Fan's guide to this year's Bledsoe County Warriors
Coach: Jason Reel (25-9 in fifth year here) Stadium address: 877 Main St., Pikeville, TN 37367
Three strengths
1) Running back Holden Boynton was a 1,000-yard rusher a year ago and Reel plans to step up his production after the graduation of Brandon Smith, who ran for more than 1,400 yards and caught 55 passes for another 709 yards.
2) There is experience and depth in both lines, which will be anchored by senior returnees Riley Wooden and Jesse Sandell. Though just a 6-footer and 250 pounds, Sandell has drawn interest from Duke and Georgia Tech along with Tennessee Tech and Carson-Newman.
3) Although 2011 receiving leader Jeremiah Gilbert may move to quarterback, the receiver corps could still be a strength with the likes of senior Gage Frady, who'll also play linebacker, and 6-foot-5 Nathaniel Collins. It definitely will be a strength if the coaching staff gets comfortable with a quarterback besides Gilbert.
Three concerns
1) Quarterback Cody Holloway is gone after topping the 2,000-yard mark last fall. The job may be turned over to Gilbert, but Reel is still considering the possibility of Dakota Wooden under center. Wooden, also a senior, was injured last year and did not get to play. "I'm at least 50-50 and maybe 60-40 [for] Dakota being able to handle the job," the coach said.
2) The staff may have to remind some players about the team philosophy that was so well embraced by the 2011 group. "It's we and not me. The kids have been on some good teams and I'm anxious to see how they work together," Reel said.
3) The kicking game wasn't on par with the team's 10-2 performance, but Reel said Hunter Bishop had worked hard and been fairly consistent. The punting chores likely will fall to Gilbert, which might give the Warriors an edge if they go with some special-teams chicanery.
Bledsoe receiver Jeremiah GilbertThree questions with ...
RILEY WOODEN
(Senior tackle)
Q: Bledsoe County is coming off a 10-2 season. What are expectations this year?
A: As high as possible. You can only do as well as you think you will. We have worked hard in the offseason. We always expect to win state.
Q: What is the strength of the team?
A: I believe our defense is our strong suit. It's the best we've had since I've been here. And our offensive line is good. We have key players at wide receiver, in the offensive line, in the backfield and in the secondary - guys that are proven.
Q: What is the most important thing you have learned from football?
A: It's all about teamwork. Teamwork makes you be at your best. If there's no teamwork then it's hard for anybody to look good.
BY THE NUMBERS
10 - Wins last year, the most since 1995. The Warriors failed to get above .500 from 1999 to 2008 and had just one year in that span with five wins.
25 - Victories in 34 games since a 1-9 campaign in 2008. Bledsoe has made the postseason the past three years but has just one win in four playoff games (44-25 last year over Meigs County).
29 - Ongoing consecutive regular-season games with at least 13 points scored. The Warriors scored in the 60s twice, 61-34 over Notre Dame last year and 63-34 over Chattanooga Christian in 2009.
Recent history
The Warriors had their first playoff win since 1998 and their first 10-win season in 15 years. They lost early to Signal Mountain but then reeled off four straight district wins, including a 21-17 victory over biggest rival Sequatchie County. They scored more than 50 points in three games and topped 40 seven times. Here's a look at the regular-season win total the last five years:
Season
2011---------(9)
2010-------(7)
2009--------(8)
2008-(1)
2007----(4)
2011 stats leaders
RUSHING Att Yards Avg TD
Brandon Smith 214 1428 6.7 21
*Holden Boynton 145 1076 7.4 10
PASSING Comp-Att Yards Int TD
Cody Holloway 153 273 2130 12 23
RECEIVING Att Yards Avg TD
*Jeremiah Gilbert 58 823 14.2 6
Brandon Smith 55 709 12.9 8
*Nathaniel Collins 15 230 16.0 2
TACKLES Solo Assists Total
Tyler Henderson 69 37 87.5
*Gage Frady 50 45 72.5
Brandon Smith 38 16 46
*Holden Boynton 31 13 37.5
*returning player
Schedule
Aug. 17 Cumberland County, 8
Aug. 24 Marion County, 8
Aug. 31 at Signal Mountain*, 7
Sept. 14 at Notre Dame*
Sept. 21 at McMinn Central
Sept. 28 Sequatchie County*, 8
Oct. 5 at York Institute, 8
Oct. 12 at Grundy County*, 8
Oct. 19 Sweetwater
Oct. 26 Chattanooga Christian*
*District 7-AA game
Times Eastern. 7:30 start unless otherwise noted.
Roster
2 Nathaniel Collins Sophomore
3 Barrett Bice Junior
4 Thomas Hankins Junior
5 Lucas Frady Junior
6 Gage Frady Senior
9 Connor Boynton Sophomore
10 Brandon Harris Freshman
11 Jeremiah Gilbert Senior
12 Dakota Wooden Senior
14 Chris Strange Senior
15 Brett Harris Junior
16 Blake Rogers Freshman
18 Travis Johnson Sophomore
20 Brady Heard Sophomore
21 Austin Mercer Sophomore
22 Bradley Smith Sophomore
23 Jacob Brown Sophomore
24 Holden Boynton Senior
25 Lance Marshall Senior
28 Dustin Boynton Sophomore
30 Dillon Blankenship Freshman
31 Ben Mills Freshman
32 Josh Neal Junior
33 Austin Wilkey Freshman
34 Caleb Smith Freshman
35 Tavian Dodd Freshman
36 Jessie Mooneyham Senior
40 Dalton Daughtrey Senior
42 Gryffyn Haverlandt Senior
44 A.J. Lawrence Senior
48 Samuel Reyes Sophomore
49 Slayton Pettit Freshman
50 Matt Vaughn Sophomore
51 Kaden Measles Junior
52 Logan Frady Freshman
53 Drake Brown Junior
54 Brett Boring Freshman
55 Jerry Harvey Freshman
57 Riley Wooden Senior
58 Jesse Blankenship Sophomore
60 Adam Roberson Junior
62 Jonathan Farinella Senior
64 Cole Frechette Senior
65 Dillion Stinnett Junior
66 Robert Mills Junior
68 Tyler Young Sophomore
69 Patrick Burgess Senior
70 Zach Brill Freshman
72 Blake Sorrow Sophomore
73 Tristan Dawson Junior
75 Matt Yother Freshman
76 Jacob Sinclair Sophomore
77 Jesse Sandell Senior
78 Jordan Mitchem Senior
79 Dalton Swanger Sophomore
80 Dylan Daughtrey Sophomore
82 Drew Summers Sophomore
83 Hunter Bishop Senior
84 Bryan Mitchem Freshman
86 Hunter Holland Freshman
88 Skylar Standefer Freshman