When former head coach Matt Chandler left Jenkins to take an assistant’s position at powerful Danville, it opened the door for assistant coach Kenneth O’Quinn to step into a head coaching job.
The interim takes over a football program which has lost its past 23 games.
O’Quinn says success isn’t measured by wins and losses but how your team approaches the game each Friday night.
“If you are prepared and compete that’s all you can ask of your team,” he said. “We must overcome obstacles along the way and if we are able to do that I’ll be pleased.”
Quarterback Lance Bentley says it’s simply takes 11 to compete.
“We have been working every day to get better,” he said. “The guys that have been out here are the ones I want to play with.”
Senior lineman Dakota Trotter says Jenkins football is all about heart.
“Whether we have 30 players or the number we have it’s all about family,” he said. “I look for good things to happen this season.
Jenkins will open its season at home on Aug. 17 against Shelby Valley. Other home games include Twin Valley, Va. (Aug. 24); Lynn Camp (Sept. 14); and Phelps (Oct. 19).
Road games are set for Morgan County (Aug. 31); East Ridge (Sept. 7); Sayre School at Kentucky Christian University (Oct. 5); Rye Cove (Oct. 12); and Betsy Layne (Oct. 26).
“I feel like we can win a game or two,” O’Quinn said. “We are going to show up and play as hard as well can and see what happens.”