TDT Football Preview 2026 by Adams MultiMedia East

THE DAILY TIMES

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

ODYSSEY of new season Begins

Greenback

Maryville

Heritage

Eagleton

Alcoa

who will return home with the prize?

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 3

Let the Odyssey of a new season begin here is a time for words — and when it comes to high school football this is one of those times. The start of a new season and the unblemished, unimpeded hopes of teams and communities can run free before the grind of Friday nights and the tests of endurance begins. While last season, The Daily Times took a break from it’s usual themed preseason guide to all things football for our area teams — something about clean look for the first magazine version — we decided to capitalize on the resurgent classic that became a summer movie sensation in “The Odyssey.” It wasn’t a given. It was actually a close run thing between Homer and the other summer sensation of a man — OK a man and his cat companion — in a perilous battle of survival, the “Dungeon Crawler Carl” series. But in the end stately columns and helmets translate better to football than sluggalos with hatchets growing from their head or meth-dealing llamas and nobody wanted to make the ask of the coaches to pose barefoot for a photo in white boxer shorts with hearts on them for a cover.

Truthfully, the enduring travails of Odysseus and his shipmates carry over with many of the same lessons players taking the field this fall will recognize. Things like: you can’t do it alone, there’s times to be a hero and times to put your head down and row, a little deception can overcome superior size and, of course, don’t anger the gods — ie your coaches for a modern translation. Perhaps the most apt, is that “The Odyssey” is a story of resilience. If the MARCUS FITZSIMMONS story was Odysseus beating everyone handily the hero and his crew would have been home on time and there would have been no story that endures for millennia. The heart of the tale is the ability to get back up after being knocked down and to keep pressing on rather than accepting defeat. Given the challenges of the season that lies ahead for these teenagers, it seems an apt bit of inspiration.

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That’s not to say we endorse players attempting to blind an opponent ala Polyphemus. Unless its a giant cyclops with a god for a father, that’s probably an unsportsmanlike flag in the making at best. Nor are we recommending that any coaches sacrifice a few players to get the team bus out of trouble, not even if they’ve spent far too long in Buc-ee’s, The beaver isn’t Scylla. It is to say that there is a reason the epic has remained in Western culture for some two thousand years. It’s a tale of overcoming the odds, of the toughness to keep beating back when all the breaks go against you and of course the reminder to never let your guard down and slack off. “And if a god will wreck me yet again on the wine-dark sea, I can bear that too, with a spirit tempered to endure,” is how Homer put it. For all our area’s teams, players, coaches, trainers, parents, siblings and fans, we wish you a successful journey this season. When things get tough, just keep rowing. Marcus Fitzsimmons is an award-winning journalists in his third decade with The Daily Times.

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THE DAILY TIMES TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADERSHIP Darren Haimer, General Manager

ALCOA TORNADOES

WRITERS Josh Lane Nate Tosado Marcus Fitzsimmons

Mike Sisco, Executive Editor

EAGLETON ROYALS

Jeff Craft Sales Manager Pat Helms, Circulation

DESIGN & COVER Marcus Fitzsimmons

HERITAGE MOUNTAINEERS

ADVERTISING Evan Browning Jeff Craft Samantha Gentry Kenneth Hickson Autumn Mantooth Becky Payne

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MARYVILLE REBELS

WILLIAM BLOUNT GOVERNORS

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

The entire content of each issue of The Daily Times, including this publication, “2026 Prep Football Preview - The Odyssey Begins,” is protected under the federal copyright act. Reproduction of any portion of any edition is not permitted without the express written consent of the general manager.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 5

6 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

TORNADOES ALCOA HIGH SCHOOL REGION 2-4A fter years of dominating Class 3A, Alcoa made the jump up to 4A in 2025. Even with a slate of new, and often much-larger programs, the result remained the same with the Tornadoes capturing yet another state title. Despite being the second-smallest school in the classification, the Tornadoes continued to be inevitable as they went 6-1 in Region 2 and capped another flawless postseason run to claim their 24th title and 11th consecutive. As good as that 2026 state champion team was, this upcoming squad of Tornadoes show all the signs that they could be even better. With a majority of key players entering their senior year, they look to continue the Alcoa tradition of ending their careers with one more title. “I think you’re always excited at this point in the year. There’s always questions. It doesn’t matter if you return 11 starters on both sides of the ball, there’d still be questions because the composition of your team changes and players change from year to year,” Alcoa head coach Brian Nix said. “A guy that maybe wasn’t really powerful a year before, he’s gotten stronger, the kid that wasn’t real fast, he’s gotten faster. Your opponents change and what they can do. They lose good players and they get good players. I think it’s always exciting going into the year and we always say everything leading up to this week has been about that.” One thing that has kept Alcoa so elite from year-to-year is the

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

constant competition at every position. That persistent grind for a spot on the field has resulted in the best on Friday nights. “We pride ourselves on our competition,” Nix said. “We’re going to try to develop players. The starting 11 on game one usually will never be the same starting 11 on game 10. We’re constantly going to compete at practice. We’re always going to give our seniors the first shot but they better show up because if they’ve been here for four years, they better show that they can do the job, but we’re going to start the best 11, whether that’s a senior or a freshman.” Alcoa starts another football campaign with the 98th Battle of Pistol Creek against rival Maryville before facing another 6A school in Bearden. Alcoa then steps into region play for the remainder of the year. Highlighting that slate is Anderson County, the only team to beat Alcoa last season, as it visits Bill Bailey Stadium for the first time. But ask any of the seniors only two things really matter this upcoming season: Beating Maryville and winning another state championship.

OFFENSE Alcoa is once again poised to have one of the most lethal offensive units in the entire state. If last year

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 7

ROSTER of TORNADOES

KEY LOSSES A major blow to the Tornadoes will include the loss of offensive lineman Jacob Crow (Texas Tech) who paved the way to 2,605 yards and receiver JaColby Cooper (Tennessee) who had 628 receiving yards and six touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Alcoa lost leaders on the defensive line like Kenny Harris and Blair Goodson along with top tackler and linebacker Cade Stinnett. Kicker Kyrin Tyson leaves a large void on special teams.

RISING STARS On a roster that is jam-packed with senior talent, watch junior receiver Haynes Hawkins, who started to make an impact in the postseason with a handful of targets, and he ended with four receiving touchdowns and 267 yards. Rising sophomore Noah Carnegie will be someone to watch on Alcoa’s offensive line. Carnegie, a 6-foot-5, 235-pounder brings some good size and raw athleticism, having also wrestled at Alcoa.

No........ Name

0.......Jamir Dean 1........Condis Cherry 2.......Justin Lindsey 3.......Demauri Dubose 4.......Jamerius Abuhania 5.......Jennaris Henry 6.......Lincoln Smith 7.......Landen Love 8.......Jace Boyd 9.......Micah Jones 10.....Haynes Hawkins 11.......Mason Laster 13......Carson Murphy 14......Lucah Daugherty 15......Akiriyon Gilmore 16......Elin Bishop 17......Jag Greer 18......Thomas Manu 19......Carson Walters 20.....Luke Disney 21......Isamu Rice 23.....T.J. Powell 24.....Trevaur Taylor 26.....Brodie King 28.....Blade Burgess 29.....Levi Yanez-Cato 30.....Gradie Knight 31......Hall Brooks 33.....Camden Rudd

34.....Jennaris Henry 35.....Corey Manuel 36.....Kingston Dawson 37.....Liam Herolaga 39.....Elijah Larson 40....Colt Brooker 41......Sincere Dawson 42.....Darius Sudderth 43.....Deerrius Singleton 45.....Cayson McIntosh 46....Shelton Holt 48....Elijah Rice 49.....Gabe Henry 50....Weston Davis 51......Dontae Jones 52.....Wyatt Campbell 54.....Caden Gang 55.....Marlee Watts 56.....Noah Carnegie 57.....Brady Anderson 58.....Lane Ferguson 59.....Truett Whitlock 60....Wynn Maples 61......Emory Williams 62.....James Hodge 63.....Mason Gibson 64....Hezekiah Crawford 66....Tristen Finchum 67.....Kamar Brown

68....Evan Rodgers 72.....Kaiden Moore 73.....Walter Lindsey 74.....Donte Sapp 75.....Luke Ayl 76.....Bryson Hawkins 77.....Andrew Rothenberg 78.....Mark Avery 79.....Barrett Tart 80....Raleigh Moore 81......Jaxon Lewis 82.....Jonathan Walden 83.....Casen Robinson 84....Garrett Hawkins 85.....Deandre Cantrell 86....Daniel Crowe 87.....Hunter Milsaps 88....Dakari Harris 89....Ky Smither 90....Owen Hoque 91......Quinn Burke 92.....Henry Gibbs 93.....Richard Meschendorf 95.....Zayvion Neal 96....Cristian Posada 97.....Russell Chambers 98....Peyton Riffer 99....Jackson Walters

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ALCOA

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ALCOA PRINCIPAL: Chad Deal ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Josh Stephens HEAD COACH: Brian Nix (5th season) 54-4; Playoffs 20-0 ASSISTANT COACHES: Jonathan Harris, Richard Gamble, Brian Gossett, David Sweetland, Chris Collett, Ben Love, Hubert Roberson, Drew Harmon, Dakota Summers, Walker Russell, Steven Allen ATHLETIC TRAINERS: Peggy Bratt, Heather Stevens TEAM DOCTOR: Dr. Kyle Boden

THE TORNADOES

Thomas Manu

COLORS: Maroon & Aluminum CLASS: Region 2-4A HOME: Goddard Field at Bill Bailey Stadium STATE TITLES: 24 — 1977, ‘78, ‘79, 1989, 2000, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ‘10, ‘13, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘25 PLAYOFF RECORD: 146-15 in 39 appearances

REGION 2-4A in 2025 was any indicator of what is to come, expect some fireworks on the offensive side of the ball. The Tornadoes are capable of scoring in a variety of ways. It’s something they take pride in, and high-scoring games seem to be the norm. Last year, Alcoa outscored its opponents, 467-92, in the regular season and never scored less than 35 in the postseason. Quarterback Mr. Football finalist Thomas Manu leads the attack. Manu, a true dual threat quarterback, has a strong arm and nice speed off the scramble. He enters into his second season as the starter after throwing for 3,099 yards and 45 touchdowns at an 80.3% clip. He complemented his efficiency with 327 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. “Thomas is such a difference maker because he leads by example,” Nix said. “He doesn’t have to say a lot. He’s the hardest worker in the weight room. He’s hardest on the practice field. He’s always on time, that’s how he lives his life.” A solid receiving corps will accompany Manu, headlined by his top target from a season ago, University of Georgia commit Jamir

Dean. He recorded 1,141 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, and will again be a favorite target this year after Tennessee signee JaColby Cooper graduated. Names like Jaylen Penson (629 yards), Jamerius Abuhania (264 yards) and Haynes Hawkins (267 yards) round out the receivers. The three-pronged attack is rounded off by one of the deepest running back rooms in the state. Alcoa’s top-three rushers — Condis Cherry, Demauri Dubose and Michah Jones — all return. The three, who each had over 600 rush yards, will be in constant rotation and will provide fresh legs on nearly every drive. “You look at a guy like Demauri Dubose, who could be one of the most under-appreciated football players I’ve ever had here,” Nix said. “He’s a guy that started 45 games at corner, who’s an unbelievable threat with the ball in his hands. And I’ve been beating the drum on him with college coaches for a year and a half. He’s small and he’s not the biggest guy, but as far as the guy that you could line him up at any spot and he could play. He’s just tough, he’s competitive, and he’s definitely a leader.

