Fan's guide to this year's Hixson Wildcats
Coach: Jason Fitzgerald (First year here, 66-48 in his 10 years) Stadium: Anthony Martino Stadium Address: 5705 Middle Valley Road, Hixson, TN 37343
Three strengths
1) While the loss of running back Clarencio Holmes leaves a huge gap in the running game, the Wildcats have a pair of newcomers they may trot out to fill the void - freshman Tyrik Twitty and transfer Isaiah Robertson. Neither Twitty nor Robertson have competed in a Friday night setting.
2) Led by sprinter Allante Novene, a relays state medalist for the Wildcats last year, the receiver corps is an area where Hixson could prosper.
3) Rather than two coaches in the building for the school day, Hixson will have five. Most head coaches like having their assistants in the school to interact with players throughout the day.
THREE CONCERNS
1) There is only one starter, Chance Loy, back on the offensive line, but there are a half-dozen candidates the coaching staff feels good about and three others who have a chance to contribute.
2) Versatile Justin Mathieson graduated, leaving the quarterback role to untested Gil Brown, a Wildcats baseball player, and Preston Wilkey. Fitzgerald says their battle could continue into the early part of the season.
3) Overall team speed is listed as just OK. While it is better than most of the teams he coached at Rhea County, Hixson will be stacked up against teams in a league where speed is often a specialty.
Allante NoveneThree questions with ...
ALLANTE NOVENE
(Senior receiver)
Q: What goals have you set?
A: As a team, to have a winning season and go to the playoffs. Personally I'd like to be the [area's] No. 1 receiver in receptions and yards.
Q: How are things going with Coach Fitzgerald?
A: Pretty good. We have built a solid relationship in the short time we have had together.
Q: What's the most important thing about high school?
A: A lot of the experiences you will have that will help you in life. So much happens that you need to know. It's also about making friends and memories.
BY THE NUMBERS
3 - Games won before the Wildcats lost in 2011, averaging 44.3 points in that 3-0 start. However, they lost a last-second heartbreaker to Red Bank in the fourth game and never really recovered, losing six of their last seven.
4 - Hixson head coaches since the turn of the century: Dan Duff, Todd Windham, Houston White and now Fitzgerald. The first three left of their own accord and now are coaching in Georgia.
6 - Years since Hixson reached the state playoffs. The 2005 Wildcats went 6-5 under Windham.
Recent history
Then-coach Houston White felt last season could be special if the Wildcats got off to a good start. They did, opening 3-0, but the wheels fell off in Game 4 when they surrendered two fourth-quarter scores after turnovers, the last coming with 14 seconds remaining. Hixson crumpled, losing five of its next six games and three of those by a touchdown or less.
Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season
2011 ----(4)
2010 --(2)
2009 ---(3)
2008 ----(4)
2007 --(2)
2011 stats leaders
RUSHING Att Yards avg TD
Clarencio Holmes 193 1282 6.6 12
Justin Mathieson 99 749 7.6 7
PASSING Comp-Att Yards Int TD
Justin Mathieson 44-89 786 9
RECEIVING Att Yards Avg TD
*Allante Novene 7 223 31.9 3
TACKLES Solo Assists Total
Alex Shuford 52 33 68.5
Clarencio Holmes 48 18 57
Justin Mathieson 31 19 40.5
*Austin Gilkey 19 13 25.5
*returning player
Schedule
Aug. 24 Walker Valley
Aug. 31 Howard*
Sept. 7 Marion County
Sept. 14 at Red Bank*
Sept. 21 at DeKalb County, 8
Sept. 28 at Tyner*
Oct. 5 at East Hamilton*
Oct. 12 at East Ridge*
Oct. 19 Brainerd*
Oct. 26 Central*
*District 6-AA game
Games start at 7:30 except where noted.
Roster
1 Allen Diaz Junior
2 Nick Beatty Sophomore
3 Eric Jones Senior
4 Issac Yates Freshman
5 T.C. Cunningham Senior
6 Chris Nicholson Sophomore
7 Darion Nicholson Junior
8 Zach Jimmerson Junior
9 Quinton Russell Junior
10 Josh Zumbrunn Senior
11 Gil Brown Junior
13 Joel Salazar Freshman
16 Preston Wilkey Sophomore
17 J.R. Walker Junior
18 Jamar Greene Senior
20 Jordan Johnson Sophomore
23 Tyrik Twitty Fresshman
24 Preston Steele Sophomore
25 John Ferris Freshman
26 Dylan Bargerstock Freshmana
27 Blake Oakley Freshman
28 Chris Cunningham Junior
29 Dallas Barnett Freshman
30 Hunter Koblentz Freshman
31 Spencer Waites Junior
32 K.C. Shelton Junior
33 Allante Novene Senior
34 Kedrick Bradley Junior
36 Konnor Zeigler Freshsman
37 Joey Cena Sophomore
38 Cameron Riggler Freshman
39 Gary Keylon Freshman
40 Caleb Quillen Junior
42 Austin Gilkey Junior
43 Isaiah Robinson Junior
46 Lorenzo Lewis Junior
50 Chance Loy Senior
51 Charles Franklin Junior
52 Drew Weaver Junior
53 McKenzie Martin Sophomore
54 Robby Touchstone Junior
55 Jake Duncan Senior
56 Jared Armour Sophomore
57 Keegan Green Sophomore
58 Tim McClung Freshsman
59 Will Webb Freshman
60 Jacob Bird Sophomore
62 Xavier Coleman Sophomore
63 John Green Sophomore
64 Jaylon Brooks Sophomore
67 Rasaan Sanders Junior
70 Jason Alford Senior
71 Matthew Morrison Freshman
75 Cory Evans Sophomore
76 Ryan Turner Sophomore
77 Garrett Wheeler Sophomore
78 Anthony Kring Junior
80 Miguel White Senior
81 T.J. Norman Junior
82 Brandon Peardon Sophomore
83 Trey Coleman Freshman
85 Jacob Rogers Junior