BY THE NUMBERS0 - Playoff home games and playoff wins since 2004, with six postseason road games.3 - Cleveland head coaches since 2004.10 - Seniors on the roster, including one out for the team for the first time.SCHEDULEAug. 18 vs. Maryville at Alcoa High School, 5Aug. 24 Knoxville CatholicAug. 31 at Ooltewah*Sept. 7 at CentralSept. 14 Walker Valley*Sept. 21 Red BankOct. 5 McMinn County*Oct. 12 at Soddy-Daisy*Oct. 19 at Bradley Central*Oct. 26 Rhea County** District 5-AAA gameAll games start at 7:30 p.m.
CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS
Coach: Ron Crawford (first year here, 101-45 in his 12 years
Stadium: Benny Monroe
Stadium Address: 850 Raider Drive, Cleveland, TN 37312
RECENT HISTORY
After not missing the playoffs for over 20 seasons, Cleveland went 5-5 and missed for the second time in seven years in 2011. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season 1 5 10
2011 -----(5)
2010 ------(6)
2009 ---(3)
2008 -------(7)
2007 -------(7)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) The Blue Raiders have a lot of depth at the skill positions.
2) The coaching staff is excited about the overall team speed.
3) Not losing any of their skill players last season, the Raiders have a wealth of experience in the backfield.
THREE CONCERNS
1) The Blue Raiders are blessed with speed, but who will provide leadership on an inexperienced offensive and defensive line?
2) In addition to the lack of experience on the lines, few linemen have stepped up to establish themselves. What youngsters will be able to provide depth?
3) The team feels good about the punting position, but who will take control as the place-kicker?
THREE QUESTIONS WITH AUSTIN HERINK
(Junior quarterback)
Q: You've spent the last two years studying behind [University of Pittsburgh freshman] Chad Voytik. How was that experience?
A: I think they were good. Most people would say that it hurt me because I didn't get experience on the field, but I spent two years behind arguably the best quarterback in the state. I got most of the reps in practice and learned every day, and when college coaches came to see him, they saw me, too.
Q: How do you adjust now to being "the man?"
A: While Chad was quarterback, I saw things that I liked, and saw some other things I would do differently. The biggest thing I have to do is just be myself. Chad is a great player and a great guy, but I have to be Austin and do things my way.
Q: You're the only non-kicker on the roster who doesn't play both ways. What happened there?
A: Well, they wanted me to punt, but my first kick went 2 yards and rolled about 15. They also tried me at safety in the spring, but they soon kicked me out of there, too.
ROSTER
1 C.J. Bryant - Senior
2 D.J. Jones - Junior
3 Raekwon Bunion - Sophomore
4 Reeves Morgan - Senior
5 Jacob Gibson - Sophomore
6 Jonathan Terrero - Junior
7 Austin Herink - Junior
8 Vick Harrison - Senior
9 Reed Allison - Senior
10 Parker Smith - Junior
11 Austin Massey - Sophomore
12 David Morgan - Senior
13 Orlando Alcantara - Sophomore
14 Christian Cazorla - Sophomore
15 Jackson Earle - Junior
16 Michael Huff - Junior
17 Tyler Davis - Junior
18 Stephen Cannon - Sophomore
20 Will Hilliker - Sophomore
21 Eric Goodwin - Sophomore
23 Michael Palmer - Sophomore
25 Eli Isenhower - Junior
28 T.J. Parker - Sophomore
30 Andrew Ragland - Sophomore
31 Landon Seaborn - Sophomore
32 Conner Guthrie - Sophomore
34 Trevon Young - Sophomore
35 Michael Lee - Junior
37 Zack Grayson - Sophomore
40 Kimsey Bell - Junior
42 Zack Lee - Junior
43 Jacob Morris - Sophomore
44 John Kondor - Senior
50 John Gaither - Sophomore
51 Trent Crouch - Senior
52 Oleg Stukinov - Senior
53 Michael Ledford - Junior
54 Dalten McDonald - Junior
55 Darius Pillow - Junior
56 Chapman Parks - Sophomore
57 Zack Brammer - Sophomore
58 Malik McDermott - Junior
59 Tanner Lawrence - Junior
60 Michael Millsap - Sophomore
62 Tre'Var Moore - Junior
63 Trey Simpson - Sophomore
64 Joseph Morgan - Senior
65 Jonathon Cousineau - Sophomore
68 Tristen Sherman - Sophomore
70 Robert McMahan - Junior
71 Cody Bradford - Junior
73 Andrew Lowe - Sophomore
75 Daniel Golan - Senior
76 John Smalley - Sophomore
77 Koran Kennedy - Sophomore
80 Bryan Adams - Sophomore
81 Parker Carson - Junior
82 Abraham Arrington - Sophomore
84 Jay McIntyre - Sophomore
86 Rod Dennard - Sophomore
87 Chris Ofori - Junior