Sequatchie County Indians

Pedal to the metal

First, they find the ball. Next, they find the best way to get the ball, or the guy carrying it.

Sequatchie County linebackers Kyle Cates and Hunter Davenport are bloodhounds in disguise as linebackers for the Indians.

"They're real aggressive, hard-nosed kids that set the tone for our defense," coach Adam Caine said. "We talk about running to the fight. I want a team that doesn't run away from a fight."

Caine, obviously, isn't talking about fisticuffs on the field, but in his first year as head coach of the Indians, he wants a team full of guys who play with aggression and won't back down in any game.

Cates and Davenport appear to fit into that category and will lead the Indians on defense this season.

"They just read the play, and play, Caine said. "They're run-first guys but also play the pass."

Their skills will be helpful in the new Region 4-3A, where most opposing offenses are powerful run-first teams.

"We're very vanilla on defense," Caine said. "We try to be simple and allow the kids to play fast and hard."

Caine has dimension to his team this year that most others don't. Quarterback Houston Mainord, a transfer from Grundy County, provides an element of aerial surprise to the squad. He threw for 2,193 yards and 22 touchdowns last year.

"We're going to be a run-first offense," Caine said. "But it's good to have somebody at quarterback that can stretch the field."

Cates and Davenport can shorten that field for the entire Indians offense.

Capsule by Stephen Hargis; contact shargis@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @StephenHargis