Preview Region 2-6A football season
Maryville wide receiver Christian Markham stiff-arms Ooltewah defensive back Jake Sullivan during a game in 2017 at Ooltewah. The Rebels are favored to win the Region 2-6A title this season.
Without a region loss since 2000, the Maryville High School football program remains a national power capable of winning a state championship year in and year out.
For the past four seasons, the Rebels have won every league game they’ve played by at least three scores, and they’re a clearcut favorite this season to win the Region 2-6A title again after doing so the past two years. Maryville brings back its top playmakers on offense, including running back Tee Hodge, who has committed to Tennessee, and the Rebels have an experienced linebacker corps to lead on the other side of the ball.
Facing an opponent that boasts a roster loaded with countless college prospects might not seem like fun for most, but it’s something Bradley Central coach Damon Floyd looks forward to every year.
“You play the game to go against the best teams and do everything you can to try and beat them,” Floyd said. “Lots of high school players in this area dream to play in the SEC, so I don’t know why anyone would not want to go up against Maryville. Everybody is shooting at Maryville, but we don’t fear them by any means.”
Bradley Central has had an all-state selection at quarterback the past four years: Cole Copeland in 2015 and ’16 before he went on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Dylan Standifer — who last fall signed to play baseball for Lee University — in ’17 and ’18.
Eight starters return in the Bears’ spread offense, but they’ll count on a new leader as Javin Burke, a junior who transferred from McCallie, takes over behind center. Over the past four years, Bradley Central’s starting quarterback has averaged 2,561 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions per season and rushed an average of 104 times for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“Our offense really sets up well for the quarterback to be a dual threat,” Floyd said. “As long as Javin makes the right decisions and trusts his teammates, he will be set up for success. He has the ability to make really athletic plays when he needs to. Our high expectations of our quarterback are not changing.”
Burke will have an experienced line to work behind along with Ricky McCleary, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, and dynamic targets in Saylor Clark and Tray Curry.
Curry is ranked among the top 150 recruits for the signing class of 2021 and is the No. 2 athlete in Tennessee, according to 247Sports.com. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver already has offers from seven Southeastern Conference schools: Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
“Tray can open up more windows for other receivers,” Floyd said. “Everyone knows where he is on the field, and he’s getting better and better at just 15 years old. We are not going to try and force feed it to anyone, but we will be smart about trying to get the ball to Saylor and Tray as much as we can.”
With nine defensive starters to replace, the Bears have questions regarding a unit that will need to play well to make a deep playoff run.
Ooltewah has lost the star duo of Sincere Quinn and Kyrell Sanford, but the Owls can look to a deep and talented offensive line to lead the way along with quarterback Lane Moore, a senior but a first-year starter. The Owls won nine games last season and will have a tough schedule as they face seven teams that made the playoffs last year, including four that won region championships.
McMinn County brings back a 1,000-yard running back in junior Jalen Hunt and an all-region selection at linebacker in Jalen Sharp, who will try to be a bulldozer sometimes at running back as well.
Cleveland returns college prospect Robert Flowers at receiver, but the Blue Raiders have a significant lack of experience at quarterback. Flowers, a 6-foot-4 playmaker, was unstoppable for secondaries last season, when he averaged more than 90 yards and more than a touchdown per game.
Maryville did not have a lead against McMinn County or Cleveland at the end of the first quarter last season, but the Rebels could not be held down for the long haul.
William Blount and Maryville Heritage round out the region.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.