By Justin Graves

Justin@athensnews-courier.com

ARDMORE – Last year was a nightmare all of Ardmore’s players want to forget. Finishing the season 0-10 one year after advancing to the Class 4A playoffs hurt bad enough, but the part that stung the most was the fashion in which it was done.

“We lost too many close games last year,” Ardmore senior center Jarrod Robison said. “When you lose that many games it stings, but when you know you should have won and were in position to win over half of them it takes something out of you.”

Robison’s teammates share his feelings and are motivated to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

When new Ardmore coach Tracy Malone took over in the spring, he told the Ardmore players it was going to take a lot of hard work to turn the program around.

Malone said his players stepped up to the challenge.

“There hasn’t been any lack of effort on their part this summer,” Malone said. “We’ve seen tremendous gains not only in the weight room, but also with speed and agility.”

Malone has a vision for Ardmore. He not only wants to be competitive locally, but eventually start gaining statewide respect. The new Ardmore coach believes the Tigers are in position to take their first step.

“I’ve walked into a good situation here,” Malone said. “We have 17 starters coming back from last years team and they all have been working very hard to regain their respect.”



Setting the bar high

Malone said the first thing Ardmore needed to do is regain its confidence.

“I want these guys to set the bar higher for themselves,” Malone said. “They should always have good expectations. I don’t want them to ever shy away from that.”

Ardmore junior running back Landon Curtis believes their new coach’s high tempo, confidant attitude started rubbing off on the team immediately.

“After coach Malone got here, I think everybody came together,” Curtis said. “He keeps the tempo up all the time and doesn’t let anybody get down.”



Pieces of the puzzle

Not only has Malone been impressed with his team’s work ethic this summer, but he’s also noticed Ardmore has some impressive athletes.

“The first thing I always do when I meet a new team is compare the players to the ones I had on my championship teams at Riverdale,” Malone said.

“We’ve got several guys here who are talented enough to start on those teams.”

Three of the players Malone is talking about are the Tigers’ three running backs – Curtis, Derek Green and Tavo Sanchez.

“We have a three-headed monster in our backfield,” Malone said. “All three of those guys are talented athletes and will help us have a sound running attack.”

With the combination of a veteran offensive line and three talented running backs, Malone believes the Tigers should be able to move the ball on offense.

“What I want from our offense is consistency and ball security,” Malone said.

“We’re going to control time of possession and win close games with defense. We can’t go out and get in track meets with teams.”



A new mentality

Along with his high tempo, confidant attitude, Malone also brings a physical mentality to Ardmore.

He said if the Tigers are going to be successful this year, they have to carry the same physical mentality on the field every game.

“We aren’t going to be intimidated,” Malone said. “You can’t play scared, because if you do, you aren’t going to win.”

Malone’s football philosophy is simple – play tough, physical football and win close games with defense. Senior Jake Stagner said everyone has bought into Malone’s philosophy.

“We’re a lot more physical as a team this year,” he said. “We’re more physical and stronger mentally. Going through embarrassment like we did last year changes you. It makes you want to make sure it never happens again. Everything is coming to together and I’m ready to get the season started.”



Playoffs or bust

With the experience and talent Ardmore returns this year, the primary goal is to get back to the playoffs. In order for that to happen, Malone said it’s key for the Tigers to get off to a good start.

He doesn’t think motivation for the first game will be a problem with Ardmore opening the season with its biggest rival – Elkmont.

“It’s huge that we get off to a good start,” he said. “We need to come out and have some good things happen early.”

Robison said the players are anxious to put all the hard work they have put in this summer to use.

“Everybody is focused on reaching our goals this year,” Robison said.

“There’s no doubt in any of our minds that coach Malone has done a wonderful job getting us prepared for the season. We’re just ready to go out and earn some respect.

“We’ve got a lot of guys coming back from last year and they’ve all been working harder than ever.

Last year we lost a lot of close games, so we have to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We have to finish what we start.”