High school football game capsules

MARYVILLE REBELS (1-1) at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES (1-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Maryville won 28-20 in the second round of last year’s Class 6A playoffs.

Storyline: The Cherokees are out for revenge against the Rebels, who defeated them twice last season — the second time ending a good McMinn season.

Players to watch: Maryville quarterback Patton Robinette rushed for 87 yards in a 35-6 victory over Knoxville West last week, while Desmund Horne is a threat at wide receiver. The Cherokees counter with quarterback Drew Masingale and receiver Desmond McBee on offense, while Ken Starr and Ty Kimpson anchor the defense.

Key question: After a 40-point loss in their regular-season meeting last year, the Cherokees closed the gap to eight in the playoffs. Can they continue to figure out the Rebels?

EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (1-1) at BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (2-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: The Bears won 28-10 last year.

Storyline: Both teams are coming off losses, the Bears to rival Cleveland and the Pioneers to Red Bank.

Players to watch: If he is healthy, senior running back Chase Steele will shoulder most of the offensive load for the Pioneers, as well as quarterback Demetrius Bumpus. Bradley’s Tucker Bolton will make plays on the defensive line, while tailback Justin Houston and receiver James Stovall are playmakers for the Bears.

Key question: Who will rebound better from last week’s district loss?

POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (1-1) at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (2-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: The Wildcats won 48-27 last year.

Storyline: The game pits two of the top teams in District 5-AA.

Players to watch: Polk is led by quarterback Jared Allen and running backs Chase Mull and Tyler Lee. The Chargers will counter with quarterbacks Jared Swafford and Levi Corbett, and tailback MacKenzie Eason shoulders most of the load on the ground.

Key question: Can the Chargers put up enough points to hang with Polk?

HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (2-0) at BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS (2-1)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Boyd-Buchanan won 42-18 last year.

Storyline: Both teams are trying out new offenses this season. The Tigers have gone triple-option. The Bucs have retracted from their customary I-formation, north-south approach in favor of stretching things outward.

Players to watch: Howard’s offense is directed by Thomas McCauley. Eric McCullough and Evander Rollins are the main running backs. Scovia Covington had two fumble recoveries last week. Boyd-Buchanan inside linebackers Ross Keasler and Hayden Meadows are relied upon heavily every game. This week they will be instrumental in trying to take away the Tigers’ inside option. John Hale isn’t as acclaimed as backfield mates Meadows and Chase Reed, but he’s been a key contributor, averaging 82.3 all-purpose yards per game.

Key question: Can the Bucs’ defenders be in the right place at the right time often enough to stifle Howard’s big-play capabilities?

TYNER RAMS (1-2) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (2-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: McCallie won 20-19 last year.

Storyline: Tyner can’t always find schools similar in size eager to play, and Wayne Turner-coached teams do not have the reputation of being terrified by any program. That’s how McCallie ended up on the Rams’ schedule in 1999, and the teams have played each year since. To Tyner’s dismay, the only game it has won in the series in that time was the 2002 season opener.

Players to watch: Tyner likes to spread the carries among several running backs. Damien Suttles had two touchdown runs last week and caught two passes from quarterback Travis Jones. McCallie running back Daniel McClure has been routinely ripping through the middle of opposing defenses. Jamal Calvin complements McClure in the running game. Ben Johnston had two interceptions last week.

Key question: The Rams are averaging 40 points per game and have a losing record. Can they solve McCallie’s multifaceted offense enough times to win a shootout?

BRAINERD PANTHERS (0-2) at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (1-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Brainerd won 49-6 last year.

Storyline: Based on what’s transpired thus far and the teams’ remaining schedules, it seems this is one of the best chances for victory for both.

Players to watch: Brainerd’s William Hughes had a 56-yard scoring run among his 90 yards rushing last week. Joseph Derrick is a tall, athletic receiver who could help the Panthers greatly if they can get the ball in his hands. Notre Dame senior Will Mahn hasn’t played a great deal in the past but is one player making an impact on both sides of the ball. Joey Deocampo ran for both touchdowns and had a late interception in the game the Irish won.

Key question: Which team will play to its potential?

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS (1-1) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (3-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Signal Mountain won 29-26 last year.

Storyline: The Eagles have outscored their opponents by an average of 46-8, but this will be their toughest challenge yet. Two fourth-quarter fumbles inside their 5-yard line cost the Indians in a season-opening loss, but they rebounded last week.

