AFTON—CadinTullock’s potential,andhisoptionsat widereceiver,seemlimitless thisseason.
Evenwhenashoulder injurysidelinedhimfora goodportionofthesummer, Chuckey-Doak’sseniorquar terbackstayedconnected astheBlackKnightstransi tionedtotheDallasKuykend allregime.
Tullockthrewfor1,225 yardsand12touchdowns againstsixinterceptionsin Chuckey-Doak’smorerunbased offense last fall. And theBlackKnightshavesince installed an offense that will makefrequentuseoffourwidereceiversets.
“Ithinkthematurityfor (Tullock)hasbeenthebig part,”Kuykendallsaid. “Whenhewasout,hewas abletotakeastepback andseethingsaswewere working through stuff. Now he’sabletojustplugbackin andgo.”
Nottomention,Tullock’s absencealsohelpedthe BlackKnightsbuilddepthat quarterback,asjuniorNick Palazzowasabletoguidethe Black Knight offense over the summer.FreshmenPeyton HiltonandBenPalazzoalso tookreps.
AndTullockisn’ttheonly BlackKnightreturningfrom aninjury.Seniorwidereceiv er Austin Morris caught five passesfor94yards,fourth mostontheteamlastseason, andatouchdownbeforehis season-endinginjuryagainst Grainger.
JuniorIsaiahTreadwayis
Aug.19atKnoxvilleCatholic Aug.26HAPPYVALLEY Sept.1atJohnsonCounty Sept.9atGrainger Sept.23atSouthGreene Sept.30atUnicoiCounty Oct.7atCumberlandGap Oct.14CLAIBORNE Oct.21NORTHGREENE Oct.28WESTGREENE
atKnoxvilleCatholicL7-63 atHappyValleyW14-0
JOHNSONCOUNTYW48-12 GRAINGERL6-28 SOUTHGREENEL12-48 UNICOICOUNTYL12-20
CUMBERLANDGAPW28-22 atClaiborneW39-20 atNorthGreeneW39-0 atWestGreeneW32-16
Playoffs
GATLINBURG-PITTMANL35-40
theBlackKnights’topreturn ingwidereceiverstatistically, havingcaught13passesfor 271yardsandthreescoreshis sophomoreyear.
BrockRush,another
junior,caughtsixpassesfor 40yardslastfallandhas emergedasanotherthreatfor Chuckey-Doak,alongwithse niorsJoshGuy,WillGarber andDillonShelton.
NO. NAME
POS. HT. WT. GRADE
3 ElijahElliott LB/RB 5-11 170 Sr.
4 DillonShelton LB/RB 6-2 215 Sr.
6 RioLittle OLB/RB 5-11 160 Sr.
8 NicholasPalazzo DB/QB 6-4 180 Jr.
10 AustinMorris WR/DB 6-2 165 Sr.
11 CadinTullock DB/QB 6-4 175 Sr.
13 BrasenMurvin LB/RB 5-11 180 Jr.
14 BrockRush WR/DB 5-9 170 Jr.
15 BenPalazzo LB/QB 5-10 190 Fr.
17 EthanHeimiller DB/WR 6-0 135 Fr.
18 PeytonHilton LB/QB 6-0 150 Fr.
19 WilliamJohnson WR/DB 5-6 110 Fr.
20 DominicHahnlen DB/WR 5-9 124 Fr.
22 TrinityVanheel DB/RB 5-6 135 So.
23 GageHill LB/RB 5-11 165 Fr.
24 JoshGuy LB/RB 5-11 187 Sr.
26 AustinSmith DB/WR 6-0 140 Jr.
27 JosephSasala LB/RB 5-5 145 Fr.
30 WillGarber DB/WR 6-0 160 Sr.
31 MichaelMiller DB/WR 6-1 190 Fr.
32 ElijahElliott LB/RB 5-10 145 So.
34 JamesSeidl LB/RB 5-10 180 So.
35 TayvinSexton LB/RB 5-10 150 Fr.
40 DannyTuberville DB/WR 5-10 125 Fr.
44 HaydenRoper LB/RB 5-9 140 Fr. 45 BillyHahnlen DB/WR 5-11 135 So. 46 JonahCochran DB/WR 5-9 155 So.
52 WestonWard DL/OL 6-0 250 So.
53 BlakeWalker DL/OL 5-11 230 So.
54 EoinNeas DL/OL 6-2 250 Jr.
58 CaydenMasters DL/OL 6-1 210 Jr. 60 JacobFerguson DL/OL 5-9 165 Sr. 61 NoahMentz DL/OL 5-11 210 Fr. 62 LeilandHensley DL/OL 6-4 245 Jr.
63 BrysonThompson DL/OL 6-0 255 Sr. 64 ThomasSmith DL/OL 5-8 165 69 RichardSasala DL/OL 5-11 240 Sr.
70 KeatonSmith DL/OL 5-7 150 So.
74 NathanNorton DL/OL 6-2 320 Sr.
75 IsaacWaycaster DL/OL 6-0 300 Jr.
77 RanceTipton DL/OL 6-0 260 Sr.
78 TylerHoneycutt DL/OL 6-0 180 Fr.
79 AustinSchwartz DL/OL 6-0 235 Fr. 80 TysonWilliams DE/TE 6-1 170 Sr. 84 XavierHernandez DB/WR 5-10 130 Fr. 85 ColtonTeaster DB/WR 5-9 130 Fr. 88 IsaiahTreadway DB/WR 6-2 165 Jr.
“That was one of the first thingsItalkedtoCoach (Chris)Sloneabout,the athleteswehadontheedge,” Kuykendallsaid.“Thoseguys cancreatematchupissuesfor thedefense.They’vedonea
goodjobofthat,takingcon troloftheirresponsibilities.”
