High School Football 2020

GRIDIRON Special publication of Elizabethton Newsmedia LLC

Football Preview

September 2020

Team Previews

• Happy Valley • Elizabethton • Unaka

• Cloudland • Hampton • Johnson County

Table of Contents

ELIZABETHTON

Cyclones........................4-11

HAPPY VALLEY Warriors.....................12-15

HAMPTON Bulldogs....................16-18

UNAKA Rangers......................20-23

CLOUDLAND Highlanders................24-27

JOHNSON COUNTY Longhorns..................28-30

On the Cover

GRIDIRON Special publication of Elizabethton Newsmedia LLC

Football Preview

September 2020

Team Previews

• Happy Valley • Elizabethton • Unaka

• Cloudland • Hampton • Johnson County

Photo by Ivan Sanders

Friday Night Lights include several key elements including players and cheerleaders, Local schools are ready for another great season in 2020.

Star Photos by: Ivan Sanders, Larry N. Souders Dawn Lambert Tim Chambers

Layout/Design Robin Johnson

A football season to remember...

Prep football like no other in 2020

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

Before the local prep football teams even took to the field to begin getting ready for another season, 2020 had kicked an onside kick that no one saw coming - COVID-19.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as schools closed, preseason workouts were shuttered for a time, 7-on-7 leagues were canceled as were scrimmages that are normally part of the prep football landscape.

For a while, many didn’t even know if there would even be a fall football season as the Governor had issued executive orders against contact sports that forced the TSSAA to look at solutions should football be delayed or even canceled.

But here we are - about a month later than what we wanted to be with our 2020 Gridiron Football Preview but thankful with hopes of a season to be played if COVID-19 can be evaded like a running back juking a defensive back.

And while it doesn’t look the same, it’s still high school football as the Elizabethton Cyclones return to defend their 2019 Class 4-A State Championship while county teams like Unaka, Hampton, Happy Valley, and Cloudland along with Johnson County have visions of reaching the pinnacle just like the Cyclones did.

With fans having to be kept to a minimum throughout the county at all ball games due to the pandemic, it still hasn’t changed the love and passion that each community that 3

bleeds orange, black, maroon, blue, gray, gold, or white has for its teams.

For that reason, the Elizabethton Star values the opportunity that we have to present our community with a small preview of their team and cheerleaders along with respective rosters and schedules.

This project is not done lightly as we realize how important it is for the players, cheerleaders, coaches, and their respective communities to have a keepsake that can be taken out from time to time over the upcoming years and read over and over again as you remember this unique season.

Our appreciation is extended to each school administration, athletic director, head coach and coaches, football team, cheerleaders and sponsors, and those who helped make this publication a reality. It could not have been done without your full cooperation which is deeply appreciated.

A special thanks to Tim Chambers and Dawn Lambert for their assistance in completing the project and to Robin Johnson for her masterful work of putting the publication together.

And finally, thanks to all those who advertised with us this year to help make the Gridiron Football Preview come to reality for our community.

Your support is deeply appreciated!

Good luck to the Elizabethton Cyclones, Cloudland Highlanders, Unaka Rangers, Happy Valley Warriors, and Hampton Bulldogs in the 2020 season.

You make Carter County proud!

Also, best of luck to our neighboring Johnson County Longhorns.

You will always be winners in our eyes!

The expectation has not changed…

Cyclones looking to repeat as State Champs in 2020

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

coaches.

“Football takes an army. This year we have 85 kids on our roster and 55 kids that are ninth and tenth graders,” said Witten.

“You have to have coaches that can coach those kids. You don’t know when it’s going to click for a kid, you don’t know when a kid is going to develop, and you don’t know when he’s going to develop self-esteem and self-confidence.

“He’s just one play away from turning it on.”

Witten should know as he enters his 14th season at the helm of the Cyclones and having to not only get buy-in from his coaching staff but each player that has aspirations of putting on the orange and black.

“In high school football, you never know what you are going to lose from one year to the next, Witten stated. “You may graduate linemen, you may graduate people with skill, you may graduate a big class or a small class.

“If you don’t develop kids when they first get on campus and if you don’t coach every kid - from one to 88 we coach every kid.

“Every kid goes through the same workout and we define those kid’s rolls. Carson Stresemann is a

W

inning a state football championship could be compared to going to one of the best seafood restaurants at the beach and leaving with a full stomach of the best fish that the restaurant has to offer.

Once you get a taste, you are even more anxious to go back and get another round, and its all you can think about until your next vacation.

Much can be said about how the Elizabethton Cyclones are heading into the 2020 season after running a demanding gauntlet last season in finishing 15-0 and as the 2019 Class 4-A State Champs with a convincing win over Springfield in Cookeville.

Even though the team lost some key players such as Cade Maupin, Jaxton Holly, Carson Stresemann, and Zach Hartman to name a few, there are even more standout players that return this season.

Wide receiver Parker Hughes, quarterback Bryson Rollins, wide receiver Braden Holly, offensive linemen Cole Morganstern, Wes

Shawn Witten Head Coach

Erwin, and Owen Slagle to name a few.

Pages couldn’t contain all that head coach Shawn Witten would have to say about his returners and the hard work that each member of the 85 players on the roster have put into putting themselves into position for another run at the gold ball.

But obviously, these players just didn’t walk into the halls of Elizabethton and become overnight state champs.

There are many factors that go into developing a state championship team and it starts with the

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2020 Elizabethton Schedule

September 4—Open 11—at Daniel Boone 18—at Grainger County* 25—at Cherokee October 2—WILLIAM BLOUNT 9—UNION COUNTY* **Homecoming** 16— at Greeneville* 22—at Sullivan South* **Thursday** 30—SULLIVAN CENTRAL* **Senior Night**Home November 6—Playoffs begin.

The season result will determine the location.

ALL CAPS denotes home games * denotes region games

prime example.

“He was a backup quarterback as a freshman, he played linebacker in his sophomore and junior year, and was an All-State defensive end his senior year,” Witten continued.

“You have just got to develop them and put them in the right situation. They have to believe in the system and it helps in having people that have been there and done that.

