Over the last 12 high school football seasons Bradley Central has been a model of consistency.
Damon Floyd's program have not missed the TSSAA playoffs since 2009 as the Bears have an 89-49 record in that time frame along with a 46-24 mark in region play.
The goal in 2022 is to elevate their game to the next level.
After an 8-0 start to the 2021 season things fell apart late for the Bears, who lost two of their last three games, including a 27-24 home loss to Farragut in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
In their strong 12-year playoff run the Bears, however, have only advanced to the state quarterfinals once, which came in a 10-win 2017 campaign. Expectations in 2022 are sky high, though, as Bradley is loaded with experienced talent as the team seeks to again compete in Region 2-6A.
"We should have really good team speed this year," Coach Floyd said. "All of these guys have played a lot of football and many have started since they were freshman. Hopefully that experience and their hard work will pay dividends now."
There is a solid chance for a fast start again as the Bears open the season with four straight home games and will look to build their win streak to eight when they host crosstown rival Cleveland on Sept. 2.
Junior Jackson Wilson - who has a scholarship offer from Eastern Kentucky University - is a physical runner with good speed. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed for 1,856 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns last year.
Wilson will be a part of a two-headed backfield that will incorporate sophomore rising star J'Alan Terry more after the explosive playmaker had 1,073 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.
If Bradley Central is to take things a step further this season, junior Marcus Goree Jr. will be a big reason.
In a four-game stretch last season Goree Jr. had 25 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He should be the top receiving option while also anchoring the secondary, where he and fellow junior Tito Williams are FBS recruits. Both have offers from Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, while Goree Jr. also has offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State and Tennessee among others.
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / Blue Raiders wideout Rodney Broadnax Jr. (14) can't bring in a deep pass during the football game between Red Bank and Cleveland high schools on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Red Bank, Tenn.Senior Brody Morgan is a four-year starter on the offensive line who is a key component of the run game. Junior Luke Keith looks to be in for a breakout season at left tackle and has the chance to become a strong college recruit.
The Bears will have to replace Aidan McClary at quarterback as junior Alex Walker must step in and be a solid game manager.
All-state senior middle linebacker Knox Watson is back after leading the team with 104 tackles last season. Other key returning starters on the defensive side will be Rodney Williams and Gage Anderson, while defensive back's Mason Goree and Fin Mertens and linemen JD Kirkpatrick and Don Jones are all solid pieces.
"Knox is our team captain and is the hardest worker on the team," Floyd said. "He is everything you could want in a senior leader. We are expecting another big year from him."
In a region home to the Maryville Rebels - who have won 21 straight region titles - both Bradley Central and Cleveland know the tall task at hand in trying to beat a national powerhouse who hasn't lost a region game in over two decades.
The Blue Raiders will try to notch their first winning season in region play since 2017 when Keegan Jones and Micaleous Elder were stars on a seven-win team that went 4-2 in league play.
Senior defensive back DJ Adams has had a terrific preseason as he's showcased his athletic ability in shutting down opposing receivers. Adams will have to step up and play a key leadership role on a defense which lost 45 tackles for loss from the likes of Leo Palelei, Tate O'Bryan and Jaden Acevado, who were key to a 6-5 overall finish for Cleveland in 2021.
Brian Beard and Isaiah Davis look to form a strong backfield duo and will be led by the trio of Ronnie Kahalewai, Ethan Burns and Will Brantleyon the offensive line. The group will have to step up in a big way after losing 1,400-yard running back Tetoe Boyd to graduation.
In the passing game Drew Lambert threw for 1,901 yards and 12 touchdowns and will have a key fellow senior to throw to in Rodney Broadnax.
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Broadnax looks in store to far surpass his 310 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season as he will be the go-to target with Destun Thomas gone. Glover Yawn, Lucas Szymborski and Mycah Jordan all look to make for a solid passing game as well.
Jordan is also the returning leading tackler from last season with 51 stops, while Cam Lockerby is also a returning two-way starter for the Blue Raiders at fullback and linebacker.
"The goal for this team is simple. They just want to go out there and win together every Friday night," Cleveland coach Marty Wheeler said. "They are excited and ready to go."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.