Staff Photo by Shane McMillan
South Pittsburgh player Jijuan Fennell dashes into the endzone at a scrimmage at Sequatchie County High School on July 17th.

As if the return of 14 seniors from last year’s undefeated Clas 1A state championship team wasn’t scary enough for opponents, several underclassmen appear ready to become the next wave of talent at South Pittsburg.

Among the speed returning for the Pirates are backs David Jones, Montrell Mitchell and Kartrez Bibbs, all of whom have been clocked at 4.5 seconds or faster in the 40-yard dash. But during the offseason and preseason practice, enough depth developed that no Pirates linemen will play both ways as the program looks for its ninth Region 3-1A title in the last 15 years.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had that here,” Pirates coach Vic Grider said. “We had some kids that got in the weight room and really busted it to get stronger. It’s a rare thing at the 1A level to have enough quality that you’re able to let those linemen rest.”

The progression of junior Terrell Robinson (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) adds a dual threat to the quarterback position, and the emergence of fellow juniors Jijuan Fennell (6-4, 220) at tight end and Malcolm Jones at receiver means the potential for even more balance for an offense that averaged 48 points per game last year.

The Pirates aren’t the only Region 3-1A team loaded with returning experience. With 18 starters back and the confidence from consecutive playoff berths, Grace Academy appears in position to host a postseason game.

The most notable of those returning for Grace is quarterback Josh Blake. Blake (6-0, 180) amassed more than 2,600 total yards last season and earlier this summer turned in the second-fastest 40-yard time at both Vanderbilt (4.48) and a Nike camp in Ohio.

“He’s got great speed and explosiveness,” Grace coach Mark Mowery said. “He’s noticeably bigger and stronger but didn’t lose a step.”

After a school-best seven wins and the program’s first playoff experience, Silverdale Academy is expected to be in the thick of the region race. Although the Seahawks will break in a new quarterback, coach John Allen said he believes sophomore Scott Paone’s talent will overshadow his inexperience. Paone also benefits from the return of Chris Goodine, who had 600 receiving yards last season, and Tyler Barnett, who is expected to be a big-play threat.

Losses to Grace and Lookout Valley by a combined 13 points kept Silverdale from finishing second last year. Instead, Lookout Valley claimed the runner-up spot for the second time in three years. For the Yellow Jackets to again contend, a committee of backs must replace Chas Scruggs. The city’s career rushing leader graduated, leading Jackets coach Tony Webb to switch to a spread-option offense to take advantage of the athleticism of Derrick Pullom and Tay Vaughn Wynn.

Whitwell hopes the promotion of offensive coordinator Tim Taylor to head coach will result in its first playoff run in three years. Taylor becomes the Tigers’ fourth coach in the last six years, but he guided Marion County to four winning seasons and three playoff appearances as head coach. Whitwell has most of its offensive and defensive linemen returning but graduated every skill position player.

David Brainerd nearly finished .500 in its first year of region competition. A season-ending upset loss to Tennessee Temple left the Wildcats 4-6. But the most wins in program history and the return of quarterback Brooks Thedford (1,700 passing yards) and favorite target Will Keebler should ensure offensive production. Settles admitted a stingier defense will decide whether the Wildcats are a viable playoff team.

Copper Basin coach Patrick Daley points to Lookout Valley’s dramatic turnaround from just a few seasons ago as an example of what he’s trying to build. With eight starters returning on both sides, Daley expects to be more competitive than last year’s team that allowed an average of 44 points.

“We only had three seniors last year and had to play 11 freshmen,” Daley said. “We took our lumps because we were just so small and young everywhere.

“The key is defense. Last year we couldn’t stop anybody when they came right at us. We have to stop some people to give ourselves a chance. You’d like to have a good early season, but we open with South Pittsburg, then Silverdale so we’ll have our hands full.”

Team on the rise: Grace Academy gained valuable experience and confidence with last year’s playoff run and have dual-threat quarterback Josh Blake back. Blake is one of the few players who can decide a game on his own, and the Golden Eagles should benefit from several talented transfers as well.

Team on the decline: As if losing Chas Scruggs, the city’s single-season and career rushing record holder, to graduation wasn’t enough, Lookout Valley also graduated all-state safety Lance Rorex as well as linebacker Brandon O’Dell and steady quarterback Casey Marr. A third second-place region finish in the last four years will be a tall order.

Nightmare schedule: After opening up against two high-classification opponents, the Yellow Jackets do not play at home after Sept. 26, including consecutive road games against Grace and Silverdale, who are likely playoff contenders. They also have back-to-back off weeks to disrupt things late in the season.

Dream schedule: One of Silverdale’s nonregion games is against fledgling Riverside Christian, a non-TSSAA member the Seahawks hammered last year. The two other nonregion opponents were a combined 3-17 last season, and Silverdale also hosts Grace Academy and Lookout Valley — the two teams it will likely battle for second place.

Best game: Although it’s the first region game for both, when Silverdale Academy hosts Grace Academy on Sept. 5, it could decide second place and a home playoff game.

Biggest shoes to fill: South Pittsburg fullback Robert Robinson. Although the Pirates had lots of talent waiting behind him, Robinson’s durability was invaluable. There were games that he simply took over, and his power and 2,439 yards won’t be easily replaced.

Playoff bound: South Pittsburg, Grace Academy, Silverdale Baptist, Lookout Valley

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. South Pittsburg: The return of 14 seniors, including all-state running back/linebacker David Jones means there won’t be much of a drop off from last year’s dominating state champion.

2. Grace Academy: The experience of back-to-back playoff trips, combined with the return of a much improved line are enough reason to believe the Golden Eagles could host a playoff game. Plus, Josh Blake is the most dangerous dual threat in the region. Blake has the ability to take over games by himself, as evidenced by last year’s win over Silverdale when he accounted for 46 points.

3. Silverdale Baptist: If the Seahawks can limit the mistakes that cost them in last year’s loss to Grace, they could be 6-0 heading into the South Pittsburg game. Sophomore quarterback Scott Paone’s progression will determine much of Silverdale’s success.

4. Lookout Valley: The switch to the spread option should make the Yellow Jackets a headache for most of the region. Lookout Valley has as much speed as any Region 3 team this side of South Pittsburg.

5. Whitwell: The Tigers have good size up front but a very young backfield. That most of the players have experienced very little previous success means that first-year coach Tim Taylor will spend a good portion of his time trying to overcome his teams’ self doubt.

6. David Brainerd: Numbers are up, but there remains very little depth and experience. The Wildcats are simply out-manned in several areas.

7. Copper Basin: The Cougars should not repeat last year’s winless season but are still too young to expect to challenge most of the other teams in the region.

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