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Gridiron Football 2016 Preview

The Butler County Bears open the season on the road tonight, Friday, August 19, at Logan County High School.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Bears, since January, have quietly been building steps of a process for the regular season to begin. Here is a look at the depth charts, players, and expectations for the 2016 Bears.

The Bears' 2015 campaign ended at 9-3 overall with graduation losses of Ian Embry, Isaiah Arnold, Nolan Johnson, Alfredo Gomez, Jacob Courtenay, Jacob Hixenbaugh, and Chris Wood. All will be missed.

The 2016 Bears, led by Head Coach Ryan Emmick and staff, have been working daily with a veteran squad.

Seniors are Rex Henderson, Caleb Hunt, Issac Flener, Seth Gaskey, Dillon Brosnan, Kyle Householder, Dalton Lee, Issac Pendley, Blake Graham, Logan Richardson, Lake Cameron, and Ty Burden.

Juniors are Christian McKee, Brenden Shanklin, Noah Beasley, Dalton Havens, Tanner Herrara, Andrew Henry, Houston Hampton, Ethan Carroll, Ty Smith, Gage Ward, Trevor Spradlin, and Tristin Estavar.

Sophomores are Alex Rich, Aaron Bratcher, Dawson Carroll, Cooper Maxfield, Michael Elmore, Kain Neighbors, Logan Inglis, Logan Binion, Tyler Yates, Tavarus Holloway, Tristin Phelps, Weston Merritt, and Keaton Diaz.

Freshmen include Warren Cameron, Ethan Lawrence, Logan Thurmond, Dalton Burden, Felipe Lucas and Ethan Burden.

On offense the Bears will again this year push for a fast-paced tempo when possible.  The Bears, averaging forty points plus in 2015, return a load of upperclassmen. The Bears' spread offense features quarterback Rex Henderson, a senior who was named to be in contention for Kentucky Mr. Football, to be named at the end of the season. Henderson is surrounded by talented running backs, receivers and lineman. The Bears have a stable full of running backs in Brosnan, Hunt, Smith, Hampton, and Graham. All five run downhill and have good hands when in the passing lanes.

The receiver corps is made up of Shanklin, Havens, Ward, Diaz and new comers Tavarus Holloway, and Ty Burden. All six will work in the rotation on game nights depending on situations. Throughout the summer the 7-on- 7 passing leagues provided great repetitions against quality opponents at Lexington, Bowling Green, and Owensboro.

The offensive line returns four of the five starters from last season in Householder, Pendley, Lee, and Gaskey - all seniors. The center position is filled by Lake Cameron, who moved from tight end to center; Noah Beasley, a junior, is very capable if called upon at center. Herrara, Henry, Richardson, and Binion add support when needed at the guards and tackles.

The quarterback slot is filled by veteran Rex Henderson, who threw for over 3,000 yards last season as a junior.  The Bears will rely on the pass to establish the run. Shanklin, Ward, and sophomore Alex Rich work the quarterback position daily and can be installed when needed.

Transfer Logan Richardson returns as a senior from the Sunshine State of Florida. Richardson handles all the kicking duties for the Bears and looks for another big year. Shanklin handles the long snaps on punts, and the snaps on extra points and field goals. Shanklin also looks to get the nod as the return man for the Bears on punt returns and kick-off returns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears are bigger, faster, stronger, more mobile, hostile, and agile. The Bears' offseason strength program hopes to show up each week. The Bears return (7) seven starters on the defense in Henderson, Graham, Smith, Hunt, Brosnan, Lee, Flener.

The Bears will work out of a 3-4 base defense, will use blitz packages and various looks from week to week depending on the opponent.  The starting defensive line consists of Hunt, Cameron, and Flener - all seniors. The linebacker corps is made up of Brosnan, Smith, Graham, and Lee. The secondary, the defensive backs are Henderson, Ward, Shanklin, and new comer Warren Cameron.

The Bears 2016 schedule looks as follows:

Logan County, Russellville, Hancock County, Todd County Central, and Ohio  County - all away games.  Home games with Edmonson County, Apollo, Grayson County, Owensboro Catholic, and McLean County.

The Bears are in KHSAA Class 2A/ District 2-Region 1.  Butler County advanced to the 2nd round of the state playoffs last year before falling to Mayfield High School, who went on the win the Class 2A State Championship. 

The Bears coaching staff by positions: Brandon Embry-linebackers; Brian Bivens-defensive backs, special teams; John Burden-offensive line/defensive line; Barry Frazier-quarterbacks; Myke Embry-defensive lineman; Andy Fuller-wide receivers; Travis McIntosh-strength coach; Mark Allen-running backs.

Logan County Scouting Report: The Logan County Cougars program has fallen on hard times. The Cougars have not won a varsity football game since September of 2012 but have a new head coach and are coming off a scrimmage win over Trigg County last Friday.  The Cougars have a new enthusiasm and are looking to end the streak.  Look for Logan County to throw the football all night long.  The Cougars are led by a true freshman quarterback who looked good in the Trigg County scrimmage.

On defense, look for the Cougars to run a 33 stack. The Cougars will have to get pressure on Henderson and try and rush his throws. But the Cougars depth chart, it appears Logan plays seven (7) on both sides of the ball. Fatigue could be a factor for the Cougars as the game plays out.

This and all Butler County Bears football games will be aired live on The New Q - WLBQ 101.5.  John Embry will have the play-by-play; Cody Donaldson will provide real-time stats and behind-the-scenes team information; and Josh Scott will be on color commentary. 

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Photos by Jeremy Hack, for Beech Tree News. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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