Alcoa holds a record 11 consecutive state football championships. The national record for most consecutive state football titles is 14, shared by Saint Louis (Hawaii) and Washington (South Dakota).

Alcoa holds a 12-game home winning streak, which includes the postseason victories. The last time the Tornadoes lost on their home turf was in 2024, a season-opening loss against Ravenwood.

11:

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

12:

ALCOA

Team

Reg

All

Scored Allowed

Anderson County Alcoa Gibbs Carter Heritage South-Doyle Fulton Union County

6-1 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 2-5 0-7

7-2 9-1 8-2 6-4 4-5 4-6 2-8 1-9

390 468 343 353 225 285 162 120

195 91 198 288 251 312 412 539

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.09 10.16 10.23 10.30

at Maryville at Bearden Gibbs * Knox West at Union County * Fulton * at South-Doyle * bye Heritage* at Carter * Anderson County *

• Region 2-4A contest

46:

The Tornadoes averaged just over 46 points per game last season. Most of Alcoa’s scoring production happens in the first half, particularly in the second quarter with nearly 281 points last season.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 9

Jamir Dean 2025 RESULTS (14-1, 6-1 Reg 2-4A) ALCOA 28, Maryville 21 ALCOA 63, Bearden 13 ALCOA 52, Gibbs 7 ALCOA 35, West 0 ALCOA 69, Union County 13 ALCOA 63, Fulton 0 ALCOA 38, South-Doyle 7 ALCOA 42, Heritage 0 ALCOA 42, Carter 0 ANDERSON COUNTY 31, Alcoa 30 PLAYOFFS ALCOA 56, Cherokee 21 ALCOA 48, Upperman 6 ALCOA 52, Red-Bank 7 ALCOA 38, Greeneville 3 ALCOA 47, Pearl-Cohn 27

LAST SEASON The Tornadoes opened the season with a hard-fought win over Maryville and went on to win eight straight before suffering its only loss at Anderson County to drop the Region 2-4A championship. Alcoa cruised past Cherokee in the first round before hitting the road in round two, where it defeated Upperman, Red Bank, then Greeneville to secure its 13th consecutive appearance in a state championship game.

10 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

“And Micah was MVP of the state championship game. I think the greatest thing I’ve seen about Micah is he plays big in big games. You watch him in the championship game or against Maryville and how he moves, in a two-way, probably the best open film tackler on our team.” Alcoa’s offensive line lost some heavy hitters from the past season, like Kenny Harris (Morehead State), Jacob Crow (Texas Tech) and Colton More (Maryville College), who helped pave the way to 2,605 yards, but the Tornadoes are more than confident they have guys ready to step up. “We lost some really good offensive lineman with Jacob Crowe, Sam Garland and Colton Moore,” Nix said. “But Marlee Watts will be big this year. Marlee doesn’t get too up. He doesn’t get too down. He is even killed. He’s a two-time allstate player and he really is going to anchor that group.” “There’s probably 6 or 7 guys that are vying for four positions right now. We’ve got Mark Avery, who’s a senior, who he’s played a lot. Lane Ferguson has played a ton. He started off and on for us last year. He’s coming back. Weston Davis, who transferred in from Heritage. He’s going to be a big factor and then Caden Gang, who transferred in from Grace.”

ALCOA

DEFENSE

For as much attention as Alcoa’s offense gets, that same could be said about the defense. The Tornadoes posted four shutouts last year and held most of its opponents under 60 rushing yards. Alcoa adds some big pieces as well, including William Blount transfer Jace Boyd who had 57 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and is committed to Bowling Green. “The really good thing for us is that we’ve been blessed with a couple of talented players on defense,” Nix said. “We lost more defensive linemen than anything and we’ve had some young guys step up. We’ve had a couple of guys move in like Jace Boyd was a huge addition for us. Jackson Walters, both those guys are going to be defensive ends.” One of Alcoa’s top tacklers, Micah Jones returns at strong safety after recording 35.5 tackles, five interceptions and four pass breakups on the year. Other impact players returning is Delle Hughes, who had 32.5 tackles, including three TFL. Seniors Jennaris Henry and Darius Sudderth bolster some of the talent returning with the duo being team’s top sack leaders with 6.5 and 5.5, respectively. “Cayson McIntosh, Bryson Hawkins, those guys are going to come in and play valuable minutes for us too,” Nix said. “Dontae Jones is a guy coming back who we are going to rely www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025 POST

State Championship

2024 POST

9 10

2023 POST

2022 POST

THREE THINGS TO WATCH Micah Jones on. We’re trying to see who’s going to be that second in, who’s going to be that first in, who’s going to be the starting nose tackle. You lose a guy like Blair Goodson, who was really fundamental as far as a high school defensive lineman, Blair was as good as they come. We lost some guys on defense but we’ve been able to bring some guys in that have really helped us for sure.”

SPECIAL TEAMS Alcoa’s special teams will remain mostly intact with Manu being the punter and Jamir Dean acting as the returner. The biggest change will be the kicker position after Kyrin Tyson graduated. Tyson was almost automatic, going 32-for33 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals. Alcoa has a few names in consideration at kicker, but the starting job is still in the air. “I think we’ve really got a collection of guys that could be our next kicker,” Nix said. “To me, kickers are pretty easy to assess. You spot the ball on the 20 and you kick five field goals

The offensive line will look a bit different. Senior Marlee Watts will play a big role by setting the Alcoa standard alongside transfers Caden Gang, from Grace, and Weston Davis, from Heritage.

The connection between quarterback Thomas Manu and wide receiver Jamir Dean (Georgia) is special. Dean, a four-star wide receiver and multi-sport state champion tallied over 1,000 receiving yards and recorded 16 touchdowns. Manu, a Mr. Football Finalist in Class 4A, had over 3,000 passing yards to go with 45 touchdown tosses.

— Nate Tosado Home

2025 PPG

and one hits four, one hits one, well, then that’s two kids. For us, the biggest thing, you want to make PATs. We lost one game last year by a missed PAT. “That’s the biggest thing and how are you going to navigate kickoffs? I think with us, it’s you either find a guy kicking the end zone, which is a huge benefit or can a guy directional kick and we know we’re going. And so we’ve got a really three guys that are vying for that spot right now. Over the next two or three weeks, we’ll really determine who that is.” Dean is projected to continue being the main returner having also doubled as a state champion in track and field. “Jamir Dean’s been doing that for a couple years for us so we’re good there,” Nix said. “We try work those return teams for sure, but Jamir he does a little bit of it all. He returns kickoffs, he returns a punt. He’s playing some safety. When you got a guy doing all that and going to Georgia, go with a guy like him.”

Home and Opp

POWER METER

Alcoa suffered its only loss to Anderson County in the region championship in Week 11. The Mavericks snapped Alcoa’s 71-game winning streak against region foes — its first region loss since 2011. The Oct. 30 rematch will be one to watch.

Opp

ALCOA

Opponent

Game

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

ALCOA

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 11

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ROYALS EAGLETON COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMY

omplacency is the Royals’ biggest adversary. Eagleton had plenty to celebrate after last season’s playoff run lasted all the way to the TSSAA semifinals — the Royals won 10 games and were the first football team from a Blount County School to advance past the quarterfinal round in nearly 50 years There was no shortage of magic in Eagleton’s playoff surge. From Adam Fife’s improbable Pick-6 against Grundy County to a onepoint, quarterfinal avenging at Bledsoe County, the Royals channeled a propensity for the spectacular; a clutch gene that no one would have predicted when, just three years ago, the start-up JV Royals had to walk three quarters of a mile every day to the old Eagleton Ballpark for an open space to practice as its turf field was being constructed. So how does Eagleton follow the best season in its short existence? By keeping the past in the past and using last season’s accomplishments, as groundbreaking and historic though they were, as the foundation for more of their own endearing moments in 2026. “Continue to build is the mantra,” head coach Stephen Childs told The Daily Times as Eagleton readies for its fourth varsity season. “Last year’s the past. It was fun and as much success as that was, these kids want more.” That’s a mindset that begins with the players, and the Royals count themselves lucky that they have a crop of senior leaders up for the

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

REGION 2-2A task. Chief among them, senior quarterback Mason Mitchell and wide receiver Noel Meza-Flores were responsible for organizing workouts and team get-togethers over the offseason, all in the name of creating that new Eagleton identity for 2026. “When Mason and Noel are your returning offensive production, they’ve taken it on their own to get kids together this offseason,” Childs said. “They’ve put a lot of time and work out here themselves, and you can tell that those two seniors are motivated and ready to go.” For the Royals, success will flow from a hunger for more and never resting on last year’s state-semifinal laurels. A three-game road gauntlet to begin the season will be a good indicator for Eagleton — the Royals open at Oliver Springs in Week 1, one of their four losses from last year, before heading to McMinn Central and Providence Academy. Eagleton returns to The Village for four of its next five games, including its homeopener versus Sullivan East on Sept. 11, then a rivalry game with Greenback and its regionopener against Tellico Plains in consecutive weeks.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 13

KEY LOSSES Eagleton’s second batch of graduates were its most impactful departures yet. Leading those gone is receiver Lane Cope, who walked on with the University of Tennessee. Tyson Click meant as much to the Royal defense as Cope did to the offense, while Cody Lewis, Adam Fife and Colton Relation have all graduated. Lineman Connor Cox, Jonathan Joyal and Trevor Bright are also gone.

