The Cleveland Blue Raiders have been tabbed as the team to beat in Region 4-4A, based on a media and coaches poll compiled on Tuesday at the annual Media Day, which was held at the North River Civic Center.

The Blue Raiders received six of the eight first-place votes from the coaches, while Rhea County and Red Bank got the other two.

Of 14 votes cast by various media members, Cleveland was listed first on 11 ballots while Red Bank was picked twice and Hixson once.

The first game is still a month away – the first regular-season contest is slated for Friday, Aug. 22 – but Tuesday’s gathering provided coaches from all eight region teams a chance to introduce their leading players and to give a little preview of what they’re expecting from the upcoming season.

“We have nine starters returning on offense and seven on defense, so we’re excited about our potential,” stated Cleveland coach Danny Wilson.

“We’ve taken our lumps at times, but we’ve gained a lot of experience and that should help us out a lot,” Wilson added.

Seniors Tucker Tipton and Monte Scotton return and should be key members of the Blue Raider offense with Tipton taking the snaps at quarterback and Scotton being a threat at running back.

Senior Adam Thacker anchors the offensive line at center and will be one of six returning starters on the line.

Junior Jamial King is out for the first time and should add spark as a receiver.

“Jamial played basketball and he’s pretty good, but he’s also pretty good at football. He’s got a lot of ability and should be a big asset to our offense,” praised Wilson.

Four-time region champ Red Bank was picked second in the media poll and third among the coaches. Rhea County was third in the media poll and second among the coaches.

The Lions compiled a 41-9 record in the past four years, but they were hit hard by graduation, so there are a lot of question marks for a team with high expectations every year.

“We don’t have a lot of starters back, but we have quite a few who got a lot of playing time last year,” stated Red Bank coach Tim Daniels.

“We lost more than 5,000 yards of offense, so we’ll have to grow up quickly there, but our defensive line should be our strength.

"We’re excited about our running game, but we have a first-year starter at quarterback who’s 6'1" and can see over the offensive line. He also has a strong arm.

“We’ve had a great run these past four years, but I don’t think we’re done just yet,” Daniels added.

Among those who graduated were quarterback Jake Ledbetter and all-everything receivers Tim Benford and Dominique McDuffie.

Rhea County coach Jason Fitzgerald pointed his finger at coach Danny Wilson and the Cleveland Blue Raiders as the team to beat this year.

“Except for Cleveland, all of the rest of us have a lot of question marks and many unknowns. We’re all gunning for Cleveland, but it should be a fun year as the region should be wide open,” Fitzgerald explained.

Kevin Revis is the leader on the offensive line who has already committed to the Tennessee Vols.

Josh Davis is returning as the punter and place kicker with one of the strongest legs around. He will also take some snaps at quarterback.

Jacob Moffett is another senior who’s a three-year starter and will be counted on to contribute big things. A.J. Brown and Jacob Swafford are two receivers who will get plenty of chances.

Brainerd, Hixson, Central, Walker Valley and White County are the other teams competing in this region.

Red Bank is the defending champion, while Cleveland is the early pick for the upcoming season. There are always some surprises and this year should be no different.

The season will begin in a month and many questions will be answered at that time.

Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parenthesis)

1. Cleveland (6)
2. Rhea County (1)
3. Red Bank (1)
4. Brainerd
5. Hixson
6. Central
7. Walker Valley
8. White County

Media Poll
1. Cleveland (11)
2. Red Bank (2)
3. Rhea County
4. Brainerd
5. Hixson (1)
6. Central
7. Walker Valley
8. White County

(email John Hunt at tnmoose2002@aol.com)