Cabell Midland ready for wins

ONA -- Cabell Midland's football team carried a chip on its shoulder the entire offseason after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Cabell Midland's opening practices Monday were the first steps toward getting back on the winning path.

The Knights went 4-6 last season, losing six times by a combined 34 points. The largest margin of defeat was a 7-point loss to Woodrow Wilson.

"The breaks just didn't go our way last year," Cabell Midland coach Chip McMillian said. "We were very competitive in every game and there should be no reason why we can't be competitive again this season."

West Virginia University-bound senior lineman Cole Bowers believes the team is prepared for a big turnaround.

"A lot of our guys really worked hard to stay in shape in the offseason and we really have something to prove," Bowers said. "I can't wait to get the pads on and I'm excited football is here."

Senior quarterback Tyler Bartley was forced to sit out the first day of practice because of a broken ankle he suffered in a summer workout.

McMillian said Bartley will get the boot off his ankle today and should be ready to go Aug. 29 in the first game of the season against Parkersburg. If Bartley is unable to go, McMillian said Michael Brumfield is a solid backup.

The Knights are faced with the task of replacing graduated receiver Jordan Marcum. Last season Marcum caught 53 passes for 966 yards and five touchdowns.

Cabell Midland has an assortment of young receivers waiting in the wings that will compete for playing time. Although experience will be a factor, no receiver on the roster had more than five catches in 2007.

Monday's practice began in the weight room. Each player did a power clean lift, bench lift and got their heart pumping by jumping rope.

As the team took the field for its morning practice the Knights worked on conditioning and special teams. Field goal kicking, punting, place-kicking and running were the primary concentrations.

In the afternoon practice the team dedicated three hours to working on the offensive game plan.

Cabell Midland had 58 seniors, juniors and sophomores on the field. McMillian said he anticipates having 35 freshmen join the group later.