Ringgold expects to rebound from last year’s struggles

RINGGOLD TIGERS

Head coach: Robert Akins (75-64 in 13 years here; 254-179 overall)

Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive

Key players: OL Scott Clinton (5-11, 265); QB/LB Kyle White (5-9, 175); RB Price Pennington (5-8, 190); OL James Booth (6-2, 275); LB McCain Mangum (6-1, 190); S Sam Mills (5-9, 175); WR/DB Mason Parker (5-10, 175).

Team strengths: The Tigers struggled to keep pace with opposing teams when it came to scoring last season, mostly due to injuries, but a deep group of skill guys and a new offensive scheme that will feature White’s athletic ability should help. Ten starters return, and the experience several of the younger players received should lead to decent depth.

Team concerns: Last year proved how quickly a season can turn south when key injuries hit, and if they hit in the trenches this fall, the Tigers could struggle again. Also, for the most part, the Tigers lack ideal size at many positions for a Class AAA team.

Breakout candidate: Sophomore RB Peyton Williams (5-11, 170) will be a big part of a deep backfield for the Tigers and possesses, Akins said, the type of speed that can change a game in one play.

Season outlook: Injuries decimated the Tigers during an 0-10 campaign in 2019. If there was good news to come out of it, Akins said, it lies in the development of a talented group of underclassmen who were forced into action.

“We gained a tremendous amount of experience by playing younger kids due to injuries,” Akins said. “The fact of the matter is, any time you play ninth and 10th graders, they have to get better. Even though they can play JV, having experience on the varsity playing field – there’s no way you can teach that.”

Ringgold is also implementing a new offense, a wing-T approach with a spread look, something that will simplify blocking schemes for a young line.

“It’s more of a gap downhill offense,” Akins said. “In 2014, we ran a lot of power and option when we had so much success, but we got away from that and did zone stuff. In that zone scheme, we never got to the linebacker level. It fits our kids better because we’re not as big as we have been and these young guys won’t have to think as much.”