Ten Jackson area storylines for spring football practice

Luis Torres
Jackson Sun
South Side Head Coach Tyler Reeder yells instructions Friday, Nov. 17, 2107, during Springfield's 23-22 victory over South Side.

Football is back. Plenty of teams are starting to get into football shape because of spring practice. Some have already finished, but most teams started recently or will begin soon. With that in mind, here are 10 Jackson area football storylines heading into spring ball. 

Haywood and expectations

The Tomcats begin spring practice on Monday with expectations of making it to Cookeville in the fall. And why not? Haywood brings back a ton of talent, headlined by running back Decourtney Reed, who was the All-West Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year. The Tomcats lost in the Class 4A semifinals to Springfield, but coach Steve Hookfin and the rest of the program will be looking at spring as the start of the road to Cookeville. 

Haywood's Decourtney Reed looks for an opening to run the ball during their game against Springfield, Friday, November 24.

Huntingdon's offense

It's not easy replacing a Mr. Football finalist. Kade Pearson did everything for the Mustangs. He was a leader on the both sides of the ball, namely on offense. Huntingdon already finished its spring practice, and a question that could loom into the fall is who under center is running coach Eric Swenson's Wing-T offense. 

The state of football in Jackson

South Side was the surprise team in Jackson last season. The Hawks made it to the Class 4A quarterfinals before falling to Springfield. Coach Tyler Reeder got the most out of his players, but he's losing a good bit of talent on both sides. He's not the only one. University School of Jackson lost quarterback Jacob Buie and dynamic pass-catcher Ryan Miller to graduation.

Trinity Christian Academy also lost talent on both sides of the ball due to graduation. Liberty Tech and North Side will look to bounce back after each team won one game last season. Jackson Christian School will be without Gunnar Lewis, who graduated. 

TCA coach Blake Butler talks to his team before it takes the field against USJ on Sept. 8, 2017.

Daniel Nowell's first spring at Humboldt

Humboldt football is transitioning into a new era led by Daniel Nowell, who was hired in March, replacing Junior Reid. Nowell, 70, is given the task of turning around the Vikings after they went 0-10 last season. 

Replacing lost talent at Crockett County

Crockett County is another team that lost a bit of talent because of graduation. Jacob Fitzhugh, Jordan Branch and Manny Jordan are among the players who led the Cavaliers to the Class 4A quarterfinals. Kevin Ward is a proven coach with a track record of rebuilding teams after losing players. 

Crockett County coach Kevin Ward talks to his team following the Cavaliers' 35-30 loss to Covington on Oct. 20, 2017.

Teddy Pettigrew completes first spring at Milan

It's never easy replacing a legend. Milan's Teddy Pettigrew is doing exactly that. Pettigrew took over for Jeff Morris, who retired following the 2017 season. The Bulldogs finished spring practice in March, and Pettigrew was happy with the way it went. 

Peabody's young talent

You might be hard pressed to find better young talent in the area than Peabody. Quarterback Cooper Baugus, running back Jarel Dickson and playmaker Noah Halbrook will be juniors. They all got valuable experience last season. If they can take another step in the spring, the Golden Tide will be looked among the favorites in Class 2A to get to Cookeville. 

Trenton Peabody's Cooper Baugus runs with the ball Friday, Nov. 9, 2017, during Trenton Peabody's 14-7 victory over Adamsville at the Walter Kilzer Stadium in Trenton.

Can Adamsville regain form of two years ago?

In 2016, Adamsville went 10-0 before being upset by Scotts Hill in the first round of the playoffs. The Cardinals got hot toward the middle of the season as quarterback Collin Misenhimer developed. Adamsville is not scrimmaging anyone this spring and will have be ready for the fall to compete with Peabody, McKenzie and Union City. 

Other storylines to follow

Chester County is under new leadership as Steve Robinson took over for Michael Hodum. How does he use this spring to move the Eagles in the right direction? Dresden went 10-2 in Levi Estes' first season and the Lions will look to build on that starting on April 30. Bolivar Central has to replace quarterback Trey Lowe and offensive lineman Briason Mays, two West Virginia early enrollees. 

Teams already finished 

Along with Milan and Huntingdon three others teams have concluded spring practice already — Bruceton, Lexington and Westview. Hardin County finishes Friday after a scrimmage against USJ. 

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9638 and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.