REGION 4-5A OUTLOOK

Team to beat: Soddy-Daisy stands a good chance of repeating its region title with nine returning starters on offense. The Trojans are hungry to build off their success.

Watch out for: Rhea County has had a bad taste from the past two seasons and will try to return to old form in the wing-T offense. The Eagles have taken ownership and worked hard in the weightroom.

Best game: Soddy-Daisy won a defensive slugfest against Rhea County at home last year. In Week 8 the two will be out for blood again with the winner perhaps riding on to the region championship.

Dream schedule: Outside of strong county rival Bradley Central, Walker Valley’s six other nonregion opponents had a combined record of 14-48 last season. The Mustangs look to build tremendous confidence and could have a winning season after just winning one game over the past two seasons.

Nightmare schedule: The Weeks 6-8 schedule is particularly daunting for Rhea County, which travels to Ooltewah and Red Bank before hosting Soddy-Daisy.

Players to watch: Soddy-Daisy and Rhea County both have workhorses who can change the game at running back and linebacker in seniors Hayden Maynor and Bradley Goodwin. Both teams also have loads of talent up front. Trojans junior quarterback Isaac Barnes has experienced playmakers to disperse the ball to, and KeSean Eubanks leads a deep and very talented receiving corps. Jackson Langley is a potential 1,000yard back for the Eagles, while senior Kyle Carr (6-4, 200) will get chances to connect with deep threat Taylor Cowley. Walker Valley will look to Griffin Broome to play in a similar role to how Calvin Jackson did at Red Bank in Drew Akins’ offense, while Skyy Craig is a tough-nosed defensive back who will get chances to blast off on offense, too. The Mustangs are excited about Tucker Pope at quarterback and the return of Heath Tanksley at running back. Senior Jonah Rittenhouse is a talented pass rusher for Lenoir City, which won at Soddy-Daisy last year.