YORKTOWN — “Friday Night Lights” is a series that’s looking in on area high school football programs ahead of the 2024 season.
The Tabb Tigers capped off the 2023 regular season with a 5-5 record. Ending the first half of the season 5-1, the Tigers then faced some adversity in interscholastic play against crosstown rivals Grafton and Poquoson. Tabb then lost in the first round of the playoffs against Lafayette.
John Byron, who returns as head coach for his second season, recalled that first season as an opportunity to create a culture shift for the program.
“Building a team takes time and it’s not overnight. I was extremely proud of our group of seniors that we had last year. I feel like they did so much in the off-season. At the same token, that element truly takes time. This is an opportunity for our guys who went through that last year to continue to learn,” Byron said.
Byron’s team sees a number of players return including senior guard and defensive end Evan Krutko, senior running back Landon Howard, senior wide receiver and outside linebacker Dre Lewis, senior wide receiver and defensive back Jaren Mitchell, and junior running back and inside linebacker Sam Christophel.
Byron also said that some players to watch include junior outside linebacker VJ Shandor, junior running back and linebacker Aaron Andrews, junior wide receiver and defensive back David Brooks, sophomore tight end and outside linebacker Matt Adams, sophomore quarterback Corbin Eckert and sophomore defensive end Amauri Lymon.
“We’re building, and the guys that came in with me as freshmen last year, that is our largest class. For us, it’s about continuing to build for the future, but most importantly trying to do things the right way. We want to outwork our opponents, we’re going to be that team that not only shows up but when we show up, we’re going to give great effort, intensity, and we’re going to have a group of players that sacrifice together which ultimately brings them together,” Byron said.
Byron hopes that his team continues to build on the successes of the 2023 season, but will take things one week at a time.
“For us, it’s always one game at a time. Our focus and attention is on the fundamentals of the game, teaching our guys to be able to play their position to the best of their ability, and understanding where they fit into the scheme of what we’re doing offensively, defensively, and on special teams. Our mindset right now is let’s be 1-0 and let’s do everything we can to get prepared for that first game and then we will continue to take it one game at a time,” Byron said.
As Byron and the Tigers look toward the 2024 season, they know there will be some challenges ahead.
“Heritage is coming off a great playoff run last year. Game one is always a gauge of where you are at early on. Once district play begins, that becomes very important. You always want to try and do well in your immediate county that you represent. York, Grafton, and Bruton, those are all big games for us,” Byron said.
Byron’s approach remains to continue to build the culture he started last season. He’s also been working hard at getting his team to buy into that culture shift.
“The motto for us is ‘team first.’ For me, it doesn’t matter what position my guys are playing, it doesn’t matter what the coaches ask of my guys, it doesn’t matter who gets the credit, it all comes down to putting the team first. I feel like when you put the team first and you aren’t selfish in your approach, great things can happen for your team,” Byron said.
Tabb will kick off the 2024 season at home against Heritage High School on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Tabb High School football 2024 schedule:
Aug. 30 — home vs. Heritage High School
Sept. 13 — home vs. Jamestown High School
Sept. 20 — away vs. York High School
Sept. 27 — away vs. Poquoson High School
Oct. 4 — home vs. New Kent High School
Oct. 11 — away vs. Bruton High School
Oct. 18 — home vs. Lafayette High School
Oct. 25 — away vs. Grafton High School
Nov. 1 — home vs. Warhill High School
Nov. 7 — home vs. Smithfield High School