McMINN CENTRALCoach: Josh Goodin 7-14 (here and overall)Returning starters (O/D/K): 7/7/2Remember these names: Denzell Boyd (So., 5-8, 155) will play in the secondary and spearhead the Chargers’ running game at tailback, aided by fullbacks Dylan Lawson (Sr., 5-10, 175) and Wyatt Barnett (So., 6-0, 195), who also play linebacker. Lawson will be a starter for the third year and Barnett started every game as a freshman last season. Gage Johnson (So., 6-0, 170), primarily a special teams player last year, has grown some since last season and will back up Boyd at tailback and play weakside linebacker.Will be a memorable year if: The Chargers quickly get a first win they never got last year and build on that for more victories. Goodin said he likes what he’s seen thus far from his team as far as fundamentals, work ethic and attitude. “I think there will be improvement,” he said. “If we could physically put ourselves against last year’s team, I think we’d be extremely far ahead of where were last year.”ScheduleAug. 19 at McMinn CountyAug. 26 Notre DameSept. 2 at Polk County*Sept. 9 LoudonSept. 16 at Meigs County*Sept. 23 at Bledsoe CountySept. 30 Sequoyah*Oct. 7 KingstonOct. 14 Sweetwater*Oct. 21 at Stone Memorial* District 5-AA game
Relative to a football player’s size, Denzell Boyd is small. His contributions this season for McMinn Central are expected to be anything but small.
Coach Josh Goodin said Boyd had a good offseason, staying in condition playing basketball, running track and dedicating himself in the weight room. His 5-foot-8 frame is now packing about 155 pounds.
The Chargers are coming off an 0-10 season and are turning to Boyd to try to help reverse their fortunes. At tailback in their retooled offense, he’s on track to get a lot more touches than he did a year ago as a freshman.
“He’s worked his way into the position,” Goodin said. “We need the ball in his hands, and we need him to be good when he’s got it in his hands.”