RISING STARS Kingston Burns-Jenkins received lots of playing time as a freshman, but the Royals believe the best is still ahead for the promising receiver/defensive back as he enters his second season of high school football. Cash Golder, another sophomore, has impressed Eagleton coaches since transferring in from Heritage this offseason. Golder is vying for snaps on defense.

ROSTER of ROYALS No........ Name

No........ Name

0...... Riley York 1....... Noel Meza-Flores 2...... Parker Lewis 3...... Aidan Price 4...... Kingston Burns-Jenkins 5...... Daniel Nelson 6...... Louis Hathaway 7...... Mason Mitchell 9...... Cash Golder 10.... Vinny Pezzulo 11...... Tysen Dorsey 14..... Arrison Sevigny 15..... Cooper Pickens

16..... Kyler Jones 17..... Robbie Brabson 20.... Easton Britton 22.... Braxton Long 24.... Landon Pickel 25.... Ethan Anderson 26.... Lance Ratledge 27.... Tripp mcKee 28.... Gage McKee 29.... Charlie Jones 30.... Aaron Dunkelberger 32.... Sam Joyal 50... Carson Ferree

51..... Hunter Lloyd 52.... Kendall Click 53.... Santi Salazar 56.... Mason Shigley 58.... Mitchell Wilson 59.... Alex Perez 62.... Isaac Mobrak 64... Anderson Carroll 67.... Jesse Gomez 68... Tray Miller 74.... Gage Smith 77.... Joseph Graves 78.... David Avila

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EAGLETON

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

EAGLETON PRINCIPAL: Mark Dowlen ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Scott West HEAD COACH: Stephen Childs (4th season) 20-16; Playoffs 3-3 ASSISTANT COACHES: Eric Anderson, Seth Brewton, Jake Coppenger, Caleb Elkins, Dalton Graumann, Mike Hill, Karson Trotter, Kyle Valentine TRAINER: Gracie Eldridge, Leila Siano

ROYALS COLORS: Royal Blue & Black CLASS: Region 2-2A HOME: Eagleton Field STATE TITLES: 0 PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-3

REGION 2-2A in 2025 Mason Mitchell Eagleton ends the regular season with a road trip to region foe Oneida. The Royals have most faces back from an offense that averaged nearly 30 points a game in 2025, including four victories with 40-plus points. Assistant Eric Anderson, the wide receivers coach who has been with Eagleton since Year 1, is taking over as offensive coordinator, but his system is still the same one the team ran for four seasons. With returning contributors at quarterback, receiver and offensive line, and a few added sparks, the Royals see plenty of potential despite losing an All-State player in Lane Cope to the University of Tennessee. We have a lot of guys that got a lot of reps last year that are returning,” Childs said. “We’re not starting over, just replacing a lot of offensive production ... It’s the same offense that we built as a staff for the last four years. It’s not a new system, and it’s fun to see these kids clicking on offense.”

Quarterback Mason Mitchell is back for his senior year after taking home Region 2-2A Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2025. As a junior, Mitchell passed for 2,736 yards and 29 touchdowns, helping Eagleton to a region championship. His familiarity within their system inspires plenty of confidence in the Royals, as does the group of playmakers around him. Junior Easton Britton, senior Daniel Nelson and sophomore Kingston Burns-Jenkins are all names in the hunt at the running back position. The Royals plan to use all three runners freely, with each able to bounce around the offense — whether in the slot, at H-back or even a two-running-back backfield. Meza-Flores was Eagleton’s No. 2 target a year ago but will be the top dog in 2026. As a junior, Meza-Flores hauled in nearly 700 receiving years. He’s up to 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and is poised to follow up an All-Region campaign. Parker Lewis started in the slot last season and will be an experienced pass-catcher as a senior.

It bears repeating one last time: the Royals’ trip to the TSSAA semifinals marked the first instance in 49 years that a Blount County School football team advanced that far into the postseason.

Eagleton doubled its program win-total, collecting 10 victories in 2025 (the Royals won 10 games from 2023-24). No Blount County School had reached double-digit wins since Heritage’s 11 in 1985.

OFFENSE

49:

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

10:

EAGLETON

Team

Reg

All

Scored Allowed

Eagleton Oneida Polk County Tellico Plains

2-1 2-1 2-1 0-3

7-3 5-5 5-5 5-5

301 151 174 242

188 198 252 211

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.09 10.16 10.23 10.30

at Oliver Springs at McMinn Central at Providence Academy Sullivan East at West Greene Greenback Tellico Plains * bye Polk County * South Greene at Oneida *

• Region 2-2A contest

Mason Mitchell proved a gunslinger in his first season as starting quarterback, passing for 2,736 yards. Future Vol Lane Cope did account for almost half of that total.

2736:

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 15

Noel Meza-Flores

2025 RESULTS (10-4 2-1 Reg 2-2A) OLIVER SPRINGS 38, Eagleton 20 EAGLETON 25, McMinn Central 18 EAGLETON 39, Providence Academy 14 EAGLETON 44, Sullivan East 19 EAGLETON 47, West Greene 15 EAGLETON 27, Greenback 20 EAGLETON 33, Tellico Plains 7 POLK COUNTY 23, Eagleton 13 SOUTH GREENE 27, Eagleton 13 EAGLETON 40, Oneida 7 PLAYOFFS EAGLETON 48, Cumberland Gap 0 EAGLETON 17, Grundy County 6 EAGLETON 24, Bledsoe County 23 MARION COUNTY 33, Eagleton 14

LAST SEASON The Royals historic run started with a Week 2 comeback in the second half against McMinn Central. Eagleton rattled off six consecutive wins into October, then shrugged off backto-back defeats to win its first region title over Oneida. The Royals blanked Cumberland Gap for their first-ever playoff victory, then pulled out the magic for second-round and quarterfinal wins over Grundy County and Bledsoe County, respectively.

16 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

An interesting name in the mix is Tysen Dorsey. The 6-foot-5 receiver played at William Blount last year but posted on social media that he would be transferring to Eagleton for his senior season. While nothing was official as of early-August, if he does suit up in The Village, Dorsey would be another boost to an already-talented corps. “The receiving crew that we have this year is super motivated,” Childs said. “We think Noel has all the gifts that can make him a successful receiver, and he’s all in and ready to lead that crew.” Eagleton is young on its offensive line, having lost stalwarts Jonathan Joyal, an All-State lineman, and Trevor Bright to graduation, but not deterred. Junior center Kendall Click will be a three-year starter on the line, and David Avila is a blocker with experience over three seasons. Though Avila hasn’t had many starting snaps, Childs praised the senior’s work over the offseason in getting his body gameready. Junior Carson Ferree is another name to watch on the line — he’s been inside the Eagleton football program since the sixth grade — and senior Mitchell Wilson moved from tight end to tackle. Sophomore Santiago Salazar should also factor into the mix, back with the Royals after taking his freshman season off from football.

EAGLETON

DEFENSE Eagleton has more production to replace on the defensive side of the football. The group held opponents to 20 points or less in eight of their 14 games last season, but the absence of All-State lineman Tyson Click will certainly be felt up front, while Cody Lewis and Fife were impactful linebackers, and Colton Relation was a top name at defensive back now gone. The Royals will be counting on an experienced secondary, a linebacker that, as a junior, is already being compared to program greats, and lots of two-way production to ease the growing pains of a unit trying to find its footing. Three consecutive road games to open the year won’t provide much leeway either. “We’re going to have a different group of two-way players, and we expect big things out of those guys,” Childs said. Three starters are back in Eagleton’s secondary: Meza-Flores, Lewis and senior Aiden Price. A cornerback position is still up for grabs. Burns-Jenkins and Nelson are in the mix alongside Landon Pickel, a basketball player that is trying football for the first time, and Heritage sophomore transfer Cash Golder. “Cash we’re excited about,” Childs said. www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025 State semis

Lost in first round

POST

2024 POST

2023 POST

9 10

2022

POST

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Kendall Click “Great motor, great kid to coach, awesome demeanor.” Britton, who will enter his junior season with two full years worth of starting experience, already has a chance to be remembered among Eagleton’s best, Childs said. Britton’s on pace to break Tyson Click’s newly-set career tackles record, and he’ll be anchoring the defense at linebacker. “There is potential for him to have another successful year,” Childs said of Britton. “He’s so smart, football IQ-wise. Great kid, hard worker, and he’s the leader of that defense.” Wilson is slated to be Eagleton’s other starting linebacker, and Kendall Click is a lock on the line, though he did not play much defense last season. The Royals expect Click to lead their two-way contributions on the defensive front alongside the others in the mix at offensive line — Avila, Ferree and Salazar. “He will hopefully not come off the field this year,” Childs said of Click. “He’s a wrestler. He’s a tough kid. He’s a bulldog. We need him to be able to play a whole bunch of snaps, even if he’s tired. Let’s go, it’s 2A football. I know it’s

The TSSAA playoff format, where the top-four teams from each region advance, means Eagleton has automatically secured a postseason berth. The Royals clinched two rounds of home-field advantage in last year’s playoffs by winning their region, and they’ll be hunting a repeat.

hot. He goes into that wrestling room and it’s 100 degrees, so he’ll be alright.”

SPECIAL TEAMS Meza-Flores was Eagleton’s top kicker last year and is set to handle all punting/kicking duties again in 2026. Meza-Flores proved the county’s top punter at the Jamboree last fall, and his kicking prowess was highlighted by a 30-plus yard field goal in the one-point quarterfinal win at Bledsoe County. The Royals’ approach to the return game is generating explosive plays, so they will stack their most likely candidates deep on returns with the hope of jump-starting drives in positive territory. “We want explosive plays back there, so we’re going to try to put explosive players back there,” Childs said. “Parker Lewis, we think is one of those dynamic, explosive guys. Aiden Price can be that. Noel can be that. Daniel Nelson is an explosive guy.” — Josh Lane

Eagleton’s home-opener in The Village is set for Sept. 11 against Sullivan East. The Royals will be looking for continued success on their own turf, as they went 6-1 in home games last season, including two postseason victories.

The Royals’ Week 7 bash with Tellico Plains, their Region 2-2A opener, is slated for a Rivalry Friday television broadcast on Oct. 2 at Eagleton. The matchup would be the first televised game in Eagleton’s four seasons of varsity football.

