Eagles expect new excitement with old rivals

A new season along with a new TSSAA realignment will bring new opportunities for Shelbyville Central's Golden Eagles.

Football practice has officially started with the Golden Eagles scheduled to open the season in Week Zero at home against Coffee County on Aug. 21.

Shelbyville will be in District 8-AAA with a 5A classification along with Tullahoma, Columbia and Lawrence County. Lincoln County and Franklin County will also be in 8-AAA but will play with a 6A classification.

The new realignment reunites schools that were in the old Central Tennessee Conference and District 8-AAA years ago.

"I think Friday night football is going to have a lot better atmosphere now," coach Jason Hardy said. "I think the stands will be packed on both sides every week and that's exciting."

The Eagles are looking to improve on their 3-7 record last year.

Shelbyville's defense took a huge step in the right direction and the offense showed improvement as well last year but costly turnovers hampered the team all season.

"Last year we competed in almost every game and had a chance to win seven or eight games but we made too many turnovers or mental mistake and didn't find a way to win," Hardy said. "That's the biggest thing we've got to overcome this year. We got to take it to the next level and do more than just compete. We've got to make things happen and get over that hump and win."

Hardy said that he's extremely excited about the upcoming season and how hard the players are working. Approximately 55 players are expected to dress out.

"This is probably the most successful summer we've had when it come to our workouts and the passing league." Hardy said. "We had a great spring and we've had great senior leadership and great participation. All that is good but our main concern right now is to prepare for this upcoming season and the opener against Coffee County," Hardy said. "We've got three weeks to determine who all our starters will be but also who we can count on in certain situations and who our backups will be."

Shelbyville returns nine starters on offense and seven on defense.

Junior quarterback Tre Stewart has a year under his belt and the Eagles should be fine in the backfield with seniors Will Trice and Julius Smythe set to carry the football. Sophomore Luke Faulk has worked extremely hard and should see some time behind center as well.

The Eagle defense will be led by senior linebacker Hunter Brothers and defensive end Bobby Wilson, both all-region last year.

Senior Javon Jackson, a transfer from Riverdale, has brought a lot of talent to the team as a receiver and in the secondary.

"We're excited about Javon Jackson," Hardy said. "He comes to us from a great high school football program in Riverdale and he plays with a lot of confidence and he's very aggressive. He has a great work ethic and great attitude that has already carried over to other players on this team and that's a huge positive."

A huge concern will be replacing four players in the secondary.

"We lost a lot of talent and experience in the secondary. Jonathan Certain, Quinn Marable, Mike Pitner and Daniel Tillman have graduated, and we've got to find some guys to take their place," Hardy said. "We've also got to replace Matt Patrick. It's hard to replace a guy that snapped the ball for you the last three years.

"I feel like we've got guys that can come in and fill those spots, but they've got to earn those stripes."

Look for juniors Blake Sissom and Shaq Kelso to fill the void on the line while Jackson, Stewart and Isaiah Washington will be called on to help fill the gap in the defensive backfield.

Shelbyville is scheduled to work out and scrimmage at Portland on Friday. Portland is coached by former Shelbyville offensive coordinator Gary Sanders.