#HSFT19 Stop #50 — New Hope Trojans

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The saying, “experience is the best teacher”, held true for a very young New Hope team in 2018.

The Trojans finished 1-11, but the win clinched a playoff spot, and head coach Wade Tackett says his team’s best game came in the 27-14 postseason loss to Senatobia.

Heading into 2019, Tackett said 30 players return with game experience, eager to keep last season in the past.

“We worked really hard this offseason,” Tackett said, “That’s a credit to these guys for wanting to get better. Not being satisfied with how last season went.

“Also, being hungry from getting that experience, getting that playing time, and knowing what they have coming back and knowing they have a good shot at winning a few more ball games this year.”

“Our biggest strength is our receivers, because most of them got a lot of playing time, and they’re ready to play,” senior running back Braylen Miller said.

“Most of them young, and they’re still coming up, but they’re ready to play.”

Another big strength for the Trojans is returning running back Braylen Miller.

After racking up more than 1,300 yards on the ground in 2018, Miller is setting the bar high this fall.

“The goal is 2,000 yards or more,” Miller said, “we’ve got to come with it this year, it’s our last year.”

New Hope will be faced with a tough task in 2019, moving up to Class 5A in a division that features three-time defending state champion West Point.

“Probably the toughest division in 5A, maybe one of the toughest divisions of all of Mississippi football,” Tackett said.

“West Point, Lafayette, Grenada, Lake Cormorant, Saltillo, Columbus coming down from 6A to 5A. It’s not going to be an easy task.”

The Trojans kick off 2019 at home with a rivalry showdown against Caledonia.