Region 3-1A // Vernon Holtcamp Field, 200 Tiger Trail, Whitwell, TN 37397
At the helm
Randall Boldin
(First year here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Tigers return 10 off., 10 def. starters.
Super powers
Whitwell's backfield would make most teams, particularly those in 1A, envious. There's no shortage of potential playmakers and proven dependable ball carriers, starting with junior Hudson Petty. He'll be joined in the backfield by no fewer than three other runners to give the Tigers reason to believe they can move the ball on any opponent.
Possible kryptonite
While the Tigers have a good group of starting offensive linemen, they lack experience and depth among the reserves. Staying healthy while bringing along some of the younger linemen will go a long way in determining whether the team can live up to its promise.
Spidey sense tingling
Because of the experience Whitwell returns, those players have now been a part of several games with big-time atmosphere and understand the level of consistency it takes to take the next step to possibly earn a region title and advance further into the postseason.
Here I come to save the day!
Beyond Petty (6-1, 185), the group of senior Trace Condra (5-9, 175), and junior Josh Wingo (6-1, 195), a transfer from Grundy County, form a formidable backfield with QB Dawson Holloway (6-0, 175). They will run behind a stout OL led by senior Kyle Antel (6-3, 260). Defensively, junior LB Thundur Roberts (6-0, 185) made more than 90 tackles last season and should be free to roam and continue making plays behind linemen Austin Nunley (6-1, 190), T.D. Argo (5-10, 230) and Garrett Shrum (6-2, 185).
Up, up and away!
There has been plenty of hype surrounding this team even before last season ended. Folks in the Sequatchie Valley have pointed to this group of players - with their blend of size and athleticism - as having the potential to lift Whitwell to a position the program hasn't experienced in decades.
"This is a hard-working group," Boldin said. "We felt pretty good about who we had coming back to carry the ball for us, and adding Wingo to our backfield should make that position a real strength for us."
The Tigers will need all the talent and experience they have coming back against a brutal schedule, including a season opener at Boyd-Buchanan, followed by home dates against Class 4A's Signal Mountain and perennial 2A power Trousdale County. There are also tough games against 3A's Cannon County as well as 2A's Bledsoe County and Polk County, and Whitwell's biggest league game is on the road at South Pittsburg, where the region title is likely to be decided.
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Grundy County won, 35-12
Aug. 26 Sequatchie County lost, 61-20
Sep. 2 Davidson Academy lost, 28-10
Sep. 9 Bledsoe County lost, 22-21
Sep. 16 Lookout Valley won, 58-14
Sep. 30 Grace Academy won, 56-34
Oct. 7 South Pittsburg lost, 50-24
Oct. 13 Sale Creek won, 49-16
Oct. 21 Columbia Academy lost, 21-3
Oct. 28 Copper Basin won, 21-3
Nov. 4 Summertown won, 23-8 (first round)
Nov. 11 Columbia Academy lost, 20-13 (second round)
6-6, 4-1 Region 3-2A
2017 Schedule
(All times 8 Eastern unless noted)
Aug. 18 at Boyd-Buchanan, 7:30
Aug. 25 at Bledsoe County
Sep. 1 Copper Basin
Sep. 8 Signal Mountain
Sep. 15 Lookout Valley
Sep. 22 Polk County
Oct. 6 Trousdale County
Oct. 13 at South Pittsburg
Oct. 19 Cannon County at Finley Stadium, 7:30
Oct. 27 Sale Creek
Region 3-1A games in bold