by Rusty Ellis
The Jackson County Blue Devils entered into the 2022 season with higher roster numbers and the hopes of competing for a playoff spot in their region.
After a 2-8 season and an 0-4 mark in region play however, head coach Sean Loftis’ squad was left on the outside, looking in following a week 10 defeat to Stratford.
Now with the 2023 season on the horizon, Loftis says that belief is still there and his players have been working hard to get headed back in the right direction.
“It’s an exciting time, because you start to really see what all the kids have been working on all offseason,” Loftis said. “They’re getting stronger, and now it’s time to just see who’s going to step forward and who’s going to separate themselves when it comes to playing time. We’re also seeing a lot of younger kids who might be able to step in and help us right away.”
Loftis has spent a lot of time with this group over the summer, and when asked what he’s learned about them, he’s learned that they aren’t afraid of the grind despite their low numbers.
“There’s not many of us, but especially with the younger kids, they want to compete,” Loftis said. “They’ll play a big role for us this season. It’s not always the best circumstance if freshman have to play for you right away, but we’ve got a good group of freshman that’ll have some starters and some come off the bench…this is a good group, a bunch of close-knit kids that are willing to compete every day.”
Two names that stick out right away for Loftis are Waylon Kennedy and Brady Smith, his quarterback-wide receiver tandem. Loftis says it’s both their production on the field and leadership off of it that make them stand out.
“They’ve been here for awhile now, and they’ve been through it,” Loftis said. “A lot of our kids have not been through a season before, so we’re expecting a lot from those two on the field and as leaders…showing the younger kids how to practice, how to prepare and to take it a step further, how to walk the halls and represent the Jackson County program.
JCHS was already in a tough district last year with the likes of Smith County and East Nashville on the schedule, and after some reclassifications that saw Jackson County drop from 3A down to 2A, the region is even tougher.
Smith County took the change with them, and fellow Upper Cumberland program Monterey is there as well. Add in East Robertson, Westmoreland and Trousdale County, it’s a region with no easy games.
When he looks around at what Region 3-2A has to offer, Loftis says he sees a big jump in the coaching department across all five opposing teams.
“They’re well-coached, you’ve got some of the best coaches in this area in this region,” Loftis said. “I feel like last year, it wasn’t necessarily the case for us, I just felt like some teams were more athletic than us…this group of coaches, I’d put them up against any coaches in the state of Tennessee. We’re going to have to be prepared week after week.”
The players want to get back to the playoffs this season, and for Loftis to consider it a successful season, that’s his goal for them as well.
“I feel like we can compete for the playoffs, there will be some good teams that don’t make it out of our region,” Loftis said. “Our goal every year is to make it to the second season, and once you get there, anything can happen. It’s just getting these younger kids caught up to speed and teaching them what it takes to make it there.”
Jackson County opens their season at Clinton County (Ky) on Aug. 18.