Editor's note: This is the third in a series of prep football region previews involving area teams. Coming Saturday is 2-4A.
The dominating streak is now the longest among southeastern Tennessee prep football regions.
Red Bank has not lost to a region opponent in three years, an impressive run that stands at 15 straight wins entering this season. The Lions have owned Region 3-3A - blistering league foes an average of 43-13 the past two years - and again are overwhelming favorites according to region coaches.
"We're aware of it," second-year Lions coach Chris Brown said. "It speaks to the kids we've had here, but we're trying to tell our kids they haven't won anything yet this year. We don't shy away from the expectations of winning every game and region championships, but in the end we just have to concentrate on getting better every day. Hopefully if we do that there will be time to feel good about ourselves after the season."
All but one of the six 3-3A teams have made head coaching changes since the Lions' last league loss.
Red Bank returns 13 total starters, including senior quarterback Madox Wilkey, who's beginning his third year in that role and threw for 2,377 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He's surrounded by big-play athletes Lucas Brown and Sincere Thomas at receiver and running back Lumiere Strickland among others.
The defense, which did not allow more than 21 points in any of the team's 11 wins in 2018, brings back leading tackler Clark Lockerby, an all-state linebacker, as well as end Jaden High on a line that averages 240 pounds.
After losses in the semifinals and quarterfinals the past two years, the Lions, who will play four road games in the first five weeks, also toughened up their nonregion schedule to be more playoff ready, adding Soddy-Daisy, Ooltewah, East Hamilton, Rhea County and South Pittsburg.
Signal Mountain came closer than any region opponent to knocking off the Lions last season, falling by just seven points. The Eagles, who won six of their last seven games, will be breaking in a new quarterback and will need several inexperienced players to step up if they're going to challenge their rivals from just down the mountain.
Senior Jackson Wilson does have starting experience and threw for more than 300 yards last season, and the defense must replace nine starters from a unit that held region opponents to eight points per game. Rod Hutcherson (6-5, 210) will be depended on heavily both as a pass catcher and an outside linebacker.
In only his second season back at his alma mater, Brainerd coach Tyrus Ward guided the team to the program's first playoff appearance in seven years. The Panthers return dual-threat junior quarterback Xiyeer Lattimore, who's been a starter since his freshman year, as well as versatile athlete Jaylan Dupree and receiver LaDarrian Freeman (6-4, 190).
The line on both sides of the ball - led by LaDarrian Cooper (6-3, 315), Rashawn Davis (6-2, 220) and Jerimiah Hendrix (6-3, 295) - should also be a strength for Brainerd.
"The strength of our team is the team itself," Ward said. "This is a group of kids who work hard together and know we don't have to rely on just one guy. Everybody knows they have to do their job for us to be successful."
After winning just one of its last 20 games, McMinn Central was in need of a change. By hiring Derrick Davis the Chargers have brought in a head coach with a proven history of turning around a struggling program and building a perennial winner. Davis guided Polk County, his alma mater, to 13 straight winning seasons, the program's only undefeated regular season, five region championships and 14 playoff appearances in 19 seasons.
He'll have 17 players with starting experience to work with, led by running back/linebacker Jordan Ledford (6-0, 210).
In Region 4-3A, everyone will be chasing Upperman, which won 13 games and reached the state semifinals last year. Sequatchie County will be inexperienced to begin the season but has several athletes who can play multiple positions and a pair of gritty ball carriers in Zack Morgan and Logan Johnson, who will run mostly behind Elijah Phillips (6-3, 310).
Grundy County brings back an all-region-caliber runner in senior Evan Nunley but must replace a quarterback who had started three seasons. The offensive and defensive lines return intact.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.
REGION 3-3A OUTLOOK
Team to beat: Red Bank has won the last three region titles and 15 straight games against league foes — by an average of 43-13 the past two seasons. The Lions return 13 starters, making them the favorites once again.Watch out for: Signal Mountain lost to Red Bank by only seven last year and had chances to knock off the champs. The Eagles’ roster numbers are strong and there is potential, although not much experience.Best game: Red Bank hosts its top two region threats, beginning with Signal Mountain on Sept. 6, as well as Brainerd on Oct. 18. Those games likely will decide the region champion.Dream schedule: Among Sweetwater’s nonregion games will be road trips to Loudon, which won three games last year, and Tellico Plains, winner of just two games last season. The Wildcats also get to host region favorite Red Bank and Signal Mountain.Nightmare schedule: Red Bank will play four of its first five games on the road, including the opening two weeks at rival Soddy-Daisy and 6A Ooltewah. After hosting region challenger Signal Mountain, the Lions then travel to East Hamilton and region foe McMinn Central before hosting South Pittsburg. They also will face 5A Rhea County.Players to watch: Red Bank quarterback Madox Wilkey is a three-year starter who threw for more than 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Receivers Lucas Brown and Sincere Thomas are expected to be in line for breakout seasons, and Lumiere Strickland gives the Lions a breakaway threat in the backfield. Signal Mountain’s Rod Hutcherson will be counted on to be a playmaker at both at tight end and linebacker. Brainerd junior quarterback Xiyeer Lattimore also enters his third season as the starter and is complemented by versatile athlete Jaylan Dupree and 6-foot-4, 190-pound receiver LaDarrian Freeman. Two-way lineman LaDarrian Cooper will be an anchor in the trenches for the Panthers.