Rose looking for consistency, Bob Jones goes full contact
Bob Jones wrapped up first week of practice going full contact
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- After two days in shorts and helmets and a day in shells, the reality that football season has arrived is setting in. With picture day and the required three days without pads behind them, Bob Jones can get down to business with no more distractions.
With a preseason game against Enterprise in the AHSAA Champions Challenge approaching on August 24, Bob Jones has two weeks to prepare for the high profile, televised event.
“The biggest thing I am looking for is production,” head coach Kevin Rose said after practice Thursday.
“I’m not so much interested in how fast a player is or high he can jump. I’m interested in out of 10 plays did you go the right direction 10 times did you execute your assignment 10 times.”
Friday marks the first time since early May the players can go full speed with pads on.
“I’m looking at who is a physical football player who can tackle and break tackles. Some athletes look great in shorts but you put the pads on and he isn’t so effective. Some kids turn it up a notch when you put the pads on and some kids go the other direction,” Rose said.
Offensive line, where three starters must be replaced, continues to be the biggest concern for Rose.
Rose must fill the holes with hitters and he has a group of young players who have come up through the system.
Among those competing for playing time on the offensive line are Austin Harris, J.D. Sims, and Blake Polson along with returning starters Cage Stapler at center and Zerrin Moss at left tackle.
“It’s an open competition; we have seven or eight guys competing for five spots.”
“Offensively we have a long way to go,” Rose said. “Our offensive line needs to make day-to-day improvement to give us a chance to win.”
The past several years Bob Jones has had a run of quality offensive linemen who started multiple seasons and are now playing in college.
Rose may not have that size player this season that colleges look for, but “if we can get five guys that go the same direction full speed and give us a chance to win that’s what I am looking for. If they can create a tie, they don’t always have to win their block, we just need a tie long enough for our skill people to make a play.”
Skill positions are pretty much set for Bob Jones. Quarterback Tyler Whalen (Sr. 6-foot-3, 186 pounds) is the focal point of the offense. Jonathon Rice and Brandon Richardson head a deep group of receivers and Jay Rogers, who ran for over 1000 yards last season returns.
