Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Sale Creek’s Braden Penny (2) was a preseason all-state selection as an athlete, and he is back at quarterback this season to help the Panthers try to take another step forward as a program. Sale Creek, a Class 1A program, opens with a trip to East Ridge in a matchup put together at the last minute when both teams had unexpected vacancies for the first week of the season.BRAINERD PANTHERS at HIXSON WILDCATS
The Panthers were originally scheduled to open their season at Baylor, but the Red Raiders canceled that matchup in order to have more time to plan for how to host fans safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. So Brainerd coach Tyrus Ward moved quickly to line up this game. Both teams are in need of a positive start to the season after disappointing finishes last year, and each features one of the city’s top overall senior athletes: Brainerd QB Xiyeer Lattimore and Hixson RB Nyikee Logan, who are big-play threats whenever they have the ball. Although these programs were once in the same district, this will be the first time they have faced each other since 2014. Brainerd’s roster is thin on overall numbers, but nearly every player who steps on the field has game experience and can be counted on to contribute. This will also be Josh Owensby’s debut as Hixson’s head coach.
SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES at SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS
This is the sixth straight year these old rivals have faced off to open the season, with the Pirates taking the past three meetings after the Indians had won two straight, and the average margin during that span has been 19-13 in favor of the Pirates. Another low-scoring game could be in store considering Tennessee teams have had only three weeks of official practice to prepare for the season. The Pirates’ offense has plenty of talent at the skill positions – highlighted by speedy RBs DeAndre Kelly and Hunter Frame – but the line is still a mystery with just two starters returning. Senior QB Brayden Sanders, a three-year starter, has a pair of WRs in Reginald Hunter (6-3, 200) and Kobe Cooper (6-2, 180) who could present matchup problems. Line play – led by Landon Easterly (6-0, 260), Matthew Griffith (5-10, 240) and Nathaniel Shaw (6-0, 250) – is expected to be a strength for the Indians, who will likely run the clock as much as possible when they have the ball to limit South Pittsburg’s offensive possessions.
GRACE ACADEMY GOLDEN EAGLES at LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS