Polk tries for first 10-0 regular season

Derrick Davis wanted to make a correction. If Polk County manages to beat Meigs County tonight, this 2009 football team will not be the first bunch of Wildcats to go undefeated.

"According to our records, the 1917 team went 4-0," he said.

"My dad was on that team," he added with a chuckle, in reference to his assistant who was a longtime Polk head coach.

Polk County hasn't been 9-0 since 1989 when the Wildcats played McMinn Central for the district championship and lost 14-7. That was Davis' senior year.

"We have never had a 10-0 team, and we haven't done it this year, but I think our kids will be ready to play. A 10-0 is something big to play for," he said.

Davis, who became been head coach at his alma mater before the 2000 season, never had a district championship until this season. The Wildcats have finished runner-up four times and third four times.

"It couldn't happen to a better bunch of players," he said. "There are years you can't wait to take up the equipment. I dread the thought of it this year. This is a good group. I'm not talking about talent but the effort, the attitude, the behavior and the team chemistry. It has been a special year."

The district championship is Polk's first since 1985.

"They won it and finished 10-2," said Davis, who was in the eighth grade that season. "I remember it, especially the playoffs. We lost to Smith County, which was coached at that time by Gary Rankin."

Rankin now coaches Alcoa, which Polk County may meet in this year's playoffs.

Sequatchie shining

Chad Barger arrived in Dunlap as a man with a mission. The former Bledsoe County player wanted to add consistent winning to the Sequatchie County football tradition.

With a 6-5 record a year ago and a 6-3 showing heading into tonight's game at McMinn Central, the Indians have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1996-97, when Mike Zeller was coach. They have secured playoff appearances in consecutive years for the first time since 2002-03.

"I think we have a great coaching staff, but I attribute the success to the kids," Coach Barger said. "Our guys go out and work every day, and they do what they're told. That's one reason we as coaches don't want this year to end."

Calhoun reaps benefits

As several teams spent precious time this week discussing whether to move games up or back due to another round of forecast rain tonight, Calhoun coach Hal Lamb had no such worries. In previous seasons the poorly draining surface at Phil Reeve Stadium would have been in poor shape after any rain.

However, with the installation of its current state-of-the-art field turf, moving games is one thing Lamb no longer has to consider.

"The Lord blessed us this year," Lamb said. "With the rain we've had, the field would have been unplayable by now. No doubt, it's been a huge plus for us."

New look at CCS

Winter workouts look a lot more inviting at Chattanooga Christian, coach Barry Loyal said after the Chargers got the school's first win last Friday with an overtime victory against Whitwell.

"You always want to win," Loyal said. "I have been involved in some big football games -- state finals in Alabama -- and the feeling Friday night was no different. I'm so happy for the kids."

Practice was even more enjoyable.

"The kids are walking with a little lighter step. They're looking forward to playing one more time," he said. "For the guys coming back, that win made our whole offseason. They feel like they can do it. That win made it a whole lot easier for them and for me."

The Chargers will return 36 of 39 players from this year's team.

Records at Rhea

There are positives at Rhea County despite the 1-8 Golden Eagles' first losing season since 2005.

With a game left tonight at Warren County, junior quarterback Cameron Tallent has set single-season records for completions (141) and attempts (258). Both records had belonged to Ryan Sharpe (117-of-228) since 1998. Tallent, with 1,691 passing yards, also has a shot at the school's single-season passing yardage record of 2,018 set in 2004 by Caleb Wilson. He would need 328 yards.

Junior receiver Chris Johnson owns single-game records for receptions and yards (15-217 vs. Walker Valley). Those records had belonged to Torry White (8-197 vs. McCallie, 1997). Johnson also has the single-season receptions record with 45 catches. Mike Kinney set the old record of 41 in 1989.