“When our kids look at us, we have been there and we have done that. We have the experience and we hope that they listen to us. We ask our kids to put a lot of time and effort into it and we as coaches do the same thing.”

Witten was asked if entering the new season if he finds himself looking back at a particular time or moment from the 2019 season that pushes him harder for the 2020 season.

“I think that you have to with the Cookeville game and our home crowd. In the last seven weeks we played six of those at home,” commented Witten.

“We picked up some steam after we kicked the winning field goal against Greeneville and then from there on we played one game away from Citizens Bank Stadium at Sullivan Central.

“It has to be the crowd and community support. You can’t do this without the community support. You can’t buy the things that we need if you don’t have the community support,” Witten noted.

“Last night was our ring

ceremony and that doesn’t take place unless you have a support system in place whether its Ed Alexander or Dr. Gardenhour or now Richard VanHuss.

“You have to believe in the program and you have to believe in the community. They want to see a product on the field to compete for a championship.”

It’s easy to see why when football players enter the program at Elizabethton, they know before they even put on their first set of equipment what is required of them when doing so.

2020 will be no different as this team of players has one thing in mind and that is winning back-to-back championships.

Anything else would be a disappointment.

“The kids come in understanding the expectations and it goes back to the fact that good things happen to good people and good things happen to those that work hard,” Witten said.

“You have to have people all in – people that bleed orange and black.”

Witten said that not only do his players and coaches have that expectation, but the community also proved that last year as well at Cookeville.

“Out of all the years that they had the state championship, we had the largest crowd,” Witten said of the over 6,000 people that showed up to witness the Cyclones take the title.

“It’s a privilege when you put on the orange and black. Tradition never graduates.”

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2020 ELIZABETHTON HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL ROSTER # NAME HT WT CLASS POS 4 JACK FARRIS 5’8 145 SO WR/DB 5 CADE RUSSELL 5’10 170 SO ATH 6 CONNER HYDE 6’1 175 JR LB 7 PARKER HUGHES 6’2 195 SR ATH 8 JOSH SWEENEY 5’8 145 SO WR/DB 9 DALTON BLEVINS 6’2 165 SO QB/DB 10 BRYSON ROLLINS 6’1 185 JR QB 11 JORDAN KILLION 6’ 170 SR WR/DB 12 BRADEN HOLLY 6’2 180 SR WR/DB 13 NIC VANOVER 5’9 140 SR WR/DB 14 TJ LITTLE 6’2 150 JR LB 15 PEYTON JOHNSON 6’2 185 SO WR/LB 16 CONNER BLEVINS 5’10 175 JR K 17 JAKE ROBERTS 5’10 175 JR WR/DB 18 DALTON MITCHELL 5’11 155 SO QB/DB 19 TEDDY ORTON 5’9 150 SO WR/DB 20 DEUCE MORTON 6’ 210 SR RB/OLB 21 NATE STEPHENS 5’10 155 SO RB/DB 23 BRYSON DAVIS 6’3 170 JR DE 24 HAYDEN NAVE 6’ 160 SO RB/DB 25 MASON WILLIAMS 6’ 150 SO WR/LB 26 ANDREW STEVENS 5’10 155 SO RB/OLB 28 BLAKE STEWART 6’ 200 JR LB 30 SEAN SMITHDEAL 5’8 135 SO K 31 JACOB SHELTON 5’11 180 SO LB 33 LaDARIAN AVERY 5’11 215 SR RB/LB 34 NATHAN HYDE 6’1 200 SR LB 40 HARRISON LANE 5’11 160 JR LB 44 CALEB JOHNSON 6’ 180 JR DL 46 GABE STURGILL 6’ 165 JR LB 47 WESLEY SHANKLES 5’8 175 SO LB 48 SAMMY GRAVES 5’11 160 JR DL 50 COLE MORGANSTERN 6’4 295 SR OL 51 DENTON GILLIAM 6’4 275 SO OL 53 COLBY GARLAND 5’10 285 SR OL 54 GABE BARCLAY 5’11 275 SR OL 55 DREW TURNER 5’10 230 JR DL 56 JACOB WHITAKER 5’11 205 SO OL/DL 58 WESLEY ERWIN 6’2 295 SR OL/DL

# NAME HT WT CLASS POS 59 HUNTER SWINK 6’2 265 SR DL 60 OWEN SLAGLE 6’2 260 JR OL/DL 61 CALEB BATCHELDER 6’1 200 SR DL 66 CONNER JOHNSON 6’2 275 JR OL 67 GRAYSON HATFIELD 6’1 235 JR DL 70 DYLAN McDUFFIE 6’1 210 SO OL 72 GABE SEXTON 6’2 175 SO OL 73 DAKOTA CHRISTIAN 6’1 275 SR DL 74 TRENTON TAYLOR 6’4 295 JR DL 76 COLE BLACKWELL 5’11 205 JR DL 77 CADEN DRAINE 6’4 215 SO OL/DL 78 SAM BOWERS 6’5 325 SO OL/DL 79 JONAH HUBBARD 5’10 210 SO OL 80 BRADLEY CANNON 6’4 200 SO DL 84 CAMERON SMITH 6’4 195 SR TE 87 JT LONG 5’11 180 JR LB 88 CAMERON HALL 6’2 210 SO DL

Coaches:

Shawn Witten Jeff Pierce Jordy Harrison Brian Jenkins Dave Campbell Michael Grindstaff Devin Whitehead Ryan Witten Terry Moore Matt Campbell

Team Chaplain: Michael Koruschak

Trainers:

Dr. Justin Smith Dr. Erin Kiser Dr. Danny Smith

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Support Staff: Howell Woods Wes Holtsclaw Rick Walters Matt Myers

2020 Elizabethton Cheerleaders (Bottom L-R) Kailey Peters, Olivia Vaughn, and Sophie Paulson.

(Middle L-R) Cassidy Estep, Laci Lipford, Morgan Guinn, and Haley Stresemann.

(Top L-R) Sara Zimmerman, Cagney Bennett, Kiarra Kerr, Montana Ramsey, Lucy Maupin, Maely Ingram, and Kaylee Hollifield.

