#HSFT16: Stop No. 18 – Itawamba AHS Indians
| CLASS 4A | REGION 1 | ||
| HEAD COACH: Clint Hoots | ||
| Aug 19 | Ripley | Home |
| Aug 26 | New Albany | Away |
| Sept 2 | Saltillo | Home |
| Sept 9 | OPEN | |
| Sept 16 | Aberdeen | Away |
| Sept 23 | Kosciusko | Away |
| Sept 30 | Amory* | Home |
| Oct 7 | Shannon* | Away |
| Oct 14 | Corinth* | Home |
| Oct 21 | Pontotoc* | Away |
| Oct 28 | Tishomingo County* | Home |
| *District games | ||
FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) — Success breeds confidence and that’s exactly what goes on year in and year out at Itawamba AHS.
Over the last decade, the Indians continue to churn out playoff teams and special seasons. Even with the departure of 20 seniors from last year’s team, nothing changes with the new seniors leading the way.
“We have good leadership with these guys,” head coach Clint Hoots said. “A lot of intensity with them and accountability. This group of seniors is doing a great job at holding everyone accountable and getting them in for workouts.”
“I feel like we’re a close family,” senior Caleb Whittle said. “We can tell each other anything. We know we will all have our backs for each other.”
The names to replace are endless from a special 2015 group. Guys like Vijay Miller, Hunter White, Daniel Freppon; they were the foundation of the Indians’ 10th straight trip to the playoffs.
But new names have been called upon and are ready to lead, including Austin King at quarterback.
“Coach Price asked me to take on the role,” King said. “I have big shoes to fill but he believes I can do it. My team needs me and I’m going to lead them.”
“The leadership and the senior roles we play here are important,” senior Jaden Smith said. “Coach Hoots tells me I have a voice that the players follow and listen to so I try to execute that.”
The one thing that’s on all of the minds at Itawamba AHS after last season is the defeat to Louisville in their first game of the playoffs.
Remembering the pain of that difficult loss powers this Indians team to aspiring for more in a tough division.
“It still stings,” senior Russell Bunch said. “That’s our motivation this summer. We’re focusing on getting back and if we get them again, we will hope for a different result.”
“Our motto is we want to get in the playoffs like the last 10 years in a row,” Hoots said. “That’s a big thing but we want to win the division championship first. That’s what we’re focused on.”
Itawamba will start the season at home versus Ripley before hitting road for Union County to face New Albany.
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