DUNLAP, Tenn. – It’s one of the worst-kept secrets among area high school football teams, but it’s also tougher to stop than barbershop gossip. Sequatchie County is so determined to pound opponents into submission that the Indians have all but forsaken the forward pass.
In winning five of their last six games, the Indians (6-3) have averaged 362 rushing yards and just 26 passing, scoring an average of 32 points during that span. They have beaten their last three opponents by the state’s 35-point mercy rule and have two backs with more than 1,000 rushing yards and a third closing in on that mark.
“We’re just confident enough in our offensive line and all our backs that we know running at people gives us the best chance to win,” coach Chad Barger said. “I think the kids have bought into it so much that they take a lot of pride in being a very physical team. We’ve seen all kinds of funky defenses trying to stop us from running it, but that’s where the pride comes in with our kids, and they’re just set on lining up and running power football no matter what.”
After scoring a total of 38 points in their first three games, the Indians are averaging 32 per game since moving senior speedster Hunter Lewis from quarterback to running back. Lewis leads Sequatchie with 1,274 rushing yards, while junior Jerry Fain has 1,014. Going into tonight’s nondistrict game against winless McMinn Central, Justis Stewart needs fewer than 200 yards to surpass 1,000.
“I wasn’t very comfortable playing quarterback,” Lewis said. “I feel a lot more confident at running back. It seems like we’re seeing a lot of nine-man fronts now, but we’re still able to run it, and usually after we throw it once or twice they back off and things really open up for us then.
“We’ve accomplished a lot already this year, and it would be really special to maybe get to host a playoff game. It feels like our hard work is paying off.”
The Indians’ backfield trifecta complement one another with varying styles.
“Jerry runs like he’s mad,” Barger said. “He’s going to get a lot of tough yards after contact. Justis is really quick and sees the field really well. He’s only about 5-foot-6, 142 pounds, so he’s small enough to get lost back there and then break loose. And Hunter is just one of the best athletes in the area. He’s tough to stop.
“With those three, I call plays not caring which one is in. I know any of them will make plays for us.”
A win tonight would give Sequatchie County its first seven-win season since 1997. The program already has three straight winning seasons under Barger and has secured a 3A playoff berth. The Indians could still claim the District 7 title with a win tonight and a Bledsoe County loss to Chattanooga Christian.
“It all boils down to the line,” Fain said. “There’s only so much a back can do on his own, but we’re all very confident because of the line. Any team will get discouraged once you start knocking them around, and that just makes us want to do our jobs even more.”