Region 2-4A // Raymond James Stadium, 4320 Bennett Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412
At the helm
Tim James
(54-37 in eight years here; 78-83 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Pioneers return 8 off., 6 def. starters.
Super powers
LB Lorenzo Stewart (6-1, 240) was one of the area's leading tacklers a year ago and could again play some in the offensive backfield. Returning QB Eric Bennett (5-10, 175) has at least a pair of experienced receivers returning in Alonzo Russell (6-2, 180) and Kashawn Cosey (5-6, 145).
Possible kryptonite
The Pioneers, moving up from Class 3A, are the state's smallest Class 4A team and numbers are down to the mid-50s, so depth, especially in the lines, could become an issue.
Spidey sense tingling
If the Pioneers can stay healthy - and that was an issue early in last year's playoff run - another trip to the postseason should be expected because of returners. They're looking for both starters and depth in the defensive line, where they're working to replace three starters.
Here I come to save the day!
Russell led the Chattanooga area in interceptions last season, and his contributions will be expanded to include a larger role as a receiver. It's also likely that Stewart, already a two-time all-region pick, will have an expanded offensive role.
Up, up and away!
There isn't a game on the schedule the Pioneers can say definitively they're going to win, but many of the youngsters were part of a late run in 2016 that carried them to the Class 3A quarterfinals.
"Coaches talk about having different starters week to week. We had times when we had different starters series to series. Our quarterback missed four or five games and a former Mr. Football winner (Traneil Moore) missed several early games," James said. "I think making the playoffs last year was a credit to the coaching staff and the kids themselves. They never quit believing."
As for being the state's smallest Class 4A school - East Ridge missed the 3A cutoff by five students - James quipped, "I'd much rather be the largest 3A school."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Polk County lost, 35-28
Aug. 26 Brainerd won, 34-6
Sep. 2 Signal Mountain won, 35-28
Sep. 9 Central won, 13-6
Sep. 16 Red Bank lost, 22-10
Sep. 23 Hixson lost, 7-0
Sep. 30 Notre Dame lost, 50-26
Oct. 14 Howard won, 13-7
Oct. 21 Loudon lost, 16-13
Nov. 4 DeKalb County won, 23-18
(first round)
Nov. 11 Red Bank won, 35-28
(second round)
Nov. 18 Sequatchie County lost, 21-14
(quarterfinals)
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 17 at Stone Memorial
Aug. 25 at Polk County
Sep. 1 at East Hamilton
Sep. 8 Brainerd
Sep. 22 Signal Mountain
Sep. 29 at Anderson County
Oct. 6 Central
Oct. 13 Sequoyah
Oct. 20 Howard
Oct. 27 at Hixson
Region 2-4A games in bold