Outlook. Looking back at a 1-7 record, Thomas Nelson saw a little improvement and hopefully that can happen with several starters returning from last year’s 1-7 team. Coach Joe Peake will attempt to work some younger players into the system as the Generals navagate through a traditionally tough Class 3-A District 3 schedule.
Gridley is the key. The Generals scored just 104-points in eight games, but with senior quarterback Chase Gridley back their’s hope that can change. Gridley was a key figure in the Peake’s offensive attack last season passing for 363-yards and rushing for 105-yards and 4-TDs. Thomas Nelson will also return leading tailback senior Braden Smith, who ran for 426-yards and 4-sixes. Smith was also the leading receiver for the Generals with eight catches for 65-yards. Junior Jacob Thornsberry is the only other receiver with multiple catches returning. The OL will lose Alex Riggs, but junior Andrew Blanton and senior’s Steven Newton, Aidan Gossom and Dylan Dewitt will add experience to the mix.
Defense will need to improve. The Thomas Nelson “D” allowed 1,106 yards in eight games and 714 through the air which was a sign of improvement and Peake has some returnees on this squad as well. Senior Jason Brinley will be back on the DL, but with Korian Hardin, Aaron Cooper and Alex Riggs gone, Peake will look to replace them and find some depth. The Linebackers will return Dewitt, Alex Letner, Luke McMahan and Luis Mejia and should show some marked improvement. The secondary lost Aiden Henley, Dalton Steere and Logan Livers, but will return Jacob Thornsberry, Torrian Keene, Ethan Crider and Blake Greenwell so this should be a better unit as well.
Kicking Game. The Generals will return seniors Jackson Middleton and Braden Smith, who were a combined 7-for-7 on PAT’s.
Summation. Much like Nelson County, Thomas Nelson as always struggled to reach .500 and although they have only done that once in their short history, there have shown some improvement, but wins continue to be hard to come by. Hoepfully, Peake’s team will show some more this season after a rough 2020.
Pretty good on the surface. Thomas Nelson will start the season on the road at Marion County (1-4) on August 20th, then two straight home games against Washington County (2-4) and then Bethlehem (6-3) before going back on the road against Atherton (1-5) and KCD (10-2). Elizabethtown (12-1) will be their next home game on September the 24th and then another road trip to LaRue County (4-3) and Bardstown (7-2). A home game with Nelson County (0-7) and then finish up the regular season at home with Warren Central (0-7). In all, the Generals will face five teams with winning records from last season, but four teams with one or less wins as well.
