line plus gets the linemen back that broke his leg early last year. This one could be a bludgeoning but Pburg does have the speed and skill advantage. If they can get a stop or two they have a chance to win. 


I recently talked to two different coaches (who will remain anonymous obviously but if you want to private message me I’ll tell you) who said they would be lucky to win a game that wasn’t East Ridge, Lewis County or Knott. If that’s the belief on the coaching staff, whether they display that to the kids or not, that’s likely the truth. I’m pessimistic because the staff is pessimistic. I’ve really been trying to give these guys a chance the past little bit.

I'll disagree with you that Elliott is the only true play maker on the team. I think he's the most proven and most dynamic, but I think Alex Harris, Kane Patton, Bryce Holbrook, and possibly Colin Hatfield can each be playmakers that can eat up chunks of yards. Obviously Elliott and Harris are going to be the workhorses this upcoming season.

I do agree with you about the line situation, but it is what it is at this point. I think the staff is confident in Daniel Adams, Noah Price, and even freshman Karston Johnson. After that I think they're hoping 2 or 3 grab the bull by the horns and prove they want this. I think offensively Hager has to find a offense this team is not only comfortable with, but can utilize speed, and create mismatches. I think a lot relies on the development of Holbrook as a passer and decision maker as well. I think Hager will roll him out a lot and design runs for him, but he has to protect the football and stay healthy also at QB. Implementing Kain Patton into the quick passing game and run game is going to be important too. Defenses are going to key on Elliott. This allows Patton to use his playmaking abilities and become a legit threat on the outside along with Elliott.

Defensively, the staff needs to find the 11 meanest guys that aren't afraid to hit someone and put them out there. Don't even need to worry about size. They just need to be able to be fast, mean, and willing to hit. Opposing teams game plans will obviously be to run it right at Prestonsburg and force them to make stops. This team will need to adopt a lot of what past Pburg teams were good at defensively and that was forcing turnovers and just being flat out mean.

As for the coaching experience, I do think they'll go through theirs ups and downs on the sidelines. I believe that is expected. Hopefully it doesn't cost the team a game, but if it does I hope the staff can admit that to the team and they can all learn from it and move forward. This team and staff will have to mature together as the season goes along.

I believe 6 or 7 wins is on the table with this group and if they can achieve that and host a playoff game then that should be considered a great first season under Hager. I know there's a ton of concern about the OL/DL, but I think it'll work out better than a lot are expecting.

Lastly, if coaches are going around and telling folks that the team will be lucky to win more than 3 games then I find that very frustrating and so should Hager. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but if 3 wins is what you expect, then that makes me question those coaches effort also. Like with all staffs, coaches are going to come and go. I'd like to think they'll weed out the ones who don't share the same vision and expectations.

I would wholeheartedly agree with your assessment IF Logan Hall, Westin Harris and Cole Lafferty were still Blackcats. Without those three guys, I don’t believe the Blackcats will be able to overcome the line situation. 

If Hager had the full roster at the conclusion of last season, he would have been set up for a pretty good season but that’s not the case. I know you have optimism and I really wish I was as optimistic as you but I’m a realist. 

After reading your assessment of the team I’ll upgrade my projections to 3-5 wins. Win the three cupcake games and then split the four toss ups. No way they best BL, Martin, or Breathitt. So a 3-7 or 5-5 season. The thing is 5-5 *could* get them a home playoff game.