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Aug.23, 2024 at Loudon
Aug.30, 2024 Whitwell
Sep.6, 2024 at Coalfield
Sep. 13, 2024 Harriman
Sep.20, 2024 at Oakdale
Sep.27, 2024 Oneida
Oct. 4, 2024 Rockwood
Oct. 10, 2024 Midway
Oct. 25, 2024 at Sunbright
Nov. 1, 2024 at Oliver Springs * *Senior Night*
NATE TOSADO
nate.tosado@news-herald.net
The Greenback High School football team lost a lot of talent this previous season, yet they remain confident heading into a brand-new era of Cherokees' football.
The 2024 team looks to build off the foundations set last year — after they successfully made it to the second round of playoffs and finished with an overall record of 5-7.
“We're really young,” second-year head coach
Tommy Clemmer told The News-Herald. “We're (made up primarily of) freshmen and sophomores. I think we've got two juniors and then two seniors" at least one of which hasn't played since the sixth grade, according to coach.
"(Our) numbers are really low since the start of the middle school program," coach Clemmer added.
In the past, before the middle school program got underway, Greenback's middle school-aged student athletes were able to play with the Cherokees' high school squad. Not anymore, however — which has reduced the number of players on the high school team. "But," coach Clemmer said, "I





think we just had two more players walk on recently, (so) we're up to about 26 players now.
"It's

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a good building year.”

As aforementioned, coach Clemmer is at the helm of Greenback's almost entirely new team; before filling the Cherokees' head coaching position, he was a long time assistant coach with the program.
With all the challenges facing the varsity squad, Clemmer said the underclassmen who are returning already have an edge on their opponents.
“The three eighth-graders that started for us last year, they feel like they're upperclassmen now — as far as their confidence level goes and that goes a long way,” coach said. “So that time on the field (is important), and even the ones who didn't start got a lot of playing time.
"When (they see) the kids who never walked out and played in a high school football game before, (these experienced Greenback players') eyes light up! The (veteran players) like it and

No. Name Grade
1 Cody Lewis Junior
2Parker Lewis Freshman
4 Wyatt Sherman Freshman
5 Carson Loope Freshman
6 Gavin Payne Junior
8Moses Bowling Freshman
9 Cade Breedlove Sophomore
12 Lincoln Swann Freshman
13Griffin Cope Freshman
18Wyatt Campbell Freshman
20Cameron Wilbur Sophomore
23Mason Costoulaz Sophomore
24Charlie Hall Junior
50 Branson Black Senior
52Jaydynn Bailey Sophomore
54 Tate Anderson Sophomore
55 Bryson Bivens Freshman
56Luke Morris Junior
57Owen O’Donnell Senior
67Taylan Long Freshman
75Cooper Barrow Sophomore
76Kenen Gazley Freshman




Assistant Coaches:

“Cody’s one of the juniors who is athletic and wants to help us in any way he can to make us better; so he will fill that role nicely with what we're doing this year.”
remain willing to learn and have been responsive to the coaches' advice.
ready and in our scrimmages defensively we have the same faces on both sides of the ball.
"But we'll be all right. I think (when) region play (comes), we'll be competitive.”
Lucky for Greenback, one of their few upperclassmen
— junior center Luke Morris — brings a lot of defense to the game. Morris’s overall size and athleticism will no doubt be a welcome addition to both the Cherokees' offensive and defensive line.
“One of my main goals is I want to see improvement in our younger classmen,” Morris said. “They're the future of this program and I think there's a lot of talent there, but there's a lot of improvement that can be made.
"I want to see them grow and flourish — and I want to see them win some football games.”
mer said that the program will be taking things slowly at first and isn't too focused on the challenges down the road.
In fact, coach Clemmer said that instead of looking outward they will be looking inward to improve.
“We prepare them for whoever we're playing, but it's basically about us,” coach said. “It's about what we do and how we execute.
"You can go out there and fill up positions, but (you also have to) hold yourself accountable and compete. I told them, 'We'll have you ready for whoever we are playing, you just have to step up and compete and execute.'"
Key matchups on Greenback’s schedule include athome bouts against Whitwell on Aug. 30 and Rockwood on Oct. 4, who narrowly beat the Cherokees 15-12 and 35-20, respectively, last season.

