BRAINERD PANTHERSCoach: Stanley Jackson (3-7 here and overall)Returning starters (O/D/K): 5/4/0Remember these names: Maleek Rooks (Sr., 5-9, 182) is at quarterback after a running back/receiver role, and running backs/linebackers Isaiah Hayes (Sr., 5-10, 205) and Corey Wiley (Sr., 5-10, 198) will be important along with wide receivers/defensive backs Justins Smith (Sr., 5-9, 188) and William Womack (Jr., 6-0, 188) and two-way lineman Kevin Hampton (6-0, 210) .Will be a memorable year if: The Panthers can get away with quick but undersized lines and can take advantage of quality speed at the skill positions. There is a question of consistency. Since 2006 it’s been bust or boom, losing one year, winning and getting in the playoffs the next. They went 8-4 in 2009 and 3-7 last year after a 4-7 in 2006, a 7-4 in 2007 and a 3-7 in 2008.ScheduleAug. 19 at OoltewahAug. 26 at Rhea County*Sept. 2 Tyner*Sept. 16 at East Hamilton*Sept. 23 at Austin-EastSept. 30 Howard*Oct. 7 at Red Bank*Oct. 14 at Central*Oct. 21 Hixson*Oct. 28 East Ridge** District 6-AA game
MEMORY LANEThe late Pete Potter is more readily remembered for coaching at McCallie but directed Brainerd to its last unbeaten season, 10-0 in 1969. It was the first year of the TSSAA’s playoff format, but teams were selected on a point basis and both Brainerd and Brownsville, ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the final state Associated Press poll, were left out of the four-team Class AAA playoffs. Participants that first year were elected on a points system based on wins within their classification.”I remember there were teams with one loss that had more points,” said Brownie Au, a lineman on that team who is now a local State Farm agent.That Brainerd team had perhaps the greatest collection of players to strap on a helmet with at least five signing college scholarships: quarterback Fred Rohrdanz (MTSU), running back Ed Nelson (Vanderbilt) and wide receiver Tommy West, offensive lineman Vernon Pauls and linebacker Kenny Stansell (Tennessee)”Every week was exciting,” Au recalled. “It seemed like every Friday morning the cheerleaders had been to all of the seniors’ houses and decorated their yards the night before.”
Brainerd coach Stanley Jackson calls it a three-to-one rule, necessary because the Panthers have only 30 players for a season in strong District 6-AA.
“We have to be three times better against most teams we play,” Jackson explained, “because our guys play offense, defense and special teams and they’re most likely going to be going up against a different player in each phase of the game.”
The Panthers have begun to take pride in the short stack they’ve been dealt. Call it a strength in fewer numbers.