Published: July 27, 2008 08:07 pm      

Vision is clear for KCU football

GRAYSON — While it’s sometimes hard to predict what can happen in football, coach Dane Damron knows exactly what to expect when Kentucky Christian players report to camp on Aug. 9.

“I expect to have a good group of kids; one that has the vision to build a championship football program,” Damron said. “They understand the task that we face.”

Damron and the KCU coaching staff expect to see 105 players in camp. More than half of them will be in their first year of college football.

“We were hoping between 85 and 100, so the numbers are good,” Damron said. “We are excited on where our program is and are looking forward to the season.”

The Knights, who are entering their second overall and first official season, finished the year at

2-4 in 2007.

KCU played all of its six games on the road and competed against a mix of junior varsity and varsity teams last season.

This season, the Knights will play six home games as part of a full 10-game varsity schedule.

However, the home games will not actually be in Grayson yet.

In 2009, home games will be played on the campus at KCU and the Knights will be part of the Mid-South Conference.

This season, however, KCU will play as an independent school in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Five home games will be played at Morehead State University’s Jayne Stadium, while one other will be held at South Point High School.

“We want to be able to develop our fan base in Grayson, but we’re going to go over (to Morehead and South Point) and hopefully fans will travel there and watch the Knights play,” Damron said.

According to Damron, KCU was close to completing a deal with Marshall University, but Morehead turned out to be the best option.

“One is a 30-minute drive east, one is a 30-minute drive west,” Damron said. “Morehead has really stepped up to the plate for us. They have really bent over backwards.”

KCU will play two of its home games at Morehead on Thursdays and three of them on Saturdays to avoid any scheduling conflict with the Eagles.

The Knights will play their home game at South Point on Oct. 18 against Trinity Bible College.

With the report date less than two weeks away, Damron is excited for what lies ahead for KCU football.

“I expect it to be somewhat of a challenge,” he said. “I think the young men that are returning will have to take a major leadership role.”

Damron has had a busy offseason with nearly 70 new recruits for the 2008 season, which kicks off Aug. 28 against Virginia-Wise.