Pat Benson
Spring practice is officially here. From the end of April through the middle of May, our local football teams are hitting the practice field to begin work for the 2019 season. This week I hit the road (and in some cases phone and email) to speak with almost every program. Today is Part 1 of the Spring Football Tour:
1A Region 3
Lookout Valley has a new coach in Josh Payne and his Yellow Jackets will hit the ground running from May 13 – May 23. Coach Payne and his staff are hoping to get to know their athletes and assess their strengths and weaknesses. Also, the players will need to get accustomed to how their practices will function moving forward.
Most of Lookout Valley’s leadership from 2018 is graduating, and the coaches are searching for new leadership in 2019. Coach Payne is hoping to see Corey Talley, Austin Ferguson, Ashton Jackson, Jack Brewer, and Ricardo Cruz (all playing both ways) grow in to a bigger role this spring.
Coach Payne expanded upon his comments by saying how impressed the coaches have been so far with the drive and leadership on the team. They are excited to see what the players can do once they develop the necessary leadership and team chemistry, and the entire staff is eager to get to work on building the foundation of the program. This “young and hungry” football team will kick off their season against Grace Baptist on August 23.
State Champion Whitwell has promoted Travis Olinger to head coach this offseason. The Tigers practice from May 1 – May 12 with no scrimmages since several key players are still on the baseball field.
The Pirates of South Pitt went 12-2 in 2018 with their only two losses belonging to the eventual state champion Whitwell Tigers. The Pirates will practice from May 13 – May 22. South Pitt will have quarterback Brayden Sanders coming back for his junior season, and their first game will be at home on August 24 against Sequatchie County.
2A Region 3
The Tyner Rams’ Coach Wayne Turner has had a legendary coaching career that seems to age like fine wine. After making a state championship game in 2017, the 2018 season was a very impressive 10-2.
Due to so many of their football players participating in spring sports and AAU basketball, right now they are focusing on weights and conditioning.
3A Region 3
The Signal Mountain Eagles went on 6-game win streak to advance to the playoffs last season. This spring Coach Josh Roberts will be focused on instilling the fundamentals of football and teaching the team how to function at practice. Coach Roberts is looking for all of his upperclassmen to step up this spring.
The Eagles spring practice will go from May 13 – May 22. Their 2019 schedule begins on August 23 against East Hamilton for the third straight year.
The Region Champion Red Bank Lions rattled off 11 straight wins in 2018. Coach Chris Brown spoke on the need to fill the void left by the graduation of Calvin Jackson. The coaching staff will be evaluating their offensive skill positions daily to find candidates that can help fill the loss in production.
The coaching staff is hoping to get a jumpstart on the implementation of new offensive schemes moving forward into the 2019 season. Additionally, Coach Brown wants to continue to teach his kids discipline and accountability in all aspects of their lives.
He went out of his way to brag on his players, saying “we are incredibly proud of our student-athletes and they deserve to be celebrated for all they do on and off the field.” The Lions spring practice dates started on April 22 and are spread out through May 9. Red Bank kicks off 2019 at arch-rival Soddy Daisy on August 23.
4A Region 2
For the first time in its football programs’ history, East Hamilton will take the field without Coach Ted Gatewood. Their new Coach Grant Reynolds is focused on finding depth at each position and teaching fundamentals this spring. He’s looking for Caden Meeks, Haynes Eller, Jermiah Chopane, Adam Caudle, Nathan Lee, Aiden Holt, and Gavin Galloway to all step up this offseason.
Additionally, Coach Reynolds is looking forward to the opportunity of building a team the community will be proud of and make a difference in the lives of these young men. The Hurricanes spring practice will be from April 29 – May 16. They kick off the season at Signal Mountain on August 23.
Howard’s Hustlin’ Tigers football team will put the pads on starting on May 6. Coach Starr puts finding a replacement at the quarterback position at the top of his priorities. He is looking for both Eric Johnson and Tremontey Brook to take a bigger role this spring.
Across the river, Hixson will practice from April 28 – May 9. Coach Murray wants to establish a “very rough draft” of his starting lineup for the fall, and to answer some questions on key positions. He says he is looking for all of his players to improve and make a difference for Hixson High School.
The Wildcats have a bye week during Week One which will give them extra time to prepare for their first game at Signal Mountain on August 30.
