Tonight's area high school football previews

Ooltewah running back Sincere Quinn stretches for a first down as he is tackled by Maryville defensive back Noah Humphreys during a game last season. Quinn's speed and ability to catch passes make him a valuable asset for the Owls.
Ooltewah running back Sincere Quinn stretches for a first down as he is tackled by Maryville defensive back Noah Humphreys during a game last season. Quinn's speed and ability to catch passes make him a valuable asset for the Owls.
photo Ooltewah running back Sincere Quinn stretches for a first down as he is tackled by Maryville defensive back Noah Humphreys during a game last season. Quinn's speed and ability to catch passes make him a valuable asset for the Owls.

MBA BIG RED (2-0) at McCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (2-0)

Storyline: The Blue Tornado will try to snap a 13-game losing streak to their Nashville rivals. McCallie enters the game ranked No. 2 in Division II-AAA; MBA, which returns 11 starters from last year's state runner-up team, is No. 3. Big Red LB Jackson Hannah has committed to Nebraska, and OL Jackson Lampley is committed to Tennessee. McCallie's offense, which has a veteran line, is paced by junior dual-threat QB DeAngelo Hardy and sophomore RB B.J. Harris. The Blue Tornado defense already has shown improvement early this season.

EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES (1-1) at EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (0-2)

Storyline: It might seem odd that a game played this early in the season could carry so much weight, but considering the difficulty of both teams' schedules the rest of the way and the talent in the rest of Region 2-4A, tonight's meeting could go a long way in determining playoff fates. Alonzo Russell is one of the city's top athletes and a player who will need to carry much of the load on both sides of the ball for the Pioneers. Adam Caudle and Aiden Holt lead a stingy Hurricanes defense that has been the team's strength so far.

OOLTEWAH OWLS (1-1) at BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS (1-1)

Storyline: The Owls will try to bounce back from last week's heartbreak, when a failed two-point conversion left them on the short end of a one-point loss at Science Hill. Senior QB Kyrell Sanford has nearly 450 yards of offense this season, and RB Sincere Quinn is one of the area's best out of the backfield when it comes to catching passes - and he has game-breaking speed regardless of how he gets the ball. Region 2-6A is loaded, so this is another early matchup that will figure largely in the playoff hopes of both teams. Bradley QB Dylan Standifer, an all-state selection last season, has several fast WRs to target. This one has the makings of an offensive shootout.

RED BANK LIONS (1-0) at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (0-2)

Storyline: It's still early, but this is a key Region 3-3A game for both teams. Red Bank, which had to shake off first-game jitters last week to hold off Central in overtime, will finally have its best offensive weapon back on the field as senior Calvin Jackson returns after being sidelined by a sore hamstring. Signal Mountain QB Jack Wilson has several receivers who can make the Eagles' offense dangerous, including Drew Lowry and Travion Williams.

TYNER RAMS (1-1) at POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (2-0)

Storyline: A stout defense and the ability to control the ball to keep it out of opponents' hands has been Polk's recipe for a fast start to the season. The Wildcats have shut out their first two opponents, holding East Ridge to 40 yards last week. Polk C/ILB Alex Pell helps set the physical tone on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats, who will use a running back-by-committee approach in hopes of limiting the touches for Tyner's quick-strike offense. The Rams have no shortage of playmakers, led by QB Martavius Ryles, WR Jeremiah Batiste and LB Solomon Bridgeman.

SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS (1-0) at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (1-1)

Storyline: After a season-opening win, Silverdale is coming off an open date, while the Chargers have played two very physical opponents, losing 21-0 to McCallie in a weather-shortened opener and beating Howard 30-13. Both teams can vary on offense but mostly prefer to utilize a physical wing-T scheme. The one that establishes dominance up front likely will come out on top in this DII-AA East Region matchup. Chattanooga Christian features the running of Mondo Ellison, a 2017 all-state selection and 2018 Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen pick. The Seahawks got an impressive debut from Clay Buckley, who ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.

DADE COUNTY WOLVERINES (0-2) at TRION BULLDOGS (1-0)

Storyline: A huge bright spot in Dade's disappointing start has been junior RB/FS Malaki Webb, who has rushed for 296 yards and three touchdowns to go with 14 tackles. However, the rest of the offense has struggled. Trion is coming off an open date after an impressive win over Coosa. Hagen Willingham, who had 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns, is the Bulldogs' go-to guy on offense; along with Braden Johnson, Willingham is also a defensive leader. The Wolverines will look to use their size advantage and the productive Webb to get in the victory column.

DALTON CATAMOUNTS (1-0) at NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS (1-0)

Storyline: Despite the Catamounts' dominance in the series (30-5 after going 14-0 versus the old North Whitfield program), this is a very heated rivalry and one that has had close games in recent years - Dalton's past three wins against the Bruins have been by a total of 14 points. Each team is coming off a bye after an impressive opening win. Dalton topped Ringgold 42-24 in a game broken up over two days and displayed an offense that has the potential to be balanced behind QB Landon Allen, RB Jahmyr Gibbs and versatile Tyis Love. The defense held a potent Ringgold offense in check, with LB Lane Cox and CB Malachi Gregory standing out. Northwest downed Coahulla Creek 34-6 as new QB Ty Fisher debuted with a bang, going 15-for-17 for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Three went to Jaret Staten (149 yards), while RB Dominique Sistrunk had 82 yards on just seven carries. The Cats will get a big dose of Sistrunk, but don't be surprised if Fisher and crew first loosen them up with short passes before attacking on the ground.

LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS (2-0) at GORDON LEE TROJANS (1-1)

Storyline: The Ramblers have won a pair of close games under first-year coach Paul Ellis while showing the ability to adapt to conditions and defenses. QB Vyshonn Daniel is the leading rusher, but RBs Jamario Clements and Jalen Suttle have had big games, too, and WR Andrew Pendergrass has turned into the go-to guy outside. Gordon Lee, after an opening win over Dade County, crashed last week in a shutout loss to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. QB Hunter Hodson was lost in the opener with a knee injury, and the Trojans' offense suffered last week as it was held to less than 200 yards. Still, new QB Tucker Miller and RB Brody Cobb have plenty of speed to make this one interesting, and Gordon Lee's defense has shown up well in two games.

HERITAGE GENERALS (1-1) at CHATTOOGA INDIANS (1-1)

Storyline: This interesting nonregion matchup features two teams coming off distinctly different games. The Generals were beaten 40-0 by crosstown rival Ringgold, a game in which the team's inexperience stood out. Chattooga, after a last-second loss to Adairsville in its opener, upset Class A power Wesleyan 17-0. To beat the Indians, Heritage must find a way to control RB E.J. Lackey, who has 410 yards, including 238 last week. He and Devin Price form a terrific playmaking punch. The Generals will use FB Jeffery Curtis to soften up the Indians in hopes of getting sophomore QB Nick Hanson back on track after he was 5-for-15 passing last week.

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