MURVIN RIGHT ALONG Butdon’tthinkChuck ey-Doakwillabandonits
groundgame.Notwith juniorBrasenMurvininthe backfield.
Despitemissingtwogames, includingChuckey-Doak’s
SUN PHOTO BY J.D. VAUGHN Chuckey-Doak senior quarterback Cadin Tullock (second from left) watches the Black Knights during 7-on-7 drills.
Class 3A playoff defeat to Gatlinburg-Pittman, Murvin rushed for 1,472 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry and 163.6 yards a game and broke the 100-yard mark six times in the nine games he played.
Oh, and he could give Tullock another option out of the backfield in the passing game.
“When you’ve got a guy like Brasen who can bust it loose on any given play, it really helps us offensively,” Kuykendall said. “Kind of a pick your poison situation where we can do either one (run or pass).”
Among Chuckey-Doak’s returnees, Tullock ran for the second most yards in 2021 with 134 yards and three
scores.
As a junior, Rio Little by far led the Black Knights in tackles (80) and stops for
loss (10), while also recording two sacks and recovering a fumble.
He’ll play a hybrid outside linebacker position in Chuckey-Doak’s 3-3 stack base defense.
“Rio does an excellent job for us,” Kuykendall said.
Shelton and Guy, along with sophomore Hayden Roper and senior Cayden Masters — who can also play on the defensive line — give
the Black Knights plenty of returning experience at linebacker.
Guyhad45tackleslastfall, tiedforsecondmost,withthree TFLandtwoforcedfumbles.
Treadway, Morris, Garber
and Rush will return to the Black Knight secondary at cornerback, with junior Aus tin Smith joining the starting lineup at safety. Treadway posted 43 tackles, four for loss, while intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble in 2021. Morris and Rush are the only other returning players to intercept a pass.
Once more, four-year start er Nathan Norton will anchor the Black Knights’ line — playing offensive tackle along with defensive end and nose.
“Nathan sets the tone for us,” Kuykendall noted.
Fellow senior Bryson Thompson and junior Isaac Waycaster return at offensive guard, while junior Toney Hensley joins the O-line at tackle. Seniors Rance Tipton, James Sasala, Jacob Fer guson and Tyson Williams should all see time on the offensive and defensive lines, with Tipton playing at center.
It’sagreattimetobea GreenevilleGreeneDevil.
The Devils are coming off a12-1seasonandaRegion 1-4Achampionship.They returnabouthalfoftheir startersfromayearago,and theyhavenewturftodefend. Literally.
During the offseason, improvementsatBurley Stadium,homeoftheDevils, includednewprofession algradeturf.Andavideo boardforthesouthendzone couldbeinstalledduringthe season.
“There’salotofexcite ment,”saidGreeneville coachEddieSpradlen.“The turf was the first big project wegotstarted.Ifyouwalked onourturflastyear,itwas prettyrough,kindoflike old school astroturf stuff. It was just worn down to the
pointwherethekids’safety wasgoingtobeanissue.Our schoolsystemsteppedup andhelpeduswithit.Justa lotofsupportfromalotof people.
“Ithinkit’sthebestlook ingturfsincewe’vehadturf. Itreallypopswithallthe blacksandgreens.Andwe werefortunatetogetlikea $40,000upgradeontheturf thatwedidn’thavetopayfor becausetheyhadsurplusof turf they put on NFL fields. It’soneofthetop-notch fields around.”
Thevideoboardinthe worksistotallybeingpaid
forbyprivatedonations, Spradlensaid,whichfurther cementswhatGreeneville footballmeanstothecom munity.
“Weformedacommittee withsomeofthefootball boosterparents.I’mon there,mywife’sonthere.We just went around and tried togetthemoneyforthis board,”Spradlensaid.“It’sa boardthat’snotgoingtocost theschoolsystemanything. Hopefully,itwillbebigfor theschoolbygeneratingrev enuewehavenothadbefore throughcommercialsonthe board.Thatshouldhelpthe
Aug. 19 KNOX CENTRAL Aug.26atGrainger
Sept. 1 ELIZABETHTON Sept.9atMorristownWest Sept.16atVolunteer Sept.23atDobyns-Bennett Sept. 30 SEYMOUR
Oct.7atOakRidge Oct.14atSullivanEast Oct. 21 MORRISTOWN EAST
BOLD — HOME GAME
2021 RESULTS
atKnoxCentralW42-17
GRAINGER W 78-6 atElizabethtonW42-12
MORRISTOWN WEST W 55-7 VOLUNTEER W 63-7 DOBYNS-BENNETT W 35-7 atSeymourW66-7
OAK RIDGE W 35-9 SULLIVAN EAST W 88-0 atMorristownEastW49-7 Playoffs
SOUTH-DOYLE W 49-14 FULTON W 56-12 ELIZABETHTON L 13-7
wholeathleticprogramin thelongrun.”
On the field, Greeneville willbelookingforanother regionchampionshipand another deep playoff run. As hasbeenthecasethepast fewyears,theElizabethton Cyclones figure to be the
Devils’biggestfoes.
Lastseason,Greeneville throttledtheCyclones42-12 atElizabethtoninWeek3 butlost13-7totheCyclones at home in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
“InEastTennessee,when youtalkabout4Afootball,
you’regoingtotalkabout threeschools–Anderson County,Elizabethtonand Greeneville,”Spradlensaid. “Ofcourse,Fultonusedto alwaysbeinthatconversa tion.Theywentto5Aand nowthey’rebackto4A.And thenyouaddSouth-Doyle in4A.ThatRegion2isa realcompetitiveregion.And somebodyinRegion1orRe gion2hasachancetoplay inthestatechampionship everyyear.
“Obviously,Iknowwhich teamIwantthattobe.But rightnow,wedon’twantto talkaboutastatechampion ship.Ourgoalistogetbetter gametogameeachweekand beregionchamps.”
