By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
The second week of May always brings with it an added excitement for Woodruff High football players. That week signals the start of spring practice, a three-week tune-up for summer gridiron activities, and a reminder that the official start of fall practice is a mere two and a half months away.
The 2022 Woodruff Wolverines will be returning a loaded roster from a team that came into its own late last season, and for rising senior quarterback Carson Tucker, the gleam of the Friday Night Lights is already in his eyes.
“I think the whole team is ready for (the season),” said Tucker, who will enter his third season as the Wolverines’ starting signal-caller. “We all know that it’s our senior year coming up for most of my guys and me, but we have a couple of youngsters coming up to so we’re all ready to get to work.”
Tucker has a star-studded cast of playmakers returning around him as well. Nemo Cochran, Anthony Graybill, Kory Scott, and D.J. Nash are all electrifying skill players, and rising sophomore receiver Hunter West looks to make an immediate impact as well.
Cochran, one of Tucker’s favorite targets in 2021, is a two-way player and one of the Wolverines’ unquestioned leaders. He says the experience learned from the past two seasons will go a long way in helping Woodruff be successful this year.
“The mindset really is just to win,” Cochran said. “You know, we’re seniors now. It’s not really a different mindset, but we want one more (championship) to put on the wall for this senior class because we know we can do it.”
Cochran also stars on what should be a loaded Woodruff defense, playing at the defensive back position. Along the defensive front line, the Wolverines return an entirely intact unit.
Defensive linemen Rashad Reid, Ty Ellis, Capone Jackson, and Isaiah Sullivan anchor the front, with Luke Runyans returning at linebacker. That unit should be a nightmare for opposing offenses, which is exactly what Ellis is planning on. The Wolverines’ fast and powerful defensive end is entering his second season with the program following a transfer from Dorman High School.
“I feel like our defensive front is going to be more experienced,” said Ellis. “I feel very bad for any offensive line we go against this year.”
Cochran had a breakout 2021 season from his wide receiver position, especially when the Wolverines reached conference play. Nemo led the team in touchdown receptions and had his career-best game at Emerald when he was on the receiving end of three Tucker touchdown tosses.
Cochran noted that the Wolverines’ personnel would allow this team to play fast and utilize their athleticism.
“If you know what you’re doing, you can play fast, and if you know where to line up, that’s half the battle right there,” he said. “We all feel more mature now, and I think we all have a little chip on our shoulder. We know what we’re doing, we’re experienced, and we shouldn’t bust coverages or miss routes.”
Ellis said taking the final step toward winning a coveted eleventh state title for the Wolverines is all about having a killer instinct and learning to manage the expectations.
“I think we can manage that,” added Ellis. “It’s all about having that winning mentality.”
Tucker is aiming to finish his career strong as well. With over 4,000 career passing yards and 40 touchdowns already to his credit, Carson could be one of the most decorated quarterbacks in school history with a solid senior season.
He and his teammates are gearing up and preparing daily for one last ride under the lights.
“At the end of the day, we still have a lot of work to do,” Tucker said. “If we want to be a state championship caliber team or even past the second and third round, we just have to keep the pedal to the metal and keep working.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