Tony Hitson: Offensive line special teams
Tylor Jones: Defensive backs

Gray Williams: Defensive Tackles


Tanner Hanley: Defensive centers,

Samuel McCloud: Running backs, linebackers
Bryce Ruis:




Tim Wineyard:Wide receivers
Principal: Matt Brookshire



they feel that they've already done all that.”
The Cherokees enter the new season in somewhat of a bind, after losing almost all of their offensive talent due to graduation or transfer. As an example, one of the few underclassmen who did have experience, then-sophomore quarterback Madden McNeal,
recently transferred to Heritage High School.
The absence of returning players has proved a challenge for Greenback’s coaching staff during the offseason — even though determined new faces now step into those vacated roles. In fact, the Cherokees will see new players in the quarterback, receiving and O-line positions.
“Cody Lewis will be taking that role as quarterback and Griffin Cope will be his backup,” coach Clemmer shared.
The junior got reps behind seniors last year and was a reliable option on the ground, as well as in the air. Lewis will be entering his third year with the program and is a natural competitor.
“I'm competitive and I don't like to lose," Lewis said. "I hate losing. I can't stand it.
“And a lot of the other guys on this team, they're competitive as well. My little brother, Parker (Lewis), he's a freshman and he's the same way. I can't tell you how many times we get into a fight because we're so competitive and we just want to win.”
Lewis will no doubt be one of the on-the-field leaders and will hold a lot of weight in regard to setting the tone this year.
“We have a no-lose attitude, and we won't back down from any challenge.” the junior quarterback said.
According to coach Clemmer, the Cherokees will most likely again be "run strong."
Last season, the Greenback players blitzed for 1,514 total yards.
While most of the players are new to the sport, they


The Greenback Cherokee Band is proud to announce that senior Emma Kilby will be the Drum Major for the 2024-2025 season.
Emma has been a member of the band here at Greenback since she was in 7th grade playing clarinet.
While working at the top of her class she has become proficient with other instruments, making woodwinds her specialty playing Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone and Bass Clarinet. When called upon, Emma even played the drum set, keeping the band in time rocking the beat.
Outside of her musical ability
Emma represented Greenback School at the Loudon County Music and Art Showcase where she won an award for her graphite drawing.
This wealth of experience has brought her to be our choice for Drum Major.
“Cody can throw the ball pretty well, and we still have young kids learning routes,” coach Clemmer said. “Like I said, all of our skill players are freshmen or sophomore other than Cody. It's a learning year.
"It's a simple year, but it has been easy to coax through. They all come willing to learn and excited to be here and that makes it easy as a coach when the kids are very coachable.”
Greenback's players will have their work cut out for them on the defensive side of things, as well. As one of the smallest schools in the state of Tennessee, every member of the roster will be tasked with playing both sides of the ball.
“It's always Iron Man Football at Greenback … there's no offense or defense specialist, everybody's got to be in shape to play both sides of the ball,” coach Clemmer said.
“We work hard and try to get them there. There's no conditioning like football conditioning. We’re game-
It has become a recent trend that the Cherokees never go for the extra point … but instead have full confidence in their ability to go for the two-point conversion. Greenback’s third phase (specialty teams) has been virtually non-existent, but nevertheless remains something the players are aware of.
This season, the Cherokees hope to have the kicker position filled out, while they at the same time understand it could take time for a true kicker to develop.
“We had a kid come out last week who kicks and kicks the ball well, but we'll see,” coach Clemmer told The News-Herald. “If that works out, we're excited about the kicking game. If not, we don't have a problem going for two.”
An official decision has yet to be reached and something that will be key to watch out for as the season develops.
Greenback will face tough competition from start to finish this season. Coach Clem-
Equally important matchups come at the end of the season on Oct. 25 at Sunbright and on Nov. 1 at Oliver Springs.
… These end-of-season matchups often determine playoff position.
While 2024 will undoubtedly be an uphill battle for Greenback, players and coaches alike are excited to represent the Orange and Black this upcoming football season.
“I've played a lot of places, but I've never been at a place like Greenback,” Morris, the Cherokees' junior center, said.
“I've never been at a place where the whole community shows up to watch your football game — and I really think I want to be successful this year … not only for the coaching staff but also for my teammates, for myself and for the community.
“There's a lot of community involvement here,” Morris shared with The News-Herald. “We have community members who paint our field, who come to our practices and who bring us food.
"And I just want to give it back to them and let them watch us win some football games.”





