Head coach: Mark Wattenbarger (8-4 in one year here; 95-106 overall)
Returning starters: 2 offensive; 5 defensive
Key players: RB-DB Zack Morgan (5-10, 175); Logan Johnson (5-10, 175); OL Elijah Phillips (6-3, 310); ILB Cade Moffitt (6-0, 180); OL-LB Dylan Shaw (5-11, 220); DL Matthew Griffith (5-10, 275); DL Landon Easterly (5-10, 260); RB-DB Ryan Johnson (5-10, 170).
Team strengths: The Indians have interchangeable parts – any of the defensive backs can play all four secondary positions, for example – who are more comfortable in their second year in Wattenbarger’s program. There isn’t one superstar but a group of players who can all be counted on and together give the team depth.
Team concerns: Offensive line depth. Only one starter is back up front, which means several younger players will need to step up quickly.
“We’re green everywhere,” Wattenbarger said. “We think we’ll be OK later in the season, but how much success we have early will depend on how quickly those inexperienced guys up front come along.”
Breakout candidate: Sophomore quarterback Austin McCurry has worked his way into becoming a leader and has the ability to become a dual threat in the Indians offense.
Head coach Mark Wattenbarger confers with Collin Hudson (1). The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Brainerd Panthers in the first round of the TSSAA football playoffs on November 2, 2018. “He’s worked really hard to improve not just his throwing, but mastering the offense and executing it,” Wattenbarger said.
Season outlook: Having just one lineman (Phillips) and one back (Morgan) returning from last year’s starters will put some pressure on an inexperienced group to mature quickly. After missing last season with an ankle injury, Johnson being back to carry the ball and help in the secondary is a significant addition.
“That gives us two guys (Morgan and Johnson) that we know we can count on in the backfield,” Wattenbarger said. “They may not wow anybody, but they’ll get the tough yards. They’re gritty and give all-out effort.
“The biggest thing for us this year is that a lot of our youth has to grow up early. Seniors can lead us early, but that youth has to catch up and make contribution. We don’t want to dwell on last year, but the guys saw what it takes as far as work ethic to be successful and make the playoffs, and that confidence is a big thing.”