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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Elizabethton’s Cade Russell turns the football up field after a nifty reception.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Cyclone wide receiver Parker Hughes takes a pitch on an end around and races all the way to the end zone for a EHS score.

Star Photo/ Ivan Sanders

Cyclone quarterback Bryson Rollins finds plenty of running room on the Cyclone sideline for a big gain in Friday’s contest.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Nate Stephens tries to get through an opening as ‘Topper defensive lineman Jordan Faulkner-Kidd gets a hand on the speedy back.

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11

Getting ready in the trenches…

Warriors look to dominate on both sides of the football in 2020

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

H

appy Valley Warrior head coach Jason Jarrett has been around the game of football long enough to know what wins and losses high school football games.

Even with the delay of getting his program off and running this year, Jarrett just hopes that his team is ready to go to work deep in the trenches as football resumes in the most unique of circumstances with COVID-19 in 2020.

“We are just excited first and foremost to get back out there to be together as a team,” Jarrett stated.

“With the off-season that we have had, we really didn’t know what to expect especially this first game of the year but everybody is in the same boat.

“We will get better as the year goes on. Ultimately, you want to be playing your best football at the end of the year and hopefully, we make it to the end of the year.

“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that by wearing masks and following all the guidelines and safety is the most important thing,” the Happy Valley skipper added.

“We have a really good senior class and they are a joy to be around and are fun to coach - just a great bunch of kids. We hope their leadership will hopefully lead us through to success.”

While the offensive backfield and wide receivers receive the bulk of the

Jason Jarrett Heach Coach

press, Jarrett says that without his strong and battle-tested Warriors in the trenches those writers wouldn’t have a whole lot to write about.

“It starts up in the trenches and that’s really where we return the most experience is upfront on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively,” he said.

“We got some guys up there that can pave the way. That is where the games are won and lost and they know it, we know it, and everybody knows it.

“But the guys that usually get all the credit behind them, we feel really confident in our quarterback Eli Ayers.

He is a guy that throughout the years has had some experience.

“He was forced into some playing time early and he started a few games for us here and there. We feel like his leadership and his management is

really going to help us offensively.

“We are really excited about Matthew Bahn, Gabe Nickels, Andrew Little – those guys we feel can be some playmakers. Our tight ends and our fullbacks are going to be used in the running game and passing game as well.

“It’s going to be a team effort,” added Jarrett. “We lost some quality skill players last year so it’s going to be running back by committee and receiver by committee. The guys up front have got to lead us.”

One thing that Jarrett is extremely proud of is that his team has quickly found ways to gel due to missing out on so much time.

The Warrior coach said that he and his coaches try to start that process of creating a family atmosphere when most players are still young before they even think about their high school experience.

“It’s been extremely challenging,” Jarrett commented. “Most of the conversations have been through text messages and phone calls. There is merit to the off-season and building relationships.

“Fortunately for us and our coaching staff here, we start that when they are young.

“A lot of our older guys, we have already had those relationships thankfully. That has been a hard thing is getting the team together to bond. And that takes a little bit of time.

“We saw some of that the last three

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2020 HAPPY VALLEY SCHEDULE

September

4—at Hampton* 11—UNICOI 18—COSBY* **Homecoming** 25—UNAKA

October

2—Open 9—at Johnson County 16— SULLIVAN NORTH* 23—Open 30—SOUTH GREENE* **Senior Night**

ALL CAPS denotes home games * denotes region games

or four days in the locker room and on the field with some bonding going on with a lot more energy,” he continued.

Along with becoming closer as a team, just the physical aspect of not having any seven-on-seven competitions or scrimmages leading up to a new season comes into play.

That is concerning to a coach especially with being limited to contact will serve to throw some cold water on early-season contests.

“That has been probably the biggest obstacle plus physically just being in shape. There is no way to get into game shape until you play games,” Jarrett shared.

“Usually you will have three or four scrimmages to get you to the first game. Where that was taken away from us is obviously a concern too is getting gassed really early.

“We are going to play a lot of kids early. These guys deserve a chance to play. We are going to try and play as many games as we can.”

Jarrett was asked what he would consider being a successful 2020 football campaign.

“Our goal is to win every game that we play,” he said. “That ultimately is success is off wins and losses.

That as a team is how you are judged and ultimately how people look at you as a team.

“But, just out of a parent meeting just now, as a coach the relationships that we build, trying to help these guys

grow into fine young men, productive citizens in society, and grow up to be great husbands and fathers one day – ultimately that is the goal to success.”

In looking over Region 1-2A, Jarrett felt that the region was one of the toughest regions in the area.

The team that manages to do the little things in 2020 will be the team that will rightfully earn a region championship.

“Region 1-2A is one of the toughest conferences in this whole entire area,” he said. “You look at last year, the 3A champion probably finishes fifth in our conference and that was a very quality football team.

“Obviously you have Hampton and South Greene and then you have us, Sullivan North, and Cosby. I think anyone can win on any given night.

“It’s all about execution, it’s all about ball security, and making plays.

“At the end of the day, you have to win some battles whether it’s at the line or one-on-one down the field on the perimeter,” continued Jarrett.

“Whoever can make the most plays, whoever is going to be the most coachable, and ultimately whoever plays the best night in and night out is going to have a chance to win.

“I think it’s wide open and there are quality athletes and quality coaches in our conference and I think these guys know that and we are really going to have to compete to win another conference championship.”

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Alex Lunceford (13) and Andrew Little (3) come on the field prior to Saturday’s game as Little bears Old Glory.

