Sullivan Hosts Jamboree, Ready For Season Opener

Sullivan played its final scrimmage of the summer Friday when they hosted Salem, Pacific and St. James at Jamboree, and now look ahead to Week 1 against Park Hills Central.

Head coach Jimmy Tucker said there was a mix of things he liked and needed to be fixed this week.

"This time of year that's normal," Tucker said after Jamboree. Sullivan's new head coach liked how physical the team was.

"I feel like physically, we competed well," He said. "We matched up well with the other teams and weren't overpowered."

Tucker wants to see the Eagles play more clean. The offense turned the ball over near the goal line on fourth down. "Offensively, I'd like us to play with more intensity."

Sullivan scored a touchdown in 12-play scrimmages against all three teams. Tanner Jackson connected with Isaac Peregoy for a touchdown pass against St. James.

The Eagles head into the season much younger than they were ago when they began with 23 seniors. Tucker said they are still trying to determine where players will wind up on Friday.

"We're going to look at that on film," he said. "We played a lot of guys tonight, around 25 to 30 guys. We're young and it could change week to week."

Lucas Cottrell, Balor Bartolotta and Blaine Blankenship figure into the running game. Sullivan's five leading rushers from last season all graduated. Cottrell and Bartolotta combined for just 30 carries in 2016 and Blankenship had one in an offense that featured many seniors.

Jackson and Ty Wheeler shared time at quarterback Friday, another position that was dominated by seniors. Caleb Pryor opened the year as the starting quarterback, but suffered what would be a season-ending injury in Week 2 against Festus.

Wheeler took over against Union, but also suffered an injury, giving way to Christopher Blankenship. Blankenship finished out the season under center.

Sullivan opened the season 0-4, but reeled off three straight wins, went down to the wire against Owensville and closed out the regular season with a 42-20 win over Lutheran South. They posted their third 40-point game of the season in the first round of districts by winning 46-30 against Logan-Rogersville.

It was Sullivan's offensive line that paved the way a year ago, but that unit will look different after graduating eight seniors.

Coaches will have to rebuild the defense after losing key players Austin Schaefferkoetter, Drew Schatz, Matthew Tolliver, Blaine Tyree, Cody Swaller, Tim Waller and Dane Hartman.

Those seven players led the team in tackles. Schaefferkoetter had seven sacks as part of an all-state defensive campaign. Tolliver and Hartmann each had three interceptions. Tyree had two picks and Waller recovered two fumbles.

Former head coach Andy Arnette identified Cole Richardson as a player they were excited about entering 2016. Now a junior, the 5-foot-11, 216-pound Richardson had 46 tackles and a sack last season.