Home and Opp

Home

POWER METER 2025 PPG

Opp

EAGLETON

40 30 20

Opponent

10 0

Game

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

EAGLETON

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 17

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CHEROKEES GREENBACK SCHOOL REGION 2-1A sense of potential and excitement still surrounds Greenback football. Head coach Richie Wilhite shook things up in his first year at the helm, bolstering the roster and breathing life on both sides of the ball. Greenback put up some impressive numbers on offense, scoring 90 more points than it did in its previous season, and made big strides defensively, allowing 140 less points than the year prior. Beyond the statistics, Greenback showed that it could be a contender in Class 1A football once again. Last year, the Cherokees won a home game for the first time in two years, competed in most of their losses and doubled their win total. But despite all the team’s success, they only won three region games and were left out of the playoff picture for the second consecutive year. As a new season arrives, the Cherokees look to build on that foundation set last year and get back to playing at the standard that the passionate community of Greenback expects. “It’s exciting,” Wilhite said told The Daily Times. “You work hard all summer it goes by so fast, but at the same time, we’re

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

putting a lot of work in every day, in and out, and now we’re to the point where it’s, ‘Football season’ and we’re going to get a chance here soon to go against somebody with a different colored jersey on and see where we are, and that’s the exciting part of it.” Further aiding in the excitement is Greenback’s new home that started construction as soon as the season ended last year. This new Greenback stadium will feature an all-turf field, brand new lights, bleachers and a new and improved modern scoreboard. “The buzz of a new stadium is great,” Wilhite said. “Our kids are so excited for a chance to be playing in a new stadium. You can see they’re well on their way, putting turf down now. They tell us we’re going to be there for our first home game. So it’s exciting to start a new year on a new field, a new stadium.” Greenback will have its work cut out with some challenging matchups on the horizon. The Cherokees’ first game of the season will be a home matchup against Tellico Plains on Aug. 21. Last season the Bears shutout the ‘Kees. 30-0. Greenback will then take on Cosby before the facing the first wave of regional opponents with Midway, Harriman and Oliver Springs. The Cherokees will step out of region play to take on Eagleton, a team that finished one win shy of state title-game appearance last season. Greenback enjoys a bye week Oct. 8 before rounding out the season with Oakdale, Coalfield and Rockwood. Greenback football has a couple

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 19

KEY LOSSES The Cherokees graduated four seniors from last season. One of the top losses for the Cherokees was center Luke Morris, who helped GB record over 2,000 rushing yards. Greenback also lost tight end Gavin Payne, who was a physical presence and another reliable attack option. Kicker Terry Stow also left a gap on special teams.

RISING STARS Two players that have the potential to make an impact this year are sophomores Lucas Clifford and Cale Stinnett. Lucas was Greenback’s quarterback last year and provided a nice scoring option with his arm in the air on pivotal drives. Stinnett was a workhorse on the defensive side of things with 53 tackles.

20 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

ROSTER of CHEROKEES No........ Name

No........ Name

0...... Cale Stinnett 1....... Elliott Lindsey 2...... Tate Anderson 3...... Lucas Clifford 4...... Jaxson Smith 5...... Carson Loope 6...... Austin Morton 7...... Aidn Grindle 8...... Moses Bowling 9...... Cade Breedlove 12..... Lincoln Swann 13..... Griffin Cope 14..... Wyatt Sherman 15..... Connor Shoupe 16..... Colton Palmer 17..... Cooper Holt

18..... JP Moran 19..... Noah Isabell 20.... Cameron Wilbur 23.... Cam Morgan 24.... Kayne Wilson 25.... Knox Johnson 27.... Gunner Stinnett 28.... Michael Keeble 29.... Jaydynn Bailey 51..... Forrest Singer 52.... Chevy Walker 54.... Cameron Wilbur 55.... Xander Hanley 57.... Ben Anderson 59.... Silas Lorenz 65.... Ben Ensor

66... Soloman Newman 67.... Raylan Long 71..... Lucas Bryant 75.... Cooper Barrow 76.... Gavin Cunningham

GREENBACK

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

GREENBACK PRINCIPAL: Matt Brookshire ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Bill Satterfield HEAD COACH: Richie Wilhite (2nd season) 4-6; Playoffs 0-0 ASSISTANT COACHES: Zach Payne, Cody Wilhite, Leo Gonzalez, Sam McCloud ATHLETIC TRAINOR: Kate Waddell

CHEROKEES COLORS: Orange & Black CLASS: Region 2-1A HOME: Greenback Football Field

Moses Bowling OFFENSE

clear goals set before the season gets underway. One of those goals is to make it into the postseason. That starts with picking up some more regional wins after going 3-4 last year. “We play in one of the toughest regions in the state,” Wilhite said. “So making the playoffs in our region is a big thing. And for us to finish one game short last year, our guys kind of took that into the offseason. They wore that on their shoulder as something that they felt like we could have done, and not being able to do it is kind of being a catalyst for these guys, as far as their drive and ambition, saying, ‘Hey we’re not going to let that happen again this year’. We are going to do what it takes so that we can make that playoff run.” Greenback has a special senior class leading the way. Many of whom, like senior Cade Breedlove, have been a part of the team since middle school. “We’ve got a lot of great leaders in that group,” Wilhite said. “Seven of those guys, and we do what we call a ‘tribal council’ where we have eight tribal leaders and several of our seniors are our leaders in that group. And they do a phenomenal job, helping lead, and we want to be a player-led team, and those seniors go a long way of making that happen for us.”

The Cherokees are a team that favors the run game. Watching the ‘Kees march down field is something special to witness with offensive coordinator Cody Wilhite constantly mixing up play calls. It will be a veteran-laden group with Greenback returning nine offensive starters this year. Spearheading that charge is senior Elliott Lindsey, who was the team’s primary rusher last season with 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lindsey’s physical play-style and persistent ability to find gaps makes him one of the hardest backs to predict. Greenback’s running back depth is deep with names like Breedlove, Tate Anderson and Griffin Cope all projected to share the workload. Sophomore Lucas Clifford is back at quarterback, but also is no stranger to running the ball. Clifford was balanced in his approach last season with three rushing and three passing touchdowns along with 587 all-purpose yards split evenly between rushing and passing. Receivers like Carson Loope, Moses Bowling, Cope and Lincoln Swann will be Clifford’s targets if they choose to throw the ball. Last season, Greenback averaged around 20

Greenback has not made the postseason for two years. It’s not the norm, which has 32 playoff appearances and a state title as recently as 2017. The Cherokees are well aware of that drought.

Greenback will have at least five home games inside their brandnew stadium featuring a new scoreboard, updated bleachers, modern lighting and an all-turf field.

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

GREENBACK

STATE TITLES: 2 — 1987, 2017 PLAYOFF RECORD: 50-30 in 32 appearances

REGION 2-1A in 2025 Team

Reg

All

Scored Allowed

Coalfield Midway Oliver Springs Rockwood Greenback Wartburg Harriman Oakdale

7-0 5-2 5-2 5-2 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

8-2 7-3 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-8 1-8 3-7

462 301 291 320 192 157 138 150

101 258 214 168 232 336 336 297

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.09 10.18 10.23 10.30

Tellico Plains at Cosby at Midway * Harriman * at Oliver Springs * at Eagleton Wartburg * bye at Oakdale * Coalfield * Rockwood *

• Region 2-1A contest

48:

The Cherokees scored a high of 48 points twice last season, marking their most points since 2022. With plenty of returning talent, it’ll be interesting to see if Greenback will be able to exceed that production.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 21

Griffin Cope and Cade Breedlove 2025 RESULTS (4-6, 3-4 Reg 2-1A) TELLICO PLAINS 30, Greenback 0 GREENBACK 13, Cosby 12 MIDWAY 36, Greenback 7 GREENBACK 28, Harriman 16 OLIVER SPRINGS 35, Greenback 14 EAGLETON 27, Greenback 20 GREENBACK 48, Wartburg 7 GREENBACK 48, Oakdale 7 COALFIELD 35, Greenback 0 ROCKWOOD 27, Greenback 14

LAST SEASON Greenback doubled its wins from two seasons ago under first-year coach Richie Wilhite. The Cherokees bolstered their numbers and the team took major leaps in building up their offense and defense. Greenback won its first home game in nearly two years and went toe-t- toe with larger schools like Tellico Plains and Eagleton. With three region victories, the Cherokees missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

22 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

points per game and around 250 yards per contest. “We’re excited about our offense,” Wilhite said. “We got a lot of guys coming back on offense, so that’s always encouraging. Another year of growing in our system. Obviously, Elliott Lindsey, Lucas Clifford carried a lot for us last year. We’re putting a lot on him this year, and he’s doing a great job, and then guys like Cade Breedlove and Moses Bowling. We got some athletic guys that we can throw to as well with Cooper Holt, Carson Loope. We have to be able to be explosive and score some points.” One of the biggest advantages this season for Greenback is its offensive line. Four out of the five linemen come back, with the only loss being center Luke Morris. “Those guys were instrumental for us, and we got four out of the five back,” Wilhite said. “Lucas Bryant playing tackle for us is going to be a force. We’re excited to see what he’s going to do as well as other guys coming back and just working as a cohesive unit. We’re going to go as they go, because they’re the life blood of our offense”

GREENBACK

DEFENSE Similar to the offense, the Cherokees defense will remain largely the same with 11 returning starters. Lindsey, who earned All-State honors as a linebacker, will be one of the key player to watch. He had 103 tackles, two sacks and one tackle for loss last season and excelled at open-field tackles. The senior remains a foundational piece along with Breedlove, Tate Anderson and Cale Stinnett. Greenback made some big strides last season as a defensive unit and made opposing teams work for every inch. Greenback allowed its least amount of points since 2019 and 140 less than in 2024. “It’s exciting. They fly around. They love to get to the football and they don’t mind contact, which is great for us,” Wilhite said. “We may be a little undersized, but we make up for it with a lot of heart and a lot of attitude. And just the way they swarm to the football is what’s encouraging for us.” Many of the same names on the offensive side of the ball will make an impact on the

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025

POST

2024

POST

2023

Lost second rd

POST

2022 POST

SPECIAL TEAMS Greenback’s third phase was revitalized last year with Wilhite going back to having a traditional kicker after Greenback went several seasons without. The kicking and punting role was handled by Terry Stow last year, but after his graduation, the Cherokees needed

Lost in first rd

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Elliot Lindsey defensive side of things, but that’s just the way football is played in Class 1A. As a unit Greenback recorded seven sacks, six interceptions and eight fumbles recovered under the direction of defensive coordinator Zach Payne, who like Wilhite, is entering his second season with Greenback. “Guys like Jaden Bailey up front for us and Elliott Lindsey along with Tate Anderson, in the back, Cale Stinnett, who was a freshman last year and has made great strides will be important for us,” Wilhite said. “Guys like Carson Loope, Griffin Cope, Cooper Holt playing in the secondary for us are all back as well. So just some talented guys that we’re going to count on.”

