Preview for tonight's Chattanooga area high school football games

Football
Football

BRAINERD PANTHERS at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS

Storyline: The Panthers lost three games by seven or fewer points last year, including by three points to Chattanooga Christian, which proved to be the difference in keeping them out of the playoffs. Six senior starters return looking to turn things around in Brian Gwyn's fourth season as head coach. Meanwhile the Chargers are looking to build on the best season in the program's brief history. Mark Mariakis, who built Ridgeland into a northwest Georgia power, takes over as head coach after working as the team's defensive coordinator in last year's eight-win finish that included a playoff run to the second round.

CENTRAL POUNDERS at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Storyline: A 40-6 loss to the Irish started Central on the long 2015 road to 0-10 and resulted in another coaching change. The Pounders hired former assistant Cortney Braswell, who once worked as an assistant to current Notre Dame coach Charles Fant. Before last year's win, Notre Dame's last victory over the Pounders was in 2004 (15-14). The only Irish coach left from that staff is the indomitable Nate Middlebrooks. The Irish are breaking in a new QB, some new WRs and two LBs but have an experienced offensive line and RB Akil Sledge. Central Senior D.J. Baxter is one of the best DBs in the state and senior OT McClendon Curtis is getting looks from FBS recruiters, although he hasn't played since his sophomore season.

CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS at SEVIER COUNTY SMOKY BEARS

Storyline: The 2015 Class 5A state runner-up Sevier County opened its 12-3 season with a 26-6 victory over Cleveland at Cleveland. The Smoky Bears were hit hard by graduation and Cleveland expects to be stronger, faster and definitely more experienced. The Blue Raiders defense definitely will be bigger with two 300-pounders clogging the middle. Their offense this year will be a true option and they have an experienced QB (Dallas McCrary). That, coupled with 6-foot-3 receivers Skyler Davis and Keegan Jones and ultra-quick Micaleous Elder, should put extreme pressure on opposing defenses.

HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS at DONELSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WILDCATS

Storyline: It's the Tennessee debut for new Howard coach John Starr, who had a successful career in Georgia that included a state title. Howard has a size advantage that includes two 300-plus pounders up front and a decided speed advantage led by QB Vincent Bowling and RB Antwain Monfort. The Wildcats, who won 8 games including a 14-0 season-opener over Howard last year, are young, including a first-year starter at QB.

McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES at McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS

Storyline: Somebody recently said the only reason the Cherokees scheduled the Chargers was to have something to laugh at. It wasn't such a joke, though, in 2014 when the Chargers pulled off a 41-34 decision. McMinn County, though, has won four of the last five. The Chargers have some experience – most of it in the OL – but the question may be whether Central's newly-installed 3-5 defense can stand up to the incessant ground-and-pound the Cherokees have planned.

RHEA COUNTY EAGLES at BAYLOR RED RAIDERS

Storyline: It's a battle of legitimate state-title contenders. Both teams are ranked in the top three in their respective classification after reaching the state semifinals last season. Rhea County is led by returning 1,000-yard rushers Mason Stephenson and Cody Bice and Baylor has a stout OL, including a couple of 300-plus pounders, and one of the state's top prospects in DB/WR/RB Brendon Harris. The Red Raiders need to find a new starting QB and a successor for defensive leader Ryan Parker, a Mr. Football LB.

SODDY-DAISY TROJANS at RED BANK LIONS

Storyline: There are bigger games on each team's schedule – at least games that have direct bearing on postseason plans – but this is probably the biggest rivalry game on either team's schedule. While Red Bank has 13 returning starters, including QB Calvin Jackson, an electrifying runner and adequate passer, the biggest positives for the Lions may be the addition of Drew Akins as OC and Charles Weems as DC. Weems probably got anxious, though, trying to scheme for the passing attack that features QB Justin Cooke, a senior that threw for more than 2,200 yards a year ago. He'll also be operating behind a veteran OL.

SWEETWATER WILDCATS at MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS

Storyline: There are 25 seniors on the roster in Decatur but the unspoken strength may be the Tigers' overall team speed. At least a half-dozen skill guys run at least a legitimate 4.7 40-yard dash, including RBs Logan Fowler, Zy Moore and Brendan Swanson. Knowing Tigers OC Walt Cameron, the team will definitely take downfield shots regardless of who winds up starting at QB. Meigs broke a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats last year, posting a 27-14 victory on the road.

SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES at SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS

Storyline: The Pirates will find out quickly whether or not they're back as a state power in the second year of longtime favorite son Vic Grider's return as head coach. The team is bigger, stronger, more experienced and faster from the QB to RB to WR to OL. However, many will be playing both ways until the Pirates staff determines which youngsters are ready to contribute. Sequatchie fans came away from 2015 with a favorable impression of first-year coach Adam Caine. While lacking the talent of some of their Region 4-3A teams, the Indians displayed the toughness and determination Dunlap folks love on the way to a 7-win season.

MARION COUNTY WARRIORS at HIXSON WILDCATS

Storyline: The Warriors want to go at an uptempo pace. Marion County will be incorporating new things offensively, but still expect the ball to be in Hunter Zeman's hands a lot, regardless where he lines up. Hixson will want to keep that offense off the field as much as possible, so taking care of the ball will be paramount for the Wildcats. Marion LB Alex Kirkendoll makes tackles sideline to sideline and WB/CB Jacob Saylors is a playmaker both ways. Hixson wants to run behind C Brody Gregory, who also must have a good effort from LB. Wildcats K/P Austin Slifko has made FGs as long as 58 yards in practice.

SILVERDALE BAPTIST ACADEMY SEAHAWKS at LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS

Storyline: Silverdale can go wing-T or spread offensively and has the luxury of a returning starter at QB in senior Alex Gonzalez. FB/LB Hayden Spencer is a bull of a runner and RB Alex Burks has gotten stronger. How the offensive line performs will be key for the Seahawks. The same could go for Lookout Valley, which has some gifted skill players. One is senior RB/LB Tyrece Ragland, a co-op player from Richard Hardy. He'll have to run away from the SBA LBs like 2015 leading tackler Christian Rogers, a senior who'll also play TE. Junior Trevor Slatton is a dependable two-way player on the Yellow Jackets' line.

GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES at CONCORD CHRISTIAN LIONS

Storyline: Grace travels to Knoxville to take on a second-year program that's bound to have improved from its first season (0-9), whether it's reflected in the team's record or not. The Golden Eagles are led by veteran QB/LB Jared Thompson. Expect him in many instances to look for WR Dalton Morrison, also a FS. Sophomore Cade Tinsley has emerged defensively. Coach Bob Ateca didn't like seeing the amount of turnovers Grace had in its scrimmages. He also believes his team's secondary could get tested by the Lions, who are coached by former Battle Ground Academy, Tennessee and NFL running back Troy Fleming.

POLK COUNTY WILDCATS at EAST RIDGE PIONEERS

Storyline: There should be a lot of excitement surrounding the return of Tim James as coach for a second time at East Ridge where he played for his father, Raymond. Both teams want to run the ball. Polk County's objective is to control the clock. East Ridge is looking to spring big plays. The Pioneers will be without the area's leading returning rusher and scorer, Traneil Moore (knee), but have a superb backup in Lorenzo Stewart. The Wildcats, who are trying to snap an 0-21 skid, return most of their starters. Seniors Jarett Blackburn (C/DT), Seth Sloan (OT/LB) and Logan Griswold (FB/DE) are pivotal players. OL/DL Deondre Shambliss and LB Trey Hubbard are key seniors for the Pioneers.

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES at EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES

Storyline: Although these schools are on opposite ends of Hamilton County, there is a bit of a rivalry here because the schools came into existence around the same time. The Eagles won the first three in the series, but the Hurricanes have won three of the last four, including last year. Signal Mountain features one of the area's best players in TE/DE TaDarrell Hodge, who also had an impact on special teams last year by blocking three kicks. East Hamilton returns 11 to starting positions. But the splits are 10 on offense, one on defense. And the defender, Ian Ammerall, is changing positions (from OLB to S). Veteran QB Nick Woods is control of the offense. The 'Canes also have a solid kicking game with K/P Jake McClure.

SALE CREEK PANTHERS at RICHLAND RAIDERS

Storyline: Sale Creek is starting its fourth year of high school varsity football. Last year the Panthers picked up their first two wins, but the opener against Richland wasn't one of them. For the first time Sale Creek has players that have come through six years of football - beginning with sixth grade - at the school. One of the three is QB Jeb Hart, who is a threat as a passer and a runner. The Panthers have a handful of seniors overall. The Raiders also have a small senior class, but one if its members is Caleb Briggs, who ran for more than 1,500 yards last season.

