MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS
Head coach: Jason Fitzgerald (58-17 in six years here; 140-73 overall)
Returning starters: 6 offensive; 6 defensive
Key players: OLB Justin Key (6-1, 230); WR Cam Huckaby (6-1, 180); QB Logan Carroll (5-10, 175); OLB Ben Smith (5-10, 190), OL Austin Andrews (6-2, 260); OL Malachi Hayden (6-3, 280); RB Will Meadows (5-10, 180); LB Brady Blevens (5-11, 225); DL DaQwan Tatum (6-0, 255); LB Hagan Lowe (5-10, 215); DL Hunter Brown (6-0, 280).
Team strengths: The majority of players who will be counted on have experience in big games, a fact that can’t be overstated.
Team concerns: This year’s team is not as deep as the past two seasons, meaning some younger players will need to step up to avoid putting a larger burden on the key returners.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Meigs County’s Will Meadows returns the opening kickoff against visiting Trousdale County during a Class 2A semifinal on Nov. 29, 2019 in Decatur, Tenn.Breakout candidate: Carroll backed up three-time all-state quarterback Aaron Swafford last year, but now he is ready to lead. He knows the offense and has enough surrounding talent to allow him to pick and choose his moments to make plays.
Season outlook: It’s been an impressive four-year stretch for the program. The Tigers have compiled a 48-6 overall record, complete with two trips to the semifinals and last year’s state runner-up finish.
That type of success tends to breed more of the same as players come to expect to find ways to win consistently. With the amount of ability returning, a fifth straight Region 2-2A title and another deep playoff run is the expectation.
The biggest question will be finding a way to replace the contributions Swafford – also a three-time state Mr. Football finalist – made on both sides of the ball. There are enough playmakers returning that Carroll should not be expected to carry that weight alone.
Because the Tigers won eight games by four touchdowns or more, a good deal of underclassmen gained valuable game experience, which should pay off this season when they are called on to fill the roles vacated by graduated starters.