9 10

Oliver Springs has been a thorn in the side of Greenback .In the past six matchups, the Cherokees took just one against the Bobcats — a 20-14 overtime win in 2021 at Cooper Field. Greenback hits the road to face Oliver Springs under its new head coach Rodney Ellison.

someone to step up. Stow’s replacement is projected to be junior Connor Shoupe. As far as punt returns, Greenback used several players in that position, mainly the running backs like Lindsey, Breedlove and Cope. “A lot of those skill guys will return the ball for us,” Wilhite said. “We got Connor Shoupe taking care of our kicking duties. He’s come into that a little bit, so we’re going to count on him to do that in a kick game.” Some support will come with some in the form of middle schoolers as has been the case throughout Greenback’s history. “We’ve got some eighth-graders that will come up and we’ll count on,” Wilhite said. “They just have to grow a little bit. They’ve worked really hard in the weight room, so as we progressed to the year, we’re going to be counting on those guys, especially in special teams roles.” — Nate Tosado

The Cherokees averaged 250 yards and 20 points a game. In the four games they won, the Cherokees scored in the opening quarter and recorded over 200 rushing yards

Greenback remains one of the craftiest teams in the area when it comes to running the ball. One thing to look for during the Cherokees’ drives are just how many different ways a team can get a first down on the ground. Expect Greenback to be physical and aggressive this upcoming August.

Home and Opp

Home

POWER METER 2025 PPG

Opp

GREENBACK

40 30 20

Opponent

10 0

Game

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

GREENBACK

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 23

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MOUNTAINEERS HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL REGION 2-4A he Mountaineers are an unproven bunch — and that might not be a bad thing. Having graduated a bevy of impactful seniors, the burden will fall on many new faces, especially those replacing the heavy-hitters on offense, to break a postseason drought that’s nearing a decade long. The Day 1 talent-level might not be what it was in 2025, when twoyear starting quarterback Madden McNeil ran coach Joe Osovet’s intensive offense, Thomas Bowers bulldozed the backfield and handled middle linebacker, and Heritage had plenty of size in the trenches. But the next group up has all the makings to be a good team — lots of raw talent, a desire to win at all costs and a belief undeterred by expectations — and those intangibles breed an abundance of optimism. “I don’t know if we’re as talented as we were last year, but if this makes sense, there’s more want-to,” Heritage’s head coach Osovet told The Daily Times. “More effort, more attention to detail. What that win total’s going to be, I can’t give a

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

number to it. But I like the makeup of this team.” Heritage hosts Clinton and CAK to start the year before opening Region 2-4A play with road trips to South-Doyle and Anderson County in Weeks 3 and 4. The Mountaineers have a chance at revenge when they visit Carter on Sept. 25 — last year’s three-point loss to the Hornets was a blow that kept them out of the playoffs — as well as in the Battle of the Bell on Oct. 2 at William Blount. The Mountaineers will end the regular season with three region games: at Alcoa, Gibbs on Rivalry Thursday on Oct. 22, and Union County in the finale. Region 2-4A is still top-heavy as it was a season ago with powerhouses Alcoa and Anderson County, but Heritage hopes it has the right makeup to squeeze into the top-four and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016. “There’s something to be said for a team that does all the little things right,” Osovet said, “that wants to be coached hard, that doesn’t just go through the motions at times, and that’s what this group is. So that’s what I’m excited about.”

OFFENSE Heritage will be looking for more consistency on offense, though admittedly that’s a lofty goal with so many first-timers at key positions. The Mountaineers averaged 25 points per game, and their season-high in offense didn’t come until Week 11 with 47 points against onewin Union County; Heritage scored more than 30

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 29

ROSTER of MOUNTAINEERS

KEY LOSSES Heritage will break in a new quarterback after Madden McNeil, a two-year starter, graduated. Offensive lineman Mason Justice signed with Maryville College — the Mountaineers’ lone collegiate player from last season’s team — while Thomas Bowers, Zayne Walker, Teagan Ruehling and Dylan Burgess were All-Region players in the Class of 2026.

RISING STARS Three freshmen on the perimeter, Malikye Morgan, Cole Christopherson and Ladan Agre, could get extended playing time as the season progresses. Offensive/defensive lineman Graesyn Moses is a freshman who joined Heritage after playing middle school football at Maryville. Newcomer to Blount County, junior Luke Harlan, transferred in from SLAM Academy of Nevada and will start on the offensive line.

No........ Name

1....... Kayden Filipo 2...... Ethan Bryant 3...... Rhett Hall 4...... Riley Isbill 5...... Sam McInnis 6...... Adan Belcher 7...... Walker Wheeler 8...... Jacob Perry 9...... Jace McCulla 11...... Troy Ervin 12..... Liam Knowles 13..... Reed Odom 14..... Austin Slade 15..... Malikye Morgan 16..... Camden Martin 17..... Cole Christopherson 18..... Timothy Wheeler 19..... Elijah Williams 20.... Ian Hawn

21..... Cameron Whitehead 22.... Bubba Patterson 23.... Landan Agre 24.... Ethan Holmes 25.... Brennan Guffey 26.... Marquis Williams 27.... Danny Pettry 28.... Connor Wheeler 35.... Hunter Bryant 42.... Alan Marlow 43.... Zane Jakobitz 50... Kamden Hutsell 51..... Brody Simpher 55.... Luke Garner 56.... Graesyn Moses 57.... Maddox Nieves 60... Brantley Delpont 63.... Steven Studman 66... Jayden Gibson

68... Luke Harlan 69... Sam Roberts 70.... Abram Riddick 71..... Jamie Byrd 76.... Connor Hilferty 78.... Gabriel White 81..... Gavin Binger 88... Jaxon McCulla 89... Thomas McIntosh 90... Gavin Hyatt

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HERITAGE

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

Connor Wheeler

HERITAGE PRINCIPAL: Holly Whitehead ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Robbie Bennett HEAD COACH: Joe Osovet (5th season) 16-23 ASSISTANT COACHES: Patrick Caylor, Patrick Doucette, Tom Doucette, Blake Holmes, Jeremiah Morris, Kelan Murphy, Eric Penson, Josh Pipkin, Bryce Ruis, Greg Ryan

THE MOUNTAINEERS COLORS: Scarlett & Columbia Blue on Grey CLASS: Region 2-4A HOME: James D. Lillard Field at Jack Renfro Stadium PLAYOFF RECORD: 2-7 in seven appearances

REGION 2-4A in 2025

points only three times in 2025. The key to consistency is in the details, and though unknown quantities ahead of the season, the Mountaineers feel that’s something their new starters can grow into. “We graduated a lot of pieces but there’s a lot of people returning on the perimeter,” Osovet said. “We’re a little bit green upfront. We returned three starters there. Quarterback is new. But I like where we’re at.” Quarterback Walker Wheeler epitomizes the spunk that Heritage’s next wave of contributors plays with. He didn’t see much action last season behind McNeil but has already mastered Osovet’s college-style scheme in a short time — even drawing comparisons to Wesley Deck, Heritage’s starting quarterback from 2022-23, whom Osovet often said held a “master’s degree” in running their offense. From the checks and reads to distributing the football with precision, Wheeler knows the X’s and O’s, but he’s also dedicated to improvement in a way that not many sophomores are.

10:

If Heritage does not make the playoffs, its postseason drought will reach 10 seasons — the Mountaineers last made the dance in 2016. The longest such streak in program history is 16 years.

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

“He gave up baseball so he can be the best he possibly can be, and he’s truly taken advantage of the situation of going in there and understanding every little nuance of what this offense is,” Osovet said. The Mountaineers did lose their top receiver from last season in Dylan Burgess, but the returning pass-catchers might be their most experienced position group. Seniors Ethan Bryant and 6-foot-4 Rhett Hall, and junior Troy Ervin all got lots of run when an injury cost Burgess a handful of games. Freshmen Malikye Morgan, Cole Christopherson and Landan Agre are new to the high school game but should factor into the mix as well. “The perimeter people I’m excited about,” Osovet said. “I think we have a special group here.” Heritage’s run game has the most new faces. Junior Kayden Filipo and senior Bubba Patterson had their share of playing time last year but were the second and third options behind Bowers. Osovet was pleased with both of their progressions this offseason, and they’ll

Three points is the margin by which Heritage missed out on the postseason. A win against either Carter or Gibbs would have clinched the No. 4 seed in Region 2-4A.

HERITAGE

Team

Reg

All

Scored Allowed

Anderson County Alcoa Gibbs Carter Heritage South-Doyle Fulton Union County

6-1 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 2-5 0-7

7-2 9-1 8-2 6-4 4-5 4-6 2-8 1-9

390 468 343 353 225 285 162 120

195 91 198 288 251 312 412 539

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.09 10.16 10.22 10.30

Clinton CAK at South-Doyle * at Anderson County * Fulton * at Carter * at William Blount bye at Alcoa * Gibbs * Union County *

• Region 2-4A contest

16:

Heritage is looking for win No. 16 all-time against the Governors in the Battle of the Bell. Should the Mountaineers get it done on Oct. 2, it would mark their third victory in the last five.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 31

Kayden Filipo and Ethan Bryant

2025 RESULTS (4-5, 3-4 Reg 2-4A) HERITAGE 28, CAK 21 HERITAGE 35, South-Doyle 14 ANDERSON COUNTY 63, Heritage 19 HERITAGE 30, Fulton 12 CARTER 28, Heritage 25 WILLIAM BLOUNT 34, Heritage 27 ALCOA 47, Heritage 0 GIBBS 17, Heritage 14 HERITAGE 47, Union County 13

LAST SEASON A weather cancellation at Clinton was an anticlimactic way to start the year, but the Mountaineers quickly found a groove with a comeback at CAK and wins in two of their first three region games. Losses to Carter and William Blount both went down to the wire, denying Heritage at the buzzer in backto-back weeks, and a three-point loss at Gibbs in Week 10 was the nail in the coffin for the Mountaineers’ playoff dreams. Heritage ended the year routing Union County but is still searching for its first postseason appearance in a decade.

32 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

have free rein running the football behind an offensive line that replaced two starters. Mason Justice and Weston Davis, Heritage’s largest lineman from last season both in impact and in size, are gone — Justice is playing at Maryville College, and Davis transferred in-region to Alcoa. Kamden Hutsell played last year but will be starting at center for the first time as a senior, while senior guards Brody Simpher and Sam Roberts are both returning. Junior Jamie Byrd has locked down right tackle after being the sixth man in Heritage’s rotation in 2025, and junior newcomer Luke Harlan, who moved in from Las Vegas, will handle left tackle.

