Head coach: Josh Payne (first year here and overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 5 defensive
Key players: RB-DB Corey Talley (5-11, 155); OL-DL Jack Brewster (5-10, 235); OL-LB Jacob Winchester (5-8, 210); RB-LB Ashton Jackson (5-7, 185); WR-DB Travis Quails (5-11, 170); OL-DL Ricardo Cruz (5-9, 240); TE-LB Austin Ferguson (6-0, 180); WR-DB Evan Ferguson (5-9, 135); OL-LB Aiden Fitzgerald (5-8, 180); WR-DB Naurice Pittman (6-0, 160); WB-DB Brett Rogers (6-0, 145); WR-DB Blake Ferguson (6-0, 160).
Team strengths: The carry-over from last year's successful playoff run, plus the energy of the new staff, gives the team a shot in the arm headed into the season. With Coach Payne's track record as a defensive coordinator, the Yellow Jackets expect to be in better position to make stops and fly to the ball. With multiple ball-carrying options, the running game should also be solid.
Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / Lookout Valley's Ashton Jackson (32) runs the ball during practice at Lookout Valley Middle High School Monday, August 5, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.Team concerns: The Jackets are young in key positions - particularly at quarterback - and lack overall depth. Being one of the smaller 1A schools makes depth and staying healthy a priority.
Breakout candidate: Talley is the team's most productive returning player. Another year in the weightroom has made the running back and defensive back more explosive, and after making a quick adjustment to the spread offense over the summer, he is sure to get his hands on the ball more often.
Season outlook: Payne has started from the basics and worked to have a solid foundation to build his program from, so look for the Yellow Jackets to play stronger defense and rely heavily on the run game.
The nonregion schedule is a bit more difficult, but Payne wants to prepare his team for the type of challenge it might face in the postseason. Keeping the starters healthy on both sides will likely determine where the Jackets finish in a tough region that includes road games against defending state champion Whitwell and perennial playoff power South Pittsburg.
Having a few unproven players step up will also be key. Junior Cruz played some last season and has turned a corner during the offseason to become a team leader who will have a key role on both sides of the ball up front. Austin Ferguson was new to the program last season but is expected to get significant time in multiple key spots as both a tight end and receiver on offense and a linebacker on defense.