GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Wildcats, after they play their first four games of the 2025 season, have a tough road ahead. Here is a review of the opponents the Wildcats play from week five through eight.

In the midseason stretch last year, Tullahoma excelled. In weeks five through eight, they went 3-1. Going into this year, they will look to have that same success, but they will have to get past two of the teams they lost to last season–Lincoln County and Nolensville. The Wildcats last season lost to Nolensville in the final week of the 2024 season, in the playoffs, losing 23-14. They will play them in week five this year. Tullahoma played Lincoln County in week five last year and lost in a high-scoring contest 42-35. They play them in week seven this year.

One area the Wildcats have an advantage over many other teams, as expressed in multiple articles, is experience. This especially shines at their running back and quarterback position. Both Lucas Reed (QB) and Marvancy Johnson (RB) started at their respective positions last season and will be starting again this upcoming season for Tullahoma. Many other schools, including Lincoln and Nolensville, do not have that same benefit.

The Knights next year will be without their starting RB from last season, Carson Kelley, and the Falcons will be without their main offensive contributor from last season, Brett Dobbs. Dobbs played running back and quarterback for the Falcons. He totaled 286 carries for 1,705 yards on the season.

There are some definite holes the two teams will have to find a way to fill, while Tullahoma has their main offensive production positions from 2024 locked up and ready to go in 2025.

The two other teams Tullahoma plays during this stretch are Rockvale and Lawrence County. The two teams had a combined record of 6-14 in 2024. Lawrence finished with a record of 4-6 while Rockvale finished with a record of 2-8. Tullahoma played both schools last season and walked away with wins in both meetings. Going into this season, the Rockets and non-Tullahomian Wildcats will look to flip their fortunes this year and get back to producing winning seasons. Lawrence’s last winning season was in 2022, and Rockvale’s was in 2021. Lawrence will be leaning on players from last season to help them get back to that point as a program.

Like Tullahoma, Lawrence will have the unlikely benefit of having their leading rusher and starting quarterback from last season.