BLUFF CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The start of the Tennessee high school football season is less than a week away, and Sullivan East is looking to turn the page after a winless 2025 campaign. The Patriots finished last season 0-10, but head coach JC Simmons enters 2026 optimistic about one of the largest returning classes he has had during his time at Sullivan East. Simmons pointed to experience in the trenches as one of the Patriots’ strengths, with seniors Ryan Stiltner, Noah Slone, and Jacob Slone helping anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Sophomore quarterback Grady Burke will take over under center as Sullivan East looks to build around its returning talent. “Our guys are excited to be here, you know, and it makes us even more excited as coaches to be here,” Simmons said. “So it’s fun to grab the door handle when you walk in. And then as we come out to practice every day, stacking the positives so that, you know, yesterday we’re building on instead of just kind of starting over every single day.” For the Patriots, last year’s struggles haven’t been forgotten. Instead, players say they’re using them as motivation heading into a new season. “I think it’s a big part of the motivation that we’ve used this summer and a big part that’s going to lead into the season,” Burke said. “We come in every day and we use that, and I think it’s going to play a big role.” Senior middle linebacker Andrew Davison echoed that mindset as he prepares for his final season alongside teammates he has played with since he was young. “It’s definitely in the back of our heads. Like, we don’t want to go through that again,” Davison said. “Obviously, it sucks. But just using that as motivation to get them back and get stronger every day, get better.” Sullivan East opens the 2026 season Thursday, Aug. 20, at home against Johnson County. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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