The hard football times may be on the wane on Signal Mountain.
State champions early in the school's beginning, the Eagles struggled the past two seasons, finishing each year with slightly more than two dozen players. Josh Roberts, with Signal since the beginning, has taken over as head coach for Ty Wise, who resigned last fall after just three wins in two seasons.
At spring practice's conclusion, there were 59 players going through their paces.
Holdover assistant Josh Payne will be the team's defensive coordinator.
"We discussed what we needed to do and how we needed to recruit kids out of the halls," Roberts said. "Being a 3A school, we needed kids from other sports and we talked up the idea of them playing multiple sports, and this could be the group that gets the whole thing back on track. Our seniors don't want to be the ones sitting there with five wins over three years, and the kids did a great job of recruiting for the program."
Roberts compiled a staff that includes Michael Lane, who returns to the varsity from the middle school program, veteran Ernie McCarson, former Central coach Ben Hunsucker and former Lookout Valley coach Tony Webb. Former Eagle John Evans will help with linebackers and ex-Eagles Layton Teal and Jared Menzel will serve as volunteer coaches. Roberts also has former Red Bank and Middle Tennessee State player Reggie Upshaw on the staff.
"There is a lot of camaraderie. We have character-type guys who believe in the process - do the right things and the wins will come," Roberts said. "There is a lot of knowledge among guys that understand kids and relationships."
There are six returning starters, and all six played both ways in 2016. They may do so again, although the staff is looking at the idea of platooning, especially with increased depth.
Quarterback Tom Vatter, who Roberts believes has the arm and ability to play in college, is one of those returnees, "and he has taken a big leadership role," the coach said.
Others he expects to play leadership roles in the coming months are receiver/running back Travion Williams, running back/linebacker Sam Gault, running back/receiver and defensive back Collin Farr and linemen Whit Hunt and Riley Daniels.
Baylor
Most of the Red Raiders starters were involved in spring sports, so the spring football time was spent acclimating younger players into the system. Baylor graduated four of its defensive front six, so the focus leading into the season will be finding a new rotation there. The team also will be breaking in a new receiver corps.
"We look at our numbers in the weight room and compare them with the years we went to the finals to see where we stand," Baylor coach Phil Massey said. "Our emphasis in June is just strength and speed to get those numbers where they should be."
Bledsoe County
The Pikeville school is looking for a new coach, as Josh Owensby resigned after spring practice to move to Hixson as offensive coordinator. One Warrior who has attracted recruiters is punter Gabe Boring, who averaged 41 yards a punt last season while converting 18 of 19 point-after tries and kicking a 48-yard field goal.
While workhorse Joseph Gore, a 1,000-yard rusher, has departed, the new coach will have some skill-position candidates including Coalton Dunn, Jackie Pell, Travis Dickson, Peyton Holland, Kevin Whitson and Colby Rogers.
Boyd-Buchanan
The Buccaneers experimented this spring with senior defensive backs Kohl Henke and Mike Mincey at linebacker and sophomore linebacker Brant Bagley at defensive tackle.
"We looked at six people in different positions for at least two or three practices," coach Carter Cardwell said. "It gives us an opportunity to try to get the right people in the right positions to help us make some plays. Plus, it gives us some flexibility if we need it."
Sophomore Griffin Broome, who played a few snaps at quarterback last season, got a look there this spring, as did freshman Eli Morris. Upcoming sophomore Eli Evans, who missed most of practice while with the baseball team, also will be in the mix at quarterback.
Cardwell said he saw promise in incoming freshman running back JaMichael McGoy and added that fullback Will Watkins came in at less than 215 pounds after playing at 225-230 last year. With kicker Eli Terrell preoccupied with soccer, fellow junior Riley Barnes handled all the kicking chores, including punting, which he will do for the first time this season.
Bradley Central
The main focus will be finding a replacement for two-time all-stater Cole Copeland at quarterback. Copeland has moved on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Bradley coach Damon Floyd said the competition will revolve around three hopefuls. The key in that decision could come in July when the team begins working out at seven-on-seven passing camps.
Brainerd
New coach Tyrus Ward was still commuting from Nashville, so the Panthers worked mostly on fundamentals on both sides of the ball. Several seniors emerged as leaders, including middle linebacker Janarius Smith and versatile Joseph Norwood, who could play quarterback, running back or receiver on offense and will start in the secondary on defense.
"The enthusiasm has skyrocketed since we started," Ward said. "I'm making sure to surround the program with people who love Brainerd or love football. Being at Brainerd, we're going to have guys who can run, throw and catch, so our main focus this summer will be on the offensive and defensive lines, because that's where everything starts."
