Don Causey, Rotarian of the Day, presented Winnfield Senior High School head football coach Jay Watson and team center, Peyton Glenn, one of 15 seniors on this year’s squad as the special guests at Rotary’s meeting on July 17, 2024.

Coach Watson informed Rotarians that the high school squad is currently at 66 players, down from the 80 with which the team began the summer. Fifteen of those players are seniors, including Glenn who Watson says has really progressed this past year and is now coming into his own. The team has a tough season before them, facing Jonesboro-Hodge, Caldwell, Jena, West Ouachita and Bunkie in the first games of the season, but he has expectations for a positive year. Last year was a rebuilding year in which 20 starters from the previous year were replaced.

Both the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator are returning to WSHS this year. The offensive line is much improved from last year. Watson sees the linebackers and offensive skill players as the main strengths of the team going into the season. The Tigers have four coaches, a good hardworking group of guys, and have more in the works.

Regarding current preparations for the season, August 5 is the first day the team will be able to practice, followed by practice with pads and helmets the next day. However, no “two-a-days” will be possible this year due to the early start of the school year. A scrimmage will be held on August 23, and the team will participate in the Jamboree in Tioga on August 30.

Watson is excited about the first home game of the season on September 6 against Caldwell. We will have the team from the live radio show here in Winnfield covering the game from kickoff to half-time. So on September 6, everyone in town should show up at Stokes-Walker Stadium to make a good showing for this big media opportunity!