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OOLTEWAH OWLS
Head coach: James Manning (first season as head coach)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 6 defensive
Last year’s record: 4-6, did not qualify for playoffs
Key players: Jaden Carmichael (5-11, 200) Sr. RB/LB, Christian Doty (6-0, 170) Sr. WR/DB, Dawson Jones (5-10, 175) Sr. WR/DB, Raymos McGee (6-1, 175) Sr. WR/DB, Joseph Singerle (6-2, 215) Sr. OL, Nick Sullivan (5-10, 200) TE/DL, Troy Berrien (5-9, 175) Sr. RB/LB
Season outlook: There are no freebies whatsoever on this year’s schedule for the Owls. Seven of their 10 opponents for 2021 won eight or more games last year, and that doesn’t include talent-laden Baylor, which visits on Sept. 24.
The season opener at East Hamilton will set the tone as an important rivalry game for the Owls, who have missed the playoffs the past two years. The next three weeks don’t get any easier as they take on Red Bank, Walker Valley and Rhea County.
At wide receiver, three key starters return in Doty, Jones and McGee, who combined for 732 yards on 48 catches last season. Whoever wins the quarterback competition between Evan Voelp and AJ Robinson will need to find success quickly to begin the season.
Jaden Carmichael has accounted for 21 tackles for loss over the past two seasons and is ready to lead an experienced defense that will need to be locked in against several high-caliber offenses.
“We need to lean on our defense early on to make big plays and provide a spark,” said Coach Manning, who has 24 seniors on the roster. “We have some talented running backs we want to see get going, too. Our season opener against East Hamilton is going to be crucial for us and a game we are all super excited to play.”