Much of the current Region 3-3A field may be pulled away from Chattanooga schools, based on current TSSAA reclassification plans for football.

“Where they have us right now is in a district with Meigs County, McMinn Central, Sequoyah, Sweetwater and possibly Tellico Plains,” Polk County coach Derrick Davis said. “We are still going to try and play some teams (in Chattanooga), but that’s where they have put us right now, according to one of the TSSAA coordinators. Obviously, we won’t know anything definite until November.”

Meigs, McMinn Central, Polk, Sequoyah and Tellico are current 3-3A members along with East Ridge, Grundy County, Howard and Notre Dame.

Grundy could wind up in a region with Bledsoe County, Sequatchie County, Signal Mountain and possibly Marion County and Chattanooga Christian.

“That’s the last I heard,” Grundy coach Jim Swafford said. “I sure hope we are staying in the (Chattanooga) area.”

There was a rumor that Rhea County had appealed to the TSSAA to move west into a district with Cumberland County, White County and others, but Rhea coach Jason Fitzgerald said that wasn’t so.

“Someone from the TSSAA asked if we would mind moving, and I told them I didn’t know about that,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t know either about the travel for our other sports, but I think they would be competitive in that area.”

As it stands now, Rhea is projected to be in a district with Bradley Central, Ooltewah, Soddy-Daisy, Cleveland, McMinn County, Walker Valley and possibly Central and Red Bank.

Roberson is back

Bledsoe County coach Hubert Roberson returns to the sideline tonight after a two-week suspension. Roberson was suspended without pay for seven business days after a hazing incident that occurred when he left players unattended in the team’s fieldhouse during school hours.

The Warriors lost both games in his absence, including 10-6 last week against state-ranked rival Sequatchie County. Bledsoe County (0-5) visits Grace in a nonregion game.

“This was really tough on me,” Roberson said. “I was about ready to pull my hair out last week, not being able to be there against our big rival. Everybody has been punished that needed to be. We’ve dealt with it and have turned our attention to the game this week. It’s good to get back in the routine.”

Rhea’s Revis still out

Rhea County continues to operate without University of Tennessee commitment Kevin Revis, who hasn’t played since the first quarter of the Golden Eagles’ victory over Hixson in Week 2. Fitzgerald said a dislocated elbow would probably keep his best offensive lineman out until Week 8 at Red Bank.

Gulledge takes over

Johnny Gulledge was hired as head football coach at Adairsville earlier this week, becoming the school’s third coach in two weeks.

Gulledge, currently director of student support for Bartow County schools and former head coach at Calhoun, was officially announced at a news conference Monday. Gulledge replaces Brett Tolbert, who had been interim head coach after Mark Arthur’s contract was terminated.

Golden Pioneers

East Ridge will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pioneers football at next Friday’s homecoming game against McMinn Central. Kickoff is set for 7:30 and the 50th anniversary recognition will begin at 7.

All former East Ridge football players, cheerleaders and band members are encouraged to attend and sign in before the game with the welcoming committee.

Stingy with points

The defenses at Polk County and Cleveland lead the state in fewest points allowed. Polk’s Wildcats have recorded three straight shutouts and outscored their four opponents 142-8.

Cleveland has also recorded three straight shutouts, having allowed 20 total points this year.

Four teams across the state have allowed 20 or fewer points so far this year, and three of those are from the Chattanooga area. Besides Polk County and Cleveland, South Pittsburg has given up 19 total points in four games and also leads the state with 234 points scored.

Tyner is also on the short list of five teams that have scored 200 or more points so far. The Rams have scored 201 in five games.

Ramblers look to mat

When Perry Swindall took over a struggling LaFayette football program last spring, he quickly learned the school had athletes who knew how to win championships — in wrestling. So it came as no surprise that the new coach turned to the two-time defending state champions for inspiration, and a few athletes.

“The wrestling program around here has proven that a hard work ethic and starting young and continuing to work with a goal in mind works,” said Swindall, who has his Ramblers off to a 3-1 start. “And their goal each year is to win a state championship. When you start with that goal in mind and you start at a young age, it’s going to come to fruition a lot sooner.

“That’s a model that was here in one program but not here in a lot of the other programs. We hope to build off the wrestling program, because those kids have proven it can be done here.”

Among the team’s top players this year are running back Justin Gilbreath, the team’s leading rusher, Derek Murdock, one of its leading tacklers, and lineman Caleb Hartshorn.

Owls on Internet

Ooltewah’s game tonight at Maplewood can be followed on the Internet. Anyone wishing to keep up with the game can log on to Wazoosports.com.

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