It is almost time for football to begin at Thomas Edwards High in Ruleville.
And for the Edwards High Tigers, the road to improving on last season’s 1-8 record may begin on August 25 with the experience and leadership of 12 returning starters.
The Tigers are also looking to record their football program’s first winning record since the 2018 season.
“This season, we are expecting to have a team what will be experienced, hardworking, fundamentally sound, and focused on competing as a team,” said Edwards High Head Coach Damaris Mitchell.
That road to improvement contains a schedule which features four teams which the Tigers did not play last year.
Members of Region 3-3A again this season, the list of the Tigers’ relatively new opponents includes their August 25 season-opening opposition: a road trip to battle the Coahoma County Red Panthers in Clarksdale.
Additional new teams on the Tigers’ 2023 schedule include Hollandale Simmons High School, Greenville High, and West Bolivar High of Rosedale.
As for their regional competition, the Tigers will vie for the regional crown against Amanda Elzy High of Greenwood, Humphreys County of Belzoni, Winona High (last year’s regional champion), and Yazoo County High School.
“We have a very competitive district that is evenly matched,” said Coach Mitchell. “I think we will face challenges weekly,” he continued.
To make success happen on the field this season, the Tigers are blessed with six returning starters on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
On defense, all but one of those returnees reside within the first two levels of the Tigers’ resistance and are heavy with seniors.
Up front in the line the Tigers will return D’Arious Calvin, an imposing 6’2”, 320-pound sophomore.
At the defensive end/outside linebacker positions will be seniors Tobais Foster (6’2”, 215) and Damien Scott (6’3”, 205).
The linebacker corps will be led by seniors Randy Maxon (5’9”, 195) and David Watson Jr. (5’10”, 180).
Roaming the backfield, junior Timothy Jones Jr. (6’, 180) brings his experience back to the field.
On offense, the Tigers’ quarterback position has resulted in a battle between senior Markist Webb (5’11”, 190) and freshman Ian Harris (6’2”, 175) — both of whom Coach Mitchell noted have good arm strength and are mobile.
Within the six returning offensive starters, the Tigers’ offensive line is bolstered by three players bringing experience back to the field.
While Calvin and Scott are among that group, Dannie Moore (6’,210) will also help create holes in opposing defenses.
The balance of the returning starters on offense are all wide receivers.
This group includes Foster Jones, and Deaire Unger (6’, 175) — all of whom are expected to catch passes and execute downfield blocks.
When discussing the strengths of his team, Coach Mitchell expects “Our strengths will be our perseverance and determination. We will work on the small details because we know that those are the things that lead to consistency and success on the field.”
With 45 players on his roster, Coach Mitchell noted, “Our concern is about the health and safety of our team. We plan to control the things that we can, focus on what we expect, and allow our beliefs to dictate the outcome.”
