The Fayette County Tigers, led by head coach Tommy Webb, are excited about the 2006 season and the team and their fans have expectations on improving on some recent disappointing seasons.
The team has 10 seniors and 35 juniors who will likely get a lot of playing time. One gets the impression that this is a season where the Tigers are looking for an improvement to serve as a launchpad for an even bigger improvement next season.

On defense, Audy Whittington returns as the team’s nose tackle. A wrestler for Fayette County, Whittington is quick and is one of the better linemen on the team. Josh Sumpter and Johnnie Cannon are defensive ends for the team and Webb is looking for both of them to play a lot and plug up the middle. Chisom Onyeuku, an offensive guard last year, will play as an end or linebacker this year. The Tigers may not have a lot of size but there is good strength and quickness on the team.

In the secondary, junior Matt Daniels had a good off-season as did junior Quincy Carruthers, a member of the Fayette County basketball team. Webb stated that Carruthers is a “go-getter with good athleticism.” Daniels and Carruthers will be joined at least some of the time by quarterback Brandon Boykin who will also get some time in the defensive backfield.

On offense, junior Trey Carter will be the team’s center and Onyeuku will also play on the team’s offensive line, as will senior Jimmy McCullough, who did not play last year. Carruthers will see some time at wingback, as will Daniels. Jonathan West, a small wrestler with a good deal of quickness, will also see some time there as well.

Whittington, Sumpter and Sean Finn will share duties at fullback.

One big question mark for the Tigers will be at wide receiver. The team graduated four receivers from last year’s squad and are pinning their hopes on some players stepping up. Barrack Little is one of the players who has shown some signs of stepping up, as has Ronnie Wyatt, who had a good off-season. Boykin will be the team’s quarterback and he has rebounded from breaking his leg in the fifth game of last season.
“The pin is out of his leg, he has put on some weight and he is as fast as ever,” said Webb.
The back-up quarterback will be senior Norman Hart, who formerly attended Sandy Creek High School. Cannon and sophomore Patrick Blankenbeker, another wrestler, will play at tight end.

As for the kicking game, whoever gets the job will have some big shoes to fill as they attempt to replace Barrett Ratliff.

The keys for success at Fayette County are nearly the same at every school; stay healthy and be in good shape when region play starts.

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