Prep Football Preview 2009
Area coaches talk about player safety, talented former players
By LARRY VAUGHT
larry@amnews.com
What safety precautions are coaches taking to protect players. Who are the most talented players a coach has ever had?
Those were questions posed by area readers Gary Whittle and Aaron Coleman for the area’s six high school football coaches when readers were invited to submit questions for the coaches to answer.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association does not allow teams to practice or compete when the heat index reaches 104 degrees. Coaches can either stop practice, cancel practice or move indoors to an air-conditioned facility if the heat index reaches that point.
However, there’s also other precautions coaches take daily that they discuss to answer Whittle’s question.
As for evaluating the talent of players they have coached, area coaches provided some interesting answers to Coleman’s question.
Here is how the coaches responded to the questions:
With the tragic death of a 15-year-old football player at Pleasure Ridge Park last year and the death of a Fort Campbell player already this season, what precautions do you take to help monitor and prevent a heat-related incident?
Larry French, Boyle County: “The biggest thing we do is that we have plenty of water breaks and we have a trainer there. The coaches have been advised to make sure they are paying attention to people during breaks to make sure we do not have a kid go down. The weather conditions this year so far have been good, but you have to watch what you are doing in conditioning and practice at all times.”
Andy Stephens, Casey County: “The last few years we have moved our practices in the summer either to early morning or late evening so heat has not really been an issue for us in the summer months. We follow the guidelines established by the KHSAA as far as heat is concerned. We water every 30 minutes with water and Gatorade. We monitor ours kids for changes in their level of activity. They are told to come to us if the feel faint or dizzy this is something we ask them to do to help us better monitor the situation.
“We try to educate them on the need to be active the weeks before practice starts and talk to them about them having a need to try to hydrate before and after practice. We have also set up a small tent this year that we water in and put a cooling fan that blows air and water on the players as they walk through the line to be watered.”
Sam Harp, Danville: “I have a certified athletic trainer on staff who monitors the heat index every 30 minutes. We have a scheduled water break every 30 minutes and water is always available if the kids want it at all times. We have two very large fans with a water mist for the players to cool down during water breaks. All coaches are coaching certified, CPR certified, safety certified, etc.”
Mark Scenters, Garrard County: “We obviously hold to the standards set by the KHSAA and KMA which are monitored very closely and proper documentation has to be turned in. Probably the most significant thing that we do is schedule practices in the morning as opposed to afternoon or evenings. We try to get out early and get the work done before the real heat of the day hits.
“Other things that we do is schedule in water breaks in the actual daily schedule and the coaches water their individual positions on their own as well. We have been extremely blessed this summer with great weather and that has been a big help, although we do worry about conditioning levels and how the kids will adjust when the weather does turn back to more typical Kentucky summer weather.”
Bill Mason, Mercer County: “Player health is always on our mind. Gone are the days of forbidding water breaks practicing in the heat of the day. The KHSAA has strict guidelines related to heat and humidity. Each school is supposed to check and record the heat index before each practice. We also have limitations related to multiple contact practices on consecutive days. The state has led the move towards player health.”
Mike Settles, Lincoln County: “The number one precaution is that we tell the kids to communicate with us if they are having a health problem, and we tell the team that if they see any of their teammates acting not themselves, then we want them to tell the coaching staff!
“Also, NEVER not allow a player to have water. To me, I never understood why coaches would tell a kid they couldn't have water. Also, our coaching staff does a good job of reminding the players to hydrate themselves correctly and eat the correct diet.
‘The state of Kentucky has done a good job of monitoring coaches across the state, making sure they are following the KHSAA recommendations.’
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Who is the most talented player you have ever coached if you had to name just one, or one each offensive and defensive?
French: “That is hard. There have been several great athletes. As far as defensive line goes, I think Mike Amburgey back in 1991 may have been the best defensive tackle I have ever coached. At linebacker, that is hard because I have had several like Robert Rowan at Meade County, Jake Elliott at Lincoln County and Lamar Dawson here. At running backs, that’s a good question. We had a lot of good running backs at Meade County like Darnell Stewart, Tony Abell, and Chuckie Valentine. At Lincoln County, Trent Calhoun and Braxston Miller were probably as good athletes as I have ever had on the field. At Boyle Rees MacShara is an awful good player also. Quarterback would probably be Blake Powers at Meade County. He was good. Intelligence-wise, Phillip Mason here last year was a good one. As far as the slowest quarterback, that would be no question. That was David Buchanan at Mercer County. Just had to throw that in there.”
Stephens: “This is a difficult question for me to answer. We have had several kids that I felt like were very talented players. Football is so dependent on team play that its hard to pick out that one person that has been our most talented. But if I had to choose one, I think I would have to go with Marcus Patterson a 2007 graduate. He was about 6-3, 215 pounds as a senior he ran a 4.55 (seconds) in the 40 (yard dash). We used him all over the field on offense and as safety and corner on defense.”
Harp: “I have coached seven Division 1 players in my career of 33 years as a head coach and assistant. The best defensive back was Roger Clay at Franklin County in the late 1970’s. He went on to play for Louisville and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Two were running backs, Donnie Redd (played at UK) and Kelvin Turner (played at Marshall). One as a quarterback, Chase Harp (played at UK as a tight end).
“Two were offensive lineman, Allen Douglas at Calloway County and Louisville as a center and Josh Jaggers (UK) as a guard. Chester Ford, nose guard, went to Tennessee as a linebacker and ended up playing fullback. He later signed as a free agent with Chicago Bears.
“They were all very good at the positions they played. Pretty tough to just choose one guy. If I had to choose, it would probably be Roger Clay at Franklin County.”
Scenters: “As far as pure God-given talent, I have to say Paul Warford (at Madison Central). Even though I was not his position coach, I was an assistant during his years at Madison Central. Paul was so gifted with speed and strength along with a very good attitude and work ethic. He was good anywhere on the field.
“As for players that I personally coached, defensively Matt Bell (our current defensive line and special teams coordinator here at Garrard) was the most talented linebacker I coached. His ability to read the play and then run through the tackle was outstanding. Offensively I was blessed to coach several pretty good ones, but Larry Warford (at Central) has been the most talented so far. His size and mobility at that size is a rare combination. John Shoemaker has a chance to be a special lineman. If he chooses to be at great player, he will be for us this year.”
Mason: “Wow ... just one? Kentucky tight end T.C. Drake (at Nelson County). He is a beast and was a beast.”
Settles: “The most talented player that I have ever coached is Corey Rakes. He was a running back and linebacker for the 2005 final four team at Bullitt East that beat Boyle County in the regional final in a fantastic high school football game. He had tremendous character, discipline and toughness. He was unselfish and did what ever he could do for the team. He stayed away from drugs and alcohol. He graduated in 2006 with a 4.0 and went on to play football at the Air Force Academy.”
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