It wasn’t too long ago that the Cave Spring Knights were a force to be reckoned with in the River Ridge District. Back in 2005, Cave Spring went 10-2 and lost to the Liberty Minutemen in the state playoffs.
Since then, however, things have been pretty bleak for the Knights. Cave Spring has suffered consecutive 2-8 seasons, and has not won a district game since 2006.
Fortunately, a new season brings a clean slate, and with almost all of the team’s starters returning from last year, expectations are higher for 2009.
“Last year, we played a whole bunch of young kids,” Head Coach Tim Fulton said. “We used last season as a time to gain maturity and experience, and we had to go through some adversity. Hopefully, the things we learned will show up on the field this year.”
Offensively, the Knights look to be much improved from last season, when they failed to score more than 6 points in their last four games, including suffering two shutouts during that span.
The unit does have talent, however. Junior quarterback Josh Woodrum has all the tools, according to his coach, including something he lacked last year – game experience. “When Josh started out last year, he was just learning how to play at the varsity level, and what that was like,” Fulton said. “But he’s grown into that role, and grown as a leader, which is what you expect.”
Listed at 6’3”, Woodrum has a terrific arm and good poise, and should also have a ton of weapons at his disposal. That group includes three tall, lanky wide receivers – juniors Nick O’ Keefe (listed at 6’2”), Tyler Kemp (6’2”), and Erik Jacobsen, an Honorable Mention All-State performer listed at 6’4”.
“I don’t think there are many defensive backs in the area who can match up with those guys, especially with their height,” Fulton said.
In the backfield, junior Michael Cole will lead the Knight’s rushing attack. Listed at 6’2”, 200 lbs, Cole could be tough to contain, according to his coach. “Michael has good speed, but also is big enough to be a power back as well,” Fulton said.
Defensively, the Knights return their entire core of linebackers: seniors Coy Hypes, Tucker Green and Corey Reese, and junior Adam Anderson. “We’re really expecting big things from those guys – they’re gonna be our playmakers,” Fulton said.
However, in order to be successful, the unit will have to improve in terms of their ability to prevent big plays – specifically in the passing game. Much like the offense, the Knights defense experienced a meltdown of sorts to end the season, surrendering 30 or more points three times in their final four games.
Fulton believes his team is not that far off from being competitive in the district once again – emphasizing that the mistakes made last season were typical of a young group learning the ropes at the varsity level.
“It was little stuff — fundamentals, that the guys had to learn,” Fulton said, referring to things like missed blocks, missed assignments, not seeing the open receiver, and things of that nature. “We hope to reap the benefits of being patient.”
No matter what happens this season, the group has seemed to maintain a positive attitude in spite of their struggles in recent seasons. That, coupled with all the returning starters, has led Fulton to raise the bar of expectations for his team in 2009.
“We have a very cohesive bunch,” he said. “They’ve enjoyed being together, they’re work ethic is great, and they’re pushing each other in practice. So, yes, we have high expectations for ourselves. We want to continually improve week to week.”
The Knights’ season begins Friday night at Staunton River, where they will take on the Golden Eagles. Game time is set for 7:30pm.
By Matt Reeve [email protected]
