DECATUR, Tenn. — In a community where showing earns more respect than telling, Eli Hope is gaining plenty of appreciation for the way he continues to show up every Friday night on the football field.
In only his second season of playing the sport at any level, the two-way standout senior is proving to be a natural difference maker for Meigs County. He has also embraced a leadership role in his first year as a starter for the Tigers, who are currently ranked third in TSSAA Class 3A.
“We have talented players who are capable of making big plays any time they touch the ball, but if we didn’t have kids like Eli, we wouldn’t be anywhere near as good,” Tigers coach Nathan Simbeck said. “He’s one of those guys who doesn’t worry about their touches or targets, he just shows up every day at practice and for games and does his job.
“That attitude does a lot for team chemistry, too. Everybody can learn something by watching Eli work.”
After three straight weeks of wins by at least 20 points, it appears the Tigers (5-0) will have their toughest test since a season-opening triple-overtime triumph over Chattanooga Prep as Sweetwater makes the half-hour trip to Jewell Field for a matchup of two teams that are 1-0 in Region 3-2A.