Prestonsburg Blackcats: 2011 Season Preview and Outlook

Last season was yet another successful season for coach John Derossett and his Prestonsburg Blackcats, as the Blackcats finished with a 10-3 season and a runner-up finish in region 4. The Blackcats will face another tough, yet exciting schedule this upcoming 2011 season, with the new class realignments teams like Bath County & Morgan County were replaced with Betsy Layne & Leslie County in the district. The region added Danville, Lexington Christian and Somerset.

The Blackcats graduated some key players from 2010 team including the two leading tacklers, TE/MLB Alex Griffith & OL/OLB Trevor Stovall. WR/DB Nathan Slone is another graduate that will be missed in the 2011 season, as he was 3rd on the team in receiving yards and 2nd on the team in interceptions. However, the Blackcats return majority of their team including do-it-all player Joseph Jamerson. Jamerson lead the team in rushing yards, was 2nd in receiving yards, had the most interceptions with 9 and was 3rd on the team in tackles. Jamerson will also be the place kicker & punter for the Blackcats this upcoming season. Other key returning players will be WR/RB/DB Bryson Williams, who lead the team in receiving yards, touchdowns and was 2nd on the team in rushing yards as a sophomore. QB Adam Crisp also returns as he threw for 2809 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. The offensive line returns a veteran group consisting of Chris Cook, Alex Garner, Zak Rowe and Kinsey Van Dyne.

Season Outlook

Aug. 19 - @ Perry Co. Central - The Commodores are under guidance by former Breathitt County star Jade Haddix. Expect them to run majority of their plays out of the shotgun set with a lot of option plays. Perry Central has a lot of athletic kids who have given Prestonsburg defenses fits in the past. We should expect no difference in the first week of the season. (Toss-up)

Aug. 26 - @ Sheldon Clark - The Cardinals are usually one of the more physical teams Prestonsburg plays yearly, however the Blackcats have had Sheldon Clark's number over the past few meetings, but with many new faces this year in Inez, things could get interesting. I expect the typical wishbone offense with a few plays out of shotgun and most of the touches will go through their star player KP Skyles. (Prestonsburg wins, 28-12)

Sep. 2 - Lawrence County - The Bulldogs have been very successful since the last time these two met a few years ago, but the Bulldogs will be under a new coach and things will be hard to predict going into the season. They do have one of the best linemen in the state, so I expect them to try and move the ball mostly on the ground. (Prestonsburg wins, 35-20)

Sep. 9 - Belfry - The Pirates won't be surprised by the Blackcats this season as both teams will have had enough time to work out a lot of the early season kinks, so expect this to be a classic Belfry vs. Prestonsburg game. (Toss-up)

Sep. 17 - @ Casey County - Very unfamiliar opponent for the Blackcats and myself. Casey County had a good season last year, but was taken out of the playoffs very early. (Prestonsburg wins, 42-12)

Sep. 23 - @ Betsy Layne - The Bobcats are an up-and-coming program, but we all know that they're a few years from getting on the same level as their county foe, Prestonsburg. (Prestonsburg wins, 56-6)

Sep. 30 - Hazard - The Bulldogs have had one of the most successful teams in class A over the past 5 years and they're always loaded with play-making athletes. This game should be a shootout between two explosive offenses. (Prestonsburg wins, 35-28)

Oct. 7 - Shelby Valley - The Wildcats always seem to save their best stuff for Prestonsburg, so expect another good game between the two, however I wouldn't be surprised if Prestonsburg wins this one in a route. (Prestonsburg wins, 41-20)

Oct. 14 - OPEN

Oct. 21 - Leslie County - The Eagles have given Prestonsburg problems in the past, however this program is still rebuilding. (Prestonsburg wins, 49-12)

Oct. 28 - @ Pike County Central - Prestonsburg suffered a homecoming loss to the Hawks last season and both teams pretty much return their entire teams. Should be another nail-biter. (Toss-up)

A 10-0 to a 6-4 season is highly possible, as the Blackcats are facing some very tough teams in the 2011 season. Prestonsburg will more than likely have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but Prestonsburg will have the toughest road in AA if they expect to make it to the state championship.

Best of luck Blackcats!