DEFENSE A linebacker praised as one of the best in East Tennessee is set to lead a Heritage defense that still has some questions despite returning the majority of its starters from last year. Poised to be the Mountaineers’ strongest defensive unit in some time, the 2025 group regressed slightly from their 2024 production, allowing 27.7 points per game; though in seven matchups against teams not named Anderson County and Alcoa, that number dropped to 19.9 a game. There’s still experience in the secondary and on the defensive line, and senior Connor

HERITAGE

Wheeler is set to follow up a terrific junior campaign at linebacker. The Mountaineers are also changing their base defense — moving away from the 4-2-5 look that anchored the unit the last few seasons to a scheme with multiple variations under coordinator Bryce Ruis — and the team’s new identity has the attention to detail to make it work. “I want us just to come out and continue to be who we are,” Osovet said. “Continue with the identity that this group has made with being sticklers to setting the standard and doing all the little things right.” Wheeler, after an All-Region campaign in 2025, is the leader of the Mountaineer defense. Bowers is gone, but junior Ethan Holmes is taking over at will linebacker after playing significant snaps a season ago. “He’s got a big bite to chew because he’s replacing Thomas Bowers, but he’s done a good job for us in camp,” Osovet said of Holmes. “I like where we’re at with that group as well. They’re physical. They play downhill. We let them do that. We just want to eat up people up front, let our linebackers be able to scrape and make plays on the perimeter. We have two guys that have the ability to do that.” Roberts, Simpher and Byrd are returners that should impact the defensive line, though the absence of 2026 graduates Zayne Walker www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025

POST

2024

POST

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POST

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THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Troy Ervin and Trenton Francis will be felt. Hutsell and Alan Marlow are senior lineman, while Graesyn Moses is a freshman transfer from Maryville. The Mountaineers are also deep in their secondary, nearly all of whom return. Though they graduated Teagan Ruehling, Bryant and Hall will handle the cornerback position again, and Ervin returns at safety. The freshman trio of Morgan, Christopherson and Agre should play a role as well. “Our perimeter people on the offensive side really are back on the defensive side,” Osovet said. “So it’s a lot of experience coming back there.”

for a third season, and with a veteran kicking presence, depth at returners and lots of faces ready in the rotation, the unit is primed for another strong season. “I think we have one of the best special team coaches in East Tennessee in Josh Pipkin, who does a phenomenal job with our special teams,” Osovet said. “He always has a gameplan, always has answers. The truth be known, we’re playing a lot of people, so hopefully that’s a way we can steal some snaps on special teams and get some breathers for some of our starters up front.” Senior Gavin Hyatt, who joined the Mountaineers last fall from the soccer pitch, is the returning starter at kicker. Fellow senior Thomas McIntosh and junior Zane Jakobitz are two other kicking options for the Mountaineers. — Josh Lane

SPECIAL TEAMS The hiring special teams coordinator Josh Pipkin two years ago continued to be a revelation for the Mountaineers, who have drastically cut down on the third-phase miscues that so often proved costly during the first two seasons of the Osovet Homeera. and Opp Pipkin is leading Heritage’s special teams

Home

9 10

Inclement weather proved a false start to Heritage’s 2025 season, as its opener at Clinton was cancelled with the Mountaineers leading when the game was called, and it’s worth watching how former Heritage defensive coordinator, now Clinton head coach, Jake Dawson, does in a true test against Heritage.

The Mountaineers have one Rivalry Thursday game — hosting Gibbs in Region 2-4A action in Week 10 — and there could be plenty of playoff implications on the line. Heritage’s last Rivalry Thursday win was in 2024.

Heritage has won two straight games at WB in the Battle of the Bell series. Its 35-14 win at Skip Murrin Stadium in 2024 was Heritage’s third-largest margin of victory in the series. Their annual meeting is set for Week 7.

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2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

HERITAGE

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 33

34 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

REBELS MARYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL REGION 2-6A aryville knows it has all the pieces of a team that is capable of forging a lasting legacy. As one of Tennessee’s most prestigious powerhouse football programs steeped in a winning tradition, Maryville’s 101st team does not lose sight of that meaning. Under the direction of first-year head coach Kenny Cobble, Maryville football looks to learn from last season and compete for a state title for the first time since 2019. “We’ve got a great group of guys,” Cobble told The Daily Times. “They’re all a lot of fun to come practice with, and so you look forward to coming to work every day and seeing these guys. They’re always raring to go and excited to practice and the same for our coaching staff. So that makes it really easy to come to work.” Cobble said the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach has been different, but thanks to the foundation laid by previous coaches Derek Hunt and George Quarles, it’s been smooth sailing. “It’s also been really cool to get a chance to move

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

around a little bit at practice and watch some of our guys coach,” Cobble said. “We’re really blessed here, but man, to get to see some of those things happening live that I didn’t get to see as much in my other role has been pretty awesome.” Maryville fell short of its expectations last season, falling to Blackman in the playoff quarterfinals, but now the Rebels are primed and looking to book a trip back to the title game with a battle-tested squad. That vision starts with Maryville’s senior class. Cobble said the Class of 2027 is a special one and is ready to show the world that Maryville football has arrived. “This senior class is just one of the hardest working, most unselfish groups that I’ve been around,” Cobble said. “I think they’re always looking out for each other. They’re always looking out for the team. The coolest thing is we’ll be in practice and when one of those guys comes off the field and then another group’s in, they’re out there coaching, encouraging guys. I think there’s a strong desire to be successful here and it starts with them.” The Rebels understand that they play for something much bigger than themselves — their school, community and their brothers beside them. “I don’t think you can find better support than you get in Maryville,” Cobble said. “The expectations are high here, but the amount of support and the willingness to come out and be a part of the program and support our boys is what we need, and it’s second to none.”

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 35

ROSTER of REBELS

KEY LOSSES Headlining Rebels’ key losses is wide receiver Tory Beaufort. The senior set a Maryville single-game record with 208 receiving yards and tied the program record with four receiving touchdowns. He ended with 1,044 passing yards, the first Rebel to do so in a decade. Maryville’s primary running back Cohen Babelay added to the offense losses. Lineman Mack Serr and safety Andrew Smith were among Maryville’s most influential leaders now missing on defense.

RISING STARS Junior Kash Tucker will be someone to keep an eye on at the running back position. Tucker saw limited time rushing the ball last year, but made the most in his five attempts with 60 yards and a touchdown. Fellow junior defensive lineman Quincy Prigmore, who had 22 tackles, four TFLs and two sacks last season, will once again be an impact player on defense.

No........ Name

0.......Mill Crenshaw 0.......Reese Raisor 1........Haynes Davis 2.......Calvin Stinson 3.......Cavon Carter 4.......Gavin Craig 5.......Will Jones 6.......Colton Foust 7.......Ethan Farhat 8.......Kash Tucker 9.......J.P. Peace 10......Brayden Black 11.......Asher Akard 12......Donovan McCray 13......Malachi Ramsey 14......Chase Tucker 16......Will Elder 17......Luke Morris 18......Kyle Clark 19......Harrison Smith 20.....Joey Favaro 21......Grant O’Quinn 22.....Na’Dyan Foulks 23.....Brenton Campbell 24.....Preston Bates 25.....Davis Crim 26.....Luke Briscoe 27.....Dax Cole 28.....Ty McClanahan 29.....Seth Smithson

30.....Jonas Williams 31......Corbin Breeden 32.....River Faunce 33.....Drew Garland 34.....Mason Newland 35.....Ty McMurray 36.....J.D. Melanson 37.....Logan Melanson 38.....Malachi Gowan 39.....Adam Lowe 40....Steven Monday 41......Julian Melendy 42.....Theo Killebrew 43.....Tipton McCoy 44.....Wyatt Wilber 45.....Tucker McMahan 46.....Julian Criscillis 47.....Tyson Metz 48....Kevin Lawson 49.....Eli Greenway 50.....Cole Pinkerton 51......Quincy Prigmore 52.....J.R Ervin 53.....Marcos Wilson 54.....Zeke Ramsey 55.....Landon Marcus 56.....Mason Mills 57.....Chance Caswell 58.....Andrew Seratt 59.....Reese Reagan

61......Austin Booth 62.....Austin Booth 63.....Joshua Newman 65.....Gabe Schito 66....Aiden Thmason 67.....Bryson Coltharp 68....Owen Moore 72.....Kamdyn Silcox 75.....Robby Lurtsema 76.....Gray Livingston 77.....Jaxon Braden 79.....Garrett Moss 80....Austin Snow 80....Ayuel Lual 81......Cade Robinson 82.....Jaxson Vincent 83.....Jamie Worsham 84.....Garrett Jones 84.....Reece White 85.....Rhys Gardner 86....Thomas Heilman 87.....J.T. Allen 88....Julian Douglas 89.....Grayson Greenwood 90....Josiah Black 91......Jess Yoakum 93.....Henry Hamilton 94.....Blake Waid

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MARYVILLE PRINCIPAL: Heather Hilton ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Brad White HEAD COACH: Kenny Cobble (1st season) 0-0 ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeremy Russell, Lamar Brown, Jason Hicks, Hoe Robinette, Ryan Tallent, Nick Myers, Chase White, Bryce Brown, Tommy Ledford, Adam Hendricks, DJ Roberts, Brandon Waters, Mike White II, Nick White, Chad Ramsey, Michael Bosco, TJ Emory, Peyton Cooper

THE REBELS

Will Jones OFFENSE

Maryville’s offense starts with senior quarterback Will Jones. The four-year starter is coming off one of his best seasons where totaled 2,558 yards, 33 touchdowns and a 78.9% completion rate. Jones makes an impact with his high IQ and calm demeanor in the clutch while also being versatile with his legs. Whether a scramble or a designed run, Jones was the team’s second-highest rusher last year with 407 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 carries. Along with Jones, Maryville returns a slew of key offensive players including senior wide receivers Colton Foust and Julian Douglas. Foust was Jones’ No. 2 target, last season going for 459 yards on 32 catches with five touchdowns. Douglas added 351 receiving yards with three touchdowns. Maryville also has options at receiver like Cavon Carter and Ethan Farhat, a transfer from Farragut. While a big gap will be felt without WR1 Tory Beaufort, who recorded 1,044 receiving yards an a team-leading 15 TDs, the returning core is more than capable of making a splash. “It’s fantastic to have a strong returning core,” Cobble said. “Those guys are all really good friends and enjoy hanging out together.

