There is likely no other prep football classification in which more Chattanooga-area teams are legitimate state title contenders this year than TSSAA Class 3A.
That list includes one area team each from three separate regions, and while none of them will square off during the regular season, they could have to battle one another deep in the playoffs.
The Times Free Press will focus on 4-3A and 2-3A in this preview of both of those regions, then follow with a separate preview of 3-3A, where all four teams in the league are local.
Sequatchie County is once against the prohibitive region title favorite in 4-3A, while Meigs County is a clear choice in 2-3A.
The Indians blistered 4-3A competition by an average margin of 29 points last year and return 11 total starters from a team that reached the state semifinals in a 12-win season. Meanwhile, the five region opponents the Tigers will face combined for a 19-35 overall record last season, with McMinn Central (6-5) the only team in that group of Meigs County foes that finished with a winning record.