JACKSONVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES
Class, Region: Class 4A, Region 5 Head Coach: Clint Smith
2016 Record: 8-2 2016 Playoffs: Lost at home to Cordova 46-23 in the First Round of the Class 4A playoffs.
2016 Rewind: Jacksonville finished as the 4A, Region 5 runners-up with their only regular season loss coming to Cherokee County.
Key Losses: The Golden Eagles lost offensive lineman K. J. Satcher( 2nd Team All-State), back Niko Richmond( 2nd Team All-State), and leading rusher Tae Ackles.
Josh Glass
Players to Watch: Tahj Kirkland makes the move from wide receiver to running back after making several big plays in the passing game a year ago.“ We have to find a way to get the ball in his hands and see what he can make happen,” said Smith. Sophomore Rontarious Wiggins will also be counted on to make big plays in the Golden Eagle backfield. Wide receiver Jewels Gray and center Cole Gaddy have also been impressive in pre-season. Linebacker Josh Glass will lead the defense in his 3rd year as a starter. He will be joined by Ben Patterson and Blake Morris. Jamel Mays and Josh Bell will look to create havoc in the trenches.
2017 Roundup: After opening at home with Trinity Presbyterian, the Golden Eagles have road games at Alexandria and Saks. Coach Clint Smith says that his team will need to work extra hard this summer to get ready for the first three weeks of the 2017 season.
Did You Know? Only two coaches in Jacksonville history have won more games than current Head Coach Clint Smith. Earnest“ Banty” Newman won 76 games from 1948-1962 and Rusty Burroughs won 44 games in his 1994- 2002 tenure. Smith has already won 36 games since taking over at JHS in 2012.
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46 | 2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine