Coach: Ted Gatewood (20-24 in five years here, 66-48 in 14 years overall)
Last year: 11-2, lost 22-16 to Giles County in Class 4A state quarterfinals
'13 dreams: With their starting quarterback, two of their top three rushers and three of their top four receivers returning, the Hurricanes are the favorites not only to win their new district but also to make a serious playoff run in their first year in Class 5A.
1-through-3 - Senior quarterback Hunter Moore
Q. How hard was the Giles County loss last year?
A. It was tough. We thought we probably should have won. We had expectations of winning state, and to lose like that was tough. In the offseason, Coach Gatewood has kept reiterating that we were 9 yards short, so we've used that as motivation coming into this season.
Q. Were you surprised that, even though you moved up in classification, you were picked to win the district?
A. Well, we were picked pretty high last year and handled that well. We have a lot of seniors and we're going to try to guide the younger players. We want to win state.
Q. How do you try to lead this team?
A. I just try to keep guys motivated. Whether it's the kickoff team or the defense running out on the field, I try to say a word or two to motivate them. Coaches can say stuff, but it's different hearing it from somebody going through the same stuff they're going through.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 at Signal Mountain
Aug. 30 Dobyns-Bennett
Sept. 6 at Walker Valley*
Sept. 13 at Riverdale, 8
Sept. 20 at Ooltewah*
Oct. 4 Cleveland*
Oct. 11 McMinn County*
Oct. 18 at Soddy-Daisy*
Oct. 25 at Rhea County
Nov. 1 Bradley Central*
- District 5-AAA game; game time 7:30 Eastern unless noted.
ROSTER
No. Name Class
1 Alonzo Francois Senior
2 Caleb Rhodes Junior
3 Quinn Griffith Senior
4 Adam Todd Senior
6 Matt Milita Junior
7 Hunter Parker Senior
8 Tyler Lowery Senior
9 Martez Durrah Junior
10 Austin Gatewood Senior
11 DeShawn Thomas Senior
12 Hunter Moore Senior
13 Tristan Marenic Junior
14 Denzel Doyle Sophomore
15 Justin Denton Senior
16 Ben Hall Junior
17 Garrett Campbell Junior
18 Isaac Hembree Sophomore
19 Nick Woods Freshman
20 Jack Tatum Senior
21 Tre Herndon Senior
22 Tony Francois Senior
23 Christian Smith Sophomore
24 Logan Hammond Junior
25 Griffin Reagan Senior
26 Charles Sanders Junior
28 Nick Gratigny Junior
30 Colby Woods Sophomore
31 Al Pressley Sophomore
32 Kendall Henderson Junior
33 Frankie Campo Sophomore
34 Branson Kennedy Junior
36 Delandis Massengil Junior
40 Daniel Wallace Sophomore
41 Ben Rogers Sophomore
42 David Whiteside Sophomore
43 Casey Malone Junior
44 Will Scarborugh Sophomore
45 Tommy Barcelona Sophomore
46 Jonathan Keeton Sophomore
50 Parker Monroe Senior
51 Jesse Barfield Senior
52 Drew Templeton Senior
53 Dustin Reed Junior
54 Nick Langley Sophomore
55 DeAndre Black Senior
56 Zack Thomas Junior
58 Dalvin Buchanan Sophomore
62 Blake Cason Sophomore
63 John Schusler Junior
66 Mathew Wolf Sophomore
67 Tanner Wade Junior
71 Demetrious Morgan Junior
74 Cordell Sands Senior
75 Gavin Crow Senior
77 Nathan Fairbanks Junior
78 Jordan Wallace Senior
80 Tyler Fly Sophomore
81 Bailey Lenoir Senior
82 Andrew Henry Sophomore
83 T.J. Scott Junior
84 Hunter Gregg Sophomore
85 Alberto Alvelos Sophomore
86 Matt Waters Sophomore
88 Jordan Gorman Sophomore
89 Trenton Pratt Senior
90 Garrett McGhee Sophomore