COMMERCE — The Tigers don't talk about winning titles, they just try to go out and do it.
The 2019 version should once again be in the hunt for both the Region 8-A crown and the Class A-Public state title. But coach Michael Brown, now in his seventh season, said focusing on the little things daily will determine their long-term fate.
"We just have to focus on ourselves with the goal of getting better each day, each week," Brown said. "If we do those things consistently, the wins will come. We like where our team is right now."
Commerce dropped a gut-wrenching 26-23 decision to eventual state runner-up Irwin County in the quarterfinals last year in a game they led until the final minute. The Tigers were looking for their first semifinal berth since 2015.
Senior Nate Ray returns at quarterback for a third straight season to lead their powerful triple-option attack. He will have a good group up front to help open holes, led by senior Conner Kyle and junior Peyton Freeman. Senior fullback Sam Roach also should see significant carries this year after the graduation losses of Dylan Deaton, Nick Patrick, DaJuan Wood, and Caleb Mason in the backfield.
The biggest area of concern, however, may be at linebacker, where they also lost Wood, Tucker Flint, and Jalen Dorsey.
"We lost some great players (at linebacker) so finding some guys that give us production in the middle of the defense is a focus as we get ready for the season," Brown said. "But every season is a new journey and we're just now getting started on this year."
COMMERCE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Tigers
- TEAM COLORS: Black and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Michael Brown, seventh season, 53-20
- 2018 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 10-3, reached quarterfinals Class A Public
- KEY LOSSES: OL/DL Levi Pate, HB/DB Dylan Deaton, FB Nick Patrick, HB/DB DaJuan Wood, HB/S Caleb Mason, LB Tucker Flint, LB Jalen Dorsey
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Triple option -- The Tigers like to control the ball and chew up the yardage in their traditional attack to help keep their defense fresh while going to the air at opportunistic moments.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. QB Nate Ray, Sr. FB Sam Roach, Sr. OL Conner Kyle, Jr. OL Peyton Freeman, Sr. WR TJ Trudnak, Sr. TE Trahvon Wiggins
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4/multiple -- Commerce will attack and blitz at any opportunity
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. DL Conner Kyle, Sr. FS Daniel Wilson, Sr. CB TJ Trudnak, Sr. DL Trahvon Wiggins, Jr. LB Grey Holbrook
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Eric Diaz, Sr. P Nate Ray, return duties will be determined
- STRENGTH: QB/DL -- Ray returns and should lead their power run game behind what should be a good line; the defense will be led by a talented group up front with Kyle and Wiggins.
- QUESTION: LB -- The Tigers graduated the bulk of their production. Finding several capable tacklers in the middle of the defense will be key.
- KEY GAMES: The schedule will once again be tough, opening against Class 4A West Hall, then taking on Class 3A Hart County (Sept. 6) on the road, and also Class 4A Madison County at home before opening Region 8-A play against Lakeview Academy (Oct. 11). A home tilt against Hebron Christian the following week (Oct. 18) and a big road game against Riverside Military Academy (Nov. 1) may determine whether they will get another shot at a region title with the crossover game in the regular-season finale, where the top seeds from each subregion square off.
- TRENDING: The Tigers made their 22nd straight state playoff appearance in 2018 and were just seconds away from their first semifinal appearance since 2015 before falling to eventual state runner-up Irwin County in the final minute. With Ray back to run their patented triple-option for a third straight season, they should be able to grind up opposing defenses. The big question will be staying away from injuries and if their defense can stay fresh come playoff time against Class A teams with bigger rosters. The Tigers will have a lot of senior leadership and if they stay healthy they should once again e a player in Class A Public for a semifinal berth, or better.
2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 vs. West Hall
Aug. 30 vs. Athens Christian
Sept. 6 at Hart County
Sept. 20 at Providence Christian
Sept. 7 vs. Madison County
Oct. 11 at Lakeview Academy*
Oct. 18 vs. Hebron Christian Academy*
Oct. 25 vs. Towns County*
Nov. 1 at Riverside Military*
Nov. 8 vs. Region Crossover
*- Indicates region game
(Commerce home games kick off at 8 p.m.)
(All away kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
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