The Tipton Cardinals will look to use a strong defense to get back to their traditional winning ways this football season.
The Cardinals return four defensive starters from a team that finished 5-6 last season and advanced to the district semifinals. Tipton closed the season winning four of its last six games.
Tipton returns two of those starters in the secondary - all-district senior Bryce Sanders and fellow senior Jon Petree.
Ryan Wood, also an all-district performer last season as a junior, is back at linebacker for the Cardinals. Tate Combs is back to start on the defensive line.
On offense, the Cardinals will have a young line that hopes to blossom as the season goes along.
Sanders was an all-district selection as a tight end last year, while Wood earned postseason accolades at running back. Other returning starters on offense are linemen Combs and Austin Bennett.
Tipton is scheduled to kick off the 2015 campaign tonight at home against Lexington.
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Tonight: Tipton hosts Lexington - Updates on Twitter: @Manonsideline
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Tipton Schedule
Here is the schedule for the Tipton football team. All games start at 7 p.m. TBA -To Be Announced:
Aug. 21 Lexington
Aug. 28 at North Callaway
Sept. 4 at Windsor
Sept. 11 Harrisburg
Sept. 18 at Father Tolton
Sept. 25 at Lincoln
Oct. 2 Cole Camp
Oct. 10 at Hickman JV
Oct. 16 Skyline
Oct. 23 District opener*
Oct. 30 District semifinal*
Nov. 6 District championship*
Nov. 14 Quarterfinals, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 Semifinals, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 State championship, at Edward Jones Dome, TBA
*Site TBD.