2019 speed, strength build on 2018 Pilot success

by Charles Choate
The 2019 Fulton County High School Pilots’ football team The 2019 Fulton County High School Pilots’ football team

The Fulton County Pilots return a talented squad to the football field this season, with hopes of building on last years success.

After losing 47 of 52 games from 2013 through 2017, the Pilots rebounded to post a 5-5 record in 2018, which included a 4-0 start.

Guiding the resurgence in Hickman was a plethora of speed, strength and raw athletic ability on both sides of the football.

With the return of regular season high school play this week, coach James Bridges said pre-season practices have gone well.

“Everything has been good to this point. We have participated in several 7-on-7’s, and came out with a 7-4 record. We felt good about our running game, but we need to add the passing game to what we do. Jerome (Warren) really did a good job for us at quarterback. Being able to use both the run and pass will make us better. I think overall we have the chance to be a good football team.”

The Pilots also looked impressive in two scrimmage games played at Sanger Field.

The first match-up with Obion County Central had the Pilots scoring four touchdowns, while in the last scrimmage against Class-3A Trigg County, the Pilots and Wildcats each scored one touchdown.

Going into the new season, the Pilots will also look for another big season from much heralded running back Caleb Kimble.

The Senior rushed for over 1,600 yards last year and is garnering much attention from opposing teams going into this season.

“We know that everyone knows what Caleb can do, but we are still going to run the ball,” said coach Bridges. “When he touches it, he is explosive. We are going to give it to him, and maybe he gets 2,000 yards this year.”

With the pre-season practices, coach Bridges also praised the return of a veteran line, and a strong junior class of players.

“You know we return almost everybody on the line, and that is important. Tyler Love and John Swain have a lot of experience, and Kyle Bridges will be back in Week 2 following his surgery. We have also added sophomore Lamarious Stray, who is 6’3” tall and weighs over 300 pounds. The junior class is a group that have played together for a long time. You have Broc Bridges, Dylan Hammond, Josh Cole, Devin Turner and Tamarius Kinney. These guys mean a lot to what we do and our success.”

The Pilots will start the year on Friday night, when they play host to the Gleason Bulldogs.

Game time at Sanger Field will begin at 7 p.m.