Kickoff - Seymour, South Doyle & The Kings Academy

On the Cover

About the Writer and Photographer

JASON DAVIS: Jason Davis spent nearly two decades as an awardwinning sportswriter, photographer and newspaper editor prior to entering a career in education. He currently teaches career exploration at Seymour Junior High School in Sevier County, Tennessee.

TONY COX: Tony Cox grew up in the South Knox and Seymour area. He is a 1985 graduate of Doyle High School and his children graduated from Seymour High School.

Kickoff: 2023 High School Football Preview for Seymour and SoKno is one

of five football season preview magazines published by Republic Newspapers, Inc.

The other titles are: The Progarm (Anderson County), How the West was Won (Farragut), Kickoff (Monroe County) and Kickoff (Loudon County).

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE STARTS

SERGIO SANCHEZ Seymour High School Senior / RB - DB

GARRETT COGDILL The King’s Academy Senior / OL-DB

MADDOX CUPP South-Doyle High School Senior / QB

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2023 Seymour High School Seniors

CARSON VINES

BLAKE JOHNSON

ZYON ROCKETT

BENNETT CAIN

ELI BREEDEN

BALYN WOLFE

TYLER BOUCHELLE

SERGIO SANCHEZ

JAYDON SHANKLIN

TYSON KIMBLER

2023 Seymour High School Seniors

ADRIAN DORAY

HUNTER EVANS

RONALD SWAUNCY

AUSTIN BUSH

KYLE THOMPSON

JERRY ISAACS

DAVID WILTON

TERRY THOMAS

CHRIS TUFFILE

2023 S EYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EAGLES

SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL TURNING THE PAGE

Hard-working Eagles starting a new chapter

BY JASON DAVIS Special to Kickoff

Preview

SEYMOUR — After a promising 3-2 start to last season, injuries struck the Seymour Eagles roster and the team derailed with sixstraight losses by an average margin of over 40 points.

But today, a new-look Eagles team is hoping to turn the page to a new chapter in Seymour history with first-year head coach Patrick Clark. Players certainly seem to be buying into the process, as Clark says “a ton” of boys have come out to play.

FIGHTING THROUGH ADVERSITY

going over a litany of injuries and other issues that have taken potentially successful seasons offline in the past.

“Right now we’re fighting how to handle adversity. We can’t have nuclear bombs (mistakes and miscues that compounded into further mistakes on the field).

ASSISTANT COACHES:

Jordan Donaldson

Mike Holt

Darrel Lauderdale

Mike McReynolds

Mark Mobley

Michael Serafine

Nate Treadway

Pierre Watkins

Zach Williams

“Our big focus this year is we’ve got to fight the adversity,” Clark said,

“So that’s our first goal before we even look at the lights on the scoreboard — how to handle those situations.”

Clark, who previously served two seasons as defensive coordinator for the blue and gold, has overseen a program overhaul before during his first head-coaching stop in Claremont, North Carolina.

There the 2001 University of Tennessee graduate was 14-17 in three seasons at the helm of Bunker Hill High School, where the team

Football

PATRICK CLARK Head Coach

1ST SEASON Seymour Football, Cheerleader and Dance Team and Individual photos by Tony Cox

SEYMOUR EAGLES REGION 2 AAAA

showed steady improvement with him at the reins. The first year, Clark’s team was 2-9 but followed with backto-back playoff campaigns.

A 6-6 record in 2019 was good enough for Bunker Hill to make the playoffs for the first time in six seasons and earned Clark the 2019 Northwestern Foothills Coach of Year Award.

In a COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Clark’s team improved to a 6-1 regular season before falling in the playoffs.

Now the coach begins another rebuilding process, this time with a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since before its players were born (at home vs. Kingston in November 2004).

“We’re going to work every day,” Clark said. “They’ve done a really good job in the weight room; we’re a lot stronger. We were young last year … when you’re playing mostly sophomores toward the end of the season against three of the best teams in the state … it is what it is. We’ll look a lot different (this year).”

So far, at least among the coaches, preparation has included a lot of adaptation and playing to the strengths of the staff and players on the roster.

SENIORS LEAD THE WAY ON D

A senior-laden group of inside linebackers and linemen will

provide the foundation for Seymour’s 3-3 stack defense, led by first-year defensive coordinator Mike Holt

Holt formerly served as head coach at Richland High School in Lynnville, Tenn.

