Troup Tigers Preview

19AA
John Eastman
4-7 (3-2) D2 Bi-district Finalist

Der’rikk Thompson did everything but wash the team uniforms for the Troup Tigers in 2008. But chances are that if Coach John Eastman had asked him to do that too Thompson would have done it with a smile and the uniforms would have come out cleaner than ever before. The 5’11” 188 pound Thompson played several positions for the Tigers including cornerback, wide receiver, slot back, kick returner, and punt returner and helped a very young Troup team make the playoffs last year. With 19 starters returning Troup could be one of the most improved 2A teams in the state.

Troup returns ten starters on offense and will feature a big offensive line and some very talented skilled position players. The Tigers will look to get the ball in Thompson’s hands as often as possible. The SMU commit may be one of the fastest players in the state. He claims a personal best 4.37 in the 40 yard dash and a 10.5 100 meter time. Thompson will line up mostly as a slot receiver but will also run the ball from the slot back position. But, Thompson may be most dangerous as a kick returner having taken seven kickoffs back for scores last year.

While Thompson may get most of the attention, he is not the only threat for the Tigers. Runningbacks Ryan Nichols and Cody Lepelley are capable runners who will force defenses to respect the run. And Quarterback Tyler Davis will have three quality targets to throw to in Thompson, wide receiver Chance Tosh and tight end Jeremy Richardson.

Troup’s offensive line will be the engine that makes the machine go. Ethan Isaacs, Patrick Alonzo, and C.J. Deason will help form a very impressive line for the Tigers.

If the Tigers hope to significantly improve their record from a year ago, the defense, which gave up more than 26 points a game, will have to play much better. With nine starters back on the defensive side of the ball, improvement is likely. Two-way starter, Richardson will anchor the defensive line and help lead an experienced Tiger defense. Taylor Beaty and Caleb Gipson will head up a solid linebacking corps. And Thompson may move from cornerback to free safety for his senior campaign, which will give the Tigers a defensive play-maker in the middle of the field.

Troup started slowly in 2008 but came on toward the end of the year. The Tigers hope to take further strides in 2009. Troup will have enough talent to claim a playoff spot out of district 19AA but probably will not have enough to knock off reigning district champ, Arp. Nonetheless, Coach Eastman’s Troup Tigers should be back in the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 11 years. With the experience of 19 returning starters, Troup might even be able to pick up a couple playoff victories. But region III is very strong so getting any deeper than 3 rounds will take a monumental effort.