Outlook. Coach Bryan Jones second season as the Grayson County football coach went well for the first four weeks with wins over Thomas Nelson, Breckinridge County, Muhlenberg County and Butler County, but after that they struggled with just one win in their next four games. Much of that 5-3 record was accomplished with a talented senior class and now Jones will have a few starters back and could struggle a bit this season during a transition year.
A lot of Decker. The Cougars were a dominating running team and behind a big offensive line, runenr Caden Woodcock pounded defenses into submission. With his graduation, Jones will have to rely on the talents of senior quarterback Kaylor Decker, who threw for 394-yards and only one touchdown. Decker, also ran for 156-yards on the ground and two scores. The loss of Woodcock and Mason Miller will mean the Cougars will rely on several backs including Hunter Tomes to control the game. Tomes was also the team’s leading receiver with 14-catches for 275-yards and 2-TDs and Owen Bratcher (8-catches for 56-yards). Tight end Cooper Goff may be more involved in the passing game as well. The OL did lose some parts, but Ben Rogers, Jordan Webb, Tanner Finley and center Ethan Hall should hold the fort.
Defense will look different. The Cougar defense looked great for four weeks, but in the last four stryggled allowing over 40-points in all three of those losses. Jones may have to retool that unit. The DL will return Ben Rogers and Ethan Hall, Jordan Webb and Tanner Finley should get some playing time. The Linebackers could have Hunter Felty and Cooper Goff while the secondary could return Hunter Tomes and Keaton Hodges. Jones will look for replacements.
Kicking Game. Kane Jackson was 6-for-8 for PAT’s.
Summation. The pandamic year was hard for everyone and team’s like Grayson County were no exception and with so many parts lost from that team, it will interesting to see if Jones can retool quickly or if it is a longer process.
The Schedule could be a keeper. The Cougars will begin the season on the road at Edmonson County (4-4) and then Barren County (2-6) then at home for three straight to start September with McLean County (3-2), Butler County (2-5) and then Graves County (7-3) before going on the road again at Muhlenberg County (2-5) and Breckinridge County (2-5) before coming home to face Ohio County (1-7) to start October and then Owensboro (12-1) and then home to finish it off with Hart County (1-4). The Cougars will face only three teams with winning records and this could be a great schedule for a developing team.