5A Region 4
Soddy Daisy will hit the practice field from May 1 – May 15. Coach Justin Barnes is focused on teaching and fundamentals. The Trojans have 9 starters back offensively. They are replacing one offensive lineman and a senior quarterback. Their backup last year played approximately 1/3 of the snaps.
Coach Barnes says he and his staff feel pretty good about what they have coming back offensively. However, they have to replace 9 starters on defense. Preston Begley is their leader returning defensively. He started all 11 games of 2018 on the defensive line. Trying to teach and identify the other guys on that side of the ball is the main goal.
When asked who he is looking to step up this spring, Coach Barnes said they have to identify leaders on the defense. Isaac Barnes is expected to lead and take control of the offense. Expanding on that thought, Coach Barnes also needs a second running back to step up. Hayden Maynor started every game for Soddy Daisy at running back. Maynor is also expected to be one of the linebackers.
Coach Barnes is also looking for more out of his wide receivers. They have 4 guys returning, led by Landen Reece and KeSean Eubanks, that have a good understanding of the offensive system. Soddy Daisy hosts their arch-rival Red Bank at the start of the season on August 23.
Up 75-North, Walker Valley has hired a new coach in Robert Akins. Coach Akins is going to use this spring to install their base offense and defense, gain confidence in their schemes, evaluate personnel, and get their players in the best situation to be successful.
When asked which players he is looking to make a step up this spring, Coach Akins listed several players. There is a wide-open quarterback battle between Tucker Pope, Griffin Broome, Gage Kinsey, Daniel Denton and Ryan Lay. Coach Akins believes all are more than capable of leading the team. Griffin and Daniel have talent to help other places other than QB because of their athletic ability. He expects the offensive to lean make a big leap forward. Kallum Lowe will become the leader of the defense this spring from the Mike Linebacker position.
Coach Akins went on to say that he is proud of the staff they have built at Walker Valley. He said he owes a lot of the credit to Nat Akiona (Principal), Mike Turner (AD), Johnny Mull (County AD) and Linda Cash (Bradley County Superintendent) for proving their support and commitment to making Walker Valley football a winning program.
According to Coach Akins, the Mustangs are hungry for success and are doing the little things necessary to compete at a high level. Strength numbers are increasing and OTAs have been full. Teams in the area have proven they can win at a high level, and Walker Valley wants to prove that they can do the same.
Their spring practice is from May 6 – May 16. The Mustangs kick off their season at Knox-Karns on August 23.
6A Region 2
The Ooltewah Owls look to retain their region championship against a loaded field this season. Coach Chandler is focused on filling several skill positions, and find guys to step up and contribute. Specifically, Lane Moore, Christian Beniot, Tre John, and Chase Sanders.
The Owls spring practice dates are from May 1 – May 15. Their 2019 schedule can be found online and they travel to take on Davy Crockett on August 23.
Bradley Central has been rolling ever since Coach Damon Floyd took over the program. The Bears spring practice is from April 29 – May 17. Coach Floyd said the practice time would be used to build depth and find players who can step up. The Bears offense will bring back most of their players, except at the quarterback position.
Coach Floyd believes Javin Burke has all the tools to be a successful player, he just needs to learn the system first. On the defensive end, all three linemen will need to be replaced. The Bears 2019 schedule starts on August 23 against Farragut.
The Blue Raiders of Cleveland have a new coach in Marty Wheeler. Coach Wheeler is going to use this spring to identify their personnel and establish the right culture. Coach Wheeler is looking for all of his seniors to step up and lead during this transition. The Blue Raiders put the pads on from May 6 – May 21 and kick off their season on August 23 at Knox-Central.
Finishing off 6A strong with McMinn County who will conduct spring practice from May 6 – May 16. Coach Bo Cagle is focused on practice habits, being on time, and practicing with purpose. He wants his players to learn how to self-scout individually, and learn how to play with a great pace and tempo.
Coach Cagle says his offensive line needs to make great strides this spring, and they will need better quarterback play to compete. The Cherokee will host the Sequoyah Chiefs on August 30.
Later this week we will have part 2 of the spring football tour. Look for continued high school football coverage this spring and summer as we get ready for the 2019 kickoff.
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Pat Benson is a fixture at high school sporting events. He has been a sideline reporter, P.A. announcer, and radio personality. Tweet him @Pat_Benson_Jr.