Times Free Press high school sports editor Stephen Hargis makes his 11th annual tour of area high schools as preseason practice begins. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, check online at www.timesfreepress.com for reports from several local teams.
High school football teams across Tennessee begin practicing in pads today for the season which kicks off August 20. Teams in Georgia and Alabama will begin full-pads practice soon after and with just weeks remaining before opening kickoff, here are five key questions to be answered this season:
1. Can Signal Mountain top its 10-win varsity debut? The Eagles return all but one starter and have at least eight transfers who could contribute immediately to an already talented roster, including quarterback Hogan Whitmire and linebacker Gervell Morgan, who are both college prospects. Signal Mountain should not only challenge for the District 6-A title, but is expected to a top contender for the Class 2A state championship.
2. Will Calhoun’s run of region dominance continue? The Yellow Jackets have have not been beaten in region play for the past eight seasons, but this year they graduated four college signees, including quarterback Nash Nance and All-American receiver Da’Rick Rogers, who are both now at the University of Tennessee. Look for running back Dustin Christian, another big-time college prospect, to carry the load.
3. Just how good can Baylor be? The Red Raiders, who got past one hump by snapping McCallie’s series streak last year, have three seniors who will likely sign with Division I-A programs – quarterback Jacob Huesman, linebacker David Helton and defensive lineman John Mackey. But in an extremely loaded Division II-AAA classification, is that enough?
4. Will offseason changes mean a deep playoff run for Dalton? When Georgia schools reclassified, the Catamounts dropped back down to Class AAA. Combined with a talented roster that includes preseason All American offensive tackle Watts Dantzler and star defensive lineman Floyd Coffey, as well as energetic new coach Matt Land, Dalton appears poised for a big season.
5. Did graduation losses cripple Boyd-Buchanan’s and South Pittsburg’s chances of returning to the title games? Both are among the state’s elite small-school programs each season and both suffered heartbreaking losses in their respective state title games (The Buccaneers in 2A, the Pirates in 1A). More concerning is the fact Boyd-Buchanan must replace 15 starters, while the Pirates lost four all-state players, including two Mr. Football finalists.