Prep football capsules

MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (1-1) at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (1-0)

Tonight, 8

Last meeting: South Pittsburg won 20-8 last year.

Storyline: The oldest continuous rivalry in the state renews for the 87th time. South Pittsburg debuted at No. 1 in the first Class 1A state poll this week. The Warriors are coming off a lopsided loss at Bledsoe County. The Pirates have won the last four games in the series, by an average of 41-10.

Players to watch: South Pittsburg running back Raquis Hale ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns last week and receiver/kick returner Demetric “Little Man” Johnson had a punt return and a receiving TD. The Warriors are led by sophomore quarterback Matt Zeman and all-purpose back Brandon Gibbs.

Key question: Can the Warriors control the ball and the clock long enough to wear down South Pittsburg and keep the Pirates’ quick-strike offense off the field?

BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (1-1) at SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (0-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Boyd-Buchanan won 54-7 last year.

Storyline: The Bucs’ inexperience showed last week in a second-half eruption by Red Bank. The Seahawks’ new spread offense struggled for the second straight week. Despite it being early, this game will go a long way in determining playoff positioning.

Players to watch: Ross Keasler is the unquestioned leader of the Bucs’ defense. He had 17 tackles, 3.5 for loss, last week. Will Amos is capable of playing any offensive skill position for the Seahawks.

Key question: Can Silverdale work out the issues in its new offense enough to challenge the Bucs?

TRION BULLDOGS (0-1) at LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (1-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: LaFayette won 34-20 last year.

Storyline: This underrated rivalry pits schools in different classifications (LaFayette is Class AAA, Trion Class A) and different counties, but the schools are 15 minutes apart and the players are familiar with each other. Also, first-year LaFayette coach Tab Gable had two successful stints as coach at Trion.

Players to watch: The Trion offense begins with senior quarterback Hayden Tucker, who was held in check in last week’s 12-point loss to Armuchee. Backs Cody Simpson, Austin McGraw and Blake Bethune share carries. LaFayette displayed a balanced offense in topping Chattooga last week, with senior quarterback Josh Morgan throwing for 110 yards and backs Devarus Porter and Jarrod Beamon combining for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Garrett Thompson had a breakout defensive game with eight tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Key question: Trion has the edge in experience up front, but LaFayette has more experience in the skill areas. Which edge will make the difference?

DALTON CATAMOUNTS (0-1) at MURRAY COUNTY INDIANS (0-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Dalton won 48-0 last year.

Storyline: The Indians’ decline in recent years has taken some of the luster off this once-fierce rivalry, but make no mistake, there still is plenty of dislike on each side.

Players to watch: Dalton is paced offensively by junior running back Tre Beck, who had 80 of the team’s 160-yard total in last week’s loss to Calhoun. Quarterback Cole Calfee struggled in his debut, though his receivers dropped a few catchable balls. Senior lineman Watts Dantzler is the lone veteran up front. Defensively, end Floyd Coffey had several highlight-worthy plays last week and is the leader of an athletic front four. Murray was held to 156 total yards in a rough loss to Southeast Whitfield. Senior quarterback Taylor Patterson was benched after drawing a personal foul. The lone bright spot was the running of Deron Hill, who managed 94 yards.

Key question: Can the Catamounts find some offensive consistency, especially in the passing game, or will they allow the Indians to stack the line of scrimmage?

LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS (0-1) at HERITAGE GENERALS (1-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: LFO won 34-13 last year.

Storyline: The third-year Generals are itching to record their first win over their Catoosa County rivals, who have won the first two meetings by a combined 98-13.

Players to watch: Heritage had a solid opening-game win, 27-7 over first-year program North Murray, as senior quarterback Jake Sampson threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Backs Ethan Thompson and Ketwun Burns, former LFO star LaGreg Burns’ brother, are the offensive focal points. Noseguard Dylan Lowe and linebackers Will Craine and Justin Hall are the defensive leaders. Though the Warriors fell to rival Ringgold last week, coach Todd Windham had to like what he saw from sophomore quarterback Trey Silmon. He started the game 8-for-8 and had two touchdown passes to Randall Eaker. The key for LFO is a young, but large front wall led by massive tackle D.J. Roberson.

Key question: Silmon was on target when his protection was good last week, though he threw three interceptions when pressured. Can the LFO line protect him against an aggressive Heritage defense?

EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (0-1) at BRAINERD PANTHERS (0-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Brainerd won 48-3 last year.

Storyline: Both are teams in flux as they begin District 6-AA play. Brainerd has a new coach who’s selling a new mindset, and East Hamilton is a new program that continues to forge a foundation.

Players to watch: Brainerd quarterback William Hughes and running back Maleek Rook play key roles. East Hamilton features quarterbacks/athletes Chris Moore and Scott Paone. Paone will get his first action of the year after sitting out last week’s loss to Signal Mountain. He was recovering from a concussion suffered in practice.

Key question: Panthers have speed advantage, but a number of standouts go both ways. Will Hurricanes’ much better depth (50-plus on varsity) come into play?

HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (1-0) at CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (1-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Central won 29-28 last year.

Storyline: Both teams feature new offenses. Central is running a semblance of a wing-T, and Howard is trying to emulate Georgia Tech’s triple option. Neither Pounders coach Sam Montgomery nor Tigers coach Alvin Tarver was especially pleased with offensive showings last week.

