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Ellis reaches the endzone against Carroll in 2021

Tigers minus 3-year starter for upcoming season

By Michael Butler

The outlook for the 2022 Tallassee football team is bright. The Tigers won a share of the region title last season and return several key starters.

Among the returnees included Tyler Ellis, a senior quarterback who has been a starter since his freshman season. That has changed. Ellis and his younger brother Brody are transferring to Luverne, where their father Jeffrey Ellis has taken an assistant coaching position.

"They're not doing anything that any other boy wouldn't do if their dad got a coaching job," THS head coach Mike Battles said. "We completely understand. It's just one of those unfortunate things that happens, especially in coaching.

"Our kids were shook up about it, because they're good friends also. We're going to have to have some guys step up. Tyler's been out there for four years now."

Ellis threw for 1,154 yards in nine games last season. He ran for another 422 yards.

"We've still go some good players," Battles added. "We're strong at the running back and receiving area. We're going to put our kids in a position to win on Friday nights, kind of like what we had to do against Reeltown last year. Tyler got Covid. We went to a totally opposite gameplan. I think we attempted one pass in that game and won the ball game."

Reeltown will be the season-opening opponent on Aug. 18 at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium.