SALE CREEK, Tenn. – (WDEF-TV) Sale Creek High School started playing football about 10 years ago but has struggled as a small 1A school.
Until last season.
The Panthers will be in the spotlight for 30 of their 30 games.
Jason Fitzgerald certainly made an impact.
He got his CT in his first year at Sale Creek.
By the time the Panthers’ season was over, they had won seven games, the most wins in school history.
“Coach Fitz coming in last year was really like a wake-up call for all of us,” quarterback Cari Escobar said.
“Yeah, we won seven games,” Fitzgerald said. “The thing is, most people around here were happy with seven wins. We don’t want to be happy.”
When you taste success, it makes you want more success, like a home playoff game.
“I’ve never won a championship here, so I want to spend my senior year in my hometown,” running back Evan Higgins said.
Just as ospreys nest in the stadium lights at Sale Creek, Coach Fitzgerald wants to build a team that can match the ferocity of its mascot.
Fitzgerald said: “Hopefully when the game is over, the spectators know they’re at a football game. We’re just trying to change the perception of the fans and the administration. We just want them to expect more.”
For Sale Creek to enjoy the power of the Panthers, it will need to strengthen its offensive line.
“The offensive line is all rookies, and I think everyone’s got to step up and play and practice hard,” lineman Gage Nichols said.
Said Fitzgerald: “You have to have that mentality to be tough on the offensive line. We’re putting up good numbers. Like Bob Knight always said, if you can’t get it done, you’re going to see the bench over there.”
