Prep Football Preview 2009
Area players expected to make an impact this season
By MIKE MARSEE
marsee@amnews.com
While most area teams were hit hard by graduation, there are still quite a few players on area rosters who made an impact last season.
Many of those players may be expected to take on larger roles this fall, but they have already at least provided a glimpse of what they could do.
Here is a list of this year’s top returning players, a diverse group ranging from the usual quarterbacks and running backs to linemen and linebackers:
Grant Aumiller, Boyle County: He may have been “the other Aumiller” last season, but he was also a stalwart on one of the state’s best defenses. That defense could be every bit as good this year, and Aumiller will again play a leading role on the line.
Julian Calhoun, Lincoln County: You didn’t hear much from the Lincoln running back last year because, well, you didn’t hear much from Lincoln.
Lamar Dawson, Boyle County: Dawson turned heads last year as a hard-hitting linebacker with a nose for the ball. His combination of speed and strength makes him fun to watch — unless you’re carrying the ball.
Tre Dunn, Mercer County: Dunn will be on the field, and probably on both sides of the ball. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be the Titans’ quarterback or become a ball-carrier, but he’ll be valuable in either role and at linebacker as well.
Will Dunn, Danville: Most people have seen only a little bit of Dunn on offense, although he had a big year at defensive back in 2008, but educated Danville fans have been keeping an eye on him for some time. Now the Admirals are counting on him at quarterback, and he’ll also continue to play an important role on defense as well.
Zack Hounshell, Garrard County: He’ll be important to the Golden Lions’ fortunes on both sides of the ball, as a running back whom coach Mark Scenters said is poised for a breakout season, and as an aggressive linebacker who’ll track down people like him.
Rees MacShara, Boyle County: The senior running back put up big numbers last season, and the numbers will probably be even bigger this season. The Rebels have less experience in the passing game, which could mean more work for MacShara.
Tyler Ray, Garrard County: Ray makes things happen for the Golden Lions both on offense and defense, and he’ll continue to do that this season no matter where he’s playing.
John Shoemaker, Garrard County: At somewhere north of 340 pounds, Shoemaker is the one local player who doesn’t need a number to be identified. An imposing presence on the defensive front, he’ll force opposing offenses to adjust their plan of attack.
Jacody Taylor, Danville: Taylor’s blazing speed was an asset last season both in the running and passing games, and as the Admirals’ top returning skill player on offense, he’ll be even more important to them this fall.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Driving directions to sites outside the Advocate’s coverage area where area schools will play this season (all directions are from Danville unless noted; mileages are estimated):
Anderson County (Lawrenceburg) — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 127 north to Lawrenceburg, school entrance is first right past intersection with U.S. 62. Miles from Harrodsburg: 20.
Campbellsville — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 68 to west Campbellsville, left on Columbia Avenue or Hoskins Avenue, right on West Main Street, school is less than 1/4-mile on left. Miles from Harrodsburg: 50.
Christian County (Hopkinsville) — From Danville: U.S. 150 west to Bardstown, Bluegrass Parkway west to Elizabethtown, Western Kentucky Parkway west to Nortonville, Pennyrile Parkway south to Hopkinsville. Turn right at end of parkway on U.S. 41A south (Fort Campbell Boulevard), left on Bypass U.S. 68 (Eagle Way), left on Jerry Claiborne Way into Tie Breaker Park. Stadium is just ahead on right. Miles from Danville: 196.
Clinton County (Albany) — U.S. 127 south to Albany, school is 3 miles south of intersection with Ky. 90 on left. Miles from Liberty: 54.
Corbin — From Danville: U.S. 127 south to Danville, U.S. 150 east to Mount Vernon, Interstate 75 south to Corbin. Exit to U.S. 25E (exit 29), left off ramp to U.S. 25E South (Cumberland Gap Parkway), right on U.S. 25 South (Dixie Highway), left on Bell Avenue, immediate right on Laurel Avenue, left on Barbourville Street, field is just ahead on left. Miles from Danville: 70.
East Jessamine (Nicholasville) — From Danville: Ky. 34 and U.S. 27 north to Nicholasville, right on business U.S. 27, right on Ky. 39 (Maple Street), left on Maple Leaf Lane, school is 1/4-mile ahead. Miles from Danville: 23.
Estill County (Irvine) — From Lancaster: Ky. 52 east to Irvine, cross Kentucky River and go straight on Ky. 89 north (Main Street), school is 3 1/2 miles ahead on left. Miles from Lancaster: 45.
Fort Knox — From Danville: U.S. 150 west to Bardstown, Blue Grass Parkway west to Interstate 65, Interstate 65 north 1 mile to U.S. 62 (exit 94), left off ramp on U.S. 62 (Mulberry Street), right on Ky. 3005 (Ring Road), right on U.S. 31W (Dixie Highway) north to Fort Knox, exit to East Bullion Boulevard, take first right past checkpoint on Park Road, right on Dixie Street, left on Missouri Street, left on Mississippi Street, school is on right, field is behind school. Miles from Danville: 85.
Frankfort — From Danville: U.S. 127 north to Frankfort, left on U.S. 421 north (Bald Knob Road), right on Benson Avenue, left on Kentucky Avenue. Bellepoint Baptist Church is 1/10-mile ahead on left; field is behind church. Miles from Danville: 43.
Marion County (Lebanon) — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 68 west to Lebanon, school is 3/4-mile past intersection with Ky. 1195. Miles from Harrodsburg: 30.
Mason County (Maysville) — From Danville: Ky. 34 east and U.S. 27 north to Lexington, left on Ky. 4 west (New Circle Road), left on U.S. 27/68 north/east (Paris Pike) to Paris, stay on U.S. 68 to Maysville, school is 1/4-mile past intersection with AA Highway (Ky. 9) on right. Miles from Danville: 98.
Meade County (Brandenburg) — From Stanford: U.S. 150 west to Bardstown, Blue Grass Parkway west to Interstate 65, Interstate 65 north 1 mile to U.S. 62 (exit 94), left off ramp on U.S. 62 (Mulberry Street), right on Ky. 3005 (Ring Road), right on U.S. 31W (Dixie Highway) north to Muldraugh, left on Ky. 1638 west to Brandenburg Station, right at end of road on Ky. 448 north to Brandenburg, left on Ky. 1051 west (Bypass Road), right on Ky. 710 (Old State Road), school is 3/4-mile ahead on left, field is behind school. Miles from Stanford: 115.
Perry County Central (Hazard) — From Liberty: U.S. 127 south to Phil, left on Ky. 910 south to Windsor, left on Ky. 80 east to Nancy, left on Cumberland Parkway east to Somerset, straight on Ky. 80 east to London, Hal Rogers Parkway east to Hazard. Exit to Ky. 15/80 (exit 59), right off ramp to Ky. 15 south, first left on Crawford Mountain Road, left at end of road on Combs Road (Ky. 1088), field is 1/2-mile on left. Miles from Liberty: 125.
Powell County (Stanton) — From Liberty: U.S. 127 north to Danville, Ky. 34 east and U.S. 27 north to Lexington, right on Ky. 4 (New Circle Road) east, exit to U.S. 60 east (exit 13, Winchester Road), left on Interstate 75 north, right on Interstate 64 east to Winchester, right on Mountain Parkway east (exit 98) to Stanton. Exit to Ky. 213 (exit 22), right off ramp to Ky. 213 north (South Main Street), left on Ky. 11/15 (West College Avenue), school is 1 mile ahead on right, field is behind school. Miles from Liberty: 110.
Pulaski County (Somerset) — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 127 south to Danville, U.S. 150 east to Stanford, U.S. 27 south to Somerset, left on McKee Road, right on Stanford Road (old U.S. 27), left on Ky. 1575 (University Drive), school is 1 mile ahead on left. Miles from Harrodsburg: 52.
Rockcastle County (Mount Vernon) — From Stanford: U.S. 150 south to Mount Vernon, left on Ky. 461 north, right on Ky. 1326 (West Main Street), right at Rockcastle County Middle School, field is behind school. Miles from Stanford: 24.
Somerset — From Danville: U.S. 150 east to Stanford, U.S. 27 south to Somerset, left on Ky. 80, right on Barnett Street, field is in Meece Middle School complex on right. Miles from Danville: 45. From Lancaster: U.S. 27 south to Somerset, left on Ky. 80, right on Barnett Street, field is in Meece Middle School complex on right. Miles from Lancaster: 41.
Southwestern (Somerset) — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 127 south to Danville, U.S. 150 east to Stanford, U.S. 27 south to Somerset, right on Ky. 1577 (Oak Hill Road), right on Ky. 3261 (Oak Hill-Saline Road). School is 3/4-mile ahead on left. Miles from Harrodsburg: 59.
Tates Creek (Lexington) — From Harrodsburg: U.S. 68 east to Lexington, right on Man O’War Boulevard, left on Tates Creek road, right on Armstrong Mill Road, left on Greentree Road, right on Centre Parkway, straight on Spendthrift Road into school campus, field is to the left. Miles from Harrodsburg: 33.
Taylor County (Campbellsville) — From Lancaster: Ky. 52 west to Danville, U.S. 150 west to Perryville, left on U.S. 68 west to Campbellsville, school is less than 1 mile inside city limit on right. Miles from Lancaster: 59. From Liberty: Ky. 70 west to Campbellsville, right on U.S. 68 east, school is 1 mile on left. Miles from Liberty: 30.
—Mike Marsee