EDMONTON — A strong running game has been the highlight of Metcalfe County football practice early on, while an injury at quarterback and attendance issues have been the low points.
The Hornets practiced in helmets and shoulder pads for the second straight day on Tuesday as their camp heads into full swing.
“We went in them yesterday (Monday) for just a little while,” Metcalfe coach Larry Harbison said. “You could see how sluggish it was today. But it was hot for everybody, I guess.
“Of course we just barely got to put them on in the first place (due to the heat).”
Sophomore Zack Morgan, who was slated to start at quarterback for the Hornets, has been recovering from hernia surgery and hasn’t been able to practice yet. That pushed Justin Bonema into action. Bonema moved from receiver to under center.
Even without the injury at quarterback, Harbison knew it would be a challenge after losing the bulk of his offense from last year’s state semifinal team.
But that challenge is now a little tougher.
“We knew it was going to be tough to put everything together, but this guy’s only been quarterbacking for a week,” Harbison said. “The guys have shown positive attitudes. We’re trying to get him quicker, better, faster. But the kid hasn’t played quarterback.”
Strong points early on for Metcalfe has been both its physical strength and the running game.
Senior running back Daniel DeLeon, who rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, is expected to lead the offense.
“Daniel is a good running back,” Harbison said. “We’ve got a couple of other boys that can run the ball as well. We’ve got good strength. That’s no surprise. We work our tail off. We’ve got some speed.
“The thing that’s probably got me as pleased as anything is that we’ve got a little bit more depth at certain positions than I thought we’d have.”
The Hornets return just three starters off last year’s team that was within one win of playing for a Class 2A state championship. DeLeon is back at running back and strong safety, Steven Lambert returns on both lines while Jordan Buys returns on the offensive line.
Harbison said he was frustrated with lack of attendance at practice at times as well.
“It’s frustrating because we have not had what I would consider our whole varsity here for a single practice,” Harbison said. “It’s frustrating for me, it’s frustrating for the other guys, and again, when they get back they have to run and it gets them. So it’s discouraging on that.”
The Hornets scrimmage at Russellville on Aug. 15 and play in a jamboree Aug. 23 at Bardstown Bethlehem. They open the season Aug. 30 against Barren County in the T.J. Samson Bowl.
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Discussion
Running game a strength for Hornets
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It's tournament time
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Underdogs...
With the likes of softball powerhouses Greenwood, Glasgow, Bowling Green and Allen County-Scottsville in the tournament, the Metcalfe County High School Lady Hornets, winners of the 16th District, are probably heading into next week’s Region 4 Tournament as underdogs.
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Champions...
Another chapter in the Glasgow High School Lady Scotties’ fairy-tale softball season was written Wednesday night as they became the first GHS team since 1996 to claim the District 15 Tournament championship, after beating the tournament’s No. 1 seed and the No. 1 team in the state, the Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots, 1-0.
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Couldn't give it up...
Until a few weeks ago, Glasgow High School senior Shelby Ray wasn’t sure if she would pursue sports into her college career. Although a standout basketball and softball player, Ray thought it was time for her athletic career to come to a close so she could focus solely on academics in college. But in the end, she said she couldn’t imagine walking away from softball.
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Finally
After Glasgow High School center fielder Jordan Alexander settled under a fly ball to make the final out of the Scotties’ District 15 Championship game victory over Allen County-Scottsville Wednesday night, he raised his hands above his head, let out a big yell, and took off running to be with his teammates.
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Cornerstone
A cornerstone in the foundation that Steven Murphy has used to build the Glasgow High School softball program has been pitching. He believes you start everything with good pitching and then you can build from there.
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Season ends
The Barren County Trojans have struggled with their hitting over the last six or seven games of the regular season and unfortunately for the Trojan faithful, the problem arose again for Barren County on Tuesday in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association District 15 Baseball Tournament in Glasgow.
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Opportunity knocked
Going into Monday’s baseball game against Glasgow, Monroe County High School coach Jerome Taylor said the Falcons, to have a chance to beat the No. 1 seeded Scotties, would have to take advantage of every one of their opportunities.
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Big obstacle
The Monroe County Lady Falcons came into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association District 15 Softball Tournament Monday night in Glasgow with a big obstacle in front of them.
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