Soddy-Daisy quarterback Justine Cooke (2) rolls out to pass. Five area high schools scrimmaged at Bradley Central High School Saturday, August 1, 2015.Pedal to the metal
There was a decided difference in Soddy-Daisy's defense last season when it was denied the talents of Casey Lewis.
A double-team-demanding defensive tackle, Lewis missed the final seven games due to a detached retina.
"It wasn't the same without him," coach Justin Barnes said. "He was one of our leaders on defense - a big body and a hard worker. The guys knew he was going to be able to eat up a double-team."
Between surgeries, Lewis had to sit.
"It was terrible, losing games and not being able to get them back," Lewis said.
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SODDY-DAISY TROJANSRegion 4-5ARobert Talaska Field, 618 Sequoyah Road, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379Driver’s seat: Justin Barnes (7-14 in his third year here and overall)Road tested: Four offensive, eight defensive starters return.
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Pump the brakes: The Trojans will miss QB Hunter Maynor, who set city single-game and season records with top-drawer WRs Levio Thornton and Blake Smith.
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Route ’15: The Trojans are in stout region company among Ooltewah, Rhea County, Cleveland, McMinn County and Walker Valley. Adept at racking up points last year, they’ll remain in the spread offensively, with the coaches putting special emphasis on enhancing the defense.
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Taking the wheel: Junior Justin Cooke assumes the duties at QB, but he’ll have help from RB Christian Bell, a 1,000-yard rusher last year and a capable receiver, and WRs Tre Carter, Jacob Lemons and Chase Payne. The lines will be led by Grant Cordell and Owen Vice.
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Cruise control: Once Carter joins the team after a hyperactive summer of baseball (during which he committed to the University of Tennessee), the Trojans will have an experienced, fleet and talented receiver corps that will — along with Bell — keep some of the pressure off Cooke.
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Backseat driver: An opposing coach observed, “Sometimes their offense, which often struck quickly, left their defense handicapped. I know they’ll miss Maynor, but the offensive scheme is good and they have good athletes.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 22;Hixson;won, 49-36Aug. 29;Red Bank;won, 43-30Sep. 5;Ooltewah;lost, 40-0Sep. 12;openSep. 19;Cleveland;won, 23-16Sep. 26;Tyner;won, 46-21Oct. 3;McMinn County;lost, 37-34Oct. 10;Rhea County;lost, 47-37Oct. 17;East Hamilton;lost, 43-37Oct. 24;Bradley Central;lost, 42-28Oct. 31;Walker Valley;lost 34-27Nov. 7;Oak Ridge;lost, 28-53 (first-round playoffs)7-4, 1-5 in District 5-AAA
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On the horizon2015 schedule (times 7:30 unless noted)Aug. 21;Red BankAug. 28;CentralSep. 4;at ClevelandSep. 11;openSep. 18;at White County, 8Sep. 25;at East HamiltonOct. 2;OoltewahOct. 9;Walker ValleyOct. 16;at Rhea CountyOct. 23;McMinn CountyOct. 30;at HixsonRegion 4-5A games in bold
The senior doesn't know how he sustained the detached retina, only that he has had lifelong problems with the eye. During and after four surgeries, he wasn't allowed to run or jump but forced almost to sit or to walk gingerly.
"It wasn't fun," he said in understatement.
Yet the experience has produced a better football player.
"He's done a good job coming back - missing seven games, and hoping but not knowing if he'd be allowed to come back," Barnes said. "The difference from last year to this year - he's 10 times better. He has been relentless in the weight room and in practice."
Lewis never doubted he'd be back.
"I was ready to work," he said of his mid-February clearance to resume a more normal routine. "I had lost a lot of weight and gotten weaker. I'm still working to get back where I want to be."
Capsule by Ward Gossett; contact wgossett@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @wardgossett.