Sure,Greenevillegraduat edplaymakerslikeMr.Foot ball finalist running back MasonGudgerandreceiver Ja’KobiGillespie,butthe cupboardisfarfrombare.
Offensive starters return ingfromayearagoinclude seniorquarterbackBrady Quillen,seniorreceivers Adjatay Dabbs and Mason
Greene-Greeneville Agency 1431 W. Main Street Greeneville,TN37743-4523
Phone:639-7212 Fax:639-7215
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SUN PHOTO BY J.D. VAUGHN
Greeneville’s Brady Quillen winds up to throw a deep pass.
Laws,seniorlinemanTy Williamsandjuniorlineman KameronLester.
In2021,Quillencom pleted100of141passesfor 2,169yardsand27touch downswhilethrowingjust fourinterceptions.Hewas alsoGreeneville’ssec ond-leadingrusherwith256 yardsandseventouchdowns on67carries.
“It’shardwhenyoulose game-changingguyslike MasonGudgerandJa’Kobi Gillespie,guysyoudon’tget everyyear.ButI’mreallyex citedabouttheguyswehave comingbackandthatstarts withBradyatquarterback,” Spradlensaid.“Heworks hardeverydayintheweight roomandinpractice.He givesyouhisalleveryday.
He’sourlonereturningteam captain.Thethingabout himthathasreallystoodout inpreseasoncampishow goodhe’sbeenrunningthe football.He’sjustbeenreal physical.”
JuniorquarterbackCorbin Cannonalsoreturnsafter completing21of41passes for588yardsand11TDs withtwointerceptionsas Quillen’sbackupin2021.
“We’refortunatetohave anotherquarterbacklike Corbin,”Spradlensaid.“He competeshardandwants tobethestarterlikealot ofotherguyscompetingat different positions. He’s had agreatsummer,andwefeel likewehavetwoquarter backswecanwinwith.If Corbinhastogointhegame, wefeelrealcomfortablewith himbeinginthere.”
DamienShort,a5-foot-10, 200-poundsenior,should
getthebulkofthecarriesout of the backfield. In 2021, he ranfor134yardsandtwo TDson18carries.
AmanuelDickson,a 6-foot,190-poundju nior,ZacChrisman,a6-1, 220-poundjunior,Bryson Myers,a6-1,215-pound junior,andCarsonQuillen,a 5-10,180-poundsophomore, willalsogettouchesoutof the backfield.
“Damienisabig,physical guy,”Spradlensaid.“He’s notaguywho’sgoingto makeyoumissalot,he’sgo ingtorunyouover.Alotof peoplearen’tgoingtowant totacklehimoverandover.”
DabbsandLawsareGreen eville’stopreturningreceiv ers.Withgreatleapingability andspeed,Dabbscaught 28passesfor573yardsand sevenTDsayearago.And LawswasGreeneville’sbest possessionreceiverin2021,
catching19passesfor473 yardsandsixscoreswhile beinglimitedbyinjury.
SeniorJayquanPrice (sevencatches,186yards andthreeTDsin2021)and CarsonQuillenwillalsoget theirshareofcatches.
“Wegraduatedsomereally qualityreceiversinJa’Kobi andJadenStevenson.But I’masexcitedaboutthis year’sbunchofreceivers asIwaswithlastyear’s,” Spradlensaid.“Ifthereisa betterreceivingduoinEast TennesseethanAdjatay DabbsandMasonLaws,I wouldbesurprised.Those aretalenteddudes.AndCar sonisaguywhocantakethe balltothehouseanytime hetouchesit,andJayquan couldhavebeenastarter onmostanyteamaround lastyearbuthewasstuck behindguyslikeJa’Kobiand Jaden.”
Startersonthelinewill includeLester(6-2,245)at righttackle,Williams(6-4, 290)atrightguard,senior ChristianFeltner(5-10,305) atcenter,sophomoreBran donIezzi(6-foot,265)atleft guardandseniorAveryHar ris(6-foot,255)atlefttackle. SeniorBrysonBird(6-1, 210)andfreshmanBishop Merriweather(6-3,325)will alsoseetimeupfront.
CodyBaughistakingover as offensive coordinator in placeofDavidCrawford, whosteppeddownafterlast seasontojointhecoaching staff at Maryville College.
BaughwasGreeneville’s passinggamecoordinator thepasttwoseasons.Those dutiesnowbelongtoAdam Hansel.
“Ihatedtoseecoach Crawfordleave.Hedidalot of good stuff for the Green evilleHighSchoolfootball
program,”Spradlensaid.“At thesametime,I’mexcited for the future of the offensive coaching staff.”
“You’vegottobegoodon defenseifyou’regoingtobe agoodfootballteamyear-in, year-out,”saidSpradlen, whooverseesastingy defensethatallowed185 yardsandjustninepoints agamein2021.“Wetakea lotofprideinwhatwedo. It’saboutbeingtoughand playinghard,anditallstarts withhowweworkinthe weightroom.”
Defensivestartersreturn ingfromayearagoinclude MyersandLesteronthe line,Chrismanatinside linebackerandatdefensive end,DicksonandShortat
BAILEYTON — For the first time in a decade, North Greene tasted the playoffs in 2021.
Butdon’texpectsec ond-yearcoachEricTilson todocartwheelsovera playoff berth this fall. In his eyes, that’s become an expectationfortheHuskies.
“We want to win a playoff game,” Tilson said. “That is the goal.”
The 2022 Huskies would be the first team in school history to accomplish the feat if they reach that goal.
With a full offseason this time,Tilsonnotonlyknew what his team had but was able to make adjustments in plentyoftimeforAugust.
Anditdidn’texactlyhurt Tilson to have the project ed starting quarterback in hisclassduringthespring semester. Junior quarterback GraysonCollinshastakenall the first-team snaps this sum mer,movingfromreceiver whereheledtheHuskieswith 10catchesfor68yardsand twoscoreslastyear.
