Lions suit up for dress rehearsal

By TONY STINNETT, Courier Sports Editor

This week will be an important one for Cannon County’s football team as it goes through final preparations for the season opener against Middle Tennessee Christian, Aug. 22.

Cannon County was scheduled to scrimmage Sale Creek and Clay County Tuesday before participating in a jamboree at Shelbyville High School Friday (Aug. 15).

The Lions will play one quarter each against two opponents - Community and Shelbyville. Kickoff is 7p.m.

Coach T.J. Daniel said the Lions performed well during a practice against Shelbyville last week.

“We still have a lot of work to but there was some positives in the scrimmage,” Daniel said. “We did some good things but we also saw areas that we need to keep improving on.”

Cannon County’s offensive line showed promise and the running game performed well as Jake Hoskins and Case Isenhart ran hard behind a veteran line.

Josh Walkup had some good moments at quarterback but the sophomore will endure growing pains at the outset as he continues to adapt. Hoskins also sees action under center and gives the Lions a dual-threat out of the Wildcat package.

The Lions have several playmakers back on defense and the unit is expected to be a strong suit. Defensive back Austin Brock and linebacker Ethan Smith continued to be bright spots, while the all-around play of a strong linebacker corps should be a benefit in 2014.