Pardue Expects More Success in Third Season

The Mercer County Titans Football team is coming off of its best season since the team won the 2006 State Championship. The team finished with an 8-5 record and advanced to the third round in state last year, all despite losing their starting quarterback, Drew Davis, to an  injury mid-way through the season. Even though many spectators thought the Titans over-achieved by defeating Boyle County on the round in the second round of the state tournament and by making it to the final-eight, thirdyear Mercer County Head Coach Chris Pardue expects the team to make even further strides this season.

Below are questions and answers with Coach Pardue on the upcoming season:

Q: Who are the key returning players to the 2014 team?

A: “The senior class will all be key to our success. This group has learned a lot and their work ethic has really improved. The seniors had a great off-season and have put in a lot of work. I expect them to lead the underclassmen and I expect big things out of the entire group.”

Q: Who are the key players lost off of last year’s team?

A: “It really hurt us losing the leadership of Chris Crawley-Goodman and Tommy Craig. Both guys contributed so much to this program over their four years. Tommy had started for Mercer all four seasons. He was a part of this program in the good times and some of the bad times. Chris was just a big time athlete. Last year when I had to move him to quarterback, he really embraced the position. He took the leadership role that comes with being a quarterback and he really led this team.”