Head coach: Marty Wheeler (first year here; 85-38 overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 5 defensive
Key players: WR-DB Robert Flowers (6-4, 180); ATH DeVarus Bowman (5-9, 165); RB Jeffrey Perez (5-9, 170); LB Leo Palelei (6-2, 195); LB Money Palelei (5-9, 180); OL Austin Allen (6-2, 270);, LB Zach Turner (6-1, 225).
Team strengths: Flowers is a game-changing force at receiver. The team’s leading scorer is back and poses problems for any secondary he goes against. New quarterback Gage Kinsey will look for any way to get this playmaker the ball.
“Robert is a guy who can go up and get the deep ball any time it’s in his vicinity,” Wheeler said. “But what has impressed me the most is he has worked hard this offseason to be a total receiver. He has shown he can be a great possession receiver, too, and has added to his game.”
Cleveland running back Jeffrey Perez (3) moves the ball downfield during the second half of the Bradley Central vs. Cleveland football game at Raider Field at Cleveland High School Friday, September 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Bradley Central beat Cleveland 32-14. Team concerns: The Blue Raiders are fighting the battle of consistency day in and day out.
“We have to be coachable,” Wheeler said. “We are not good enough to do things inconsistently. We aren’t there yet, and our guys are learning a lot of new things. It takes a lot longer to build something than to tear it down. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s not complicated, either.”
Breakout candidate: After being in a timeshare last season, more touches in the backfield should open up for the quick and shifty Perez. Behind a big offensive line and a group of receivers who appear to be physical blockers, too, there is plenty of chances for highlight-reel plays from Perez. Wheeler has had all-state backs in the past.
Cleveland wide receiver Arlington Ferguson (4) celebrates with wide receiver Robert Flowers (2) after Flowers scores a touchdown during the first half of the Bradley Central vs. Cleveland football game at Raider Field at Cleveland High School Friday, September 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Tennessee. The score was 14-7 with Bradley Central in the lead at halftime.Season outlook: Challenging the defending Class 5A state champion is one of six road games.
Wheeler led a championship culture at Covington High School. In his 10 seasons as coach the team made three state finals appearances and lost 21-14 to Alcoa in last year’s 3A championship game.
“Bottom line is the team who wins is the one who blocks and tackles the best,” Wheeler said. “We want to run the football and stop the run. We want to run the ball with attitude and be a very physical team.”