GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS
Head coach: Tracy Hayworth (1-19 in two seasons at Grundy County)
Returning starters: 8 offensive; 7 defensive
Key players: QB/DB Jacob Dixon (6-0, 175); RB/LB Jordan Hackworth (5-10, 195); OL/DL Andrew Barrett (5-11, 260); RB Gavin Tate (5-10, 230); WR/DB Holden Hargis (5-11, 150); LB Trenton Ashley (6-0, 215); WR/DB Gunner Meeks (5-11, 150); TE/DE Zac Campbell (6-5, 200).
Team strengths: Dixon gained valuable reps behind center last season and has stepped into a leadership role. Hackworth is the team’s strongest player and can bring physicality out of the backfield, and so can Tate. The core group of skill position players who have played for three years need to lead the way.
Team concerns: Last season was a whirlwind for the program, punished by the TSSAA for recruiting violations, and now the Yellow Jackets will try to build back team morale. Evan Nunley’s graduation leaves a big hole because he was one of the team’s best overall athletes. Opening at perennial Class 1A state power South Pittsburg is a tough way to start the schedule.
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Andrew Barrett (62) is a two-way lineman for Grundy County, which brings back the majority of its starters on both sides of the ball.