Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens (7) was named to the ESPN 300 for being one of the top college football recruits for the Class of 2017.

La Vergne’s Maleik Gray was named to the ESPN 300 for being one of the top college football recruits for the Class of 2017.

MURFREESBORO – Three Rutherford County rising juniors are included among the top college prospects in the country in a list of ESPN’s top 300 players for the Class of 2017.

La Vergne’s Princeton Fant and Maleik Gray along with Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens were among 11 Tennessee football players on the national list.

It marks the second time this month that a national Website has recognized Gray and Stevens among the top juniors in the country.

Gray and Stevens were listed in the top Rivals 100 among college football prospects for 2017.

Stevens, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete, is ranked No. 24 by ESPN and No. 72 by Rivals. His college offers include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

JaCoby Stevens

“It’s a blessing saying that some people believe that I am in the top 100 in the country,” Stevens said. “It’s what I’ve been working for.

“I’m never going to be complacent, though. I’m always going to be looking at who is listed above me. The ranking is good, but it doesn’t affect my work ethic.”

Stevens, who was named to The Daily News Journal’s All-Area first team, recorded 50 tackles, three interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles a year ago. He also caught 19 passes for 279 yards.

Gray, a 6-2, 195-pound athlete, is ranked No. 25 by Rivals and No. 48 ESPN. Gray had 43 carries for 152 yards with two touchdowns on offense in limited time at running back in 2014.

Maleik Gray

He had 61 tackles on defense at linebacker. His college offers include Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and Vanderbilt.

Gray went to Southern California in June, which opened his eyes at the possibility of playing on the West Coast.

“I loved it,” Gray said. “Just being out there in California and experiencing the West Coast was amazing. Growing up as a Southern boy, I had never seen anything like that. It’s like it’s its own country.

“That was a big eye-opener. When I first got the offer from USC I was like, ‘I don’t want to go there. It’s too far from home.’ Now that I’ve taken the visit, it’s changed my mind completely. The school, its academics. I could see myself going to a place like that.

“But I’m still young. I still have time.”

Fant, a 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver, is listed at No. 235 on the ESPN list. He will likely miss the entire regular season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee sustained during the spring. He may be back by the postseason. Fant had nine carries for 141 yards and had 14 catches for 326 yards in 2014.

Princeton Fant

“It’s been tough being out there with my boys because I’m a big part of the team,” said Fant, who is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. “I’m trying to get back, but trying to not go too fast so I re-injure it.”

Fant’s college offers include Louisville, MTSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

“I didn’t get to go to as many camps as I wanted to,” Fant said. “Hopefully, I can get back up in my recruiting next year.”

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

ESPN 300 Class of 2017

Eleven rising juniors from Tennessee have made the ESPN 300 list for the Class of 2017. The list are the Website’s top 300 college football prospects in the country.

Ranked

Name

High School

Position

No. 5

Trey Smith

USJ

OT

No. 24

JaCoby Stevens

Oakland

ATH

No. 48

Maleik Gray

La Vergne

ATH

No. 83

Tee Higgins

Oak Ridge

WR

No. 93

Ty Chandler

MBA

RB

No. 129

Isaiah Stokes

Lausanne Collegiate

OT

No. 175

Amari Rodgers

Knoxville Catholic

RB

No. 183

Cordarrian Richardson

Trezevant

RB

No. 235

Princeton Fant

La Vergne

WR

No. 294

Jacob Phillips

East Nashville

ILB

No. 299

Ben Hutch

Hillsboro

DT

High school football classic building momentum
JaCoby Stevens not distracted by college offers

High school schedules

HIGH SCHOOLS

2015 Football Schedules

BLACKMAN

*at MTSU

CANNON CO.

EAGLEVILLE

LA VERGNE

LANCASTER CHR.

MTCS

OAKLAND

*at MTSU

RIVERDALE

SIEGEL

SMYRNA

STEWARTS CREEK

MTCS running back Tanner Green (32) rushed for more than 900 yards in 2014 as a junior.

MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee Christian School football coach Fred Shambaugh scheduled some junior-varsity games this year.

It was the first time in several years.

Call it a direct reflection of the program’s first district title in school history, which led to the football team’s roster to increase by 50 percent.

“That totally changes how we practice,” Shambaugh said. “We can now raise the intensity in practice.”

MTCS’ roster is currently at 46, up from about 30 a year ago. Of those 46, 32 are underclassmen. That increase has allowed Shambaugh to put together some junior-varsity games to get the younger players experience.

MTCS finished 9-2 in 2014, falling to Trousdale County in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. The Cougars claimed their first District 9-A title after going 9-1 in the regular season.

MTCS dropped down to 1A in the offseason during the TSSAA’s reclassification.

Last year’s success led to more interest in the program during the offseason.

“When we play well, people want to be a part of the tradition that we are going to be carrying on,” MTCS senior Trey Hickey said. “The younger underclassmen are going to want to keep carrying that on.”

MTCS went 6-5 in 2013 under former coach Brian Stewart. That began the turnaround after going 1-19 from 2011 to 2012.

“After going through those tribulations and hard times that we did when we were younger, that paid off and got us stronger, so we could compete and play well (last year),” Hickey said. “And when we did that, the school had our back. We could play harder knowing they had our back.”

“Now we can practice our best 22,” Shambaugh said. “We can practice 11 guys going against 11 guys. We can push them now.

“Last year we couldn’t do that because we had such a drop off. We only had around 27 or 30 players so we didn’t have 11 to run a scout team.”

Shambaugh, who came to Murfreesboro from California, ran a fast-tempo, no-huddle offense this past season. The low numbers forced him to play many on both offense and defense. While some will continue to do that this year, there won’t be as many playing on both sides of the ball.

“We are trying to get away from the iron-man concept,” Shambaugh said.

MTCS on offense returns running back Tanner Green, who rushed for 917 yards in 2014. He will continue to play at outside linebacker, a position he is being recruited to play in college. Joseph Peck replaces Morehead State freshman Justin Winn at quarterback.

“Last year I learned a lot from him and coach (Alex) Robins, who is now at Smyrna,” Peck said. “They were a great influence on me. They just encouraged me.

“This year is great. I love the uptempo style to it. I think overall will be a really good year.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Thoughts from first week in pads

Former NFL quarterback Kelly Holcomb poses for a photograph at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Wednesday, July 29, 2015.

Look out, high school football fans — the Riverdale Warriors have a secret weapon.

He’s the 42-year-old guy in the fishing hat and sunglasses on the practice field.

Middle Tennessee native Kelly Holcomb once was the No. 1 quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. He also started games for the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts, signing a handful of multimillion-dollar contracts along the way.

Now, he’s packing footballs into a dusty, cracked leather bag and hauling it into a gym after working with teenaged quarterbacks — for $0.

And Holcomb loves it.

“My passion is doing what I’m doing now,” he said.

Holcomb retired in 2008, and he and his wife and kids came back to his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, to be a radio color commentator on the Blue Raider Network, a job he quit before last season started.

“I’ve traveled enough in my life, and I’m tired of traveling,” he said.

Holcomb, who grew up in Fayetteville, Tenn., has known since retirement, though, that he wanted to stay involved in football.

A light went on for him three years ago at a golf tournament raising money for Riverdale High School cheerleaders, which had a Holcomb girl on the squad.

The school’s head football coach, Ron Aydelott, was playing golf too.

