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| University of the Cumberlands Football New coaches, new players, new offensive and defensive game plans made the 2006 football season one of intense interest and genuine excitement as the Cumberlands fans were eager and curious to see what the Patriots could do each and every week. The 06 squad did not disappoint as they landed a 6-4 overall record and finished second in the Mid-South Conference East Division. Four losses that easily could have gone in the Patriots favor and Cumberlands would have advanced to the NAIA play-offs. A team full of promise and excitement will continue to dazzle the fans in 2007. If all the new adjustments were not enough to cause confusion and challenges, the Patriots were also rocked by injuries, losing their entire starting backfield in the first three games to season ending injuries. New faces emerged in the wake of disaster as the Patriots confronted their obstacles and rose to the challenges. Cumberlands lost many key players to graduation including almost their entire offensive line. The linebacker core on the defensive side of the ball also took the graduation hit. Returning to the mighty offensive line will be Shelby Goldey (5’11, 265 SR) and Thomas Leinenbach (6-0, 275, SR). The All-Conference, All-American backfield from 2005 should also be healthy and ready to return to their devastating hard nose ability running as Moses Cochran (5’8, 170, SR) and Ricky Walker (5’9, 205, JR) make their presence known in the Mid-South. Look for quarterback Kyle King (6’1, 180, JR) to return to lead the offense to the almighty end zone so the Patriots can reach the promise land in 2007. Returning on the defensive unit will be All-Conference linebacker Marcus Wesley (6’1, 215, SR) and defensive lineman Derrick Hightower (6’5, 285, SR). Jeremy Kidd (6’3, 285, SR) and Alex Wright (6’0, 250, SO) will join Hightower to field one the toughest and hardest hitting squads in the Conference. Travis Thurmond (6’1, 220, JR) will travel the backfield with Wesley as they look to wreck havoc on their opponents. Throw in a solid recruiting class and it looks like Coach John Bland’s plans are falling into place as he prepares the Patriots for a NAIA National Play-off year. Consistency, Bland says, will play a major role in the success of Cumberlands in 07. “We must have improvements in our consistency in playing, coaching, and winning. If we can do that we will have a smoother season with great results,” Bland said. With a tough schedule in front of them, Bland is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and to see how the returnees respond and the newcomers gel, both physically and mentally into the scheme of things. “I feel that several of these newcomers can help us in the 2007 season, if they are willing to step up to the challenge,” Bland said. Georgetown will continue to be the measuring stick for not only Cumberlands but the Conference as well, Bland indicates. “We will have to bring our ‘A’ game each and every week as we found out last year, any and all of our opponents can beat us, but we can also challenge them as well,” stated Bland. Bland is correct as Georgetown garnered the number one spot in the Mid-South Conference pre-season poll, but the Patriots were not far behind coming in third after UVA-Wise, a team the Patriots beat in OT last season. The Patriots have climbed the mountain for the past four consecutive seasons having played for the Mid-South Conference East title for the past three. Getting over the mountain will be the challenge the Patriots will again face in 07 in Bland’s “Patriot Pride” campaign. The pride extends beyond the playing field to the classroom and community as well as the football team is eager and excited to prove they have what it takes to be successful on every avenue of life.
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