You got Will who’s played so much football here, coming into his fourth year as a starter, has just played a ton of snaps for us and it’s like having another coach out there, to be honest with you. “I think Cavon Carter will really be in the mix. He’ll be a name that people get really familiar with in a hurry at the receiver position.” Maryville will be without last year’s starting running back Cohen Babelay, but a transfer from South-Doyle in Mill Crenshaw is more than ready to fill that void. Crenshaw was a top rusher for the Cherokees and finished his sophomore season with 381 yards on 53 carries with seven touchdowns. “We’ll have several guys step into some of those roles and be factors in that position,” Cobble said. “Guys like Kash Tucker and Hayes Davis and Mill Crenshaw will be in that mix. “What’s really neat is just how hard they practice and how hard they work. Anytime you’ve have your top returning players also being your hardest workers, it kind of sets the tone for everybody else and they’ve been fantastic with that.” Maryville is a team that scores fast and often. It won’t be a matter of if the Rebels put

It’s one of the most fierce rivalries in the state and it’s Maryville’s very first game of the year. The Battle of Pistol Creek is Maryville’s first game of the new season and a perfect measuring stick .

This season is the last dance for Will Jones. The four-year starter has gotten better with each year, as he was a Mr. Football semifinalist with 2,558 passing yards and 41 total touchdowns as a junior.

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

MARYVILLE

COLORS: Red & Black CLASS: Region 2-6A HOME: Jim Renfro Field at Skeeter Shields Stadium STATE TITLES: 17 — 1970, ‘76, ‘78, ‘98, 2000, ‘01, ‘02, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘10, ‘11, ‘13, ‘14, ‘17, ‘19 PLAYOFF RECORD: 142-29 in 46 appearances

REGION 2-6A in 2025 Team

Reg

All

Scored Allowed

Maryville Oak Ridge Bradley Central Farragut Hardin Valley Cleveland Bearden

6-0 5-1 4-2 3-3 2-4 1-5 0-6

9-1 9-1 7-3 3-7 4-6 1-9 0-9

410 304 279 196 249 131 71

82 115 123 292 261 353 343

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.19 10.16 10.23 10.29

Alcoa at Knox West Bearden * Cleveland * at Farragut * Hardin Valley * Cookeville bye at Science Hill at Bradley Central * at Oak Ridge *

• Region 2-6A contest

Maryville is going on seven years since its last state championship in 2019 played for a state title in 2019. Head coach Kenny Cobble said the ultimate goal is to do whatever it takes to get back on top.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 37

Dax Cole 2025 RESULTS (11-2, 5-0 Reg 2-6A) ALCOA 28, Maryville 21 MARYVILLE 48, West 7 MARYVILLE 56, Bearden 0 MARYVILLE 44, Cleveland 7 MARYVILLE 42, Farragut 17 MARYVILLE 45, Hardin Valley 6 MARYVILLE 35, Cookeville 0 MARYVILLE 42, Science Hill 10 MARYVILLE 43, Bradley Central 7 MARYVILLE 34, Oak Ridge 0 PLAYOFFS MARYVILLE 41, West Ridge 7 MARYVILLE 47, Riverdale 18 BLACKMAN 31, Maryville 7

LAST SEASON Maryville opened the year with a competitive loss against Alcoa in the Battle of Pistol Creek before rebounding with nine-straight wins to claim the Region 2-6A title for the 39th time. Maryville went on to decimate West Ridge in the first round of the playoffs before defeating Riverdale in round two. The Rebels’ title hopes were dashed in the third round when they fell to Blackman, ending Maryville’s 100th season two wins shy of a title-game appearance.

38 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

up points, but when they will be on the same page. “We’re really interested in trying to do what we need to make the playoffs,” Cobble said. “We would love to find a way to be at the top of our region, find a way to host a playoff game, all those are goals that our kids have said. And what it really is going to come down to is our kids and how fast we can kind of get together, all be on the same page and put all the personal goals aside. How soon can we all get focused on the team and the team goals and let the rest just fall where it will. “The sooner we get to that, I think the better we’re going to be in the long run and the cool thing is we’ve got guys that are leading us that way right now and we haven’t even started the season.”

DEFENSE The Rebels’ defense has a lot to be excited about, with plenty of talent adding to a deep group of returners. Maryville’s leading tackler Dax Cole is back after posting 126 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and five sacks. Linebacker Wyatt Wilber, who recorded 98 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack, will be another impact player and Knox West transfer JP Peace, who is verbally committed to Tennessee and is

MARYVILLE

the grandson of Phillip Fulmer, will bolster Maryville’s defensive presence. “We are excited about our defense,” Cobble said. “Up front, we’ve got Quincy Prigmore back, who’s going to be a name everybody recognizes really quickly this year, played a lot of football for us last year, and then of course, that linebacking core with Dax and Wyatt being back, and the addition of JP Peace. They’re a fantastic group. “All these guys that I mentioned work so hard on the field and work so hard off the field really sets the tone for our team. On the back end, senior Chase Tucker’s back at safety, and so he’ll be leading that group as we move into the year. And so we’ve got some really good players back that have played a lot of football that will kind of set the tone for our whole defense.” Last season Maryville was an excellent defensive team, shutting out four opponents and allowing more than 20 points just twice. The Rebels made rushing the ball a problem and limited opponents to 100 yards or less on the ground. With the promotion of Cobble, a new defensive coordinator will be on the sidelines for the Rebels. Lamar Brown, former head coach at Knox West, joined Maryville coaching staff last year. www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025

POST State Qtrs

2024 POST

State Semis

2023

Second Rd

POST

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2022 POST

State Semis

THREE THINGS TO WATCH Colton Foust “I’ve known Lamar a long time,” Cobble said. “We’ve coached against each other for a lot of years and known each other personally for a lot of years, and the chance to see him come in and find his fit here, and he’s been such a great addition to our staff. “He brings so much to the table as a coach and as a person we’re just so fortunate. We feel like we’ve had a great staff for a lot of years, and then here comes Lamar Brown in, and we’ve gotten better, and so we’re glad to have him. He’s going to be fantastic in that role. He’s a really, really hard worker, really thorough guy and a great communicator. I think he’s one of the best communicators I’ve been around with our staff and with our kids. And so it’s nothing but a bonus for us.”

will likely be replaced by Colton Foust. Last year, Foust returned just one punt for 19 yards in his lone attempt. The 5-foot-10 receiver possesses a combination of speed and agility that will make him hard to wrangle to start a drive. Farragut transfer Julian Melendy is projected to take over kicking and punting duties this season after Hudson Jamerson graduated. “I think Colton Foust has been big in our return game, he’ll be back there some this season,” Cobble said. “Mill Crenshaw will be a factor in our return game as well. Kicking the ball. Julian Melendy is going to be a name that comes out. He’s going to be able to kick it and punt it and be our kickoff guy. He’s got a really strong leg and I think will be a factor there. We’re excited about those special teams guys too. I think we’ve got some shrinks in that area too.” — Nate Tosad0

SPECIAL TEAMS The Rebels will have some new faces on their special teams unit this year. Maryville’s main punt returner Tory Beaufort, who took all but five out of the 18 returns last season,

Running back Mill Crenshaw, a transfer from South-Doyle, will be one of Maryville’s primary rushers. In his sophomore campaign at South-Doyle, Crenshaw averaged 67 yards a game and was responsible for seven rushing touchdowns on the season.

Another big pickup for the Rebels this year is transfer JP Peace. The 6-foot3, 215 pound OLB brings some size to Maryville’s defense and provides some additional pressure off the edge. Peace verbally committed to Tennessee in 2025.

With Kenny Cobble’s promotion to head coach, former Knox West head coach Lamar Brown will be calling shots as Maryville’s new defensive coordinator. Brown brings a wealth of coaching knowledge with him as he coached eight seasons at West.

Home and Opp

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2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

MARYVILLE

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 39

READY FOR EVERY MILE. CHEERING FOR EVERY YARD. Have a fun and successful season!

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GOVERNORS WILLIAM BLOUNT HIGH SCHOOL REGION 2-5A he Governors aren’t shying away from the rebuild. The class that survived William Blount’s winless 2022 season as freshmen, then made the playoffs just two years later, graduated after 2025. There will be a noticeable changing of the guard on Stadium Drive, with only two starters slated to return for the Govs on each side of the football. But adversity presents opportunity, and the next crop of Govs won’t turn away from their moment in the spotlight. “We’re just really young and we’re building,” WB head coach Robert Reeves told The Daily Times. “There’s some good young talent in there. I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to seeing what this group can do as we get through the remainder of the season.” So what does growth look like for the Govs in a rebuilding year? Reeves wants to see vocal leadership, a competitive drive and a finish attitude from a group of players still learning about themselves. For all the talent that last year’s team possessed, finishing games often proved an elusive task, and two haunting region losses made the difference in missing out on the playoffs. William Blount has its Week 1 opener at Loudon circled as a tone-setter, and it wants as many home victories as it can stack — the Govs have Austin-East (Week 2), Halls (Week 5), Heritage (Week 7), Central (Week 10) and Campbell County (Week 11) at Skip Murrin

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

Stadium this season. Clinton and Powell make for a two-game region road trip in September, and after the Battle of the Bell on Oct. 2, the Govs will enjoy their bye week before a trip to Knox West in Week 9. “Just going into this first game, wow, that’s a big game,” Reeves said. “Always win the first game, you know? And then win all your home games. And then win your region games, and then all that takes care of itself. So again, that pretty much goes back to what we always say, one game at a time.” The other piece of the Govs’ puzzle will be avoiding further injuries. Multiple key starters are already working their way back from 2025 ailments, and with so many unknowns on both sides of the football, depth is not a luxury William Blount possesses. “We’ve got to avoid the injury bug,” Reeves said. “That’s the key.”

OFFENSE Nearly all of William Blount’s biggest producers on offense graduated. Two All-Region receivers return and have inspired confidence in an unproven, but still deep

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 41

ROSTER of GOVERNORS

KEY LOSSES It might be quicker to list the Govs returning for 2026 rather than all those key pieces now gone. Quarterback Jaxon Dabrowski, a Maryville College signee, left the biggest void, but not far behind him is running back Ayden Kline (Campbellsville). Tobey Criss, Xzander Monroe (Carson-Newman) and Jude Harbin were lineman that graduated, as did Battle of the Bell hero, defensive back Nate Basler.

RISING STARS The Governors will have many untested underclassmen thrust into larger roles in 2026. Jalen Ross, a 300-pound sophomore lineman that moved from Alabama to East Tennessee, has turned heads in his short time with the program. Jacob Craig might be a senior, but he’s still a somewhat unfamiliar face as a first-time starter at running back.

