Linton-Stockton

Schedule
2006 Season

Date   Opponent (Class)          Score    Location     *SW7 Conference Game

Aug. 18 W Eastern Greene* (A)   52-6  at Owen Valley

Aug. 25 W Sullivan (3A)         38-0  Away

Sep. 1   W   Wood Memorial* (A)     56-7  Home

Sep. 8   L   West Vigo (3A)         14-15 Home

Sep. 15 W Springs Valley (A)    47-0  Home

Sep. 22                North Daviess* (A)     Cancel due to Weather

Sep. 29 W North Knox* (2A)      70-13 Home

Oct. 6   W   Union (Dugger)* (A)    34-6  Away

Oct. 13 W North Central* (A)    28-7  Home

SECTIONAL 40

Oct. 20 W Wood Memorial         40-6  Home

Oct. 27 L Perry Central         14-21 Home

Synopsis of Current Team

 * Once again, it seems that it will be Perry Central that stands in the Miner path out of Sectional 40. Linton does return a lot of talent, and I suspect that Ethan Brewer will be running extra hard knowing this is his last opportunity. With another year of the Single Wing under our belts, I believe you will see more wrinkles, and a more focus on passing to take some of the pressure off the running game. Brewer will return as the feature back, trying better his 1098 yards on 155 carries and 20 TD's in only playing 7 games in 2006. The Miners only lose Casey Andis at Wingback and return starters Cameron Coleman at Blocking Back with Keith Cunningham, Jeff Laughlin, Nate Padgett, Jarrett Lannan and a host of talented sophomores (Evan Magni, Tyler Smith, Caleb Bridges, and Brandon Roberts)at various backfield spots available. In fact, the skill positions are the least of Coach Weber's concerns. Physical size is at the top of the list for the Miner staff, as 7 of the 8 graduating seniors were on the line. The Line returns 3 experienced starters whom have all seen action since their sophomore years: Dustin Turpin, Jathan Wright, and Lance Irwin. Dustin Haldeman also returns after seeing playing time on the line in '06. HOwever, one of the concerns in Minerland will be the lack of physical size in the lineplay on both sides of the ball. Gone are Bryce Hunt (225), Bryant Meng (205) as well as back ups Jesse Gaither (317) and Joe Allen (232). Of the 4 returning linemen, the biggest is 6'1 205. Obviously, some serious off season lifting to build muscle and mass would be of huge benefit to the Miners. Replacing Hunt at center, and his backup (Meng) will be high priority as anyone who knows anything about the single wing realizes how important the Center snap is! Another huge hole to fill is the end positions, where both Bobby Spears and Dylan Hardisty graduate. More particularly, replacing the talented 6'6" All-state Hardisty, who led the Miners with 19 catches for 454 yards and 5 TDs in a run orientated offence. 6'1 Junior to be Jordan Tharp is likely to be one end, while the possibility of a blocking back (Coleman or Padgett) moving to the end position.


 * Defensively, the same problem exists along the line...lack of size. There is plenty of talent, and experience at the positions, but facing a team such as PC with Joey Piper at 6'1 350, Robbie Piper 6'3 375 & Isaac Schroeder 6'1 250 can be overpowering regardless over 4 quarters. Three of the front four return sans Hardisty at DE, in Wright & Irwin (DTs) & Turpin the other DE. However, Turpin floated between DE and ILB when Brewer played DE. In '06 the coaches tried to spell Brewer on the defensive side to keep him fresh as the workhorse offensively. In the games Ethan played DE, he was a leader in tackles, and an excellent pass rusher leading the team in sacks. The other concern on the D side of things will be replacing 3 of the 4 LBs. Padgett will return as a starter at OLB, and Coleman saw alot of action at the other OLB spelling senior Seth Baysinger. It's the ILB's that are traditionally the heart and soul of the Miner Defense, and we lose both Meng and Spears at that position. As mentioned before, I suspect Turpin will be earmarked at one ILB. THat leaves the other wide open to speculation. I could see Coleman as a possibility at 6'0 if he can beef up the 178 pounds, or possibly incoming sophomore Stefan Sparks who was 5'11 202 in 2006. Micky Tosti figures in that mix as well, but at 5'7" would be more in line with an OLB. The DB's are solid as only Andis graduates, and returning leading tackler Jaron Powell returns at safety. Cunningham, Laughlin & Lannan all return as well.


 * We'll have to replace Hardisty punting, and that's likely to be Tosti, but we should return plenty of place kickers...most likely with Laughlin handling the bulk. Andis was a great return man on both punt and kickoffs....but there are plenty of speedsters with the same like-minded attitude who will surely compete for that spot!


 * Course, this is all speculation. I am merely making educated guesses. A lot can happen in the offseason to affect the whole season! One thing that would really help the team would be the return of some guys who did not play last year. There were a couple who could have made a difference in '06, and many who could make a big difference in '07, especially in terms of size and attitude. Likewise, there could always be the kid who decides to step away from Football...and in small 1A land, any loss of a player is a huge disappointment. Injuries and depth are another area that castly affect small school football. Just on the surface, it would appear that our interior line on both sides of the ball will be thin. I say all this, but must point out that the Miner JV went undefeated again (I believe...not positive)...against 3A and 4A opposition...so there has to be some talent coming up from those ranks who will contribute to the varsity...always seems to happen every year! Those could include John Poe (JR (2007), 5'11 198 (2006 size)); Stefan Sparks (So 5'11 202); Derrick Barker (Jr 5'11 228);Clifton Bowers (Jr 5'7 224) among others.

Impact Players
Ethan Brewer, RB/DE #41; Senior; 6'2" 190 lbs (2006);
 * 2006 Rushing: 155 carries 1098 yards; 7.08 per carry; 20 TDs; 137.50 yards per game (8 games played)
 * 2005 Rushing: 51 carries 350 yards; 6.86 per carry; 7 TDs; 38.89 yards per game (9 games played)
 * In 8 games, he had game high of 205, another 3 games of +150 yards, another 2 +100 games, adding a 97 yd game as well. He scored 3 or more rushing TDs in 5 games, all while being limited in playing action in second half blowouts. He also threw a TD Pass as well! He also caught 5 passes for 100 yards with 2 TDs. Defensively, he didn't see a ton of action at DE as coaches wanted to rest him, but in limited action he still had 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. In key games he was always at DE. He was 1st Team all Southwest Seven Conference, AP All-State Honorable Mention; Bloomington Herald Times Junior Small State Honorable Mention.

Jathan Wright, QG/DT #50; Senior; 6'0'" 185 lbs (2006)

Dustin Turpin, PG/DE/ILB #67; Senior; 6'1" 205 lbs (2006)

Jaron Powell,  FS #5; Senior; 5'9" 135 lbs (2006)

Lance Irwin,   QT/DT #57; Senior; 5'11" 205 lbs (2006)

Nathan Padgett, BB/OLB #12; Senior; 5'9" 168 lbs (2006)

Keith Cunningham, RB/CB #23; Junior; 5'7" 128 lbs (2006)

Jeff Laughlin, RB/CB #8; Senior; 5'7" 154 lbs (2006) Cameron Coleman,BB/OLB #9; Senior; 6'0" 190 lbs (2006)