McMinn Central coach Josh Goodin, right, and the Chargers have 16 starters back this fall.FAN'S GUIDE TO THIS YEAR'S McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS
Coach: Josh Goodin (8-23 in three seasons here and overall)
Stadium: Charger Stadium
Address: 145 County Road 461, Englewood, TN 37329
Three strengths
1) A number of juniors and seniors on the defensive side will be starting for a third year.
2) The Chargers should be able to incorporate the pass into their offense a little more this year. Senior Darecio Borden and junior Josh Scudder are speedsters, and others with different skill sets will lend support.
3) Things should run a little smoother offensively, running the same scheme for a second consecutive year.
Three concerns
1) Offensive line was already a question, even before senior Jamal Anthony tore an ACL in spring practice. Three up front this year will be first-year starters.
2) Skepticism is widespread among special teams, although senior kicker Dylan Cochran is able to make extra points. Coach Goodin said he feels good about Cochran trying field goals from 30 yards in, possibly 40.
3) Depth could be a problem. Even though the roster has 50-plus players, inexperience is prevalent among the substitutes.
Three questions with ...
CAMDON PARTIN
(Senior lineman)
Q. After tough seasons the last couple of years, what is the team's outlook for this year?
A. We will be better than even. We will go to the state championship. I think we will.
Q. What does this team have to do well to get things turned around?
A. Practice hard. You've got to be there. Don't skip practices, and come every day.
Q. If all goes well, what can this team accomplish?
A. State championship, baby. That's it.
By the numbers
3 - McMinn Central's coaches named Goodin, with brothers Matt and Cody among Josh's assistants.
7 - Times the Chargers scored at least 14 points last year, although six were losses.
21 - Freshmen who will dress out on this year's squad.
2011 STATS LEADERS
RUSHING Att Yards Avg TD
*Denzell Boyd 154 822 5.3 6
*Wyatt Barnett 73 532 7.3 4
PASSING Comp-Att Yards Int TD
*Levi Holley 55-102 730 7 3
RECEIVING Att Yards Avg TD
*Darecio Borden 15 313 20.9 1
*Denzell Boyd 14 175 12.5 2
TACKLES Solo Assists Total
*Wyatt Barnett 47 27 74
*Gage Johnson 40 22 62
*returning player
Recent history
McMinn Central has played in 28 state-playoff games, including a Clinic Bowl, but the Chargers have fallen on hard times. With eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, they are looking to have a bounce-back year after going 1-19 the last two seasons combined. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season
2011 -(1)
2010 (0)
2009 -------(7)
2008 ---------(9)
2007 ---------(9)
Schedule
Aug. 17 McMinn County
Aug. 24 at Notre Dame
Aug. 30 Polk County*
Sept. 7 at Loudon
Sept. 14 Meigs County*
Sept. 21 Bledsoe County
Sept. 28 at Sequoyah*
Oct. 5 at Kingston
Oct. 12 at Sweetwater*
Oct. 19 Stone Memorial
*District 5-AA game
ROSTER
1 Darecio Borden Senior
2 Ryan Dahle Sophomore
3 Ben Crofts Sophomore
4 Will White Junior
5 Denzel Boyd Junior
6 Tyler Knight Junior
7 Josh Scudder Junior
8 John Barnes Senior
9 Luke Davis Sophomore
10 Levi Holley Senior
11 Wyatt Barnett Junior
12 Jackson Guy Freshman
13 Dalton Runyan Freshman
14 Chad Williams Senior
15 Derek Johnson Senior
16 Zayne Baxter Freshman
17 Zeb McKinney Junior
18 Jordan Brooks Freshman
19 Dylan Cochran Senior
20 Caleb Lawson Senior
21 Isaiah Castro Sophomore
22 Lane Holley Senior
23 Tony Guardiola Freshman
24 Josh Knight Sophomore
25 Tyler Burger Freshman
26 Colby Cook Junior
28 Alan Runkles Junior
29 Nick Austin Freshman
30 Robbie Chancellor Freshman
32 Gage Johnson Junior
36 Nick Buckner Freshman
38 Matthew Moses Freshman
39 Cody Culberson Freshman
40 Trenton Kimbler Freshman
42 Jesse Forshee Freshman
44 Hunter Stokes Freshman
45 Mason Warner Sophomore
48 Jake Croft Freshman
49 Don Middleton Freshman
50 Derrick Adams Senior
51 Collin Garwick Freshman
53 Chris Mull Sophomore
54 Josh Roach Sophomore
57 Joe Croft Freshman
59 Kelund Martin Freshman
60 Zac Bridwell Freshman
61 Ben Jackson Senior
62 Nathan McDowell Senior
64 Jamal Anthony Senior
69 Camdon Partin Senior
70 Nolan Triplett Sophomore
74 Tony Hammonds Senior
75 Cody Sullender Freshman
77 Dylan Swilley Sophomore
79 David Ables Sophomore
82 Ryan O'Neal Senior
84 Kaleb Nichols Sophomore
86 Drew Pierce Sophomore