“I asked him if I could come out there and meet with him and volunteer coach,” Holcomb said. “He said, ‘Sure.’ ”

Since then, Holcomb has been QB coach at a level where there are rarely quarterback coaches — and probably never quarterback coaches who have thrown three touchdown passes in a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Most Riverdale players today were toddlers in Holcomb’s heyday. The players, though, respect his NFL experience, and the other coaches are thrilled with it.

“Kelly was a great player and did great things for his teams,” Aydelott said. “He knows what it takes to win at that spot.”

On the practice field, Holcomb alternates between barking corrections and shouting praises at players.

Holcomb calls himself old school, but he knows it’s important to lift the boys up too.

Former NFL quarterback Kelly Holcomb, center, coaches players during practice at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Wednesday, July 29, 2015.

“You can’t just beat a kid down all the time,” he said. “You have to get on to them but you have to love them too.”

Off the field, Holcomb shows that love by hosting dinners/devotionals at his house every Thursday night before home games.

He’ll have Christian athletes or ministers or coaches come out and share 10-minute personal stories.

“I think the truth is where it’s at,” Holcomb said.

Those dinners are voluntarily for team members, but about 90 percent attend.

Holcomb recently turned down an offer to be an assistant coach in the NFL. For now, anyway, he likes working with teens.

Might he want to be a high school head coach?

“Man, I don’t know. I don’t want to teach school. That’s why I volunteer. I’m blessed that I don’t have to teach,” he said. “You’ve got to be five years a volunteer before you can be head coach. I don’t know if I want to be a head coach. I don’t know that yet.”

Will he return to broadcasting?

“I don’t think it’s my passion,” he said. “My passion is doing what I’m doing now.”

Reach Brad Schmitt at 615-259-8384 or on Twitter @bradschmitt.

Former NFL quarterback Kelly Holcomb gets ready to coach players during practice at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Wednesday, July 29, 2015.

La Vergne and coach Stanton Stevens will compete in Class 5A this season.

Siegel’s Greedy Howse is Rutherford County’s leading returning rusher from 2014.

Job Shadow: Kreager witnesses first practice in pads

MURFREESBORO – It’s that time of year. The slate is clean. All teams have their sights set on a gold ball. High school football practice in full pads begins Monday across the state.

Here is what you need to know as players take the field.

5 STORYLINES FOR THE PRESEASON

Can Riverdale build depth on the offensive and defensive line?

It’s the biggest question on Riverdale’s roster. The Warriors are full at the skilled positions. However, there is plenty of room to build depth in the trenches. Riverdale has a good base with returning linemen Sam Glasgow, Seth Black and Nick Boykin. After that, though, things begin to get interesting.

How will a drop to 5A help La Vergne, Stewarts Creek?

La Vergne and Stewarts Creek will have a change of scenery the next two seasons, dropping from 6A to 5A. La Vergne is coming off a year where the Wolverines advanced to the second round of the playoffs and should be a contender to win Region 5-5A.

Stewarts Creek is entering Year 3 of the program and has made strides. A drop down in classification should put the Red Hawks in a spot to be much more competitive and possibly earn their first playoff berth.

Who wins Oakland’s quarterback battle?

It’s been the most interesting position to date with Cody Miller and Brendan Matthews alternating snaps in all four 7-on-7 tournaments the Patriots participated in this summer.

Neither has been a starting quarterback. Miller was a backup at Oakland. Matthews was a backup at Independence last year.

Who replaces Blackman’s secondary?

The biggest graduation loss for the Blaze defense occurred in the secondary, with all four defensive backs graduating.

Amauri Burks, Taeler Dowdy, Jeremiah Wade and Cory Rankins will be in the rotation at cornerback. Dowdy gives the Blaze a big corner at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Darius Simple, Blake Taylor and Ibrahim Qadir will fill the void left at safety.

Can Siegel rebound after a 3-7 season?

Siegel’s 2014 schedule was brutal, playing non-district foes Beech, Ooltewah, McCallie and Science Hill. The schedule is more manageable in 2015. And quarterback Jordan Middleton and running back Greedy Howse return as starters.

5 NEWCOMERS TO TRACK IN 2015

•Brandon Bea, Riverdale, Sr.: The transfer from Vancouver, Wash., is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback taking over the starting role from Cortland Owens.

•Ethan Cobb, Eagleville, Fr.: He may be a freshman, but at 6-1, 180 pounds, Cobb will replace A.J. Garza as the Eagles’ signal caller to allow Garza to go to running back.

•Dre Litaker, Oakland, So.: The Patriots’ 6-3, 285-pounder will have a presence on the line as either a tight end or tackle.

•Joseph Sewell, Blackman, Jr.: Sewell, a 6-3, 265-pounder, got a small taste a year ago at tight end. He could be the best receiving tight end in the county this season.

•Blake Watkins, Smyrna, Fr.: The former Rock Springs standout will see playing time at running back and possibly in the secondary.

FEELING THE HEAT

High school football coaches and athletic trainers will monitor the heat index at practices and scrimmages the next few weeks. Here is the TSSAA’s heat index policy:

105 degrees or higher: Stop all outdoor activity. Re-check after 30 minutes.

100-104: Provide ample water. Water should be unlimited to athletes. Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes lasting 10 minutes. Iced towels should be available. Alter uniforms by removing layers if possible. Remove helmets, equipment when in non-contact drills. Postpone practice if possible. Re-check after 30 minutes.

95-99: Provide ample water. Water should be unlimited to athletes. Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes lasting 10 minutes. Iced towels should be available. Postpone practice if possible. Re-check after 30 minutes.

Story continues below photo

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Today: First day teams can practice in full pads.

Thursday: Oakland is at Ravenwood, the 2014 6A state runner-up, for a work session on the first day teams can practice with or scrimmage with other teams. But both teams must have three days of practice in full pads.

Friday: First big day for scrimmages. Siegel hosts 2014 Division II-AA state champion MBA at 9 a.m. in the biggest scrimmage of the day.

Aug. 5: Once district rivals, La Vergne plays at Blackman in a scrimmage.

Aug. 14: Stewarts Creek is holding the fourth annual Rutherford County Football Jamboree at 6 p.m.

Aug. 20: Siegel plays at Ravenwood to kick off the high school season for Rutherford County teams.

Aug. 21: Smyrna plays at La Vergne on television on first Friday night of the high school season.

Aug. 22: The inaugural Middle Tennessee Kickoff Classic presented by Venture Express will be held at MTSU. Blackman plays Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) at 4 p.m. and Oakland plays Hoover (Ala.) at 7 p.m.

KEY NUMBERS

0: Wins in six games against Maryville since 2009.

1: Starter (Matthew Leifheit) returning on offense for Blackman off last year’s 11-2 team.

3: New head coaches in Rutherford County. They are David Watson at Blackman, Shawn Bell at Lancaster Christian Academy and Kevin Creasy at Oakland.

4: Regions that will include Rutherford County teams. They include 6-6A, 5-5A, 4-2A and 5-1A.

7: Years since Oakland was the most recent Rutherford County team to win a state championship.

32: Teams in the new Class 6A. And all are automatically in the playoffs.

815: Receiving yards for Riverdale’s Marquise Cantrell, who is the county’s returning receiving leader.

980: Rushing yards for Siegel’s Greedy Howse, who is the county’s returning rushing leader.

1,382: Passing yards for Siegel’s Jordan Middleton, who is the county’s returning passing leader.

NEW PRACTICE REGULATIONS

• Practice time must not exceed three hours for a single practice.

• If there are multiple practices in a day, only one should have full contact.

• Total practice time in pads a day should not exceed five hours, with practices separated by at least three hours of rest in a cool area.

