FOOTBALL FEVER

Let the pigskins fly

With the high school football season only weeks away, it’s never too early to speculate on some information coming out of the repective camps. With the new playoff format things could become very interesting during the regular season. Can Corbin make a run at the region title? Will Lynn Camp return to the state playoffs? Can the new coaches at Whitley County and Williamsburg pull off cinderella seasons?

1. Will Williamsburg really move Aaron Root from the line to a fullback? True. Root is one of the toughest players in Class A football when he wants to be. He could be the answer to whether the Yellow Jackets makes a run at the district title or not. opponents will key on quarterback Thomas Frazier and receiver Chase Fields. Although I have never seen Root play in the backfield, he reminds me for a former North Laurel player, Brian “Bull” Durham, who they said wouldn’t be able to do the job. Will he ended at EKU and was very successfulrunning the ball. Root is made out of that same mold.

2. Will the duo of Thomas Frazier and Chase Fields rip through the Yellow Jackets scheudle with much success? Yes, but they will recently be the targets of every opponent on the Williamsburg schedule. It will not take a rocket scientist to figure that out after the two combined to lead the state in passing last season. But, stopping the duo is another answer. Fields has some incredible hands. He has made catches that seemed impossible. Frazier is tough behind the line and will be hard to stop. So, don’t be surprised to see these two at the top of the Class A list once again.

3. Will Corbin bounce back from a so-so season to have a winning campaign? The Redhounds face another tough schedule. The Redhounds lack experience at receiving the ball. But, you better believe when the season gets underway against Rockcastle County in the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic, there will be some receivers in the lineup who will catch the ball. Back to the question! I look for Corbin to have a few more wins. Coach Steve Jewell’s team will eek out a 7-3 regular season and the first win will come a lot sooner that last season. Rockcastle County will be tough but the Rockets will be beatable in the Bob Allen Classic and if they don’t beat the Rockets, look for a win over the Oldham County Colonels in the Pigskin Classic.

4. Now a junior, will Clint Cashen provide the leadership needed to win a region title? Cashen is one of the best quarterbacks not only in region but state as well. You will see Cashen do a lot of more things from his quarterback then ever before. He gains confidence with each season and his third year at the helm will be no different. He has shed a few pounds and has become stronger. Yes, he is capable of leading the Redhounds to the district title and spot against Russell in the regional title game this fall.

5. Will Lynn Canp coach David Mitchell find replacements for Nick Scalf, Jimmy Chaffin and Josh Reynolds? No need to worry too much about the Wildcats. Veteran coach David Mitchell is one of the best in the state. Look for the names of Syndey Wagner, Jonnah Mitchell, Scott Bray, Kyle Scalf and Cameron Simpson to replace the likes of Nick Scalf, Chaffin and Reynolds.

6. Can Joe Roskopf with stand the pressure he will face as the junior leader for the Wildcats? I don’t think there is any question about that. He has already proved he can withstand the pressure he will face. Last year, he ran for 1115 yards and scored 18 touchdowns for the Wildcats. That WAS the most on the Lynn Camp team. Roskpf is ready to start the ’06 season, let’s just hope the opponents are ready for Roskopf.

7. Will there be a quarterback controversary at Whitley County? No. junior Jordan McCumbers has earned that spot. McCumbers, the quarterback last year found himself in a running with Jonathan Bowman under coach Mike Campbell. But things appear to be settled with McCumbers calling the signals. With a new offense at Whitley, it looks like the Colonels will be throwing the ball more. Some of McCumbers targets will be senior Cody Jeffers, Kevin Wells and Bowman, sophomore Edd Lawson and freshmen Jamie Lebanion and Josh Wynn. According to my sources, McCumbers is throwing the ball well and gaining lots of confidence. So, what has happened to Bowman. He too, along with Lebanion will get some reps at QB, but the senior will play tight end and fullback on offense.

8. Will Whitley County have enough strong bodies to battle the tough 4A schedule?