Preps Football Preview: Ooltewah Owls

Ooltewah running back Sincere Quinn made the most of his opportunities last year, generating 1,100 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
Ooltewah running back Sincere Quinn made the most of his opportunities last year, generating 1,100 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

Region 2-6A // Jim Jarvis Field at James N. Monroe Stadium, 6123 Mountain View Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363

At the helm

Mac Bryan

(40-10 in four years here; 146-107-1 overall)

Heroes assemble!

The Owls return 7 off., 7 def. starters.

Super powers

The Owls are bigger than they've been in the lines - led by seniors Zaire Bruner (6-2, 285), Jake Richards (6-5, 260) and Brandon Davis (6-0, 250) - and while Ooltewah has been known for being fleet of foot, overall speed this year might be even better than that of past teams.

Possible kryptonite

The major concern for the Owls is that they've been a Class 5A team and now they're moving up to 6A. Even with a roster that numbers more than 100, there is a need to develop quality depth.

Spidey sense tingling

Ooltewah has won at least one postseason game in each of Bryan's seasons at the helm, and the Owls advanced to the quarterfinals each of the past two. Moving up to 6A might cause some consternation outside the ranks, especially being in a region that includes powerful Maryville, but they appear destined for a fifth postseason showing.

Here I come to save the day!

Sincere Quinn (6-1, 182) spent much of 2016 as a defensive standout and averaged only about 12 offensive touches per game. But, oh, what he did with those touches - 1,100 rushing yards and 17 TDs.

Up, up and away!

There were grimaces each of the past two years as Ooltewah absorbed opening losses from both ends of the scoring spectrum against Riverdale - 9-5 in 2015 and 47-14 last year.

Both times, though, the Owls rebounded.

They ran off seven straight wins to get to 10-2 before losing an offensive shootout, 56-49 at Farragut in the quarterfinals.

The problem now is the jump to 6A.

"I think we're the third-smallest school in 6A. There are others with larger enrollments, and that can make it tough in this sport because it's a numbers game," Bryan said. "It's something you have to overcome. We're trying every day to build the depth, and we still have a lot of work to do there."

Junior Kyrell Sanford (5-11, 190) is the first nonsenior to start at QB for Ooltewah since Bryan took over, but he shows more of a dual-threat promise than any of his predecessors.

"His arm strength is very good, and he's done a tremendous job in the 7-on-7s," Bryan said. "He's an intelligent quarterback and he can run like a running back. We'll use that ability more than we have in the past at that position."

There are other RBs to join Quinn, including Tyler Henderson (6-2, 220) and Tylan Cargle (5-7, 160), the latter expected to catch a few passes also, and Andrew Manning (6-2, 185) is expected to start again at WR and in the secondary. The Owls have moved Cam Chambers (6-2, 200) to WR on a full-time basis.

"Sincere is a very explosive runner, and this is probably the biggest and smartest offensive line we've had," Bryan said.

Elisia Wigfall (6-3, 175) and Jake Sullivan (6-0, 175), a skilled KR also, will be other fleet DBs.

Anchoring the defense are Rondarius Wash (6-2, 285), Jake Bratton (6-0, 270) and Andy Reed (6-0, 210) on the line and LBs Tyler Henderson (6-2, 220) and Jaylin Rogers (5-11, 200).

"We want to develop more depth on the defensive line - we've rotated two lines in the past - and we're still working on that," Bryan said.

2016 Results

Aug. 20 Riverdale lost, 47-14

Aug. 26 Signal Mountain won, 38-7

Sep. 2 Clyde A. Erwin, N.C. won, 69-55

Sep. 9 East Hamilton won, 38-3

Sep. 16 Rhea County lost, 28-6

Sep. 30 Soddy-Daisy won, 61-7

Oct. 7 White County won, 42-0

Oct. 14 McMinn County won, 28-6

Oct. 21 Cleveland won, 37-24

Oct. 28 Walker Valley won, 63-35

Nov. 4 Campbell County won, 51-14 (first round)

Nov. 11 Walker Valley won, 45-20 (second round)

Nov. 18 Farragut lost, 56-49 (quarterfinals)

10-3, 5-1 Region 4-5A

2017 Schedule

(All times 7:30 Eastern)

Aug. 18 at Tyner

Aug. 25 Science Hill

Sep. 1 Bradley Central

Sep. 8 East Hamilton

Sep. 15 at William Blount

Sep. 22 at Soddy-Daisy

Oct. 6 McMinn County

Oct. 13 Maryville

Oct. 20 at Cleveland

Oct. 27 at Heritage

Region 2-6A games in bold

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