• No athlete should have multiple practices in pads on consecutive days. Helmets can be worn at any time. A practice would be considered in pads if shoulder pads and/or football pants with or without pads are worn.

NEW PRACTICE LIMITATIONS IN-SEASON

• Full contact allowed in no more than three practices a week.

• Full contact in practice no more than 30 minutes per day per group.

• Full contact not permitted on three consecutive days.

• No player can participate in more than eight quarters in one week, on the offensive or defensive side. Special teams participation does not count toward those limitations.

(Full contact is contact which meets the parameters of live action or “thud.” Live action is contact at game speed where players execute full tackles at a competitive pace, taking players to the ground. Thud is defined as competitive tempo with no predetermined winner of a drill with the players not tackling to the ground.)

SIGNIFICANT NFHS RULE CHANGES

Dead-ball penalty enforcement modified: The distance penalties for unsportsmanlike, non-player or dead-ball personal fouls committed by teams can offset. Equal numbers of 15-yard penalties by both teams will cancel and remaining penalties may be enforced.

The rule will matter most when close to the goal line where officials now won’t count off half the distance to the goal line on one side and a full 15 yards the opposite direction.

Free-kick formations revised: Teams must have at least four players on each side of the kicker when the ball is kicked.

Prior to the rule, teams were forced to have at least four players on each side prior to the kick. This could allow more players moving around on kickoffs.

MURFREESBORO – The first day in full pads has come and gone. Scrimmages will begin later this week, and a couple of weeks later will come jamborees.

Here is a look at 13 can’t miss home games in your backyard during the regular season.

Smyrna’s Ikenna Okeke pulls in a catch over La Vergne’s Benjamin O’Shea. The two schools open the season on Aug. 21 at La Vergne.

Week 1

Smyrna at La Vergne, Aug. 21

These two are no longer region rivals. But that won’t decrease the rivalry between these two North Rutherford teams. La Vergne will try to beat Smyrna for just the second time in school history. Oh, and it’s a TV game as well.

Blackman senior Miller Armstrong will make his first start of the season at quarterback on Aug. 22 against Alabama defending Class 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville.

Oakland defensive tackle Ty Nix and the Patriots open the football season on Aug. 22 at MTSU against defending Alabama defending Class 7A state champion Hoover.

Middle Tennessee Football Classic presented by Venture Express, Aug. 22

Blackman and Oakland face arguably the two best teams from Alabama at MTSU to open their seasons. Blackman faces Class 6A defending state champion Clay-Chalkville. Oakland gets defending Class 7A state champion Hoover. This doubleheader is well worth the $15 price of admission.

Stewarts Creek and senior Cynterius Lyons (1) will travel to Smyrna High on Aug. 28 for a non-region game with the Bulldogs.

Week 2

Stewarts Creek at Smyrna, Aug. 28

Stewarts Creek searches for its first win over its budding rival. Smyrna has dominated the first two meetings. A competitive game would help the rivalry. Winner has bragging rights in town for the next year.

Riverdale and Brandon Somerville (15) faces Blackman in the Backyard Brawl on Sept. 4 at Blackman. Somerville played part of the 2014 season at Blackman before transferring to Riverdale.

Week 3

Riverdale at Blackman, Sept. 4

This has been labeled the Backyard Brawl. Blackman defeated Riverdale twice by an average of 30 points in 2014 en route to a Class 6A quarterfinal appearance. However, this rivalry should be much closer this season with Marquise Cantrell, Gentry Bonds and Gene Odom all returning for Riverdale.

Riverdale football coach Ron Aydelott faces Hillsboro, his former school on Sept. 11. Aydelott won a state title at Hillsboro before coming to Riverdale prior to the 2006 season.

Week 4

Hillsboro at Riverdale, Sept. 11

Riverdale football coach Ron Aydelott won a state championship at Hillsboro in 2003 before moving to Murfreesboro three years later. This year he meets his former team for the first time. Hillsboro is the 2014 Class 5A runner-up.

Blackman and running back Taeler Dowdy play at Ray Hughes Stadium on Sept. 18.

Week 5

Blackman at Oakland, Sept. 18

The past two seasons these two programs have been tops in the ’Boro. The two have met four times over the past two seasons. Adding to it is that two former Oakland faculty coaches — Kit Hartsfield and B.J. Oliver — are now at Blackman.

Siegel quarterback Jordan Middleton and the Stars play at Smyrna in what should be a key Region 2-6A game this season on Sept. 25.

Week 6

Siegel at Smyrna, Sept. 25

Siegel held on to beat Smyrna for one of its two district games in 2014. The Stars have beat Smyrna three straight seasons and lost only 28-27 in 2011. This meeting should be another close contest.

Siegel’s Greedy Howse and the Stars travel to Riverdale’s Tomahawk Stadium in Week 7 on Oct. 2.

Week 7

Siegel at Riverdale, Oct. 2

Last game before an open week. After this meeting, both teams may need a few days off to recover.

Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens (7) and the Patriots have 10 games after the Patriots inked a deal to play Haywood for Week 8 on Oct. 9.

Week 8

Haywood at Oakland, Oct. 9

This game was just finalized this week to help fill 10-game schedules for both programs. Haywood has a major college prospect in defensive end Emmit Gooden. But Haywood won’t see a team as talented as Oakland all season.

Riverdale’s Marquise Cantrell and the Warriors play at Ray Hughes Stadium in the Battle of the ’Boro uns the ball after catching a punt return during the Battle of the Boro on Oct. 16. Oakland has won the past two meetings.

Week 9

Riverdale at Oakland, Oct. 16

The Battle of the ’Boro. Oakland has defeated Riverdale the past two seasons. A third straight win is virtually unheard of in this rivalry for Oakland. Oakland’s longest win streak is four from 1987-90.

Riverdale’s Gentry Bonds, Canaan Owens, and Preston Barge play at Smyrna in Week 10 on Oct. 23.

Week 10

Smyrna at Riverdale, Oct. 23

These two teams know each other well. The two met twice a year ago — in the regular-season finale and first week of the playoffs. Plus, they have played each other in the Rutherford County Jamboree the past two years and will meet again Aug. 14 at Stewarts Creek.

Smyrna’s Austin Brown (8) and the Bulldogs wrap up the regular season hosting Oakland on Oct. 30.

Week 11

Oakland at Smyrna, Oct. 30

No better way to end the regular season than a trip to Robert L. Raikes Stadium. The Bulldogs and Patriots have had some classic battles the past few seasons. Oakland has won three straight meetings.

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

Darrick Gibson, a Blackman sophomore football player, comes down an inflatable water slide after practice Thursday, July 30, 2015. The Blackman football players were given a special party with inflatables after completing four days of two-a-day practices in full pads.

MURFREESBORO – Four days of two-a-day practices later, Blackman football coach David Watson gave his team an afternoon off to play and bond as a team.

The Blaze were treated with pizza, snow cones for lunch and inflatable water slides, a row of cornhole boards and human-hamster balls to play in after Thursday’s morning practice as a way to celebrate the end of the first week of practice in full pads.

“It was just a little fun, a little team bonding,” Watson said. “It was just something fun for the kids. I think high school is all about making some memories.

“This is just a reward for them.”

Blackman scrimmages Franklin at 5:30 p.m Friday at The Inferno in its first work in full pads against another team.

Watson said he picked up the idea from former Oakland coach Thomas McDaniel who did it his last couple of years at the Murfreesboro school and continued it at Christian Brothers.