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2020 HAPPY VALLEY FOOTBALL ROSTER No Name Class Position 3 Andrew Little 11 WR/OLB/DB 4 Noah Stockton 10 WR/DB 5 Antonio Martin 11 WR/DB 7 Blake Garmon 11 QB/DB 8 Gabe Nickles 12 WR/DB 9 Spencer Hall 11 WR/DB 10 Damien Nickles 10 WR/DB 11 Jason Thomas 11 WR/DB 13 Alex Lunceford 12 TE/DE 14 Tucker Shoun 9 WR/DB 15 Raegan Ensor 10 QB/DB 16 Eli Ayers 12 QB/DB 17 Gunner Honeycutt 9 WR/DB 20 Pedro Colunga 10 RB/OLB 21 Waylon McKeehan 9 RB/LB 22 Matthew Bahn 12 RB/OLB 24 Rex Ranck 9 RB/ILB 30 Eli Phillips 12 RB/ILB 32 Landon Babb 11 FB/TE/DE 34 Joseph Sowards 9 TE/DE 40 Cayden Campbell 11 RB/TE/ILB 43 Bronson Norman 10 FB/ILB 44 Logan Groom 10 FB/ILB 50 Dylan Woodby 11 OL/ILB 51 Maliek Clark 10 OL/DE 52 Malachi Clark 10 OL/DL 54 Alex Caldwell 10 OL/DL 55 Justin Pearell 10 OL/LB 58 Nathan Ragusa 9 OL/DE 59 Ethan Townsend 9 OL/DT 60 Mason Hicks 11 OL/DT 61 James Davis 9 OL/DT 63 Cameron Cochran 11 OL/DE 64 Justin Pearell 9 OL/DT 65 Gavin Way 10 OL/DT 67 Hayden Walls 10 OL/DE 70 Matt Smith 11 OL/DT 71 Peyton Primeau 12 OL/DT 72 Zach Stansell 9 OL/DT 74 Kamden Richardson 12 OL/DT 75 Cody Dugger 12 OL/DT 77 Ben Stansell 9 OL/DT 00 Ian Clark 9 WR/DB Head Coach: Jason Jarrett Mascot: Warriors Colors: Maroon, Gray, & White.

Assistant Head Coach: Greg Hyder Assistant Coaches: Chuck Babb, Todd Caldwell, Adam Copeland, Randy Ferrell, Jim Greene, Steve McKinney, Brandon Mottern.

Managers: Ashley Jennings, Maci Turner.

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2020 Happy Valley Warrior Cheerleaders (Bottom L-R) Maegen Tittle and Gillian Davis.

(Middle L-R) Emily Fisher, Emma Helbert, Jon Perry, Gracie Young, and Casey Campbell.

(Back L-R) Anslie Pinkeston, Autumn Henegar, and Kaybree Sumner.

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Taking advantage of a Bulldog oddity…

An abundance of linemen provides options for Hampton

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

C

oming into the 2020 season, Hampton Bulldog head coach Michael Lunsford has a situation that most coaches would love to have and that is the fact that he is very heavy in the line – literally.

Most of the time, teams will be blessed with an overabundance of skill players but will be short on linemen who can easily get worn down.

Not this season.

The line will be one of the strengths of the Hampton team in 2020.

“We have a second-year quarterback in junior Conor Jones,” said Lunsford. “We feel like he has gained a lot of valuable experience last year and is one of the more talented athletes in the area and in our division. We feel really good about him.

“We have some good size. I feel like we have nine kids that I can play in the line that is odd for a Hampton football team. It’s a good thing but it’s not the norm.

“We have some experience in the backfield but lost quite a bit of

key skill players that their junior quarterback doesn’t feel like he has to do more than is required for his team to win.

Lunsford said that he is aware that Jones may feel like he has more pressure on him to execute to a higher level, but he must also realize that football is a team sport and that is why there are 10 others on the field with him to help the team win.

“I think that he will feel some of that, but it’s on us and our job to calm him down and make sure Michael Lunsford he knows what his job is,” stated Head Coach Lunsford. “His job is to not only be a great player but to make others experience at the wide receiver,” around him better by not trying to Lunsford explained. do everything by himself but to use “I kind of wished that we were the weapons around him.” a little more experienced at the Lunsford still believes that the receiver since we have got a little bit number one strength of his team is more experience at the quarterback the lineman that fill the blue and position. white uniforms this season.

“It seems like the years that you Having this benefit, the coachhave experience in one place, you ing staff will be looking to do a few lack experience somewhere else. more things offensively utilizing “I feel good about this team the fact they can set up several plays with all the distractions going on, for different groups of linemen to very few missed practices and very few things that have affected them.” execute them.

“We have good size. That’s probOne of the things that the ably the strength of our team. We Bulldog coaching staff has to be have nine kids that can play in the aware of is with a loss of several 16

2020 Hampton Schedule September 4—HAPPY VALLEY* 11—at Cloudland 25—at Johnson County October 2—SULLIVAN NORTH* 9—CLOUDLAND 16—at South Greene* 23—at Unaka 30—COSBY* ALL CAPS denotes home games * denotes region games

offensive line and on the defensive side too,” Lunsford said with a smile.

“Nobody should get tired and nobody should get worn out because we want to rotate and move a lot of those kids in and play them a lot of snaps.

“It will help our power packages and our spread packages because we have different combinations of linemen that can play.

“It does get a little harder because you have nine kids you have to get to understand what’s going on with a complex situation but we feel good about our line.”

The Bulldogs are known to have players that fill key roles that often are overlooked because they quietly do their job without a lot of acknowledgment.

Lunsford feels like he has one of those on this year’s squad that will have a chance to shine a little brighter as a senior.

“One kid that probably hasn’t gotten the praise that he’s deserved over the last two years is Aiden Vines,” Lunsford said. “Aiden has played fullback and linebacker for us the last couple of years and he has been undersized both years.

“He is going to be a senior this year and he is going to get his opportunity this year. He is not a newcomer but he has played hard for us and this year he will get his chance.”

Lunsford also touched on some other players for the Bulldog faithful to keep an eye for this season.

“Jonathan Greenwell, his brother Isaiah played for us last year, he is a little bit different type

of kid,” said Lunsford. “He is a bigger body kid and is a 200-pound wide receiver who is a lot like Gage (Chambers) – he is a do-it-all type of kid.

“He is raw and just a sophomore and not as near experienced as Gage was but he is an athlete. If there was one person who could take his spot we feel like its Jonathan.

“Morgan Lyons is going to be a running back for us,” Lunsford continued. “He is going to play wide receiver and running back and will be asked to do a lot offensively.

“Freshman Dylan Trivett can do a lot of stuff. He’s going to play quarterback some and wide receiver. He is a freshman so you want to tamper expectations on him so it doesn’t overwhelm him. It puts a lot of pressure on a 14-year old kid.”

