Tanner started the season with a small roster, but injuries have left the Rattlers with a roster that seems more fitting for an eight-man football team.

Ankle injuries to starting quarterback and defensive back C.J. Yarbrough and defensive lineman and backup quarterback Zakobe Shoulders have left the Rattlers with just 19 able bodies as they prepare to play Cleveland in a Class 2A, Region 7 game on Friday.

“Those guys aren’t cleared to go, so as of (Tuesday) they’re not playing,” Tanner coach Maurice Belser said. “It’s cliché, I guess, but it’s the next man up.”

The injuries to Yarbrough and Shoulders are even more harmful to Tanner, because they’re not just losing great players at one position, but multiple positions. Shoulders is the Rattlers’ top defensive lineman and captain of the defense and also plays some running back. Yarbrough starts at quarterback, defensive back and also returns kicks and punts.

“When you have a small roster, those guys are even more a big part because they play multiple roles,” Belser said. “When one guy goes down, you don’t just have to replace one position, but you’re usually replacing four or five. In our case, we’re up to (replacing) six or seven. One guy goes down who plays two or three positions and his replacement also plays two or three positions. Now six or seven positions have to be changed because of those couple of injuries.”

After Yarbrough went down with an ankle injury late in the first quarter of Tanner’s game against Madison Academy last Thursday, Shoulders came in at quarterback. He also suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter, which forced wide receiver Owen Green to play the position.

Green looks like he will be the starter on Friday, which takes away Tanner’s best receiving threat.

“Owen was the backup quarterback last year and with C.J. playing (quarterback) we were able to transition him into being a wide receiver and defensive back. Now he’s having to step back into the quarterback role. We’re going to do what he’s comfortable with and good at. We’ll give him the best chance to be successful and lead the team.”

Cleveland comes into the game with a 3-2 record and 2-1 record in region play. Tanner defeated the Panthers 58-20 last season and is 4-0 all-time against them.

“Last year, they were the game to watch with us, and we went out there and beat them pretty bad,” Belser said. “I imagine they’re licking their chops at the prospects of getting some payback. They are going to play extra hard at the idea they’ve got pretty good prospects of beating us.”

Tanner’s injury woes are even more pronounced due to a roster size more befitting of a Class 1A school rather than a 2A school. Belser attributes that to the coaching change that took place in the off season. Longtime coach Laron White resigned after 14 years to take the head coaching position at Sparkman, and Belser was hired in May to replace him.

“We’re down numbers-wise, and that can be attributed to the transition,” Belser said. “I’m different than Coach White. When you’re at a place for 14 years, people tend to know you, you know them and you understand a little bit of different stuff about them. I’ve come in here being different and have a different take on some things. I think that kind of put some guys in a position where they wanted to look and not jump so fast. But my relationship with the kids in the hallways is fine, and I feel like numbers-wise we’ll rebound in the future and be good.”