It wasn’t long ago that the Eupora Eagles suffered through a 5-6 season with a young team.
Edwards said the core of this year’s team was on the field that season and are now seniors as the Eagles prepare for another football season.
The Eagles have nine seniors on the roster but return 14 starters, seven on offense and seven on defense.
“We feel good about what we have coming back,” Edwards said. “A lot of those guys are three-year starters. This should be their year. They are working hard and have played a lot of football. This should be their best year that they have.”
One giant task in front of Edwards is replacing quarterback Tanner Knight, who threw fro 1,774 yards last year and 20 touchdowns. Hoping to fill those shoes will be senior Edwin Herard, who was an all-state linebacker last year with 153 tackles. Herard was also the teams leading returning rusher with 516 yards on 98 carries.
He will be joined in the backfield by bruising fullback Preston Perkins who weighs in at 260 pounds. At tailback sophomore Trey McComb and Abraham Hodges are both described as downhill runners who will get a lot of carries.
"We are going to run the ball and ask questions later,” Edwards said. “Today, everybody wants the quick pass to score. But we are going to run the ball right at people. We have our two top wideouts back and we think the running game will set up our passing game. With the line and quarterback we have, the running game is going to be our strength. But we are fortunate to have good receivers and Edwin has thrown the ball well.”
Outside, Cameron Culpepper, Jalan Potts and Day Day Brown will see most of the action
On the line, Nathan Hill will be the center while Peyton Orr and Campbell Vaughn will be the guards. At the tackles will be Parker Blaylock and M.J. Thomas while Gavin Richardson and Peyton Collins will provide depth.
“I think all of these kids out are committed to playing football,” Edwards said. “We will have about 37 kids out when it’s all said and down. Lord willing, we will stay healthy because we don’t have a lot of depth. And we have to be smart as to how we practice and what we do.”
On defense, the Eagles will run a split four. At defensive end will be Perkins, Campbell, Vaughn and senior Jacarius Turner.
At defensive tackle will be M.J. Thomas, Petyon Orr, Gavin Richardson and Parker Blaylock. Edwards said all four will rotate during the game.
At linebacker Deunte Watson, Makyrus Potts and Herard will all see playing time. Edwards said even though Herard was an all-state linebacker last year but will be limited on defense early in the season since he is playing quarterback.
At outside linebacker, Darius Brown, Trey McComb Jalan Potts and Landon Davis will all see playing time. Potts is a two-year starter at the position.
At cornerback, Travon McMillian, Abraham Hodges, Day Day Brown and Cameron Culpepper will all see playing time. At safety will be Trey McComb and Landon Davis.
“We have done some good things on defense,” Edwards said. “You always want to play good defense. You are going to come across some teams that can score. You had better have a defense that can stop folks. We are trying to get our best out there 11 players out there. We just have to be smart about what we do.”
The Eagles will participate in 2-2A with East Webster, Leflore County and Calhoun City. Winona was moved out of the division after consolidating with Montgomery County and will participate in 5-3A this season.
“I think any of the teams could beat any of the other teams,” Edwards said. “I think we showed that last year. But Calhoun City is kid of the bell cow around here and we haven’t beaten them in a while. And we will have to play well to beat any of the other ones. I think it has a lot to do with who stays healthy.”
