Harding Football Head Coach: John Cupps Assistants: Larry Brown, Ken Norris, Christopher Danals, CJ Westler, Adam Hennessey,  Jonathon Ogg, Doug Pryor, Lem Reynolds, Austin Richardson

Welcome to the 2011 Harding Football Presidents One constant in our program is great effort because great effort is the heartbeat of any successful organization.  2011 PRESIDENTS’ COACHING STAFF  COACH’S INFORMATION   Head Coach:   John Cupps   Assistant Coaches: Larry Brown: DE Ken Norris: RB Christopher Danals: OC/OL, CJ Westler: QB Adam Hennessey: S/STC Jonathon Ogg: CB Doug Pryor: DT/Head JV Lem Reynolds: OLB Austin Richardson: WR     2011 PRESIDENTS’ SEASON OUTLOOK     » Key losses: Jeremy Cranmer; Cody Drake; Tyler Haas; Josh Hutchings; Alphonso Sims; Marvin Owens; Trevor Gibson; Tyler Jones; Gene Rucker; Wes Brown; Chandler Slob; Sam Frank; Dustin Plumley; Casey Slane; Robert Griffaw; James Westbrook » Key returnees:Senior linebacker Aaron Gabriel; senior wide receiver Noah Kelder; senior linebacker Josh Montgomery; junior defensive back Shawn Facione; junior defensive lineman Jake Williams; sophomore running back L.J. Scott » Other key players: Junior quarterback Shawn Tyler; senior defensive lineman Hayden Holsinger; senior offensive lineman Tucker Kepford; junior defensive lineman Levi Ansley; junior offensive lineman Tyler Cermak; sophomore offensive lineman Austin Roberts; sophomore offensive lineman Kier Scott; sophomore running back Keyonte Rogers » Keys to success:"Solid defense, great special teams and a disciplined ball-control offense will be keys for us this season. Our team has a lot of intelligence and athleticism, but we are lacking in experience. We want to build a solid foundation, and with few seniors, many players will return next year." - Head coach John Cupps (first season at Marion Harding, 0-0). Football News:     St. Charles 56, Harding 17 COLUMBUS - Marion Harding concluded a 3-7 campaign with a 66-17 non-league loss to Columbus St. Charles. The Presidents trailed by just 7-3 in the first quarter after a Tim Clark 28-yard field goal. St. Charles (4-6) then ran off 28 straight points for a 35-3 halftime lead. Harding made the tallies 35-17 in the third period with a pair of touchdowns and two Clark PAT kicks. Harding's first TD came on a four-yard run by Aaron Gabriel and the second President touchdown was scored by L.J. Scott on a one-yard run. St. Charles added 21 points in the final period. Scott led Harding with 143 rushing yards on 21 carries. Shawn Tyler passed for 86 yards, with Noah Kelder hauling in six passes for 72 yards. Harding outdid the Cardinals in first downs 18-13 and had 366 total yards to St. Charles' 470. Presidents want to go out with a win MARION - There is no post-season play for the Harding football team but head coach John Cupps is not backing off in preparing the Presidents for the 2011 season finale. "This week is all about finishing," Cupps said. "We want to finish the season strong. It is the last opportunity to play for the year and for some there last football game." Harding (3-6) will end the season on the road Friday at Columbus St. Charles, which is also standing at 3-6. "We are still going to be teaching this week so we can get one day better," Cupps said. "We are teaching right up to the end to get out players to do the best they can." Junior quarterback Shawn Tyler knows the season has not gone as the team had hoped, but getting a win in the final week is important. "We want to have closure to the season with a win," Tyler said. "It is important we take what we learned from this season into next season. All of us on the team need to be leaders." "A win would give a foundation to start next year," sophomore running back L.J. Scott said. Cupps expects he will also be taking lessons learned this year toward making him a better coach next season. "As a first-year head coach there a things you don't know are needed until you've gone through it," he said. "When I look back I will have to decide what I would do different." But that reflection is for another time. "I will be taking stock of the season sometime in December," Cupps said. "We still have to worry about this week. Everybody strives to finish off the season with a win and leaving with a positive taste in your mouth." St. Charles brings a spread-style offense to the table, led by running backs Sean Fitzmarin and Gunner Francis and quarterback Nick Dejaco. "They have two running backs and a quarterback that can run," Cupps said. "We will have to be disciplined on defense." But more importantly in Cupps' mind is what the Presidents are able to do on offense. "It will be important to move the chains and get first downs," he said. "We have been playing way too much defense." Once the last snap is taken for 2011, Jones will be looking to get ready for the 2012 campaign. "I want to take all of my learning experiences from this year and go over what we need to do get better," he said. " "The team attitude is good, but we will need a high level of commitment in the off season," Cupps said.