LC vs Anderson County Scrimmage

The Pats ventured to L-burg tonight to scrimmage the mighty Anderson County Bearcats. It was a good test for the team, a week before the "real" thing gets started in the Death Valley Bowl against Washington County. Anderson, a very formidable 5a opponet, had a solid season last year, going a perfect 10-0 in the regular season, and return many players off that team.

The teams opened up in the ten play format. Basically each squad got to run ten plays, then the ball was turned over to other team and they were given ten plays. Each team ran thirty plays in this format. Twenty by the varsity, and ten by the JV. It was very vanilla and hard to get a feel for. But, it served its purpose. Gave the boys some experience, and let them hit somebody beside wearing a different color jersey. Anderson scored one touchdown during this session of the scrimmage. LC did not score. Both defenses played very well, Anderson set their only score up on a long pass play, where the defender for LC was not lined up correctly (at least it appeared that way).

Next, the teams played a legit quarter. 12 minutes were put on the clock, and the 1's played the 1's for both squads. LC opened up on offense, after the Anderson kicker booted the ball deep into the end zone, on their twenty yard-line. Tre Edwards had a couple nice plays, via run and pass, to move the ball near midfield. Then, junior Julian Calhoun broke about a fifty yard run. By far, the most exciting play of the nigh. Reminded a lot of another running back, who currently is a CB for WKU. Anderson returned the ensuing kickoff all the to the Pats one yard line, and punched it in from there. That was about it. The second quarter opened up with the JV units on the field.

Basically, both starting units scored. Once again, LC's defense appears to be their strength. Very solid outing, really only gave up the long pass play and the kick return. The offense was hard to judge. They obviously didn't show a lot tonight, not wanting to tip their hand a week before the season starts. The glaring weakness, on offense, was the line play. Which, with all due respect, is playing without three potential starters. They HAVE to get Chase Marcum, Ben Harris and Tre Owsley on the field. At leas one or two of the three would help. The offensive line got outplayed pretty badly.

I was very impressed with Edwards and Calhoun. Some of the young kids looked very promising too.

Rumor Has It... (new baseball coach)

Rumor has it, after a long coaching search, Lincoln County has decided to hire Kalen Gibson as the new baseball coach. Gibson appears to be inexperienced, as a head coach, but has an impressive resume as a player.

Gibson is from the bluegrass state. He is a graduate of Webster County High School. He went on to pitch for the University of Kentucky after high school. He pitched for UK for three seasons, then transferred to Murray State University. Gibson went 12-9 in his career at UK, and 4-8 at Murray State. (complete collegiate statistics) http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Kalen-Gibson.shtml

Gibson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 36th round of the 2002 draft. But, obviously elected to attend UK.

Hopefully, Gibson's playing experience will pay off and he will get the baseball program on track.

News and Notes

*First and foremost, congrats to the block "L" helmet. Patriot Sports Talk has decided that this is the best uniform and would appreciate seeing it on the field this year. Those who are in power, make it happen (or don't, it's really up to you). I must admit, I voted for the old school patriot dude, but I can live with block "L". The patriot dude in the three-point stance is classy, and very cool.

*Lincoln County should be close to naming a new baseball coach. Rumors have circulated that the process of hiring a new coach is underway. Personally, I would like to see them hire a coach who plans on being around the program for a while. The program could be successful, like football and basketball, if it gets the support it needs. They need someone who really understands the summer travel team circuit. This is where a lot of developing and experience comes from. I would like to see Lincoln do something similar to what Paul Morse has done with the Morse Academy. Maybe they can find a coach who is familiar with that sort of thing?

*The football team is scheduled to scrimmage Anderson County next Friday, the 22, at Anderson County High School. This is a good chance to get a look at the team before the opening game on the 29th. This should be a challenging tuneup for the Pats, Anderson County returns many starters from a very successful 2007 squad.

Marcum Getting Some Statewide Respect

Lincoln County senior lineman Chase Marcum is regarded as one of the best lineman in the area. Evidently, he is regarded as on of the best lineman in the state. Check out these rankings out, Marcum's name appears if you scroll down toward the bottom and find the lineman rated as three's. It is laid out by state.

http://jimstefani.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/class-of-2009-top-offensive-linemen/

Glad to see Chase getting some respect.

Pats Open the Season in the Top 10

Bluegrasspreps.com, one of the more reliable Kentucky high school sports sites, has released its preseason football rankings. The Lincoln County Patriots open the season in the top 10, checking in at 10th.

There were three teams from LC's district ranked in the preseason rankings. Mercer at eight, and Pulaski County at seventh. What does this mean? It means Lincoln County figures, in the eyes of experts from around the state, to be in contention to repeat as district champions, but will be in very difficult company. Pulaski County and Mercer County both return numerous starters, it's going to be an exciting season.

Highlands, defending 5a state champion and the team who eliminated Lincoln County last year, is the preaseason number one team in 5a. Well derserved in my opinion. Here is the rest of the 5a rankings: http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/php/5a.php

Ex-Lincoln County Head Coach Larry French's Boyle County Rebels are ranked third in 4a, Danville opens at two in 2a. One team that caught my eye, mainly because I can't wait for football to start, was Bell County. They will open their season in the PBK Bank Death Valley Bowl against Garrard County. They open the season holding down the two spot in 4a.

Preseason rankings don't mean a lot, it's what your ranked at the end of the season that matters. However, these early rankings do give a little perspective to where the expectations could/should be for the upcoming season. And, satisfies the appettite of football lovers like me for one more day leading up to opening kickoff.

Yeast joins LC staff

The rumors have been circulating, and they now appear to be true. Ex-UK star (and Harrodsburg High School) Craig Yeast has joined the Lincoln County coaching staff.

This is big news. He joins ex-UofL (and Boyle County) star Bobby Leffew as newcomers to first year coach Mike Settles.

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=42714&format=html

I love seeing some "local legends" change uniforms and become Patriots. It appears Coach Settles has put together a great staff, mixing some of the guys from the old staff with some new people.

I am excited about the season.

Let's Get it Started

The blog has been on summer vacation. HOWEVER, football season is right around the corner and Patriot Sports Talk is preparing to get their blog on.
The founding fathers are in the think-tank, as we speak, getting ready for opening kick-off in Death Valley. Washington County... be prepared to go 1-1 (this has been corrected thanks to a fellow blogger) in the PBK Death Vally Bowl.

There is a lot to be excited about. The Coach Settles era has arrived, and is rolling full steam ahead. The staff he has surrounded himself with seems to be a good mix of the old regime and some young "A-List" celebrities. (Leffew and Yeast??)

Anywho, there will be much more to come in the following weeks. If you got any ideas or comments about the upcoming season (or about the blog) let us know.