Central
After ending last season by winning three of their last five games, the Purple Pounders' motto throughout the spring was "fix it." Central returns 16 starters, so there is plenty of experience returning.
"We evaluated all the things we didn't do well last year, and we addressed those things so that we'll have them fixed by the start of this season," said second-year head coach Cortney Braswell, who added former Walker Valley offensive coordinator Todd Burkhart to his staff. "Defensively, our guys are learning to just hit everything that moves. We want to play with great effort on that side."
Chattanooga Christian
Coach Mark Mariakis had 61 show up this past week for workouts. About two-thirds were at the earlier spring practice because the others were on spring sports teams.
Senior Dylan Clark, who will play some skill position, is in the competition at quarterback. The others are Sam Hall, coming up from the middle school, and transfer and sophomore-to-be Jeff Weisel.
"All three were there when we scrimmaged Sequatchie County," Mariakis said. "They all got in. We've got them all on film. They played with the first line and the number one backfield. We got to see what each of them could do, and they each did what we asked them to do. It'll work itself out."
Mariakis noted that several have gained improvement in the second year of the current strength program. Junior Cooper Williams, who has played some at tight end and linebacker, is among those making the greatest strides.
"He's really filled out," Mariakis said. "We're expecting him to have a good year."
East Hamilton
It was basics and more basics, salted with a steady dose of technique, that occupied the Hurricanes, who appear to be quicker than in the past.
"We've got some speed, some kids that can run, and I am excited about our young kids," coach Ted Gatewood said. "We're not as big as we have been, but I really like the mobility."
Among key returnees are quarterback Jared Price, who was thrown into a starting role in the Hurricanes' playoff game against Marshall County, and offensive linemen Harrison Davis and Corbin Turner. A head-turner could be senior defensive lineman David Bond (6-2 1/2, 250).
East Ridge
There were 35 out for spring drills on any given day, but coach Tim James wasn't overly concerned.
"I had nine in baseball and eight in track," he said. "We'll be running 60 through summer workouts."
James will be seeking a successor for Traneil Moore, a Mr. Football-winning tailback.
"We have a lot of kids coming back, but we're still looking for that workhorse at running back. It'll be tailback by committee till somebody takes over," he said.
Linebacker Lorenzo Stewart is among those who will get shots at that spot for the Pioneers, who went three rounds deep into the 2016 Class 3A playoffs but now are the smallest Class 4A team in the state.
Quarterback Eric Bennett joins Stewart among a dozen returning starters, including our of five starters back for the offensive line.
Grace Academy
It would seem that finding a successor for graduated dual-threat quarterback Jared Thompson would be the Golden Eagles' biggest task, but instead it may be finding how they'll make up for Cade Tinsley's 1,200 rushing yards last season. That's because Tinsley, who will be a junior, is now the quarterback.
Juniors Ross Adams and Ryan Merritt are competing for the job in the one-back set.
Back at slot receiver is a healthy Jimmy Green. He broke a bone in his wrist last fall, requiring surgery, and coach Bob Ateca said even when Green returned later in the season he never found the stride he had shown the year before as a freshman.
"I feel good about where we are," Ateca said, "but we've still got a long way to go."
Grundy County
The players who took their lumps the past two seasons are ready to begin looking for payback.
"The kids that we depend on are going to be juniors, and we look like we're playing at a varsity level," coach Casey Tate said. "We've been playing with young guys, but now we have a lot of juniors and seniors across the board."
The Yellow Jackets still will be playing some sophomores, but it will be here and there and for depth rather than as necessary starters.
"When you haven't had it and now you do, it's nice to have," Tate added.
Hagen Cash returns at quarterback and brothers Ethan and Evan Nunley will man wingback spots, possibly sharing time with speedy sophomore Chad Nance. Those are among 13 returning starters.
Hixson
Upcoming juniors Landon Wallace and Jack Julian, a catcher on the baseball team, will head into summer vying to play quarterback. Senior LaTrell Sanderfer also has played there a little, when he wasn't busy toiling at running back, wingback, slot receiver, safety or outside linebacker.
First-year head coach Gary Murray, who has been on the staff since 2012, noted the most pleasant surprise since last season has been Preston Ward (6-3, 225), now a 1,000-pound lifter counting bench press, squat and clean and jerk. The senior could play tackle or end in the Wildcats' 3-3 defensive front.
One of Murray's implementations has been a "leadership council." Nine appointed team leaders have a few players each under their watches. The concept is for players to hold others accountable, while coaches are responsible for monitoring those leaders.
"There's a lot of competition in areas where the kids know there are a lot of positions open," Murray said. "It's good to see them hungry to get in there and try to get that spot."
