SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012
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39F
Seminoles hope to build on strong finish After key losses on both the offensive and defensive lines, a trio of juniors – Tanner Fears, Joseph Kuykendall and Matt Morrow – are expected to anchor the offensive line.
BY MELISSA MEADOR MONROE JOURNAL
A slow start to last season and re-evaluation of key positions may be just the thing Smithville needed going into this season. “It was basically like us coming into a new team last year with so many young kids starting,” said Smithville coach Bubba Tacker, whose Seminoles began the season 2-3 before going 5-2 and falling in the first round of the playoffs at Durant. “It took us several games to evaluate our players and find out who was going to be Friday night players.” Tacker said figuring out the right positions for several key players led to their late season success and would be a strength going into this year. “We had to make some changes and put some people in some different spots because they just weren’t suited for where we had them,” Tacker said. “That’s key for us, putting people in the right spots.”
Tacker
SMITHVILLE
SEMINOLES FAST FACTS
Division: 1-1A 2011 record: 7-5, 6-2 division (Lost in first round of playoffs) Coach: Bubba Tacker (7th year)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Turner Sanderson, Sr., FB/LB One of five seniors, rushed for eight touchdowns last season. J.T. Pitts, Sr., WR/FS Key leader who led the Seminoles in tackles last season and caught five touchdowns. Drew Lann, Jr., QB/FS/P Second-year junior quarterback who will also have punting duties.
DEFENSE
Pitts, who led the Seminoles in tackles and picked up four interceptions last season, returns at strong safety while Sanderson will be back at middle linebacker. Austin Craig and Cole Williams are expected to complete the linebacking core. Neil Knight, Hunter Bennett and Brad Bedford will complete the secondary, TOM CARROLL | CARROLLSPORT.COM while Kuykendall, Morrow and Fears Smithville QB Drew Lann is back will also be key on the defensive line. for his second season at QB. Junior Tyler Hood is expected to see time at outside linebacker, as well as at OFFENSE wide receiver. Most of the key players on offense from last season return for the SemiSPECIAL TEAMS noles. Second-year quarterback Drew A key loss last season for Smithville Lann will return to take the snaps, and was Jake McClary, who handled kicks. senior wide receiver J.T. Pitts will conJunior Kyle Knight is likely to take over tinue to be his main target. the role, though Tacker said that was Fullback Turner Sanderson and tailstill up in the air. back Tristan Hawkins are expected to Lann will handle punting duties, and be a big one-two punch in the running Pitts and Neil Knight should handle kick game again this year. returns.
from
The Town of Smithville
Amory Federal Dr. John Russell, III
FULL SERVICE MARINA
SMITHVILLE MARINA
662.256.2120
SCOUTING REPORT
All four of last year’s seniors for the Seminoles were on the offensive/defensive lines ... Smithville only has back-toback road games once this season, with an open week between them on Sept. 21 ... Last season’s 7-6 loss to Hatley was the first in 16 years against the county rival ... The Seminoles were 5-1 in their last six games of the regular season last year.
from
Mayor, Board of Aldermen & Employees
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SCHEDULE
Hamilton 7:30 at Hatley 7:30 Byers* 7:30 Open at Vardaman* 7:30 Open at Coldwater* 7:30 Biggersville* 7:00 at Houlka* 7:00 Tupelo Christian* 7:00 at Thrasher* 7:00 Falkner* 7:00 *–Division 1-1A
Go Seminoles
Good Luck Seminoles
Good Luck to All High School Football Teams!
Aug. 17 Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 11 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2
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FOOTBALL JOURNAL 2012
DAILY JOURNAL