Season twelve of Football at Shorter officially kicks off Thursday when the Hawks travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on the Mocs of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a 7:00pm showdown at Finley Stadium.

Shorter enters the year looking to turn things around from the 2-8 season they had a year ago; while, the Mocs are coming off of a Southern Conference Championship and a 9-4 record in 2015. They also enter the new season as the 6th-ranked team in Division I-FSC.

And with that comes the knowledge that the Hawks will have to play well if they want to be successful.

"Throughout preseason the focus has been to improve in every aspect," head coach Aaron Kelton comments, "and we've done that. We have good players, and it's been great to see the improvements that all have made so far."

"Chattanooga is a very good team, and we will just need to go out there and do what we're capable of doing, and be persistent and intentional in every area. This week will give us a good look at where we are."

On offense the Hawks will once again look to B.J. McCoy; who a year ago turned in a Gulf South Conference leading 1,489 yards on 207 carries with 10 touchdowns; while turning in 100 yards in nine of Shorter's 10 games, including the last eight contests of the season. He also tallied 200 in twice in 2015.

Making his debut under center for the Hawks will be sophomore quarterback, Matt Williams; who transferred to Shorter after one season at Pearl River Community College. In four games at PRCC last year, Williams completed 8 of 36 passes for 103 yards and added 14 yards on 11 carries.

"The key for our offensive line will be to make holes for B.J. and protect Matt; if they can do that, we will be in good position to make plays."

On the other side of the ball, Shorter will rely heavily on a number of veteran players – Jevaris Jones, Rodney Jackson, Kevin Knight, and Willy Dorcin – to keep the tradition of strong defense going.

"We have no lack of talent or experience, and I think that will serve us well."

"We've really come together as a team," Kelton adds, "and the guys are excited about football again."