Aug. 23, 2024 at South-Doyle
Aug. 29, 2024 Loudon
*Battle of the Bridge* 7:00 PM
Sep. 6, 2024 Sevier Co.
Sep. 13, 2024 at The King’s Academy
Sep. 20, 2024 at Campbell Co.
Oct. 4, 2024 at Morristown-Hamblen
Oct. 11, 2024 at Clinton
Oct. 18, 2024 Heritage
Oct. 25, 2024 Oak Ridge
Nov. 1, 2024 Karns High School*


Lenoir City High School junior
NATE TOSADO
nate.tosado@news-herald.net
The Lenoir City High School football team will enter the upcoming season under its fourth head coach in four years. However, the coaching changes haven’t changed the Panthers’ overall goal of winning football games.
The Panthers are fresh off a fairly strong season, where they went 7-5 on the year and made it to the second round of playoffs before falling 3711 to Walker Valley.
This year, Scott Cummings — who was hired as the program’s head coach back in late December — looks to continue the team’s success.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t growing pains a little bit with the turnover that’s happened here in the past few years,” coach Cummings told The News-Herald. “But we have a really good group of seniors and those guys have
been the glue for a while now … this class and, well, last year’s seniors.
“Our senior class is our biggest class, and learning the offense has been a real challenge at times … just because it is so much more complicated than what they’ve been doing.
“It’s been interesting to watch it develop, and we’ve had to move kids around and try to find their best places,” coach added. “I think if the defense can carry us a little bit the first part of the season — as we let the offense get their feet underneath them a little bit — AND if we can stay healthy … then I think by the middle (or by the) end of the season, we could be hard for people.”
Last season, the Panthers were an offensive powerhouse and excelled at pushing the
pace and finding their way into the end zone. This year, Lenoir City remains confident — despite losing heavy hitters from last season.
Under Cummings’ direction, Lenoir City has adapted its previous play style and now relies on a mixture of plays rather than being just a run-dominated team. One of the biggest changes that has come to the program is introducing a traditional quarterback back into the mix.
“We’ll definitely have quarterback play (this season),” coach Cummings said. “It’s just the past couple of years being in the single wing … there literally hasn’t been a quarterback — so it’s brand new and that development isn’t easy. I do ask those quarterbacks to handle a lot and do a lot, so it’s kind of a double-whammy when you’ve got a kid at quarterback who didn’t play last year and then, the year before, when he DID play, there wasn’t a quarterback.”

While a big shift, Cummings said his team has adapted well during the off-season.
“We’ve put a lot on Luke Chadwick right now to be the guy, and we’ve built a little bit of depth there,” coach Cummings said. “Gabe Cannon can come in there and do some things at quarterback. And then we’re bringing along a freshman — Roman Hogrefe — to try to push that too, in case we get in real trouble.
“We feel we do have three guys who can be serviceable now. It’s just the details in quarterback play that have been something that has been hard to get through to them — when they’ve just had two years of not playing quarterback.”
Lenoir City’s senior O-lineman Bryson Daugherty will also be a great addition to the Panthers’ offense. As one of Lenoir City’s most talented linemen, Daugherty has naturally stepped up as a leader in his final high school season.
What else is new?
“As the years have gone on, even starting from my sophomore year, I was a leader on the team,” Daugherty said. “I may not have been the guy, but I was a leader on the team.
“So as I got older and more mature, I just learned from the guys ahead of me. I learned from their mistakes and I try to be there always to make sure everybody has a helping hand and make sure everybody’s understanding — because we’re only as strong as our weakest link.”

Further helping the Panthers’ offensive unit is senior tight end Eli Harrison, fouryear member of the team.
“I’m feeling good … (although) it feels pretty weird to be a senior, ” Harrison said.
“It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen coming in, but I’m super excited to watch my guys compete.
“I’ve been playing with a lot of these guys since I was six or seven years old, so getting to watch everybody go out one last time this season and compete together and play together is great.”
Both Harrison and Daugh-

Scott Cummings
Defensive Coordinator: Richard Wilhite Mike Zeller, Zach Payne, Yoakum, Cody Wilhite, Billy Cannon, Colin Diden



