BRAINERD PANTHERS at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS
Storyline: The Panthers lost three games by seven or fewer points last year, including by three points to Chattanooga Christian, which proved to be the difference in keeping them out of the playoffs. Six senior starters return looking to turn things around in Brian Gwyn’s fourth season as head coach. Meanwhile the Chargers are looking to build on the best season in the program’s brief history. Mark Mariakis, who built Ridgeland into a northwest Georgia power, takes over as head coach after working as the team’s defensive coordinator in last year’s eight-win finish that included a playoff run to the second round.
CENTRAL POUNDERS at NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Storyline: A 40-6 loss to the Irish started Central on the long 2015 road to 0-10 and resulted in another coaching change. The Pounders hired former assistant Cortney Braswell, who once worked as an assistant to current Notre Dame coach Charles Fant. Before last year’s win, Notre Dame’s last victory over the Pounders was in 2004 (15-14). The only Irish coach left from that staff is the indomitable Nate Middlebrooks. The Irish are breaking in a new QB, some new WRs and two LBs but have an experienced offensive line and RB Akil Sledge. Central Senior D.J. Baxter is one of the best DBs in the state and senior OT McClendon Curtis is getting looks from FBS recruiters, although he hasn’t played since his sophomore season.
CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS at SEVIER COUNTY SMOKY BEARS