Week 1 Football Preview: Improved Bearcats set to host improved New Miami
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
BAINBRIDGE — Friday night football is nearing for the 2010 Paint Valley Bearcats, and the team standing in their way for week one is new to the Bearcat schedule this season.
PV, who went 4-6 last year, will host the New Miami Vikings at George Knisley Field in Bainbridge, located in Ross County.
One season ago, the Vikings had just one win to go with nine losses, but this year could be different as they return 16 players with experience under the lights, eight on the offensive side and eight on the defensive side of the football.
One player who stands out for New Miami is 6-3, 240-pound senior fullback Jamar Kotey. PV head coach Pete Hollon said in three scrimmages he's watched, Kotey had 80 percent of the attempts on offense.
In the three scrimmages, New Miami faced Williamsburg, Middletown Christian and Taylor out of Cincinnati. And in front of all those carries are two 300-pound offensive linemen.
"Jamar is just a big, strong and physical player who can run the football," Hollon said.
Hollon said in scouting the Vikings they don't throw much, but when they do the ball goes to 6-4, 215-pound tight end Casey Chesnut.
"(Casey) Chesnut is a four-year starter for them," Hollon said. "He can catch the football, but with his size, they like to run the football behind him as well. He has good athleticism."
The Vikings defense has a big defensive line and will play out of a 4-3 defensive formation.
Hollon told The Highland County Press they are very big upfront and they have three linebackers who aren't quite as experienced, but behind the linebackers are four senior defensive backs, all returning starters.
"It's kind of odd. They (New Miami) have experience up front, not much in the linebackers and more experience behind them in the defensive backfield," Hollon said.
Kotey plays defensive end for the Vikings and Chesnut is a free safety.
"They both are good players and we have to be aware of them at all times," Hollon said.
With the Bearcats wanting to improve upon last season they played in three tough scrimmages to prepare for the 2010 campaign.
"The caliber of scrimmages we played, I felt we got better each week," Hollon said. "But with the injury of Garett (Tyree), we have to compensate for him."
Tyree, a senior, is a two-time Scioto Valley Conference Punter of the Year and a starter on both sides of the field for the Bearcats.
Filling in for Tyree until he heals from his injury will be freshman Dylan Estep on defense and a collection of players in senior Nathan Barker and freshman Mark Clifford on offense.
"Our big emphasis is hitting, tackling and playing physical," Hollon said. "We played three teams in scrimmages, and we increased our physicality level. We tackled a lot better and we aren't there just yet up front on offense, but the important thing is we are seeing strides.
"We've really challenged the kids with our scrimmages and the level of teams we played and hope that pays off."
PV scrimmaged Hillsboro in their final scrimmage last Thursday.
But playing a team that had just one win last season can be a bit tricky for any team in a season opener as nobody knows what to expect from a team that is rebuilding and gaining experience.
"New Miami is more experienced than last year," Hollon said. "They are better than last year and they will present a challenge for us. We have to control the line of scrimmage, no doubt about it, and we have to open up the offense.
"Our main focus is running the football and establishing the run. We've been bull-headed about it, but the bottom line is with have to win up front."
The final obstacle the Bearcats will have Friday is the fresh faces playing in their first varsity game.
"We just have to survive the first series of the season. We have a new quarterback (Eli Barker,) and he just has to play at his own pace," Hollon said. "The opening game is a nervous time for players, coaches and fans and we just have to go out there and find a rhythm."
The Bearcats and Vikings will kickoff on Friday at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
PV, who went 4-6 last year, will host the New Miami Vikings at George Knisley Field in Bainbridge, located in Ross County.
One season ago, the Vikings had just one win to go with nine losses, but this year could be different as they return 16 players with experience under the lights, eight on the offensive side and eight on the defensive side of the football.
One player who stands out for New Miami is 6-3, 240-pound senior fullback Jamar Kotey. PV head coach Pete Hollon said in three scrimmages he's watched, Kotey had 80 percent of the attempts on offense.
In the three scrimmages, New Miami faced Williamsburg, Middletown Christian and Taylor out of Cincinnati. And in front of all those carries are two 300-pound offensive linemen.
"Jamar is just a big, strong and physical player who can run the football," Hollon said.
Hollon said in scouting the Vikings they don't throw much, but when they do the ball goes to 6-4, 215-pound tight end Casey Chesnut.
"(Casey) Chesnut is a four-year starter for them," Hollon said. "He can catch the football, but with his size, they like to run the football behind him as well. He has good athleticism."
The Vikings defense has a big defensive line and will play out of a 4-3 defensive formation.
Hollon told The Highland County Press they are very big upfront and they have three linebackers who aren't quite as experienced, but behind the linebackers are four senior defensive backs, all returning starters.
"It's kind of odd. They (New Miami) have experience up front, not much in the linebackers and more experience behind them in the defensive backfield," Hollon said.
Kotey plays defensive end for the Vikings and Chesnut is a free safety.
"They both are good players and we have to be aware of them at all times," Hollon said.
With the Bearcats wanting to improve upon last season they played in three tough scrimmages to prepare for the 2010 campaign.
"The caliber of scrimmages we played, I felt we got better each week," Hollon said. "But with the injury of Garett (Tyree), we have to compensate for him."
Tyree, a senior, is a two-time Scioto Valley Conference Punter of the Year and a starter on both sides of the field for the Bearcats.
Filling in for Tyree until he heals from his injury will be freshman Dylan Estep on defense and a collection of players in senior Nathan Barker and freshman Mark Clifford on offense.
"Our big emphasis is hitting, tackling and playing physical," Hollon said. "We played three teams in scrimmages, and we increased our physicality level. We tackled a lot better and we aren't there just yet up front on offense, but the important thing is we are seeing strides.
"We've really challenged the kids with our scrimmages and the level of teams we played and hope that pays off."
PV scrimmaged Hillsboro in their final scrimmage last Thursday.
But playing a team that had just one win last season can be a bit tricky for any team in a season opener as nobody knows what to expect from a team that is rebuilding and gaining experience.
"New Miami is more experienced than last year," Hollon said. "They are better than last year and they will present a challenge for us. We have to control the line of scrimmage, no doubt about it, and we have to open up the offense.
"Our main focus is running the football and establishing the run. We've been bull-headed about it, but the bottom line is with have to win up front."
The final obstacle the Bearcats will have Friday is the fresh faces playing in their first varsity game.
"We just have to survive the first series of the season. We have a new quarterback (Eli Barker,) and he just has to play at his own pace," Hollon said. "The opening game is a nervous time for players, coaches and fans and we just have to go out there and find a rhythm."
The Bearcats and Vikings will kickoff on Friday at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]