Mack Yeary, Sports Co-Editor

Photo by John Paul Petersen

The football team fought hard under immense pressure this season to improve from the 0-10 record of the 2008 season.  However, the Tigers failed to get a win and extended the losing streak to 20 games.  After legendary coach Bernie Cox’s resignation this season the Tigers will start their search for a new coach and look forward to next season.

“Next season will be a fresh start with young talent,” junior kicker Walker Hawkins said.  “I’m really excited to find out who our next coach will be.”

The search for a new head coach will be important to the Tigers’ success next year and many years to come.  The revival of the storied football program will not be an easy task; the Tigers had the lowest scoring offense in the state with a microscopic 5.3 points per game.  This came from the Tiger’s utter lack of a passing game with only 250 yards for the entire season.

The undersized offensive line made it almost impossible to execute plays and gave junior quarterback Cole Westbrook virtually no time in the pocket.  Lack of variety in play calling was also a problem.

“We had a small number of plays which made it hard to do anything,” senior Orlando Kendricks said.

Even thought the players and fans are excited about the team’s new direction it will be hard to say goodbye to Cox after his long and successful tenure as head coach.  During the past two seasons with no wins, many have forgotten that in the 34 years he coached he piled up 271 wins and seven state championships.

He will certainly be missed next year on the Tiger sideline.

“Playing for Coach Cox in his last season was pretty emotional,” Walker said.  “I feel privileged to have gotten the opportunity to play under him.”

The 2010 football season was not only tough for the players but the fans as well.  The Tiger faithful supported the team at every home game with a big crowd and plenty of noise.  They sat through many heartbreakers this year including the particularly gut-wrenching 28-24 loss against Van Buren, a game in which the Tigers had a 10-point lead at halftime.

“I felt bad for the players because I know they worked hard,” senior Reese Lancaster said.

After this season’s winless record and loss of Cox, the Tigers are hungrier than ever.  They are ready to face the challenges of the coming season and to continue their ongoing journey to win a game.

“I’m really excited about next season because of a new coach, new offense, and hopefully we’re going to win some games,” Cole said.