Marion County coach Mac McCurry will be looking to build on the Warriors' solid 9-3 season in 2012.Marion County Warriors
Coach: Mac McCurry (9-3 in one year here, 229-68 overall)
Last year: 9-3, beat perennial power Trousdale County to reach the quarterfinals before losing at eventual state champion Friendship Christian.
'13 dreams: It's been nearly 20 years since expectations were this high going into a season for the Warriors. That's because eight starters return to each side of the ball from last year's team that made a surprisingly deep playoff push. There won't be any surprises this year as Marion heads into the season as not only a district favorite but one of the top teams in all of 2A. All-state running back Blake Zeman (5-foot-11, 231) is back after rushing for more than 1,600 yards, and Hamilton Shoemaker (6-1, 210) and Chandler Willis (5-9, 205), are two other bruising backs returning.
13-for-13 contenders: Zeman not only was the Warriors' leading rusher and the tone-setter on offense, but he also led them in tackles in several games as a linebacker. He's a punishing runner and a perfect fit in McCurry's brand of the wing-T, as are Shoemaker and Willis. Logan Walters (6-2, 180) played some at quarterback last year, and that should have him ready to take over the position full time. Taylor Condra (5-11, 285), Hayden Tudors (6-0, 260) and Mason Hargis (5-11, 270) form a strong, veteran group of linemen.
Number of interest: 18. The years it's been since the Warriors won a district or region title. They have finished second several times, even knocking off region champ Boyd-Buchanan in the playoffs to avenge a regular-season loss, but haven't won a league title since 1995, when they went on to win the last of their four state championships.
13 years ago: 7-4
Program superstition: It's not so much superstition as tradition, but most area fans identify the program with the tractor whistle, an extremely loud blast that follows each big play for the Warriors at home in Jasper. It is met with cheers by Marion fans but is an annoying sound for opponents when the Warriors are on a roll.
1-through-3: Junior all-state running back Blake Zeman
Q. You've pretty much got a target on you with every team you play focusing on trying to stop you. How do you deal with that?
A. I like it, because if teams are keying on me it's just going to open things up for other people to have big plays and for our team to have success. I don't mind that at all. It's not about my stats - it's about winning games.
Q. What's the biggest difference going into this season, compared to last year?
A. Our confidence level is a lot better. With a year in Coach Mac's system, everybody knows what their job is and what we're supposed to do. We don't have to think about it: We can just go out and play more now.
Q. There's a lot of buzz in the community after the success the team had last year. How does it feel to be a part of the teams that have turned things back around here?
A. It's a great feeling because I grew up here and I know how important football is to everybody here. We're all excited to get the season started and see if we can build on what we did last year.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 at Grundy County, 8
Aug. 30 Bledsoe County, 8
Sep. 6 at Whitwell*, 8
Sep. 13 Chattanooga Central, 8
Sep. 20 at Lookout Valley*
Sep. 27 Sequatchie County, 8
Oct. 4 Sale Creek*, 8
Oct. 11 at Copper Basin
Oct. 25 at Chattanooga Christian
Nov. 1 South Pittsburg*, 8
*District 6-A game
2012 Stats (one tab between categories)
Rushing
Att. Yards TDs
Blake Zeman 177 1,635 20
Jayme Ford 16 246 2
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Blake Zeman Junior
2 Cam Foshee Sophomore
3 Logan Walters Sophomore
6 Quin Beasley Sophomore
8 Chase Hamilton Junior
9 Bradley Baxter Sophomore
10 Blake Brooks Junior
11 Hunter Zeman Freshman
13 Christian Stephens Sophomore
14 Mason Grooms Freshman
15 Hamilton Shoemaker Senior
17 Alex Kirkendoll Freshman
20 Guy Hansard Freshman
21 Josh Henderson Sophomore
22 Josh Cantrell Sophomore
24 Deion Riley Junior
25 Terrance Saylors Junior
31 Bailey Bradford Sophomore
32 Eli Morrison Freshman
34 Corry Murry Freshman
35 Chandler Willis Junior
37 Patrick Bradford Junior
38 Brennon Keef Junior
39 Hayden Fowler Senior
40 Hunter McClain Freshman
41 Bryce Massengale Sophomore
44 Kyle Jenkins Junior
45 Eric Layne Freshman
47 Houston McCellroy Freshman
48 Ben Dempsy Freshman
49 Noah Walters Freshman
51 Sawyer Blevins Senior
55 Payton Lacy Freshman
57 Austin Thomas Sophomore
58 Jessy Stoneseiter Senior
59 Logan Campbell Freshman
60 Matthew Alder Junior
61 Josh Smith Junior
62 Drew Daniels Freshman
63 D.J. Haney Freshman
64 Drew Grisham Sophomore
66 Hayden Tuders Junior
67 Payton Jones Junior
68 Jake Allender Sophomore
70 Ishmail Avila Freshman
71 Taylor Condra Senior
73 Cory Tucker Freshman
74 Ty Heifner Freshman
75 Mason Hargis Senior
76 Tyler Wildermuth Sophomore
77 Jordan Lehman Sophomore
78 Billy Guy Sophomore
87 Clay O'Shields Senior
Head coach: Mac McCurry
Assistants: Joe Dan Gudger, Randy Kirkpatrick, Michael Schmitt, Tim Starkey, Chad Rogers, Josh Coley, Larry Richards.