By Donovan Stewart
MaxPreps.com
MaxPreps correspondent Donovan Stewart opened his look at the 2008 football season two weeks ago by pegging South Pittsburg as the team to beat in 1A. This week, Stewart takes on the 2A classification, identifying the top teams, players and storylines heading into the fall.
Tennessee Class 2A State Football Preview
Preseason Top Five
1. Alcoa Tornadoes (14-1, defending 2A state champions)
State Titles - 9, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1989, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Head Coach - Gary Rankin
Top Players - Sam Thompson, WR, Sr., Tyler Robinson, TE/DE, Jr., Chase James, QB, Sr., Jeff Hickman, OL, Sr., Connor Miles, LB, Sr., David Williams, LB, Sr., Taharan Tyson, RB, So., Derrick Broadus, K, Jr., Micah Dando, WR, Sr., Jaron Toney, RB, Jr.
Strengths – It’s Alcoa – the big 800-pound gorilla of Class 2A. The Tornadoes are going for a five-peat and have won the last two state crowns by a 66-6 score. Senior wide receiver Sam Thompson is a big weapon and quarterback Chase James will look for Thompson all over the field. James will also have monster tight end Tyler Robinson to throw to.
Concerns - From an Alcoa standpoint, this team isn’t as explosive as years past, but its still pretty good. Teams may not be in awe of the Tornadoes as they have in the past several years.
2. Goodpasture Cougars (13-2, 2A runner-up)
State Titles - 3, 1995, 1999, 2001
Head Coach - David Martin
Top Players - Benjamin Cunningham, RB/DB, Sr., William Harris, LB/TE, Sr., John Hambrick, WR/DB, Sr., Justin Oubre, TE/DL, Sr., Matt Ryman, OL/DL, So., Nathan Kelly, Sr., OG/LB, Hunter Ramsey, DB, Sr., Ladd Kuykendall, QB, Sr. Glenn Nabors, PK, Sr., Jeremiah Vivio, OG/DT, Sr.
Strengths - The Cougars will return only two on offense but seniors Benjamin Cunningham (RB) and Ladd Kuykendall (QB) can flat out play. Cunningham is a hard runner in the Wing-T and Kuykendall is as steady as they come at the position. Senior Linebacker William Harris will lay a hat on you from his linebacker position and defensive back John Hambrick is a ball hawk.
Concerns - Only returning two on offense will be a concern for Martin but the Cougars don’t rebuild, they reload. If they get back to the title game and play Alcoa, the Cougars will have to forget that Alcoa has outscored them 121-19 the last three title games.
3. Milan Bulldogs (11-2, 2A quarterfinals)
State Titles - 2, 1998, 1999
Head Coach - Jeff Morris
Top Players - Jabronski Gilbert, RB, Jr., Justin Coleman, QB, Sr., Tristan Pearson, WR, Sr., J.W. Williams, RB, Sr., Avery Williamson, LB, Jr., Luke Poastoak, ATH, Sr., Luke Jackson, OL, Sr.
Strengths- The Bulldogs had a good season last year playing with a youthful crop of players. Milan’s backfield will be completely intact as speedy Jabronski Gilbert and J.W. Williams, plus quarterback Justin Coleman, return to give opponents nightmares.
Concerns – Milan will have to replace starters on the offensive line and defensive backfield.
4. Smith County Owls (10-2, 2A second round)
State Titles - None
Head Coach - Jimmy Maynord
Top Players - Jeremy Robinson, FB/LB, Sr., Cody Anderson, FS/RB, Sr., Brandon Johnston, QB, Jr., Carter Robinson, C, Sr., Timmy Bush, OL, Jr., Scotty West, DB, Sr., Justin McCall, WR, Sr., Logan Hacknett, DT, Sr., Jake Vance, DT, Jr., Payton Bray, OG/LB, Jr.
Strengths - The offensive balance that the Owls bring to the table will have defensive coordinators losing sleep, especially with playmakers like Anderson and Johnston.
