Thinning numbers leave no depth

By Rex Kirts

When Kirk Kennedy was hired as South's new football coach, he was told one of the main things needed was to toughen up the Panthers.
A long-time rival called them soft. One impartial observer called them fluffy.
It was Kennedy's misfortune to arrive when the Panthers were small, so lack of size and strength are factors in their 1-4 start going into Friday's homecoming game against Lawrence Central.
But Kennedy hasn't seen a hitting attitude, either. Hitting wasn't a problem at Lowell, where he had won seven straight sectionals coming into this season.
Practices have been physical, a necessary approach if toughness and hitting are to improve. Not everyone adapted to the new way of doing things, and some have left the program.
QUITTING THIS WEEK is what had been the starting backfield. Senior Derek Murphy, who earlier started at fullback and outside linebacker, left Monday. Senior tailback Keith Bunton, the team's leading rusher with 317 yards, quit because of issues outside of football.
The active roster is down to 35 players, and that means almost all depth is gone.
"We're at critical mass," Kennedy said of the numbers.
Those still wearing the Purple and White uniform need to remain, and no more injuries need happen.
This doesn't mean practice was paired down to flag football this week. Kennedy and his staff soldier on with their plan of boosting the program, and regular drills were run.
They were run with different people in the lineups. Junior Trae Washington will be the full-time tailback, and sophomore Clayton Fiddler will play fullback along with Nolan Rogers.
Washington had played wide receiver, and sophomore Matt Henderson moves in to fill that spot. Washington was also a starting cornerback, and sophomore Aareon McCoy is due to start there this week.
THE ENTIRE STARTING interior offensive line starters are seniors, as is wide receiver Lucas Franz. All other offensive starters are underclassmen. Defensively, there areonly four seniors starting, or maybe five if Franz starts in place of Michael Bower, who also starts at quarterback.
There are about four two-way starters, but they will be able to play "one-and-a-half."
Execution has been a problem with this team, especially defensively, and Kennedy and his staff continued to simplify things this week.
"We're limiting scheme-wise and trying to focus on execution," Kennedy said. "Is it perfect, no. Are we satsified, no. But we're still out there swinging.
"We want to be able to do some things right. We want something to hang our hats on."
THE SCHEDULE the rest of the season will make it difficult for the Panthers to find things they can execute. After Lawrence Central comes Pike, Columbus North and Perry Meridian.
"Lawrence Central is big, fast, strong, athletic," Kennedy said. "They're very good. Skilled. Just a good football team.
"We'll have our hands full, there's no doubt about that."
Lawrence Central is led offensively by senior quarterback Tre Roberson, an Indiana University recruit who is fast.