Sequatchie County must overcome youth to extend winning tradition

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS

Head coach: Mark Wattenbarger (14-9 in two years here, 101-111 overall)

Returning starters: 4 offensive; 4 defensive

Key players: QB Austin McCurry (5-9, 160) FB Harley Meeks (5-8, 230); QB Payton Campbell (6-1, 170); S Ethan Seals (5-9, 155); DL Matthew Griffith (5-10, 240); DE Landon Easterly (6-0, 260); DE Nathaniel Shaw (6-0, 250); LB Levi Knight (5-11, 200).

Team strengths: A tradition of success provides a good standard to meet, and the Indians believe they have the depth and talent to put together a sixth straight winning season. The overall defense is an asset, too, and several playmakers return.

Team concerns: Inexperience on the line will have to be overcome for the run-heavy wing-T offense to be properly executed.

Breakout player: Sequatchie County is loaded with talent and speed at safety, with McCurry and Seals both expected to have big seasons and set a good tone.

Season outlook: Sequatchie County has an impressive 40-19 record over the past five seasons. The Indians’ nemesis in the Class 3A playoffs has been Red Bank, which has eliminated them the past three years.

Although only four starters return on each side of the ball, there are enough talented young players to challenge Upperman for the region title.

“Austin is our trigger man on offense,” Coach Wattenbarger said. “He has a great knack for running the ball. We also have Payton Campbell, who can come in and throw the ball downfield for us. Harley is a bruiser who can give us a between-the-tackles presence, which is important.”

The Indians allowed fewer than 20 points per game in 2019, and their front has a solid foundation in Easterly, Griffith and Shaw.

“Our defensive line is very strong,” Wattenbarger said. “Matthew is very hard to move. Landon is very quick and strong, while Nathaniel has a knack for the ball. Levi Knight can also play several positions for us defensively.”