COPPER BASIN COUGARS at COALFIELD YELLOW JACKETS

Storyline: Copper Basin has had some prosperous seasons in Patrick Daley's 10 years as head coach. And although 2015 wasn't one of them - the Cougars were 3-7 in the regular season and had a lopsided state-playoff loss - the majority of the players in starting positions are back. Not the least of them is senior RB Peyton Sosebee, who rushed for 1,500-plus yards last year. Coalfield is coming off an injury-plagued year, and still was 8-4 with one playoff victory. But counting the injured who are returning, plus some others that gained valuable playing time when others were out, the Yellow Jackets have a great deal of experience.

WHITWELL TIGERS at GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS

Storyline: Coach Tracy Malone takes over a young, but tough and talented Tigers team that reached the second round of the playoffs last year. Malone, who's in his first year with Whitwell after guiding East Ridge to its best season in program history, has brought balance to an offense that ran the ball 98-percent of its snaps last year. Grundy has 14 starters back, which should equal improvement from a team that struggled last year.

NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS at RINGGOLD TIGERS

Storyline: Two potentially high-powered offenses tangle at Don Patterson Stadium. The Bruins are loaded in the skill positions, led by QB Luke Shiflett, WRs Jay Jones and Will Blanchard and 230-pound RB Dominique Sistrunk and have an experienced line. The Tigers have a new QB in Cole Kibler, who can hurt defenses with his feet as well as his arm, and tall, athletic WRs in Mac Brower and Andre Tarver to go with 1,000-yard rusher Dee King. The Ringgold secondary holds the key in this one.

LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS at HERITAGE GENERALS

Storyline: This battle of Catoosa County teams has had its share of blowouts, including last season's 49-14 Heritage win. The Warriors, coming off an 0-10 season, are improved in the trenches with the likes of OTs Jacob Michael and Nick Culpepper and have a proven playmaker in QB Noah Flowers. The Generals will do most of their damage through the air, with senior three-year starting QB Corbee Wilson and a strong group of receivers leading the way. Can the LFO secondary hold up?

LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS at ARMUCHEE TIGERS

Storyline: The Ramblers, losers of nine consecutive games, hope a return to a more diverse run game will help an offense that was shut out six times a year ago. Senior RB KaDarrin Ramsey needs only a little room to make a big play and the line in front of him is experienced. Armuchee's strength lies in the backfield, where 200-pound RBs Jacob Henderson and Kamen Harris will be a test for a LaFayette defense that has struggled in recent seasons against the run.

ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS at RIDGELAND PANTHERS

Storyline: The Panthers open a much-anticipated second season under coach Wesley Tankersley against an Adairsville team that won 12 games a year ago. The Tigers, though, lost their three top offensive players in Sidnee Johnson, Torrey Hale and Jayson Cantrell and will have to rely on senior QB Roger Redd to lead the way. The Panthers are a run-first offense featuring 1,200-yard rusher, bullish Chris Henderson and the return to action of RB/LB Skye Wilson, who had a terrific summer. An early key for Ridgeland will be QB play, where Ivy Boehm and Tanner Hill will likely share snaps.

GORDON CENTRAL WARRIORS at MURRAY COUNTY INDIANS

Storyline: The Warriors have held their own in scrimmage play this summer and enter the season with hopes of competing after a move down to Class AA. The offense revolves around dynamo QB Martavius Harris and RB Branson Towe and the team can score anytime inside the 30 with K Roger Aguilar. An experienced and hungry Indians' team hopes to parlay a strong early season into a playoff run. QB Dominick Genitempo is a two-way threat, as is RB Tucker Gregg, a 1,000-yard rusher and proven receiver. Both teams have work to do defensively.

NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS at CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS

Storyline: The battle of the Poag brothers pits two teams that have quite a bit of turnover since the end of last season. The Mountaineers, now coached by former Christian Heritage boss Preston Poag, are learning new schemes. Whether Blake Davis or Preston Poag, Jr., take snaps, the team has proven playmakers in RBs Brody Frazier and Brady Harper and one of the most physical front lines in the area, lead by sophomore future Georgia Bulldog Luke Griffin. The Lions, led by Jay Poag, are coming off a season featuring the program's first playoff win. However, heavy transfer losses on offense have left just two starters back, though new QB Brandon Poag has high potential. If the Lions have an edge it's on defense, where seven starters return.

DOUGLASS ASTROS at CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS

Storyline: A first-time meeting of two high-powered offenses. The Astros enter Phil Reeve Stadium with a bevy of returning offensive stars, led by QB Jonathan Ford and RBs Juan Powell, Darryl McClellan and Ezekial Njoku and four returning linemen. Calhoun will counter with a new QB, senior Baylon Spector, and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Olico Dennis to go with a deep group of WRs led by Malik Lawrence and Ryan Randall. However, seven new starters will debut defensively and should get a stiff test.

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