SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS
Head coach: Mark Wattenbarger (first year here; 95-106 overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive, 5 defensive
Key players: WR Spencer Ables (6-3, 185), RB/DL Brett Hicks (6-2, 255), WR/DB Collin Hudson (6-1, 190), RB/LB Adrin Jackson (6-1, 205), QB/DB Zach Morgan (5-9, 170).
Team strengths: The Indians are one of the oldest teams in the area in the number of seniors and juniors who can expect significant action. There are 19 seniors and 17 juniors with a good mix of size and experience.
"Just from the standpoint of having been on the field in big games, that's big," Wattenbarger said. "These guys are battle-tested and should be relaxed from having played so much. They know what it takes to get it done."
Team concerns: Anytime there is a coaching change, there can be a bit of an adjustment period, especially with older players who are used to having done things one way for so long. Against a tough early schedule - the Indians face South Pittsburg, Marion County and Meigs County in three of the first four weeks - the Indians will need to make a quick transition to fit into Wattenbarger's scheme.
Newcomer to watch: Gage Carr (6-1, 170) came from the basketball team and has given the team a tall, athletic body with good range. Said Wattenbarger: "He'll play on both sides of the ball, and his length and athleticism could really help us defending the pass and making for a big target."
Season outlook: This is a veteran team that knows how to be successful - the seniors have reached the state playoffs each of the past three seasons, including a run to the semifinals two years ago. That should help the adjustment to a new head coach's style.
The biggest change will be at quarterback, where either Hudson or Morgan will replace three-year starter Ethan Barker. Regardless of who takes the snaps, the other will play somewhere in the backfield and will be helped by having the burly Hicks back to carry much of the load. Hicks, who ran for more than 1,000 yards with 19 touchdowns last year, is a load to bring down and is a good fit for Wattenbarger's grind-it-out wing-T.
"We're going to be a very physical team on both sides," the coach said. "We don't have a lot of burners, but we're pretty salty and aggressive, especially on defense. We'll be hard-nosed and gritty on that side because we've got six or seven kids who can put their hand on the ground and be effective up front, and about six linebackers who can play.
"Our nonregion schedule is tougher than our region, so we may be a team that gets overlooked when we get to the playoffs because of our record but then makes some noise once we get there."