






A conversation with Coach Derrick Vestal is full of two things: hope and determination. In his second year as head coach at Sequoyah High School, Vestal has a vision for his team. He gets excited about more than just football: “We want to see progress and growth – not just on the field, but maturity with classes and their peers. We want to bring a better product to the stadium and to society.
I talked to Derrick as he and the team were coming home from camp at Carson Newman University.
Vestal values the whole athlete as a person and expects the boys of fall to improve as people, not just players.
and not on anyone else.”
Sure, there are plenty of people with opinions about the Chiefs and their performance the last half decade. Coach and his staff are not looking at the past.
“Last year was the ‘try’ year,” Vestal said resolutely. “This year is the ‘do’ year.”
OFFENSE: Spread DEFENSE: 4-3
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Shemar Collier
Avery Jones
Nathan Lynn
Drew Carson
Junior Giles
Haden Houser
Billy Vestal
“This camp was the best thing that has happened to Sequoyah football since Sequoyah football started because relationships grew spiritually, mentally, – and not just the kids, coaches, too! The isolation from their phones, parents, and naysayers taught them to rely on each other
This certainly reinforces the team’s motto for the year. “Compete! Everything is about competition,” which explains why he laughs about the boys even competing about who can eat the fastest. Before the season started, Coach Vestal and his staff worked diligently to remove the mental barriers associated with last year’s losses and opinions from others. He and all of the Chiefs know that there is more to the game on the gridiron than routes, reps, and returns.
If the Chiefs are going to be successful on the field, the negative noise in the background will have to lessen.
But how do you do that?
You give them something else to talk about. For the Chiefs, that’s the work. These boys have
DERRICK VESTAL Head Coach 2ND SEASON Sequoyah Posed photos by Tony Cox, WMTY-FM. Sequoyah action photos by Jerry Denham SEQUOYAH CHIEFS REGION 3 AAAAcertainly put in the work.
Vestal does nothing but brag on the whole team and knows that without their work ethic and off-season dedication, the success will be nonexistent. Vestal’s goals in the off-season prove this. “We wanted to work on putting players in places where they were loved, cared for, knowing they had an integral part of the team. That’s every player and every coach. This has resulted in the team growing, pouring into around sixty five players.”
Coach does not leave out the support around these boys. “I’ll put my staff up against anyone else’s.” He explains that each position coach not only coaches football but works in the kids’ lives to build their academics and maturity.
Vestal has been the leader from the front in this endeavor, pulling the community straight into the heart of the team itself and encouraging the two feeder townships, their businesses, leaders, and families to be ever-present in the students’ lives. From opportunities to mentor to astounding monetary and material donations, the communities of Vonore and Madisonville have witnessed the sweat this man and his staff have put into the team, and they have responded in kind.
Of course, this will be showcased for the Jamboree this year, as Sequoyah and the Chiefs will be hosting.
Vestal is excited about hosting this event. With the facility upgrades and the draw of district wide attendance, Sequoyah High School and its entire faculty and staff will have an opportunity to really show off the Chiefs’ upgrades.
Vestal’s biggest concern, though, is the show on the field: “We want every player to get that experience, so every player will play.” Scrimmaging against McMinn Central will give each player a chance to prove his off season diligence and possible room for growth or change.
Some of these players include returning seniors Cyrom Manley and Peyton Harper along with first-year senior Billy
Barr as both wide receivers and defensive backs, and Omar Fatih on the D-line.
On the offensive side of the ball, Trenton West will be the starting center and Landon Slack will be returning to the line. Trey Lewis and Trevon Brown will see action on both sides of the ball, while Dallas Tallent will return on the D-line.
Some outstanding freshmen coming up to the Chiefs are Meechi Rice, Ben Barr, and Carter Williamson Elijah Faraji will not only start at safety but will also participate on special teams, which will also highlight Maddox Jones as a return man and kicker Roni Eufragio-Cruz
Certain aspects of play that Vestal and his staff will be honed in on are the specific skills and needs of each player and position.
Coach feels like the biggest area of strength that was lacking last year is depth.
Vestal explains, “We don’t have all of these players going both ways which is a relief and also allows for each player to develop as a skilled position player.”
