Bradley Central quarterback Dylan Standifer (8) picks up yardage against Hardin Valley during a six-team scrimmage Bradley hosted on July 28, 2018.REGION 2-6A OUTLOOK
Team to beat: There is probably no region in the state, regardless of classification, where one team is considered more of a year-in, year-out favorite than Maryville. The defending state champion Rebels — who have a state-record 16 titles all-time — bring back enough talent to once again be target everyone else is aiming for.Watch out for: Bradley Central has committed to building up its depth over the past few seasons and again won’t have to rely on many two-way athletes. Having the best returning quarterback in the region — Dylan Standifer threw for nearly 3,000 yards last year — should also make the Bears very dangerous.Best game: When Bradley Central visits cross-county foe Cleveland on Sept. 14 it will renew one of the state’s best rivalries, and could determine a first-round home playoff game.Dream schedule: William Blount has three non-region games — Lenoir City, Jefferson County and Stone Memorial — against teams that did not have a winning record last season. The Governors also region opponents Bradley Central and McMinn County in two of the last three weeks when a playoff spot could be on the line.Nightmare schedule: Three of Ooltewah’s first four games are on the road, and against quality competition. The Owls open with Tyner (last year’s 2A state runners-up), then travel to Science Hill and Bradley Central, both of which reached the 6A playoffs. They also must travel to region favorite Maryville.Players to watch: Bradley Central quarterback Dylan Standifer threw for more than 2,700 yards last season, while sophomore receiver Tray Curry could develop into one of the area’s top college prospects. Cleveland receiver Robert “Deuce” Flowers is another athlete expected to have a breakout season, while Ooltewah’s backfield of quarterback Kyrell Sanford and running back Sincere Quinn are capable of breaking big plays on any snap.
Not even a head coaching change could slow Maryville High School’s football dominance. With the amount of talent returning for the Rebels this season, the rest of Region 2-6A – including Bradley Central, Cleveland, Ooltewah and McMinn County – will have its work cut out to close the gap.
In Derek Hunt’s first season as coach, Maryville continued to cruise, winning all six region games by at least 20 points on its way to the program’s 16th state championship and fifth in the past eight years.
A total of 12 starters return, including nine on defense, making the Rebels once again prohibitive favorites.
Bradley Central won 10 games for the first time in nearly three decades but lost twice to the Rebels last year, including in the state quarterfinals. The Bears bring back just two starters on both the offensive and defensive side, but one of those is senior quarterback Dylan Standifer, who threw for more than 2,900 yards and 27 touchdowns.