2020 36 Blitz: Grant County Braves

DRY RIDGE, Ky (WTVQ) – It’s been a tough two years for grant county, but the braves have shown improvement in the Jacob Morris era. Now heading into year three they have a more experienced group.

“Three years ago we went 0-10, the next year 3-7, last year 4-6, so we’re slowing improving,” said running back Logan Southerland. “We’re just hoping to build. Last year with us being so young, ”

Morris believes his team has taken a step toward competing in every game they play thanks to experience.

“Now we’re going into a season where we’re not necessarily the little brother anymore,” said Coach Morris. “Last year with us being so young, they were going up against kids quite a bit older, so we’re closing a gap there. Now, how much we’re really closing, we’ll find out.”

Grant County brings back ten starters on offense, including quarterback Connor Knipp. Head coach Jacob Morris adds there’s also plenty of excitement for the defense.

“We’re doing some things a little bit differently on defense that’s going to allow us to use some faster kids and let them run, so the defense might end up being a little bit bigger of a strength than our offense.”

While the pandemic has created uncertainty for teams around the state. Morris doesn’t believe it will affect how ready his team is for week one of the season.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a big difference between game one this year and game one our first two years, as far as performance-wise.”

Morris’ players are just ready to play some football.

“With everything going on, I’m just ready for games,” says lineman Cody Hornsby. “I’m ready for competition and all of that, just working with my teammates, build together and all of that.”

With an experienced group coming back, Coach Morris believes capturing a winning record for the first time since 2008 isn’t out of the question for Grant County.

“I think our kids would be really happy with getting a couple of district wins maybe, but that’s going to be real tough.”

His players know they play in a tough district as well, but they also know they’re prepared for the challenge.

“Our conference is pretty hard,” said Southerland. “They have really good teams in it that are always really good every year, but we’re a lot older and stronger this year. We’re going to be pretty good this year.”

What’s it going to take to take that next step? The Braves already know.

“We just need to have our communication down, work as hard as we can every day at practice, get ready for gamedays,” says Hornsby. “I think we’ll have it.”