Former Cane Quarterback Begins Practice in Kentucky

Damian Tripp, former quarterback for the Monticello High School Hurricanes, was one of 11 area former high school athletes who completed their first week of the University of the Cumberlands Patriot football camp.

Mr. Tripp, is the son of Jan and Riley Tripp of Monticello.

Daily practices included team and individual drills, team building activities and conditioning. More than 110 student-athletes are participating in the pre-season camp conducted by first-year Patriot head coach John Bland.

“The last week went real well. There has been a lot of learning, we saw a lot of mistakes, we got better everyday, and we continue to do so. We are trying to make things simple and easy and are trying to allow the guys to use the abilities they have,” said Coach Bland.
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Team members gathered together after the first week of camp for Patriot Media Day last weekend at the James H. Taylor, II Stadium where they were greeted by family, friends and members of the local media.

The Cumberlands team finished the 2005-2006 season ranked 21st in the final NAIA poll and have hopes of a NAIA play-off berth in 2006. They were recently picked second in the Mid-South Conference East Pre-Season Coach’s Poll, up against rivals Georgetown College (1st), Union College (3rd), Pikeville College (4th), University of Virginia at Wise (5th) and newcomer West Virginia Tech (6th).

Victory Sports Network picked the Patriots as the 20th team in the nation for their pre-season poll, while the NAIA football coaches picked the Patriots for the #18 slot in the country for their pre-season edition.

The Patriots kick off their 2006-2007 season in Corbin, Ky. on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. against the Bulldogs of Union College, in the Battle for the Brass Lantern.