FOOTBALL 2019 PREVIEW HAWKINS • HANCOCK
Chiefs loaded at skill positions, lines will be key BY JIM BELLER SPORTS EDITOR
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OGERSVILLE – With their starting quarterback, Collin Trent, back in the mix, optimism abounds in the Cherokee preseason camp. Everyone has put last year’s 1-9 season in the rear-view mirror. “He’s just a big part of the team,” said starting running back Trent Price, Trent’s cousin. “He’s just a great quarterback. It raises everybody’s confidence.” “Having Collin back, I mean, it’s obvious he’s a big asset to our football team because he can move the ball well on offense on his legs and through the air,” said senior receiver/safety Connor Smith. “I think we have confidence in Collin because we know how efficiently he can run our offense.” “Our goals are always to win the conference,” said Cherokee head coach Cody Baugh. “It’s a tough goal, but you never know what’s going to happen. I feel like last year we definitely underachieved winning one game. We were in so many games, we just couldn’t finish. “A lot of that did have to do with Collin Trent standing on the sidelines instead of playing. But you can’t put that on one kid. We’ve got to do things that fit us better,” said Baugh, who initiated some changes after the 2018 season ended. “We’ve kind of taken a different approach to things since wintertime with what fits us better, what fits Cherokee better, what fits these kids better,” Baugh said. “You can take somebody else’s blueprint and try to make it work, but you’ve got to do what fits you and keeps the kids out and makes things work.” Evolution of a football program includes not just adjusting to personnel, but changing with the times. Long-gone are the days when summer football workouts were torture sessions, more akin to punishment than preparation.
FILE PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
Jonas Leeper (1) set a Cherokee record for receiving yards last season.
Baugh is among those coaches who has embraced workouts that get the job done but are more appealing to kids who have more alternative activities than ever. “It’s not necessarily schemes,” Baugh said. “It’s how we approach running and different things like that. In the summer, we did more football stuff and individual work in June than we did as much conditioning and running. “We still lifted like we always do, but we changed the conditioning approach because we felt like it definitely ran some kids off that probably could have helped us. Now there are rules where you can play additional football in June and we took full advantage of it. I
think it will pay off,” Baugh said. “As a P.E. teacher, I always called that camouflage conditioning: when they’re having a good time but are still getting something out of it. We’ve taken some of these morning times before school started where we run early in the morning and get our conditioning in. In practice, they know they’re not going to be conditioning unless they really mess things up. So, they focus on practice and not conditioning,” Baugh said. Besides Trent, Baugh has several talented players at skill positions for Trent to work with, including a number of seniors who have all played together for a number of years.
“Jonas Leeper is one who had a great year last year, broke a school record for receiving yards,” Baugh said. “He could very well break that again this year. He had almost 900 yards and everyone knew who was being thrown to.” “I think it’s going to be a good season,” Leeper said. “We’ve got a lot more depth and we’ve got Collin back, so I think it’s going to be a good one.” “With Trey (Courtney) playing quarterback, it took away another threat at receiver,” Baugh said. “We still had a lot of production on offense. He’s one of our big threats and he’s going to be one of our big targets. He’s another one that’s got to play on both sides
of the ball and do a lot of things. Jonas will play corner, safety and receiver.” Leeper said personal goals for this season include making all-conference again and breaking the receiving yards record he put up last year. Leeper said he prefers offense to defense. “I like scoring touchdowns,” he said. “Connor Smith is another one,” Baugh said of another of Trent’s potential weapons. “He’s got a motor and is always going. He’s just got to keep his head on straight and play football. When Connor catches the ball, he’s dangerous. He can score from anywhere. He’s very athletic. Connor is going to play SEE CHIEFS ON PAGE 2
Falcons look to continue rise during Pressley’s 2nd year BY JIM BELLER SPORTS EDITOR CHURCH HILL – The second year of the Justin Pressley era begins with a lot of optimism. “We’re really excited this year,” said Pressley, who took over a beleaguered program last year and went about changing the mindset and work ethic, guiding a team that went 0-10 in 2017 to 3-8 in his first season. The positive change seems to have stuck. Numbers are up and universally Falcon players are proclaiming they are in better shape than ever before. “Last year we had new coaching, kind of getting used to running and conditioning a little bit more,” said senior Eli Dorton. “I think we’re more comfortable this year. I think we’re a little more prepared.” “We’re looking pretty good,” said junior Braden Allen, who will play defensive end, middle linebacker and left tackle. “We’ve been building up this offseason to get big in the weight room. We’ve been working a whole lot harder. “We’ve been hitting it hard in the weight room. Coach has been pushing us harder. He’s been here a little longer now and is getting to know us more, a little better, and is starting to push us harder,” Allen said. “I definitely can tell we’ve improved from last year,” added junior running back
FILE PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
Cameron Johnson (32) and Peyton Derrick (3) are two of Volunteer’s biggest threats on offense.