“In the box is going to be our strength,” Clark said.

“Inside, Jayden Shanklin is back (at linebacker) and you’ve got Kyle Thompson that moved from D-line back (to linebacker),” Clark said. “I think he’ll do well for us. Ryan Gibson is back, and he’s going to be a big asset.”

Ethan McAndrew, Jackson Stafford, and Josh Rowell will also figure into the inside linebacker position for the Eagles.

On coach Darrel Lauderdale’s defensive line, Eagles wrestler Austin Bush will be a big factor in his second season.

“He’s got a motor,” Clark said. “He’s a wrestler, and he’s got that wrestling mentality. He’s just go-go-go.”

Additionally, big things are expected from seniors Hunter Evans and Adrian Doray as well as from juniors Ethan Bond and Sanjay Samtani

“(Evans) is coming back from a knee injury. He’s another one that’s just nose to the grindstone,” Clark said. “Doray moved in last year … played outside backer. He’s going to D-line: strong, quick. He’ll be exciting to watch.

“And we can go bigger, with Ethan Bond, a junior, that’s a

“They’ve done a really good job in the weight room; we’re a lot stronger.”

— Patrick Clark Head Coach

giant. He’s 6-3, has worked his butt off and can lift a house,” Clark said. “So, you know, we got a lot of people, a lot of depth.”

When it comes to outside linebackers and the secondary, there’s a lot of flexibility for the Eagles as players train for a sort of hybrid position between the two.

A leader amongst those is senior Sergio Sanchez, the team’s leading tackler from 2022.

“He’s just a work horse, he’s a grinder,” Clark said.

Tyler Bouchelle is another senior who’ll star at the hybrid position, and juniors Bryson Quick and Dillon King will also contribute.

Quick is primed for a “great” year, Clark said, and King is “strong as an ox” and among the faster players on the team.

At cornerback, three seniors figure mightily for the Eagles: Carson Vines, Blake Johnson and Zyon Rockett

“They all played a lot of quality minutes there last year and did fairly well,” Clark said. “They all bring their own little nuances to the game, and all three are competitors. Their flexibility allows us to do several things, but we’ve got to put them in the best situation for them to succeed. All three of them have gotten stronger and faster.”

A HEADACHE-INDUCING OFFENSE

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will run a multipleformation spread offense that prominently features the H-back over the tight end, a position that was a staple on previous Seymour teams.

“We’re not going to run a ton of plays, but we’re going to have a ton of formations,” Clark said. “I just know, as a defense coordinator, what causes headaches. We’ll run multiple sets, like a Gus Malzhan-style offense (with) some wing-T principles in there. Not as heavy as he did. It’s a typical spread, zone counter.”

Piloting the offense will be senior quarterback Blake Johnson

“I think he brings the ability to spread the field in the passing game, and we’re going to run him this year,” Clark said of his signalcaller. “He’s got some speed, and he’s tough. He’s doing some good things.”

Johnson started several games as a junior, but injuries had him in and out of the lineup.

Junior Bryson Quick will be ready behind Johnson.

“We’re going to run the quarterback too,” Clark said. “So, we’ve got to have some depth.”

Primary targets for the Eagles QBs will be seniors Zyon Rockett, Jaydon Shanklin and Carson Vines

“Rockett’s a speed guy, Shanklin is a great receiver, and

“...we’re going to have a ton of formations.

I know, as a defensive coordinator, what causes headaches.”

— Patrick Clark Head Coach

Carson Fines, he can run slot, he can run outside. (A) great route runner. Great competitor,” Clark said. “I’m a real high on Carson.”

At H-back, Clark sees the biggest potential from players like Jackson Stafford, Kyle Thompson and Tyler Bouchelle.

At tailback, the team will operate by committee, as the best players — Sergio Sanchez, Ryan Gibson and Dillon King — are also cornerstones on the defensive side of the ball.

“You want to win every game, but you also want to be able to be prepared if you’re ready to make a run at the end of the season,” Clark said. “Part of it is managing their bodies.”

Gibson is a bruiser between the tackles, while Sanchez is more elusive. Both are good receivers out of the backfield. King is a good mix of the two skillsets, capable of running both

2022 SEASON RESULTS

inside and outside.

“A big thing right now is, ‘How do we handle adversity?’” Clark said. “The kids that can handle it will be the ones that are out there.”

