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2010 NEW ALBANY PREVIEW
POSTED: 6/16/10
By: Donnie Smith |
Preview of the 2010 season
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It was a tough year in 2009 for Coach Kevin Roth and the New Albany Bulldogs. The Bulldogs struggled early and often last year, dropping their first eight contests, before winning their season finale against Floyd Central. They did open the sectionals with a victory over Evansville North, before the Highlanders avenged their regular season loss with a sectional semifinal victory to end the New Albany season. But 2010 should be vastly improved with 14 starters returning, and a talented junior class coming up as well, so there’s reason for optimism this season for the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Chris Whitehead is a senior whose leadership skills are evident on both the football field and with the highly successful basketball team at New Albany. Returning starter Jalen Forrest performed quite well at running back as a sophomore last year, totalling over 1,100 yards in just eight games for the Bulldogs. Senior wideouts LaRonn Davis and Jaelin Kinnaird, as well as junior Scootie Middleton give the Bulldogs experience at the receiver position. Three seniors return to anchor the offensive line, with tackles Steven Carter and Zach Faith, along with guard Josh Atkins, a threeyear starter.
Seven starters return defensively for the Bulldogs, including the front four led by senior defensive end Sam Cosby (6-3, 220). Junior Cody Leasor will return at the other end position, while senior Jacob Mudd (6-0, 240) and junior Tyrus Darden (5-11, 240) return at the tackle spots. Senior Connor Munschaur returns to handle one of two linebacker spots for Coach Roth’s “42” defense, while Whitehead and Davis will pull double duty by patroling the secondary in addition to their play on offense for the Bulldogs.
Coach Roth believes he has fast and athletic players, with improved football skills, and has a team whose makeup is very similar to the 2002 sectional title team. If they can perform as highly as their coach believes in them, and if they can get some improvement along the lines, it could be one of the great turnaround stories in Indiana football this season for New Albany.
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