If there was a weakness, Lunsford pointed to the fact that team speed overall as a group would probably be the most glaring.

He said that last year’s team had a whole lot more team speed than this year.

When asked about how he saw the region playing out, Lunsford sees 2020 much like the last few years with Sullivan North, South Greene, Happy Valley, and Hampton battling it out in a four-way race.

He further said that Sullivan North is a wild card because one never knows what they will have coming in especially with this being their last season as a school before combining with Sullivan Central and Sullivan South in a new school next season.

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2020 Hampton Bulldogs Football Roster

StarPhoto/ Larry N. Souders

Bulldog quarterback Conor Jones (4) get passed Unicoi’s defense, steps out of Nolan Bennett’s (9) shoestring tackle attempt.

No. Name Class HT WT Pos 1 Jonathan Greenwell 10 6’0” 190 WR/LB 2 Caleb Royston 11 5’9” 175 WR/FS 3 Michael Harrison 11 6’3” 175 K/WR 4 Conor Jones 11 6’0” 170 QB/FS 5 Austin Bentley 10 6’0” 200 FB/LB 6 Ashton McMahan 9 5’8” 140 HB/CB 7 Geno Carrico 9 5’10” 180 TE/LB 9 Levi Lunsford 10 5’8” 180 FB/TE 10 Ty McElyea 10 6’0” 200 FB/LB 11 Sawyer Guy 11 5’11” 130 WR/CB 12 Logan Whitehead 10 6’1” 160 WR/FS 13 Austin Hyder 10 5’8” 130 WR/DB 15 Blake Peavy 11 5’10” 150 WR/CB 16 Elijah McKinney 9 5’7” 130 WR/CB 18 Dylan Trivett 9 6’1” 160 QB/WR 20 Elex Moffit 11 5’3” 160 WR/CB 21 James Strickhorn 10 6’1” 150 WR/DB 22 Chanz Point 9 5’11” 145 QB/FS/WR 23 Aidan Vines 12 5’11” 190 RB/LB 24 Morgan Lyons 11 6’2” 205 RB/LB 25 Jason Sexton 10 5’9” 140 WR/SS 28 Jaden Hensley 9 5’9” 185 TE/DE 34 Jonah Boling 9 5’11” 210 TE/DE 39 Tristan Lipford 11 5’8” 135 WR/S 47 Evan Mann 10 5’9” 135 WR/DB 48 Ryan Crumley 11 5’9” 210 FB/LB 49 Ashton Hardin 10 5’9” 185 TE/LB 52 Andon Winters 11 6’0” 200 TE/DE 53 Austin Bentley 9 6’0” 200 FB/LB 55 David Grindstaff 12 5’9” 205 G/DT 57 R.D. Ward 12 6’2” 240 FB/DE 58 Grayson Young 9 5’8” 190 OT/DT 59 Caleb McKinney 12 5’10” 225 G/DT 60 Greg Tolley 9 5’9” 220 G/DT 61 Michael Purdam 10 6’0” 250 G/DT 63 Zach Beam 11 6’0” 270 G/DE 64 Shayden Oliver 9 5’9” 230 OT/DT 65 Douglas Tolley 12 6’1” 270 OT/DT 67 Will Thorton 9 6’1” 300 OT/DT 68 Devin Ward 10 5’10” 260 G/DT 71 James Tolley 12 6’4” 270 OT/DT 72 Aubrey Wenger 12 5’3” 160 G/DE 74 Nathan Weatherby 11 6’1” 320 OT/DT 77 Keegan Purdum 9 5’10” 245 TE/DE 78 Mackinley Kuhn 11 6’0” 310 OT/DT 82 Delaney Patterson 9 6’1” 165 TE/LB 84 Mason Ford 10 5’10” 140 WR/FS Head Coach: Michael Lunsford Mascot: Bulldogs Colors: Blue and White 18

2020 Hampton Cheerleaders (Front L-R) Briley Curtis, Chloe Bradley, Allison Bowers, Bailey Andrews, Sophie Cable, Haley Taylor, Gracie Crumley, Isabelle Bowers, Shania Pierce, and Cheyeanne Fair. (Back L-R) Amber Gilbert, Reagan Ashley, Hannah Smith, Kaegan Campbell, Emma Harmon, Gabriel Cook, Kylie Odom, Kyndal Scalf, Lauren Hyder, and Marina Bailey.

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19

Counting on the veterans…

Bennett believes Rangers can compete for the top spot

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

U

naka Ranger head coach O’Brien Bennett has been working to build a successful program on Stoney Creek since he arrived and it’s very possible that 2020 could be the season that the Ranger head coach can cash in on the work that he has invested.

The Rangers saw only a small group of seniors graduate in 2019 and there are other proven players ready to step in to fill the void and if the right pieces come together, the Rangers could make a lot of noise on the gridiron.

“We only lost three seniors to graduation from 2019, so we are finally a veteran football team,” Bennett said. “Those seniors all left major holes to fill, however.

“Our season will hinge on how well we can fill the void in leadership and production that guys like

practice was shuttered for a couple of weeks due to coronavirus.

However, area teams have been able to return to the football field and get back to work in preparation for 2020.

“Our kids are a hard-working bunch,” Bennett stated. ‘We haven’t had many problems getting them here or getting them to push themselves to the limit.

“I think the layoffs hurt us in that regard because we really pride ourselves on our off-season O’Brien Bennett program. But from what I can tell Head Coach our kids stepped up to the challenge Nick Bowers, Logan Benway, and and worked their tails off, even durAustin Drew leave behind. ing the shutdown.

“Given that we return nine Bennett will be counting heavily offensive and nine defensive starters on a group of guys that have started from last year, we are hoping that nearly 100 games to stand up and we can compete for a region title be the leaders of this year’s team as and home playoff birth.” they compete for a region champiJust like other teams in the area, onship. the Ranger players and coaching That leadership combined with staff have feared that this season some quality skills guys can help could be a wash when football take the Rangers far in the 2020 20

2020 UNAKA SCHEDULE September 4—at Hancock* 11—CLAIBORNE 18—JELLICO* 25—at Happy Valley

October 2—at Cloudland 9—at Hancock Co. 16—at Cosby 23—HAMPTON 30—SUNBRIGHT ALL CAPS denotes

home games * denotes region games

season.