For the captains of the Sequoyah Chiefs, this means they have the chance to not only play and push others but develop themselves as true leaders from the front. Vestal gave a blurb about each one of the captains: “[Emilio] Sanchez is our hardest worker and it has paid off. He is the definition of teammate, working to hold others accountable. Dallas Coker is a picture of maturity, changing himself and growing to give 100% to the game.
Ethan Hunt is an animal! The word is tenacious. Hunt works to never lose a rep. [Cooper] Lovingood has in the last five months become the ultimate team “doer”, never backing down and always showing up completely.”
As for Sequoyah’s new starting quarterback, the entirety of Chief Pride or Die sits on the shoulders of a young man who Vestal knows will be quiet in voice but heard through his actions. Coach says about Aaron Hunt: “Because Aaron leads with his actions and has maturity with his emotions, he will lead this team to victory.”
Last year was the ‘try’ year. This year is the ‘do’ year.
— Derrick Vestal Head CoachEthan Hunt set and ready for the next play against East Ridge last year.
singled out as outstanding contributors on both sides of the ball. After mentioning several players and positions, Bolinger again asserts, “Our backfield is our strength.”
Coaches
Two new coaches have been added to the mix at Sequoyah. Dustin Peels, a Sequoyah product, will return as Offensive Coordinator. Last year, he was Defensive Coordinator at Lenoir City. Bryce Ruis comes to the Sequoyah staff from William Blount High School. Ruis will coach the offensive line and the inside linebackers.
Coach Bolinger points to the fact this will be a normal year. He was hired at Sequoyah around Memorial Day. He was not able to work with his new team in the spring and had no idea about the team or their skill set. Additionally, he needed time to evaluate the coaches he had inherited. His second season was plagued by Covid 19. The team was not able to work out or practice. This year, for the first time, the Chiefs had spring and fall practice. “A full year will make a big difference,” Bolinger contends. “Our kids have done really well in 7 on 7 competition. They see what we can do and they are excited for the season to begin.”
Sequoyah’s first game will be August 20, when Tellico Plains comes to Sequoyah. This is a key game against a traditional in county rival. The Sequoyah Chiefs have an inscription on their shirts: Take Pride in Your Tribe. They are hard at work seeking to instill in their school and fan base a renewed pride in the Sequoyah High School football program.
All games played at 7:30 P.M. Schedule subject to change.
Stadium Address:
SEQUOYAH HIGH SCHOOL
3128 US-411 S
Madisonville, TN 37365
“Every day is an opportunity disguised as a challenge.”
— Tiki Barber
Serving
“Overpower. Overtake. Overcome.”
Serena Williams
Head Coach
1ST SEASON
Sweetwater posed photos by Tony Cox, WMTY-FM
Sweetwater action photos by Doodle Bivens.
Although much of last year’s talent returns this year, the 2023 edition of the Sweetwater Wildcats does have a different look. Not long after the 2022 season ended, Coach Mike Martin announced that he was stepping away from the program. He had accomplished what he set out to do — return Sweetwater football to the joy of winning. It is the historic nature of the program that drew the interest of many coaches including Caleb Slover
football teams. “It’s always your goal to get somewhere special that you can settle in and want to stay for a long time.”
So what can fans expect to see this year?
SWEETWATER WILDCATS REGION 3 AAA
OFFENSE: Multiple Spread DEFENSE: 3-5
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Jerel Smith
David Staff
Brett King
Dustin Latham
Justin Houston
“Sweetwater is one of those jobs where you know the history, you know the passion of the town and the community,” Coach Slover said as he described what drew him to Monroe County. A native of Anderson County, Slover has a deep understanding of how small towns in east Tennessee rally around their
Kichal Jennings
Mike Newman
Bo Simpson
Gavin Boruff
Jon Campbell
“We look like a spread team or a passing team, but we’re gonna be able to adjust to what we have. I’m a firm believer that if I can run the football, there’s a lot less that can go wrong than there is if I throw the ball all over the place. Right now we’ve got three or four good running backs, so we’re gonna lean on those guys, but we’ve also got some dynamic players out at wide receiver.”
