By Bart Moss

For the FCT

First year coach Jason Murray is looking to put his early stamp on the Tharptown football program. The Wildcats will be entering their second year competing at the 2A level, and Murray said he believes the summer program is where players will learn to compete and succeed at that level.

“Our summer program has been a great success so far,” said Murray, who served as an assistant coach last season under Bill Smith. “The guys have come in and really worked hard on conditioning and strength training.”

Murray echoed a common theme from coaches when it comes to summer program success: leadership.

“We have had some guys really step it up this summer from a leadership perspective,” said Murray.  “That is critical to any team’s success but especially in our situation.”

Murray singled out senior Matthew Brasuell and junior Carlos Perez for their efforts.

“Matthew and Carlos have been great,” said Murray,  “We also have some younger guys who have stepped up and made an impact.  I expect a lot out of some our young guys like Triston Hampton and Chris Amos. Carson Petree and Caleb Carruth are also going to have to be young leaders as well.”

“The team has responded very well to what we are trying to do,” said Murray.  “We have pushed them to compete in every aspect of athletics as well as academics.”

What does Murray want his program to look like at the end of the summer as the Wildcats head into fall practices and game preparation?

“We expect to have instilled a little physical and mental toughness in these young men,” he said.  “We want the players to believe that they have put in enough sweat that giving up is not an option.”