SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES
Head coach: Vic Grider (197-49 in 20 years here and overall)
Returning starters: 7 offensive, 7 defensive
Key players: TE/SS Sam Brown (6-1, 185), OT/DT Grayson Lawson (6-1, 240), FB/LB Garrett Raulston (6-2, 230), OT/DT Cooper Stewart (6-2, 235), WB/FS Ronto Tipton (5-10, 175).
Team strengths: As usual, the Pirates will have an abundance of speed in the backfield and a variety of offensive weapons capable of putting up big numbers. There is also experience and good size up front on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Team concerns: There is a lack of depth at some key positions, and the Pirates will rely on several young, inexperienced players to step up, particularly at linebacker and in the secondary.
Newcomer to watch: Although he isn't new to the starting lineup, Jaylyn Hubbard (5-11, 160) will be moving from quarterback to wingback this season and also will play some at wide receiver. He has playmaking ability regardless of where he lines up, though.
Season outlook: The Pirates have knocked on the door of a return trip to the state title game each of the past two seasons, only to be eliminated by Greenback in the semifinals. With most of the 2017 starters back, they appear again loaded with the type of talent it will take to contend at the highest level.
Their strength up front and the return of Mr. Football semifinalist Raulston in the backfield should make the Pirates' power running game tough to stop, while Hubbard, Tipton and sophomore Hunter Frame are runners with game-breaking speed. Sophomore quarterback Brayden Sanders has a strong arm and will have no shortage of weapons around him to add a dimension the offense lacked last season.
"We've got guys up front who are experienced and strong enough to take over in the second half of games and a big fullback who can wear on people," Grider said. "That's the key to our football team. It all starts up front, and we like the guys we've got there on both sides of the ball.
"Brayden has gotten better, no question. But we have to keep reminding ourselves he's still a sophomore who hasn't taken a lot of varsity snaps yet. He's very talented and is going to be a really good player for us. We just have to be patient."
The Pirates have to replace three experienced linebackers but otherwise return much of the talent from a defense that allowed just 9.7 points per game last season. As is the case with most Class 1A programs, staying healthy will be crucial.