Players to watch: Central’s best athlete is DeHart Hubbard and he is likely to show up on a flank, at running back or at wingback, but not at quarterback. The Tigers could show as many as a half-dozen backs, including Eric McCullough, Scovia Covington and Evander Rollins.

Key question: Defensive efforts lifted each last week. Can Central stand up to the inside-out option pounding, and can Howard adjust to the sleight-of-hand wing?

LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS (0-1) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (2-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Signal Mountain won 49-38 last year.

Storyline: This is Signal Mountain’s home opener after road wins over Hixson and East Hamilton. Lookout Valley opened last week and became the second team to lose to second-year program Chattanooga Christian. Lack of depth is an issue for the first time in seven seasons for Lookout Valley, which will have 22 players available tonight.

Players to watch: Lookout Valley sophomore quarterback and free safety Vann Scribner rushed for 100-plus yards, threw for 70 and recorded 15 tackles last week. Eagles fullback/linebacker Zach Bowman leads a balanced offense and stiff defense. The Eagles will play six to eight in the backfield.

Key question: How many players will Eagles coach Bill Price play and how quickly will reserves get on the field against the overmatched Yellow Jackets?

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (0-1) at GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS (0-1)

Tonight, 8

Last meeting: Sequatchie County won 23-0 last year.

Storyline: Sequatchie County is smarting from self-inflicted wounds in its close loss to Central. Grundy County got whipped by South Pittsburg, which at least is the top-ranked Class 1A team. Yet despite those beginnings, these teams have high hopes for 2010. Tonight’s winner will still have to confront defending champion Bledsoe County, but this is unquestionably a pivotal game in the District 7-AA race.

Players to watch: Sequatchie’s offensive attack is built around elusive Hunter Lewis. The Indians need fellow running back Justis Stewart to lend support. The Yellow Jackets’ Johnny Cook rushed for 92 yards last week but had to work for it on 24 carries. Kevin Nolan returned an interception 30 yards for a TD and contributed 41 rushing yards.

Key question: Which team’s players have done better this week at putting last week behind them and moving forward?

SODDY-DAISY TROJANS (1-1) at OOLTEWAH OWLS (2-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Ooltewah won 21-14 last year.

Storyline: These largest public high schools in Hamilton County are both in District 5-AAA and have long had a healthy athletic rivalry. However, football results have been one-sided lately. The Owls have won the last seven meetings, including a regular-season game and state-playoff game in 2008. Soddy-Daisy’s last victory in the series was in ’03.

Players to watch: Soddy-Daisy went from pass-happy the first week — quarterback Trevor Card was 14-of-25 — to Cedric Edwards running for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries last week. Ooltewah’s first two opponents found containing short, sturdy and shifty quarterback Goose Manning to be a challenge. Randall Freeman broke out last week with an 85-yard scoring run among his 163 rushing yards, and he made 10 tackles. Linebacker Jay Rudwell led in tackles with 16.

Key question: It may be a little early for waterfowl season, but can the Trojans successfully conduct a Goose hunt tonight?

CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS (1-0) at BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (2-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Bradley won 27-26 last year.

Storyline: In the fierce rivalry’s 40-plus-year history, this is the first time both teams go into the game undefeated.

Players to watch: Raiders quarterback Chad Voytik threw for five touchdowns last week. Jamarcus Mobley sparks the running game and end Henry McClendon leads the defense. The Bears’ James Stovall had more than 200 receiving yards last week. Justin Houston and Dewaun Massengill spearhead Bradley’s rushing attack.

Key question: The teams combined for 82 points in lopsided victories last week. Which one can get the stops necessary to win this game?

WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS (1-1) at RHEA COUNTY EAGLES (0-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Walker Valley won 28-20 last year.

Storyline: The Golden Eagles look for revenge against the Mustangs, who got their lone victory of 2009 over Rhea.

Players to watch: The Mustangs’ Brad Davis is a speedster who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury. Kelvin Wells Jr. took his spot and gained 125 yards. The Eagles rely on quarterback Cameron Tallent (463 yards passing) and sophomore tailback Desmond Sharp (138 yards rushing) to get them up and down the field.

Key question: Will the Eagles’ defense continue its improvement against the Mustangs?

HIXSON WILDCATS (0-2) at TYNER RAMS (0-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Tyner won 47-35 last year.

Storyline: Each team is searching for its first win after tough losses to start the year.

Players to watch: The Wildcats could use a big game from running back Gary Cosey. The Rams depend on quarterback and defensive back Travis Jones on both sides of the ball.

Key question: The Rams have been plagued by turnovers with 10 in their first two games. Can they play closer to mistake-free football?

EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (1-0) at RED BANK LIONS (1-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Red Bank won 38-7 last year.

Storyline: Neither team faced much of a challenge in its season opener. Red Bank beat Boyd-Buchanan 32-6, and East Ridge rolled over Silverdale Baptist 40-14. So we’ll see if they’re ready for district competition.

Players to watch: Red Bank receivers Kelvin Clay and Kameno Watson each had a 100-yard game last week with quarterback Niquia McDuffie, and Hagan Wiley averaged 11 yards per rush. For the Pioneers, senior Chase Steele is a one-man band who could line up at a variety of positions.

Key question: Which team will make the biggest improvement after an easy opening-week victory?