2014 North Putnam Football Preview

Friday, August 22, 2014
North Putnam runs a line drill during one of its early season practices. (Banner Graphic/JOHNATHON GOODE)

After its worst season in nearly 20 years the North Putnam Cougars football team is trying to convalesce after going 1-9 last season. They are going into this season with high expectations and great confidence according to coach Greg Barrett.

"You keep doing what you're doing," Barrett said. "You get the kids in the right places. I like this team we got."

It could not have gotten more depressing for the Cougars. Only twice last year could the Cougars score above 20 points in a game and the second one resulted in the only win of the season, 24-21 against Cloverdale. In six games they let up more than 30 points.

(Banner Graphic/JOHNATHON GOODE)

"They will have to hold them to less scores than we score on offense," Barrett said, "So, whether that's 30 points or 40 points we have to outscore that. That's called being a team and hopefully that will happen. We got to fly around, we got to penetrate, we got pursue the ball a little better and we got to gang tackle. These are things we've been preaching this camp. We need to get to the ball in a hurry and create turnovers."

The single game North Putnam held an opponent to under 20 points was against Southmont and the Mounties shut the Cougars out 18-0.

With a good senior core coming back Barrett says things will be different this year. They will not make many changes to the offense or defense, but this group has bought into the program and has excelled, so far.

"We're going to do things we've been doing all along," Barrett said. "We're not changing our philosophies. We're not changing things in our offenses and defenses. We like to keep doing things the way we have been. It goes down to getting guys in the right spots. We've got some athletes we're excited about. We've got some young kids. We've got a good senior class coming in. We've got a nice mix of guys that will all work with each other. That's what it takes to win championships. You only need 11 guys on the field. I'm excited about where we're headed."

The quarterback situation for the Cougars has been a question mark the past two seasons. Ever since Kolten Everts graduated in 2012 the position has been unstable. In the last two years they have seen three different quarterbacks get time and this year will be the fourth.

Junior Brad Hodges will get a crack at the position this year. Hodges would have played last year, but he suffered a broken collarbone against Cascade.

Hodges has taken most of the first-team reps in practice this season and says he is ready to go. The Cougars look very excited to have him back and he said he is ready to do whatever it takes to win.

"We're very excited about Brad," Barrett said, "He would have been in there last year, but he got hurt. He's healthy now. We got a good quarter ack. We're excited about where we're at right now."

Senior Jacob Riggen will be getting most of the carries this year along with wing Nolan Ensor. Riggen has seen minimal time carrying the ball over his career, but he is showing good promise in practice.

Protecting the backs will be seniors Jensen Conlin and Brandon Binnion along with a few others. The offensive line will be crucial to a good season and also the health of Hodges.

The Cougars will get a look at two new teams this year on their schedule, but Barrett is taking it one game at a time and will watch film when it becomes time. They will play at Eastern Greene on Oct. 3 and they will host Seeger the following Friday.

"It's hard to tell how it will help until you watch film on them," Barrett said, "They're all good football teams. We're not looking forward to one game or another. Now it's all about the Edgewood Mustangs. That's really where our focus is at and trying to beat that team. That's the most important team right now because it's the first game."

North Putnam's first game is over a week away, but they will get a valuable chance to see what they need to work on before then.

To beat Edgewood, ball security and good defense are key.

"Not turning the ball over and playing good defense will be a necessity to winning," Barrett said, "I think they will be a high-powered offensive team. They got some good talent coming back. We're excited about it. They're a good football team. They got a team to do very well this year. We are excited about it and it's a good challenge."

North Putnam's first game is against the Edgewood Mustangs at home. Last year they lost to the Mustangs 34-12.

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