TYNER RAMSCoach: Wayne Turner (166-78 here; 171-88 overall)Returning starters (O/D/K): 6/6/1Remember these names: The Rams again have plenty of talent, including running back Bobby Hendricks (Sr., 5-11, 180), fullback/linebacker Chandler Patrick (Sr. 6-0, 225), guard/defensive end Raynard Williamson (Sr., 6-2, 215) and offensive tackle David Powell (Jr., 6-5, 345).Will be a memorable year if: The Rams get beyond the first round of the playoffs. Most observers feel it’s a foregone conclusion that they’ll get there, but they haven’t advanced past the first round since 2007 and they lost their second playoff game that year. A deeper run in the postseason would be a welcome substitute for a district championship.ScheduleAug. 26 at Signal MountainSept. 2 at Brainerd*Sept. 9 McCallieSept. 16 at East Ridge*Sept. 23 at TullahomaSept. 30 at Hixson*Oct. 7 at Central*Oct. 14 East Hamilton*Oct. 21 Howard*Oct. 28 Red Bank** District 6-AA game
MEMORY LANETyner has had two phenomenal multiseason runs under Turner, going 46-8 with a state title in 1996-99 and 51-12 in 2001-05.”It was a fantastic stretch,” Turner said of the latter string. “It just got to where it was expected every year and the next year’s kids wanted to keep the tradition going. A lot of the former players were coming back, and the kids on those teams wanted to do well.”The numerous standouts in the 51-12 run included highly rated linemen Demonte Bolden, who is now in the Canadian Football League after a stellar career at Tennessee, and Greg Smith, who signed with Auburn but never got to play with the Tigers, and brother sets Marquis and Keylon Craddock, both quarterbacks, and Kevin and Brandon Hughes, both defensive ends. Running back/linebacker Courtney McGlone and fullback/linebacker Martez Mitchell were state Mr. Football finalists.
The pressure is on. Tyner’s Bobby Hendricks is a senior and a third-year starter, and coach Wayne Turner is expecting him to shoulder much of the load in the Rams running game.
Yet the pressure comes from his own expectations and the notion of measuring up to elder brother Desmond, a former state Mr. Football award winner.
“Desmond was a really good kid, and this one’s just as intense,” Turner said. “Bobby probably puts a little too much pressure on himself trying to do better than Des.”