Outlook. For many teams during the 2020 season, it was a real downer and for Nelson County was no different. The Cardinals struggled under Phillip Stockdale, but he will return multiple starters in 2021 that survived during a 0-7-2 season and hopefully things will get better and Nelson County can see some major improvement on both sides of the ball.
Briney’s in control. The Cardinal offense struggled at times producing just 83-points, yet it was still more than the 2019 team which scored just 68 over ten games. Nelson County ran for only 714-yards and threw for just 612, but there could be some improvement with Paul Briney back at Quarterback. As a freshman, he completed 36-passes for 5-TDs and 9-interceptions. Briney was also the team’s second leading ground gainer with 125-yards and 4-TDs. Sophomore Joey Goff will be back after carrying 87-times for 400-yards. Junior Evan Hicks was the third leading runner. With Devon Kiskaden gone, only Hicks (13-catches) and Zach Moore (six-catches) are back as the team’s top receivers. The OL will return Sophomore Brandon Newton, Aaron Goff and Carson Mattingly so the Cardinals will have some continuity at that position.
Defense should improve. The Defense which gave up 2,078 on the ground and 745 through the air should be better. The DL should have Sophomore’s Ayden Hutchins and Joey Goff along with Max Jones. The Linebackers will have sophomore Oliver Blincoe. The secondary will have several returnees as well with Junior’s Evan Hicks and Zach Moore.
Kicking Game. Sophomore Russell Lux went 4-of-7 on PAT’s and 1-of-2 on field goals. Lux is also the team punter as well.
Summation. It’s been a while since the Cardinals have put together a successful season and quite a few since they’ve tasted a win, still there could be hope with several talented returnees on both sides of the ball along with several playmakers to help upgrade their performance. Stockdale is counting on the experience from starting 19 freshman and sophomores last season.
The schedule could play a role in their success. Nelson County will begin the season on August 20th against Washington County (2-4) and then two straight road games against Green County (1-7) and Shawnee (1-6) before coming home against Marion County (1-4) and Elizabethtown (12-1) before traveling to Caverna (0-5). Then a home game against Bardstown (7-2) before two more road games against LaRue County (4-3) and Thomas Nelson (1-7) before a home game against North Oldham (2-6). The Cardinals will face three teams with above .500 records in 2020 and five teams with one or less. A perfect schedule for a growing team.
