Meigs County

Head coach: Jason Fitzgerald (82-19 here; 164-75 overall)

Returning starters: 2 offensive; 5 defensive

Last year’s record: 10-1 overall, lost in Class 2A second round

Key players: Luke Pendergrass (5-9, 205) Sr. RB/LB, Brycen Hiefnar (5-10, 190) So. RB/LB, Dalton Purgason (5-11, 220) Sr. DL, Joe Gunner Grant (5-11, 200) Sr. DL, Hunter Brightman (5-9, 165) Sr. DB, Landon Thompson (6-1, 245) Jr. OL, Joe Scott (6-5, 340) Jr. OL, Michael Sneed (6-0, 220) Jr. OL, Ethan Meadows (6-2, 175) Jr. QB/DB

Season outlook: Don’t be fooled by the small number of returning starters — the Tigers do not expect a drop in results. Over the past six seasons the program is 72-8 with two appearances in the Class 2A title game.

Included with the defensive returners are two linemen and two linebackers, giving Meigs a solid nucleus. Most of the players who will fill the remaining positions on both sides of the ball are juniors, meaning the program could be in good shape for the foreseeable future.

The Tigers play in one of the most competitive 2A regions in the state. Tyner and Marion County both have high expectations and Bledsoe County is just one season removed from a region title.

“We know Tyner and Marion have more returning starters back, but we like our group and our culture,” Fitzgerald said. “We’ve got some new pieces, so we’re just focused on us right now because this is a team that will get better every time out. If we do that, we’ll be where we need to be when the playoffs roll around.”

Meadows is among the newcomers who has shown early signs of becoming another in the recent run of all-state dual-threat quarterbacks. Despite not playing last season, the younger brother of former Tigers star running back Will Meadows — a Mr. Football finalist in 2020 — brings not only athleticism but an attitude to the position.

“He’s a really good athlete and smart player, but what you love about Ethan is that he he’ll do whatever it takes to find a way to win,” Fitzgerald said. “We’ve also got four running backs that we feel like can all help us any time they’re on the field. We may not look as good getting off the bus as we have in the past, but we’ve got some kids who will flat out get after you.”