Watson and the Blaze coaching staff surprised the team by having the inflatables set up on the opposite side of the high school from the football fieldhouse.

“He told us we were moving desks,” said Matthew Leifheit, a Blackman senior offensive lineman. “I was like, ‘I don’t think we need 170 kids to move some desks.

“This is definitely a reward for our hard work. I felt like we had a great week of practice.”

Players challenged each other and coaches to games of cornhole while others took turn climbing up inflatables and diving down into water. Others squeezed in the large plastic balls and raced each other.

“I heard the air compressors, and I wondered what was going on,” Blackman junior Joeseph Sewell said. “Then we just saw (the inflatables), and we just took off running.”

Sewell said his highlight of the day was the human ball. He challenged teammate Tony Ochoa to a race.

“We were watching a video on Twitter on it the other day,” Sewell said. “We were like, ‘We need to do that.’”

Senior quarterback Miller Armstrong said the coaches’ reward was welcomed and unexpected.

“It was a nice surprise after a hard week,” he said. “We have fun even in the hard work having to get up early and practice in the heat.

“But this is definitely more of a team-bond experience. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES

MBA at Siegel, 9 a.m.

Eagleville at Huntland, 9 a.m.

Spring Hill at Riverdale, 4:30 p.m.

Franklin at Blackman, 5 p.m.

Smyrna at Centennial, 5 p.m.

Stewarts Creek at Page

La Vergne, Pearl-Cohn at Goodpasture

Riverdale wrestler Nick Boykin, holds up the two national championships that he won in Fargo, N.D. The championships were for Greco-Roman and freestyle.

MURFREESBORO – Nick Boykin spent his summer vacation in Fargo, North Dakota, as his family went to the beach.

The Riverdale junior two-sport athlete wouldn’t change that decision after two national wrestling titles and an invitation to move to Colorado and train with Team USA.

Boykin, 16, recently won the 2015 Cadet National Championships in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at 265 pounds in his first year competing in nationals. He is the first from Tennessee to win both in the same year.

His two national titles come after winning a TSSAA Class AAA state championship at 285 pounds.

“A bunch of opportunities have come up,” said Boykin, who is also a two-way football player. “Navy has wanted me to come up whenever my brother (Scottie) wrestles up there (for UT-Chattanooga). West Virginia spoke to me. But the biggest is the training facility in Colorado.”

Boykin has been approached by Team USA to move to Colorado to train full time.

It’s an offer Boykin has weighed heavily, but he currently is leaning toward finishing out school at Riverdale before possibly training in Colorado full time, and then attend college later. However, he said he currently plans on going to the training facility for a couple of days after the football season to see what it is like.

“Football would be the thing I would miss the most,” said Boykin, who didn’t lose a match while in Fargo.

Boykin opened the week with two days of Greco-Roman wrestling. Greco-Roman wrestling is “all just throws and all upper body stuff” Boykin said. Freestyle is similar to high school.

“Once you win that first tournament, people start following you,” Boykin said.

Boykin’s two national titles came in his first appearance.

“I wanted to do it last year, but I went to visit my family in South Carolina instead,” Boykin said. “I really wanted to go because I hear there are a lot of colleges that go there to recruit.”

Boykin admittedly has a dream of college football. His father Scott Boykin was a standout at MTSU. However, Nick realizes his small height — he’s just 6-foot — is a hindrance for being a college defensive lineman.

“No one has offered me in football,” he said. “I want to wrestle in college, but it’s just hard to get college scholarships.

“But if I do this Olympic thing for a couple years (after high school), they’ll pay for whatever school I want to go to.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Kyle Oliver is no longer on the Tennessee roster, head coach Butch Jones said Monday.

KNOXVILLE – Kyle Oliver’s career at Tennessee has ended before it even truly began.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones confirmed Monday at his pre-camp press conference that Oliver is no longer on the Vols’ roster. Jones gave no reason for Oliver’s departure, which comes just months after he arrived in Knoxville.

Oliver was listed as an associate in a police report detailing the July arrest of then-teammate Charles Mosley for driving under the influence. Oliver was not cited or charged in the incident.

The Murfreesboro native and Oakland product was recruited as a three-star tight end after spending his first three seasons at Oakland as a wide receiver. He moved to tight end his senior year and caught 40 passes for 574 yards with seven touchdowns.

Oliver’s departure leaves former Oakland offensive lineman Jack Jones and former Blackman quarterback Jauan Jennings as the only two freshman Murfreesboro natives on the roster.

Follow Matt Slovin on Twitter @MattSlovin.

Siegel’s Greedy Howse is the returning rushing leader in Rutherford County.

Blackman running back Charlie Davidson is hit by Oakland’s Tyler Black, right, as Oakland’s Cameron Newman closes in on the left in the first half of the play-off quarterfinal Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at Blackman. Oakland won 20-9.

Football

2015 high school football schedules
Prep football guide to first day in full pads
50 questions for 50 days before high school kickoff
Murfreesboro places four in 6A preseason poll

Can’t miss football games for 2015

By Tom Kreager

The Daily News Journal

MURFREESBORO – The first day in full pads has come and gone. Scrimmages will begin later this week, and a couple of weeks later will come jamborees.

Here is a look at 13 can’t miss home games in your backyard during the regular season.

Week 1

Smyrna at La Vergne, Aug. 21

These two are no longer region rivals. But that won’t decrease the rivalry between these two North Rutherford teams. La Vergne will try to beat Smyrna for just the second time in school history. Oh, and it’s a TV game as well.

Middle Tennessee Football Classic presented by Venture Express, Aug. 22

Blackman and Oakland face arguably the two best teams from Alabama at MTSU to open their seasons. Blackman faces Class 6A defending state champion Clay-Chalkville. Oakland gets defending Class 7A state champion Hoover. This doubleheader is well worth the $15 price of admission.

Full article here

Riverdale QB settles in as Oakland battle intensifies
Q&A: Rohling leads county athletic trainers
This isn’t football, but close enough
End of dead period means football season closer
High school football classic building momentum

High schools, teams prepare for competition

Blackman High School

Blackman’s newcomers ready for their turn

Middle Tennessee Christian School

Success brings numbers for MTCS football in 2015

Oakland High School

New Wing-T? No problem for Patriots
Oakland QBs begin battle for starting role
Oakland, Pulaski Academy disagree on canceled game

Riverdale High School

Former NFL player Kelly Holcomb finds new passion
Transfer competing for Riverdale QB job

Siegel High School

Year later, Siegel’s Middleton more confident

George Quarles

MURFREESBORO – Maryville and Oakland met a season ago at Ray Hughes Stadium the day after Thanksgiving.

Coaches statewide believe that matchup could happen again in 2015.

Maryville and Oakland were ranked first and second, respectively, in the Class 6A preseason coaches poll published in the Murphy Fair’s annual preseason high school football preview book. The coaches poll is the only one conducted in the state prior to the season.

Maryville defeated the Patriots 26-14 in last year’s semifinals before going on to win its 15th state championship and second consecutive. Maryville coach George Quarles returns 11 of 22 starters.

Oakland is one of four Murfreesboro teams to be ranked in the 6A poll. Joining the Patriots from the ’Boro are Blackman (fifth), Riverdale (sixth) and Siegel (10th).

This season Class 6A has been coined the Super 6. It consists of the top 31 enrollments in the state along with Maryville. Maryville asked to be moved up from 5A to 6A and was granted their request by the TSSAA when La Vergne agreed to drop down to 5A.

The TSSAA allowed only schools in 6A to drop down a class in order to keep the state’s largest classification to just 32 teams.

