Gibson Co. looks to change their mentality

TRENTON, Tenn — Last season the Gibson County Pioneers finished the year 4-6. This year they have a new coach who brings a new philosophy to the team. Physical, smash mouth and hard nose are some of the ways to describe new coach, Cody Finley.

Once Finley stepped on the campus, he knew he wanted his ball club to be more physical, as he preaches to his players football is not a contact sport. It’s a collision sport. He said they have done more drills to raise their competitiveness level and the team includes a lot more contact in their practices now.

“It comes down to you got to be physical and in order to do that you got to practice being physical, there’s more contact in practice,” said Finley.  “We been doing little drills to make us more competitive. To kind of build that fighting mentality that you got to have to be successful in football.”

Finley has implemented a new offense and defense. He said his team still has a long way to go, but the good thing is they don’t need to be ready right now.

“We’re not really worried about the scheme right now,” said Finley.  “We’re worrying about how fast you can play, how hard you can play. So that’s really been our point, is effort, hard nose, competitiveness, and the rest of the stuff we will iron out over time.”

The Pioneers will open up their season with Mount Zion.