Caldwell County returns just 62 passing yards and 91 rushing yards from a year ago.
But while experience may be lacking, the Tigers figure to have a more balanced attack from last year, when the squad relied heavily on the running game (and a strong defense) to post a 7-4 record.
“It definitely will be different than last year,” noted head coach Will Barnes. “We’re still going to emphasize running the ball, but we will be a little more explosive in the passing game than we were last year.”
Sophomore Luke Parker takes over at quarterback and will try to grow into that position with a revamped offense.
“We think Luke has a chance to be a really good quarterback,” said Barnes. “I’m sure there will be some growing pains, but he’s an intelligent kid and can really process things.”
Junior Demaurius Thompson leads the running back corps this season. Thompson is the top returning ground-gainer from last season. However, he had just 41 yards rushing on six attempts — but did score two touchdowns.
Seniors Jamus Carneyhan and Logan Chambliss combined for another 50 yards on the ground a year ago, but are pegged into receiver spots for 2022.
Chambliss had 15 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in 2021 while Carneyhan had 11 grabs for 76 yards and two scores.
Senior Zavy Bumphus, who joined the team midseason last year, could be prepped to have a big season as an outside receiver.
“Zavy came out for football for the first time ever last season, but he gives us a big target and could be a key player for us this year,” said Barnes.
The other receiver spot, the “Y,” will be manned by junior Camden Woford and sophomore Gus Fox.
“I think we’ll definitely be more athletic overall this season,” said Barnes. “We just don’t have a lot of depth.”
The most experienced unit on the offense will be the line.
Right tackle Cole Sherrill, a junior, along with right guard Connar King and center Brady Holeman, both seniors, provide a solid foundation with experience up front.
“That’s the bulk of our experience with those guys,” said Barnes.
Junior Maurice Seals figures to get the nod at left guard while senior Caden Alfred looks to take over at left tackle.
“We feel like we’ve got some talented pieces, it’s just getting those guys out there in 11-on-11 situations and getting them accustomed to playing. Once we get that under our belts, I think we have a chance to be a really good football.”
A lot of the names on offense will be the same on defense.
Up front, the Tigers have to replace all three linemen from last season. Elijah Shaheen and Angel Long graduated while Drew Davis transferred to Paducah Tilghman for his final high school season.
This season, King starts at nose guard while Sherrill and Seals move into end positions.
“You can’t replace an Elijah Shaheen or an Angel Long, but Connar and Cole are two solid players,” said Barnes. “Seals is probably going to be that third guy, but we’ve also got Caden Alfred and maybe (sophomore) Daniel Laurent who can play there.”
Fox and Woford will be the outside linebackers.
Junior Landon Davis was slated to start at inside linebacker but is out with injury. That opens the door for freshman Cooper Mobley to move into a starting role while Carneyhan mans the other ILB spot.
Parker will play free safety while Bumphus gets the call at strong safety.
The cornerbacks will be Chambliss and senior Canyon Richardson.
“That’s a lot of guys going both ways, but we don’t really have a choice,” said Barnes. “We have to get our best guys on the field.”
Caldwell faces another challenging schedule, with road games at Christian County Aug. 19 and Madisonville-North Hopkins Aug. 26 to open the season before the first home game against Hopkinsville on Sept. 2.
In the district, the Tigers still have to contend with Mayfield and Murray.
Ballard Memorial and Fort Campbell round out the district slate.
“Mayfield is going to be good,” said Barnes, who is entering his third season as head coach of his alma mater. “They lost some kids to graduation, but they also return a decent amount of kids. They do a good job of coaching over there and Mayfield is always going to have good teams.
“And Murray has some really good pieces coming back. We play in one of the most competitive 2A districts in the state and it’s going to be that way again this year.”
That’s why Barnes usually tries to keep solid teams on the schedule early in the season.
“I like our schedule. It’s a good mix of people we’ve been playing for a long time and there are good games for our team and community.
“We’ve got Trigg, Crittenden and Union. Madisonville is a good fit for us and they always have a good team.
“Christian County and Hopkinsville are always good but we’re usually competitive. They’re all WKC teams and they’re relatively short trips for our parents and fans. And they set up nicely to get us ready for our district games.”
One change this year will come in the postseason. Football will go back to cross-district matchups, meaning the Tigers will see a 2nd District school in the first round instead of having rematches with Mayfield or Murray.
Schools in the 2nd District are Butler County, Hancock County, McLean County, Owensboro Catholic and Todd County Central.
“I think it gives the regular-season more meaning,” said Barnes. “If you earn the one or the two seed, it’s more of a home-field advantage in the playoff game. To me, that gives it more of a postseason feel than playing someone you’ve already played.”