Concerns - Lack of overall team speed. The only team to beat Smith County last season was region foe York. The Dragons had more team speed and that was the clincher in both contests.
5. Huntingdon Mustangs (8-4, 2A second round)
State Titles – 1, 2003
Head Coach - Eric Swenson
Top Players - Caleb Crocker, RB, Sr., Colin Hatch, QB, Sr., Tyler Simpson, FB, Jr., Dakota Jordan, OL, Sr., Daniel Thomas, DL, Sr., DeShaun Holder, DB, Jr., Drake Whitworth, K, Sr.
Strengths - New coach Eric Swenson was on Mike Mansfield’s staff during the state title run in 2003 and knows what will be expected of him from the folks in Huntingdon. Crocker is a stud who should follow in the footsteps of past great Huntingdon running backs.
Concerns- Huntingdon will have to retool their offensive line considering they are a running team and four starters were lost from last season.
Five More That Could Surprise - York, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Boyd Buchanan, Lewis County
Five Big 2A Questions
1. Can anybody derail Alcoa? The Tornadoes are 55-5 over the last four championship seasons with four losses to Blount county neighbor Maryville and one loss to Knoxville Fulton. The Tornadoes have run roughshod over Class 2A. Can any team stop them or will it be another gold ball for Gary Rankin’s team?
2. Who will win Region 5-2A? This region is the most balanced in the state, producing three different region champions over the last three seasons. Donelson Christian Academy won last season, Goodpasture won in 2006 and East Robertson in 2005. Add Christ Presbyterian Academy, Franklin Road Academy and Ezell Harding to the mix and it makes for a very rugged region.
3. Can York go back-to-back in Region 4-2A? The Dragons, a preseason No. 4 seed by the coaches last fall, completely surprised everyone to win the region, finishing with a 12-1 mark and handing Smith County its only two losses of the season. This year the Dragons bring back their entire backfield in quarterback Dakota Jones and running backs Lance Wright and Brian Van Wormer. A repeat is possible.
4. How different will Huntingdon be without the Mansfield influence? New coach Eric Swenson knows the Huntingdon system and tradition, and carved out a niche for himself last season while the head coach at Hickman County. Every new coach has his own ideas, but expect changes to be very subtle.
5. Will someone complain about the wild card system again this season? Yes. With nine regions – unlike the eight in other all other classifications – five teams were given wild card berths. It was controversial and difficult for coaches and fans to wrap their heads around. Like college football’s BCS, there will always be a team (or teams) that thinks they got left out.
Other Class 2A Superlatives
Toughest Shoes To Fill – Mike Mansfield, Huntingdon. Mansfield won over 150 games while at the helm of the Mustang program, including the school’s only state title in 2003 before retiring after last season.
Best Coaching Hire – David Pack, Franklin Road Academy. Pack won two state titles while at Christ Presbyterian Academy and then won a state title in girls basketball last season at Ensworth. The guy can coach and his compassion for his players and enthusiasm will translate to wins for FRA in the future.
Best Rivalries – Alcoa-Maryville, Smith County-Upperman, Christian Presbyterian Academy-Donelson Christian Academy, Goodpasture-David Lipscomb, Milan-Huntingdon.
Players Worth Price of Admission – Sam Thompson, WR, Alcoa, Benjamin Cunningham, RB, Goodpasture, William Harris, LB, Goodpasture, Josh Blake, QB, Grace Academy, Nic Hughes, QB, Boyd Buchanan, Ty Fields, QB, Upperman, Jabranski Gilbert, Jr., RB, Milan, Perry Horkins, Jr., RB, Harpeth, Keenan Kolinsky, RB, CAK, Melvin Young, RB, Cannon County, Lance Wright, RB, York, Caleb Crocker, RB, Huntingdon.
Most Competitive Region – Region 5-2A. Goodpasture, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Donelson Christian Academy, Franklin Road Academy and East Robertson all will vie for a region crown.
Toughest Places to Play – Alcoa, Tyner, Christian Presbyterian Academy, Huntingdon, Humboldt
Donovan Stewart can be reached via email at dstew4vu@yahoo.com