Principal:






erty said that, this
“You have to set the tone,” Harrison said. “All those younger kids are looking at us, the seniors, to lead — and so if we set that example now, that’s not only helping our team this year but it’s impacting our team for years to come — with the younger kids seeing the example that we set, hopefully picking that up and and taking it even a step further throughout the next few years.”
This year, Lenoir City’s defense is battle-tested and that will no doubt play a key part in the team’s overall success. With several returning members, the Panthers have established themselves as having one of most experienced defenses in Loudon County.
“Defensive line depth is our issue more than anything, but we feel pretty dang good about linebacker play and feel
pretty good about secondary play,” coach Cummings said. “We have to shore up some things from our scrimmages with secondary play, but overall our defense returns eight out of the 11 starters from last year.”
Toward the tail end of last season, Lenoir City’s defense really stepped up as it limited opponents to less than two touchdowns a game in the Panthers’ final six appearances. It’s a trend that the Panthers hope to continue.
“I DO think the defense can be good enough to carry us,” coach said. “And, again, if we can stay healthy on the defensive line — we’re already going to be undersized on the D-line but we’ll use quickness and stuff to try to combat that a little bit.
“Our defense is definitely where we, you might say, ‘hang our hat,’” coach Cummings said. “And we have to hang our hat on defense early in the season.”
Lenoir City enters into the new season with a reliable
specials team unit.
While the Panthers have lost their starting punter … former Region 3 Punter of the Year Leland Patterson … junior Riley Pickett will most likely step into that position.
“Special teams-wise, Riley Pickett comes back doing our extra point field goal duties and kickoffs,” coach Cummings said. “He’s not getting it to the end zone consistently right now in kickoffs, but I do feel like we have good kids on special teams, so (coverage-wise) we have no excuses for not being really good on special teams (this season).”
Last year, Pickett was a standout for the Panthers after joining the team nearly half way through the season. Now an upperclassman, he will likely be a big component in setting the tone for Lenoir City High School’s special teams.
Looking at the Panthers’ schedule, the team will face some fierce competition from start to finish and will be pitted against some of the area’s top offensive units. Games to circle on Lenoir
City’s schedule include a highly anticipated Week 2 matchup against cross-town rival Loudon High School on Thursday, Aug. 29. Last year, the Panthers narrowly fell to the Redskins 27-26 in the final seconds of play. Other highlighted games include home bouts against Sevier County in early September and Heritage in mid-October. Both the Smoky Bears and the Mountaineers man-handled the Panthers in lopsided defeats last year. That being said, throughout last season Lenoir City High School never lost a game at home and — despite talented competition on the horizon — that is something to keep in mind.
“For us, right now, it’s obviously just Game No. 1 at South-Doyle. We’re not in a position where we can look ahead to anything (else),” coach Cummings said.
“We’ve got to get better today than we were yesterday — and that’s just the mindset we have to have. And if we don’t have that day-by-day mindset, then at the end of the day we’re going to lose to somebody we shouldn’t.”






NATE TOSADO
nate.tosado@news-herald.net
The Loudon High School football team is ready to get things going — as the start of another season edges closer with each passing day.
This year, the Redskins’ roster includes returning talent paired with eager underclassmen ready to make their mark. In the weeks leading up to the players’ season-opener, countless hours of practice and preparation have prepared them for the upcoming season.
“I think these guys have done an outstanding job throughout all of the off-season — preparing, doing all the things we’ve asked them to do,” said Loudon head coach Jeff Harig. “We have 22 seniors and they’ve shown great leadership — kind of taking charge of all the workouts, the discipline and all that good stuff. I am so excited to see where that leads us this year.”
The Redskins are coming off yet another strong year where they finished 7-4 overall and 4-1 in Region 3-4A play.
Unfortunately, due to a string of injuries toward the end of the season, their time in the playoffs was short-lived as they fell 41-7 against Macon County in the first round of the post-season.
According to coach Harig, this year’s squad is special and possesses a new level of work ethic and determination.
“I think it’s their attitude,” he said. “They’re just hard-working guys. They’re fun to be around, and they’ve done everything it takes to be successful.
“We have some talent in key spots,” coach said, “but we’ve got some inexperience in key spots, too. And so, early on, we might see kind of an upand-down performance; but, as the season goes along, I’m excited that these guys are going to play at a (consistently) high level.”
The Redskins have always prided themselves on their stellar defense. It’s something that led them to success in the season prior and will no doubt remain a top priority as they go into this new high
school football season.
While last year’s graduating seniors left a dent in both Loudon High School’s defensive and offensive lines, the Redskins aren’t backing down from the challenge.
Redskins aren’t backing down
“We lost some key guys to (last year’s graduation),” coach Harig said. “Namely Gavin Divine and (Darrien) Patterson — our defensive linemen — and so we have to replace them up front.
“Once again, the characteristics that I’ve seen off-season … I see in our defense. We have leading tacklers Charles Thomas and Nolan Bassett back, and we’ve had some guys step up around them.
“So we’re excited about our secondary, but also excited to watch our defensive line grow as we go forward this year.”
Last season, the Redskins shutout opponents a whopping four times and limited most of their foes to just a couple of touchdowns.
VETERAN OFFENSIVE TALENT RETURNING
Loudon High School’s offensive unit enters the new year in a great position — with several upperclassmen returning. So, with this vast amount of experience returning, the Redskins are confident they’ll be able to put up points whether on the ground or in the air.
“Obviously, you have your quarterback back in Bronson (Scrivner) and our returning receiving corps around him,” coach Harig said. “We returned several guys from last year who made big plays for us, so that’s going to kind of have to be the strength for us while we break in four of our five new offensive linemen.
“They are young guys who had a lot of success in our junior varsity program. Now it’s just their turn to take it from Monday to Friday.”
Senior QB Scrivner hopes to again build off the success he had last year and continue to lead his team in the right direction.
“I’m feeling good and I’m feeling really confident in this team and just the culture that we have right now,” Scrivner said. “It feels good playing with the same guys I did back in JV. I have a lot of chemistry with them.”
Scrivner ended his junior year with 1,504 passing yards

