Seniors hope Stars align

MURFREESBORO – Twenty-nine wins in the last three seasons have left Siegel’s seniors with an opportunity to graduate as the program’s winningest class.

The group of 26 players will need six wins to break the record (34) set by last year’s group.

But it won’t be an easy accomplishment with only four returning starters on offense, only five on defense, the loss of a three-time all-district kicker and one of the toughest non-district schedules in Class AAA in the state.

“I wouldn’t call us a young team because we’ll be playing a lot of seniors and juniors, but we are more inexperienced,” coach Greg Wyant said. “We talk about stressing the details, paying attention to the little things.”

OFFENSE

Two players are vying for the reigns of Siegel’s vaunted, no-huddle offense after the departure of all-district quarterback Dakota Crane.

Junior Jordan Middleton and freshman John Ross Langworthy have split time in fall camp.

“We’ve got a quarterback battle going on right now,” Wyant stressed. “If you look at my track record, I’m not afraid to play two of them.”

Despite the loss of Mr. Football finalist Denzel Harding, the school’s all-time leading rusher, the running back position will likely be the team’s strongest on offense.

Senior twin brothers Andrew and Andre Knox, along with junior Greedy Howse and senior Steven Major, will all see time in the backfield.

At receiver, seniors Colton Gipson and Matthew Perhac return after limited action last season. Senior Deante Miller, sophomore Marcus Wilson and senior Dillan Veater will also catch passes from one of the quarterbacks.

Matthew Ricks will start at tight end.

Seniors Ethan Picklesimer, a guard, and Brandon Lawson, a tackle, are the only two returning starters on the offensive line, while senior Hugh White, a tackle, and sophomore Josh Burkhart, a guard, are likely to fill two of the other three positions.

At center, either John Ross Dewberry or Dylan Bargatze will start.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Luke Hillis will start at one defensive end and Major is likely to start at the other.

“I think (Hillis) is one of the most-overlooked guys in our district,” Wyant said

Isaiah Gooch, a senior, and Landen Patterson, a junior, will play at defensive tackle and nose guard, respectively, in Wyant’s defensive scheme.

Five of the team’s seven starters on the back half of its defense graduated, leaving several holes to fill.

Andrew Knox will be leaned on heavily at the inside linebacker position, while Adam Trigg is a likely starter at weakside linebacker.

Gipson, a cornerback, is the only returning starter in the secondary. Howse and junior Kedron Harper will fill a free safety and cornerback spot, while Michael Roper, Andre Knox and Trey Jernigan will also play.

Sophomore kicker Jacob Smith will take over all the kicking duties for the now-graduated Harrison Reed.

Contact Will Borthick at 615-278-5167 or wborthick@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @willborthick.

COACHING STAFF

Greg Wyant

Head Coach

Rick Eberlei

Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks

Brian Guthrie

Offensive Line

Brady Goodman

Running Backs, Outside Linebackers

William Henry

Wide Receivers

Jason Pitts

Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers

Bryan Duncan

Defensive Line

Hal Pass

Freshman

Brad Nix

Freshman Head Coach

Perry Lyons

Freshman

Irvin Turner

Freshman

Shawn McKnight

Freshman

J.D. Gamble

Freshman