Friday, August 16, 2013
Coach: Bo Cagle (10-2 last year; 45-24 overall)
Last year: 10-2, lost 31-6 to Riverdale in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs
'13 dreams: Although they've won three of the previous four district championships outright, the Cherokees annually seem to be preseason underdogs. There will be an immediate need to replace six of their front seven on defense, as well as a couple in the secondary, but with a 1,000-yard rusher returning and other production on offense, the playoffs should be a reasonable goal.
3-for-13 contenders: The spotlight will be on running back Dre Sanders, who surpassed 1,000 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns while splitting carries with graduated back Kelvin Wells Jr. Quarterback Corbin Powers will be asked to contribute even more in his second year as a starter, while Trevor Crisp will spearhead the secondary as well as contribute wherever needed on offense - be it receiver or in the backfield.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 McMinn Central
Aug. 30 at McCallie
Sept. 6 Cleveland*
Sept. 13 Alcoa
Sept. 20 at Oak Ridge
Oct. 4 Soddy-Daisy*
Oct. 11 at East Hamilton*
Oct. 18 at Bradley Central*
Oct. 25 at Walker Valley*
Nov. 1 Ooltewah*
1-through-3 - senior athlete Trevor Crisp
Q. You lost a lot of seniors last season. How weird has it been walking into the locker room these days?
A. It's been different, because I'm used to seeing the same faces. Now most of them are younger and I just know the seniors, so it has been different.
Q. How do you prepare to play so many different positions on the field - both offense and defense?
A. I run a lot harder during sprints. I know I'm going to be on the field a lot, so I have to work hard and keep my body in shape.
Q. The past couple of times you've been picked fifth, you've won the district. What is it that makes you guys respond so well?
A. Coach [Cagle] comes back from the media day and tells us we're fifth again, then asks us, "How are you going to respond?" We usually take it as motivation and respond well.
ROSTER
No. Name Class
1 Jalen Harper Sophomore
2 Dre Sanders Senior
3 Cody Hardin Freshman
4 Caleb Dain Sophomore
5 Datrus Bradley Sophomore
6 Logan Fowler Freshman
7 Clay Bennett Senior
8 Dre Hall Senior
9 Trevor Crisp Senior
10 Xavier Abernathy Freshman
11 Corbin Powers Junior
13 Chris Pritchett Junior
15 Colin Cornett Sophomore
17 Nick Peeler Junior
18 Damiese Bradley Sophomore
19 Day Currie Senior
20 Israel Brown Junior
21 Jamaya Bazel Sophomore
22 Raekwon Westin Senior
23 D.J. Kimpson Sophomore
24 David Buckner Sophomore
27 Dominick Isaza Sophomore
28 Nick Austin Sophomore
29 Dylan McCosh Sophomore
31 Justin Nile Sophomore
32 Cole Haggart Junior
33 Justin Harper Senior
34 Roman Lockmiller Freshman
37 Bubba Cooper Junior
38 Hunter Davis Senior
41 Luke Hampton Sophomore
43 Jordan Hockman Junior
44 Josh Banks Sophomore
45 Jake Allen Sophomore
47 Labrandus Goley Sophomore
50 Laith Maxwell Freshman
51 Brodie Wallace Sophomore
52 Cameron Patton Sophomore
53 Colden Dain Junior
54 Raheem Ellison Sophomore
55 Seth Martin Sophomore
56 Jacob Murphey Junior
57 Stone Trent Junior
58 Ethan Colloms Sophomore
59 Chase Layman Senior
60 Michael Guffey Sophomore
61 Curtis Scott Sophomore
62 Gavin Arnett Junior
63 Tom Applegate Sophomore
64 Hunter Priest Senior
65 Taylor Shultz Sophomore
66 Logan Sutton Junior
68 James Moore Freshman
72 Marcus Cansler Junior
73 Johnathan Lockhart Junior
75 Jordan Clark Sophomore
76 Cody McBroom Sophomore
77 Blake Peeler Sophomore
78 Sergio Hernandez Sophomore
79 Ryan Haney Junior
81 Matt Derrickson Senior
99 Sebastian Felicidario Senior