The Tullahoma football team plays its first game of 2026 against the Shelbyville Central High School Golden Eagles. Here is a preview of the following matchup.

Tullahoma in 2025 started its season on the right foot against Shelbyville. They took home a 35-14 win. The stars of the game were the respective starting RBs for both squads: RB for Tullahoma, Marvancy Johnson Jr., and RB for Shelbyville, Robert Bailey.

Johnson Jr. had 209 scrimmage yards–152 rushing and 57 receiving—and two TDs. Bailey had 149 rushing yards and two TDs.

For the game to be played on Aug 21, 2026, neither team will have either of those star RBs, as they were seniors. Eyes will now be locked on the senior QBs for each team: Patrick Riddle for Tullahoma and Stephen Bobo for Shelbyville.

Outside of the starting signal caller for Shelbyville, Tullahoma fans should be aware of Shelbyville’s junior RB Torrion Mathis and senior WR Reager Edwards.

Mathis, in a reserve role behind Bailey last year on the Golden Eagles’ RB depth chart, still found a way to be one of their more dangerous weapons on offense. In 2025, he had 133 carries for 747 yards and six TDs. Over the last few seasons, Shelbyville has had a fairly runheavy offensive approach. With the same coaching staff for 2026, Mathis should step seamlessly into the workhorse RB role Bailey had during his time at the high school level.

Mathis in 2025 had two games with over 180 rushing yards. This includes a game against Tullahoma’s rival Coffee County High School where he had 21 rushes for 266 rushing yards and two TDs.

Despite going to the run routinely, Tullahoma’s young secondary cannot have any mental lapses on Friday. Bobo has logged starts for Shelbyville going back to his sophomore season, and with his experience, he has the ability to create big pass plays. A player who could be on the receiving end of one of these plays is Edwards. He led the Golden Eagles in 2025 in receptions (24) and receiving yards (371). His best game was against Franklin High School, where he had five receptions for 105 yards.

Tullahoma, with their game being at home against Shelbyville last season, will be on the road for their season opener in 2026. The Golden Eagles, over their past two seasons, have a 9-2 record at home.