And with his lacrosse experience, Collins has acquired the ability to see the entire field — ideal for a dual-threat quarterback.
“We were able to sit in my office, watch film, draw plays, and say this is what defenses can do (against us),” Tilson recalled.
And while the Huskies
Aug.19atUnaka
Aug.26CASTLEWOOD,VA.
Sept.2LAKEWAYCHRISTIAN
Sept.9JELLICO
Sept.16atRedBoilingSprings
Sept.23WESTGREENE
Sept. 30 at Cosby
Oct.7SOUTHGREENE
Oct.21atChuckey-Doak Oct.28atCloudland
NO. NAME
POS. HT. WT. GRADE
1 WalkerHayes WR/DB 6-1 195 Sr.
2 LeelanNorton TE/DL 5-11 155 So.
3 YeshuaVaught RB/LB 5-11 180 So.
4 NicholasMitchell WR/DB 6-1 140 Jr.
5 LeviFinkle RB/DB 5-5 140 Sr.
6 Colton Robbins TE/DL 6-2 185 Jr.
7 TimothyLetts WR/DB 5-11 130 So.
8 ChristianCogdill RB/LB Fr.
9 ThomasDarnell WR/DB 6-2 160 Fr.
10 Kaleb Fields WR/DB 6-2 160 So.
11 GraysonCollins QB/DB 5-9 165 Jr.
13 Jake Duffy WR/DB 5-9 145 So.
14 Corbin Hayes RB/LB 6-0 185 Sr.
16 Isaac Gaby QB/DB 5-4 135 Fr.
18 RyderStover RB/DB 5-7 130 Fr.
19 WyattBurns WR/DL 6-1 165 Fr.
20 Dominick Robbins WR/DB 5-7 115 So.
21 DaimianPhillips WR/DB 5-9 135 Fr.
41 RickyBear TE/LB 5-11 170 Fr.
51 DamianBurns OL/LB 5-10 205 Sr.
52 CarsonCulp OL/LB 6-1 180 Jr.
54 EliJohnson OL/DL 6-1 225 Fr.
60 MasonBarrett OL/DL 6-2 175 Fr.
61 AdamBernard OL/DL 5-11 215 Fr.
64 EianSmith OL/DL 5-10 185 Jr.
70 SkylerMiller OL/DL 5-9 300 Fr.
71 DaltonNickles OL/DL 5-11 225 Sr.
72 BlakeHurd OL/DL 5-6 230 Fr.
75 OwenPierce OL/DL 5-9 250 Fr. 76 AJTaylor OL/DL 5-10 170 Fr. 79 WestonBarrett OL/DL 5-11 250 So.
Newcomer of the Year returning to the backfield. Sophomore running back Yeshua Vaught averaged nearly 5 yards per car ry his freshman year, rushing for 377 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Levi Finkle and freshman Christian Cogdill will accompany Vaught behind Collins.
sophomore Jake Duffy have caught several short routes throughout the preseason, with junior Nic Mitchell emerging as a deep threat.
pecially with freshmen Eli Johnson and Owen Pierce already projected to start.
plan to throw the ball more this year, they won’t be switching to an air raid
offense.
Especially with the reigning Region 1-A
And while Collins had more receptions last fall than the rest of North Greene’s receivers com bined, he’ll have his share of weapons. Junior tight end Colton Robbins and
And don’t be surprised to see freshmen in the mix too — such as Thomas Darnell, Daimian Phillips and Wyatt Burns. Kaleb Fields, another junior who can serve as backup quar terback behind Collins, will also catch passes for North Greene.
Tilson noted this year’s offensive line might be the youngest he’s coached, es
“Coming in the weight room, they’re already our strongest kids,” Tilson said. “Curious to see how they mature along, especially once they play against 17- and 18-yearolds up front.”
Johnson and Pierce will occupy the tackle positions. Senior Damian Burns and sophomore Weston Barrett will play at guard, with junior Carson
SUN PHOTO BY J.D. VAUGHN North Greene’s Yeshua Vaught (3) runs after intercepting a pass in the end zone against McMinn County during 7-on-7 drills.linebackerspots,andDabbs andLawsinthesecondary.
Williamswillalsobeon theline.
“Tyisaguywithsomebigtime college offers,” Spradlen said.“He’sabig,athleticguy. Youcouldseehisathletic abilityonthebasketball courtlastyear.We’rereally excitedabouthim.He’shad a really good offseason.”
Senior Jalen Short (6-6, 265), sophomore Quinton Humphrey (6-3, 266), Felt ner,Iezzi,Harris,Birdand Merriweather (6-3, 325) will alsoseetimeontheline.
DicksonledGreenevillein tackleslastseasonasasoph omore, making 74 stops, 46 assists,12tacklesforloss, foursacksandintercepting twopasses.
“Youknowwhatkindof
dude Amanuel is,” Spradlen said.“We’reexpectingan even bigger year from him.”
Junior Nik Pillar and sophomoreDrewArmbris terarealsointhemixat linebacker. “He’s out there fighting Damienforplayingtimeat rover,” Spradlen said. “We’d like for Nik to Page 8 • Pigskin Preview • Saturday, August 20, 2022 GreenevilleSun.com over that jobtogiveDamienachance torestsohecanalwaysbeCulp at center.
Much like his first year, Tilson pointed to the Huskies’ linebacking corps
as their strongest suit defensively.
Even with the graduation of Tyler Sanches, who led North Greene in rushing and tackles last fall, the Huskies return Vaught and Burns to their four-man front. The two combined for 57 tackles a year ago with Burns recording 4 1/2
tackles for loss, recovering a fumble and scoring a defensive touchdown.
