Jackson County Blue Devils Football Head Coach Sean Loftis said he watched as his team grew in the weight room this offseason.
The Blue Devils came into this season having added more muscle across all starting positions. Loftis said the results come down to all four grades putting in the work.
“Even the young kids that came in, I feel like the older kids have created a culture around our program now that everyone came in and knew exactly what to do and went about their business,” Loftis said. “They worked all the way from last year up to currently.”
Loftis said several players were elevated to starters because of the hard work they put in. Loftis said he wants to prove a point this season.
“We’re no longer the team that doesn’t look the part,” Loftis said. “This group of seniors and juniors have been playing a lot of football since freshman year but now we look like a bunch, an older group too.”
Jackson County’s roster topped out at 36 kids this season. Their eight seniors will have started all four years on the varsity team. Almost half of the team enter as sophomores with game experience. Loftis said he was cautious with the amount of time those sophomores received last season.
“This year, we’re expecting a lot out of that group,” Loftis said. “They’re gonna be playing on Friday night because that group is going to be pretty good. They’re a year older, a year stronger in the weight room.”
Included in those starters is quarterback Colt Loftis, whose completion percentage of 64 percent ranks among the top quarterbacks in the Upper Cumberland.
Jackson County has started this season 2-1. The Blue Devils will battle Red Boiling Springs on Friday night.