Betsy Layne Bobcats: 2011 Season Preview & Outlook

A lot of firsts have taken place over the past 3 years on the hill for Betsy Layne's football program. Coach Johnathon Parsons has turned Betsy Layne into a respectable team in their region that continues to show improvement each season under Parsons. This fall Parsons and his Bobcats move up to class AA with county foe Prestonsburg and Shelby Valley & Leslie County. The Bobcats did graduate several starters last season including quarterback Nathan Martin who threw for 1042 yards & 17 touchdowns. Martin's #1 target Landon Tackett also graduated. He lead the Bobcats with 568 yards receiving & 8 touchdowns last season. Betsy Layne also lost do-it-all player Casey Adkins, who rushed for over 1641 yards & 14 touchdowns. Adkins lead the team in tackles last season too, with 65 solo's & 72 assisted tackles. Korey Jarrell, Dylan Hamilton and Austin Hall look to be the leaders for Betsy Layne this fall as each contributed on both sides of the ball last season for a successful team that looks to do the same this season.

Outlook

Aug. 19 - Bracken County - Should be a good game here, but with the home field advantage I'll give the edge to the Bobcats. (BL wins, 32-19)

Aug. 26 - @ South Floyd - Rival game here, however the Raiders have had it tough over the past few years and I fully expect BL to coast in this one. (BL wins, 44-20)

Sep. 2 - OPEN

Sep. 9 - @ Allen Central - Another rival game for the Bobcats that should come down to the wire like the last few matchups have. (Toss-up)

Sep. 16 - Knott Co. Central - If Knott Central can put the right pieces in place then they can possibly compete in this game. (BL wins, 26-16)

Sep. 23 - *Prestonsburg - First district game of the season for to Bobcats against county foe Prestonsburg. The Blackcats just have too many horses for BL to keep up with in this one, (Prestonsburg wins, 49-14)

Sep. 30 - @ Paintsville - The Bobcats did knock off Paintsville last season for the first time ever, so the Tigers will be out for blood this season. Should be a great game. (Toss-up)

Oct. 7 - @ *Leslie County - Should be close early, but the Eagles pull away late. (Leslie wins, 34-20)

Oct. 14 - Hannan, WV - Don't know much about Betsy Layne's opponent here, but I'll go out on a limb and take the good guys from Kentucky. (BL wins, 35-12)

Oct. 21 - @ *Shelby Valley - The Wildcats have had off-season distractions, but this team year in and year out is just a few plays away from making a run in the class AA playoffs. (Valley wins, 35-16)

Oct. 28 - @ Jenkins - Should be a cakewalk for Betsy Layne heading into the playoffs. (BL wins, 52-18)

Up to 7 or 8 wins is possible with their schedule this season and the Bobcats will automatically be awarded with a playoff birth now that they're only in a 4-team district. First round playoff game will more than likely be against Danville, Lexington Christian or Somerset, so realistically you can't expect a playoff run out of Betsy Layne this season.

Best of luck this upcoming season!