REGION 3-2A OUTLOOK
Team to beat: Tyner is not only the best team in the region but expects to be one of the top contenders for a state championship. The Rams bring back seven starters on both sides of the ball and have an impressive blend of size and speed.Watch out for: Marion County had the Rams reeling in their regular-season meeting, leading late, and is the only team in the region that can come close to matching Tyner’s athletic ability.Best game: Tyner hosts Marion County on Sept. 14 with the region title likely on the line.Dream schedule: Polk County hosts region favorites Tyner and Marion, and its nonregion schedule includes Copper Basin, East Ridge, McMinn Central and Sweetwater, whose combined 2017 record was 15-28.Nightmare schedule: Bledsoe County’s nonregion schedule includes road games at Whitwell — an 11-win team last year — and other playoff participants Oneida and Sequatchie County. Bledsoe also must also travel to Marion within the region and ends the season with three of four games on the road.Players to watch: Tyner quarterback Martavius Ryals is a physical runner who’s also a leader on defense, as are running backs Tyon Young, Kamden Edwards and Solomon Bridgeman, who are all around 200 pounds or more, while junior receiver Jeremiah Batiste is a game-breaker. Marion County quarterback Toney Sampson and backfield mates Brett Nelson and Alex Nunez are expected to have productive seasons.
The smirk spoke much louder than any words could have. Asked how good his Tyner football team could be this high school season, veteran coach Wayne Turner gave a wicked grin and raised his eyebrows before answering.
“If we’re healthy, and playing the way we’re capable, this could be one of the best teams we’ve had here,” Turner said in a matter-of-fact tone that should send chills through the rest of Region 3-2A. “It’s a focused bunch of kids. We’ve seen a difference in the confidence and the way they’ve prepared in the offseason. They’re hungry and want to prove themselves again. I think they have higher expectations for themselves than anybody else.”
The Rams return seven starters on both sides of the ball from a team that lost in double overtime in last year’s state championship game. The heartbreak of losing the state title in such fashion seems to be motivating the Rams in the offseason. Rather than dwell on it, coming up just short has made a talented and veteran team more determined to get back to Cookeville and finish what it started.
Martavius Ryals (6-2, 195) takes over at quarterback and will continue anchoring the defense at linebacker, and he has a wealth of talent to hand or throw the ball to. That includes power backs Tyon Young (6-1, 220), Kamden Edwards (5-11, 205) and Solomon Bridgeman (6-4, 215), who could also split time at quarterback and is a very physical middle linebacker. Junior Jeremiah Batiste (6-0, 180) – who made several memorable circus catches in big games last year and ran a 10.6-second 100-meter dash at the state meet – is one of the area’s top receivers, already drawing recruiting attention from several FBS programs, including Georgia Tech.