Whitwell Tigers
Coach: Billy Barnhart (2-18 in two years here and overall)
Last year: 1-9, beating Midway in the second game of the season before losing eight straight by 15 points or more
'13 dreams: For the first time in a while, the Tigers have enough experience returning and the coaching continuity to be a playoff threat in the district. Whitwell has six offensive and five defensive starters back, and senior Dusty McHone (5-foot-9, 180) can cause problems for opponents as both a running back and a defensive back. The Tigers have a new defensive coordinator in Jake Cabell, a 30-year coaching veteran who made the change to a 4-4 scheme that should make it tougher for opponents to run the ball.
13-for-13 contenders: McHone will be the offensive workhorse for Whitwell. His leadership and athletic ability is a big key to the team's success, so as a two-way starter at physical positions, he needs to stay healthy. Junior quarterback Tyler Tate (5-10, 165) has been under the radar but needs to step up and become another weapon on offense. The defensive line, led by seniors Dustin Holloway (6-0, 210) and Marvin Watson (6-1, 195) and junior Andrew Kilgore (5-10, 225) is experienced and should be another team strength.
Number of interest: 10 - seasons it's been since Whitwell last had a winning record. The Tigers finished 7-4 in 2003, their third straight winning season at the time. But they have finished with a losing record each year since, including four one-win seasons.
13 years ago: The Tigers were coming off a winless season and managed just one win in 2000, a forfeit over South Pittsburg, which had used an ineligible player. The closest Whitwell came to an on-the-field win was in the season opener when St. Andrew's-Sewanee prevailed 3-0.
Program superstition: While it's not a superstition, the Tigers do gather in the locker room before each game to pray, and they meet at midfield for a postgame prayer.
1-through-3: Senior Dusty McHone, the team's returning rushing and receiving leader
Q. What will make this year different than previous seasons for your team?
A. We have better numbers - more guys coming back who played last year - and there's a much better attitude on the whole team. Everybody is a lot more motivated and determined to have a winning season.
Q. What are you doing differently this year as a senior to make it a memorable season?
A. I'm trying to be more of a leader. I'm speaking up more, encouraging my teammates more than I did in the past, because I want them to know how much I want us to have a good year.
Q. What are your team and personal goals this year?
A. For me, I want to rush for more than 1,000 yards, and for the team I want us to make the playoffs finally. That would be incredible for us. It would make a legacy for people to remember our team for.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 Mt. Juliet Christian, 8
Aug. 30 at Midway
Sep. 6 Marion County*, 8
Sep. 13 at Harriman
Sep. 20 at South Pittsburg*, 8
Sep. 27 at Middle Tennessee Christian, 8
Oct. 4 Lookout Valley*, 8
Oct. 11 Clay County, 8
Oct. 18 at Sale Creek*
Oct. 25 Richland, 8
- District 6-A game
2012 Stats
Passing
None submitted
Rushing
Att. Yards TDs
Dusty McHone 117 619 5
Clay McHone 62 294 1
Cody Ingrassia 18 121 1
Receiving
No. Yards TDs
Dusty McHone 9 106 1
Tackles
Total
Jake Sartin 45
Tyler Tate 36
Clay McHone 34
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Zach Chambers Freshman
3 Jordan Spradlin Sophomore
5 Caleb Anderson Junior
6 Daniel Mikel Freshman
7 Cody Ingrassia Sophomore
10 Tyler Tate Junior
12 Tyler Totherow Senior
14 Avery Shrum Sophomore
15 Blake Davenport Freshman
17 Teddy Tanafranca Sophomore
18 Bailey Blaylock Junior
20 Dusty McHone Senior
21 Clay McHone Sophomore
22 Christian Dugger Junior
28 Trey Davis Freshman
32 Kody Kritlow Junior
33 Greg Layne Sophomore
34 Michael Harris Freshman
44 Ethan Lough Sophomore
49 Ethan Skelton Freshman
50 Dustin Holloway Senior
51 Devin Holloway Junior
52 Jake Sartin Sophomore
53 Will Baker Sophomore
55 Blake Almond Freshman
56 Alex Hale Junior
58 Eric Fipps Senior
59 Marvin Watson Senior
60 Austin Layne Sophomore
61 Andrew Kilgore Junior
62 Alex Morrison Freshman
63 Seth Cumby Freshman
64 Chase Cantrell Freshman
65 Bryan Taylor Sophomore
70 Dalton Tripp Sophomore
75 Josh Leonard Freshman
77 Blake Muir Sophomore
79 Cody Pickett Junior
80 Chase Aaron Freshman
85 Dakota Bowman Freshman
Head coach: Billy Barnhart
Assistants: Jake Cabel, Derrin Easterly, Troy Mosier, Junior Atterton