Bryce to be Tuttle's bread and butter

While I decided to write about Tuttle quarterback Sterling Koons for the opening of two-a-days, don’t expect the Tigers to abandon what has been their bread-and-butter over the years – an aggressive defense supplemented by a strong running game.  What Tuttle head coach Phil Koons hopes is that Sterling can provide enough of a threat through the air to take the pressure off running back Bryce Moore.  The junior will be replacing the departed Zack Mincey, a former Little All-City Offensive Player of the Year, in the Tiger backfield.

We’re going to do what we’ve always done,” Koons said. “We’re going to try to feature the tailback and run the ball.  With Kyle Ebert out there (at wide receiver), and a guy that can get him the ball in
Sterling, I hope that that kind of poses a threat.”

While Moore has the same diminutive stature as Mincey – both stand about 5-7 — Moore is lighter and quicker than his predecessor. 

Here are some other notes from Tuttle’s first official practice of the season:

* While helmets are allowed on the first day of two-a-days, Tuttle players went without thanks to a mix-up that left their helmets sans facemasks.  Of course, no one was complaining. 

* Sterling Koons isn’t the only son of head coach Phil Koons on the football team.  Freshman Tanner is mixing it up at wide-receiver and cornerback, and Phil Koons indicated he might even see some playing time – but not much. “If we’re counting on freshman at this level, it’s going to be a tough season,” Phil Koons said.

* Koons also indicated that – with two more younger boys in the Tuttle pipeline – he will not be moving on any time soon.  Koons has averaged 10 wins a year and won two state titles during his 14-year tenure at Tuttle. “My wife tells me I’ve got to coach the little ones, so I guess I’ve got about 14 years left, I guess,” Koons said, smiling. “I thank God for everything.  I’m the luckiest guy in the world – I’ve got a great job, great location, great family.  I’m hungry every day I come to work and hungry every time I step out on the field to teach.”