The Edwardsville Tigers are making the most of their 20 summer contact days, using them to stage a series of 7‑on‑7 scrimmages at the District 7 Sports Complex. Opponents such as Alton, Farmington and Highland have provided varied looks, giving the team a chance to experiment with formations and evaluate depth.
Coach Kelsey Pickering has repeatedly emphasized that these sessions are more than a warm‑up; they are a laboratory where the team can refine chemistry and build the cohesion needed for a turnaround after a 4‑6 season that ended with a first‑round playoff loss to Oak Lawn Richards.
A New Era of Competition
The roster has undergone significant turnover, with 37 seniors graduating, including all‑state wide receiver Devyon Hill‑Lomax, and quarterback Yale Weaver missing the second half of the previous season due to injury. This opens the door for junior Brady Reames and senior Dean Williams to vie for the starting quarterback position.
Williams, who filled in for Weaver last year, completed 47 of 77 passes for 648 yards and five touchdowns, offering the coaching staff a glimpse of his readiness. The competition between the two is expected to shape the offensive identity heading into the opener.
The Tigers' schedule promises early tests, beginning with a home game against Kankakee on August 21, followed by matchups with longtime rivals Collinsville and Granite City. These early contests will serve as a barometer for the team's progress before they enter Southwestern Conference play.
Beyond the on‑field work, the scrimmages at the District 7 Sports Complex have drawn attention for the quality of competition, with teams from across the region providing a realistic preview of the challenges that lie ahead.