After a spring and summer spent lifting weights, conditioning and working on the passing game in 7-on-7 scrimmages, high school football teams across Tennessee on Monday will be allowed to take the next big step toward a season that is now fewer than four weeks away.
Monday is the first day teams across the state will be allowed to begin practicing in full pads. Many in the Chattanooga area will begin their seasons on Aug. 21.
Among the biggest changes from last season across the state is the return to the region format, which should keep the playoff picture much clearer all season since the only criteria for making the postseason is that the top four teams from every region advance. The only exception is in Class 6A where only 32 teams compete, meaning all of those will make the postseason.
The most intriguing area league going into the season is eight-team Region 3-2A, which has several perennial playoff contenders, including 2014 state runnner-up Marion County. Four teams from that region are ranked in the state's top 10 or among others to watch in Murphy Fair's preseason coaches' poll.
With 15 starters returning, Marion's Warriors are ranked No. 3 in that poll, behind West Tennessee schools Adamsville and Trezevant. Boyd-Buchanan is eighth on that list, while Tyner and Meigs County received votes.
Other area teams ranked in their respective classifications include Ooltewah (No. 8 in 5A), East Hamilton (No. 8 in 4A) and Notre Dame (No. 5 in 3A).
Statewide coaches also voted on all-state lists, and Marion County led the way with three players making it in 2A: senior kicker Christian Stephens along with linebacker Alex Kirkendall and offensive lineman Corey Tucker, both juniors. Boyd-Buchanan offensive lineman Eli Legg and Sweetwater defensive lineman Bailey Byrum also were on the coaches' 2A preseason all-state team.
In 3A, Notre Dame had two players - linebacker Tyler Enos and offensive lineman Robert Murphy - to go with Red Bank defensive lineman Tra Stamper and McMinn Central offensive lineman Joe Croft. Also on coaches' preseason all-state lists were Ooltewah defensive lineman Nic Putman in 5A, Hixson offensive lineman Brody Gregory in 4A and Baylor linebacker Ryan Parker and McCallie defensive lineman Jay Roberts and defensive back Nygel Edmonds in Division II-AA.
Fair's preseason book can be found at four area locations: Big Ridge Cleaners in Hixson, Mountain City Cleaners on Broad Street and both the Dayton Boulevard and Signal Mountain Road locations of Carriage Cleaners.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.
For the 16th consecutive year Times Free Press sports editor Stephen Hargis will travel across the Chattanooga area touring 20-plus prep football teams' practices on the first day the state allows them to practice in pads. Follow Stephen's day via twitter: @StephenHargis for live updates, online via the Times Free Press website or in Tuesday's sports section.