Neal Kopp enters his first season as Coventry’s coach with just six total returning starters.
“The biggest thing we are trying to change is the overall culture of the program and the philosophy of the program,” Kopp said. “I am excited that our kids have shown the willingness to be disciplined.”
Kopp, a former coach at Austintown Fitch praised senior two-way linemen Jimmy Mashburn’s leadership skills and said seniors Mike Smith, Randy Henline and Colton May will play tailback. Senior two-way lineman J.D. Lucas is also expected to make an impact, along with sophomore quarterback Jeff Kuykendall and junior wide receivers-defensive backs Zach Stover and Zach Sherbourne.
Mashburn, Smith, seniors Beau Cross, Brandon Burns, David Bulgrin and Derek Bauer are the Comets returning starters.
Check Thursday’s Akron Beacon Journal for a special section in the newspaper that previews the 2009 season.