Seymour will start the season officially on Aug. 18 at Gatlinburg-Pittman. The Eagles follow with two more nonconference games before starting their Region 2-4A play at home against Gibbs on Sept. 8.

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“A big thing right now is, ‘How do we handle

The kids that can handle it will be the ones that are out there.”

— Patrick Clark Head Coach

singled out as outstanding contributors on both sides of the ball. After mentioning several players and positions, Bolinger again asserts, “Our backfield is our strength.”

2023 SEYMOUR EAGLES FOOTBALL ROSTER

Coaches

Two new coaches have been added to the mix at Sequoyah. Dustin Peels, a Sequoyah product, will return as Offensive Coordinator. Last year, he was Defensive Coordinator at Lenoir City. Bryce Ruis comes to the Sequoyah staff from William Blount High School. Ruis will coach the offensive line and the inside linebackers.

A Normal Year

Coach Bolinger points to the fact this will be a normal year. He was hired at Sequoyah around Memorial Day. He was not able to work with his new team in the spring and had no idea about the team or their skill set. Additionally, he needed time to evaluate the coaches he had inherited. His second season was plagued by Covid 19. The team was not able to work out or practice. This year, for the first time, the Chiefs had spring and fall practice. “A full year will make a big difference,” Bolinger contends. “Our kids have done really well in 7 on 7 competition. They see what we can do and they are excited for the season to begin.”

Sequoyah’s first game will be August 20, when Tellico Plains comes to Sequoyah. This is a key game against a traditional in county rival. The Sequoyah Chiefs have an inscription on their shirts: Take Pride in Your Tribe. They are hard at work seeking to instill in their school and fan base a renewed pride in the Sequoyah High School football program.

SEYMOUR EAGLES FOOTBALL

TSSAA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF RECORD

Overall Record: 18-27

Appearances (27):

2023 SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL C HEERLEADERS

2023 SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM

Front Row: Riley Clapper . Second Row (Left to right): Jetta Hallcox, Shelby Branch, Milania Gutierrez, Lilli Dennis, and Avery Roden Back Row (Left to right): Meadow Gutierrez, Hannah Robertson,

Shiloh Paluso, Abby Lawson, Brooklyn Prichard, ManagerMelanie Osorio, Erin Ruggiero, Alyssa West, Maggie Arnold, and Caroline Grosche.

Lily James, Landy Campbell, Sophia Fields, Ella Smith, Kendyl Smith, Addison McPherson, McKinley White, and Sammy Valle’

Not pictured are: Emma Burnette, Ava Campbell, Izzy Mayers, Emma Booth, and Isabella McAtee

2023 SEYMOUR EAGLES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

2023 South-Doyle High School Seniors

JADO JEAN - DOR

ROLONDO PHILLIPS

BRYAN MCELWEE JR.

MADDOX CUPP

AIDEN BROOKS

CARSON PARKER

DOASHA CLABOUGH

DEE JAY DOLLISON

2023 South-Doyle High School Seniors

MALIK OLIVIERA

LEON COOK

ETHAN CRISP

PATRICK CULLETON

JOHN PARKER

JAEDYN BEGOVICH

NICK PAYNE

SOUTH-DOYLE HIGH SCHOOL “WE GO REALLY FAST”

Cherokees aim for offensive explosiveness, physicality in ‘23

BY JASON DAVIS Special To Kickoff Football Preview

KNOXVILLE — Things are changing at South-Doyle High School.

After limping to a 2-8 record in 2022, the Cherokees are ready to showcase the gains they’ve made in a full year under second-year head coach Paul Shelton

2ND SEASON

Discussing his team, Shelton spoke with authentic excitement about the development of the team’s depth, cohesion and better strategic understanding from the team’s explosive young athletes in 2023.

“We go really fast, and we try to throw the football fast,” Shelton said.

ASSISTANT COACHES:

Shelton learned the up-tempo style as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator under former Boise State head coach Dan Hawkins at UC-Davis. He’s embraced the frenetic offensive style to the fullest.

Tyler Brooks

Allen Kidd

Chad Larkin

Brian Milan

Josh Rollins

Corban Rood

John Snyder

Josh Wilson

In a fast-paced offense like South-Doyle’s, that understanding and depth is a must for high levels of success.

“We’re trying to be explosive, and we’re trying to take shots,” he said.