All 32 teams in the classification advance to the playoffs no matter their record.

The rest of the 6A poll includes Whitehaven (third), Ravenwood (fourth), White Station (seventh), Science Hill (eighth) and Cordova (ninth).

No other Rutherford County team was placed in the top 10 in its classification. La Vergne received votes in the Class 5A poll. However, Independence — which will compete in Region 5-5A with La Vergne and Stewarts Creek — was ranked 10th.

The preseason favorites in the remainder of the classes include Henry County (5A), Knoxville Fulton (4A), Alcoa (3A), Adamsville and Trezevant (tied in 2A), Union City (1A), Brentwood Academy (Division II-AA) and Battle Ground Academy and Knoxville Webb (tied in Division II-A).

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or at tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

TOP 10 PRESEASON POLL

(Coaches poll from Murphy Fair’s annual preseason football preview book)

1. Maryville

2. Oakland

3. Whitehaven

4. Ravenwood

5. Blackman

6. Riverdale

7. White Station

8. Science Hill

9. Cordova

10. Siegel

New Wing-T? No problem for Patriots

A week of football practice in full pads is compete. A round of scrimmages are in.

Siegel’s Jordan Middleton throws a pass against MBA on Friday.

Here are a few thoughts from the first week.

Blackman’s O is just fine

After graduating 10 of 11 starters, including four that signed with FBS schools, some – OK maybe it was myself – wondered how Blackman’s offense would be in 2015.

Add a new head coach, a new quarterbacks coach and those questions remained.

But Blackman and new starting QB Miller Armstrong had no problems in their first scrimmage against Franklin. Granted, the Rebels may be down this season. But the Blaze scored on every possession but one.

Armstrong had a nice deep pass to Darius Simple. And he showed elusiveness in a third-and-13 run for a first down.

Blackman’s second scrimmage is Wednesday versus La Vergne.

Creek getting physical

Is Year 3 when Stewarts Creek goes to the postseason?

Some have picked the Red Hawks fourth in Region 5-5A.

While that won’t be decided until the upcoming months, Creek showed a more physical side in its scrimmage against Page. Page’s coaches stopped the scrimmage about an hour and 15 minutes in after a couple of key injuries.

That hour and 15 minutes didn’t give coach David Martin much time to analyze his first team – only about 19 plays from his first-string offense. But he saw plenty from his defense, which is adjusting to a 3-4 scheme similar to what he ran at Goodpasture.

Riverdale QB needs time

Newcomer Brandon Bea looked the part of a starting QB in the preseason during 7-on-7 play. However against Spring Hill on Friday, he finally looked like a transfer that has been in Murfreesboro for about a month.

Timing with receivers was off. Passes weren’t perfect. But Bea’s timing should improve with time.

The Warriors’ home scrimmage with Summit at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday will be a big test to see how far he improves from the first scrimmage.

But one thing is certain, he has as live of an arm as anyone in the county.

Siegel struggles against Big Red

Siegel had its share of woes against MBA on Friday. However, give coach Greg Wyant credit. No one in the county likely went against a better team on Friday than the Stars.

The Big Red are further along right now than Siegel. I think anyone that attended that with an impartial eye can see that.

Now, I’m not a big proponent of a scrimmage with so much situational stages. I’d much rather just put it at the 20, bring out a chain gang and see teams try to move the football against an opponent’s defense.

Siegel’s first-string offense finally put together a good drive to open the second half of the scrimmage. Siegel’s second scrimmage is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday against Brentwood Academy, which is picked to win Division II-AA.

No one can say Siegel won’t be tested prior to the Stars’ season opener at Ravenwood on Aug. 20.

Central Magnet’s Ben Waldecker competes in the triple jump during the decathlon at TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, May 18, 2015.

Oakland’s Tyler Black competes in the triple jump during the TSSAA Spring Fling Friday, May 22, 2015, in Murfreesboro.

Oakland’s Chris Stokes has signed with Memphis.

Tyler Black

Oakland, Senior

Event: Triple jump

Why chosen: The Tennessee State football signee finished 10th, leaping 43-feet-5, in the Class AAA state meet.

Trenton Brewington

Riverdale, Junior

Event: 110 hurdles

Why chosen: Brewington finished 11th in the Class AAA state meet in 15.61 seconds.

Caleb Bull

Siegel, Freshman

Event: Pole vault

Why chosen: Bull finished 15th, clearing 9-feet-6 in the Class AAA state meet.

Greg Cantrell

Oakland, Senior

Event: Decathlon

Why chosen: Cantrell qualified for the Class AAA state decathlon with 5,621 points. He was not able to compete due to an injury.

Ty Chesterfield

Riverdale, Junior

Event: Long jump

Why chosen: Chesterfield finished seventh (19-5 ¹/₂) in the Class AAA Section 2 Sectional.

Michael Harris

Blackman, Junior

Event: 400

Why chosen: Harris finished 15th at the Class AAA state meet in 52.51 seconds.

Eli Leskinen

Oakland, Senior

Event: 3,200

Why chosen: The Brown signee finished seventh in the Class AAA state meet in 9:41.13.

Nathan Mack

Oakland, Junior

Event: 800

Why chosen: Mack finished 12th at the Class AAA state meet in 2:01.91.

Kyle Oliver

Oakland, Senior

Event: Discus

Why chosen: Oliver finished 11th, throwing 125-feet-6 at the Class AAA state meet.

Leonel Perez

La Vergne, Senior

Event: 1,600

Why chosen: The UT-Martin signee finished sixth in the Class AAA state meet in 4:22.50.

Ben Perry

Riverdale, Junior

Event: Shot put

Why chosen: Perry finished 14th, throwing 40-feet- 9 ¹/₄ at the Class AAA state meet.

Chris Stokes

Oakland, Senior

Events: 100, 200

Why chosen: The Memphis signee placed fifth in the 100 (10.94) and 10th in the 200 (22.65) at the Class AAA state meet.

Troy Valdary

Oakland, Sophomore

Event: High jump

Why chosen: Valdary finished 11th, clearing 6-feet in the Class AAA state meet.

Ben Waldecker

Central Magnet, Junior

Event: Decathlon

Why chosen: Waldecker finished fourth in the Class A/AA state decathlon with 5,359 points.

Torey Wilkerson

Riverdale, Senior

Event: 300 hurdles

Why chosen: Wilkerson finished 11th in the Class AAA state meet in 41.06 seconds.

RELAYS

Oakland

(Tyler Black, George Gbesee, Josh Cunningham, Chris Stokes)

Event: 400-meter relay

Why chosen: The relay team placed 10th (44.10 seconds) in the Class AAA state meet.

Blackman

(Dante’ Bertrand, Michael Harris, Connor Mitchell, Deontay Alexander)

Event: 800-meter relay

Why chosen: The Blaze relay team qualified for state, but were disqualified at state after dropping a baton.

Oakland

(Jacob Maguffee, Dustin Merritt, Greg Cantrell, Nathan Mack)

Event: 1,600-meter relay

Why chosen: The relay team finished 10th (3:30.65) in the Class AAA state meet.

Oakland

(Jordan Hill, Daniel Smith, Eli Leskinen, Nathan Mack)

Event: 3,200-meter relay

Why chosen: The relay team finished seventh in (8:00.69) in the Class AAA state meet.

