Head coach: Drew Hummel, Carolina Forest
On any leftover baggage from an 0-11 season in 2008:
>>``Last year we knew was going to be tough for us. We knew we were going to be young and were going to have to play a lot of kids that weren't ready to play. We feel good that we have a lot of kids back that have experience from last year when they were forced to play.''
>>``We had to take our lumps last year getting experience. I think we are going to be competitive this year. I think we have a chance to really do some things.''
>>``We had to do what was best for our program and play some young kids (in 2008). We lost a lot from the (2007 team), and we had to build for the following year last season just based on our players.''
>>``You worry about them being hurt mentally and setting them back a little bit. But we have had a great summer.''
>>``I think I see confidence in what they do. They can recover from it physically, but you worry about setting them back and destroying their confidence levels. We had to talk to them about that, but if they are the best ones we are going to play them regardless of age. Sometimes you have to take your lumps.''
On the team's strengths and weaknesses:
>>``We feel good about our skill guys. Our question is going to be depth up front with the big guys. We are a lot better there than we were a year ago, but we have to build depth there.''
On the development of starting quarterback Marlon Horton, who was playing the position for the first time in 2008:
>>``He led us in rushing last year and throwing. We are going to use him in both avenues. He is so much more comfortable sitting in the pocket now. Everything about his game is better. Our offense starts with him, and he is going to be very involved in our running game and doing different things.''
>>``We are going to move Marlon Horton around and do some things with him.''
On the team's goals for this season:
>>``I think we will be a lot more competitive this year and a lot more athletic.''
>>``Our goals are we want to compete in every football game, and we feel we can win games. A lot of it is momentum. You get off to a good start, the kids start believing and anything can happen.''
>>``We feel like we are a better team today than at this point last year.''
On key position battles this fall:
>>``Our big question mark right now is solidifying our offensive line.''
>>``We have our whole defensive front back, so we are bigger and stronger there, but are looking for some depth.''
>>``At linebacker, we moved our nose tackle, Zack Beatty to linebacker.''
>>``Our biggest question mark on defense is probably getting our outside linebacker position solidified and getting our secondary up to speed.''
RECRUITING NEWS:
>>``Marlon has a chance [to play in college],'' said Hummel, who noted none of his Panthers had received a scholarship offer. ``We have to work on his grades, but I think he is going to be a qualifier. Now that he has played the position, he has a chance to redefine himself at the position.
``Some smaller schools have shown interest right now. That will just have to play out. He was a wide receiver before playing quarterback. He is a pretty good defensive back, too. So he could probably be recruited more as an athlete.''