“We have a great leadership core returning, especially upfront. Our starting 5, Noah Carden, Nathaniel Oaks, Cody Drew, Colby Jones, and Jordan Day have a combined 90 games of starting experience already between them,” Bennett stated.

“They are extremely hard working and lead both by example and verbally when necessary. That is a luxury to have anywhere, especially a 1A school.

“We are also returning a talented group of skill position players,” Bennett continued. “Returning starters like Devin Ramsey and Daniel Shearl each have over 1,000 career yards and serve double duty as ballhawks on defense.

“Landon Ramsey returns for his sophomore season at quarterback after throwing for 1,578 yards and 15 TDs as a freshman. He has grown tremendously this off-season, both mentally and physically.

“Drew Smith returns at linebacker where he registered 87 total tackles last season. Austin Fair, Logan Taylor, and Jordan Day return as starters on the defensive line, while Ryan Peters and Jamol Blamo look to build on impressive freshman campaigns on the defensive side,” Bennett added.

“Matthew Erickson and Takoda Freeman had tremendous offseasons despite the lockdown and look ready to break out.

“Newcomer Caleb Lydick shows tremendous potential at wide receiver and defensive back and talented freshmen TJ Thomas and Marcus Shomaker appear Friday night ready.

With the returning talent for Unaka, there are several things that have to fall into place for the Rangers to reach the echelon they are striving for this season.

Bennett was asked what he felt was a couple of import keys for his 2020 squad to achieve what they have been working hard for since last season ended.

“First and foremost, we have to replace a small, but talented group of seniors,” commented Bennett.

“Logan Benway accounted for over 1,700 yards of offense last year and Nick Bowers was our leading tackler on defense.

“Austin Drew provided leadership and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball.

“If we can replace those production numbers, even in aggregate, and our seniors continue to be the leaders they have been, then we could have some success,” continued Bennett. “We will also need to avoid costly turnovers.

“In region losses to Jellico and Hancock County, we turned the ball over 11 times and still managed to have a chance to win in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“Our continued development at the quarterback position will be key in limiting those game-changing plays. In addition, we need to limit chunk plays on defense.

“Many of the explosive plays we gave up last season were the result of mental errors - misalignments and busted assignments,” Bennett added. “This year those types of errors will be common across the state due to the shortened and limited nature of pre-season practices.

“Especially early in the season, if we can be simple and sound, we hope to minimize the likelihood and frequency of costly mental errors and chunk plays.

“We hope that if we make our opponents drive the field, they will make a mistake that we can capitalize on. If we can fill the voids left by graduation and avoid beating ourselves, I think we have a chance to be playing at home in the playoffs.”

Just like many other coaches across the state and the country, 2020 has definitely given a different perspective on a new football season.

For many coaches, just the concern of whether they would be able to get their team on the field 21

was a big concern and it wasn’t any different for Bennett.

The Ranger skipper was asked how what has transpired during the pandemic has changed his philosophically view on the 2020 season.

“It certainly provides perspective.

Our primary goal of practice each day is to ensure our players, coaches, and football family stays as safe as possible. Everything else is secondary to that,” Bennett stated.

“It also has reinforced to me how important football is to our community and to our kids. I’ve discovered that there is football -the game- and there is Football -the family-.

“While “football” is a game kids play for fun and pales in comparison to health, educational, and family concerns, “Football” as a part of a kid’s life is more than a game.

“It is a brotherhood. It is struggle. It is learning how to put aside differences and come together for a cause greater than yourself,” continued Bennett.

“It is learning discipline: how to avoid sacrificing what you want most for what you want in a moment.

“It is learning to work hard to achieve success and it is learning how to get back up and continue on after failure. It is a microcosm of life itself. And while “football” is a game and warrants prioritization as such, it is much more than “JUST a game”.

Bennett continued to build on his previous statement saying, “In the thread of football the game versus what Football really is: We work 170-180 days over a 12 month period to play for 10 nights.

“Those 10 nights, the football games, are what people see and think of when they talk about football.

“But those 10 nights are really the smallest part of what we do in the larger scheme of things,” Bennett added.

“Those days are payday. They are the day when all of our hard work on the other 170 days pays off.

We want our kids to have those days to show what they have learned to the community and to see their hard work pay off.

“They deserve that reward. But we get to play the game together every day. Those other 170 days are when we build bonds and learn the lessons that people don’t see.

“Those 170 days are what “Football” is about. The 10 nights a year when we turn on the lights are football-the game.”

Bennett said the road to the championship still runs through Roan Mountain as he sees the region panning out to be Cloudland at the top followed by Jellico, his Rangers, and Hancock County in the early going.

The coach felt like once the Rangers pick up that first region win, they can continue building toward a home playoff game in 2020.

2020 UNAKA RANGERS ROSTER No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 25 31 32 33 40 51 52 54 55 56 60 62 63 65 70 72 76 77 80 83 84

Name Ryan Peters TJ Thomas Devin Ramsey Drew Smith Caleb Lydick Daryl Harris Hunter Brown Matt Smith Daniel Shearl Nick Shell Landon Ramsey Kaleb Gonzalez Mark Nealon Jamol Blamo Isaiah White Jaycob Nidiffer Kaleb Collins Trevor Yates Johnny Douglas Matthew Erickson Darian Lash Takoda Freeman Logan Taylor Jordan Day Aidan Peterson Noah Carden Tyler Smith Nathaniel Oaks Colby Jones Cody Drew Aaron Tipton Sam Lewis Daniel Ott Austin Fair Nathan Painter Marcus Shomaker Daytona Denton Michael Duvall

Class SO FR JR JR JR JR SR FR JR SR SO SO SR SO FR FR FR SO SO SR SR SO JR SR FR JR FR SR SR JR SO FR SO SR SO FR FR FR

Position RB/LB WR/LB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/LB RB/DB WR/DB QB/LB WR/DB QB/LB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB TE/DL WR/DB WR/DB

Head Coach: O’Brien Bennett Mascot: Rangers Colors: Maroon, Gray, and White

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2020 Unaka Cheerleaders (Front L-R) Stasia Stalcup, Katie Shoun, Gabby Laws, and Chelsea Slagle.

