CENTRAL SALLISAW TIGERS
Coach: JEREMY THOMPSON
12-1
OFFENSE
After reaching the third round of the Class A playoffs, the Tigers know the demands for winning football games. While graduation will require new faces in key positions, head coach Jeremy Thompson begins his 19th season at the Sequoyah country school with an offensive lineup that with five returning starters has experience where it counts.
“We have proven playmakers on the offensive line as well as speed in our skill position athletes,” said Thompson while noting the new names expected to become game changers for the Tigers in 2024. The experience, size, and strength of Cole Holcomb (6-0, 220, Sr.) and Eathon McKinney (5-11, 215, Sr.) will anchor the ply in the trenches making way for quarterback Braxin Goodson (6-0, 170, Jr.) and Dillon Miller (5-11, 180, Sr.) to step into the prime time and display their talents using their speed to create highlight reel moments. When the Tigers go to the air, speed will also be a plus for the Tigers with Conner Green (5-9, 160, Sr.) and Nathan Vann (5-11, 180, Sr.) to make catches in a crowd and stretch the field.
DEFENSE
The Tigers defense will return five starters from last season’s physical and attacking lineup that limited opponents to just 19 points per fame. Ringleaders Xhaiden Mosbey (6-0, 185, Sr.) and Dillon Miller (5-11, 185, Sr.) return at linebacker and will be joined by Ryker Miller (5-8, 165, Jr.) as the strike force from the linebacker position while three-year statrter Mekko Ariza (5-8, 210, Jr.) and Zack Comer (6-1, 220, Sr.) have spent the offseason to prepare for thebattles on the line of scrimmage. Press coverage capable of sideline-to-sideline pass defense in the secondary along with run support will include the efforts of Aiden Sainer (5-8, 175, Sr.) and Cody Green as returning starters. “Our overall team speed allows us to rally to the football with numbers and be great tacklers,” said Thompson. After a season opener at home, Central must solidify its game plan with three consecutive road contests including their Class A-II District 3 encounter at Wewoka. With all the pieces in place, the Tigers should take advantage of their schedule playing three of their final five regular season games in front of the home fans prior to the playoffs.
9-6 – vs. Heavener
9-13 – at Warner
9-20 – at Roland
9-27 – at Wewoka
10-4 – vs. Regent Prep
10-11 – at Talihina
10-17 – vs. Mounds
10-25 – at Allen
11-1 – vs. Gore
11-8 – vs. Hominy