In a style built on a operating at a blistering pace and situational recognition, good quarterback play is a must, and Shelton believes he has a gem in senior Maddox Cupp.

EARNING HIS SPOT

After suffering a torn labrum as a backup quarterback late in his sophomore year,

2023 SOUTH - DOYLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHEROKEES

PAUL SHELTON Head Coach

SOUTH-DOYLE CHEROKEES REGION 2 AAAA

South-Doyle Football and Cheerleader Team and Individual photos by Tony Cox

Cupp was unable to throw in spring practice last year which resulted in senior Nolan Brang earning the starting job in 2022.

“(Cupp) was a good backup quarterback for us, but nobody’s going be happy being a backup quarterback when you think (the job) was yours,” Shelton said.

After an injury to Brang in the ninth game of the season, however, Cupp got his chance to lead.

He was inserted into the lineup as a starter in his team’s final game against region foe Gibbs, and the rest is history.

“He goes out versus Gibbs and throws for 340 and five touchdowns and it was kind of like his launching point,” Shelton said. “From that point he has been the leader: the guy.

“Just to watch his evolution — emotionally and spiritually and mentally — I wouldn’t trade him for the world,” Shelton said. “He’s a perfect example of me being able to tell a kid, ‘Hey, we don’t give spots. You earn spots.’ Maddox has earned his spot now.”

That spot at the helm of Shelton’s offense comes with a lot of freedom and decisionmaking responsibilities, something the coach believes Cupp and the team’s four reserve quarterbacks (Braden Carr, Christian Luster, Cade Carr and Benson Brang) are more attuned to after a year of coaching and learning the nuance of the system.

And the rest of that offensive system is also brimming with

talent, the coach said, as a bevy of playmakers at wide receiver, running back and tight end await their chance to shine.

PLAYMAKERS EVERYWHERE

“I don’t know if there’s anybody as deep as us at wide receiver,” Shelton said. “We talk about it all the time. When we’re healthy, we’ve got seven or eight guys that can go — not fill-ins — I’m talking go.”

Setting the pace will be two returning alldistrict level players in juniors T.J. Tipton and Detroit Patterson. A room full of other pass-catchers follows, including a pair of freshmen that even recorded starts in S-D’s summer 7-on-7 sessions.

“They are good,” Shelton said. They’re not on the radar yet, (but) they’re early (college) offer kids. They’re really good football players.

“We’re good at receiver.”

The same can be said at tight end and running back, where the Cherokees have built good depth.

Seniors Tayshon Gary and Jado Jean-Dor, along with sophomore Demorris McKenzie, should see the majority of the team’s carries. “Tayshon’s special,” Shelton said. “He’s a really, really special kid. We just got to make sure that he’s healthy and consistent. If he continues to grow, he changes the face of our football team.”

“I don’t know if there’s anybody as deep as us at wide receiver... When we’re healthy, we’ve got seven or eight guys that can go…”

— Paul Shelton Head Coach

Blocking for the backs and protecting Cupp will be up to senior left tackle Jaedyn Begovich and the Cherokee offensive line.

“He’s a great athlete … very, very tough, physical kid,” Shelton said of Begovich.

Begovich is also a primary tackler at defensive end on an S-D defense that the coach said had to improve following a difficult 2022.

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT A MUST

“Defense comes down to physicality and tackling,” Shelton said. “And we were not good at either one (last year). We were not tough and we would not want to play physically.”

This year that’s changed thanks to consistency in the weight room and an added emphasis on physicality.

“We went full pads to the ground a lot in spring,” Shelton said. “We were ultra-physical, and it showed up in our spring game when we played each other.

“People were coming up and saying, ‘Wow, you guys look like a different team.’

“We’re going to tackle this year,” Shelton said. “We’re going to be physical this year.”

At linebacker, the Cherokees’ improvements in weight room should pay dividends, as the team seeks to replace its two primary starters from a year ago.

Fans should also expect good things from senior linebacker Doasha Clabough and sophomore Demorris McKenzie, among others.

As for the secondary, led by cornerback Avery Westfield and weak-side safety Jado Jean-Dor, all starters return. And with a group of such talented receivers and skill players, there is plenty of depth — something crucial for a team that runs a defensive-back heavy 4-2-5 system.

“I guess it’s not surprising if our wide receiver core is probably one of those talented positions on the field, our secondary is pretty talented too,” Shelton said.

