Friday, August 17, 2012
Fan's guide to this year's Marion County Warriors
Coach: Mac McCurry (First year here, 220-65 overall) Stadium: Bill Baxter Stadium Address: 160 Ridley Avenue, Jasper, TN 37347
Three strengths
1) New attitude. A coaching change typically translates into excitement, and Mac McCurry's past success has the program buzzing that he will turn things around.
2) Experience. After taking their lumps with a young group of players last year, the Warriors now have experience and another year of growth to help.
3) Work ethic. The struggles of last year have translated into a hungry group of young players willing to buy into McCurry's system.
Three concerns
1) Mental hurdle. While there is excitement now, McCurry worries what will happen when things go against a team that got beaten down mentally as well as on the scoreboard last year.
2) Defense. The Warriors allowed 50-plus points four times last year and gave up an average of 45. McCurry changed the defensive alignment in hopes of slowing opponents down.
3) Lack of speed. The Warriors play in a district where both South Pittsburg and Lookout Valley have multiple players with game-breaking speed. McCurry lists just two players with sub-4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash.
By the numbers
1 - Win for the Warriors last year, the worst season in program history.
5 - Head coaches Marion has had in the last 15 years. Before that, Ken Colquette led the program for 16 seasons.
17 - Total starters returning. The Warriors had to play a lot of inexperienced players last year but should benefit from that this season.
Three questions with ...
ERIC QUALLS
(Senior receiver)
Q: What's the biggest difference so far that makes you believe this season will be an improvement?
A: The attitude that Coach McCurry has brought in. Everything is positive and it's about doing it right and with a quick pace. He wants to see us get better, and we're pushing ourselves to do that.
Q: What are the team's goals for this season?
A: Just to win games. We want to make the playoffs and make up for last year.
Q: What makes Friday nights special to you?
A: Just being out there with my teams, competing. That's a great feeling.
Recent history
A season that was expected to end in another playoff appearance instead turned into the worst in program history as the Warriors missed the postseason for the first time in a decade. The Warriors defense gave up an average of 45 points per game. Beating county rival Whitwell in a shootout was the only win of the season, which led to a coaching change.
Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season
2011--(1)
2010-----(5)
2009-------(7)
2008---------(11)
2007-----(5)
Roster
2 Cameron Foshee Freshman
6 Kyle Pedigo Sophomore
8 Chase Hamilton Junior
9 Bradley Baxter Freshman
10 Blake Brooks Sophomore
11 Matt Zeman Senior
12 Miles Gray Senior
13 Chrisitan Stephens Freshman
14 Patton Grooms Senior
15 Hamilton Shoemaker Junior
16 Logan Walters Freshman
20 Blake Zeman Sophomore
21 Josh Henderson Freshman
22 Josh Cantrell Freshman
23 Brandon Scott Freshman
24 Deion Riley Sophomore
26 Dylan Hale Freshman
27 Jayme Ford Senior
28 Lex Muir Junior
31 Baily Bradford Freshman
34 Chris Reitenbaugh Senior
35 Chandler Willis Sophomore
37 Patrick Bradford Sophomore
38 Brannon Keef Sophomore
39 Hayden Fowler Junior
41 Bryce Massengale Freshman
44 Kyle Jenkins Sohpomore
45 Jeb McCullough Senior
50 Jacob Vinson Senior
52 Jake Murphy Senior
53 Dakota Huffstuttler Senior
54 Trevor Romans Senior
55 Daylen Brown Senior
57 Austin Thomas Freshman
58 Jessy Stonesifer Junior
60 Matthew Alder Sophomore
62 Brodey Pemberton Junior
64 Drew Grisham Freshman
66 Hayden Tudors Sophomore
67 Peyton Jones Sophomore
70 Hunter McCulley Senior
71 Taylor Condra Junior
73 Austin McGrew Sophomore
74 Seth Cox Sophomore
75 Mason Hargis Junior
76 Tyler Wildermuth Freshman
77 Jordan Lehman Freshman
81 Hunter Kelley Sophomore
85 Eric Qualls Senior
87 Clay Oshields Junior
89 Dalton McElroy Junior