“Damian was lights out for us last year,” Tilson said.
Look for sophomore transfer Leelan Norton to make an impact too, having surprised Tilson during the offseason.
Robbins and Culp will anchor the defensive line, the former having led the Huskies in sacks with 3 1/2 last season while posting 7 1/2 stops for loss. Corbin Hayes, another senior who will play both ways, will move to the D-line.
Mitchell, who will play cornerback, grabbed one
of North Greene’s four in terceptions in 2021, while also recording a safety and blocking a kick.
Senior Walker Hayes will move from the defensive line to free safety.
“He’s gained a few inch es this offseason, and he’s gotten faster,” Tilson said.
“Corbin, he played against
probably the three best O-lines late in the sea son. He played extremely well last year, so I’d like to see him come into his own.”
Collins is also projected to return to safety, with Duffy and Finkle both likely to see time there and cornerback.
Forthepastsixseasons, it’sbeenagivenfactthata Myerswouldbequarterback ingtheSouthGreenefootball team.
TheMyersbrothers,Levi andLuke,helpedlastyear’s seniorclasspostatotalof 44victoriesduringtheir fouryearsofplayingfootball onTheHill.That’saschool record.
TheMyersboysaregone, andthat’sabigdealforcoach ShawnJonesandhisRebels. Butthecurrentcropofse niorshavealottoshootfor.
“What’ssortofoddisthis groupofseniors,ifthey haveagoodyear,couldpass lastyear’sseniorsingetting over44wins,andsetthe recordthemselves,”Jones saidwhentalkingaboutthe 2022edition.“Thatgivesthis bunchsomethingreallybig toshootfor.”
Preseasonscrimmages havebeenpositive,Jones said,anditmightnotbeas bigarebuildingyearasmay besomepeoplehavethought itwouldbe.
CurrentplansareforSouth Greenetouseapairofyoung quarterbacks,asophomore andafreshman,andJones saidsofarbothsignalcallers havebeendoingagoodjob.
“Bothhavethepedigree,” Jonessmiles.“JacobSusong (thesophomore),hisdad playeduphere,andNash Rader(thefreshman),well hisdadandunclebothwere standoutsatSouthGreene. We’regoingtosendthem bothouttheretoalternate the first couple of series, and
whoeverhasthehothand willprobablystayoutthere.”
Itwasasurprisetosome thattheRebelsarenotgoing withConnerRace,ajunior whowasthejuniorvarsity quarterbackandgotinsome timecallingsignalslastyear forthevarsity.
“Connorplayedalotlast year,butheplayedalotof runningbackforusthelast twogamesanddidagreat job,”Jonessaid.“Susong gotinalotofrepsafterLuke (Myers)gothurtlateinthe year.Connorwantedto playatrunningback.Then alongcomesNashRader.He hasthetools,too.Playing younger kids up here is fine ifitgivesusabetterchance towin.IthinkcoachBurns willdoagoodjobindevising awaytoprotectthoseyoung guys.We’rereallyexcited aboutthefutureofbothof thosequarterbacks.Theyare goodfriends.We’llthrow bothofthemoutthereand seewhathappens.”
Itcouldbeinthefuture thatoneofthoseyoungsters mightlineupsomewhere else on the field, “but not rightnow.Theyareboth quarterbacks.”
Throwingthefootballwas amajorpartofthegame planforSouthGreenewith theMyersboys,anddon’t lookfortheRebelstoscrap thatplanastheyhavesome qualityreceivers.
CodyRamboisbackforhis seniorcampaignandwillline upintheslotandwilllikely beafavoritetargetofthe passer.JuniorDionBlairwill beatareceiver.
JaceRoderick,anoth ersophomore,is6-4and
2022 SOUTH GREENE REBELSAug.20–atDanielBoone
Aug. 26 – KNOX CATHOLIC
Sept.2–atHappyValley Sept.9–atWestGreene
Sept. 16 – CUMBERLAND GAP
Sept. 23 – CHUCKEY-DOAK
Sept. 30 – HAMPTON
Oct.7–atNorthGreene
Oct.14–atJohnsonCounty Oct.21–atSeymour
thebasketballplayerhas goodhandswhichmakes himshowalotofpromise, accordingtothecoach.TJ Bucknerisajunior,another basketballproduct,who missedhissophomoreyear afterplayingasafreshman andhewillalsohelpatre ceiverasanother6-4frame. SeniorIsiahEaleyalso returns.SophomoreTrey
Gentry has also gotten off to agoodstartinthepreseason.
JuniorsNoahRobinson andLeviTreadwaywillbe thetightendcandidates.Se niorPhillipBlair,whoblew outhiskneeintheseason openeragainstDanielBoone lastyearandmissedtheyear, isalsoreturning.
“Wehavealotofguysat theskillpositionsthatcan
DANIEL BOONE L 14-23 atKnoxvilleCatholicL0-52
HAPPY VALLEY W 39-8
WEST GREENE W 48-7 atCumberlandGapW45-6 atChuckey-DoakW48-12 atHamptonW28-22
NORTH GREENE W 47-0
JOHNSON COUNTY W 43-2
SEYMOUR W 28-21
Playoffs
YORK INSTITUTE W 42-0
ONEIDA L 21-35
movearound,”Jonessaid.
Jones is a firm believer in how good an offense can be dependsupontheworkof thebigboysthatareplaying infrontofthem,thoseline menwhoareprotectingand openingholes.
“Maybethemostimport antpartofaballteam,”
Jonessaid.“Lastyearwe actuallyhadanewstarting line.Buttheycamealong. Theyweren’tverybig,but theywerequicktolearn.”
SeniorZanderThompson willbecountedontoanchor thisyear’slineashereturns
PAGE
to the center position. He’ll be joined up front by junior Jacob Warren, senior Chris Belt, and sophomores Bredan Lisenby and Seth Franklin. Senior Logan Angel will be present along the line at times, as will junior Chris White and junior Garritt Ricker.
