Region 2-6A // Bear Stadium, 1000 S. Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311
At the helm
Damon Floyd
(63-56 in 11 years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Bears return 10 off., 8 def. starters.
Super powers
The Bears are experienced, although they'll miss record-setting QB Cole Copeland, who now is a member of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga squad. There also is pretty good team speed, including WR Lameric Tucker (5-10, 170) and LB Jay Person (6-2, 210).
Possible kryptonite
Depth isn't a concern, but health always is. A key for the Bears will be developing younger talent to at least fill backup roles.
Spidey sense tingling
It took four seasons for him to re-establish the program, but Floyd has since put the Bears into the postseason each of the past seven seasons. They're title contenders this year, even in a region with longtime state power Maryville.
Here I come to save the day!
Tucker burst onto the scene last year, establishing himself as a game-breaker, even in the talent-rich Super 32. Person has developed into a dominator.
Up, up and away!
Copeland set numerous passing standards before graduating, and part of his success was linked to Dylan Standifer, a WR at the time.
"He had an extremely great season last year, and this year at quarterback he is surrounded by a lot of experienced talent," Floyd said.
Standifer isn't stepping into new turf. He started games last season when Copeland was injured. In addition to Tucker, who's getting looks from a number of FCS schools, he'll have another senior, Nick Howell (5-11, 185), as a primary target. Senior OL Chris Cash (6-4, 285), who's being recruited by Harvard, Air Force and Austin Peay among others, will anchor the OL.
The face of the Bears defense, Person has drawn the most attention from college recruiters, a group that includes Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee State, Wake Forest, Appalachian State and Memphis.
2016 Results
Aug. 18 Walker Valley won, 40-28
Aug. 26 McMinn County won, 39-7
Sep. 2 Science Hill won, 32-7
Sep. 9 Cleveland won, 34-5
Sep. 16 Jefferson County won, 44-14
Sep. 30 Bearden won, 31-21
Oct. 7 Dobyns-Bennett won, 41-33
Oct. 14 Hardin Valley lost, 14-13
Oct. 20 Maryville lost, 48-21
Oct. 28 William Blount won, 28-13
Nov. 4 Cookeville won, 29-25 (first round)
Nov. 11 Blackman lost, 38-35 (second round)
9-3, 5-2 Region 1-6A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 Farragut
Aug. 25 at Walker Valley
Sep. 1 at Ooltewah
Sep. 8 Open date
Sep. 15 Cleveland
Sep. 22 Rhea County
Sep. 29 at McMinn County
Oct. 6 Soddy-Daisy
Oct. 13 Heritage
Oct. 20 William Blount
Oct. 27 at Maryville
Region 2-6A games in bold