Division II-AA East // Eberle Field, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404
At the helm
Charles Fant
(47-18 in five years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Fighting Irish return 8 off., 7 def. starters.
Super powers
The recent history at Notre Dame consists of quality RBs and WRs. There now is outstanding athletic ability at every position from C to S, including the lines led by Sam Stovall (6-4, 285) and Jalen Derrick (5-9, 245).
Possible kryptonite
The Irish are looking to freshmen to come through as at least backups in the lines, with coaches hoping to have as many as 11 players ready to go there in the up-tempo "Air Raid" offense for which conditioning - as well as brief rests - will be crucial to it success.
Spidey sense tingling
Fant has been pleased with his revamped coaching staff. The group includes former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, who's coaching the OL, and Curt Jones, promoted to defensive coordinator. In its first year in Division II, Notre Dame expects a deep postseason run.
Here I come to save the day!
Derrick and Stovall have emerged as the team's leaders, and they're involved whether it's rah-rah or leading team meetings or setting things straight. They are the team's tempo-setters.
Up, up and away!
The Irish have made the playoffs in each of Fant's five seasons, and twice ventured as far as semifinal games.
There is a solid array of talent, which gathered in late July for 2 1/2 days at Fort Bluff near Dayton. There are currently two players - Landon Allen (6-3, 185) and T.J. McGee (6-0, 160) - battling for the quarterback job as Allen recovers from tendinitis, but there are names recruiters recognize sprinkled through the Irish roster. Stovall is headed for Western Kentucky and WR Cameron Wynn (5-10, 175) has committed to Tennessee. Alex Flemister (6-3, 225) has moved from LB to DE and likely will be one of the Irish's offensive linemen as well.
"Alex has grown a couple of inches and packed on some weight, and we have four or five kids we think will be in the linebacker mix," Fant said.
That's a bunch that includes Akil Sledge (6-2, 195), who is switching his emphasis from RB to OLB, which appears to be his best road to a college scholarship.
"He's been a running back, and we haven't wanted to use those guys on defense because of the pounding they take," Fant said. "He's an athlete, he's physical and he can cover people."
Stepping up at RB will be junior Tarik Nelson (6-0, 175).
"We never really played him at running back, but we moved him and he started showing some ability. He got pretty smooth," Fant said. "I don't want to say he'll be the surprise of the year, but he is absolutely special."
The coach believes Nelson is a FBS prospect whether on offense or defense.
"The 40 time will probably determine if the really big schools or mid-majors recruit him," the coach assessed.
Allen, a sophomore who missed most of 2016 with a broken leg, was one of six players who lined up at QB last year. He has given Fant cause for high hopes.
"He has every skill in the book and he works hard all the time," the coach said. "He puts steam on his passes, but his ball is easy to catch."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Central won, 30-13
Aug. 26 Tyner won, 25-7
Sep. 2 Chatta Christian won, 53-7
Sep. 9 Knoxville Catholic lost, 54-9
Sep. 16 Howard won, 35-7
Sep. 23 Calhoun City, Miss. lost, 35-14
Sep. 30 East Ridge won, 50-26
Oct. 14 Signal Mountain won, 37-6
Oct. 21 McMinn Central lost, 27-21
Oct. 28 Red Bank lost, 21-3
Nov. 4 Smith County won, 49-15 (first round)
Nov. 11 Sequatchie lost, 56-28
(second round)
7-5, 4-1 Region 3-3A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 17 vs. Baylor at Finley Stadium
Aug. 25 at Tri-Cities Trinity Academy
Sep. 1 CAK
Sep. 8 Central
Sep. 15 at Boyd-Buchanan
Sep. 29 at Knoxville Webb
Oct. 6 at Silverdale Baptist
Oct. 13 at Knoxville Grace
Oct. 20 Chattanooga Christian
Division II-AA East games in bold