[Pirate1991#8]

The more I think about it the three defensive tackles may end up as Nelson, Barnes, and Hatfield with Duty and A. Hatfield at the linebackers. Duty has dropped weight and really looks good, and is a natural athlete that played LB before. That leaves your two defensive end spots, and your two defensive back spots. At the defensive end spots, when Belfry plays teams who look to spread it out and throw it around (Aka NOT Harlan County) there are a few quick options at DE such as Cody Bostic, Reed Williamson, Kaleb Edwards, Davontae Dari, and guys like that. Probably more that I'm leaving out. The power teams is where the issue arises, obviously if unnecessary you could plug Trenity Carr at a defensive end and do your best the 4th. Which is really the same situation as all year last year where Hatfield, May, and Bunch all played it some. Are ya following me?

At the defensive backs, as I've said there's a ton of good options. If the kid keeps his head on straight X Willis deserves a fair shot at corner IF they decide to put Keaton Taylor at safety (which I disagree with but I'm not the coach) ... I think this team is athletic enough to not have to worry TOO much about the DB positions.

Now, for depth... at linebacker there is none. So on teams (if any) we get any kind of lead on they should try plugging kids in who are ALMOST there (Austin Hall, Cole Bentley, Drew Charles, Nate Sanger, Dakota Stanley) .. Dakota is a kid who if he works hard could be a defensive end and tight end that is desperately needed.

Depth on the defensive line, Zack Thompson is there to be your quick nose guard, and Austin Gibbs (who may end up on the line and I will address offense in a later post) may be asked to play it some much like James May did last year. Davontae Dari even played some defensive line last year, could be used for depth. I think Rayquan Horton will get in there at defensive line as well. Another guy is Christian Crum, goes a little small but was really tough as a freshman, went to Mingo Central as a sophomore, played pretty well as a junior so we'll see where he goes.

Actually, let's talk about the offense some...
With some of the stuff I said, that gives you your QB, FB, 2 of 3 main RB's going both ways... man the depth of 12 and 11 will be missed.

I think Taylor is the other corner...and .TJ Dotson is your other safety....and as far as the other spots all mentioned can play...the talent is there it's boils down to will they step up and play it....as for as offense goes of course we all know who the skill players are but everyone questions the line....Look at it this way...Correct me if I'm wrong I'm just goin by what i researched from the KHSAA website...which is the depth chart from State Championship games...of the OL in 2012 the only starter from the 2011 squad was Jude....My point is our back ups step up every year...