Trojans ready to fight for another Region 4-5A title
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of prep football region previews involving area teams. Coming Monday is 2-6A.
Spending the offseason as Region 4-5A football champions was a blast for the Soddy-Daisy Trojans.
“It had been 22 years since this school won its last region title,” coach Justin Barnes said. “It really is special when you can win the region and lock in playoff games at home. The championship gave us more validation. Now our guys have a feel of what it takes to get the job done. We have confidence and know what we want to do and have to do.”
The party is over for now, but the defending champions appear fully loaded on the offensive side to put up points and help add another piece of hardware to the trophy case.
Senior running back and linebacker Hayden Maynor led the way last season, totaling 985 yards with nine touchdowns, but with nine starters back on offense the attack looks to spread the ball around and keep defenses guessing.
With big-game experience, players understand the playbook and their coach believes they have even greater potential this year.
“The guys understand what to do,” Barnes said. “They are coming off the field saying, ‘I’ve got this; we can run this; I can beat this guy.’ They have the knowledge of the system, and that makes it easier for us. Our coaching staff feels comfortable to call something, knowing they can go out and execute.”
With Knoxville Catholic having left the region, playoff spots are guaranteed for Soddy-Daisy, Rhea County, Walker Valley and Lenoir City.
The Trojans held their own with the now Division II-AAA Fighting Irish. Soddy-Daisy beat them 17-7 on the road last season after losing 49-48 at home in 2017 to Catholic, which won the Class 5A state championship that year.
“Nobody really gave us a chance to play with them the past two years, but our guys really responded to the challenge,” Barnes said. “Both games we played them gave our guys a
boost of confidence. It helped us grow and eventually helped us win a region championship.”
Soddy-Daisy will be a force in the air, too, with a talented receiving corps comprised of KeSean Eubanks, Landon Maynor, Landen Reece, Garrett Dent and Jalan Render for quarterback Isaac Barnes to throw to.
One concern for the Trojans is staying healthy, as close to half if not more at times will play both sides of the ball.
Soddy-Daisy will host Class 3A powerhouse Red Bank to begin the season and later will accept visits from 6A stalwarts Ooltewah and Bradley Central.
Also in the hunt for the Region 4-5A title from the area will be Rhea County and Walker Valley, which between them have had only 10 wins over the past two seasons.
Rhea’s Eagles have an entire starting offensive line built of seniors who will try to produce a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. Bradley Goodwin is also one of the most talented defensive players in the area and is coming off a 125-tackle season.
“Our kids showed up and worked hard this offseason,” Rhea coach Mark Pemberton said. “We are not used to losing here. Our kids responded and had the best offseason we’ve had in the weightroom since I’ve been here. Strength builds confidence, and a lot of it can go a long way.”
Walker Valley has new life to its program with a talented transfer quarterback in Tucker Pope, the return to full health of running back Heath Tanksley and new leadership at the top.
New coach Drew Akins has demanded discipline from the Mustangs, who have a real chance to post four to six wins with their nonregion schedule alone. Six of those opponents combined for a 23% win rate last season.