Cam Johnson. “Physically, in the weight room, everybody’s getting bigger. The upper classmen have come
in and stepped up. Everybody is just getting really good.” Johnson said a rigorous
weight-lifting session followed by running has led to the best conditioning he’s felt or seen at Volunteer
in his two-plus years with the program. He thinks that’s going to translate to success on the field.
“We’re in there from 7 a.m. to 9, then we come out here and run,” Johnson said. “We’re getting in condition and everything. It’s going to be really good this season.” A young bunch last season, the Falcons endured growing pains that will serve the team well in 2019. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back,” Pressley said. “We only lost eight seniors last year and we had a lot of returning starters and a lot of players who played on Friday nights coming back. So, coaches are real excited. The kids are real excited.” “I think that we’re older and more experienced,” senior receiver Peyton Derrick said. “We’ve got a lot more seniors and older people. I think that takes into consideration that everybody has a job and especially on defense. That plays a big role as playing as a team. “Experience helps tremendously. They’re used to Friday nights now. That plays a big deal. I think the nerves have gone away, too. With Pressley being here from last year, everybody’s used to him. I think we’re just trying to get it rolling now and this will be the year,” Derrick said. The positive attitude began last year – after the 3-8 season. “We had a really, really good spring,” Pressley SEE FALCONS ON PAGE 3
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Cherokee’s Trent returns at QB for senior season BY JIM BELLER SPORTS EDITOR ROGERSVILLE – After suffering through a 1-9 season last year, the Cherokee Chiefs are looking to use 2019 as a reset. “So far, so good,” Chiefs head coach Cody Baugh said during Cherokee’s Aug. 5 Media Day. “We’re staying healthy. Things are going pretty good. We’ve got a full coaching staff, which is good, for the first time really since I’ve been here. That’s a positive. We’ve just got to stay healthy.” Health – or lack thereof – has played an important part in Baugh’s three-year tenure. After dropping the 2016 opener at Daniel Boone, 21-18, the Chiefs, led by freshman quarterback Collin Trent, went 6-0, averaging 48 points per game, including scoring 55 or more three straight times. But one day before a first-place showdown with Baugh’s former team, Greeneville, Trent tore his PCL, MCL and menis-
cus on his left knee. The Chiefs lost to the Greene Devils, 77-0, and their last four games by an aggregate score of 224-30 to finish 6-5, including a season-ending 71-6 loss to Knox Catholic in the opening round of the playoffs. In 2017, starting fullback and linebacker Japheth Curtsinger tore his ACL and meniscus at Campbell County on the season’s very first play from scrimmage. The Chiefs subsequently went 5-5 during an up-and-down season in 2017. That spring, the Chiefs looked back in sync, with Trent and Curtsinger back. “We came out of spring practice on fire from the Hall scrimmage,” Baugh said. “We had a great night down there. Everything seemed to be clicking. Collin was back and seemed to be back to his normal self. “A few weeks later, we have a little bit of a mishap and Collin has an injury in basketball camp,” Baugh said. Trent had torn his ACL on his right knee. Despite a strong season
to go,” Baugh said. “At Tennessee Tech’s camp this summer, he ran a 4.6, so he’s definitely healthy and 100 percent.” “It feels good,” said Trent, who had been thrust into duty his freshman year when Chiefs starting quarterback J.T. Brooks suffered a tragic spinal injury. “I’ve missed it a lot lately with the knee injuries. It’s tough to go through, but it’s part of life. I’ve learned how to look at life and perspective and to be thankful for what I have. I’m glad to be back.” Baugh has decided to take the kid gloves off this year and take advantage of Trent’s all-around talent. “He’s going to play both sides of the ball some,” Baugh said. “He wants to be on the field at all times playing every different position possible. We’ve tried to protect him before and he didn’t stay healthy. So why not go the other way with it? When he’s on the field, we’re a different team.” So, besides quarterback, Trent will see some time in
the secondary at safety. “He’ll hit you,” Baugh said. “He’s just a special athlete. In games when opponents will throw it a lot more, you’ll see him in the secondary more. He’s one that we’ve got to keep on the field.” “I’m looking forward to see how many games we win,” Trent said. “The senior group we have has great leadership this year. I mean it’s no fake leadership. We’re all real. We love the game. We want to see us as a whole team succeed. I hope we win a lot of games and be successful this year.” With Trent, Baugh feels that’s quite possible. “It feels really good getting him back. He’s someone who’s been in the program for four years and who’s played a whole lot of football games. To get him back and the leadership he brings, you can’t replace that,” Baugh said. “He’s a great kid and does everything right. He’s one of those you will definitely miss when he’s gone.”
