Jackson County High School football is transitioning to a pass-heavy offensive strategy this season to create more opportunities for the running game.
Jackson County High School Head Football Coach Sean Loftis said the team relied heavily on the offensive line and running backs during the first half of the previous season. Loftis said the new approach will focus on passing the ball to set up the run rather than the traditional method of running to set up the pass.
“Last year we kind of – it was run the ball to kind of set up the pass, well this year we’ll be more pass the ball to kind of set up the run, I feel like,” Loftis said. “And, uh, um, you know, and we just got everybody’s got to, uh, you know, just know what they’re supposed to do, know their jobs, and then, you know, we got to execute at a high level and you got to – you do that by – by executing at a high level in practice every day, um, you know, knowing what your job, um, entails for you to do and, um, you know, just go out and execute.”
Loftis said the roster features a large junior class and several seniors who have played significant roles for three to four years. Loftis said Gavin Glenard, CJ Collier, Asher Morris, and Darren Susa are four seniors who have started since their freshman seasons and will carry the most weight as leaders.
“I just know these kids and I know what type of, uh, com- competitors that they are,” Loftis said. “Um, you know, we’re – we’re not a deep team, but, uh, but I feel like that, uh, uh, you know, we’re good enough to, uh, you know, win some ballgames, we’re good enough to, uh, you know, and be in some games and compete.”
Loftis said the team will face a difficult region schedule including opponents Gordonsville, Cannon County, Smith County, and Trousdale County. Loftis said every team in the region is well-coached and expected to improve from last year.
“Our region is loaded, uh, you know, they got all of them are coached well,” Loftis said. “And so, um, you know, we got our hands full and, you know, uh, you know, you just every night we got to be – we got to be ready and be prepared to – to play our best in order to compete and win some ballgames.”
Loftis said several players will take on expanded roles this year, including quarterback Colt Loftis and wide receivers Gavin Glenard and CJ Collier. Loftis said the team struggled with consistency during an up-and-down season last year and must now focus on daily execution.
“These kids they’re, um, you know, they show up every day, they – they – they want to get better, uh, they’re good kids and, um, um, you know, again, I mean, whenever, um, you know, like I said, all these kids that are juniors and seniors, a lot of those have – have been playing for, you know, three and four years and, uh, and, you know, and I’ve seen these kids grow up because, uh, you know, my son’s a junior and so I know what their – what this group is all about,” Loftis said. “Um, and, you know, they’re – they’re an exciting group to be around and, uh, you know, each one of them brings something different to the table and, uh, just – just excited about getting this – this year kicked off.”
Loftis said the team will begin putting the new system together and preparing for the season opener following the dead period.
