MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: AFTER TOUGH SEASON, YOUNG SAYS FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR ATHENS FOOTBALL (2019-11-13)
BY TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS "” Athens is coming off its worst season in more than 30 years, but longtime Athens coach Jack Young is excited about the future of the Wildcat program, beginning in 2020.
"We lose a tremendous leader in Dylan Comstock, and we lose a tremendous leader by example in Damian Hudson, who is pound-for-pound one of the toughest kids we've had," said Young. "And, we lose a tremendous all-around player in Keegan Rude.
"We're going to miss our seniors, but the younger guys have shown they want to play, and have shown they have tremendous heart," noted Young. "These kids are hungry to play. There is no doubt in my mind, based on their approach in the last half of the season."
"This is a group of great kids. I'm pretty sure we have a special group coming back next year" said Young. "You can't help but be excited about the future."
Young believes he'll have strong senior leadership in 2020.
"I really like our junior class, it's small in numbers, but boy are they tough kids," he said. "When you talk about Ben Pernaselli, Tanner Dildine, Ian Wright, and Connor Sindoni - those are four juniors who have played a lot of football.
"If they can come in and work hard this offseason, and provide some leadership, I think the sky is the limit," added Young.
The Wildcats only graduate two staters on defense, but that defense allowed 33 points per game this season.
"We know what we have to improve on," said Young. "Bottom line, we have to be better defensively next year.
"We've always been the type of program, where offensively we'll be patient and figure out where we need to hang our hat, and our defense will take care of business.
"We weren't that kind of team this year," added Young. "We need to get back to that."
Offensively, the Wildcats lose Rude, who led the team with 40 receptions for 713 yards, and six TDs, and Hudson, who was second on the team with 561 yards and four TDs, despite missing 4 1/2 games due to injury.
The remainder of the offense returns, led by sophomore-to-be QB Mason Lister and junior-to-be Shayne Reid.
Lister completed 45 percent of his passes for 1,285 yards and 11 TDs, while being intercepted nine times. Reid led the Wildcats with 735 yards and eight TDs.
"Mason (Lister) improved throughout the year," said Young. "He has poise, is a good leader, and has a very strong arm.
"Shayne (Reid) is going to be a special player," noted Young. "He is special on both sides of the ball."
Young reiterates the future is bright.
"This group is going to be a year older, and more mature physically," he said.
"They are already excited about next year," added Young. "They already want to know what they need to do to get better. Those are the types of kids we have."
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IN PHOTO: Athens coach Jack Young.