Trent Price
Micah Jones
Connor Smith
there will be some growing pains. “They’ve just got to not let the little things bother them when they do mess up,” Baugh said. “They can’t just shut down, they’ve got to forget about it quickly and move on.” A couple of other newcomers will also see time on the line. “Tyler Susong is a senior who’s never played football,” Baugh said. “But he’s an athletic lineman. He’s been on the baseball team, just never played football. We’ve got a freshman, Aaron Stewart, who’s very likely to play a whole lot and possibly start.” “We’ve got a young line,” Smith said. “We’ve got good seniors behind them, like Collin, Jonas, Micah. We’ve got a lot of young talent, too, like Bobe and some of our younger guys like the freshmen. We’ve been putting in the work this season, really getting after it. “Our line has been working hard. A lot of young guys, they’ve been working and getting after it. They’re
really trying to step up and fill their roles,” Smith said. “Defensive line-wise, you’ve got Nathanial Watson, a junior who’s going to play a lot,” Baugh said. We’ve got a newcomer in Trenton Lamb, who hasn’t played football, but he’s a 6-3, 270-pound athlete who’s hard to block. I know we have trouble blocking him in practice. I think other teams will have trouble blocking him as long as stays healthy.” “Brandon Ramsey is a newcomer who’s a defensive end. He’s one of those guys you wish had been playing the whole time. He’s going to do a lot of things for us. He’ll be a fresh face that a lot of people will start to notice. He definitely looks the part. He’s one that’s going to make a lot of plays,” said Baugh. “Collins also plays defensive end. He’s a very athletic guy for his size. He’s one who’s going to continue to do what’s he coached to do and he’s going to make a lot of plays for us,” Baugh said. Haun will be counted on
FILE PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
Collin Trent is back under center for his senior year.
by fill-in quarterback Trey Courtney, the Chiefs went 1-9 in 2018. Now, Trent is fully
healthy and chomping at the bit. “He’s definitely a hundred percent and ready
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safety and receiver. “Micah Jones has always been solid making catches and big plays in big times,” Baugh said. “The team is looking really good,” Jones said. “We’ve got a good offensive line and obviously our QB is back, so it’s working really well. It’s really good. You can see what he did his freshman year. We started out 6-0 and after that we kind of went downhill. We got him back, so I’m kind of excited to see what we can do.” Baugh referred to another senior he’ll count on in 2019. “Austin Hamblen is one who has stepped up and possibly is one of the most improved players on our football team. He’s 6-2, 180 pounds. He’s long and a big kid. He’s hopefully going to make some big plays for us. “Those guys are all experienced and have been around me a lot,” Baugh said. “Those guys mean a lot to me.” A second-year player will likely mean a lot to Baugh when he’s a senior, as well. He’s already shown flashes. “Brayden Collins is a sophomore tight end that’s’ got a lot of talent and a lot of upside,” Baugh said. “Ask Graham Clark (Emory & Henry offensive coordinator) and he’ll tell you how much he loves him. He went to Emory & Henry camp and he definitely liked Brayden. “He went to a couple of camps and walked in and those guys were like, ‘Who’s this kid?’ That was what Graham said about him. He’ll play at tight end and we’ll bump him out to receiver some to create mismatches,” Baugh said of Collins, who had played quarterback at Rogersville Middle School. “On the goal line last
Cody Baugh
Collin Trent
year, he was our goal-line quarterback,” Baugh said. “It’s going to be hard not to do that again; 6-5, 240 is hard to tackle, especially when he’s going straight ahead. Last year, a lot of people knew it was coming but they still had trouble tackling him,” Baugh said. When not passing, Trent will have several other solid runners to whom he can hand the ball. “Trent Price is one who had a great year last year at running back,” Baugh said. “He’s going to have a solid year and also play a lot of defense. Trent Price and Bobe Allen will be running backs.” “In practice, we’ve been killing it,” Price said. “I’d like to have at least 1,000 rushing yards. I’d like to set that bar high. It would feel great to accomplish it.” Some younger players will add depth in the backfield. “Talk about a diamond in the rough, Thomas Hughes is a good running back,” Baugh said. “He’s only a sophomore. He’s gotten a lot stronger than last year. He’s just one of those kids who you hand the football and he seems to find creases and holes and can run a little bit too when he gets open. “Jonathan Fulkerson has played soccer at Cherokee and was defensive player of