(Back L-R) Annie Townsend, Jordan Pippin, Rachael Lloyd, and Kanyon Tisdale.

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Working with what they have…

Inexperienced Highlanders looking to surprise in Region 1-A

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

G

raduating 11 seniors might not seem that major to many teams but when you are a small Class 1-A team it affects the whole makeup of the team coming into a new season and how to replace that group.

It’s something that Cloudland has had to deal with throughout the years and this year is no different as the Highlanders will have 25 players on the roster and have already suffered two injuries before their first game.

That equates to Cloudland head coach Scott Potter having enough players to go both ways and a handful of substitutes.

“We have enthusiasm - just low numbers,” said Potter. “We had a large senior class last year and this year we have a small one so we are more inexperienced this year.

“It’s going to be a little more difficult but I think that we will be up to the task.”

With the pandemic shutting down Carter County schools, the

Scott Potter Head Coach

Highlanders agreed to travel to Happy Valley to play a Saturday night contest for both team’s first game.

It was a contest that Potter was keeping fingers and toes crossed that no one else would suffer an injury. “(Coach Jason) Jarrett and I both spoke and it’s a game but neither one of us is going to be in shape and yesterday’s practice proved that,” Potter added. “We were just light hitting and had a broken collar bone and a torn ACL so it makes it difficult with smaller numbers.

“It makes it harder on us because we don’t have enough subs –

we don’t have any subs as all the kids are going both ways.

“We will see what happens Saturday night and then from there we will get ready to play Hampton.”

Potter said that the key to the 2020 season was a simple one.

“Just keeping our heads focused,” Potter stated. “We are scheduled heavy on the front end.

“When we get into our region they may be better than us but they are not as tough as Hampton and Happy Valley and some of those teams so if we can just keep focused and stay healthy is the main thing.”

Potter has done an outstanding job of surrounding himself with coaches that bring different offerings to the table for the Highlanders.

That is especially important as with a young, inexperience team that more one on one time can help the players quickly mature into their positions.

“It’s very important. I’ve got (Gary) Oaks here who was coaching way before I played here and having him here is monumental,” Potter commented.

“Coach Puckett, who actually helped coach during the state cham-

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2020 Cloudland Schedule September 11—HAMPTON 18—HANCOCK CO.* October 2—UNAKA* 9 —at Hampton 16—at Jellico* 23—JOHNSON CO. 30—SULLIVAN NORTH ALL CAPS denotes home games * denotes region games

pionship run in Mike Lunsford’s years when Byrd played, is a big help.

“I have Jacob Barnett who actually moved up with me in my first year last year. He helped me in junior high and moved up,” Potter continued. “Him and Zack (Benfield) worked closely during the summer and when we lost Zack, he took over the offensive coordinator role.

“And then Coach Bolling has been coaching for a long time and thank goodness he does a really good job with the defense.”

And even though Potter is faced with losing 11 players from last season, once he began talking about the talent on this year’s team it is evident that the cup is not bear on Roan Mountain.

“Caleb Sluder is going to be a good player if he can keep his head on straight and stay focused. This is the first year he has played since junior high,” Potter noted.

“Seth Birchfield is returning. He is important because he had a lot of carries last year and brings a lot of experience.

“Chase Shell, who is Hunter’s brother that graduated and was our quarterback last year, I have seen improve leaps and bounds. He has worked his butt off. He has practiced twice a day on his own coming out here with the receivers and thrown.

“Bentley Gilbert is returning and has speed on the outside,” Potter continued.

“On our line, we have Eli Presswood back. He is a college prospect and he is kind of like an anchor.

We have Noah Stout back who had started for Coach Lunsford for two years. He’s going to play an impor-

tant role for us this year.

“Gage McKinney caught a slant pass last year against Harriman and took it 85-yards for a touchdown. He is something special. His attitude has changed and he has become more aggressive and he is going to run the football quite a bit for us with Birchfield and Sluder.

“He and Chase Shell are the captains on defense tell everyone where to go. He is really cerebral when it comes to both sides of the ball.”

Just being around the Highlanders, it doesn’t take long to notice another area that Cloudland has really improved in and that is their physical strength.

The time off during the preseason wasn’t wasted as many of the Highlanders have put on a noticeable amount of muscle.

“Coach Oaks and I spoke about it. As long as Oaks has been here and we came in under the guidelines that we could, a lot of these kids lifted on their own,” Potter noted.

“Sluder would come in at nine o’clock at night and on his physical in July he weighed 175 and now he weighs 205.

“The work ethic across the board has been phenomenal. I haven’t been here with them every day. I have a farm that I work on and I do the best I can to get down here. These kids are self worked and I am proud of them.”

Potter said that several notifications have the Highlanders penciled in as the third team in the region.

Time will tell, but its way to early to count out the team from Roan Mountain even though they may not be as experienced or senior-heavy like other teams might be.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

“Lander quarterback Chase Shell (3) scampers away from the pressure being applied by Happy Valley’s Landon Babb (32).

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Highlanders running back Seth Birchfield (4) rides the hip of his teammate Coy Laney (34) who attempts to provide some needed blocks for a good gain.

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2020 Cloudland Highlander Football Roster No.

Name

Class

No.

Name

Class

3 4 6 7 12 14 15 16 19 21 22 23 29 34 35 50

Chase Shell Seth Birchfield Hayden Singleton Kyle Birchfield Julius-Gage McKinney Bentley Gilbert Samuel Birchfield Tanner Blevins Levi Carway Maverick Simmerly Elijah Holtsclaw Auston Caraway Luke Tipton Coy Laney Caleb Sluder Johnson Garrett

11 11 12 9 10 12 12 9 11 11 9 9 12 11 11 12

57 58 64 66 70 73 74 75 76

Noah Stout Landon Johnson Jacob Street Hunter Oakes Silas Burleson Clayton Williams Dylan McClellan Miguel Hernandez Eli Presswood

12 11 10 9 9 9 9 9 12

HEAD COACH: SCOTT POTTER MASCOT: HIGHLANDERS ASSISTANT COACHES: ADAM BOLING, JACOB BARNETT, GARY OAKES & TOMMY PUCKETT. WATER: EUGENE JOHNSON & ROY JOHNSON. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: SCOTT POTTER PRINCIPAL: RICHARD CHURCH

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Star Photo/Ivan Sanders

Cloudland’s Seth Birchfield (4) burst across the goal line for a Highlander score in a downpour of rain.

