Next Friday, August 30, the Thomas Edwards High Tigers of Ruleville will officially open their 2024 season on their home field.
With the Red Panthers of Coahoma County High School invading the Tigers’ turf, the goal will be to use the Clarksdale-based school to jumpstart improving upon the 2-7 record earned last season.
With a dozen returning starters within their stable of 45 players, the Tigers’ prospects of improvement are indeed strong.
“We are expecting to have a team that will be experienced, hardworking, fundamentally sound, and focused on competing as a team,” said Edwards Head Coach Damaris Mitchell.
Entering his seventh year as the Tigers’ head coach, Mitchell also noted that, “Our focus is on controlling the factors we can and working together as a family to persevere through the things we cannot.”
There are six returning starters on each side of the football that Coach Mitchell is hoping will lead his team on the field.
Offensively, the Tigers have three offensive linemen returning and the trio includes junior D’Arious Calvin (6’2”, 320 lbs.), senior Amari Harper (5’9”, 230 lbs.), and sophomore Braylan Reed (6’4”, 235 lbs.)
Senior tight end Markeith Madden (6’, 215 lbs.), senior wide receiver Timothy Jones Jr. (6’, 190 lbs.), and running back sophomore Kyle Mitchell (5’8”, 175 lbs.) complete the offensive list.
On defense, the Tigers will rely on seniors Lamarious Cotton (5’10”, 190 lbs.) and Jones at linebacker, and Elijah Wiley (6’2”, 205 lbs.) at defensive end/outside linebacker to spearhead the resistance.
Juniors Calvin at defensive lineman and Sanchez Meeks (5’9”, 150 lbs.) at defensive back join sophomore Mario Davis Jr. (5’10”, 195 lbs.) to bring experience back to the defensive side of the ball.
There are three quarterbacks competing for the starting position and the group includes sophomore Ian Harris (6’2”, 200 lbs.), junior Anthony Townsend (6’3”, 215 lbs.), and freshman Kenan Williams (5’10”, 160 lbs.)
When discussing the team’s projected strengths, Coach Mitchell noted, “Our strength will be our work ethic, perseverance, and determination.”
As for the Tigers’ Region 3-3A competition, once again it will be Amanda Elzy High of Greenwood, Humphreys County of Belzoni, defending regional and state champion Winona High School, and Yazoo County High vying for the regional crown.
