2015 High School Football Tour – Stop #18: Itawamba AHS

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FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) — A new head coach will roam the sidelines in Fulton but he’s not new to the Indians.

After spending the last five seasons as defensive coordinator, Clint Hoots takes over for Toby Collums as the new head man at Itawamba AHS.

Hoots knows Fulton like the back of his hand, which will make for a seamless transition at the head coaching position and a way to generate new excitement going into 2015.

“It has been a great experience so far and an easy transition,” coach Hoots said. “I’ve learned new things while being the head coach that’s different. The kids have been very good and we have a lot of seniors returning. Add that with a great coaching staff and it has all helped out a lot.”

There are quite a few seniors returning for the Indians this upcoming season.

Quarterback Vijay Miller, running back Hunter White and all-state linebacker Daniel Freppon are just a few of the big names returning for their senior seasons.

Those big names rival the big names that returned for their senior years at Itawamba AHS and led the Indians to historic seasons. That gives Coach Hoots and the team confidence that this could be their time.

“The years we’ve been successful here have come with big senior classes,” Hoots said. “In 2012 and 2009 we were senior heavy and we have 26 seniors this year which is good for any program.”

“These are the guys I’ve been with for four years,” senior Hunter White said. “We understand each other and we know what guys can make plays. The younger guys will learn from us and it will all work out.”

“We’ve lacked leadership the past few years,” senior Vijay Miller said. “But we’re looking to have it for this year for one time and a good ride.”

Itawamba certainly won’t lack leadership this season, but they still lack that State Championship that has eluded them for so many years.

The Indians have been close to getting over the hump and making it to the 4A State Title, but still have yet to reach the main event. So the question is for IAHS: what will it take to get it done this year?

“Conditioning in the fourth quarter and staying disciplined,” senior Daniel Freppon said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. We’ve bought in and we just have to keep working hard. It’s my senior year and we want to go out with a bang.”

“We’ve been so every year,” Miller said. “We just need to find that little inch that’s holding us back and hopefully we get that this year.”

“We’ve been to north half or beaten by Lafayette and Noxubee,” Hoots said. “Those two have been thorns in our side. We want to try and push the bar even higher than that and make it to the next level.”

Itawamba AHS wll start the season on the road at Ripley before welcoming in New Albany the following week.