There are reasons to be encouraged

By Rex Kirts

There is some light at the end of South's football tunnel, and Center Grove coaches lit the candle Friday night at Fred Huff Field.
"They played hard," Center Grove coach Eric Moore said of the Panthers. "They played physical, quick. They had a lot more confidence."
Now, let it be clear the light didn't come from the score. South's varsity scored just one touchdown to seven for Center Grove. The visitors proved they continue to be one of the best programs in the state while South is in a serious rebuilding state.
"CHANGING THE CULTURE" is how new Panther coach Kirk Kennedy describes the process. His summer practices have been tough, his demands absolute. Not everyone passed the test, and South's current active roster is down to just over 40, less than half of Center Grove's.
Center Grove has bigger, faster stronger and more players, but Kennedy's bunch competed favorably at times. And Moore's commentary is evidence that Kennedy's style has merit.
Joey Siderewicz, the former Martinsville head coach, is an assistant at Center Grove now. He also praised the Panthers, his analysis similar to Moore's.
So how did Kennedy feel about the Panthers?
"I liked our kids' effort for the most part," he said. "We lost focus on the goal line, played high, soft, didn't ready our keys well."
On the goal line series, each team started at the opponents' 10-yard line. Center Grove scored five touchdowns in its time with the ball while South failed to score. The Trojans dominated, obviously, and Kennedy said lots of work is needed on fundamentals.
"We started OK," Kennedy said. "We moved the ball early, then fizzled out. We made mistakes and were too inconsistent."
KENNEDY APPRECIATED Moore's comments on the Panthers and said. "Center Grove is well coached, plays hard, didn't make mistakes. We want to be that type of team.
"We'll get better. We stood toe to toe with them for a little while."
South performed decently in the first part of the scrimmage, when each team started a series at its own 35-yard line and another series at the opponents' 35. Center Grove had two TDs and South one in the combined series.
The Panthers' touchdown was a 11-yard run by senior tailback Keith Bunton. Leading the way at fullback was senior Derek Murphy, who blocked the linebacker on the play called 33 iso.
Yards were hard to come by for South as Center Grove handled the line of scrimmage rather conclusively. The Panthers did manage a few yards on sweeps with Bunton and sophomore Nolan Rogers at tailback and quarterback keepers by Trae Washington.
Washington was filling in at quarterback for junior Michael Bower, who is out with an illness. Bower is expected back next week.
"YOU'VE GOT TO LIKE Trae's effort," Kennedy said. "His leadership, the way he rana the team."
Junior Cullen Flynn, a starting outside linebacker, also missed the scrimmage with an injury and may return for next Friday's season opener against Bedford North Lawrence at Huff Field. Starting for Flynn was senior Ben Farmer.
Also missing the scrimmage was senior Gabe Hull, a starting defensive end who was a no-show. Junior Jake Kelzer started in his place.