Howard
As he began his first offseason after taking over the Hustlin' Tigers last summer, coach John Starr put most of the spring emphasis on offense, where junior Marquez Williams takes over at quarterback.
"There's more of a sense of urgency, not as much standing around watching," Starr said. "I think that's because they know what the expectations are and they know what we're teaching them."
Lookout Valley
Veteran head coach Tony Webb stepped down this past week to take an assistant's job at Signal Mountain. Lance Rorex, who has been the Yellow Jackets baseball coach for four years, added football coach to the duties at his alma mater.
Marion County
There's no shortage of talent or experience in the Warriors' offensive backfield, including senior running back Jacob Saylors, quarterback Isaah Sampson and receiver Kane Hale. Saylors already has offers from Tusculum and Wofford and is being recruited by UTC and Furman.
"There's a trust factor having so many guys that you know what they're capable of in big games," said Marion coach Joey Mathis. The Warriors will be looking for a fourth straight trip to the Class 2A state title game and upgraded their schedule to include nondistrict playoff teams Rhea County, Sequatchie County, Loudon and Coalfield.
McCallie
There will be plenty of changes for the Blue Tornado, including a new defensive coordinator - as yet undetermined - to replace the departed Ricky Ross and an interesting quarterback battle between junior Christopher Bowman (6-2, 195) and sophomore DeAngelo Hardy (5-10, 175).
"Both throw the ball better than I thought, and both are good enough athletes to be on the field at another position when they're not in at quarterback," McCallie coach Ralph Potter said.
McMinn Central
Several successors are being sought, most notably for leading rusher Jackson Long. But mostly time was spent going over new schemes and working on techniques for the 40 or so who showed up.
Coach Josh Goodin said the Chargers will still keep some of their shotgun spread offense in place, but he feels a switch to a wing-T offense best suits the current personnel. Defensively they're looking at changing from the recent three-player front and going back to the 4-3 they ran before.
"We lost 23 seniors," Goodin said. "Jackson Long was a big one, but we've got to replace almost everything."
McMinn County
The TSSAA's newest classification has pushed the Cherokees into 6A and a region that includes longtime rivals Bradley Central and Cleveland but also perennial state champ Maryville.
Coach Bo Cagle is busy working to solve problems that range from finding at least two assistants and getting them hired to enhancing depth issues to incorporating up to 35 freshmen into the program. It's probable that a handful of ninth-graders will start.
If there is good news it's that Cagle was satisfied with results of the offensive return to the wing-T and the fact that four of last year's O-line starters are back along with quarterback Bradley Hayes. Cagle singled out senior defensive lineman Martin Pierce (5-9, 260) as "probably our best player."
Meigs County
Only five starters return from a region runner-up team that went 10-2, but the coaching staff was optimistic at the conclusion of spring drills.
Leading the pack will be dual-threat quarterback Aaron Swafford, a sophomore who was invited to spring games at Auburn, Georgia and Vanderbilt. The 6-foot, 190-pounder will attend camps at Memphis, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Florida and Clemson.
"We have some pretty good skill guys in Aaron, Martin Smith, Eli Loden and Caleb Hyde, and we have a couple of transfers that will contribute," coach Jason Fitzgerald said.
David Keylor is the lone returning offensive-line starter, and the defensive staff is depending on lineman Dalton Baker and linebacker Luke Hair.
The team has moved out of Region 3-2A - away from state runner-up Marion County and perennial playoff participants Boyd-Buchanan and Tyner - and into 2-2A, joining Oneida, Rockwood, Cumberland Gap and Wartburg.
Notre Dame
Spring practice gave the Irish the chance to tinker with their new "air-raid" offense. Also, they began getting accustomed to the ways and means of Curt Jones, who is transitioning from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator.
"We've got a lot of learning to do," head coach Charles Fant said. "It's a good thing that we got lots and lots of reps."
Despite the perceived pass-happy offensive tag, Fant said running back still will be a key component. Incumbent senior Akil Sledge will be pushed by junior Tarik Nelson and sophomore Jeffery Watkins.
Graduation created some voids at linebacker, but Fant has liked what he's seen from seniors Caleb Edwards and Doogan Boyd and sophomore Dallas Brown.
Ooltewah
Coach Mac Bryan is expecting the now Class 6A Owls to have 90-plus players, but about 10 or 12 who are expected to play major roles this fall missed spring drills while competing in other sports. Noticeable graduates are quarterback Collin Thurman and 1,000-yard rusher Cam Turner, yet overall Ooltewah will be more experienced than last year.