the year in their conference. He plays basketball, as well. He’s got the potential to make a lot of plays. He’s very athletic,” Baugh said. “Hayzen Hayes will also play a little bit on the offensive side of the ball.” While nobody doubts the abilities of Cherokee’s skill-position players, there are legitimate questions about a very young offensive line. “We’re going to be young on the offensive line. We’re going to have three or four sophomores on it. They’re ones who have a lot of potential,” said Baugh, who has no doubts about the line’s senior leader. “Caleb Haun is pretty much going to be the anchor of our offensive line at center,” Baugh said. “He’s one that we probably should have used the past two years on offensive line. He’s one who’s stepped up as a leader. He’s a senior, been here for four years and done a lot of good for us. He’s got to make a lot of plays.” “We look pretty good,” Haun said. “I feel like we’ll do good. We work hard. We play together.” Sophomores Devan Carpenter, Taylor Sharpless and Dalton Pearson return from their freshman seasons and will play significant time on the line. Baugh realizes
FOOTBALL
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to lead the defensive line, as well. He welcomes the challenge. “Hopefully, I can help the team out in a lot of ways,” Haun said. “I like defense better. I just hope to help the team out a lot so we can win a lot of games. That’s what I want to do. We all work together, we’re all friends.” The second line of defense is led by a strong junior. “Bobe Allen is going to start at inside linebacker,” Baugh said. “He’s one of our defensive leaders, a junior who’s one of the strongest guys on the team. He works really hard and hopefully can transfer that to the field.” “I like finding the ball and hitting people,” said Allen, whose personal goals are simple. “Individually, I’d like to have a lot of tackles. Being middle linebacker, they expect you to get a lot of tackles. “The defense is looking pretty solid,” Allen said. The linebackers are SEE CHIEFS ON PAGE 4
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Volunteer going with sophomore QB Barrett in 2019 BY JIM BELLER SPORTS EDITOR CHURCH HILL – The Volunteer Falcons will be counting on a sophomore quarterback, Garrison Barrett, in 2019 as Eli Dorton moves to defense. While Dorton welcomes the change to defense and part-time quarterback, Barrett says he’s ready for the challenge. Barrett played a couple games at quarterback down the stretch last season, which he thinks was plenty of preparation for this year. “We played a lot of new guys last year,” Barrett said. “We’ve got a year under our belts and are ready to hit it hard. You know what to expect, how to play it. I got a couple of games in. “It’s just a lot different from middle school or JV,” he said. “It’s a lot more physical. You get used to it.” If he’s worried about leading the Falcons, Barrett certainly doesn’t show it, displaying a laid-back, carefree demeanor. “It’s pretty good,” Barrett said of early-season workouts. “I’m working hard, trying to go through things. I think we’ll be pretty good this year. We have a
bunch of threats on the outside.” Barrett credited his teammates for making his job much easier. “We’ve got a bunch of great players,” he said. “Clay Snapp is a fantastic lineman. We’ve got Braden (Allen), who works his tail off in the weight room. We have a bunch of threats on the outside, a great running back and a good defense.” Barrett is equally comfortable with the offensive scheme. “We have a nice RPO (Run Pass Option) set. You can run it. If they play off, we can throw the hitch. Or if you’re passing, you can throw the Go (-route). If you like the box we’re sitting in, you can just run it and get a couple of yards,” he said. In the RPO, the quarterback makes the read at the line of scrimmage and decides if it will be a run or pass, Barrett said. “We have so many threats, we have Cameron Johnson, a fantastic runner. We have Peyton Derrick on the outside and H.P. (Hayden Powell), Sal (Andrew Salyer), Luke (Bellamy). We have a bunch of threats this year,” Barrett said. “All the wide receivers are running routes on every single play, so if I pull and throw it, they should be ready to catch the
ball,” Barrett said. “If I run it, the line does a great job of blocking our schemes and Cameron does a great job of hitting the holes. “The best part about it is it’s fast and we have an option to do something every play, so if someone wants to play off on the defense, we can kill ‘em either way,” Barrett said. “We have a great chance of making the playoffs.” Volunteer head coach Justin Pressley is obviously comfortable with Barrett running the offense. “If we protect for him, which I think we should be doing a good job for him this year, he should have a really big year,” Pressley said. “He’s a smart kid. He’s just going to be a sophomore. But he’ll make good decisions. He’s a great athlete. He’ll make the right decision every time and we really want to be able to stretch the football,” Pressley said. “We thought that was something we really needed to focus on this year, to be able to stretch it deep. He’s a guy who can make all those throws on just a one-step drop and throw. He’s going to be big for us,” Pressley Volunteer quarterbacks Garrison Barrett and Eli Dorton. said.
