PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Pigeon Forge High School is coming off its best season in school history.

It is a relatively new football program. The Tigers first season was 2001. Nevertheless, last year's 7-4 record was the best mark in school history. It was also the first time the Tigers finished above. .500.

All the numbers stack up to excitement in the Pigeon Forge football community. With 22 seniors back, there's no reason why the Tigers can't be even better in 2012.

"Anytime you have that many seniors, you have the chance to have some good leadership and we've got a lot that's played since their freshman year," head coach Lee Hammonds said.

"This is a good group of kids. It's a blue collar group. It goes to work and they do what you ask them to do and they just kind of punch the clock, go to work, and do what their suppose to do."

Pigeon Forge opens up the season August 17 at Coalfield. The Tigers won last year's game 34-33.