OOLTEWAH OWLS
Head coach: Scott Chandler (first year here; 20-15 overall)
Returning starters: 3 offensive, 2 defensive
Key players: OL Christian Benoit (6-4, 275), DE Malachi Quinn (6-1, 215), RB/DB Sincere Quinn (6-0, 185), QB Kyrell Sanford (5-11, 190), WR/S T.J. Taylor (5-11, 175).
Team strengths: The speed and versatility in the offensive backfield. In just 16 quarters of play last year, Sincere Quinn ran for more than 1,000 yards, averaging better than 10 per carry. Sanford threw for more than 1,900 yards and ran for 568.
"Kyrell gives you the double threat at the position that's so tough to defend," Chandler said. "You have to be able to defend him both as a runner and passer, and we'll use him more than we did last year.
"As for Sincere, anytime you hand him the ball, he can score from anywhere on the field on any play. He's very explosive."
Team concerns: The defensive front seven has just one starter - Benoit - back from a unit that allowed 40-plus points five times last year. The Owls are still looking for the right rotation on the defensive line and at linebacker.
Newcomer to watch: Taylor missed last season with a knee injury but is healthy again and brings an added dimension of speed to both sides of the ball. Said Chandler: "He doesn't look like he missed a beat."
Season outlook: Chandler, who worked as a graduate assistant at Kansas State and was also a college assistant at Valdosta State and Emporia State, was Ooltewah's special teams coordinator and linebackers coach last season, so he's aware of the talent the Owls have.
"We don't have many starters back, but the ones we do have can play," Chandler said. "If we continue with the chemistry we have now, becoming a team, I believe the further we go this season, the better we're going to get. We just need more game experience together, but there is potential."
The team's success begins with how quickly the new starters up front progress. Sincere Quinn and Sanford are big-play threats on every snap, but they'll need the team's inexperienced offensive line to find a way to open the running lanes.
The offense likely will need to put up some big numbers early while the young defense gets its footing.
The Owls won't use as much quick-pace offense, which should help limit the number of snaps the defense has to face. Quinn's brother Malachi could be in for a big season on defense but will need help up front.
"We flew around to the ball on defense in our early scrimmage and during practice," Chandler added. "The kids ran to the ball and hit people, so I think we'll get better there. If we can eliminate mental mistakes, we'll be fine."