Whether it's down and distance, the dwindling time on a game clock or the final scoreboard, numbers are the essence of football. As the 2022 high school season kicks off Thursday for the Chattanooga area with a trio of matchups before Friday's full schedule, here are some numbers to know.
2,242 — Rushing yards for Rhea County junior Ethan Davis, the area's returning leader.
290 — Estimated average weight per starter on the Marion County offensive line.
206 — Combined two-year tackles total by Walker Valley two-time all-state linebacker Eli Denton.
90 — Percent of tackles made last season by Calhoun defenders who have since graduated.
85 — Percent of offensive production last season by Silverdale Baptist players who have since graduated.
72 — Number of wins over the past six seasons for Meigs County, which has won five straight region titles.
65 — Number of touchdowns Rhea County's returning players accounted for of the team's 66 scored last year.
30 — The new points standard for the mercy rule to go into effect in TSSAA games, down from 35. Once a team has a 30-point lead in the second half, the clock will run continuously.
22 — Consecutive playoff berths for Calhoun, the most of any Georgia program in the Times Free Press coverage area.
18 — The number of returning starters each for Lookout Valley, Sale Creek and Whitwell, all of which compete in Region 3-1A.
16 — Number of consecutive wins for McCallie, which includes 12 straight against Division II-AAA foes.
15 — Total number of wins in the 10-year history of Coahulla Creek, with four of the victories coming last season.
12 — New head coaches at area Georgia and Tennessee programs.
11 — Wins by Grace Academy last year on its way to winning the TSIAA eight-man state title.
10 — Combined consecutive state titles won by Gary Rankin and Ralph Potter. Rankin led Alcoa to seven straight championships before taking over at Boyd Buchanan this year, while Potter has guided McCallie to three DII-AAA titles in a row.
7 — Number of Baylor players with college scholarship offers.
7 — Number of home games Notre Dame has this season, all within the first eight games.
6 — Number of all-state players South Pittsburg must replace from last year's Class 1A title team.
5 — Number of road games Central plays in its first six contests.
4 — Number of out-of-state opponents McCallie will face.
4 — Number of consecutive home games Bradley Central will play to open the season.
2 — Number of teams in the eight-team GHSA Region 6-AAA with winning records last year -- Adairsville and Ringgold.
1 — Number of coaches in Tennessee prep football history with at least 400 career wins. Rankin is 467-78 overall and has won 17 state titles.
1 — Number of Hamilton County public schools (Red Bank) to advance past the first round of last year's playoffs from the eight that qualified.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.