It’s hard to imagine Commerce not making a deep state playoff run, but after departing with a large number of offensive skill players, including their three-year starter under center, the Tigers must reload to make another such run in 2016.
Commerce has made the semifinals in two consecutive seasons after going 9-4 in 2015 and 10-3 in 2014 under coach Michael Brown, who enters his fourth year in control of the program. Those two seasons represent the most successful for the Tigers in back-to-back season since 2002-03 in terms of wins, and the best tournament run since the 1999-00 teams.
Commerce’ historical past boasts State Championships in 2000 and 1981, and one of the state’s all-time top rushers in Monte Williams (8,844 career yards from 1997-00) who holds the state record for rushing yards and third in touchdowns with 105.
The pressures of making state each year is immense, especially considering that the Tigers have made the playoffs for 19 straight years and looking to make it 20 this season. Every player on the Tigers team has never known anything different than Commerce making it to state. The 2015 run required a little bit of magic for the Tigers in their playoff run, mostly on the road.
“We knew had a tough run ahead of us [in 2015]; we were a #9 seed,” says Brown. “We knew the road was gonna be tough. We knew we had to be at our best…we were able to play good defensively and ended up with over 1,000 miles on the road but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.”
“We made a bunch of memories along the way,” adds Brown.
Standing in the way this season will be replacing a solid starting QB in Caleb Brooks, but Brown feels like the battle between Matthew Flint and Lane Sorrows will result in either one taking over and having success.
“We’re excited about both of these guys; they’re both doing things that give us a chance to be successful. We haven’t really nailed down who it’s gonna be just yet, but very pleased with what we’re seeing so far.”
The Tigers open up 2016 play August 26 at home against local rivals Banks County.