No........ Name

0...... Mason Johnson 2...... Tae Williams 3...... Mason Propst 4...... Areyus Sanchez-Williams 5...... Jacob Diehl 6...... Jensen Bolinger 7...... Fisher Newman 8...... Braden Bird 9...... Wyatt Kehren 10.... Ryan Pittman 11...... Caleb Kotiadis 12..... Zach Clemmer 13..... Charlie Cheatham 14..... Gavin Robison 15..... Kai Swank 16..... Aden Smith 17..... Avery Baker 18..... Sean McCracken 19..... Karson Wheat

21..... Nolan Patty 22.... Jacob Craig 26.... Aidan Kelly 28.... Reed Clendenen 29.... Jalani DeHart 30.... Cooper Crumpton 32.... Ayden Tyler 33.... Zayden Monroe 40... Ben Demalis 42.... Noah Melton Pollard 43.... Kade Shapton 44... Daniel Teuscher 45.... Jack Rodgers 47.... Hunter Fife 50... Jason Hernandez 51..... Logan Little 52.... Jaxon Dingess 53.... Eli Patty 56.... Jalen Ross

62.... Carter Kagley 63.... Nick Carver 65.... Jon Gass 67.... Kaiden Boyer 70.... James Haynes 72.... Jace Duhn 73.... Matt Baumgardner 74.... Ben DeGiobbi 75.... Jameson Albert 77.... Sam Thompson 81..... Wyatt Quinn 82.... Corbin Fout 84... Jonah Tindell 87.... Isaiah Simmons 88... Randy Roberts 90... Tim Summers

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THE DAILY TIMES

982-0802 WILLIAM BLOUNT

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WILLIAM BLOUNT PRINCIPAL: Patrick Bethel ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Jordan Conley HEAD COACH: Robert Reeves (5th season) 16-25; Playoffs 0-1 ASSISTANT COACHES: Drew Blair, Jeffery Booker, Ryan Bolinger, Chadd Clabough, Jacob Cortez, Jeff Cortez, Noah Davidson, Kevin Kelly, Blake St. Clair, Ricky Upton

THE GOVERNORS COLORS: Blue & Orange CLASS: Region 2-5A HOME: Mike White Field at Skip Murrin Stadium

Fisher Newman pass-catching room, but with new faces on the line as well, there’s still plenty of questions for the offense led by long-time coordinator Chadd Clabough. “We’re breaking in a brand-new quarterback. Brand-new running back, even though the running back played a lot last year,” Reeves said. “We’ve got two offensive linemen that are back. The rest are new guys. So again, you look at that, three, maybe four guys on offense, that played last year. There’s some new guys that’ll rotate in and out.” Fisher Newman backed up Dabrowski last season, but he’ll have the reins of the offense for the first time as a senior. Newman hasn’t played much varsity football behind Dabrowski, who passed for nearly 2,000 yards and was the Region 2-5A Co-Quarterback of the Year, and he wasn’t helped by a concussion that cost him three games in 2025. But William Blount likes his knowledge of the offense and his physical traits — athleticism, speed and an accurate deep ball. All Newman will need to develop into the quarterback the Govs believe he can be is time. He’ll get starting reps in abundance when WB opens the season at Loudon on Aug. 21. Junior Jensen Bolinger will be his backup. “He works hard. He competes at our

scrimmages, at our 7-on-7’s, so I’m looking forward to see what he can do,” Reeves said of Newman. Juniors Gavin Robison and Braden Bird give the Govs two All-Region players for Newman to throw the football to. Robison (44 receptions, 659 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Bird (28 receptions, 405 yards, 6 touchdowns) both excelled as sophomores. Robison is a speedier threat on the perimeter, though he’s working his way back from an injury, while Bird, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, will play tight end. Senior Tae Williams saw plenty of action as a junior last season — Reeves said he’s the Govs’ “best receiver in a lot of ways,” and called his route running “impeccable” — while junior Mason Propst has as much upside as any WB receiver. He’s new to the position but is one of the fastest players on the team. “We’ve got some nice younger guys coming who are going to back them up,” Reeves said. “This year we’re not going to be as much two-platoon offense because we’re going to have kids play a lot of different roles. So there’s some other young guys that are pushing in there for some playing time too. My goal is 12 deep across the board at receiver. We just want

The Govs would do well to play a complete 48 minutes. Last year WB blew fourth-quarter leads in region losses to Halls and Central — a win in either game would’ve put the Govs into the playoffs.

WB set a school record with 395 total points — besting a short-lived mark set in 2023 (363 ). A new backfield will have an uphill climb to reach similar scoring numbers.

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2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

395:

WILLIAM BLOUNT

PLAYOFF RECORD: 4-14 in 14 appearances

REGION 2-5A in 2025 Team

Reg

All

Powell Knox Central Halls Knox West William Blount Karns Clinton Campbell County

7-0 6-1 5-2 4-3 3-4 2-5 1-6 0-7

8-1 336 8-2 350 5-4 296 4-5 256 6-4 395 3-7 233 2-7 237 0-10 55

Scored Allowed

146 244 216 196 303 328 336 461

2026 SCHEDULE 08.21 08.28 09.04 09.11 09.18 09.25 10.02 10.09 10.16 10.23 10.29

at Loudon Austin-East at Clinton * at Powell * Halls * at Karns * Heritage bye at Knox West * Knox Central * Campbell County *

Region 2-5A contest

William Blount’s last home victory in the Battle of the Bell series came in 2020. Heritage has won two games in a row at Mike White Field, but the Govs can end that streak Oct. 2.

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 43

Gavin Robison 2025 RESULTS (6-4, 3-4 Reg 2-5A) WILLIAM BLOUNT 49, Loudon 0 WILLIAM BLOUNT 59, Austin-East 20 WILLIAM BLOUNT 48, Clinton 35 Powell 47, William Blount 16 Halls 38, William Blount 24 WILLIAM BLOUNT 55, Karns 30 WILLIAM BLOUNT 34, Heritage 27 Knox West 59, William Blount 14 Knox Central 40, William Blount 39 WILLIAM BLOUNT 57, Campbell County 7

LAST SEASON The Govs were all or nothing in 2025. The offense set a school record for points scored in a single season — three-straight wins to open the year scoring 48-plus points did the heavy lifting — but WB cooled off in region play. An iconic Battle of the Bell win at Heritage was a highlight, but the Govs couldn’t close out Knox Central and finished one game out of the postseason picture.

44 | ODYSSEY BEGINS

to have as much as we can.” William Blount had size in the trenches last year, but the next batch of contenders have been hard at work in the weight room trying to bolster a Govs line that returned two players from a year ago. Carter Kagley and Sam Thompson, both of whom squat 500-plus pounds, will anchor the line, while senior Jameson Albert is back on the field after missing extended time his junior season to injury. Jalen Ross moved to William Blount from Alabama, and as a sophomore, he already stands at 300 pounds. Seniors Logan Little and Jon Gass have limited offensive line experience but will both be in the mix. Running behind that line is senior Jacob Craig, a first-time starter. Craig has big shoes to fill after Ayden Kline, an All-Region back and collegiate signee, graduated, but Reeves said he is already stronger than Kline ever was despite a 5-foot-7, 185-pound frame. “That’s a lot of mass in a little body,” Reeves said.

DEFENSE William Blount’s depth isn’t quite what it was last year when they had the numbers to

WILLIAM BLOUNT

have offense-only and defense-only players. As they enter 2026, the Govs will be counting on a number of players to contribute on both sides of the football, and a rotating stall of underclassmen hope to fill in the gaps for a unit that allowed just over 30 points a game a year ago. “A lot of these guys are going to have to play both ways,” Reeves said. “We’re OK with that, but they’re also getting pushed for some younger guys that I’m excited about too. Defensively, it’s going to be really for us, a little bit more by committee.” Two players in the pass rush are the leaders of the William Blount defense: senior linebacker Mason Johnson and senior defensive end Isaiah Simmons. Johnson doesn’t like the spotlight, but Reeves called him the “alpha” of the group after an All-Region season in 2025. “He’s an animal, but he’s very low-key. He doesn’t like attention to himself,” Reeves said of Johnson. “He doesn’t like anything like that, ‘Look at me.’ He gets embarrassed easily. But he’s gifted and a good overall player.” Simmons will lead the front line that includes some experience Govs like Gass, www.thedailytimes.com | 2026

VICTORIES PER SEASON 1

2025

9 10

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2024 POST

Lost in first rd

2023

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2022

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THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Braden Bird who played only defense last season, and some newcomers in Kagley, who was an offense-only lineman in 2025. In the secondary, Areyus Sanchez-Williams, Tae Williams and Propst give the Govs three defensive backs with experience. Bird didn’t play defense last year but will be a newcomer to the unit, and some underclassmen will get tested everywhere else as WB and defensive coordinator Jeff Cortez learns what they have beyond 2026.

SPECIAL TEAMS The Govs’ phase with the least amount of questions is special teams. Two returning players will handle the kicking duties, two long snappers have Reeves excited for the consistency they can bring, and plenty of speed gives WB options in the return game. Junior Ayden Tyler is still kicking for the Govs and continues to get better as he learns Home and Opp

the game of football — he was a soccer player first, but his kick-offs are reaching the end zone more consistently. It doesn’t hurt that he ran an electronically-timed 4.54 40-yard dash, either. “Don’t rush the kick too much, because we might fake it,” Reeves said. “He’s fast. He’s really fast.” Junior linebacker Hunter Fife will also punt for the Govs, and Reeves said he was the best punter they have had. The head coach also mentioned two long snappers who have an often-overlooked but extremely crucial role in special teams success: Logan Little on punts and Carter Kagley on field goals. “I feel good about our special teams,” Reeves said. “Our punter, when he kicks it, he knocks the pigskin off of it. And our kicker might be the fastest in the state.” — Josh Lane Home

POWER METER 2025 PPG

The season-opener at Loudon will be an immediate test for the Govs. William Blount trounced the Redskins, 49-0, a year ago, but that squad was much more a proven quantity than the 2026 Govs.

It’s been four years since the Battle of the Bell was claimed by the same team in consecutive seasons. WB had the last winning streak in the series, four in a row, from 2018-22. The Govs host Heritage in Week 7, looking to make it backto-back wins.

Receiver duo Gavin Robison and Braden Bird have the potential to be something special for the WB offense. Still only juniors, the two pass-catchers burst on the scene last season, accounting for over 1,000 combined yards, and each earned All-Region recognition.

Opp

Opponent

Game

2026 | THE DAILY TIMES

WILLIAM BLOUNT

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