Jonah Mitchell, a two-time all-region soccer goalkeeper, will handle the Cherokees’ kicking and punting duties and will be a key to improving the team’s special teams.

SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF

After a rough season in 2022 with a new coach, new starters, and an entirely new system, Shelton believes South-Doyle fans will have plenty to cheer about in 2023.

“I know they can expect an enjoyable team they can be proud of,” Shelton said. “Our seniors are unbelievable leaders … (and) we’ll just become a more consistent football program.”

While he wouldn’t speculate about wins and losses, Shelton said fans should see a cleaner product on the field.

— Paul Shelton Head Coach

2023 SOUTH-DOYLE CHEROKEES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

All games played at 7:00 P.M. Schedule and times subject to change.

“We’re going to be more disciplined, we’re going to be just a better product and an exciting product,” Shelton said. That discipline spills over off the field as well, from a rising team GPA to improvement in the way the players are carrying themselves.

“We’re not angels, and we’re not perfect,” Shelton said. “But holistically, we have highcharacter kids that are working.”

It’s something he said reflects the community they come from.

“They resemble the South-Doyle community, because the South Doyle community is a blue-collar community. This bunch comes in (and) they work their tails off. They’re not prima donnas.

“And that’s from senior quarterback to freshman backup-

2022 SEASON RESULTS

backup-backup left tackle,” Shelton said. “Every single one of those kids are required (to be) accountable and they’re highcharacter kids because of that.”

The Cherokees open the season at Lenoir City Aug. 18. That’s followed by hosting back-to-back non-region games with Heritage and Austin-East. The team will open its Region 2-4A slate at against Carter on Sept. 8.

“…we have high-character kids that are working.”

— Paul Shelton Head Coach

2023 SOUTH-DOYLE CHEROKEES FOOTBALL ROSTER

RACHEL KOZEMKO.................................. HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

ETHAN SHELTON ........................................... STUDENT ASSISTANT

LUKE MITCHELL................................ STUDENT ASSISTANT/VIDEO

STEPHEN WOLFENBARGER ........................................... STATISTICS

DREW WOLFENBARGER ................................................. STATISTICS

JONATHAN MITCHELL .................. PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER

SOUTH-DOYLE FOOTBALL TSSAA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF RECORD

Overall Record: 15-13

Appearances (13): 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2001, 1995, 1992

2023 SOUTH - DOYLE HIGH SCHOOL C HEERLEADERS

2023 South-Doyle High School Senior

2023 CHEROKEES SUPPORT STAFF

2023 CHEROKEES PRESSBOX

Front Row (Left to right): Ashlyn Lawson, Paisley Zopp, and Isleigh Stephens. Middle Row: Abby Johnson, Hanna Zopp, Treja Davis, Maddie McIntrye, and Kaylyn Plowman. Back Row: Sydnee

Lawhorn, Elizabeth Lee, Cailey Wade, Ella Riley, Kayden Wiseman, and Alaina Bell.

2023 The Kings Academy Seniors

ELIJAH WILLIAMS - SMITH

JACKSON REED

PEYTON BROOKS BLAKE CRISLER

GARRETT COGDILL

LUKE JONES

NOT PICTURED: AMIR BERGIN

“Remember, once you set a goal, it’s all about how hard you’re willing to work, how much you’re willing to sacrifice and how badly you truly want it.”

— J.J. Watt

2023 THE KING’S ACADEMY FOOTBALL LIONS

THE KING’S ACADEMY

STRONG PLAY IN THE TRENCHES Shaking off injuries, Lions look to roar in ‘23

BY JASON DAVIS Special to Kickoff Football Preview

SEYMOUR -- The King’s Academy Lions are preparing for an exciting season, blending experienced veteran leadership with a new wave of talented athletes eager to leave their mark on TKA history.

JONATHAN SELLERS

Head Coach

5TH SEASON

Football Team and Individual photos by Tony Cox

Cheerleader Team and Individual Photos by Lynn

Stanger

Photography

Under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Sellers, the Lions are poised to return to the program’s winning ways following an injurymarred 2022 that resulted in the Lions’ first losing record since 2018.

The squad certainly has all the tools to turn things around.