and 15 touchdowns. The then-junior also added 416 yards on the ground on 79 carries.
One of Scrivner’s primary targets last year was senior wide receiver Seth Henley, who averaged 19.4 yards and ended second overall in receiving yards with 314 yards. Henley’s speed and agility is expected to once again prove to be a lethal combination this upcoming season.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling, because I spent four years here at Loudon and had a really good time and now it’s gone in the blink of an eye,” Henley said. “But I think we have a really good team this year, and we’re gonna do well. We have a really good group of guys here in our senior group so we’re positive overall.”
The senior receiver hopes that he can lead his team to an undefeated 10-0 season.
“That would be great,” he said. “Maybe win the Region Championship down at Red Bank and just have a good run in the playoffs.”
The missing link in Loudon High School’s overall game recently has been their special teams unit. This year, the ‘Skins hope to make the necessary adjustments to help
out an often-overlooked piece of the puzzle.
“Last year was kind of hit and miss for us,” coach Harig said. “We went through a few kickers. Obviously, we have Sebastian Correa back as our punter, (and we’re) also trying to find (additional) kickers.
“Right now, Isaiah Pierce is our kickoff guy and Kiernan Proulx is our field goal guy.”
Coach Harig added: “Coverage units obviously are a big part of (special teams). And when you feel like you have strong defensive backs, you have strong coverage units.
“So kickoff coverage and punt coverage is paramount.”
Last season against Chattanooga’s Hixson, Loudon lost a game via two kickoff returns for touchdowns. It is something the Redskins know must be fixed to ultimately become a championship-caliber team.
‘ONE
This year’s schedule is similar to previous years … with familiar rivals on the horizon.
While a long season awaits the Redskins, coach Harig is taking it one step at a time.
Loudon High School’s season will start off with in-county tests against Greenback and Lenoir City before transitioning into
regional opponents. The Redskins will be pitted against the likes of perennial playoff participant Soddy-Daisy and neighboring Sequoyah.
“We always break our seasons up into two parts,” coach Harig explained. “The first part is the ‘Loudon County championship’ … we open with Greenback and have Lenoir City right after.
After two weeks, we hope to be Loudon County champs.
“After that, we have some rivalry games … and Sweetwater and Kingston … but we also have a region championship to play for,” coach said.
“The goals never change — we want to be champions at
the end of the year. We’ll start with Loudon County, and then we’ll go to the region … hopefully, we’ll get to the playoffs and compete for it all.”
Pivotal games to look forward to include “The Battle of the Bridge” against Lenoir City in Week 2. Last year, the Redskins narrowly escaped with a 27-26 victory in the final minutes of play. Other games to look out for are Hixson and Roane County in Weeks 5 and 7. These are the teams that have gotten the best of the Redskins in the past and will no doubt be a point of contention later on in the season.
Head coach: Jeff Harig
Additional Coaches:
Jesse Henry: Wide receivers, head strength, Head middle school coach
Jamison Harig: Defensive backs, head JV coach , defensive coordinator
Matt Kleinschmidt: Defensive line
Keaton Harig: Quarterbacks
Jed Bassett: Defensive Ends
Haden Houser: Linebackers
Brian Kelch: Tight Ends
Scott Newman: Sideline Coordinator
Bobby Bingham: Offensive Assistant
Principal: Scott Mackintosh






































































































































































































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