Two freshmen have impressed the coaching staff with their showing in presea son: Heath Norton and Zach Bledsoe.
“If they are going to play, we don’t look at them as freshmen anymore,” the coach said.
Senior Derek Miller will anchor the Rebel defense. A three-year starter, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the conference last season and will be counted on so much, the coach noted.
The linebacking corps looks solid with Keshawn Engram, a junior, Noah Robinson, Rambo and senior Hunter Burkey. Logan Angel will start at nose tackle. The rest of the defensive line could be any number of people from Chris Belt to Zander Thompson, Seth Franklin, Phillip Blair, Jacob Warren, Garritt Ricker, and Treadway.
“In our scrimmage the other day we played 21 guys,” Jones smiled. “That’s a lot for us.”
The secondary could include safety Isiah Ealey while Connor Race, senior Conner Marshall, Buckner, Roderick and Dion Blair are candidates. Thomas Tesner, a senior who didn’t play as a junior, will play at corner.
The coach said Keshawn Engram will handle the kickoff
2 Jace Roderick So.
3 Nash Rader Fr.
4 Phillip Blair Sr.
5 Noah Robinson Jr.
8 Cody Rambo Sr.
9 Caleb Smith Sr.
10 Trey Gentry So. 11 Isiah Ealey Sr.
12 Zeke Rader So.
Jacob Susong So.
Conner Race Jr.
Conner Marshall Sr.
Dion Blair Jr.
Levi Treadway Jr.
Keshawn Engram Jr.
29
Thomas Tesner Sr.
31 Hunter Burkey Sr.
Jeff Dotson So.
Derek Miller Sr.
Brant Wilhoit Fr.
41 Lucas Couch Fr.
Jovan Pendleton Fr.
Charlie Lane Fr.
Antonio Turner Fr.
Braxton Wilhoit Fr.
Seth Franklin So. 51 Jacob Warren Jr. 52 Christian White Jr.
Zachary Bledsoe Fr.
Zander Thompson Sr. 55 Bredan Lisenby So.
Heath Norton Fr.
Colton Silvers Fr.
Josh Kirby Sr.
Garritt Ricker Jr.
PJ Snyder So.
Noah Hensley Fr.
Bryson Banks Sr.
Cameron Smith So.
Logan Angel Sr.
Chris Belt Sr.
Skyler Casteel Sr.
Aj Johnson Sr.
Andrew Silvers So.
TJ Buckner Jr.
Evan Stills Fr.
Tyler Banks So.
duties and extra point kicker, but freshman Brant Wilhoit is progressing and should be a good one before he leaves Rebel Hill. Engram will also handle the punting duties.
“Special teams are im portant and we work on that every day in practice,” Jones noted.
Connor Race, Dion Blair
and possible Thomas Tesner will be kick returners.
Jones said he expects Hampton to be the team to beat for league honors. With only four teams in the district, a playoff berth is assured for each team, but Jones said getting a home game for the opener is crucial.
West Greene coach Scotty Verran and his band of Buffaloes had to feel pretty good about how last season ended, even though the outcome was a first round playoff loss as the team went through a 4-6 cam paign.
As the third place team in their district, the Buffaloes were relegated to a road game for the first round of the playoffs and fought highly favored Pigeon Forge down to the wire before dropping a 21-20 decision.
“They played very well in that playoff game, and we certainly had a chance
Aug.19–UNIONCOUNTY
Aug. 26 – at Northview Academy
Sept.1–CLAIBORNE
Sept.9–SOUTHGREENE
Sept. 16 – at Johnson County
Sept. 23 – at North Greene
Sept.30–CLOUDLAND
Oct. 7 – at Cherokee
Oct.14–UNICOICOUNTY
Oct. 28 – at Chuckey-Doak
BOLD — HOME GAME
to win,” coach Verran said when sizing up his 2022 edition of the Buffs. “But overall we were pleased last year. We got off to a good start (winning four of the first five), but the second half of our schedule was loaded. We had Cloudland,
we had Unicoi, who went on to be our conference champs, and we had Chuck ey-Doak, who finished second. You put Cherokee, a 5A school in there, and the back end of the schedule was pretty tough.
“The good thing is I think
at Union County W 24-16 at Claiborne W 49-14 at South Greene L 7-48
JOHNSONCOUNTYW22-14 NORTHGREENEW27-0 at Cloudland L 7-20 CHEROKEEL28-44 at Unicoi County L 10-28 at Chuckey-Doak L 16-32 Playoffs at Pigeon Forge L 20-21
BOLD — HOME GAME
we had a chance to win about all of our games, and that’s all you can ask for from your team. Be com petitive and give yourself a chance to win, and for the most part, that’s what we did.”
The 2022 team has some good players to replace, but there are some quality peo ple returning that gives the coach hope for a successful campaign.
“We’ll really miss (kicker) Blair Shelton,” Verran said.
“He was a true weapon. It’s hard to replace some body that can get you three points if you get the ball to the 20. Plus his kickoffs were to the end zone, and teams having to start from their 20 means a lot.”
Chief among the re turnees this year, and the player’s name that is most often mentioned by oppos ing coaches, is senior Ethan Turner. Verran and his coaching staff are devising ways to keep teams from double teaming him at his receiver post.
“We’ll move him every where on offense – wide, wing, places where we can
Greeneville |Jonesborough |JohnsonCity |Morristown |Cleveland MemberFDIC
keep people from doubling him,” Verran said. “The main thing we’ve done is put Jaden Gregg (last year’s quarterback) into a receiver spot. That gives us another go-to receiver and the de fense won’t be as apt to load up on Turner.”
