Kentucky roundup: McPeek working on skill positions at Fairview

ASHLAND -- Fairview coach Nate McPeek has a definite lineman background after a successful high school career at Russell that led him to being a four-year starter at Marshall University.

However, McPeek's most daunting task this season will be coaching up skill positions after Fairview lost all of the skill starters from the 2007 team that went 6-5.

McPeek has several returning starters on the offensive and defensive lines to help carry the weight as the skill guys go through the growing process.

"We have some good linemen returning so the young skill players will have to step up for us to have success," McPeek said.

The entire backfield is new with Matt Jones taking over at quarterback and T.J. Shelton joining Drew Boyd at the running back spots.

The most experienced player for Fairview is two-year starter Josh Johnson, who has excelled in his time at middle linebacker.

"He will anchor our defense and have to show vocal leadership," McPeek said.

Schedule: Aug. 29, at Lewis County; Sept. 5, vs. East Carter; Sept. 12, at Nicholas Co.; Sept. 19, vs. Raceland; Sept. 26, vs. Paris; Oct. 3, vs. Morgan Co.; Oct. 17, vs. Bath Co.; Oct. 24, at Lex. Christian; Oct. 31, at West Carter; Nov. 7, vs. Boyd County.

Lawrence County

LOUISA, Ky. -- Even thought the Lawrence County Bulldogs' color scheme is red and black, there will also be a lot of Marshall green in Louisa this season.

Former Thundering Herd offensive lineman Luke Salmons takes over as the Lawrence County head coach after spending two seasons as an assistant to former coach Billy Goldsmith.

Salmons, who was a high school star at Ravenswood before going to Marshall, also will bring along former Marshall quarterback Jimmy Skinner as an assistant coach in an effort to change the mentality of the Bulldogs.

Lawrence County has not achieved a winning season since 2003 and finished 1-10 last season.

There will be a lot of new for the Bulldogs as the Goldsmiths moved from Louisa to Boyle County, taking two-year starting quarterback Boone Goldsmith with them.

With a new system, new coaches and a new signal-caller, the Bulldogs will have a fresh start in 2008 as they look to improve in Kentucky's Class 4A, District 1-8.

The schedule will not do them any favors though, with Belfry, Russell and Breathitt County among those on the schedule along with district competition with Boyd County, Rowan County and Greenup County.

Schedule: Aug. 29, at North Laurel; Sept. 5, vs. Belfry; Sept. 12, at Sheldon Clark; Sept. 19, vs. Prestonsburg; Sept. 26, at Boyd Co.; Oct. 3, at Russell; Oct. 10, at Rowan Co.; Oct. 24, vs. Greenup Co.; Oct. 31, vs. Breathitt Co.; Nov. 7, vs. Letcher Co. Central.

Raceland

RACELAND, Ky. -- While Raceland coach Randy Vanderhoof is one of few coaches with several skill players returning to the fold, he is concerned about the depth -- or lack theirof -- with his squad.

Quarterback Tyler Boyles returns along with two-year starters Bret Denton and John Scott Carver in the backfield, but behind those guys are a lot of question marks.

Vanderhoof not only wants the depth to be prepared for injury situations, he also wants younger guys to step up and push the veterans and test their mettle a bit.

"Right now, we are trying to develop some depth and I'm wondering how hungry (the returnees) are," Vanderhoof said.

The problem for Vanderhoof isn't establishing numbers -- the Rams have 28 upperclassmen.

The offensive line returns three starters and will likely have an eight-man rotation on the line for each side of the ball.

The receiving corps -- key in Raceland's system -- will have several players in the mix with Brian Tolliver and Todd Selvage leading the way.

Defensively, Denton and Carver are also at the linebacker spots, along with Cody Kelly while a fourth position is up in the air with no one taking a grasp on it.

Boyles will be in the secondary, but Vanderhoof would like to see a situation where his quarterback didn't have to take every defensive snap. Selvage and Tolliver will also see time in the defensive backfield.

Schedule: Aug. 29, at Ashland; Sept. 12, at East Carter; Sept. 19, at Fairview; Sept. 26, vs. Lex. Christian; Oct. 3, at Greenup Co.; Oct. 10, vs. Paris; Oct. 17, vs. Paintsville; Oct. 24, at Nicholas Co.; Oct. 31, at Russell; Nov. 7, vs. West Carter.

Greenup County

GREENUP, Ky. -- Coach Mike Sammons has a lot of leadership and several key positions coming back to his team.

They are also in the form of only one jersey.

Senior quarterback Eric Craft will be the vocal leader of the team while also seeing time on defense. Craft will likely assume some kicking duties on special teams for the Musketeers.

"He'll basically do it all," Sammons said. "He's a special athlete."

While Craft can do everything on the field, he might not have to with Greenup County having several skilled athletes on the field, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

David Berry and Drew Hanna, Greenup County's two leading receivers, return along with Zack Smith who will see time in the backfield and split out wide.

Sammons will replace four guys on the offensive line, but he welcomes back the leadership of Joe Bob Greenslate, who serves as center, longsnapper and middle linebacker. Joining him in the trenches is returning tackle Zack Sexton. Frank Sanders, Jonathan Kitchen and Brian Grace will also see action.

"This is the best group of kids I've had since I've been coaching," Sammons said.

Schedule: Aug. 29, vs. Russell; Sept. 5, at Letcher Co. Central; Sept. 12, vs. Wheelersburg; Sept. 26, vs. Rowan Co.; Oct. 3, vs. Raceland; Oct. 10, at Boyd Co.; Oct. 17, vs. Ashland; Oct. 24, at Lawrence Co.; Oct. 31, at Lewis Co.; Nov. 7, at Mason Co.