HONORABLE MENTION

Central Magnet: Kyle Maples, Jordan Shirley

Eagleville: Tate Huffman

La Vergne: Andrew Marks

MTCS: Andrew McConnell, Sam Mathis

Siegel: Tyler Smith

Smyrna: Jordan Ligon, Mason Cunningham

Stewarts Creek: Kenneth Mangrum, Jasper Snowden

COACH OF THE YEAR

Al Evans

Oakland

Why chosen: Evans led the Patriots to the L.D. Agee Rutherford County Championships title.

Miller Armstrong is Blackman’s new starting quarterback.

MURFREESBORO – Miller Armstrong has waited for this moment — the chance to be Blackman’s starting quarterback.

He hasn’t disappointed thus far in the preseason.

The Blaze senior has fit in perfectly in coach David Watson’s offense. His accuracy has been spot on. In two preseason scrimmages, Armstrong’s lone incompleted passes have been drops from his receivers.

“I don’t think he’s any better than I thought he was going to be because I thought he was going to be a really good quarterback,” Watson said. “We thought he was a good quarterback last year.

“He’s a coach on the field. He’s a cool customer. He understands the game. You don’t have to tell him stuff twice. You tell him something one time and he gets it.”

Armstrong has shown a strong presence on the field in the preseason. When teammate Joeseph Sewell apologized on the sideline last week for dropping a pass in a scrimmage against Nashville Overton, Armstrong shrugged it off and told him everything was fine.

Everything was.

He later connected on a deep pass to Sewell where the junior tight end made a leaping grab to set up a touchdown.

Armstrong is one of 10 new starters on offense at Blackman, which went 11-2 last season. Thus far in the preseason, the offense has gelled just fine thanks in part to a good running attack behind Taeler Dowdy and Master Teague along with Armstrong. Armstrong has shown accuracy and ability to check down to his secondary receivers.

“I think people have seen we haven’t lost (the people on offense) like people thought we lost,” Armstrong said.

2015 high school football schedules

While Armstrong isn’t the dual-threat that former Blaze quarterback Jauan Jennings was the past two seasons, Armstrong isn’t afraid to run.

In a scrimmage against Franklin earlier this month Armstrong rolled to his right on third-and-long. He looked for someone to throw to, couldn’t find a receiver and took off downfield, weaving around defenders to pick up a first down. It was a sign of a seasoned starter, not someone about to take his first meaningful snaps.

“It feels right,” Armstrong said of his new role with nine other new starters on offense. “I’ve grown up with these guys. They are like family for me.”

50 questions for 50 days before high school kickoff

Armstrong started at linebacker in Blackman’s 3-4 defense a year ago and was a DNJ All-Area first team member. He was a backup to Jennings, who is now a freshman at Tennessee. Armstrong was 3-of-7 passing for 79 yards with a touchdown and an interception in limited quarterback action last season.

Playing linebacker helped mold him into the quarterback he is today.

“I wouldn’t say I have a linebacker mentality,” Armstrong said. “It’s more of just my own mentality that I’ve gained throughout the years. It’s just kind of, if you smell blood, you go in for the kill.

“Whether that’s on offense or defense, it may look differently if it’s on offense. But it’s the same mentality.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or on Twitter @Kreager.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

This marks the first of a daily high school football series leading up to the start of the high school football season on Aug. 20.

Riverdale’s Marquise Cantrell

Riverdale’s Marquise Cantrell

Riverdale’s Marquise Cantrell

MURFREESBORO – Marquise Cantrell was honest when he began to talk about his junior season at Riverdale.

Even he didn’t expect to become the premier receiver in Rutherford County. But one year removed from being a candidate for the team’s quarterback, Cantrell thrived at receiver.

The senior wide receiver and defensive back led the county in catches (48) and receiving yards (815) in 2014 to help the Warriors go 9-3 and reach the second round of the Class 6A football playoffs.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t know what was going on,” Cantrell said of his season. “I don’t know what was going on in my head. I was just making plays. I didn’t know that season was going to happen for me.

“I was just blessed.”

Cantrell’s success coincided with Riverdale’s offensive scheme change. Coach Ron Aydelott changed from a hybrid Wing-T offense to a spread offense, taking advantage of a growing group of talented skilled athletes along with a new quarterback.

Now a new quarterback —Vancouver, Washington, transfer Brandon Bea — has taken the reins of the offense.

“My biggest thing is just getting on the same page,” said Cantrell of having Bea at quarterback with the graduation of Cortland Owens. “If you aren’t on the same page, nothing is going to work out.

“With (Owens) graduating, I didn’t know who was going to be there or if I’d get the ball in my hands. But (Bea) is starting to fit in now. Just getting the timing down is the hard part.”

Cantrell has a college offer from Austin Peay. He said that Western Kentucky as well as UT-Martin are recruiting him as a defensive back.

Cantrell headlines a large group of talented Riverdale receivers this season. The list includes Brandon Somerville, Preston Barge, Gentry Bonds, Gene Odom and Jarek Campbell. All have speed and the ability to elude a tackle.

But Cantrell remains the go-to guy on offense. He’ll also be a key part to the defensive secondary.

“I really like both (positions),” Cantrell said. “I really just want to play the position that will keep me on the field longer.”

Cantrell had a team-high five interceptions and recovered a fumble at cornerback in 2014. And like the receivers, the defensive back position is also deep.

“Back there we have a whole lot of athletes,” Cantrell said. “We can put any one of them back there and we will all make plays.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or on Twitter @Kreager.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

This marks the second of a daily high school football series leading up to the start of the high school football season on Aug. 20.

RUTHERFORD CO. JAMBOREE

The fourth annual Rutherford County Football Jamboree will be Friday at Stewarts Creek High School.

Here are the matchups.

• Blackman vs. Stewarts Creek, 6 p.m.

• Riverdale vs. Smyrna, 7 p.m.

• Summit vs. Siegel, 8 p.m.

• La Vergne vs. Oakland, 9 p.m.

Miller’s time: Blaze QB ready for chance to play

Athletic honors

DNJ All-Area Baseball Team
DNJ All-Area Bowling Team
FAB FIVE: DNJ announces All-Area Boys Basketball Team
DNJ All-Area Boys Basketball Team
Barry Wortman named boys hoops coach of year
DNJ All-Area Boys Soccer Team
DNJ All-Area Boys Tennis Team
DNJ All-Area Boys Track and Field Team
All-area cross country team: Cuneo headlines group
DNJ All-Area Football Team Defense
DNJ All-Area football team offensive team capsules
DNJ names All-Area Girls Basketball Team
DNJ All-Area Girls Basketball Team First Team Capsules
Michael Dodgen named girls coach of year
DNJ All-Area Girls Soccer Team announced
DNJ All-Area Girls Tennis
DNJ All-Area Girls Track and Field Team
Blackman’s Owens headlines All-Area Golf Team
DNJ All-Area Softball Team
DNJ All-Area Swim team
Siegel leads All-Area volleyball team
DNJ All-Area Wrestling Team

Eagleville’s James Witt is a three-year starter on the line for the Eagles.

Eagleville’s James Witt is a three-year starter on the line for the Eagles.

EAGLEVILLE – James Witt knew a year ago that Eagleville’s football program was about to go through a reloading phase.

Witt and former teammate James Merritt talked about it during the 2014 season. Witt was going to have to be a leader on the line with a large influx of freshmen and sophomores on this year’s roster.

“Merritt and I talked about it a lot last year,” said Witt, a two-way starter for the Eagles. “I have to make sure they know what they are doing.

“They need to know if they don’t know what to do then come to me. I pretty much will tell them what to do.”