"We've got 29 seniors," Bryan said. "Most of them will contribute in a major way. We're a little bit older this time. Overall we return a lot of players who have started or have had game experience. I think that will come into play for us playing 6A ball. You've got to have quality depth, because other teams are going to have it."
The featured back role will go to upcoming junior Sincere Quinn, who also was a 1,000-yard rusher last year. Junior Kyrell Sanford is in line to get the nod at quarterback.
"He can do a lot of things," Bryan said. "He had a good spring. Of course he was missing a lot of his good receivers."
Bryan said senior Tyler Henderson did some noteworthy things in spring in making the transition from running back to linebacker.
Polk County
Numbers are back up at the Benton school, where 44 participated in spring practice and 17 freshmen have now joined the summer workouts. Quarterback is set with returning starter junior Nate Waters.
"Our big class is our junior class," Polk coach Derrick Davis said. "There are 20 of them. A lot have had to play the last couple of years, earlier than they should have. We've got a lot of experience coming back. Of course that experience has got to get better."
With three offensive linemen graduating, Davis said senior Wyatt Martin and junior Alex Pale have moved there and set great examples in attitude. Martin, who traded his No. 18 for No. 55, has played quarterback, fullback, tight end and linebacker in the past. Davis said Martin is a 4.0 student and picked up on everything quickly, like he's always done.
"We've got a long way to go, but we saw some similar things that some of our better teams had," Davis said. "Not that we're going to win nine or 10 games, but I think we're heading in the right direction."
Red Bank
Calvin Jackson will have a new role in his junior season.
"He'll be a wide receiver, a running back, perhaps some safety and even cornerback, and he probably will return kicks and punts," Lions coach Chad Grabowski said.
Jackson, one of the area's top running quarterbacks, went to Duke this weekend.
"He'll have the chance to go where he wants; the GPA (3.5) and the athleticism to go anywhere," Grabowski said of the 6-foot, 180-pounder. "He plans to camp this summer at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Tennessee."
Taking over at quarterback will be sophomore Madox Wilkey, whose stronger arm will add another dimension to the Lions' offense.
Among the more than a dozen returning starters is Jamel Davis (6-4, 265), a defensive lineman with offers already from UTC, Samford, Liberty, Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky.
Rhea County
It's fortunate that Rhea County has two weight rooms, especially this summer when coach Mark Pemberton and his staff put their team through its paces. They are working with a 135-man squad.
"Lots of kids, and it takes lots of equipment," said Pemberton, whose first spring practice four years ago was with 50 players.
Pemberton thinks the defense, with seven returning starters, will be all right, but of six offensive returners, five are linemen who started at one time or another previously. The sixth is junior quarterback Zack Pemberton, of whom his dad will expect even more this year.
"He did all right, didn't make a whole lot of mistakes," the coach said. "We'll probably throw a little more. Some of the basketball kids have come out, and we'll use them at wide receiver and tight end."
While he lost two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation, Pemberton will have Christian Simon returning from a near-1,000 season.
Sale Creek
The Panthers held a late spring practice, and with the baseball team's season having ended by then, 41 players made it out.
"This is the first time we've ever had to worry about a depth chart," coach Ron Cox said. "Having three people trying out for quarterback, it's unreal."
Tanner Harvey, who will be a junior, has played some at quarterback before. Cox said he likely would be the starter if Cox had to decide now.
John Roberts again will be a wingback for the Panthers in his senior year. Spring football gave Cox and his assistants a chance to look at his brother and classmate, Luke, who has been a wide receiver, at wingback on the other side.
Sale Creek boasts 11 seniors, its largest senior class in the varsity program's five-year history, to go with 13 juniors. Seven seniors have played extensively in their high school careers, but none more than two-way lineman Tucker Hooker, who played in three games as an eighth-grader.
Sequatchie County
It dawned on coach Adam Caine that football, at least the way he coaches it, "is a big-time execution game."
The Indians, state 3A semifinalists in 2016, return just six starters - four on defense.
"Last year's team would go 12 to 15 plays without a mistake. Right now this group has a mistake every fourth play," Caine said. "The key for us is how quickly we can become a team that looks like it played before, because we have the size and some promise."
Helping that mission along is senior quarterback Ethan Barker, a run-pass specialist who excelled at directing Caine's punishing run game.
Silverdale Baptist Academy
The Seahawks had about 30 percent of their football players playing spring sports, but coach Al Rogers said about 25 came out for spring practice.
"With a school my size, we don't even put pads on," Rogers said. "We're blessed we can work the eighth-graders coming up. It's more of a learning time for them. And it allows us to polish the older guys."
