Jake allender marion countyPedal to the metal
While he wasn't bawling, Jake Allender was among the many dejected Marion County players last December after the Warriors lost the Class 2A state championship game to Peabody.
"You forget about the past and worry about what's happening now," said Allender, the Warriors' starting left tackle and long snapper. "Our idea is to get better, to work as a team to be as good as we can."
Coach Ricky Ross hasn't maliciously rubbed salt in a wound, but he wants his team to remember the heartache that goes with being No. 2.
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Driver’s seat: Ricky Ross (12-2 in second year here and overall)Road tested: 8 offensive, 7 defensive starters return
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Pump the brakesA force in the offensive backfield, graduated Blake Zeman was even better as a middle linebacker. Ross will focus on more balance offensively and players — including LBs Alex Kirkendoll and Hunter McClain — sharing responsibilities defensively.Route ’15The new region presents the Warriors with a stiffer challenge, including home games with Tyner and Polk County and visits to Boyd-Buchanan and Bledsoe County. Six of the Warriors’ games will be against 2014 playoff participants, including longtime rival South Pittsburg.Taking the wheelQB Bryce Massengale returns after taking the Warriors to the state final, but the position is stronger — and there now is experienced competition — thanks to the return of former Warrior Logan Walters, who started last year at North Jackson.Cruise controlThe QB position is solid, and Massengale or Walters likely will move to a starting receiver role while continuing as a backup. Corey Tucker anchors the defensive line; there is experience across the offensive line including C Logan Campbell. The Warriors also return their kicker, punter and long snapper.Backseat driver“I don’t think there’s any doubt they’re favored to win the region, even losing Zeman. They might even be better, and it certainly doesn’t hurt having two experienced quarterbacks.”
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Route ’15The new region presents the Warriors with a stiffer challenge, including home games with Tyner and Polk County and visits to Boyd-Buchanan and Bledsoe County. Six of the Warriors’ games will be against 2014 playoff participants, including longtime rival South Pittsburg.
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Taking the wheelQB Bryce Massengale returns after taking the Warriors to the state final, but the position is stronger — and there now is experienced competition — thanks to the return of former Warrior Logan Walters, who started last year at North Jackson.
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Cruise controlThe QB position is solid, and Massengale or Walters likely will move to a starting receiver role while continuing as a backup. Corey Tucker anchors the defensive line; there is experience across the offensive line including C Logan Campbell. The Warriors also return their kicker, punter and long snapper.
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Backseat driverOne opposing coach said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt they’re favored to win the region, even losing Zeman. They might even be better, and it certainly doesn’t hurt having two experienced quarterbacks.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 21;Grundy County;won, 49-22Aug. 29;at Bledsoe County;won, 48-14Sep. 5;Whitwell;won, 33-6Sep. 12;at Central;lost, 7-0Sep. 19;Lookout Valley;won, 55-8Sep. 26;at Sequatchie County;won, 35-7Oct. 2;Sale Creek;won, 62-12Oct. 10;Copper Basin;won, 43-7Oct. 24;Chattanooga Christian;won, 61-27Oct. 31;at South Pittsburg;won, 48-6Nov. 14;Jackson County;won, 49-6 (second-round playoffs)Nov. 21;Trousdale County;won, 41-20 (quarterfinals)Nov. 28;Knoxville Grace Christian;won, 24-15 (semifinals)Dec. 6;Peabody;lost, 34-7 (state final)12-2, 4-0 in District 6-A
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On the horizon2015 schedule (times 7:30 p.m. unless noted)Aug. 20;Hixson, 8Aug. 28;at Grundy County, 8Sep. 4;at Meigs CountySep. 11;South Pittsburg, 8Sep. 18;at BrainerdSep. 25;at Boyd-BuchananOct. 2;Tyner, 8Oct. 9;Silverdale Baptist, 8Oct. 16;at Bledsoe County, 8Oct. 30;Polk County, 8Region 3-2A games in bold
"After the fact you eventually feel you did OK and you were the state runner-up, but you lost," Ross said. "You lost your last game like everybody else except one team, and we want to be that one team."
A couple of weeks ago, on a Monday after a Friday scrimmage, Ross chomped his nails, barely able to bide the time when he could address the team. He had a note in bold letters: "Lack of hustle."
"We didn't have it and we can't win a game like that," he explained. "We're not the most talented team in this region. We can't win on talent alone. We have to do it with work ethic and going at it every day in practice - all the little things."
They'll be in the weight room five days per week once the season starts, even lifting the morning of game days.
"The little things? It's knowing your assignments, hustling to the ball, asking yourself every day how you can be of service to this team and remembering the team is more important than the individual," Ross said.
Said Allender: "We stay hungry and focused by working hard every day in the weight room and out on the practice field. That's how we're going to get better each day. Like we say, 'Win the day.'"
Capsule by Ward Gossett; contact at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @wardgossett