Coach Vic Grider
Q. How would you characterize this year’s team?
A. We graduated some good seniors, so we’ll have a lot of holes to fill.
Q. What will be the keys to your success?
A. The development of our young players and staying injury free.
Q. Who will be your key leaders on the team?
A. Sawyer Kelley (Sr., FB/LB), Cade Kennemore (Sr., WR/DB), and Hayden Branham (Sr., OL/DE).
Q. What are your biggest reasons for optimism?
A. We have players who know how to win and know what it takes.
Q. What will keep you up at night?
A. The fear of injury to key players at certain positions.
Q. What can you build on from last year?
A. We were very close to playing for a state championship last year, and I think it has made this group very hungry.
Q. Any lessons learned from last year?
A. In the biggest games, it comes down to just a few plays, and when you get the opportunity to make one, you must make it.
Q. Will we see anything different this year?
A. No.
Q. How would you characterize your team’s speed?
A. Overall, I think our team speed is very good. We can put a lot of guys on the field who can really run.
Coach’s View
As always, our schedule will be a tremendous challenge. We still play Sequatchie and Marion, who went a combined 26-3 last year, and one even played for the state championship. We’ve also added two perennially strong Nashville teams, Lipscomb Academy and Goodpasture. Plus I feel that Whitwell, who is in our region, will be a very good football team. Our ability to refocus week to week will be put to the test.
Photos By Tracey Kennemore
Cade Kennemore
Garrett Raulston
Cooper Stewart
Hayden Branham
Garrett Raulston
Cade Kennemore
Sawyer Kelley
E.J. Cagle
