Ooltewah High School 2021

Team Profile

Photos by Tina Lee Photography

Q&A with Coach James Manning

Ooltewah High School football Coach James ManningQ: How would you characterize this year’s team?

A: They are a great group of kids who are fun to be around. They show up every day ready to work and get better. 

Q: What will be the keys to your success?

A: Playing tough and physically for four quarters. If we don’t catch all of the right breaks at first, we must be able to lock in and keep working.

Q: Who will be your key leaders on the team?

A: Nick Sullivan (WR/LB), Dawson Jones (WR/DB), Christian Doty (WR), Jaden Carmichael (QB/LB), and Joseph Singerle (OL).

Q: What are your biggest reasons for optimism?

A: We are very athletic, and our kids want to work.

Q: What can you build on from last year?

A: Last year, we had a young football team and only graduated 14 seniors. Hopefully, some of that playing time will translate this year and help the game slow down.

Q: Any lessons learned  from last year?

A: We have to build depth at all positions.

Q: Will we see anything different this year?

A: JD Dunbar will be our defensive coordinator and hopefully help the kids play with an edge on the defensive side of the ball. We want to be tough and physical at the point of contact and win the one-on-one battles. 

Q: How would you characterize your team’s speed?

A: We have some guys who can move. We need to make sure that we get them to move in the right direction at the right time and can get them the football. 

  • Chattanooga First Federal Credit Union ad
  • Andy Mitchell Photography Ad

Stats

Coach Name: James Manning (1 yr. as a head coach, 1st as head coach at Ooltewah)

Division/Class: TN I-5A 

2020 Overall Record: 4-6

2020 District Finish: 5th 

Mascot: Owls

 

2021 Schedule

August

20 East Hamilton (A)

27 Red Bank (H)

September

3 Walker Valley (A)

17 Rhea Co. (H)

24 Baylor (H)

October

1 Howard (H)

8 Bradley Central (H)

15 Soddy Daisy (A)

22 Brainerd (A)

29 McMinn Co. (A)

 

Coach’s View

With our schedule this fall, we will definitely be put to the test each week. So, what I want to see the most is for our kids to go out and compete. If we can get out there and play smart, physical football, we will have opportunities to win games and make a playoff run. 

  • CHI Memorial Hospital ad
  • Lee University ad
Shares