In a season of uncertainty, Jalen Hunt has been as close to a sure thing as there is in Tennessee prep football.
McMinn County’s senior running back has consistently topped the 100-yard rushing mark and helped carry his team to a 9-win regular season. Last Friday, with second place in Region 2-6A and a homefield first-round playoff game on the line at rival Bradley Central, the 5-9, 165-pound speedster again took matters into his own hands.
Hunt delivered multiple big plays, rushing 25 times for 292 yards and five touchdowns – all covering 26 yards or more – to lead a second-half rally that resulted in a 41-25 win, which also earned him Times Free Press Player of the Week honors.
“He’s our security blanket,” Cherokees coach Bo Cagle said. “We’re never afraid to give him the ball in any situation.”
Hunt, a Western Carolina commitment, leads the state with 2,161 rushing yards – averaging 9.6 yards per carry – and has 24 touchdowns. He also owns program records for career rushing yards (5,464) and all-purpose yards (6,149).