Football coaches in Region 3-2A held media day Wednesday at Boyd Buchanan and below is a Quick Facts look at each school.
Arguably the toughest region in 2A, four schools – Boyd Buchanan, Marion Co., Meigs Co. and Tyner - have played in at least two state championship games with all but Meigs having won a state title.
Playoff Strong: The eight region members have played in 298 post-season games (152-146) all-time with Marion County leading the way at 50-30 and Boyd Buchanan at 37-17.
Lots of traveling as Region 3 consists of schools from five counties – Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Meigs and Polk.
Bledsoe County
Coach: Josh Owensby, 1st Yr.
2014: 5-6, playoffs
Noteworthy: Junior QB Chaise Sorrow has started 16 straight games … Coach Owensby hopes OL Cole Angel (6-7 200) gives the opposition a devil of a time getting to the QB
Schedule: Aug.
28 - hosts South Pittsburg in season opener … seven new teams on the schedule
Boyd Buchanan
Coach: Grant Reynolds, 9th Yr. 73-38
2014: 5-6, playoffs
State Titles: 2003
Noteworthy: 17 straight years in playoffs … won last five regular season games … senior QB is Cooper Hodge passed for 1,100 yards in 2014 …
Schedule: - Season Opener, Aug. 21 … BBS hosts Tenn. Christian (Cleveland), who is in its first season of varsity football
Long Time Foe: Oct. 23 - BBS hosts South Pitt (non-region game)
Brainerd
Coach: Brian Gwyn; 3rd yr,, 6-14
2014: 3-7
Noteworthy: Gejuan Landmon (6-3, 310) is one of the best guards in the area ... joins 6-5 260 Eddie Pitmon on both sides of the ball … Malik Beavers (6-2) is can run and throw equally well as the quarterback.
Schedule: Panthers open on the road (Aug. 21) at Chattanooga Christian … closes season with three at home; Silverdale, Bledsoe Co. and Tyner.
Marion County
Coach: Ricky Ross; 2nd yr, 12-2
2014: 12-2; 2A state runner-up
Noteworthy: 2014 2A state runners-up … 8 starters on offense; 7 on defense
Will be experienced up front … Three pre-season all-state selections in Alex Kirkendoll (112 tackles), Corey Tucker and Christian Stephens … Kirkendoll was District Defensive Player of the Year
Matt Haverston rushed for 1,500 yards in 2014.
Quarterback battle is between two seniors - former Marion County player Logan Walters and Bryce Massengale … Walters played in Alabama in 2014 after wearing the Marion County colors in 2013
Schedule: Thursday Nite Opener; Aug. 20 Hixson at home …
Long Time Foe: Sept. 11 – South Pittsburg at home
Meigs County
Coach: Jason Fitzgerald, 2nd yr.; 6-5 … 88-61 (career)
2014: 6-5, playoffs
Noteworthy: 85 roster players in the spring ... Ryan Ryal was 2014 District Def.Player of Year … his brother Zach Rayl played at UTC … his cousin, Jesse, is battling for QB starting spot with Clint Oliver ... Meigs won more games in 2014 (6) than in the previous two seasons combined ...
Season Turning Point: according to coach Fitzgerald the win against Rockwood (42-14) was the turning point in the 2014 season .... "the players believed the could win after that game." ... Meigs won four of last six games after Rockwood win.
Schedule: Tigers open with three playoff teams from 2014; at Sweetwater, Oneida and state runner-up Marion County at home
Rival Game: Sept. 25 - McMinn Central for Homecoming
Polk County comes calling Oct. 23 for Senior Nite
Polk County
Coach: Derrick Davis, 16th Yr; 110-89
2014: 0-10
Noteworthy: looking to snap 10 game losing streak after being 9-3 in 2013 … has eight returning starters on offense … senior starters are Jake Carden (TE/DE), Ben Norwood (FB/LB) and Reno Wimberly (RB/DB).
Schedule: hosts East Ridge in season opener Aug. 21
Silverdale Academy
Coach: Al Rogers
2014: 4-6
Noteworthy: 7 starters on each side of the ball … Christian Rogers had 104 tackle last season …
Nose guard Soph. Trent Gibson (5-8) tips the scales at 270 … senior Josh Brady has committed to play next fall at Jacksonville (Ala.) State as a long snapper
QB Battle – juniors Alex Gonzalez and Hayden Spencer (transfer from Walker Valley) will battle for starting spot … coach Rogers has four seniors – Hunter Arnold (RB/LB), Tanner Gibson (OL/DL), Jake Locklear (OL/DL) according to coach Rogers is “retired” (until graduation) rock climber and Josh Brady Center and long snapper …
Schedule: opens with three games at home – Lookout Valley, Bledsoe Co, Grace Baptist
Tyner
Coach: Wayne Turner, 25th year; 205-81
2014: 2-8
Noteworthy: senior leadership will be the key as the Rams look to improve from last season’s 2-8 record … key leaders are RB/LB Brandon Jackson, RB/DE Chaysen Patrick and DL-OL Deonta Tyson …
Schedule: strong schedule includes non-region games Notre Dame at home in season opener (Aug.28) and at Signal Mtn. (Sept.11).
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net