PHOTO BY BOBBY VAUGHN
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said. “I was really pleased with our spring ball. We had about 25 freshmen come in. We’re pushing 70 (players) right now. We’re bigger than we’ve ever been before. We feel really good. We’re in a good spot in year two right now. I feel confident in what we have. If they keep working hard like this, we’ll be in good shape.” “I think we’re looking a whole lot better,” Allen said. “The scrimmages this spring were really good for us. It showed where we needed to improve. It really pushed us along.” The Falcons will be led by a new sophomore field general this season as Dorton moves to receiver and the defense. “It will look a little different this year because Garrison Barrett is going to take most of the snaps at quarterback,” Pressley said. “Eli’s skill set defensively and offensively was too good for us to leave back at quarterback, so he’s going to play some linebacker. He’ll play receiver some and he’ll play quarterback some. We’re not going to eliminate him playing quarterback,” Pressley said. “He had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and it took him a little longer to come back and throw,” said Pressley. “We’ve done a really good job with him and Garrison, mixing up our styles of offense when they’re both in the game. That’s going to be big for us. “We’re going to do a lot with him because he can do a lot for us. We thought it would be best to have a senior leader like him out on the defense to help us there, too. He’s a great team player. He’ll do whatever is best for the team. I think he realizes that, too,” Pressley said. Dorton shows no signs of being upset by the move. “I think the changes are great and are going to be beneficial to our team,” Dorton said cheerfully. “I want to play wherever they can use me best and help the team the best. So, I’m fine with moving wherever they want me to excel at. “I haven’t played defense in a little bit, but I enjoy playing defense. Me switching between receiver and quarterback is a also good mix because I like catching
Justin Pressley
Peyton Derrick
and I like throwing a little bit, too. I definitely think we’ve improved a lot from last year,” Dorton said. “We still have Eli if we need a running set or something,” Barrett said. “I’m more of a pocket passer.” “Garrison is really solid at quarterback,” Pressley said. “He throws the football really well. He’s got good arm strength. He can throw balls in tight windows. He’s got good size so he can see, he can stand in there and make good throws. “In terms of throwing the football, he gives us a little more than Eli did. Eli’s strength is running the football, so we’ll rotate those guys out in that instance. And Garrison can run it, too, if we need him to, but he’s more of a thrower,” Pressley said. “He started toward the end last year when Eli went down and had a couple of good games. He had a really good game against Tennessee High and against Cocke County. So we felt his skill set will fit some of the things we want to do with our offense,” Pressley said. Two of Volunteer’s best offensive weapons are Johnson in the backfield and Derrick at receiver. “Cam Johnson is back at running back,” Pressley said. “We’re expecting a huge year from him this year. Peyton Derrick, a senior, is also back. He’s going to play in the slot instead of out split wide this year. “We’re going to do a lot of stuff with him with the football, as well. He’s very reliable. He can catch the football and he can run the football. We’re going to move him around a lot, too,” Pressley said. Derrick is a weapon Volunteer will not be shy to utilize.
“He’s throwing me in the backfield some to get the ball a little bit more and I’m still going to do kickoff returns,” Derrick said. “I did really good at that last year. I think he’s going to keep me at punt return, as well.” Volunteer must find someone to take the place of Carson-Newman signee Peyton Baker, the Falcons’ acrobatic and dependable wide receiver. “Replacing Peyton Baker out on the outside, is Andrew Salyers who came on late last year and did a lot of good things for us. He’s had a really good spring and really good offseason. We expect big things from him. He’s just going to be a junior, so that’s going to be huge getting two more years with him. “Luke Bellamy is going to play our other receiver. He’ll play corner and some safety for us, as well. He’s going to be big for us,” Pressley said. “We expect big things from other guys on our team, as well. Caleb Scott is going to play tight end. He’s had a really good offseason. He can catch everything. He gives us a good threat down the middle of the field. He’s going to be in the backfield for us a lot blocking as an H-back,” Pressley said. “We’re going to look a little bit different, as far as players moving around, but we’re going to do pretty much the same thing we did last year. We’re going to go really fast. We’re going to try to stretch the football as much as we can. We’re going to throw it, we’re going to run it,” Pressley said. “I’m really excited about the guys. No change in the schemes. We might get Eli the ball under center and do more under-center stuff. SEE FALCONS ON PAGE 4
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We’ll do some different things with him at quarterback,” Pressley said. “Last year, what we ran when it comes to passing was really not taking advantage of his skill set. But now, we’re going to do a lot more quarterback run-oriented stuff, a lot of RPO’s (Run Pass Option) for him so he can run it or pass it, give him some options to use his legs,” Pressley said. There are also some changes in the trenches. “Daniel Dixon, our center this year, has probably had the best off-season of a kid I’ve had in a long time. He put on about 25 pounds of muscle and has worked really hard in the weight room. He’ll start at center for us and be big for us,” Pressley said. “Clay Snapp at left guard is going to play end this year instead of nose. He’s going to play both ways for us and he’s going to be big for us. He’ll be in for as many snaps as we can get him in a game,” Pressley said. “I’m going to be playing left guard on offense, some defensive end and nose guard on defense,” Snapp
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backed by a strong, experienced secondary. “We’ve changed our scheme a little bit to a 4-3 using two high safeties because the big play has killed us the last few years and we’ve got to prevent as many of those as possible,” Baugh said Connor Smith and Hayzen Hayes will man the safety spots. Both players provide physical play. “Those two guys are our safeties for us,” Baugh said. “Connor and Hayzen are two tough ones that do not care to hit you. Safeties have got to be like that.
