CUNNINGHAM, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery Central High School football surprised the majority of local fans in 2018, finishing the season with a 10-2 overall record that included a second-place finish in the Class 4A region. The Indians’ magical run eventually came to an end by the narrowest of margins at the hands of Jackson North Side 28-26 in the second round of the playoffs. Head Coach Jeff Tomlinson discussed what he ultimately believes are the strengths and weaknesses of his current team, heading into the 2019 season.
“It’s tricky actually,” Tomlinson said. “We feel like we still have a pretty good nucleus on offense. Our offensive line is back and they were all starters last year. We also return our full back who is a 1,000-yard rusher. We’re really not too sure what to expect defensively right now. We have some really good young players, but it’s going to take time for them to get experience.”
For the Indian faithful, they hope that the 2018 season isn’t going to be just a “flash in the pan” and that Central can keep cooking with 212-degree water, which is the motto for this year’s Indians team.
“That’s the boiling point of water,” Tomlinson said. “If you are 211 degrees, then it’s just hot water. At 212 degrees, water boils which creates steam and steam can run a locomotive. 211-degree water can’t do that, so we want to play and work together at 212 degrees. Everything we do we want full attention, full focus and full attitude at 212 degrees.”
Last season, the Indians captured the program’s first-ever playoff win, defeating Hardin County 17-14. In sports you never want to look back on a previous season, but Tomlinson admitted that there is one team-trait that he hopes that this year’s team can carry over moving forward.
“We’ve told these guys that we’re not talking about last year at all from this point here on out,” Tomlinson said. “With that being said, this team does need to be as relentless as last year’s group. They had a never-die attitude and never quit on the field. That relentless attitude is what we have to keep.”
As Tomlinson enters his eighth year as head coach, he says that there are some aspects of his job that get easier with time, but that there is no room for complacency in the business of football.
“It is easier in terms of when we started camp this past week, the kids were already familiar with the way we do things,” Tomlinson said. “We were able to jump right in head first. Our whole offensive game plan is already in in just five days. At the same time, it never gets easier because you have the different dynamic of kids, you do want to evolve as a coach and you do want to keep up with the things that are changing with the game. You always have to be looking for new ways and ideas to get your team to come out and work hard.”
The Indians will look to a myriad of new players to emerge and fill the voids left from last year’s departures, particularly on defense.
“Defensively we lost nine starters,” Tomlinson said. “Two linebackers, which one of them was an all-state guy, and a couple of guys in the secondary that were very vital. We do at least return the defensive front. Jaden Flake and Dylan Williams were the two linebackers that were key components on the defensive side of the ball. On the offensive side, we lost our quarterback who was a great field general in Ben Dawson and we lost one of our running backs Devontay Skelton. We also lost our center Jacob Scott who anchored the offensive line.”
Central certainly took a hit in their backfield after losing Skelton to graduation, but luckily for the Indians they still have another 1,000-yard rusher returning in their fullback Lakendriez “Drez” Sanders. When it comes to shouldering more of a load on the ground in the upcoming season, Sanders says he doesn’t necessarily feel any added pressure to replace the production solely on his own.
“Nah not really,” Sanders responded. “I have my o-line and protection. Without them guys I wouldn’t be here basically. They do great things for the team.”
Motivation comes in a variety of forms for high school athletes. For Sanders, it’s the ones who are closest that drive him to be better on and off the field.
“Just keep doing my thing for me and my family and try to succeed in life,” Sanders said. “I want to be that one to make it to college and play at the next level.”
Montgomery Central offensive lineman Nick Rye was selected to Murphy Fair’s 2019 4A Preseason All-State Team. When it comes to receiving such accolades, Rye believes that they are earned and not given.
“All the hard work adds up,” Rye said. “I just try and do what I can to help the team score. The offensive line really works as a whole so it’s not just me.”
Rye shared what it’s like as an offensive lineman to be able to block for a back such as Sanders.
“With Drez (Sanders) if you can get him going downhill, he’ll make some guys miss or run them over,” Rye said of his teammate. “He makes it easier on us as linemen. All you have to do is give him an inch of a hole and he can take it a mile.”
As he gears up for his final season in an Indian’s uniform, Rye has one goal in mind that can help send the senior class out with a bang.
“Do what I can as a leader and get the whole group to work together,” Rye said. “Last year we all stuck together like brothers and I want that again for this team.”
Tomlinson echoed Rye’s sentiment and believes there is one x-factor that could potentially decide how successful the Indians will be in 2019.
“If I had to choose one it’d have to be togetherness,” Tomlinson said. “If we don’t work together as a team and be one unit who has that family mentality, it doesn’t matter how talented we are we’re not going to be successful.”
Montgomery Central (1-0) opened up its 2019 season with a 35-14 win Friday at home against Sycamore.
2019 Schedule
Aug. 23 Sycamore (W) 35-14
Aug. 30 West Creek
Sept. 6 at Portland
Sept. 13 at Northwest
Sept. 20 Creekwood
Sept. 27 at Harpeth
Oct. 4 at Greenbrier
Oct. 11 Springfield
Oct. 18 Bye
Oct. 25 at White House
Nov. 1 White House Heritage
Nov. 8 Playoffs round one