2 Richmond Register MADISON COUNTY FOOTBALL PREVIEWFRIDAY,AUGUST 17, 2012Inside this year’s football preview sectionMadison Central — Page 3SENIOR BRANDON PARKSMadison southern — Page 5SENIOR BRETT SIPPLEBerea Community — Page 4SENIOR DANIEL HUBBARDEKU Colonels — Page 6UK Wildcats — Page 10
FRIDAY,AUGUST 17, 2012 MADISON COUNTY FOOTBALL PREVIEWRichmond Register 3MADISON CENTRALMOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONSENIOR-DOMINATED INDIANSHAVE BIGGER GOALS THIS SEASONBy Nathan HutchinsonRegister Sports EditorAfter suffering through two thoroughlydisappointing seasons, there was arenewed reason for optimism at MadisonCentral last year.The Indians won their first district titlesince 2005 and went undefeated againstdistrict competition (3-0).They picked up road wins over qualityopponents — Mercer County, Dunbar —and also had hard-fought, one-point lossesagainst two other tradition-rich teams —Letcher County Central and Henry Clay.Central won five games, the school’shighest win total since 2008 and almostknocked off Boone County in the openinground of the Class 6A Playoffs.Those results left little doubt that therebuilding process had the program movingin the right direction.“We felt like we should have two orthree more games,” third-year Centralcoach Bert Browne said. “When you takeover a program that is down, you’ve got toteach them how to win. We should havewon that playoff game last year. There’s noquestion.”A year later, the expectations are higher.The Indians return more than two dozenseniors — including Division I prospectslike Brandon Parks, Dominique Hawkinsand Ken-Jah Bosley — and are set to opena brand-new $4 million athletic facilitylater this month.There is excitement surrounding theprogram and the players and coaches arelooking to build off that momentum.“We want to be 10-0 in the regular seasonand with our schedule, if we played upto our potential, we think we can do that,”senior quarterback Hunter Stocker said.“Hopefully, we will make a run in the playoffstoo.”Those goals might not have seemed possiblejust a few years ago.Central didn’t win a game in 2009 andwas 1-10 in 2010 in Browne’s first season asthe head coach at his alma mater.But, during one stretch last season, theIndians won four of five games, includingthree straight in October.“I’m not looking to win just seven games.I tell you that,” Browne said. “There’s beena lot of hard work the past three years andhopefully its going to pay off this year.These guys have worked their tails off.”Central returns a senior-dominated lineupthat has the experience and leadershipREGISTER FILE PHOTOMadison Central senior wide receiver Ken-Jah Bosley fights off a tackler during a game last year.to push the program to the next level.Senior Hunter Stocker has been undercenter the past two seasons and startedevery game last year.The 6-foot-3 quarterback threw 15touchdowns last season and also rushedfor three scores. He completed 87-of-185pass attempts for 1,425 yards.“He’s gotten a lot better the past coupleMadison CentralAug. 18 Boone County 8 p.m.@ Roy Kidd StadiumAug. 31 Mercer Co. 7:30 p.m.Sep. 7 @ Scott County 7:30 p.m.Sep. 14 @ Lex. Catholic 7:30 p.m.Sep. 21 Dunbar 7:30 p.m.Sep. 28 @ Henry Clay 7:30 p.m.Oct. 5 Tates Creek 7:30 p.m.Oct. 12 @ Lafayette 7:30 p.m.Oct. 19 @ Clark County 7:30 p.m.Oct. 26 Knox Central 7:30 p.m.of years.”Stocker had at least one touchdown passin 10 of 11 games last seasons, includingthree against district rival Lafayette. Healso had a career-high 208 yards passingagainst the Generals.Stocker worked a lot with Browne, whoplayed quarterback at Tennessee Tech, inthe offseason and has shown tremendousimprovement.“We focused a lot on my footworkbecause he wants me to be a dual-threatquarterback,” Stocker said. “Also, when Ifirst go here, I threw the ball like a baseballplayer. Real low, not high. I’ve gotten mythrow up somewhat to where coach thinksit manageable. If I’m going to play in college,I’m going to have to get it up evenmore.”Tucker Fair was the No. 2 quarterbacklast year, but the senior will be used in avariety of different roles this season. Hewill start at inside linebacker and can beutilized on the offensive side of the ball inmultiple positions.“Tucker is Mr. Everything,” Brownesaid. “He will play quarterback, tight end,fullback, inside backer, defensive end andwide receiver.”Will Nash will likely be the backupbehind Stocker.Turn to INDIANS, page 11
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