The Troup Tigers. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Troup extended its playoff streak to six straight seasons with a 9-2 record in 2023.

Graduation hit the Tigers hard with only six starters returning, but they will look to make it seven straight postseasons in 2024.

“Our expectation is being a playoff team,” Troup head football coach Sam Wells said. “We’ve been the last six years in a row, so that’s the expectation, that’s the standard. We lost a good group of seniors last year, some really talented players, but fortunately, we have some talented players coming up and some that played last year for us, so we’re excited about them and their development. We’ve got a lot of younger kids, kids that people haven’t seen on Friday nights yet that we’re excited about. We are excited about the season.”

Bryce Wallum, who had 24 catches for 580 yards and eight touchdowns, 132 yards rushing and three touchdowns, 32 tackles, two interceptions and four passes broken up and was 3 of 4 on field goal tries and 64 of 66 on extra points, is back. Wallum is a leading returning receiver for the Tigers, but he is also competing at quarterback with sophomore Josh Childress.

“That’s obviously the starting point,” Wells said. “It’s a big competition, and we’ve got two really good candidates that are battling it out.”

Wells said Childress, who was a starting outfielder for the Troup varsity baseball team as a freshman, has only lost one game in his life as a starting quarterback.

Brett Wells returns after compiling 1,155 yards rushing, 158 yards receiving, 12 offensive touchdowns, 93 tackles and eight tackles for loss as a freshman.

Shane Jasper had 149 tackles, six forced fumbles, eight tackles for loss and four offensive touchdowns.

“This year, we have a new squad,” Jasper said. “We’re really just trying to get the younger kids some experience. We’re hoping to lean on the older guys to lead this team this year and take over where our seniors left off. Hopefully, we will have a good season.”

Troup will compete in District 11-3A Division II with Arp, Buffalo, New Diana, Elkhart, West Rusk and Winona.

Troup will host Shelbyville in the season opener on Aug. 30.