Region 3-2A // Wayne Turner Field, 6836 Tyner Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421
At the helm
Wayne Turner
(197-111 in 26 years here; 201-127 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Rams return 7 off., 6 def. starters.
Super powers
Turner lists no fewer than eight skill-position players he believes have game-changing ability. Tyner's wing-T offense has always been at its best when it can spread the ball around and use misdirection plays to help spring runners into open space, so having a variety of backs and receivers capable of breaking big plays will make them tough for opposing defenses to plan for.
Possible kryptonite
Senior two-way T Tracey Justice (6-2, 280) is the leader on both lines, but while the DL seems set, the OL lacks depth, so the Rams must avoid injuries up front on that side of the ball. They're also thin at LB and could wind up using some DBs to fill that role.
Spidey sense tingling
This is the best collection of all-around talent the Rams have had in several years, and Turner, who isn't known to throw around compliments unless they're earned, is very optimistic about his team's chances to compete with anyone in 2A.
Here I come to save the day!
Justice should be a force to deal with on both sides of the line, while the skill positions are loaded, beginning with senior dual-threat QB Jaylen Bowens (6-1, 180). The list of potential playmakers also includes senior RBs Jeremy Elston (5-10, 165), Rah'le High (5-10, 160) and Ke'un Webb (5-11, 170), as well as sophomore WR Jeremiah Batiste (6-0, 175), who's expected to become a big-time college prospect, and classmate Martavius Ryals, who can play any skill position needed.
Up, up and away!
With 13 total starters returning and an impressive blend of size and speed, Tyner is considered a legitimate threat to knock off perennial power Marion County for the region championship and make a deep run into the playoffs.
The Rams have 23 seniors who will either start or receive significant playing time, and that experienced collection of talent has a confidence the program hasn't seen in some time.
"We've got a lot of seniors who are going to play a lot, and I feel real good about our skill-position guys," Turner said. "Our defensive front and secondary have the potential to play extremely well. We're strong up front, and we've got some guys who come downhill hard from the secondary and like to deliver a big hit.
"We've got good depth everywhere except maybe on the offensive line right now, so if we can just avoid all the injuries we had last year, I believe we can be pretty tough. We just need to stay focused on improving every day, but this is as good as I've felt about a team here in several years."
2016 Results
Aug. 26 Notre Dame lost, 25-7
Sep. 2 Polk County won, 21-7
Sep. 9 Signal Mountain lost, 22-21
Sep. 16 Boyd-Buchanan lost, 24-22
Sep. 23 Walker Valley lost, 49-6
Sep. 29 Marion County lost, 25-6
Oct. 7 Bledsoe County won, 25-21
Oct. 14 Meigs County lost, 26-12
Oct. 21 Silverdale Baptist won, 32-7
Oct. 28 Brainerd won, 40-0
Nov. 4 Forrest lost, 21-14 (first round)
4-7, 4-3 Region 3-2A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern
unless Noted)
Aug. 18 Ooltewah
Aug. 25 at Signal Mountain
Sep. 1 Polk County
Sep. 8 at Howard
Sep. 15 at Marion County, 8
Sep. 22 East Hamilton
Sep. 29 Bledsoe County
Oct. 13 Tellico Plains
Oct. 20 at Brainerd
Oct. 27 Central
Region 3-2A games in bold