Region 3-4A at a glance

› Team to beat: Stone Memorial went undefeated last regular season and finished 11-1, averaging 34.5 points per game. Although a new QB will be featured this season, returning are most of the line and backfield that helped the Panthers total 2,300-plus rushing yards. Plenty of experience returns on the defensive side, too.

› Watch out for: First-year Central coach Cortney Braswell already is on record saying, “We’ve got nowhere to go but up.” That’s because last year’s team was 0-10. Braswell is a former defensive coordinator for the Purple Pounders. Look for this year’s defense, spearheaded by DB and NCAA Division I college prospect D.J. Baxter, to be much improved.

› Best game: East Hamilton hosts Stone Memorial on Oct. 28. The Hurricanes lost 14-7 to Stone Memorial last regular season but gained revenge with a 28-16 state-playoff victory in the second round. The Panthers will be in payback mode this time. But being the regular-season finale, it gives East Hamilton’s inexperienced defense all season to jell. Additionally, the ‘Canes will be off the week before.

› Players to watch: East Hamilton has a veteran QB in Nick Woods, who threw for 1,426 yards and 10 TDs in the regular season last year. Jake McClure is also a formidable weapon as the Hurricanes’ K and P, and he’ll also contribute at WR and S. Central has an NCAA Division I college prospect in 6-foot-7, 295-pound McCallie transfer McClendon Curtis. Don’t be surprised by a tackle-eligible play near the end zone.

› Predicted order of finish: Stone Memorial, East Hamilton, Hixson, Cumberland County, Central, Livingston Academy, Sequoyah.