#HSFT16: Stop No. 17 – Shannon Red Raiders

SHANNON, Miss. (WCBI) — After a run of three losing seasons, head coach Darryl Carter has the tradition-laden Shannon Red Raiders back on track for success.

A 6-5 season in 2015 has the confidence shooting through the roof in the fieldhouse at Shannon High. And they’re ready to work for even more in 2016.

“We’re just trying to earn it,” coach Carter said. “Just like now early in the morning working out doing the little things and turning into big things. Nobody is giving us anything. We just want to earn it.”

There’s plenty of talent returning for the Red Raiders all across the field, including bruising running back Vincent McIntosh, Tupelo transfer Kegan Huddleston and quarterback Jordan Gilleylen. But the skills and talent don’t end there for coach Carter.

“We return 9 starters on offense and we had an explosive offense last year and it carried over into the spring,” Carter said. “We lost J.T. Loving and Quan Phelps but mainly the positions we lost guys in we played many in those positions. We’re filling them pretty well right now.”

Shannon is 8 years removed from their last Region 1-4A championship and six years from their last playoff victory.

The Red Raiders have consistently advanced to the postseason year in and year out regardless of the overall record, but this Shannon team strives for more.

“Where we are right now with the depth and kids buying in, we can go way beyond a division championship,” coach Carter said. “That’s one of our main goals but we’re taking it one day at a time.”

Shannon will start the season with two road games at Caledonia an Nettleton before starting the September slate with their home opener against crosstown rival Tupelo.