The speedy Gregg quar terbacked last year, and did a fine job. But the move is one that Verran thinks can help the offense, especially since Dawson Daniels (6-0, 185, jr.) seems ready to step in at signal-caller.
Getting Gregg (5-11, 175, sr.) into space will be among the chief objects of the offense.
“It gives us a chance to put another athlete on the field, and if he does get into
space he’s gone,” the coach said. “He scored three times in a scrimmage against Cosby last week.”
Verran has been pleased with Daniels in the presea son work.
“He’s still got some work to do, but he’s making progres sions on his reads and he’s refining his mechanics,” Ver ran noted. “He’s played some at the varsity level so it’s not like he’s new. He played the second half against Pigeon Forge last year after Jaden got a concussion.”
The wide receiver corps can be one of the strengths of the team, with Turn er, Jaden Gregg, Hunter Gregg, Baxley Britton, and sophomore Austin Franklin all capable. Hunter Gregg (5-11, 190, sr.) and Wyatt “Doc” Moody (5-6, 185,
2022 WEST GREENE BUFFALOES
jr.) will likely see starting action at running back.
The offensive line will be anchored by Alex Jiminez (5-11, 360, sr.) who returns at center. Another key figure on the front line, both offense and defense, will be Roger Marshall (6-2, 215, sr.), who tied with Turner for leader in tackles last year with 85.
Braden McCamey (6-0, 220, soph.), Justin Sentelle (6-1, 220, jr.), and Zach Carroll (6-1, 260, jr.) are also likely starters across the front line, with junior Mad dox Garber at tight end.
Turner is obviously a key part of the defense as well from his linebacker spot.
“Ethan is a big kid (6-3, 200, sr.) who loves the
weight room,” Verran said. “He’s a big body and really likes to play defense. I think he can play at the next level. He’s a 4.7 or 4.8 (40) now and he would only get faster if he plays at the next level.”
Verran has a good crew of linebackers with Turner on the outside and Moody
and Maddox Garber (5-10, 225, jr.) on the inside. With last year’s top two tacklers back in Turner and Marshall, plus speed in the secondary in Jaden and Hunter Gregg, Franklin, Daniels and Britton, it’s no wonder the coach feels the defense might be ahead of
the offense at this stage of the year.
Sylas DeBord (5-10, 350, sr.) is another returnee who will provide help on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Although Shelton will no longer be available to call on for kicking duties, Verran feels he has that area of the game covered with Dawson Daniels and Hunter Gregg handling the punt duties, and Gregg taking over the extra point and field goal duties.
“He (Gregg) plays soccer, so he can kick it,” the coach noted. “We’re not desperate there.”
Verran feels Unicoi County will have to be the favorite to repeat as league champions. Chuckey-Do ak also returns plenty of players and should be right there at the top, the coach said. He said he and the rest of the league members will be fighting for the remain ing two playoff spots.
The Buffs open the season at home to Union County Aug. 19. That night will celebrate the 50th year an niversary of football at West Greene High, with many players from that 1972 team along with coach Jim Sauceman, for whom the football field at the school is named, expected to be in attendance.
NO. NAME GRADE
1 Ethan Turner Sr.
2 Austin Franklin So.
3 Evan Wilder Fr.
4 Justin Cutshaw Fr.
6 Payton Norman So.
7 Jaden Gregg Sr.
8 Trevor Knight Fr.
9 Mason McCamey Jr.
11 Aiden Adams So.
12 Hunter Gregg Sr.
13 Robert Scruggs Jr.
14 Dawson Daniels Jr.
15 Evan Dearinger Jr.
16 Zackary Barkley So.
18 Baxley Britton Jr.
20 Maddox Garber Jr.
23 Edan Porter Fr. 25 Ean Kieffer So. 34 Alex Johnson So. 35 Jacob Greene So. 40 William Bahr Jr. 44 Wyatt Moody Jr.
50 Evelyn Moreno So. 51 Camren Coffey So. 52 Roger Marshall Sr. 55 Caidyn Fortner Fr.
56 Damion Sentelle Fr.
58 Zach Carroll Jr. 60 Dillon Teston So. 63 Matthew Birmanghan Fr. 65 Justin Sentelle Jr.
67 Tyler Melton Jr. 70 Braden McCamey So.
71 Alex Jimenez Sr. 72 Landon Jones So. 73 Jaden Ray So. 74 Sylas Debord Sr. 75 John Ramsey Fr. 77 Zachery Diltz So. 78 Leland Payne Fr. 79 Kendyl Carroll Fr. 80 Robert Moorman Fr. 82 Jeffery Hawk So. 86 Johnathan Tucker Fr. 98 Tyler Ray Fr.
SUN PHOTO BY J.D. VAUGHN
West Greene’s Ethan Turner runs after catching a pass across the middle during 7-on-7 drills.