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said. “I like playing defense a lot. I like hitting a lot.” “Braden Allen, who played middle backer last year, has moved to end. Now we have Clay Snapp and Braden Allen on each end. They can do a really good job,” Pressley said. “Christian Gibson plays end some. We’re going to have a big rotation on defensive line. It will start at nose with Ethan Rimer, who’s just going to be a sophomore. He’s a big guy and had a lot of success on defense last year. He’s tough to move,” said Pressley. “We’re going to rely on him, Brayden, Clay and Christian Gibson and a guy named Connor Crum. He’s going to play down on the D-line some. We’re going to rely on those guys to fill the gaps for us. Hopefully they’ll do that,” Pressley said. “Another big surprise this year has been Quinn Brooks, who was our center last year. He’s moved to the defensive side of the ball and he’s playing middle linebacker. It’s been a really big move for him. He’s slimmed down, lost a lot of weight this offseason. He can move really well now. He’s been a great addition for our defense in playing
middle backer. He’s really enjoyed that move. He’s got a lot more motivation right now,” Pressley said. “Dawson Dykes will play outside linebacker and he’ll play some slot, where Peyton Derrick is. He can do a lot for us, as well. Right now, he’s mainly on the defensive side of the ball just because we’ve got some depth at our backs right now. He’s been doing a really good job. “Jared Counsel is going to be our other outside linebacker. That’s another sophomore. We’ve got a lot of young guys who got a lot of playing time last year, some who have moved around. Jared Counsel played free safety last year and he’s bounced to outside linebacker. Dawson Dykes played in the middle a little last year and he’s moved to the outside. Those guys are really going to fill some voids for us,” Pressley said. “We’ll have Jaden Cutright play some at our middle backer,” Pressley said. “Jacob Gladson on the defensive side is going to play at corner. “Some of the guys have made some space between themselves and the next guy. You’ll probably see some new people. We have
some new guys that are here. A freshman, Riley Littleton, is going to come in and play some free safety for us. He can really play. He’s shown out. “Hayden Powell, who’s a senior, has come out to play football. He’s played before but hasn’t been out since I’ve been here. He’s going to be really big for us. He can really run. He can play receiver. He can play the slot and give Peyton Derrick a rest. And he’s going to play corner and safety for us, as well. So he’ll be one you see a lot on the field,” Pressley said. The added depth and improved conditioning will prove beneficial, Falcon players say. “We’ve got a lot of really good young kids,” Snapp said. “I’m a senior, so I’ve got really good faith in this program. They give great effort. In practice, they always give 100 percent. Whenever we run for conditioning, they always do it 100 percent. “We’re without a lot less seniors from last year, so we’re having some of these newer kids step up and play offense and defense for us. That’s new to us. It helps us because we can get more players coming in and we can take breaks. It
helps keep everyone fresh,” Snapp said. “It’s a big help, especially in the third and fourth quarter,” Derrick added. “We still seem like we got enough in the tank to get it done. I think that helps a lot.” “Depth is good,” Allen said. “There are a whole lot more players out this year. It helps a lot. It gives me breaks so I don’t have to play both ways all night.” “The fourth quarter is where’s it at,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to come out and give everything you’ve got the whole game. We’ve got a fast tempo, run-and-gun. So we’re going to wear them out. We’ve just got to stay conditioned.” “We’re looking pretty good,” Derrick said of early offseason returns. “I think from last year, we need to improve on our defense. I think this year our defense has improved a lot. I think our offense is good enough to score the ball, to go down the field and score. Our defense just has to give us chances and we’ll finish the game out.” Derrick stated goals for the 2019 season. “For myself, just do everything I can to win the team football games. For the
team, go out 5-5 or better, improve on what we did last year. It’s all about improving,” he said. “We’re going to try to win as many games as we can,” Dorton said. “I think we’ve got the pieces that we need this year to finally be successful.” “I’d like to have a winning season and the best record in team history,” Allen said. “That would be nice. We’ve just got to go hard every play.” Johnson said his goals for the season are “to just to get better from last year. I just want to help the team out and for everybody to stay together. We need to stay together, don’t fight, keep your control, be there for each other.” “Since it’s my senior season, I want this to be the best for us as a team,” Snapp said. “I want to go 10-0 and go to the playoffs and win it all. “As for me, it’s my senior season, I’m just wanting to be able to reflect back and say I’m glad I played for Volunteer,” said Snapp, who noted what it would take to accomplish those goals. “We have to keep giving effort. If we keep giving effort, we’re going to get it done.”
“You can also stick number 8 (Collin Trent) back there and play safety and he’ll be as good as any safety around in my opinion,” said Baugh, whose cornerbacks are also athletic and physical with good size. “Our corners, Jonas Leeper, Micah Jones, a few other guys who are going to fill in those spots, are bigger body guys who are going to play physical out there,” Baugh said. “We’re going to be more physical across the board. “Micah Jones is another senior who’s been here for four years,” Baugh said. “He’s going to start at corner. He’ll start at corner and at receiver. He’s got a little bit of nasty about him. “Teams we’ve played know
who number 19 is just because he’s one of those guys that drives you crazy. I can see as an opposing coach he could really get under your skin sometimes. He’s another one who’s been here and played a lot of football who will be key for us,” Baugh said. “I like playing defense a lot,” Jones said. “I like being aggressive. I’m looking forward to that.” “Hayzen Hayes is a name that might end up showing up a lot,” Baugh said. “He’s got to do things right and what he’s coached to do and Hayzen is liable to be a big standout for us.” Haun pointed out what the defense needs to do for success in 2019. “We need to
work together and play hard and not give up on anything,” he said. “It’s coming together pretty well.” On special teams, “Nick Sumpter will definitely do the placekicking for the most part,” Baugh said. “Fulkerson is one we could possibly use as a kickoff guy. He’s never really kicked a football, but he can kick a soccer ball a mile. He’s one who can do some things. “We’ll probably use Collin Trent at punter again. He always gives us a threat to fake something. Collin is one, as a freshman in his very first high school football series at Daniel Boone, (on) fourth-and-23 on our own 15, he was at punter and takes off and gets 26. It’s kind of legendary. It was probably not that smart on my part to give a freshman that much leeway, but he got it, and from that point on, that sucker has made plays when he’s been healthy,” Baugh said. Cherokee’s numbers are way up, due to a huge infusion of underclassmen. “We had a good number (of freshmen),” Baugh said. “There’s a couple of freshmen who will have a chance to play some. Our upcoming sophomore class is a big class that’s stuck together. There’s over 20 of them and there’s over 20 freshmen. Right there is the main reason our numbers are so up, because our senior class is relatively small, and a bunch of them have never played before.” Some of the young’uns will contribute. Besides those on the line, a couple will see some reps at the skill positions. “There’s some kids from RMS who ran track and went to state and kids who can run a little bit. We’ve got some big bodies that are out and are strong and can make a lot of things happen, too.
