The Milan Wildcats had as realistic of a shot at winning the Grand River Conference football championship in 2020, however a rash of injuries to key components of the team derailed hopes of that goal, although youngsters put into varsity action performed admirably for veteran head coach John Dabney.
For 2020, a strong group of seniors, including quarterback Ryan Dabney and dynamic playmaker Hunter Shaw, have graduated, but the pieces could very well fall into place for the Wildcats to move back up the conference ladder this fall. A veteran backfield returns for Coach Dabney, who added to the mix this offseason former Maysville High School head coach Mark Cole, as the new defensive coordinator for the Wildcats. Cole brings with him son Mallan Cole, the multi-year starter at quarterback for Maysville who takes the reigns in Milan this fall.
Even with a strong number of 38 young men out for football at Milan this year, Dabney is crossing his fingers that the Wildcats remain healthy and strong for the fall season:
In most scenarios, when programs graduate a four-year starting quarterback the likes of Ryan Dabney, inexperience at the position will follow. Coach Dabney knows how rare and fortunate he is to insert Mallan Cole to that spot this fall:
The Wildcats, in the season opener this Friday night, will host the South Shelby Cardinals (7 o’clock / KTTN FM 92.3) at Cal Hubbard Field. Last week, the ‘Cats got valuable Friday night experience, hosting a jamboree with conference rivals Princeton and Putnam County:
The Wildcats will play at Harrisburg High School for the second week of the season, before opening GRC play at arch-rival Putnam County on Friday, September 11th, with coverage on KTTN FM 92.3.
