High school football kicks off on Friday night and here’s a few things I’m looking for in the 2008 season.
Back to good
Ashland struggled through one of its most difficult seasons in a long time in 2007, finishing with a 2-8 record. Officially, it was the Tomcats’ worst record dating back to 1986’s 1-9 season.
While an eight-win season may be a stretch for 2008, a winning season certainly isn’t.
Back and better is quarterback Drew Royalty. Running backs Josh Alber and Rashard Carter also return to the offense, which is powered by an experienced line up front.
On defense, the Tomcats are moving well to the ball and have to be improved on their 34-points-per-game average in 2007.
I’m not calling for a state championship, but more wins in Tomcat land for sure.
Ram tough
If all the pieces come together and Raceland stays healthy, it is a team I can see making a deep run in the playoffs.
The Rams have a nice chunk of returning starters on both sides of the ball and weren’t too far from a state championship game appearance last year.
Raceland lost to Lexington Christian by just a point in the district title round. LCA went on to fall 38-35 to Beechwood in the state championship.
The Class A road isn’t easy, but it sets up for a potential Ram run in ’08.
Boyd-bound
With some renewed interest in the program and a nice core of players coming back, Boyd County will have its first winning season since 2002.
It may also be the first year since 1973 that the Lions win more than one playoff game.
Devilish
Russell wins 10 more games and two more playoff games, making it seven years in a row accomplishing that feat.
New waves
New coaches are all around. In all, six northeastern Kentucky teams are under new guidance.
Fairview, Lawrence County, Lewis County, Rowan County, Paintsville and Morgan County have all made changes at the top.
And I predict at least one of them will have a .500 season or better.
Rush job
Area yardage leaders on the ground:
1. Drew Abrams, Russell
2. Bret Denton, Raceland
3. Josh Alber, Ashland
Central success
With All-Area Player of the Year Shawn Grim out of the way, Chase Richardson and Nathan Dillon will combine for 2,000 yards out of Johnson Central’s backfield.
Cat claws
Alber and Carter will also combine for more than 2,000 yards rushing out of Ashland’s backfield. They eclipsed 1,000 yards playing mostly behind Matt Thomas in 2007.
On target
Area passing leaders:
1. Eric Craft, Greenup County
2. Tyler Boyles, Raceland
3. Zac Wilson, Boyd County
Crafty
Craft will throw for better than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as the Musketeers try to repeat as Class 4A, District 8 champs.
Prognosticate
Winner of the annual in-house predictions: Me.
Just a little something to think about as the season gets under way.
ADAM VANKIRK can be reached at avankirk@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
Local Sports
ADAM VANKIRK: What to look for in 2008 082808
- Local Sports
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Region Rainout
Raindrops pulled out all the stops on Tuesday, as both the 16th Region baseball and softball tournaments were delayed.
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Kizziar goes from Ashland to Asbury
Brennan Kizziar described his high school cross country career as "an adventure."
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Kittens rock Russell, 9-4
Monday's temperature at Rowan County High School was 92-degrees hot and the ground was dry.
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16th Region Baseball: Lions take big gulp
Most would say if a team scores in only one inning, then it will probably end up on the loser’s side of the scoreboard.
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16th Region baseball: Hunter zeroes in
For much of Sam Hunter’s stellar career, he was the unquestioned ace of the Ashland pitching staff.
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THE WEEKLY CYCLE: Who’s heading west and who’s heading home?
A different 16th Region school’s bus has merged onto I-64 en route to Lexington the past three baseball seasons.
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ALL-AREA BASEBALL: Toss-up, Turnaround
As he trailed behind their tracks in preparation for the photo shoot, Lewis County’s baseball coach declared, “Man, I’d like to coach this team.”
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16th Region baseball draw: Wide Open Stance
The consensus with the coaches at the 16th Region baseball tournament draw is that the field is wide open.
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16th Region softball draw: All maroon at high noon
The 16th Region softball tournament will open up with a bang on Monday.
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Different Meade, same title
Make it three in a row for the Meade brothers of Ashland.
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