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Friday, November 6, 2026Nov 6

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Ooltewah ground game built for success again

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Ooltewah's C.J. Carter, front, and others take part in a ball-handling drill during practice on July 24.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Ooltewah's C.J. Carter, front, and others take part in a ball-handling drill during practice on July 24. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Ooltewah's C.J. Carter, front, and others take part in a ball-handling drill during practice on July 24.

OOLTEWAH OWLS

Head coach: James Manning (3-18 here and overall)

Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive

Last year’s record: 1-10, lost in TSSAA Class 5A first round

Key players: Josh Davis (6-2, 180) Sr. WR/DB, Caden McMahan (6-0, 190) Sr. TE/LB, CJ Carter (6-1, 205) Sr. FB/DL, Markee Crutcher (5-10, 150) Jr. WR/DB, Kobe Baldwin (6-0, 185) Sr. RB/DB, Jamaal Whittaker Jr. (5-11, 240) Sr. DL, Peyton Thomas (6-2, 250) Sr. OL, Antonio Hunter (5-11, 230) Sr. DL, Zach Gilbert (6-2, 186) So. LB, Brent Baddley (5-9, 160) Jr. QB, Namon Derring (6-0, 230) Sr. DL, Shaun Acklin (6-0, 180) Sr. WR/DB, Weston Frick (5-9, 215) Sr. OL.