Region 3-3A // Charger Stadium, 145 County Road 461, Englewood, TN 37329
At the helm
Josh Goodin
(33-53 in eight years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Chargers return 4 off., 5 def. starters.
Super powers
Goodin has been pleased with the work put in by his skill guys, most of them new, over the summer and believes there are several who can make plays.
Possible kryptonite
With the exception of QB Hunter Powers (6-3, 230), the Chargers are starting over. They graduated 23 seniors from the 2016 team and particularly are inexperienced up front offensively.
Spidey sense tingling
They have had killer schedules the last couple of years with opponents including Alcoa and Christian Academy of Knoxville. If they're able to get players with less experience ready, they could have a good year.
Here I come to save the day!
Powers, who looks more like a big TE than a QB, was at the controls last year, although the offense was centered on workhorse RB Jackson Long, who was a senior. Powers worked tirelessly over the summer to improve his passing skills.
Up, up and away!
The Chargers counted six playoff participants among their 2016 opponents, a group that included perennial state finalist Alcoa and Class 5A power Rhea County.
"When you have a quarterback coming back, that's always a big deal," Goodin said. "Hunter's a big kid who has worked hard on the passing game. If we give him some time, he gives us a chance to be successful. He's definitely pass first, but he has the option to run, and if he gets some momentum, he's definitely tough to bring down."
With Long gone, though, it's likely McMinn Central will pin its running hopes on sophomore Nate Austin (5-8, 160).
"He's a kid that can move - has speed and quick feet," Goodin said. "We'll throw to him some. He'll take some handoffs, but he'll also be in the slot (as a receiver) some."
Zach Herman (5-9, 175) also will figure in the running game.
Players expected to shoulder the load on the line include Riley Nipper (5-11, 260), Theo Burns (6-0, 200), Wyatt Cook (5-11, 220) and Nathan Bousquet (5-11, 240).
2016 Results
Aug. 19 McMinn County lost, 41-6
Aug. 26 Rhea County lost, 60-7
Sep. 2 Kingston won, 23-21
Sep. 9 Polk County won, 38-7
Sep. 16 Loudon won, 36-7
Sep. 23 Meigs County lost, 33-7
Sep. 29 Alcoa lost, 49-7
Oct. 14 CAK lost, 42-27
Oct. 21 Notre Dame won, 27-21
Oct. 28 Scott County lost, 49-13
Nov. 4 Elizabethton lost, 48-19 (first round)
4-7, 2-3 Region 2-3A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 at McMinn County
Aug. 25 Sequoyah
Sep. 1 Sweetwater
Sep. 8 at Polk County
Sep. 15 Red Bank
Sep. 22 at Meigs County
Sep. 29 at Loudon
Oct. 6 at Bledsoe County
Oct. 13 at Signal Mountain
Oct. 27 at Brainerd
Region 3-3A games in bold