Tom Young says his McPherson High football team is far from a finished product.
The Bullpups, coming off an 8-2 season which included a first-round loss to Emporia in the Class 5A playoffs, wrapped up their first week of practice Saturday with a scrimmage at McPherson Stadium.
“I was pleased with the week until the scrimmage on Saturday,” Young said. “Obviously we’re not all on the same page. Our focus is not where it needs to be. We’re kind of scattered and the effort hasn’t been as consistent as we’d like. We’ve got to work on that this week.”
The Bullpups figure to be ahead of many teams after participating in three camps this summer, not to mention the one-week team camp.
The Bullpups return a whopping 28 lettermen, including eight starters on offense. But the defense is a different story, as it’s a unit that was senior-laden.
“We’re a little more sure of ourselves on offense,” said Young, an incredible 33-10 at MHS including four straight AVCTL Division II titles. “Defensively we’re still somewhat unsettled.”
The biggest question mark figured to be at quarterback, where Shrine Bowler and two-year starter Joel Piper graduated. But Goddard transfer Tyler Matthews, who came in during the second semester, has been impressive, according to Young. He was expected to compete for the job with last year’s JV quarterback Tucker Hein, but his season may be over because of a shoulder injury.
The Bullpups are loaded in the backfield with Kevin O’Connor and Seth Davenport, and the receiving corps is led by Christian Ulsaker, Nick Gawanda and Jordan Hart. The offensive line, led by Tommy Crayton, is large and strong.
Defensively, though, Young says he hasn’t settled on a starting lineup, which will be the focus this week and next. Kenan Warren will be a team leader, as he’ll be one of the state’s top defensive backs.
MHS will be on display Friday night during the annual Fall Preview at McPherson Stadium. It should take the field approximately 7:30 p.m., though it’s expected to keep things basic.
MHS opens the season Sept. 3 hosting Andover.
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Tom Young says his McPherson High football team is far from a finished product.
The Bullpups, coming off an 8-2 season which included a first-round loss to Emporia in the Class 5A playoffs, wrapped up their first week of practice Saturday with a scrimmage at McPherson Stadium.
“I was pleased with the week until the scrimmage on Saturday,” Young said. “Obviously we’re not all on the same page. Our focus is not where it needs to be. We’re kind of scattered and the effort hasn’t been as consistent as we’d like. We’ve got to work on that this week.”
The Bullpups figure to be ahead of many teams after participating in three camps this summer, not to mention the one-week team camp.
The Bullpups return a whopping 28 lettermen, including eight starters on offense. But the defense is a different story, as it’s a unit that was senior-laden.
“We’re a little more sure of ourselves on offense,” said Young, an incredible 33-10 at MHS including four straight AVCTL Division II titles. “Defensively we’re still somewhat unsettled.”
The biggest question mark figured to be at quarterback, where Shrine Bowler and two-year starter Joel Piper graduated. But Goddard transfer Tyler Matthews, who came in during the second semester, has been impressive, according to Young. He was expected to compete for the job with last year’s JV quarterback Tucker Hein, but his season may be over because of a shoulder injury.
The Bullpups are loaded in the backfield with Kevin O’Connor and Seth Davenport, and the receiving corps is led by Christian Ulsaker, Nick Gawanda and Jordan Hart. The offensive line, led by Tommy Crayton, is large and strong.
Defensively, though, Young says he hasn’t settled on a starting lineup, which will be the focus this week and next. Kenan Warren will be a team leader, as he’ll be one of the state’s top defensive backs.
MHS will be on display Friday night during the annual Fall Preview at McPherson Stadium. It should take the field approximately 7:30 p.m., though it’s expected to keep things basic.
MHS opens the season Sept. 3 hosting Andover.