The youth is good. It’s just a matter of teaching them and hoping we can get them to do the right things,” Baugh said. “Aaron Stewart is one on the line who, in the spring, was squatting over 300 pounds as a freshman. That’s not something you see every day. He and Matthew Lewis, who played running back at Bulls Gap last year. He pretty much carried that football team. He won’t wear number 99 for us, but he’ll have more of a traditional running back number,” Baugh said. “Will Price (from Rogersville City School) is one who will probably play on both sides of the ball. He’s a quarterback. He’s little brother to Trent Price and cousins with Collin Trent, so it’s a family thing. Those guys are competitors and pretty talented, as well. They’re basically like brothers, so they’re really close. “It’s hard to name all. There’s a couple other guys you hope will step up and make things happen without a lot of talk or hype,” Baugh said. Players are optimistic about 2019. “I feel like we’re going to do pretty good,” Trent Price said. “We’ve been working hard and getting it done. We hope to have a winning record. That’s our goal.” Leeper said to be successful, the Chiefs need “to put points on the board and play a lot of good defense. Our defense has to step it up.” “I’d like to accomplish a lot,” Smith added. “I feel like a lot of our guys have been working. As a team, I think we’d like to be 10-0. As an individual player, I’d really just like to do the best I can to help out my team get as many wins as possible. Jones echoed those sentiments. “As a team, I want to make
it to the playoffs to the first or second round,” he said. “That would be awesome. I want us to win conference. For myself, I just really want to help the team, be a team player.” “I hope we win a lot of games and are successful this year,” Trent said. “We’re a big old family over here. I’ve played with a lot of these guys, my wide receivers since middle school all the way to senior year. We hold each other accountable. “Last year, we went 1-9. I pray to the Good Lord that we do better than that, and just have a fun time while winning. I hope we do win. If we don’t, that’s just part of it, but I plan on winning a lot of games,” Trent said. Baugh said the key will be in the trenches. “That’s the key at all levels of football,” the coach said. “If you’re good up front, you’re going to win football games. So many of our guys are young, but they are guys who can get things done. “You look at our conference. It seems like Boone graduates five linemen every year and somehow comes up with five more. Tennessee High, their offensive line last year was really good. Hopefully, they all graduated and they’re gone,” Baugh said. “It’s one of those things, you see other teams and you know Crockett’s skill positions are really good and their line is really good. Here’s hoping graduation hits somebody else. We graduate a lot of linemen and we just didn’t produce for different reasons,” said Baugh. “Our league is almost as balanced as it gets around here and really, Region 2 is the same way. Anybody can win that conference, and with a couple breaks here and there, you’re sitting pretty good come November.”
Best Wishes to every player and every team in this exciting new FOOTBALL season!
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Bulls Gap Bulldogs
PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
The 2019 Bulls Gap Bulldogs include: (front row) Blake Newman, Hayden Hook, Carter Long, Mason Jones, Levi Bowlin, Christian Eldridge, Jason Carpenter, Noah Seals and Pierson Davidson; (second row) Thomas Prater, Jayden Brown, Mason Zimmerman, Chance Lewis, Casey Relford, Dylonn Allen, Dakota Newman, Christian McLamb and Jacob Alvis; (third row) Hannah Hook, Jonah White, Ashton Lowery, Mason Young, Dakota Helton, Jason Allen, Dakota Seals, Gavin Housewright and Andres Moncier. Not pictured: Colby Barton
Church Hill Middle School Panthers PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
The 2019 Church Hill Middle School Panthers include: (front row) Briley Fitzgerald, Peyton Seymour, Jerry Hall, Kasey Brown, Brady Chatman and C.J. Fraysier; (second row) John Ross, Aiden Anderson, Josh Brock, Parker Edmundson, Garrison Crumbley and Tanner Hammond; (third row) Kole Bowling, Michael Clifton, Hunter Robinson, Christian Buchanan, Morgan Smith and Scott Sword; (fourth row) Abby Hall, Alex Matlock, Grant Winegar, Karina Osborne and Devon Wallen; (ďŹ fth row) coaches Jeremy Jones, Josh Bearden and Sam Barton. Not pictured: Jacob Cookenour and Simon Walker.
