For the second straight season, the Wildcats are preparing for their season opener with one less scrimmage and one less practice week due to having spring ball. Last year Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said he wished he had a second scrimmage before the season started. This year he seems much more comfortable. He says spring football has been good for the Wildcats against this year.
Coach Owens says when fall workouts started, he knew a lot about what he had due to spring ball. Having 27 seniors coming back helped. Again he was impressed with the August retention level of things learned in May. Going into the Sherman game, Coach Owens likes his quarterback situation. Ryan Humphries has established himself as the starter but backup D’Corian Young is also expected to play. Both players will probably also show up as slot receivers since both players are among the fastest on the team and both catch the ball well. Coach Owens says both will have more freedom to move around this season.
Coach Owens says he also likes the senior leadership on this year’s team. 15 of them took their lumps as sophomore starters two years ago. They have led with their actions during spring and summer.
Concerning Sherman, Coach Owens says as usual the Bearcats are physical and have good athletes. They are trying to fill he void left by the graduation of veteran quarterback David Bedgood. Sherman seems to be leaning toward using a big, tall quarterback who is a pocket passer with a quick release. The Bearcats are also looking at an all-district cornerback as quarterback. He is a big running threat and seems to have a good command of the offense according to Coach Owens. Sherman also returns big running back Nat Omayebu and an experienced offensive line. Concerning keys of the game, Coach Owens says the Wildcats have to stop the run, take care of the football and make first downs on offense. Coach Owens says the Wildcats offense really gets going after making a first down or two.
The Wildcats play at Sherman Friday at 7 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.
