Line play will be key for DC

Source: Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.迷你倉Aug. 23--It's still somewhat of a toss-up for Daviess County coach Marcus Kimbrell as far as what to expect this season.He knows he has a lot of talent returning at the skill positions, both offensively and defensively.It's in the trenches, though, that he's not quite sure what he'll be getting.The offensive line lost all five starters to graduation, and there's not a lot of experience returning on the defensive side of the ball."Having skill guys is great, and we're excited about the abilities they have and what not, but it starts up front," Kimbrell said. "That's really been a point of emphasis all winter, and really through the summer, is to find five linemen. I'd actually like to have six or seven that we can play on both sides...We don't have a lot of size, and we don't have a lot of experience. We're just really hoping that group can mold."OFFENSEOne of the big focal points, offensively, during fall camp for the Panthers was the quarterback battle between senior Luke Bailey and sophomore Jared McEwen.McEwen prospered in that role last year when he took over at mid-season after Bailey suffered a season-ending knee injury. As as freshman, McEwen helped lead the Panthers to three straight wins to end the regular season. He played in seven games and finished with a team-high 624 passing yards to go along with eight touchdown passes and three interceptions.But it will be Bailey starting in DC's opener against Owensboro. In two games before getting hurt last season, Bailey was 32-of-56 passing for 322 yards and one touchdown, with three interceptions.Kimbrell cited maturity and experience as two main reasons why Bailey had the edge."It's a good situation because we could play either one of them and be fine," Kimbrell said. "Luke has a little more understanding and is a little better with his mechanics right now. That's separating him a little bit more."Bailey, who wears a brace on his recovering left knee, said he attended rehab about three-to-five times a week and was able to play in the spring game. He said he feels comfortable moving horizontally and laterally and, so far, hasn't been mentally affected by the injury.As far as the position battle during camp, he welcomed the challenged and called McEwen "a good competitor.""I feel like I had to work hard from the beginning, just to get back from the knee," he said. "I'm used to it. I've got to work hard at everything I do."Kimbrell said both are pretty similar quarterbacks, so he doesn't see a time when he would use both at the same time. He did say, though, thath he feels much more confident in the quarterback position than he did last year.Moving to the backfield, the Panthers return Messenger-Inquirer Newcomer of the Year Chase LeCroy, a sophomore, and another sophomore, speedster Samuel Spiceson.LeCroy rushed for 512 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and six touchdowns last season. He also caught 12 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns.Both were part of a new crop of young players that helped DC, which started 0-4, finish with a文件倉respectable 5-5 regular-season record. The increased playing time will pay dividends, LeCroy said."I feel like it's going to help us because last year, I knew what to do but I was still new to the stuff," he said. "I didn't really know the offense that much. This year I know the offense more, and I know the routines and what to do to try to help the team out."Rounding out the skill positions, Kimbrell likes his options at receiver with senior Darren Jones and 6-foot-3 senior Wesley Osborne. The Panthers lost 6-foot-5 Blake F. Roberts, but Kimbrell said Osborne will add that height aspect.Aside from LeCroy, Jones is the only returning player to have caught a touchdown last season. He finished with 17 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns.DEFENSESenior Alex LeCroy will lead a secondary that Kimbrell said he's excited about. LeCroy finished with four interceptions in 11 games last season and returned one of them for a touchdown.Jones, who picked off three passes last season, and Kevonta Thomas will join LeCroy in the secondary.Senior Jacob Nanny is an inside linebacker that Kimbrell said has stepped up to be a good motivational leader. Senior Zack Edlen, an outside linebacker, is another player that Kimbrell mentioned as one of the key cogs defensively.The DC defense allowed its share of points at times last season, but the Panthers also posted three shutouts."Our secondary is where we've got the experience and got everybody back," Kimbrell said. "That's kind of like on offense, where we've got the quarterback back. It's all in that interior where we're young."SPECIAL TEAMSAfter losing Blake A. Roberts, a soccer player, as the team's kicker due to graduation, Kimbrell said he'll go with another soccer player again this year.Junior Austin Vanover will get the nod as place kicker. Kimbrell said he has a strong leg and attended several kicking camps this summer."I feel real good about him; he's pretty accurate," Kimbrell said. "If we can get him protected, I think he'll hit a few field goals, hopefully, if we get into that situation."Vanover, along with Jones and Alex LeCroy, can also handle punting duties.Jones, who will be asked to wear many hats for this team, will return kicks along with Spiceson.OUTLOOKHow this team fares this year will be largely dependent on the linemen, Kimbrell said.The Panthers, who lost to Oldham County in the first round of the playoffs last year, feel like they have some momentum heading into this season given their late-season winning streak last year.Equally as important as the linemen will be how well the 12 seniors can lead, Kimbrell said."I'd like to see our guys compete," he said. "Every Friday night, I want them to compete and play at the highest level they can and have fun. It starts with our seniors. Those guys have got to continue to be leaders through the tough times and when things are going easy for us."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) 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