Players to watch: The Indians are led by versatile senior Hunter Lewis, who is all over the field on both sides of the ball. Signal Mountain’s potent offense starts with senior quarterback Hogan Whitmire, but he has plenty of weapons, including running back Donnie Garner, and the team has been bolstered by the return of fullback/linebacker Gervell Morgan.

Key question: Will the Eagles get caught overlooking the dangerous Indians, glancing ahead to next week’s showdown at South Pittsburg?

SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES (2-0) at CASCADE CHAMPIONS (1-2)

Tonight, 8

Last meeting: South Pittsburg won 57-14 last year.

Storyline: This will be the third straight week that Cascade has played a state-ranked opponent. The Champions return most of the starters from last year’s eight-win team and were picked to win their district. However, they simply did not have the athletes to match South Pittsburg last year.

Players to watch: South Pittsburg running back Raquis Hale has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the first two games and sophomore Demetric Johnson has returned a punt for a score and caught TD passes in both games.

Key question: Will the Pirates maintain their intensity between two big rivalry games against a nondistrict opponent they drubbed last year?

DAR PATRIOTS (0-2) at NORTH JACKSON CHIEFS (2-0)

Tonight, 8

Last meeting: North Jackson won 41-6 last year.

Storyline: The Chiefs have risen to third in Alabama’s Class 4A state rankings, outscoring their opponents 91-13. North Jackson averaged 14 yards per play in last week’s win at Douglas.

Players to watch: North Jackson receivers Montel Hale and Kahne Cooper are each averaging well more than 20 yards per catch, and running back Deuntae Johnson returns after a one-game suspension.

Key question: Can the Patriots control the ball, and the clock, to sustain drives and keep the Chiefs’ quick-strike offense off the field?

PEPPERELL DRAGONS (1-1) at CALHOUN YELLOW JACEKETS (2-0)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Calhoun won 28-27 in 2008.

Storyline: According to many preseason prognosticators, these are the top teams in Region 7-AA, Pepperell in the A subregion, Calhoun in B. It could be a preview of the region playoff round in week 10.

Players to watch: The Dragons are loaded in the trenches, led by Kyle Harris (6-3, 265), Dakota Ball (6-2, 285) and Jesse Maynor (6-0, 250)but still are trying to find a suitable replacement for injured tailback Janier Ferguson. Calhoun’s explosive offense starts with running back Dustin Christian, quarterback Landon Curtis and receiver J.T. Palmer. The defense has paced the Yellow Jackets so far, led by linebackers Alex Kirby and Hunter Knight and linemen Caden Parker and Gus Roberts. Kicker Adam Griffith is one of the best in the state.

Key question: Pepperell has struggled putting drives together. Can the Dragons find some offensive consistency against a rugged Calhoun defense?

HERITAGE GENERALS (2-0) at MURRAY COUNTY INDIANS (0-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: First meeting.

Storyline: This is a matchup of programs going in different directions. The third-year Generals are on the surge, while the Indians, once perennial playoff participants, have won a total of three games in the past four seasons.

Players to watch: Heritage has taken to its new spread option offense behind quarterback Jake Sampson and running backs Ethan Thompson (more than 100 yards in each of the first two games) and Ketwun Burns. The varsity defense is unscored on, led by linebackers Justin Hall and Will Crane and lineman Justin Adekoya. Murray’s offense has moved the ball at times but can’t seem to finish drives. Senior quarterback Taylor Patterson has a big arm and a good weapon in Raheem Adams. Linebackers Jake White and Tyler Timms are the leading tacklers.

Key question: There are two. Can the sky-high Generals stay focused after their big win last week over LFO, and can the Indians find the end zone?

SEQUOYAH CHIEFS (0-2) at NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS (0-2)

Tonight, 7:30

Last meeting: Northwest won 14-3 last year.

Storyline: For teams with serious preseason playoff hopes, this is almost an elimination game in Region 7-AAAA.

Players to watch: Sequoyah is led offensively by three-year starting quarterback Ben Rogers and strong receivers A.J. Howard, Brandon Alexander and Vini Macedo. Linebackers Brandon Alexander and Vincent Bruno lead a fast but smallish defense. The Bruins, shut out so far in 2010, are seeking better quarterback play from Silas Ledford and Matt Allen. Running backs Justin Andrews and Nathan Sistrunk have been strong behind a large but underperforming line led by Synjen Herren (6-4, 300). Linebackers Jake Douglas and Zach Sloan are tackling machines. The health of defensive Luke Woodason’s ankle is a key.

Key question: The Bruins have a decided size advantage up front. Can they use it to finish drives tonight?