Whether a team wants to run or throw, all good football teams start with the offensive line. This is an area where the Wildcats have a huge advantage in terms of experience returning. Names such as Ty Webster, Maddox Johnson, Jesus Guzman, and Lucas Stamey are all familiar
2023 SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WILDCATS CALEB SLOVERto followers of Sweetwater football. Some of the names that could possibly be filling the remaining spot on the line include Silas Brown, Jack Henry Davis, and Andrew Hadorn.
The question on everyone’s mind is-who will be the Wildcat quarterback? With the hiring of Coach Slover, Sweetwater got a two for one deal. Austin Slover, the coach’s sophomore son, will be leading the Wildcat offense. Slover was the backup quarterback for Morristown East last year and did see some game action. His biggest asset is that he has been running this offense for years and is very familiar with it. Freshman Nolan Dacus is also learning the offense and making good strides. In regards to the position, Coach Slover said, “We’re gonna be young and inexperienced at that position, but again, with those guys on the outside, and the guys in the backfield, and the guys we’ve got coming back up front, we feel like we’re gonna be successful with those guys just because of the pieces we have around them.”
With the youth at the quarterback position, the running game will be extremely important for the Wildcats. Coach Slover is looking primarily to three guys to carry the load: Brayden Westfield, Kai Correll, and Jayven Melton. Look for Westfield to be the feature back. According to his coach, “We think that he can be a three down back that can carry the ball 20-25 times a ballgame.”
A major focus of the run game this spring and summer has been to get the backs to turn their attention to running straight ahead as opposed to side to side in an effort to pound the ball at the defense.
As for the receivers, look for Ben Coleman to return to his tight end position although you may see him lining up more in the slot position. Another option in the slot that could also be brought into a tight formation is Correll. Lining up at wide receiver will be Chris Alford, Brennan Teutimaz, Demarth
Upton, and Jeremiah Parris
Defensively, the Wildcats will look a lot like last year running a 3-5 look up front with the ability to switch to a 4-4. Ironman football will be in full effect as the defensive line will primarily be manned by Guzman, Johnson, and Stamey. Webster offers the coaching staff some versatility as he can play at defensive end or linebacker. Joining him at linebacker will be Melton, Correll, Coleman, and Brown. Sophomores Zack O’Daniel and Codi James as well as freshman Ty Fitch are among those that have made great improvement this summer and could provide some relief at the linebacker position if necessary. The greatest defensive concern is the secondary as this is where the biggest hit was taken by graduation. Chris Alford is returning, but he will be joined by a lot of new faces. According to Coach Slover, several individuals have been turning in good reps in the secondary and could see some action. Names that could fill the positions in the defensive backfield include Brennan Teutimez, Keith Allen Gentry, Upton, Jesse Winger, Parris, Luke Willett, and freshman Bryce Teutimez
Special teams are the always important third part of a football game. Any high school team that has a kicker that can do
more than hit an extra point has a huge advantage. Last year, Sweetwater was fortunate that Brennan Teutimez moved in from California. His ability to kick the ball into the endzone on kickoffs as well as hit long distance field goals is a rarity that Coach Slover is glad to have. Guzman will once again handle the punting duties for the Wildcats.
When it comes to how this Wildcat team will be remembered, the coach says it’s totally up to them. He says he has told the team, “Sweetwater High School football is one big book. You are a chapter in the book. How your chapter ends depends on how you react to everything, and how you want that chapter to be written. You’ve got to write the chapter.” Sweetwater fans are anticipating some exciting reading on fall nights in 2023.
OPPONENT
VS. TELLICO PLAINS
7-43
32-14
49-7
VS. MCMINN CENTRAL R W 24-17
VS. GRUNDY COUNTY* W 35-6
VS. MCMINN CENTRAL* W 55-21
VS. GILES COUNTY*
* PLAYOFF ROUNDS
13-24
Right now we’ve got three or four good running backs, so we’re gonna lean on those guys, but we’ve also got some dynamic players out at wide receiver.
— Caleb Slover Head CoachRight: Seniors, Kai Correll and Chris Alford, set to take the field against Brainerd last season.
All games played at 7:30 P.M. Schedule subject to change.
“Success isn’t measured by money or power or social rank. Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace.”
