The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the long-time head football coach at Taylorville High School, at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Jeb Odam told Kiwanis members about the 2024 edition of the Football Tornadoes, saying there are some 82 players with 16 of them seniors, the most total number since the 2013-14 season.   He hopes to beat last year's 5-and-4 record which also put them in the state playoffs.  

Odam added this year's varsity Tornado squad will be more aggressive on defense, and more creative on offense.  Odam also told Kiwanis members that thanks to drone footage, instant replay and review of team plays by Tornado coaches help better guide adjustments in the game.

During the question-and-answer session, Odam said it was Space Coast High School in Florida, that canceled the Tornado's game there due to a change in their conference schedule.  And, he added senior classes thru-out the Apollo Conference which the Tornadoes play in, are all strong this fall.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.