For Siegel to return to TSSAA football playoffs, offensive line, balance key to success

Siegel's football team enters fall practice riding momentum of reaching the Class 6A playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Can the Stars duplicate or better that success in 2024 after graduating WR/DB and Purdue signee Tarrion Grant and star quarterback Thomas Santel ?

Despite the two big losses, Siegel players and coaches believe the team has more depth and talent across the board than it did last season.

"We had some really talented football players last year, but we do this year (as well)," said Siegel coach Adam Renshaw at a recent Nashville area high school football media day hosted by the Tennessee Titans. "The biggest thing this year is we've moved the middle of our football team. We have more depth at the offensive line, defensive line and linebacker positions. When we practice football now, we have a dude at every position."

Grant and Santel led Siegel to a 5-5 regular season and No. 3 seed in Region 3-6A before the Stars lost 35-14 to Cookeville in the first round of the playoffs. Santel missed the final four-plus games after a collarbone injury suffered in a loss to 2024 Class 6A runner-up Oakland.

But outside of those two and a couple of other impactful seniors, the Stars were a team building for the future, playing several underclassmen during the playoff run.

Siegel football to lean on offensive line, defense in 2024

Santel combined for more than 1,800 yards passing and rushing in seven games thanks in part to an offensive line that was one of the best the team has had since the early 2010s when Brent Stockstill was quarterback.

Senior Josh Miller anchored that line. The 5-foot-9, 245-pound tackle and an all-area performer will again lead a veteran unit that has added 6-6, 300-pound tackle Princeton Uwaifo, who already has a college offer from SMU.

"Last year we had one of the best offensive lines Siegel has had in a long time," Miller said. "I think that's a big reason why we were able to make it to the playoffs. This year we've kept a lot of dudes and getting new people that I think are going to excel. Princeton is a great dude. I think we're going to go further in the playoffs, mainly because our offensive line will be bigger and better and so much more athletic. We'll be more aggressive than last year."

Senior wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Endsley is one of several returnees that will help the team offset the loss of Grant and Santel. A strong junior class is highlighted by quarterback Tristan Thornton and WR/DB Drew Hostetler.

"We plan to go back and go further," said Endsley, of the team's playoff run. "We've definitely built on making the team better this year. I don't feel like there's been a big drop-off at all. I think our defense will be a strength. And we have our offensive linemen back."

Renshaw thinks the team's identity will be built on physicality and balance.

"We're bigger and stronger up front," Renshaw said. "We have an offensive line that looks the part. Our quarterbacks are extremely accurate. Instead of having to depend on superstars to make plays, now we feel like the middle of our football team has moved up and we have dudes that can make plays at every position.

"The real answer is be a better 'team'."

Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: For Siegel to return to TSSAA football playoffs, offensive line, balance key to success