Caruthersville football team hopes to benefit from experienced playmakers at skill positions

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Pictured are members of the Caruthersville Tigers varsity football team.

The Caruthersville Tigers’ roster may be thinner than a year ago, but the team still has some playmakers in the skill positions.

The Tigers have 20 players this season compared to the 40 they had suiting up in 2019.

Like all teams, Caruthersville is adjusting to changes caused by COVID-19, and pressing on with hopes of competing this year.

“It is the same expectations with a different feel to it,” Caruthersville head coach Jimmy Jackson said. “We are doing the same things to prepare that we always have, but this year we have had less time to do it in. It is hard to compare this year’s team to last year’s team because we just haven’t had a lot of time with these guys to prepare with all that has been going on.”

“But we have some speed out there,” he continued. “Good skill guys, rebuilding on the line right now and working out those kinks. I want to be the best team we can be and I am expecting 100 percent effort out of the kids. “

The Tigers, which finished 9-3 and placed second in Class 2, District 1 last season, return several starters, including dual-threat quarterback Devin Russell. Other returning starters include running back Charles Tillman, dynamic receiver Jeremiah Hollywood, Marquan Bogan, Billy Cobb, and Jalen Hollywood.

“Our expectations are just to do our best,” Jackson said. “I want it to be fun and to focus and to take care of business one game at a time. To be the best that we can be. “

Caruthersville’s first game is scheduled for Aug. 28 against Sikeston, but as of Aug. 20, Jackson said there is a chance it would be postponed until the spring.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has given teams the option to play in the spring or fall, and teams have until Sept. 10 to decide.

“Technically, a team can play two games and then say, we are going to play the rest of the season in the spring,” Jackson said. “Everything is up in the air right now.”

Caruthersville is preparing for a full season, however.

“Mainly, we’re trying to get the kids to work together,” Jackson said. “That has been tough with everything that has been going on this year with COVID, because the kids have been scattered out and we have to keep as many safety procedures in place as we can.”