Estill opens the 2020 season hosting the Breathitt Bobcats in Irvine, Kentucky. This promises to be a real test for both squads as both of them return a lot of talent of their last year’s squads.
One matchup to watch is the Weddle/Waddle confrontation sure to meet up between the tackles. There are two reasons to watch this matchup.
One, it will be a pivotal one for the Engineers to contain the high-octane Breathitt offense. Two, Weddle/Waddle are not only the surnames of two of the better players who will be on the field that night but also fun names to say, especially together.
Weddle, of course, is Breathitt’s “Jack of all Trades” who will pick up the carries Charles Andrew Collins left behind when Collins departed. Waddle is the fantastic, Class of 2023 ILB/MLB who led the Engineer defense in tackles a year ago as a freshman.
Braeden Waddle, whose offensive position is RB (so no problem with his wheels), registered 100-stops a year ago. He also registered a pair of interceptions and forced a fumble for one of the better freshman seasons, production-wise, you will ever see at the 3A level in Kentucky varsity high school football.
Quarterback Ty Niece is the leading returning rusher as 2019’s leading ground gainer, Justin Stamper, graduated; so one can even forecast Mr. Waddle, like Mr. Weddle, is very likely to get a hefty sack of carries on offense in 2020 to go with his defensive responsibilities.
Ty Niece will have help in the down the field passing game in 2020. His top target from 2019 returns. Clem Coben led them in receptions, yards receiving, and TD receptions last season.
On defense, Waddle will have Jonathan Short return. Short was a sophomore in 2019 and was second on the team in tackles with 78. Short led the team with 3-interceptions.
Coach Marcum has to like where he is with his ball club. His young ball club rebounded from losing to Breathitt last year to win 4 of their next 5 ball games with a close set back to Rockcastle the only loss among those five contests.
For the Engineers to take the next step, they have to rely on those young kids who led them a year ago not being so green this go-around. One thing is for sure, that Braeden Waddle promises to have quite a sophomore year. Particularly if his freshman season is any indication.
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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