REGION 3-2A OUTLOOK
Team to beat: Tyner is not only the best team in the region but expects to be one of the top contenders for a state championship. The Rams bring back seven starters on both sides of the ball and have an impressive blend of size and speed.Watch out for: Marion County had the Rams reeling in their regular-season meeting, leading late, and is the only team in the region that can come close to matching Tyner’s athletic ability.Best game: Tyner hosts Marion County on Sept. 14 with the region title likely on the line.Dream schedule: Polk County hosts region favorites Tyner and Marion, and its nonregion schedule includes Copper Basin, East Ridge, McMinn Central and Sweetwater, whose combined 2017 record was 15-28.Nightmare schedule: Bledsoe County’s nonregion schedule includes road games at Whitwell — an 11-win team last year — and other playoff participants Oneida and Sequatchie County. Bledsoe also must also travel to Marion within the region and ends the season with three of four games on the road.Players to watch: Tyner quarterback Martavius Ryals is a physical runner who’s also a leader on defense, as are running backs Tyon Young, Kamden Edwards and Solomon Bridgeman, who are all around 200 pounds or more, while junior receiver Jeremiah Batiste is a game-breaker. Marion County quarterback Toney Sampson and backfield mates Brett Nelson and Alex Nunez are expected to have productive seasons.
The smirk spoke much louder than any words could have. Asked how good his Tyner football team could be this high school season, veteran coach Wayne Turner gave a wicked grin and raised his eyebrows before answering.
"If we're healthy, and playing the way we're capable, this could be one of the best teams we've had here," Turner said in a matter-of-fact tone that should send chills through the rest of Region 3-2A. "It's a focused bunch of kids. We've seen a difference in the confidence and the way they've prepared in the offseason. They're hungry and want to prove themselves again. I think they have higher expectations for themselves than anybody else."
The Rams return seven starters on both sides of the ball from a team that lost in double overtime in last year's state championship game. The heartbreak of losing the state title in such fashion seems to be motivating the Rams in the offseason. Rather than dwell on it, coming up just short has made a talented and veteran team more determined to get back to Cookeville and finish what it started.
Martavius Ryals (6-2, 195) takes over at quarterback and will continue anchoring the defense at linebacker, and he has a wealth of talent to hand or throw the ball to. That includes power backs Tyon Young (6-1, 220), Kamden Edwards (5-11, 205) and Solomon Bridgeman (6-4, 215), who could also split time at quarterback and is a very physical middle linebacker. Junior Jeremiah Batiste (6-0, 180) - who made several memorable circus catches in big games last year and ran a 10.6-second 100-meter dash at the state meet - is one of the area's top receivers, already drawing recruiting attention from several FBS programs, including Georgia Tech.
"He's got the best hands I've seen here," Turner said of Batiste. "If it's close to him, it belongs to him. We can run power right at people, and I'd say they'll get tired of trying to stop that, and we can throw it deep, so we like what we've got on offense.
"Our defense was pretty dang tough by the second half of the season last year, and we've got the potential to pick right up and be even better there. We've still got some things to work on, but this could be a special group if they come together."
After three straight years of reaching the 2A state final, Marion County fell short last year, losing twice to Tyner, including in the quarterfinals. Although Mr. Football finalist Jacob Saylors, a three-time all-state player, has graduated, the Warriors bring back 11 total starters from a team that won five of its last seven games.
Dual-threat quarterback Tony Sampson (6-3, 190) returns for his third year as the starter, and Marion changed from the wing-T to the spread offense to better feature his skills. Junior speedster Brett Nelson (5-9, 180) will get a lot more carries now, as will talented sophomore Alex Nunez.
The biggest question facing Marion is an inexperienced group of linemen.
"Having Sampson back to lead us is a really big deal," Marion coach Joey Mathis said. "He's played in a lot of big games, including a state championship a couple of years ago, and he can do a lot of things to hurt defenses.
"We've got some really good skill kids, and with 70 on the roster we should be able to develop some linemen, too. Last year didn't end the way we wanted, and the bad taste from the way Tyner beat us has pushed us through the offseason to be better. We'll probably see them twice again."
A large group of returning starters also gives Polk County reason to feel optimistic. With 15 total starters back, including quarterback Nate Waters (6-0, 190) and running back Hunter Morgan (5-9, 180), the Wildcats believe they can produce a winning season for the first time in five years.
After having to deal with a coaching change just two weeks ago, when Kris Frady was promoted from an assistant position, Bledsoe County likely will be battling Tellico Plains for the region's final playoff spot.
Meigs County is the only Chattanooga-area team that competes in Region 2-2A, and with all but two starters back from last year's quarterfinal team, expectations are soaring for the Tigers. Junior quarterback Aaron Swafford (6-0, 195) had more than 2,700 total yards last season and was a Mr. Football semifinalist, but his foot injury slowed the offense in a one-point quarterfinal upset loss.
Senior running back Martin Smith (5-10, 205), who ran for more than 1,000 yards, has added more than 20 pounds to his frame and will be a load to deal with. The Tigers defense allowed more than 20 points only once in 13 games last year, giving them all the ingredients for a serious run at the 2A state title, and could be on a collision course with Tyner in the semifinals.
"Our whole team knows what to expect because they've all been through the big games," coach Jason Fitzgerald said. "We should have no problem having the guys ready, because it's been a long time since we've had this type expectations in Meigs County and we're not going to shy away from it."
Contact Stephen Hargis at 423-757-6293 or shargis@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.