Eric Collins refuses to make excuses for his Tupelo Golden Wave football team’s 0-3 start.

The coach has just one starter returning in the same position from 2008 – junior defensive end P.J. Jones. Starting linebacker Ro Hogan returned, but he was moved to free safety.

Other than those two, nobody in this year’s lineup saw any extensive action last fall during the Wave’s 8-4 campaign that included an opening-round playoff loss. That includes the holder for conversion kicks and field goals.

Again, Collins isn’t making any excuses.

“We’re taking what we’ve got and working toward a goal of getting better every game,” he said. “I’ve seen progress each week.”

Tupelo, which has an open date this week, came within a dropped pass of beating defending 4A state champion Louisville on the road last week.

Instead, the Golden Wave lost 20-17.

Collins, who isn’t one for moral victories, was pleased with the effort his team gave against the Wildcats.

“We’re coming off a game we had a chance to win,” he said. “We just didn’t get it done. Maybe that’s a part of the learning process.”

Tupelo’s other losses were to experienced New Hope (28-17) and Itawamba AHS (35-13) teams, who are expected to contend in their divisions.

All newcomers

The team’s two first-year varsity quarterbacks, junior Nathan Wallace and sophomore Luke Hobson, are playing behind an inexperienced offensive line that features four juniors and a sophomore.

The defense has its share of seniors and juniors, but many are seeing their first extensive action.

Collins, who is in his 28th season of coaching, can’t remember fielding a team with so few returning starters and experienced players.

“People would probably ask how do you get yourself in that situation?” he said. “We had a lot of backups last year who played, but they were seniors. The guys we have are experienced, it’s just that it’s junior varsity.

“We’ve got new guys, doing new things.”

Collins is excited about the play of his sophomores in the early going. One of those, linebacker DeVonte Quinn, intercepted a pass and recovered a blocked punt against Louisville. Another tenth grader, lineman Ladarius Watkins, impressed the coach with his showing against the Wildcats.

On the offensive side, 250-pound sophomore right guard Trey Bradley, graded out well against Louisville.

“We’ve got about nine sophomores getting quality playing time for us,” the coach said. “They’re going to get better. You don’t see a lot of sophomores playing in our league.”

New season

Tupelo travels to Columbus next week (Sept. 25) to kick off Division 1-6A play.

“I told our players that everybody starts new (with division play); now it’s for real,” Collins said.

The coach believes his team has an opportunity to win some games in a competitive division that features foes South Panola, Olive Branch, Columbus and Starkville.

“It would be disappointing not to win a game, for me, the other coaches, the players, the program,” he said. “I know I’m real proud of them though. They’re playing extremely hard; they’re playing their tails off.

“... We’ve got to iron some kinks out. If we can get a couple of victories, who knows what can happen.”

Contact Gene Phelps at 678-1593or gene.phelps@djournal.com