Of Eagleville’s 56 players on its roster, 42 (75 percent) are freshmen or sophomores. That will equate to a quick learning process for the Eagles, who are 24-12 with three Class 2A playoff appearances — including two trips to the quarterfinals — over the past three years.

“Anything can happen at any moment,” Witt said. “(The underclassmen) have to learn quick. I learned quick. And they are under the same coaching staff that I am too. So they can learn quick too.”

Witt, a 5-foot-10, 255-pound lineman, will start at center on offense and at noseguard on defense.

“I like playing center,” Witt said. “It’s my main thing. I play better on offense. I’d rather be blocking.”

Witt has already displayed that leadership in the preseason.

Against Huntland in a preseason scrimmage earlier this month, when some on the offensive line froze up, Witt took command and yelled out the call.

“He understands the importance of his role,” Eagleville coach Steve Carson said. “He’s a three-year starter, and he even played a lot as a freshman. He understands that he has to not only lead by actions, but be more vocal.

“He’s learning how to do that. He’s doing a good job.”

That new leadership role is something assistant coach Tom Fiveash, the Eagles’ offensive and defensive line coach, has insisted of Witt up front. Fiveash is a former MTSU assistant.

Witt is a veteran on the line, and Fiveash expects him to be a leader for his linemen.

“He wants me to help them,” Witt said. “He expects me to help them. I like doing that. If I have to do it, I’ll do it.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or on Twitter @Kreager.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

This marks the third of a daily high school football series leading up to the start of the high school football season on Aug. 20.

Making plays: Cantrell led all receivers in 2014
Making plays: Cantrell led all receivers in 2014
2015 high school football schedules

Cannon County quarterback Brady Page rolls out to throw a pass during a recent practice.

Cannon County’s Austin Brock carries the ball on offense during a recent practice.

MTCS football ready to continue climb
New coach, same expectations at LCA
Eagles face youth movement

WOODBURY – It’s been six seasons since Cannon County reached the high school football postseason. Since the Lions went 6-5 and won a region title in 2009, the Lions have won just three games.

This year’s Lions will attempt to reverse that trend.

But it won’t be easy. A new Class 3A region and a roster of just 30 players will be a tough challenge for third-year coach T.J. Daniel.

Here are five questions facing Cannon County for the 2015 season.

How much will depth be an issue?

It’s the elephant in the room. MTCS showed it can win a district title a year ago with just 30 players, so the task is doable for Cannon County. However, winning with that many players in Class 3A will be a tall order.

Daniel said his team is in good shape entering the season due to a strong summer program. Plus, the Lions enter the season healthy. But a third of the roster are freshmen. That will force Cannon County to play numerous players on both sides of the ball.

What will the Lions do on offense?

The Lions have tried a little bit of everything on offense over the past two seasons from the Wing-T to a spread offense. Cannon County intends to run an I-formation in 2015 behind first-year starting quarterback Brady Page, a senior, who has been a backup previously.

“I think we’ve adjusted well to it,” Page said. “We’ve been practicing on it since early in the summer. I think it’s starting to come together.”

Running back Austin Brock will be the Lions’ lead runner. He’s athletic and can make defenders miss. Jeremy Litchford and Gage Jones will also see time.

Micah Fanoti is expected to join Brock in the backfield at fullback, giving the Lions a big blocker after being an offensive tackle a year ago.

How will Cannon County do in its new region?

The Lions have traditionally competed in a district that was based on the Upper Cumberland. However, that will expand in 2015 after the TSSAA’s reclassification.

Gone are Macon County and Livingston Academy. In their place, Sequatchie County and Grundy County will join them.

That will allow for new rivalries to be born. But that will also force the coaches to learn offensive and defensive schemes on two new region opponents.

What is the biggest question mark entering the season?

Depth is obviously a concern. With so many players contributing on offense and defense, conditioning has been key in the offseason.

How the offensive and defensive line holds up because of depth issues is the biggest question mark.

Several linemen will play on both side of the ball. Offensive lineman Garrett Cook, guard Cole Hill and Fanoti all will also play on the defensive line this season in the Lions’ 5-3 defense.

“We’ve been practicing all summer long that way, so it shouldn’t be a problem,” Daniel said.

Can the offense score points?

Cannon County averaged 8.5 points a game in 2014, up from 4.8 the year prior. To compete this year, the Lions must find away to control the clock while continuing to score points. Brock may be key for that as he can be a playmaker for the offense.

This offense still hasn’t reached a point where it can win a game in an offensive shootout.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

2015 Schedule

Date

Team

Time

Aug. 21

at Community

7 p.m.

Aug. 28

Jackson Co.

7 p.m.

Sept. 4

at Grundy Co.

7 p.m.

Sept. 11

at Red Boiling Springs

7 p.m.

Sept. 18

York Institute

7 p.m.

Sept. 25

Upperman

7 p.m.

Oct. 2

at Smith Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 9

MTCS

7 p.m.

Oct. 16

Sequatchie Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 23

Open

Oct. 30

at DeKalb Co.

7 p.m.

2014 Results

Date

Team

Time

Aug. 22

MTCS

L 48-6

Aug. 29

at Jackson Co.

L 28-6

Sept. 12

Red Boiling Springs

L 14-13

Sept. 19

DeKalb Co.

L 47-0

Sept. 26

at Watertown

L 32-12

Oct. 3

Macon Co.

L 28-6

Oct. 10

at Livingston Acad.

L 61-0

Oct. 17

Smith Co.

W 21-13

Oct. 24

at York Institute

L 49-7

Oct. 30

at Upperman

L 26-14

FAST FACTS

Head coach: T.J. Daniel, third season (2-18 overall, 2-18 at Cannon County)

2014: 1-9

Stadium name: Fred Schwartz Field

Team Twitter: N/A

Last time in the playoffs: 2009 (lost to Harpeth 29-20 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs)

Region 4-3A opponents: DeKalb Co., Grundy Co., Sequatchie Co., Smith Co., Upperman, York Institute

MTCS’ Nick Merritt is the team’s second-leading returning rusher on offense and had a school-record in sacks in 2014.

MTCS’ Nick Merritt is the team’s second-leading returning rusher on offense and had a school-record in sacks in 2014.

New coach, same expectations at LCA
Eagles face youth movement
Lions turn to iron-man football due to low numbers

MURFREESBORO – Fred Shambaugh’s first season at MTCS was a memorable one.

The California transplant led the Cougars to their first district title in school history, going 9-2 and reaching the second round of the Class 2A playoffs despite having just a 30-man roster.

A year later, the Cougars have dropped down to 1A in classification and have improved their numbers by 50 percent over a year ago.

Here are five questions facing MTCS for the 2015 high school football season.

Who replaces quarterback Justin Winn?

Winn, who is now a freshman quarterback at Morehead State, was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, leading the Cougars in passing (1,796 yards) and rushing (917 yards).

Junior Joseph Peck takes over the quarterback duties for the Cougars’ no-huddle, fast-paced offense. Peck is a strong runner, who is developing his passing game.

Running back Tanner Green, who rushed for 902 yards in 2014, returns and will be a key part of the offense, especially if the passing game takes time to settle in. Green is a powerful, speedy back who will give opposing defenses problems.

How will a larger roster help the Cougars?

Let’s be honest, there are practice limitations with 30 players on a roster in a sport that requires a minimum 22 players when practicing game situations.

This year’s larger roster has added depth. It’s helped in more competitive practices already. While there may be a couple of players such as Green and Trey Hickey who can plan on playing both ways, there won’t be many more asked to play iron-man football.