Rogersville City School Warriors PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
The 2019 Rogersville City School Warriors include: (front row) Carter Cuthrell, Brodie Brewer, Nolan Stewart, Landon Jeffers, Bishop Davis, Jayden Gonzalez and Markus Baugh; (second row) Aden Parson, Jaxon Markham, Manning Brooks, Hunter Larmer, Gage Adkins, Jacob Lane and Cole Putnal; (third row) Gage Walker, Brady Eidson, Caden Lafollette, Devin Hamblen, Dakota Richards, Jacob Brooks and Colten McLain; (fourth row) coaches Forrest Gladson, Dennis Renner, Larry Pearce and Tim Battaglia. Not pictured: Brandon Lafollette and Mason Graybeal.
Rogersville Middle School Warriors PHOTO BY JIM BELLER
The 2019 Rogersville Middle School Warriors include: (front row) Nick Matroni, Isacc Chandler, Dillon Hurd, HL Charles, Drew Gibson, Austin Roberts, Noah Hunter, Kalija Sexton, Connor Smith and Gideon Brown; (second row) Sammie Augusta, Ricky Woods, Elijah Curtsinger, Josh Lawson, Caeleb Lewis, Camron Rimer, Evan Pless, Harley Barrett, Malachi Emileo and Andreus Munoz; (third row) Chase Helton, Ty Eaton, Robert Lange, Roudy Henley, Allen Mueller, Tristan Brewer, Lucas Jarnagin, Gabe Catron, Malichi Robbins and Kaitlin Johnson; (fourth row) Dylan Stolzenabach, Collin Fugate, Seth Manis, Garrett Lawson, Hunter Miracle, Trey McGuire, Dennis Lawson, Drakin Mallory, Johnathan Walters and Kolden Singleton; (back row) Jamison Johnson, Aiden Monroe, Brady Lawson, Jacob Greene, Noah Redding and Ty Willis.
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The 2019 Surgoinsville Middle School Eagles include: (front row) Noah Graziano, Nathaniel Simpson, Jared Jones, Isaiah Livesay, Jeremiah Holley, Nolan Amyx, Jaylynn Livesay, Matthew Seppala, Shannon Trivette, Trevor Sandidge and Andrew Armstrong; (back row) Nick Buzzo, Jackson Clonce, Camden Woodby, Conner Britton, Kendan Greene, Brock Burchfield, Logan Johnson, Furian Buzzo, Jacob Watkins, Alec Pennington and Isaac Shelton.
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FILE PHOTO
Zack Seal and his late brother, Nathanael Seal.
Indians aiming for 5+ wins, 2nd round of playoffs in 2019 BY RANDY BALL REVIEW CONTRIBUTOR SNEEDVILLE — The goal for the 2019 Hancock County Indians Football team is a simple one: win more games than any team in the history of the program. This goal is echoed by coaches and players alike. The record for wins in the brief history of the program is four. There is reason for optimism: there are seven starters returning from last year’s 3-7 team. In 2018, the Indians lost in the first round of the playoffs in Region 1A, which also includes Unaka, Cloudland, and Jellico. Head coach Brandon Gibbs is entering his fourth year leading the program and has spent his entire 12-year coaching career at Hancock County. He is assisted by David Smith, Phil Blevins and Josh Smith. Coach Gibbs said the Indians will “play a base “power I” offense and a “4-
Brandon Gibbs
Ethan Short
Preston Hatfield
Darron Collins
Josh Bolden
3” defense, featuring multiple coverage packages.” According to Coach Gibbs, Cosby is perhaps the Indians’ biggest rival. The Indians will travel to Cosby for the season opener on Friday, Aug. 23. The Indians will look to senior Ethan Short to be one of the leaders on offense. The tight end/linebacker returns after being the team’s leading receiver
as a junior, as well as being second on the team in touchdowns and rushing. Short said that in his senior season he “expects the team to play hard, get better in the passing game, and play until the last whistle.” Coach Gibbs said the senior middle linebacker Preston Hatfield led the team in tackles last season and will be counted on to
lead the defense. He has “good instincts, tackles well and gets off blocks well”, Coach Gibbs explained. Hatfield said he looks for the team to “give it everything we’ve got, fight to the final whistle, and show humility on and off the field.” He repeated the team goal of winning the most games in program history and making it to the second
round of the playoffs. Other seniors for the Indians are Jadon Royston, Treybeon Cooper, Josh Bolden, Darran Collins, Stetson Collins, and Kyle Fulgham. With only 21 players on the roster, the Indians will have several players having to play both offense and defense. Coach Gibbs said “we need to be physically tough
and mentally tough; we need to be in great shape. Hopefully the guys will rise to the challenge and play well.” Hatfield added that the team will be playing to honor two former players who have passed away, Dakota Blevins and Nathanael Seal. Hatfield added they will play most of all to “honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
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