Noxapater football coach Casey Orr is making a change with the Tigers.
Orr is scrapping the offense the Tigers have ran since his arrival in favor of a double-wing offense.
“I think we have the kids to do it,” Orr said of the offensive change. “It’s a mentality and a work ethic. You get to the point where you are physical enough to go in and win a game and we think we can do that with this offense. We are pretty big up front and have some good linemen.”
In the backfield, Orr said Carson Young and K.D. Carter are splitting time at quarterback. Chase Ray and Nick Stone are getting the reps at fullback while Joshua McClendon, Raheem Hathorn and Carter will see time at slot backs. At wide receiver will be Hunter Johnson, Riley Jones and LaJonathan Young.
On the line, Sawyer Roberts will be the tight end while Jarious Hathorn is the left tackle, Sebastian Gunnin is the left guard. Dalton Keen is at center while Ryan Whitfield is the right guard and Tyler Carter is the right tackles.
“We felt like we had a role reversal,” Orr said. “We have some really good lineman and don’t have the kind of skill players we have had in the past. I felt like the spread didn’t allow us to show off our line. I thought it looked good in the spring. We are trying to build everything we have around that line.”
On defense, Hathorn and Whitfield will be the defensive ends while Kyle Carter and Sawyer Roberts will be at defensive tackle and Jarin Lewis will be at nose guard.
At linebacker will be an experienced trio of Chase Ray in the middle along with Joshua McClendon and Raheem Hathorn while Nicke Stone will also see some playing time.
At cornerback will be Dontavius Rush and Hunter Johnson while Riley Jones and K.D. Carter will be the
“Our front seven, we feel like they will be able to match up with anybody we play,” Orr said. “It’s the back end that concerns me. Depth is also a concern. We only have 26 or 27 out right now but that’s a part of it. We know we are young in the secondary and people are going to try us. We have to have guys who are ready to step up when they are called upon.”
The Tigers will compete in Division 3-1A with Nanih Waiya, French Camp, Leake County, Ethel, Hamilton, Vardaman, Sebastopol and West Lowndes.
“It’s a tough road to hoe, that’s for sure,” Orr said. “And until somebody beats Nanih Waiya, it’s theres to lose. I think we have a chance to be really good and maybe challenge them for that. Leake County should be really good. They have a senior-laden team and have some good skill players. You never know what you are going to get from French Camp either. Sebastopol is gritty and has a new coach so you don’t know what to expect from them. I think the two through four spots are really up for grabs.”
Orr is assisted by John Cates (defensive coordinator), Wylie Rhodes (offensive coordinator), Kurt Pinnix (offensive/defensive lines) and Zach Kemp (wide receivers and defensive backs).
