Region 2-6A outlook

Team to beat: If based on nothing other than history, Maryville is the target. The Rebels are tied with Alcoa for the all-time TSSAA record with 15 football state championships, including four since Class 6A was added in 2009.

Watch out for: Bradley Central has been in the same region with Maryville, and the Bears are, well, loaded for bear with Dylan Standifer taking over for graduated QB Cole Copeland, the school’s all-time passing leader.

Best game: Bradley travels to Maryville for the teams’ regular-season finale Oct. 27.

Dream schedule: When a team moves into Class 6A, there’s really no such thing, especially in a region that includes Bradley and Maryville. Ooltewah will open at Tyner, a 2A team, albeit a physical one. The Owls open at home against Science Hill, one of the Region 1-6A favorites, and have two other money games — Bradley and East Hamilton — at home. Their open date (Sept. 29) is followed by consecutive region games against McMinn County, Maryville, Cleveland and Heritage.

Nightmare schedule: After an opener against McMinn Central, McMinn County meets always tough Farragut on Aug. 25 and hosts Maryville the following week. The Cherokees play Bradley and Ooltewah in back-to-back weeks (Sept. 29, Oct. 6).

Players to watch: Bradley LB Jay Person (6-2, 210) has at least two SEC offers, and Bears WR Lameric Tucker (5-10, 170) is most likely the region’s fastest player, though he might be challenged by Cleveland RB/REC Micaleous Elder (5-7, 165). Ooltewah has several prospects, including OL Zaire Bruner (6-2, 285), WR/DB Andrew Manning 96-2, 285), RB Sincere Quinn (5-10, 185), WR Cam Chambers (6-2, 200) and DL Rondarius Wash (6-2, 285).

Predicted order of finish: Maryville, Bradley Central, Ooltewah, Cleveland, McMinn County, William Blount, Heritage.