Region 3-3A // Tom Weathers Field at Red Bank Community Stadium, 640 Morrison Springs Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415
At the helm
Chad Grabowski
(18-16 in three years here; 50-21 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Lions return 5 off., 5 def. starters.
Super powers
The defensive line figures to be the Lions' anchor point, a group that features DEs Jamel Davis (6-4, 265) and Ivan Young (6-3, 205) and newcomer NG Sam Gilbert (5-11, 215).
Possible kryptonite
The 2016 region champions will start a rookie at QB, Madox Wilkey (6-0, 180), and they're looking for a pair of OL starters.
Spidey sense tingling
Red Bank's goal is a second straight region title, and coordinators Drew Akins (offense) and Charles Weems (defense) have had a year to implement their schemes.
Here I come to save the day!
Davis is a stalwart, the type who's going to draw double teams, and former QB Calvin Jackson (5-11, 185) could make a bigger impact as a RB/WR. Also back are RB Zay Brown (5-11, 200) and WR Mike Porter (5-9, 175), and they've been joined by transfer WR David Crosby (6-3, 185), who sat out last year after moving from Brainerd.
Up, up and away!
The Lions had their best season under Grabowski last year, going 8-4 although getting upset by East Ridge in the playoffs' second round.
"There will be some pressure on Wilkey, but we have enough athletes around him to make him more successful. He won't have to carry the load," Grabowski said. "Zay Brown is back. He's bigger, stronger, faster, and his effort will be huge for us. And we have some packages for Calvin also."
The DL is probably the Lions' calling card.
"That's the heart of our defense," Grabowski said. "Jamel and Ivan -- most people know who they are - and Sam worked really hard in the offseason to become one of our strongest players. He's ultra quick, too."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Soddy-Daisy won, 22-14
Aug. 26 Baylor lost, 47-7
Sep. 2 Howard won, 28-13
Sep. 9 McCallie lost, 47-0
Sep. 16 East Ridge won, 22-10
Sep. 23 Central won, 33-14
Sep. 30 Signal Mountain won, 29-8
Oct. 14 Chatta Christian won, 47-0
Oct. 20 Alcoa lost, 28-0
Oct. 28 Notre Dame won, 21-3
Nov. 4 Upperman won 54-13 (first round)
Nov. 11 East Ridge lost, 35-28 (second round)
8-4, 5-0 Region 3-3A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 at Soddy-Daisy
Aug. 25 at Central
Sep. 1 Signal Mountain
Sep. 15 at McMinn Central
Sep. 22 Hixson
Sep. 29 at Sweetwater
Oct. 6 Walker Valley
Oct. 13 Brainerd
Oct. 20 at Lenoir City
Oct. 27 Loudon
Region 3-3A games in bold