Rogers said he liked what he saw from Cade Meadows, who can play linebacker, fullback and running back, and fellow senior Trent Gibson is a 5-9, 270-pound lineman who moves well. The Seahawks return nine from last year's defense.
Soddy-Daisy
Injuries were a scourge last season, but last year's hard luck appeared to be paying dividends as Justin Barnes ran his team through spring practice and into summer drills.
"Last year we played so many guys that were young - four freshmen and four sophomores - and, honestly, as bad as last year was with injuries we now have a lot of guys who won't be in their first rodeo," the Trojans coach said. "We're sitting here with a junior-heavy team but a good group of seniors including Ty Boeck, Beau Blaylock and Hunter Burke."
Until an ankle injury near season's end, Boeck was Mr. Versatile, playing at one time or another quarterback, receiver, running back and linebacker in addition to being the team's punter.
"Ty's our running back this year. He'll get some snaps in practice at quarterback, and we may also play him some at linebacker," Barnes said.
Receivers Blaylock and Burke will be primary targets for quarterback Gavin Chambers, who got a couple of starts last season. Soddy-Daisy also has three offensive linemen who started at least six games in 2016.
South Pittsburg
The Pirates will have a quarterback battle that's expected to last until the start of the season. Sophomore Jaylyn Hubbard and freshman Braden Sanders are the candidates, but whoever wins the job will be surrounded by talent.
The Pirates are as deep along the offensive and defensive lines as they've been in recent years and bring back all-state fullback/linebacker Sawyer Kelley and all-state receiver Cade Kennemore.
Tyner
The main focus is finding depth along the offensive line. Coach Wayne Turner said he feels good about the defensive front, led by Tracey Justice (6-2, 285), and skill positions, including versatile athlete Jaylen Bowens (6-1, 175).
"We were so short-handed on the offensive line during the spring that I had to move a couple of fullbacks down there to play guard," Turner said. "They weren't real happy about it, but at least we got some things accomplished."
Walker Valley
Coach Glen Ryan has been splitting his late spring between practice and conditioning and searching for assistants.
The Mustangs' football program lost four coaches.
"We're scrambling to find teacher-coach combinations that will fit," Ryan said.
With a veteran dual threat (Kolten Gibson) returning at quarterback, the remaining coaches sought to replace starters at wide receiver and at running back. Sophomore Kole Hall has shown signs of filling the running back role, and Ryan is high on Zeke Westfield, a 6-5 athlete coming off injury who's expected to be a premier receiver and cornerback.
"Zeke was fifth in the state decathlon and he has been clocked at 11.08 in the 100-meter dash," Ryan said. "We also got a couple of basketball guys (Brock Gibson, Luke Wallace) that I think will be good receivers."
Kolten Gibson holds almost every school quarterback record, and the Mustangs ultimately will go as he goes.
Whitwell
With 20 of 22 starters returning, first-year head coach Randall Boldin spent much of the spring looking to add depth behind that experience.
"We have a lot of guys who have played for us who are pushing the starters, and that competition should just make us better," Boldin said. "It really helps to have so many guys that have been in our system and know what to do. It helped us put in a new offense, and they seemed to pick it up pretty quick."
- A look at area Tennessee football spring drills as compiled by Ward Gossett, Stephen Hargis and Kelley Smiddle.
TSSAA football regions for area teams beginning this season
Division IRegion 3-1ACopper BasinLookout ValleySale CreekSouth PittsburgWhitwellRegion 2-2ACumberland GapMeigs CountyOneidaRockwoodWartburg CentralRegion 3-2ABledsoe CountyMarion CountyPolk CountyTellico PlainsTynerRegion 3-3ABrainerdLoudonMcMinn CentralRed BankSignal MountainSweetwaterRegion 4-3ACannon CountyGrundy CountySequatchie CountySmith CountyUppermanYork InstituteRegion 2-4AAnderson CountyCentralEast HamiltonEast RidgeHixsonHowardSequoyahRegion 4-5AKnoxville CatholicLenoir CityRhea CountySoddy-DaisyWalker ValleyRegion 2-6ABradley CentralClevelandMaryvilleMaryville HeritageMcMinn CountyOoltewahWilliam BlountDivision II-A EastConcord ChristianDonelson Christian AcademyEzell-HardingFriendship ChristianGrace AcademyMiddle Tennessee ChristianMount Juliet ChristianThe King’s AcademyDivision II-AA EastBoyd-BuchananChattanooga ChristianChristian Acad. of KnoxvilleKnoxville Grace ChristianNotre DameSilverdale Baptist Acad.Knoxville WebbDivision II-AAA East/MiddleBaylorBrentwood AcademyEnsworthFather RyanMcCallieMontgomery Bell AcademyPope John Paul II