Brainerd's Jamal Herman, Jr., leaps over Howard's Jwun Hill during their prep football jamboree game at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.PREP FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS
As the 2016 high school football season kicks off, here are 16 numbers to remember:
1 - Starters East Hamilton returns from its defensive unit that helped the Hurricanes reach the Class 4A quarterfinals in 2015.
2 - Home games for Brainerd this season. The Panthers host Region 3-A foes Boyd-Buchanan and Polk County but will travel the other eight weeks.
3 - Consecutive road games Bledsoe County will play against Region 3-2A opponents who are currently in the state poll. In successive midseason weeks, the Warriors must travel to Boyd-Buchanan, Tyner and Marion County, all ranked in Class 2A's top six right now.
4 - Interceptions McCallie quarterback Robert Riddle threw last year, and a remarkably low number considering his 204 attempts. His accuracy allowed him to throw four times more touchdowns than interceptions while passing for 2,100 yards.
5 - Head coaches Central has had in six seasons. Cortney Braswell takes over this year and has re-energized the program.
6 - The new classification for Dalton, which moves up one level and now competes in Georgia's second-highest class.
7 - Area teams ranked in the top five of their respective classification's first state polls.
8 - Wins by Chattanooga Christian last season, a program best.
9 - Starters returning for a Marion County defense that limited 10 opponents to two (or fewer) touchdowns last season.
10 - Jersey number worn by Bradley Central quarterback Cole Copeland, who led the area with 2,500 passing yards and 26 touchdowns last season. A Class 6A Mr. Football semifinalist last year, he has committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
11 - State-championship game appearances by South Pittsburg, the most by any area program. The Pirates own five titles, also tops in the area.
12 - Wins by East Ridge last season, a program best achieved as the Pioneers reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
13 - Consecutive seasons in which Polk County coach Derrick Davis won at least seven games and reached the playoffs before the program hit a down cycle in talent. The Wildcats haven't won a game since 2013.
14 - Central's offense never scored more than 14 points in any game last season, and its defense allowed 14-plus points in every game.
15 - Consecutive seasons Calhoun has won at least 10 games.
16 - Regions the Times Free Press coverage area stretches across three states. From 1A-6A in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, as well as the private school division, the TFP will cover more than 60 schools this fall.