REGION 2-4A OUTLOOK
› Team to beat: Anderson County was far and away the class of the region last year, winning nine regular-season games by the state’s 35-point mercy rule while making a run to the Class 4A quarterfinals. Plenty of talent returns, including an all-state quarterback, to make a similar run this fall.› Watch out for: Central brings back 15 starters from last year and has enough athleticism to close the gap with 2017 region champ Anderson County.› Best game: Howard and Central appear to be up-and-coming programs, with lots of talented young players. When the Hustlin’ Tigers visit Central on Sept. 28, second place in the region and a first-round home playoff game could be on the line.› Dream schedule: Sequoyah’s first two opponents were a combined 2-18 last year, and all four of the nonregion opponents are from smaller classifications. The Chiefs end the regular season with a pair of home games.› Nightmare schedule: Central’s nonregion schedule includes a game at Red Bank, winner of the past two Region 3-3A titles, as well as home matchups with Notre Dame and Tyner, both of whom played for state championships last year. The Purple Pounders also travel to region favorite Anderson County.› Players to watch: Anderson County all-state quarterback Stanton Martin accumulated more than 4,400 total yards last year. Central quarterback Jaheim Jones and running back Michael McGhee are big, physical runners with better than average speed, and East Ridge athlete Alonzo Russell is a star on both sides of the ball.
Howard running back Marquez Williams stiff-arms East Ridge defender Jeremiah Butler during their prep football game at East Ridge High School on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in East Ridge, Tenn.For the Region 2-4A football race to be more than a one-horse event this year, the six teams chasing Anderson County will need to show drastic improvement from last season.
The Mavericks flexed their muscle over the rest of the region in 2017, winning their league games by an average score of 55-7, and none of those final outcomes were by fewer than 39 points.
The Mavericks won nine of their regular-season games by the state’s 35-point mercy rule on the way to reaching the quarterfinals before finally falling to eventual state champion Greeneville by four. There likely won’t be much of a drop this season with the return of all-state quarterback Stanton Martin, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior who threw for 3,600 yards and ran for another 800 last year, accounting for 49 total touchdowns and becoming a finalist for state Mr. Football honors.
Based on size, speed and athleticism, Central looks like the best bet to challenge Anderson County. The Purple Pounders return 15 starters, including dual-threat quarterback Jaheim Jones (5-10, 210) and running back Michael McGhee (5-10, 195), who each possesses a good blend of power and speed, as does Donya Parker (6-0, 215). Meanwhile Rashaun Evans (5-9, 175) is pure speed as a ball carrier and on special teams.