TONIGHT’S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MATCHUPS
CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS (0-1) HOWARD HUSTLIN’ TIGERS (1-0) AT
Storyline: Two longtime coaching buddies will face off in a nonregion meeting that should serve as a good measuring stick for where each program stands heading into the meat of its schedule. Mark Mariakis’s Chargers, who gave up three one-play scoring drives to McCallie last week, are inexperienced on defense but must find a way to contain the speed of John Starr’s Hustlin’ Tigers. That includes QB Javion Robinson, who had two touchdowns and totaled nearly 200 offensive yards last week against Brainerd. Howard’s defense, led by DT Desmond Griffin, can cover a lot of ground sideline to sideline but will be tested by an offense that can come right at it with power runner Mondo Ellison.
CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS (1-0) RED BANK LIONS (0-0) AT
Storyline: The Pounders were able to work out any season-opening kinks despite last week’s inclement weather, but the Lions never got on the field before the storms postponed their opener. Facing Central’s single-wing offense can be an adjustment for opposing defenses, particularly because of the number of weapons it features, including runners Hunter Jones, Jaheim Jones and Michael McGhee. Lions DL Sam Gilbert will be counted on to prevent those backs from getting loose for the big plays they beat Walker Valley with last week.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES (0-1) TYNER RAMS (0-1) AT
Storyline: Both teams are coming off frustrating openers and will look to get untracked on offense. The Rams have the potential to become one of the more balanced offenses in the area, thanks to four RBs weighing 190 pounds or more — all with better than average speed — and game-breaking WR Jeremiah Batiste. The anchor of Signal Mountain’s defense is MLB Jake Woodlief. The Eagles’ passing game, which features WRs Drew Lowry and Travion Williams, will test Tyner’s secondary, though RB Terrance Russell was the offense’s best option a week ago.
POLK COUNTY WILDCATS (1-0) EAST RIDGE PIONEERS (0-1) AT
Storyline: The Wildcats come in riding a wave of confidence after rolling over an outmanned Class 1A opponent, a victory that included senior C Alex Pell lining up in the backfield and scoring the final TD and Kyle Dunn compiling more than 175 yards of offense. The Pioneers will look to put behind them last week’s frustrating loss in which they struggled to get their speedy playmakers going in sloppy conditions. The Wildcats will try to sustain drives and control the clock to limit the number of touches by East Ridge dual-threat QB Alonzo Russell.
MADISON ACADEMY (ALA.) MUSTANGS (0-0) MCCALLIE BLUE TORNADO (1-0) AT
Storyline: The Blue Tornado scored on three of their six offensive plays last week, including a touchdown by sophomore RB B.J. Harris on the first snap of the game. Harris and QB Deangelo Hardy are McCallie’s biggest offensive threats, but the defense is also quick and athletic and proved last week it can control games, too. McCallie players on that side of the ball will be tested by senior RB Daniel Brent, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound track star who has offers from Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern and Mercer among others. Madison Academy’s mammoth OT Tex Bailey (6-4, 295), who has offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky and Memphis, will try to open lanes for Brent.
HERITAGE GENERALS (1-0) RINGGOLD TIGERS (0-1) AT
Storyline: Heritage will try to complete a sweep of Catoosa County rivals after posting a 41-27 win over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe last week. That victory displayed the Generals’ new emphasis on the ground game as senior Jeffery Curtis rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Ringgold, a Class AAA program, lost 42-24 to AAAAAA’s Dalton despite posting 389 total yards, with the Tigers’ special teams allowing the Catamounts to score twice via returns. Heritage — which beat the Tigers 13-11 last year to earn its only win in the 10game series — will test the middle of the Ringgold defensive line with Curtis. The Tigers will force Heritage’s inexperienced secondary to cover the likes of Pete Brower, Andre Tarver and Dylan Wright.
GORDON LEE TROJANS (1-0) LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE AT WARRIORS (0-1)
Storyline: The Trojans are coming off an impressive win over Dade County in which new QB Hunter Hodson had close to 200 total yards and passed for a TD and RBs Brody Cobb and Tucker Miller also had big nights. As for the Warriors, a pair of lost fumbles figured largely in their loss to Heritage. Both teams will rely on establishing the running game, with Cobb, Hodson and Tucker counted on by the Trojans and the Warriors looking to senior RB Nathan Williams plus Giovanni Barrosso and Ruddy Ware.
TROUP COUNTY TIGERS (0-0) RIDGELAND PANTHERS (0-1) AT
Storyline: Tonight the Tigers will bring to Rossville one of the best collections of athletes in the Peach State, with that group led by senior WR Jamari Thrash, who generated 1,410 yards in 2017, and RBs Tyree Carlisle and Trey Williams. Troup QB Kobe Hudson, who totaled 900 receiving yards last season, is replacing 4,000-yard passer Montez Crowe, and Tigers coach Tanner Glisson noted his team may run the ball a bit more early. Ridgeland had an impressive opening half in a loss to Calhoun last week, but a myriad of mistakes killed the Panthers’ chances at an upset. Still, RB Jordan Blackwell proved he’s one of the most dangerous athletes in the area — but QB Tanner Hill will need to be more accurate tonight and feed WR Stephon Walker early and often.
RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS (0-1) NORTH MURRAY AT MOUNTAINEERS (0-0)
Storyline: Rabun, the Class AA state runner-up a year ago, was upset 13-10 by Bremen last week, though coach Lee Shaw’s team is replacing a QB, RB and WR who combined for 5,500 yards last season. Freshman QB Gunner Stockton is a dual threat, while RB Brison Beck is the main ground option. The Mountaineers open with great expectations, led by senior QB Preston Poag Jr., who had 2,800 total yards and scored 29 touchdowns a year ago. Super sophomore RB Dante Tidwell will also see plenty of action with a defense that started nine sophomores a year ago and will be tested early.