Pigskin Preview 2021

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW AUGUST 2021

Pigskin Preview 2021

Whitener takes over as Blackcats head coach ALAN KOPITSKY alan.kopitsky@lee.net

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REDERICKTOWN – New Head Coach Jake Whitener takes over a Fredericktown High School football program looking to improve. Whitener joined the Blackcats coaching staff last year and was special teams coordinator while also working with quarterbacks and linebackers. One of Whitener’s first tasks as head coach was to get players to come out for football and commit to the Fredericktown High School program. “When you come into a program, especially one that has not had a winning season since 2012, it is hard to build confidence,” Whitener said. “The No. 1 thing we have put into our athletes’ heads this offseason is to enjoy the process of change and commit to these three things: energy, effort and execute.” In 2020, the Cats began the season with 28 players, but by the time of their district loss to St. Mary’s last season they only had 17 healthy bodies. Going through the first week of practice this year, Fredericktown has 44 athletes on its roster. “We have tremendous buy-in from our kids this year, and they are enjoying the game of football,” Whitener said. “Last year, at this time, we were having issues with athletes getting to practice, whereas this year we are starting to grow into a football

Carter Cheaney

family and it is showing as kids won’t leave the locker room after practice. They are committed.” Among the 44 football players are 10 seniors. Six are returning juniors and four are new to the program. “We have a decent amount of returning starters or players that had a significant amount of varsity reps last season,” Whitener said. Whitener said up front, the Cats return junior Isaac Smith, who was a two-way starter last season, as well as senior Jerry Couch. “Jerry had some injuries last year that hindered reps, but he looks to be healthy to help us protect upfront, as

well as help out defensively at our end position,” the coach said. “We made a shift in positions with a few athletes to better suit our team’s needs. “Levi Pirtle, senior, took reps in a skill position at times last year when called upon, but was mostly a starting linebacker for us. We asked him to make a move to better the team this season so he will be a starter also on the offensive line.” Sophomore Carter Cheaney will be the Cats’ quarterback. He was a starter last year at outside linebacker and also filled in at quarterback due to some injuries. “Carter is improving every day with his arm strength

Cohlbe Dunnahoo

and ability to read a defense,” Whitener said. “Carter has put in the time in the weight room this offseason, as well as working to better his mental understanding of the game.” Fredericktown returns two seniors at wide receiver and defensive back who had major roles last season, according to Whitener. “Lane Sikes and Cohlbe Dunnahoo will be leading

our skill positions as well as making alignments and adjustments to our defense,” he said. “We also have Kaleb Walker, junior, returning as a starter from last season. “Kaleb unfortunately tore his ACL in the first half of our district loss to St. Mary’s but is back ready to go. He is a diverse athlete that can help us out defensively fitting into different roles. So we are

fortunate to have him back to full health for this season.” Along with Cheaney, the Cats’ backfield will have some new faces. Whitener said there is currently a good competition for the starting running back job between juniors Garrett Marler and Michael Akins. “Both of the athletes work hard in the weight room and have diverse skill sets in


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