While an obvious Lions’ strength is in the backfield

coaches – Coach Sellers said the true core of the offense is at the line of scrimmage. Senior Garrett Cogdill has started since he was an eighth grader and provides leadership on both sides of the ball for fellow linemen Luke Jones, Cade Brown and Maki Bell

THE KINGS ACADEMY LIONS

DIVISION II

CLASS A EAST REGION

ASSISTANT COACHES:

Brandon Bohanan

David Jefferson

Aaron Kirby

Deuce Shreve

Phillip Troutman

David Whaley

— quarterbacks Avery Jordan and Elijah Williams-Smith and running back Alijah Davidson can be nightmares for opposing

“He’s a dandy,” Sellers said of Cogdill.

Moving Cogdill from center to left guard will allow the Lions to do more in the team’s spread offense, and Sellers thrilled to see what the big man can accomplish.

“He’ll be one of the best ones that’s ever came through here,” Sellers said. “We’re really excited about what he’s going to be able to do.”

Job one will be protecting his quarterbacks.

That starts with junior QB Avery Jordan. An inexperienced Jordan was pressed into service last year when projected started

Elijah Williams-Smith was injured in preseason camp.

“(Last summer) all the way up until right the day before fall camp Avery would tell you, ‘I don’t expect to play any this year,’” Sellers said. “And then Elijah got hurt.”

In the beginning, there were some growing pains.

“It was a struggle for him, and it was a struggle for me,” Sellers said. “(But) then Week 2, you really saw who he could be.”

Learning from the miscues of his debut, Jordan rebounded to play incredibly in the team’s 34-24 win over Meigs County.

“He learned a lot from those mistakes and had one of the best games I’ve seen a quarterback at this school ever have,” Sellers said.

Throughout the season, Avery’s consistency grew, and he finished the final four games completing over 75% of his passes while throwing for over 200 yards in each contest.

“When Avery’s in the game, it’s more of a kind of a pro-style spread where we’re not doing as much of the zone read option stuff,” Sellers said. “He’s more of a pocket passer type guy.”

And, with Smith returning from last July’s injury sometime early this season, opponents will have to prepare for two different skillsets.

Williams-Smith is more active in the running game when

taking snaps, and missing all of last season has the senior QB chomping at the bit to get back on the field.

“I know this,” Sellers said, “the day a doctor tells him, hey, you’re good to go, you can play this Friday night, there won’t be a hungrier kid in the state of Tennessee.

“I’ve never seen a kid get more bad luck and just continuously fight and overcome it. And I’ll be highly emotional for him the Friday night he gets to get back out there and do what he loves to do.”

No matter which of the two QBs is on the field, Sellers said, expect good play from the Lions’ field generals.

“Whether it’s (Jordan) or when Elijah gets back, I think you’re going to see a much higher level of quarterback play, which is something … we’ve really prided ourselves on.”

PLAYMAKERS ABOUND

Once the ball leaves the quarterbacks’ hands, any number of Lions’ players could be making a path for the end zone, starting with shifty running back Alijah Davidson

The junior was among those sidelined for much of last season with injuries, but is now poised for a breakout year after a great offseason.

“You can really tell that he’s back to full strength and he’s playing really fast,” Sellers said. “He’s hard to tackle. He’s got

The

“I think you’re going to see a much higher level of quarterback play, which is something … we’ve really prided ourselves on.”

— Jonathan Sellers Head Coach

great explosion. (And) he also has an ability to catch the ball in the backfield too, which helps us out a ton.”

Sophomore running back David Canterbury will share the load with Davidson.

Canterbury earned playing time last year as a freshman and showed huge growth from Game 1 to the playoffs. With speed and a knack for elusiveness, his skills also translate as the Lions’ primary kick returner.

“I think you’re going to see both of those guys have really good years this year and complement each other,” Sellers said.

Leading the receiving corps for the TKA will be receivers Blake Crisler and Peyton Brooks, who both played many snaps for the Lions in 2022.

“(Blake’s) a really dynamic kid who’s really fast and can and can take a top off the defense. And then Peyton is a big, long, rangy receiver who is probably the smartest kid I have on my team,” Sellers said. “He’s great at making sure that everybody else is getting in line. This offseason he’s taken a really big leadership role with the receivers as far as helping them to come along.”

Joining Crisler and Brooks catching passes will be junior Brady Swaggerty, freshmen Jamil Smith and Landon Adkins, and sophomore tight end Jack Hamilton.