August19
Chuckey-DoakatKnoxvilleCatholic KnoxvilleCentralatGreeneville NorthGreeneatUnaka UnionCountyatWestGreene
August20
SouthGreeneatDanielBoone
August26
HappyValleyatChuckey-Doak GreenevilleatGrainger Castlewood,Va.,atNorthGreene KnoxvilleCatholicatSouthGreene WestGreeneatNorthviewAcademy
September1
Chuckey-DoakatJohnsonCounty
ClaiborneatWestGreene
September2
ElizabethtonatGreeneville LakewayChristianatNorthGreene SouthGreeneatHappyValley
September9
Chuckey-DoakatGrainger GreenevilleatMorristownWest JellicoatNorthGreene SouthGreeneatWestGreene
September16
GreenevilleatVolunteer NorthGreeneatRedBoilingSprings CumberlandGapatSouthGreene WestGreeneatJohnsonCounty
September23
Chuckey-DoakatSouthGreene GreenevilleatDobyns-Bennett WestGreeneatNorthGreene September30
Chuckey-DoakatUnicoiCounty SeymouratGreeneville NorthGreeneatCosby HamptonatSouthGreene CloudlandatWestGreene
October7
Chuckey-DoakatCumberlandGap GreenevilleatOakRidge SouthGreeneatNorthGreene WestGreeneatCherokee
NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. GRADE
1 ZaydenAnderson WR/DB 5-11 135 9
2 MasonLaws WR/DB 6-1 165 12
3 IsaacMcGill WR/DB 6-2 160 10
4 AmanuelDickson RB/LB 6-0 190 11
5 AdjatayDabbs WR/DB 6-1 170 12
6 JayquanPrice WR/DB 5-11 160 12
7 CadenBaugh QB/DB 5-10 140 9
8 CharlesDabney RB/DB 5-11 160 11
9 NikPillar TE/LB 6-1 185 11
10 CorbinCannon QB 6-0 180 11
11 BradyQuillen QB 5-10 175 12
12 CarsonQuillen WR/DB 5-10 180 10
13 HaydenGoad WR/DB 5-10 140 11
14 CooperJohnson WR/DB 5-6 135 11
15 DamienShort RB/LB 5-10 200 12
16 TamarioSanders WR/DB 5-10 145 12
17 NoahMurray WR/DB 6-0 160 10
18 JherviusMoore WR/LB 6-0 160 10
19 ColeFranklin WR/DB 5-10 135 9
20 DrewArmbrister RB/LB 5-11 185 10
21 ThomasLollar RB/DB 6-0 155 10
22 DravenTaylor RB/LB 5-8 175 11
23 MaddoxBishop RB/DB 5-7 140 9
24 AmariMaddox WR/LB 6-1 195 11
25 DionPhipps WR/DB 5-5 115 9
26 RemiVital RB/LB 5-10 165 9
27 ColtonSmith QB/DE 5-11 200 9
28 WilliamWoolsey WR/DB 5-11 135 9
29
30
TristanEasterly WR/DB 5-7 110 11
BrandonPetty WR/DB 5-8 145 10
32 JonielDelValle RB/DB 5-3 125 10
33 BrysonMyers RB/DE 6-1 215 11
34 BraydenWeems RB/DE 5-6 180 10
35 ElijahDabney WR/LB 5-11 150 10
36 JaydenDeeble RB/DE 5-8 150 11
40 NathanHoward OL/DL 5-10 175 9
41 CalebMartin P 6-1 150 10
42 BryanGallegos RB/LB 5-7 175 10
October13
GreenevilleatSullivanEast October14
ClaiborneatChuckey-Doak SouthGreeneatJohnsonCounty UnicoiCountyatWestGreene October21
NorthGreeneatChuckey-Doak MorristownEastatGreeneville SouthGreeneatSeymour October28
WestGreeneatChuckey-Doak NorthGreeneatCloudland
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
NO. NAME
POS. HT. WT. GRADE
43 ChristianMcBride RB/LB 5-4 125 12
44 ZacChrisman RB/DE 6-1 220 11
45 AngusHerrell OL/DL 5-8 175 10
46 KaydenBurbank WR/LB 6-1 160 9
47 CollinAndrews WR/DB 5-8 135 9
48 GabeOakley K/P 5-6 115 9
50 JustinChandler OL/DL 5-11 200 9
52 DrakeBenko OL/DL 5-10 230 11
53 LincolnBurroughs OL/DL 6-0 235 10
54 BishopMerriweather OL/DL 6-3 325 9
55 QuintonHumphrey OL/DL 6-3 266 10
56 AlexDuckett OL/DL 5-9 290 9
57 TyWilliams OL/LB 6-4 290 12
59 AveryHarris OL/DL 6-0 255 12
60 LaithIvy OL/DL 6-0 230 9
61 DerekAdams OL/DL 5-8 200 11
62 ChristianFeltner OL/DL 5-10 305 12
63 KameronLester OL/DL 6-2 245 11
64 ZorianHarris OL/DL 6-0 235 9
65 BrandonIezzi OL/DL 6-0 265 10
66 MaddoxSmith OL/DL 6-0 250 9
67 BrysonBird OL/DL 6-1 210 12
70 CadenCox OL/DL 6-0 225 9
71 CJHerkley OL/DL 5-10 280 9
72 JalenShort OL/DL 6-6 265 12
74 Braddock Barefield OL/DL 6-1 200 11
75 JerryShepard OL/DL 6-3 270 9
76 NapoleonPacheco OL/DL 5-11 315 9
77 ColemanKenney OL/DL 5-10 210 9
80 QuintonBrandon K/P 5-11 150 11
81 CJReyes TE/DL 5-10 200 10
82 DarienHumphreys WR/DB 5-8 140 10
83 RonanJohnson WR/DB 5-7 115 10
84 BraydenCampbell WR/DB 5-6 130 9
86 CooperGraham K/P 5-11 180 12
87 JacksonSams WR/DB 5-5 100 10
88 LucasRich WR/DB 5-5 150 9
99 LucreaseParkey WR/DB 5-8 125 9
ready on offense.”
Inthesecondary,Dabbs andPricewillbethecorners, Lawswillbeatfreesafety andCarsonQuillenwillbe thestrongsafety.
Lawshadthreeinter ceptionslastseason,while DabbsandCarsonQuillen eachhadone.
“Offense and defense has to go hand-in-hand,” Spradlensaid.“Theonly way our offense is going to continuetoscorepointsis we’ve got to get off the field ondefenseonthirddown.
“Abigthingwestressis tryingtocreateturnovers.I feellikewe’vedoneareally goodjobthisspringand summer working on that.”
SeniorCooperGraham returnsatkickerandwill handle field goals and PATs. Hewillrotatewithjunior QuintonBrandononkick offs, and Brandon will do thepunting.Pricereturns astheholder,whileLaws returnsatlongsnapper.