— Mike Ditka
2023 TELLICO PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL BEARS
BOBBY WHITE
Head Coach2ND SEASON
Bigger and Stronger with a thirst to win now! This is second year Head Coach Bobby White’s Tellico Bears attitude. Coach White’s Bears have worked extremely hard in the weight room since the injury riddled 2022 season ended. With a few changes in personnel, and players moving positions and getting a few injured players back, the Bears are ready for a good 2023 campaign in a new region.
TELLICO PLAINS BEARS
REGION 2 AA
Defensive side of the ball. Offensively, Coach White will still be running the show. The offense will basically look the same but with this being the second season in this offense, Tellico should be able to add more wrinkles and plays in 2023 to this already explosive offense.
OFFENSE: Pro Spread DEFENSE: 4-3
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Trevor Hunt
Coach White brought back Coach Trevor Hunt who will be the new Defensive Coordinator. Tellico’s Defense in 2022 was with a base 3-man front where under Coach Hunt in 2023 the Bears will run mainly a base 4-man front. The Bears will have a lot of experience coming back on the
Josh Mullinax
Cody Yates
Stone Gray
Kevin Ervin
Junior Omar Miller will be the Bears new quarterback running the offense this year replacing the legendary Landon Hollinghead. Omar does have some experience and he can definitely throw the ball downfield but Omar’s greatest asset is his legs. He is very allusive and hard to bring down. Omar is proving to be a great leader on the Offensive side of the ball. Omar could play some defense when needed.
Junior Adam Holley will be playing wide
Posed photos by Tony Cox, WMTY-FM Action Photos by Della Williamsreceiver and tight end. Coach White will be moving him from one to the other depending on the play called. Holley has gained about twenty pounds and has become much more physical during the offseason and is ready to make a big impact for this Bear offense. Holley will also be playing defensive end since he has developed more muscle during the offseason.
Sophomore Ike Hollinghead will play a key role this year as he also has grown and is much faster than last season. Ike will be one of Tellico’s big playmakers, not only on offense but defense as well. Ike’s experience and physicality will go a long way as the Bears seek to improve during the 2023 season.
Senior Ethan Harris is a very versatile player and can play many positions. Harris is always willing to play wherever needed. So more than likely Harris will be back at running back for his senior campaign. Harris is 6’2” and 215 lbs. He should be a force in the backfield.
Austin Hall will be defensive end and tight end along with Adam Holley. Hall and Holley are always together and they are about the same size so it’s no wonder that everyone on the team calls them brothers. The dynamic duo on defense will take away the outside sweeps as defensive ends.
Coach White is looking for big things from Sophomore running back Nathaniel Bivens. As a freshman, the first time Bivens touched the ball in a varsity game broke off a sixty yard touchdown run. As a Sophomore Bivens is one of the strongest players on the team.
Junior Braden Reed has worked as hard or harder than anyone on the team and has grown in size and strength will play a big role on both sides of the ball. Playing receiver and corner on defense we should hear his name called quite often this year.
All State running back and middle linebacker Chance Shapiro is back. Chance is probably the strongest player on the team. Shapiro is faster this year and very exciting to watch. Chance led the team in tackles last year and was the defensive player of the year in the region and the team’s MVP.
In the line Coach White will be replacing several up front. Junior Eden Byers will more than likely be playing center. Jaden Driver as a sophomore will be playing in the offensive line as well as some on defense. Senior Luke Harris started at defensive tackle last year and has gotten bigger and stronger with the highest bench press on the team. Senior Ezra Lance will be starting at the other defensive tackle. Lance started a few games last year at defensive end but is now bigger and stronger and will move inside. Two good Seniors, Harris and Lance will anchor that defensive line.
Junior Malachi Roberts has moved around a lot but will move back to the offensive line. Not a real big player but pound for pound is probably the strongest and most physical player on the team. Roberts will also play at outside linebacker and might even play every snap of the game.
Sophomore Haden Phillips has worked hard in the weight room and has gotten a lot bigger and stronger and could possibly be a starter on the offensive line and could even see
some playing time on defense. Phillips had a real good spring and summer and the coaches are looking for him to have a great season.