Sellers expects good things from both Swaggery and Smith, as they gain experience in the offense and showcase their respective skills, and he’s very excited about the prospects for Hamilton in the offense.

“This is the first time I think we’ve really had a true tight end,” Sellers said.

Amir Bergin, a senior baseball player who Sellers calls “very athletic,” came out for football in the spring and could also fit in to Lions’ scheme.

Eli Riffey, who kicked last year as a freshman, will again handle the Lions kicking duties and may be the team’s primary punter.

DEFENSE ALSO STARTS UP FRONT

Like the TKA offense, the defense could see some of its strongest play in the trenches.

And again, it’s Cogdill again who’s leading the way.

“He’s going to anchor the defensive line,” Sellers said.

Additionally, Sellers said, Cade Brown, Luke Jones, and Maki Bell are defensive linemen to watch out for.

Josh Myers, a co-op player from Berean Christian School (which doesn’t have a football program, and is thus allowed to suit up with TKA) will also be in the mix.

The leaders in the linebacking corps will include Davidson, Hamilton, and senior Matthew Shorey. Sellers credits Shorey

as being one of the hardest workers on the team.

“He’s one of those guys that he has worked his tail off since he was a freshman,” Sellers said. “And just because of different factors, the people that were in front of him … (he) never just got to walk out there at the start of the game on Friday nights and really been the guy,” the coach said. “I think this year with graduating a handful … and him being a senior, I think he has really bought in this offseason.”

Other linebackers who will play a role in the Lions’ defense are Triston Brown, Canterbury and Bergin.

In the secondary, TKA has lots of players looking to showcase their ability.

Crisler, who started every game last year at corner, is returning and will transition to play some safety, where he’ll team with an experienced Brooks.

At cornerback, fans will see a mixture of Swaggerty, Parker Ferree, Jamil Smith, and Brent Rhoton, among others.

THE GAUNTLET AHEAD

Coach Sellers and the team will kickoff the season with fourstraight non-conference opponents with at least double the enrollment of TKA — Grace Christian Academy of Knoxville, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Campbell County, and Lenoir City.

That murderers’ row wasn’t accidental.

Sellers said he scheduled tough early opponents that feature similar aspects to conference foes the Lions will face. Middle Tennessee Christian, a conference opponent, runs the singlewing offense — as does Lenoir City.

“That (can) help us prepare for games deeper in the playoffs,” Sellers said. “We’ve got to do something, that way if we encounter those guys or so many other quarterbacks in our state and our classification that we’re ready to go.

“You’re going to be playing teams that are bigger than you … And maybe for some of your kids, it’s going to be a rude awakening first thing in the season,” Sellers said. “But when you get to that region run, you’re going to be battle-tested.”

Opening night of the 2023 season is on the road Aug. 18 at Grace Christian.

2022 SEASON RESULTS

OPPONENT RESULT

VS. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY KNOX L 0-16

VS. MEIGS COUNTY W 34-24

VS. HOWARD L 12-19

VS. GRACE CHRISTIAN - KNOX L 8-28

VS. FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN L 0-33

VS. MIDDLE TENN. CHRISTIAN L 12-15

VS. LAKEWAY CHRISTIAN W 52-22

VS. WEBB SCHOOL W 54-38

VS. NOTRE DAME L 12-17

VS. TRINITY CHRISTIAN L 20-24

“You’re going to be playing teams that are bigger than you … …But when you get to that region run, you’re going to be battle-tested.”

— Jonathan Sellers Head Coach

2023 THE KING’S ACADEMY LIONS FOOTBALL ROSTER

THE KING’S ACADEMY FOOTBALL

TSSAA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF RECORD

2023 THE KING’S ACADEMY LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

All games played at 7:00 P.M. Schedule and times subject to change.

2023 The King’s Academy Seniors

Team and Senior Photos by Lynn Stanger Photography • lstanger@mac.com

2023 THE KING’S ACADEMY C HEERLEADERS

Back row (left to right): Maggie McKinney, Olivia Wehrle, Lily Knight, Reagan Russell, Addison Britton, Bella Lawson, Catherine Polk, and Georgia Kate Stanger Middle row: Lucy Day, Ansley

Ball, Aubrey Stockwell, Gracie Houser, and Giovanna Wilson

Front row: Kara Townsend, Leah Necaise, Macy Miller, and Riley Daft

GRACIE HOUSER

ANSLEY BALL CATHERINE POLK

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