BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS
Head coach: Damon Floyd (73-58 in 12 years here and overall)
Returning starters: 2 offensive, 2 defensive
Key players: WR Saylor Clark (6-1, 180); WR Tray Curry (6-4, 200); NG Parker Johnson (5-7, 210); MLB Hayden Ownbey (6-0, 210); QB Dylan Standifer (5-10,190).
Team strengths: It all begins with the return of Standifer, who earned all-state recognition last year after throwing for more than 2,900 yards and 27 touchdowns. The senior will have to take on even more leadership responsibilities as the only skill-position starter back on offense. Although there is little experience surrounding him, there is no shortage of talent, especially at receiver.
Team concerns: With just four total starters back on both sides of the ball, the Bears will be one of the least experienced teams in their strong region. How quickly the younger players adjust to the grind of a tough schedule could determine where the team finishes.
Newcomer to watch: Curry is a sophomore receiver with loads of potential. His size, speed and strength - he already squats 385 pounds - have coaches excited about his future. He is also the nephew of former Cleveland all-state athlete Dante Hickey, one of the Chattanooga area's best of the past 25 years.
Season outlook: The Bears won 10 games for the first time in nearly three decades last season, reaching the Class 6A quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Maryville. Graduation took its toll, however, leaving Bradley to rely heavily on a group of talented but unproven underclassmen.
"Youth is not something we're going to use as an excuse," Floyd said. "They're all high school kids, so everybody is young. We've got guys who were good JV players, but we'll just have to see how they adjust to the week-in, week-out grind. There aren't any letdowns in 6A."
Three of Bradley's first five games are on the road against teams that reached the playoffs last season.
As much as Standifer will be counted on to bring along the offense, Ownbey will be just as important on defense. The three-year starter had nearly 70 tackles and seven for lost yardage last season. What Johnson lacks in size, he makes up for with quickness to disrupt opponents from his noseguard spot.
"We're not real big at a lot of positions, but we've got guys who like to get after it," said Floyd, whose teams have averaged eight wins the past three seasons. "I'm excited from a coaching standpoint to see if we can keep it going. We're not getting much respect, our backs are against the wall and I want to see how we respond."