The football head coaches from the three District 7-AA high schools that have names ending in County each thinks he has a team capable of winning the league.
Bledsoe County, Grundy County and Sequatchie County all were state playoff teams a year ago. The three also return starters to more positions than they have to find successors for.
Grundy’s 15 are the most starting returnees among any team in the league, which will help combat the problems Bledsoe and Sequatchie pose.
“Sequatchie County will run much more offensively than Bledsoe,” Grundy coach Nick Bryant said. “And they’re a whole lot stronger defensively. Bledsoe is a team that’s more about offense. They’re going to try and outscore you, and they do a good job of outscoring you.”
Bledsoe, Grundy, Sequatchie favorites in 7-AAToday: District 7-AASaturday: District 5-AAADISTRICT 7-AA AT A GLANCE* Team on the rise: All five teams in this district can make a case for it, but Grundy County gets the nod. The Yellow Jackets won one game in 2008 and improved to five victories last year under new head coach Nick Bryant. They return eight starters on offense and seven on defense.* Nightmare schedule: Chattanooga Christian ends with three road games and again opens at home against Boyd-Buchanan, last year’s Class 2A state runner-up. Playoff teams Polk County and Signal Mountain – two of the Chargers’ other nondistrict opponents at home this year – along with the Bucs had a combined regular-season record of 28-2 in 2009.* Dream schedule: With this district is so spread out geographically, Notre Dame managed to end up with three of its five road trips to schools inside Hamilton County. Bledsoe County and Grundy County must come to Vermont Avenue.* Best game: It may be asking a bit much to expect Bledsoe County and Sequatchie County to entertain us like they did last season. Bledsoe took a quick 14-0 lead, then saw the Indians counter with 24 consecutive points, only to respond with 15 in a row in the fourth quarter and win 35-31. Regardless, this year’s outcome will figure prominently in the district race.* Biggest shoes to fill: Bledsoe is bound to miss bruising fullback Chase Reed, who also doubled as a ball-hawking linebacker.* Playoff bound: Bledsoe County, Grundy County, Sequatchie County.