Lions ready to roar in Region 3-3A football
Lions eager to return to top of 3-3A ranks
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of prep football region previews involving area teams. Coming Friday is the 2-4A preview.
Soon after a brief lightning delay, an energetic group of Red Bank High School football players made their way up to the team’s practice field Wednesday afternoon.
With nonregion rival Soddy-Daisy set to visit Red Bank’s Tom Weathers Field on Aug. 21 in the season opener for both teams, the Lions are focused on making the most of every second they have together.
Loaded with varsity experience and a handful of Division I prospects, Red Bank hopes to play an uninterrupted season amid the coronavirus pandemic and return to the top of the Region 3-3A standings. The Lions finished as league runners-up to Loudon last year after winning the title from 2016 to 2018.
“Loudon beat us twice last year and exposed some things we needed to get better at that we have been able to focus on already this offseason,” said Lions coach Brown, who is 21-3 since taking over ahead of the 2018 season. “Our kids are hungry and really have worked their tails off to try and get that region championship back.”
Loudon star running back Drew Jackson was a thorn in the Lions’ paws last year. While he was a senior, the reigning region champions do return a strong playmaker in quarterback Keaton Harig.
Red Bank is loaded with experience on its lines, bringing back all five starters up front on offense and four on defense, including BJ Ragland (6-2, 275), the Tulane-committed 6-foot-2, 275-pounder who will play for both units. Cam Bell (6-4, 235) and Jadon High (6-3, 215) have a knack for rushing into opposing backfields, and they’ll lead a defense that is also loaded in the secondary with players who will be major contributors for an offense with several good options in the ground game.
“You have to run the ball extremely well to be successful in the playoffs,” Brown said. “Lumiere Strickland, Reco Trimble and AD Crutcher all started games for us last year and were our three predominant running backs. They all have excellent vision and know how
to set their blocks up and how to pass protect.”
Strickland (5-10, 185) has a quick burst and is able to run defenders over, proven by his 30 touchdowns and 2,000-plus all-purpose yards over the past two seasons. Trimble (6-1, 195) has wheels and elusive moves, while Crutcher (5-10, 180) has his own burst of speed — and like the rest of Red Bank’s running backs, the sophomore will be focused on finishing each game with zero turnovers.
Joseph Blackmon (5-11, 175), a junior, is in his first year as the Lions’ starting quarterback, but his transition should be made easier by having a sure-handed senior to target. Receiver Kel Eddins (6-3, 210) had 10 catches for 107 yards in last year’s playoff win at Upperman, which sent Red Bank on to the state quarterfinals and, ultimately, a season-ending 33-14 loss to Loudon. Red Bank lost 24-7 to Loudon to close the regular season.
“We had a lot of questions of how we would fill Calvin Jackson’s role when he left,” Brown said. “I quietly thought, well, we had this other receiver who finished with 400 yards and seven touchdowns. His name was Lucas Brown. I feel like Kel is in the same boat. By the end of the year, people around town should all know his name.”
Senior strongside linebacker Silas Garibay (6-0, 185) will take on an even bigger leadership role.
“Having Silas back for us is huge. He is very talented and knows our expectations from having played a lot of valuable snaps,” Brown said. “We continue to expect our linebackers to make great plays and set the tone.”
Signal Mountain gave Red Bank a great challenge through three quarters at Tom Weathers Field last year, and the Eagles expect their experienced offensive line to help push for more success after a four-win 2019 season.
Junior quarterback Duncan Cannon (6-3, 185) has a strong arm and is expected to fit well in an option-based offense with backfield mates Braden Casner (5-11, 175), Andrew Eichner (5-11, 180) and Logan Farr (6-0, 165). The Eagles have added strength this offseason in hopes of finishing stronger in the fourth quarter.
Brainerd star Xiyeer Lattimore (5-11, 175) has set a great tone for the rest of his teammates by working extremely hard this offseason. The super athletic quarterback and defensive back hopes to leave a mark at his high school and catch the eye of colleges.
As for Region 4-3A, while Upperman has recently dominated the league, Sequatchie County looks capable of being a dark horse candidate for the title thanks to extensive depth at skill positions on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Austin McCurry (5-9, 160) is a spark plug for the wing-T offense, and the defense’s depth includes its line.
Grundy County is coming off a winless season but returns the majority of its offensive playmakers, including running backs Jordan Hackworth (5-10, 195) and Gavin Tate (5-10, 230).