Belmont High School Cardinals

BELMONT, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – The Belmont High School football team has stated it’s aiming to get back the level it played at during its stretch of six-consecutive playoff appearances. It will attempt to do so under former defensive coordinator, and now head coach, Jason Coker.

“We want to make the playoffs and go further in the playoffs,” Coker said. “Try to get back to those 2009, 2010 seasons.”

“We look at the past and we see some of the good things we’ve done we just want to keep that legacy going,” senior Ryan Gray said.

That successful past isn’t too far in the rear-view mirror, but the Cardinals said they’re eager to move past their three win total from each of the past two years. It’ll be a team without some the experience of a season ago.

“They don’t have as much experience as I’d like. We’ll be a younger team,” Coker said.

Some key guys departed for Belmont. Among them are Chandler Higginbottom, who led the team in tackles, and Corey Hogan. Both of them have started since the ninth grade.

“We’ve got some big holes to fill,” Coker said.

Coker also said he’s expecting a lot from the new guys, but the older guys are the heart of the team.

“We’ve had basically four guys that have been here and played every year,” Coker said. “They’re a good core group of leaders.”

The seniors said they’re liking the transition under Coker.

“I enjoy being around him,” senior Isaac Hughes said. “He’s a good coach. He always brings people up.”

“We’ve got a young group,” Gray said. “It’s more ‘try your best. Give it everything you have.’”

The Cardinals have had some shifting within their 3A division. Gone are Mooreville and North Pontotoc, as Benton County and New Site enter. Belmont begins the season at Smithville Aug. 21.