Region 4-3A // Indians Stadium, 7067 TN 28 Scenic, Dunlap, TN 37327
At the helm
Adam Caine
(20-5 in two years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Indians return 2 off., 2 def. starters.
Super powers
Caine hopes the team strength is a willingness to learn, because he's dealing not only with a young team but a smaller squad than last year's region championship bunch. His question: "Do we have the guts to defend our region championship?"
Possible kryptonite
A year ago with an experienced team, the Indians would run a play once in practice and move on. This year's group has been running a play five or six times before moving on. "We have some good players, but they still have to learn what to do," Caine said.
Spidey sense tingling
Coming off a 12-1 run to the state semifinals has set the bar high for this year's Indians. There is, though, a belief that they can at least get to the playoffs.
Here I come to save the day!
There will be more expectations on QB Ethan Barker (6-2, 210), but it's likely that he'll have more opportunities to throw the ball. One of his targets will be WR Spencer Ables (6-3, 180), a 2016 starter who missed all but one game after suffering a broken foot in the opener.
Up, up and away!
Graduation took a clear majority of second- and third-year starters, and a preseason injury took Garrett Castle (6-2, 240) out of the equation. Caine is hoping to keep the senior, who suffered a fractured back, involved, perhaps as a tutor for linemen. If so, he'll be helping Les Boyum, a former college assistant who has joined the Sequatchie staff. There are 10 freshmen and just six seniors among the 44 out for football, so much will fall on the versatile Barker.
"He'll have a bigger role," Caine said. "We're never going to fully get away from being physical and running the ball, but we have to throw the ball more because we have five or six kids now that can catch. We're talented; we're just thin in some spots."
In addition to Ables, another likely WR is Cameron Weaver (6-0, 165). "Cameron started five or six games at cornerback, and he rotated at receiver. He's playing like a veteran," Caine said.
2016 Results
Aug. 19 South Pittsburg won, 27-20
Aug. 26 Whitwell won, 61-20
Sep. 2 Smith County won, 19-14
Sep. 9 York Institute won, 35-20
Sep. 23 Bledsoe County won, 15-12
Sep. 30 DeKalb County won, 20-3
Oct. 7 Warren County won, 33-27
Oct. 14 Cannon County won, 50-16
Oct. 21 Grundy County won, 49-0
Oct. 28 Upperman won, 28-0
Nov. 4 Howard won, 42-6
(first round)
Nov. 11 Notre Dame won, 56-28
(second round)
Nov. 18 East Ridge won, 21-14
(quarterfinals)
Nov. 25 Alcoa lost, 24-0
(semifinals)
13-1, 6-0 Region 4-3A
2017 Schedule
(All times 8 Eastern unless noted)
Aug. 18 at South Pittsburg
Aug. 25 Marion County
Sep. 1 at Cannon County
Sep. 8 at Meigs County 7:30
Sep. 22 Bledsoe County
Sep. 29 at Smith County
Oct. 6 Cumberland County
Oct. 13 York Institute
Oct. 20 at Grundy County
Oct. 27 Upperman