Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
CHILLICOTHE — Using a motor that never stops running and a skillset that coaches dream of, Isaac McCory molded himself into one of the area’s best all-around players last season.
PHOTO CREDITS: Kendall Cheek/Cavs Media
He was a key piece on a defensive unit that carried Chillicothe to a 5-2 mark and a Frontier Athletic Conference and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Now a senior, McCory is hoping to be even better while taking on an even larger leadership role.
We caught up with him to discuss last year’s conference title, how he’s been preparing for the season and his expectations going into fall.
Question: Let’s address last year’s FAC title. Talk about that feeling. What ran through your head after a double overtime win over Jackson?
McCory: When [kicker] Jacob [Coffland] hit the field goal to give us the win, I just felt instant relief. Since my sophomore year, when we lost to [Jackson] by 47, we knew what we had to do. Coach [Doug] Pryor wrote the score on the big board in the weight room so it could remind us of what we didn’t want to happen. When we won, I felt like all the hard work finally paid off and it just shows when you put the work in, you get the results you want
Q: You played a big part in that win. But that’s you being you. What do you feel like you did well last year on a weekly basis?
IM: Last year, I feel like I did a good job of being at the right place at the right time … also shedding blocks, which helped me the whole season.
Q: That’s now the past. You control the future. What have you tried to work on the most this offseason?
IM: During this offseason, I took training like I never have before and started training daily. My main goal was to work on my speed and being better in coverages. I feel like that’s what was stopping me from being the best player I can be.
Q: There’s a lot of new pieces to this year’s team. How confident are you that the new guys can get the job done and why?
IM: I am very confident that our team can get the job done. We come in every day with energy and we expect one-hundred percent from everybody, freshmen to seniors. Everybody on the team is there to accomplish a goal and that’s to win the FAC. We also have a lot of experience, especially on the defensive side. So we guide the younger guys the best we can and set them up for success.
Q: Coach Pryor has been here two years and already has a conference title under his belt. Can you discuss what he means to the team and why he makes such a great coach?
IM: Coach Pryor is a great coach and a great guy. His energy that he brings daily helps a lot when it’s hot. He knows what every player on the team can do so he expects the best from everybody, no matter what we are doing.
Q: Your defense was TOUGH last year. There’s no plans for that to change. How do you guys continue that success this fall?
IM: I think everybody on the defense knows what we are capable of, especially because of last year. We lost key pieces but we can’t let that stop us. We all can’t wait to get to football everyday just for our defensive periods honestly. Coach Adams is a great defensive coach and always has the best game plan for us. If we continue to do the little things right, then we will be just as good, or even better, than last year.
Q: Bottom line time … What do you expect this team to accomplish this year?
IM: I expect to win the FAC. But I want to go further this year. My goal is to win playoff games. Winning a playoff game hasn’t been done for awhile at Chillicothe. We want to change that. I know we have what it takes.
