McMinn’s Xayvier Beckingham (44) recovers a fumble as Cleveland’s Patrick Dale (72) goes over the back. McMinn County is atop the Region 4-5A standings, sharing No. 1 with Rhea County.
Success hasn’t come easily for McMinn the last few years – 12-19 since 2012, the Cherokees’ last winning season (10-2) – and one of the few hopes for success was a return to the wing-T, for so many years the Athens school’s bread-and-butter offense.
So here the Cherokees are, on a four-game winning streak since a season-opening loss to unbeaten 6A power Bradley Central. The streak includes a pair of Region 4-5A wins.
Few outside of Athens would have dreamed it, and there were even those in the Cherokees’ camp that had their doubts.
“I was doubtful coming into the season,” senior defensive tackle Xzayvier Beckingham said. “I was concerned about the offense, but those guys went from having no success to things coming together. There are no doubts now. I’d go to war with any of our offensive guys any day.”