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Cloudland’s Gage McKinney (12) looks for running room after taking a handoff from Highlander quarterback Chase Shell (3).

2020 Cloudland Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleaders

Marlee Hughes, Krisi Bare, Kaylen Fields, Mandy Benfield, Ambrien Blair, Layken Johnson, Kaiden Smith, Libbie Tomberlin, Karah Fields, Melena Roberson, Kendall Birchfield, Faith Roark, Brandy Cable, Hailey Simerly, Ella Benfield, Savanna Shoyer, Tate Shaw, Carte Shaw, Kyla DeYoung, KateLynn Simerly, Rebecca Arnett, Lillyanna Johnson, Hannah Hart, Shana Canady, Charliegh Dugger, and Katie Baldwin.

Because so much is riding on your tires.

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COVID has Longhorns behind to start the season

A

BY TIM CHAMBERS

n unexpected shutdown for 14 days put the Johnson County football team behind to start the 2020 season.

The Longhorns are trying to overcome a two week shutdown and appeared sluggish in their game at Sullivan East on Friday.

Head coach Don Kerley and his staff have been working overtime trying to get their team ready but the lack of practice time was evident especially at Sullivan East on Friday in a 20-6 loss.

Head coach Don Kerley has done all he can do to try and get his squad ready but you can’t compensate for the time missed that was needed for conditioning.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Kerley and his staff trying to figure out who is playing where.

Last year’s starting quarterback Stacy Greer has moved over to fullback hoping to add some depth at the running back position.

“Whatever helps the team is what I want to do,” said Greer one of the team’s senior leaders. “We’ve got to get some practices in but I feel like we can be pretty good if we get

Don Kerley Head Coach

in football shape and keep working hard. This team wants to do well and I think that we can.”

Greer will be joined in the backfield by running back Sam Mann, quarterback Dalton Brown and split back Corie Neely.

The line will be senior-heavy with Connor McNutt getting the nod at the center but will miss the first game due to an injury.

Ricky Fenner, John Stout, Nathaniel Summerow and Trevor Henson will make up the offensive line. Ryan Morfield will start at tight end.

Morefield has looked good in practice to never had played before added Kerley. The kids are working hard trying to make up for the time that we lost.

I’m glad we’re playing the first game or we would really be behind.”

The Longhorns have several players that will start both ways on offense and defense. Morefield, Fenner Greer and Mann will do the double duty. They are joined on defense by Matt Mowery, Ethan Icenhour, Aden Walker, Ethan Bower, Tyler Wilson, and Javier Benfield in the season opener.

Kerley indicated that they could be playing more freshman than in years past but that’s a wait and see thing. Johnson County will open the season at Sullivan East and Sullivan North before returning home in week three to take on rival Hampton.

“We play some tough nonconference games,” said Kerley and most of them are our rivals. We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then. The COVID put us behind but we’re not going to use that as an excuse. We just need to work hard over the next few weeks to try and make up for some lost time.”

Jenna Horner will handle the

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placekicking duties while Nate Rice will be the punter.

2020 Johnson County Schedule September 4—CHUCKEY-DOAK* 18—WEST GREENE* 25—HAMPTON October 2—at Claiborne* 9—HAPPY VALLEY 16—NORTH GREENE* 23—at Cloudland 30—at Unicoi County* ALL CAPS denotes home games * denotes region games

JCHS 2020 Longhorn Football Roster No

Name

Class

1 Tyler Wilson 12 2 Evan Dollar 9 3 Stacy Greer 12 4 Ethan Simcox 9 5 Matt Mowery 12 6 Connor Simcox 9 7 Aiden Fredell 9 11 Brenton Black 9 12 Jay Ortega 12 13 Dalton Brown 11 15 Joseph Gambill 12 16 Grinnan Walker 10 18 Jenna Horner 12 20 Nate Rice 11 21 Cory Neely 11 22 Ethan Bower 12 23 Chase Muncy 9 25 Aiden Walker 12 26 Sam Mann 12 27 Ryan Morefield 12 32 Hank Sauer 9 42 Tracy Hicks 9

Position

No

WR/DB WR/DB QB/LB QB/DB TE/DE

44 Ethan Icenhower 11 50 Nick Speed 10 52 Trevor Henson 11 56 Gavin Wilson 11 64 Shawn Perkins 11 66 Nathaniel Sumerow 11 67 Jacob Earp 11 70 Jason Faulks 10 71 John Stout 11 72 Ricky Fenner 12 73 Nemiah Willis 9 74 Connor McNutt 12 77 Daniel Stout 9 85 Christian Johnson 12 88 Javier BuenField 12 92 Brandon Vanover 9

FB/LB QB/OLB RB/LB QB/DB K RB/DB RB/DB WR/DB FB/LB WR/DB RB/LB

Name

Class

Position FB/LB OL/DE DE LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL C/DL DB

Head Coach: Don Kerley Mascot:Longhorn Colors: Maroon and White

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2020 Johnson County Longhorn Cheereleaders

(L-R) Audry Godines, Paiten Carroll, Gracie Grayson, Madi Walker, Aleena Summerow, Kirsten Day, Emmy Miller, Hannah Walker, Bella Phipps, Jessie Anderson, Chloe Hopkins, and Makenzie Poe. Coaches: Michelle Walters and Kayla Hensley. Not pictured: Ashlee Anderson, Kaylee Anderson, and Maggie Stout.

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Good Luck to all the area teams

It’s Good!

Football Time in East Tennessee.

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Good luck to all area teams!

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Donna J. Bare

402 Mary Patton Highway Corner of West G Street and New Highway Elizabethton, TN 37643 B. 423-543-5305 • C. 423-302-8188 donna.j.bare@mwarep.org reps.modernwoodmen.org/dbare

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