Region 3-2A // James T. Warden Field, 877 Main Street, Pikeville, TN 37367
At the helm
Dennis Therrell
(first year here; 16-34-2 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Warriors return 5 off., 6 def. starters.
Super powers
There are returning starters throughout the other units, but special teams will be a special strength for the Warriors this year because of talented senior PK/P Gabe Boring.
Possible kryptonite
It's easy enough for 2A schools to say more depth is needed, but of the 11 returning starters, most will play both ways.
Spidey sense tingling
Should the Warriors survive injuries early in the season while they develop depth, they hope to take a shot at the playoffs if not the championship in talented 3-2A.
Here I come to save the day!
Boring can do only so much as a kicker and punter, but he can flip the field, pin opponents and limit their opportunities on kickoffs.
Up, up and away!
Therrell is Bledsoe's third head coach in four years, following Jason Reel, now the school's athletic director, and Josh Owensby, who left to become offensive coordinator at Hixson.
"I'm comfortable with the kids," said Therrell, a Bledsoe County graduate who played for John Boynton and is a former coach at the college and professional levels.
It was about two weeks before the team got seriously into the 7-on-7 season that Therrell arrived.
"I walked on the field and said, 'I'm your new coach. Let's get to work, but unless you can open your heart and give yourself to me, I can't make you a better football player,'" he recalled.
The team will stay with the wing-T offense and a 3-4 defense that was the direction offense-minded Owensby had decided to take the team. The offense suits the Warriors.
"In order to have a successful program, everybody has to be on the same page. I decided it would be easier for me to learn their terminology than for them to learn mine," said Therrell, a former head coach for Lock Haven University. "I'm fortunate that I have very good assistant coaches. They gave me a chance to watch everything, watch them coach and then make suggestions."
Boring, Therrell said, is good enough to be a punter in the Southeastern Conference and a good enough kicker to be a kickoff man and at least a backup for field goals and PATs.
The Warriors will depend on others. Kevin Whitson is locked in a QB battle but definitely will be a key LB. Other LB candidates are Colton Dunn, Mason Wooden and Jackie Pell. Dunn also is a possible starting RB along with Peyton Holland, Pell and Colby Rogers. Among line candidates are a couple of big boys: Scout Mills (6-5, 350) and Caleb Daniel (6-3, 280).
"If we're healthy I think there's a chance to make a run (to the playoffs), but three or four key injuries and it could turn into a matter of survival," Therrell said.
2016 Results
Aug. 26 South Pittsburg lost, 40-7
Sep. 2 Silverdale Baptist lost, 30-24
Sep. 9 Whitwell won, 22-21
Sep. 16 Polk County won, 21-20
Sep. 23 Sequatchie County lost, 15-12
Sep.30 Boyd-Buchanan lost, 24-0
Oct. 7 Tyner lost, 25-21
Oct. 14 Marion County lost, 46-3
Oct. 21 Brainerd won, 24-7
Oct. 28 Meigs County lost, 20-12
Nov. 5 Tellico Plains won, 40-7 (bowl game)
4-7, 2-5 Region 3-2A
2017 Schedule
(All times 8:00 Eastern)
Aug. 18 at Oliver Springs
Aug. 25 Whitwell
Sep. 1 Marion County
Sep. 8 at Grundy County
Sep. 22 at Sequatchie County
Sep. 29 at Tyner
Oct. 6 McMinn Central
Oct. 13 at Polk County
Oct. 20 Oneida
Oct. 27 Tellico
Region 3-2A games in bold