As Red Bank’s Lucas Brown (2) runs the ball his teammate Sam Gilbert (20) blocks Chattanooga Central’s TJ Payne (3) from making a tackle during the Red Bank vs. Chattanooga Central football game Friday, August 24, 2018 at Tom Weathers Field at Red Bank High School in Red Bank, Tennessee.Head coach: Chris Brown (11-1 in one year here and overall)
Returning starters: 7 offensive; 6 defensive
Key players: QB Madox Wilkey (6-0, 180); FB-LB Clark Lockerby (5-11, 210); WR-DB Lucas Brown (6-1, 185); FB-LB Eli Massengale (5-9, 175); WR-DB Sincere Thomas (5-10, 170); RB Lumiere Strickland (5-10, 185); DE Jaden High (6-2, 185); FB-LB Caden Cline (5-9, 170); OL-DL Javarius Watkins (5-9, 230); OL-DL B.J. Ragland (6-3, 265); OL-DL Seth Lacy (6-0, 225); DL TrayVaughn Benford (6-2, 260); DL Daveon Autry (6-1, 220).
Team strengths: There is no shortage of overall team speed and athleticism at the skill positions, and senior Wilkey is back for his third season as the starting quarterback. Both the offensive and defensive fronts are solid.
Team concerns: For the Lions to get where they want to be, they’ll need to develop quality depth behind the proven starters. It’s a long and grueling season, so several unproven players will need to be ready to fill in due to the injuries that eventually hit every team.
Breakout candidate: Receivers Brown and Thomas could be in for huge seasons. They were a bit overlooked last year because of Calvin Jackson’s dynamic ability, but with Jackson’s graduation those two returners will be counted on heavily to become big-play threats.
Red Bank’s Lucas Brown (2) runs the ball downfield during the second half of the Red Bank vs. Chattanooga Central football game Friday, August 24, 2018 at Tom Weathers Field at Red Bank High School in Red Bank, Tennessee. Red Bank edged out Central 23-20 in overtime on a field goal. Season outlook: Last year was a successful coaching debut for Chris Brown, but one of the biggest revelations for him and his staff was the need to upgrade the regular-season schedule so the Lions would be tested and ready for any challenge once the playoffs roll around.
That led to a new slate that includes four road games in the first five weeks and nonregion matchups with Soddy-Daisy, Ooltewah, East Hamilton, Rhea County and South Pittsburg – all playoff teams last season. Coach Brown is willing to swap a nonleague loss along the way if it equals a team that’s better prepared for the postseason.
With quarterback Wilkey’s experience and the playmaking ability of Lucas Brown, Thomas and Strickland among others, scoring should not be a concern. Defensively, led by Lockerby – an all-state stopper who topped the team in tackles – the Lions gave up more than 21 points only once last season.