And if freshman lineman Mason Williams continues to develop, no lineman will be asked to start on both sides of the ball.

Will the defense be improved from last season?

Opponents averaged 21.5 points a game against MTCS’ defense in 2014. Those numbers could be better this season.

The Cougars return defensive ends Sam Mathis (60 tackles, eight sacks) and Nick Merritt (49 tackles, 11 sacks) to lead the defensive line, which should be the defense’s strength. And leading tackler Brayden Melton (140 tackles) returns at linebacker.

Add cornerback Trey Hickey (three interceptions) and the Cougars’ defense should be fine.

Can MTCS win the region title?

There will be several new opponents on this year’s MTCS schedule due to the TSSAA’s reclassification. Nashville Christian, a 1A state semifinalist in 2014, is the headliner in the Cougars’ Region 5-1A. Add storied-programs Trousdale County and Gordonsville and this won’t be an easy eight-game league slate.

NCS is likely the region favorite, but the Cougars should be considered a playoff contender.

What is this year’s biggest question mark?

The passing game. A new starter at quarterback combined with three of the top-four receivers graduating presents a big question. The good thing? Hickey returns and is a reliable receiver. He will catch anything thrown his way. And newcomer Philip Jones has had a good preseason as a slot receiver.

Sophomore Andrew McConnell has moved from running back to receiver.

Peck should be fine. And having a strong run game will only help him.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

2015 Schedule

Date

Team

Time

Aug. 21

Ezell-Harding

7 p.m.

Aug. 28

at Red Boiling Springs

7 p.m.

Sept. 4

Jo Byrns

7 p.m.

Sept. 11

at Monterey

7 p.m.

Sept. 18

Clay County

7 p.m.

Sept. 25

at Pickett Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 2

Gordonsville

7 p.m.

Oct. 9

at Cannon Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 16

Trousdale Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 23

at Nashville Chr.

7 p.m.

Oct. 30

Open

2014 Results

Date

Team

Score

Aug. 22

at Cannon Co.

W 48-6

Aug. 29

Zion Chr. Acad.

W 32-7

Sept. 5

Mt. Juliet Chr.

W 42-13

Sept. 12

Fayetteville

W 22-15

Sept. 19

Community

W 66-21

Sept. 26

at Whitwell

W 36-30

Oct. 3

Moore Co.

W 50-3

Oct. 17

Eagleville

W 22-9

Oct. 24

at Forrest

L 49-14

Oct. 31

at Huntland

W 52-28

Nov. 14

Trousdale Co.

L 55-42

FAST FACTS

Head coach: Fred Shambaugh, second season (56-23-1 overall, 9-2 at MTCS)

2014 record: 9-2

Stadium name: Throneberry Stadium

Team Twitter: @MTCSFB

Last time in the playoffs: 2014 (lost to Trousdale County 55-42 in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs)

Region 5-1A opponents: Clay Co., Gordonsville, Jo Byrns, Monterey, Nashville Chr., Pickett Co., Red Boiling Springs, Trousdale Co.

Eagleville’s A.J. Garza has moved from quarterback to running back.

Eagleville’s A.J. Garza has moved from quarterback to running back.

MTCS football ready to continue climb
New coach, same expectations at LCA
Lions turn to iron-man football due to low numbers

EAGLEVILLE – A new region hasn’t changed the expectations for Eagleville’s football team.

The Eagles will be one of the smallest teams in Region 4-2A, according to last year’s enrollment figures provided to the TSSAA. However, Eagleville and veteran coach Steve Carson have reached the postseason in each of the past six seasons and have won at least one playoff game in four of those years.

An influx of underclassmen, though, could put that streak in jeopardy.

Here are five questions for Eagleville entering the 2015 high school football season.

Who will be the next 1,000-yard rusher?

Between Nathan Jernigan, Chris Hale and Cameron Lawson, the Eagles have put together a nice string of successful running backs.

Either A.J. Garza or Rodney Turner will look to continue that trend in 2015. Garza moves over to running back after starting at quarterback a year ago. Garza, a senior, nearly cleared the 1,000-yard mark as the Eagles’ signal caller. He rushed for 858 yards and had 5.9 yards a carry in 2014.

Turner left the team in 2014, but put in the work in the offseason and returned this year. He is a hard-nosed runner that could give the Eagles a good 1-2 combination.

Who takes over at quarterback?

At one point in the offseason it looked like Carson would turn to freshman Ethan Cobb to take over the quarterback. And that may still happen. Cobb, at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, looks the part.

But senior Jacob Acuna has had a good fall camp and could be the starter.

Carson said earlier this week no starter has been named heading into next week’s season opener with Lewis County. Don’t be surprised if both see time on the field.

And there will likely be a package for Garza given his experience at the position.

Can the Eagles stay healthy?

Sure, injuries are a concern for everyone. But with five starters coming back on each side of the ball and 75 percent of the roster being freshmen and sophomores, it’s perhaps even larger.

Due to sheer numbers — there are 29 of them — expect to see some freshmen on the field this season. That will require a quick growing-up period combined with good senior leadership by those on the field.

Freshman Isaac Gleaves will start at tight end. Three of the five backups on the offensive line are also freshmen.

How will the Eagles handle the new region?

Eagleville fans can expect to travel more in Region 5-2A from the old District 9-A over the next two seasons. There will be a trip to the Upper Cumberland to Jackson County. And Eagleville will have to fight Nashville traffic for games at Clarksville Academy, East Robertson and Westmoreland.

But the Eagles do renew a rivalry with Cascade, which is dropping down from 3A.

What is their best position?

Defensive secondary. All four defensive backs in Eagleville’s secondary are seniors with experience.

Garza, a returning starter at corner, had two interceptions a year ago. Free safety Matthew Pollard had an interception and strong Garrett Parker (27 tackles) and corner Tyler Griffin (eight tackles) have game-time experience.

The youth movement. Anytime a team has 75 percent of its roster made up of freshmen and sophomores there should be a concern. While they may be talened underclassmen, their varsity experience is limited.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

2015 Schedule

Date

Team

Time

Aug. 21

Lewis Co.

7 p.m.

Aug. 28

at Clarksville Acad.

7 p.m.

Sept. 4

East Robertson

7 p.m.

Sept. 11

Loretto

7 p.m.

Sept. 18

at Cascade

7 p.m.

Sept. 25

Watertown

7 p.m.

Oct. 2

Westmoreland

7 p.m.

Oct. 9

Open

Oct. 16

at Jackson Co.

7 p.m.

Oct. 23

Forrest

7 p.m.

Oct. 30

Community

7 p.m.

2014 Results

Date

Team

Result

Aug. 22

Mt. Pleasant

L 25-3

Aug. 29

at Watertown

W 9-0

Sept. 5

Huntland

L 27-13

Sept. 12

at Jo Byrns

W 7-0

Sept. 19

Forrest

L 21-7

Sept. 26

at Grace Baptist

W 62-27

Oct. 3

Fayetteville

W 42-12

Oct. 17

at MTCS

L 22-9

Oct 24

at Moore Co.

W 3-0

Oct. 31

Community

W 27-0

Nov. 7

at Jackson Co.

L 14-13

FAST FACTS

Head coach: Steve Carson, eighth season (48-33 overall, 48-33 at Eagleville)

2014 record: 6-5

Stadium name: Talon Field

Team Twitter: N/A.

Last time in the playoffs: 2015 (lost to Jackson Co. 14-13 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs)

Region 4-1A opponents: Cascade, Community, East Robertson, Forrest, Jackson Co., Watertown, Westmoreland