Coach White is really proud of Junior Gage Sherwood. Sherwood came in as a Sophomore and hadn’t played much ball before. Sherwood has made great strides on the field and in the weight room. He has worked extremely hard and stays after practice many days to get better. Sherwood will probably be a starter on the offensive line at right tackle.
Last year Tellico was in one of the toughest 2A regions in the state. That region has Marion County, Meigs County and Tyner Academy. All these schools had played for a state championship in the last six years. The Bears have moved to a new region this year with Polk County, York Institute, Bledsoe County, Oneida, and Wartburg. Not an easy schedule but certainly not quite as tough. The September 15th game at York should be a barometer as to just how good this Tellico team can be.
VS.
VS.
VS.
0-54
“We tell them all the time that Friday Nights are payday and we are looking to cash in this season.”
— Bobby White Head Coach
Right: Senior Lineman, Ezra Lance, gets after the QB against Miday last season.
All games played at 7:30 P.M. except where noted.
subject to change.
“Next time someone tells you cheerleading is easy, tell them to do your routine and then get back to you.”
— Every Cheerleading Coach Ever
This year, the Spirit FM Sports Team is celebrating 10 years of covering Sequoyah Chiefs Sports. They are excited about this season and look forward to many years ahead. They do live broadcasts for all home and away games. WGSM also produces a live video stream on their website and Facebook page for most home games, so SQHS Sports can be watched from anywhere.
on WMTY 98.3 FM is a tradition that has spanned a half century. Fans are able to tune in and hear exciting play after exciting play and cheer on the Wildcats wherever they may be listening. WMTY has a dedicated broadcast crew that strives to bring you a quality broadcast each and every time.
ARTIE GROSS joined the WMTY football broadcast crew in 2012 as the statistician. He served in that role until 2016 when he became the color analyst, the capacity he currently fills. Artie is also WMTY’s play-by-play voice for Lady Wildcats Basketball. He is an 8th grade social studies teacher at the Sweetwater Junior High. He also serves as an assistant coach for the school’s football team. Artie has been married to his wife DANIELLE for 25 years. They have two sons, LUKE (23) and DALE (21).
BRYAN BURCHFIELD started working at WMTY out of high school in 2002. He was promoted to sales manager in 2006, then to station manager in 2008. Bryan began doing play-by-play of Sweetwater Basketball in 2003. He joined the football crew in 2005 as color analyst and became the play-by-play voice of Sweetwater Football in 2006. Bryan has been married to his wife ALEX for 11 years. They have two daughters, MALYDIE (6 years) and MURPHY (2 years).
Join WMTY for another exciting season of Sweetwater High School Football.
Beginning in 2022, they expanded their coverage by broadcasting Tellico Bears Football on their New Station 91.1 FM. Spirit FM was proud to be the first station to cover the Tellico Bears. Tellico Fans can now listen to the games on 91.1 FM or worldwide at tellicobearsradio.com. The Spirit FM Sports Team is dedicated to bringing you quality broadcasts of the Chiefs and Bears throughout the season.
JEFF ANDERSON started with WGSM in 2014 and worked till 2019. This year will be his second season doing the play-byplay for the Tellico Bears on 91.1 FM. Jeff is a retired teacher and coach from Sweetwater High School. Jeff does the play-by-play for the Bears Basketball season as well. He brings many years of knowledge and love for the game to the broadcasts each week.
JARROD JOHNSON is a local Tellico guy and former Tellico coach who joined the team last season. He brings so much to the broadcast with his understanding of the game and his personal relationships with the players and coaches. Jarrod is the color guy during the Bears Football and Basketball games.
PJ MCKEE started with WGSM in 2020. He grew up in Vonore playing sports and later coached several teams in our area. PJ is the color guy during the football and baseball games. He also enjoys doing the play-by-play for the Lady Chiefs games during the basketball season. PJ has been an excellent addition to our Spirit FM Sports Team.
RICK MCCRARY is celebrating 10 years with WGSM this season. He grew up in Loudon, but now lives in Madisonville. He is a retired teacher and coach from Lenoir City High School and brings his experience and passion to the broadcast each and every week. Rick is the play-by-play guy for the Chiefs Football, and he calls Chiefs Basketball and the Baseball games as well. Thank you Rick for 10 YEARS of service to the team.