Next year’s TSSAA reclassification signals an end to Region 2-5A football, and it’s hard to tell which of the group’s eight coaches will give the biggest sigh of relief.

Oak Ridge won the region from 2003 to 2005 but gave way to Ooltewah in 2006 and Farragut in 2007. The Wildcats actually missed the playoffs in 2006, and every team except Maryville Heritage and Bradley Central has had at least one playoff year.

“It’s a battle just to get in the top four in this region,” said Damon Floyd, who enters his third year as Bears coach. “Look at last year. McMinn County went 7-3 and beat Farragut and didn’t make it to the playoffs.”

Ooltewah’s Benny Monroe, one of the state’s winningest coaches, echoed that thought.

“This is the last year of this region, and in my coaching background I haven’t experienced anything more competitive,” he said. “It’s really a tough league, and it’s really good football. The last three years, I think our region has been very, very competitive compared to when I was at Cleveland and the league we played in up there.”

Monroe banks on a week of intense preparation for 2-5A opponents.

“It is a very physical league throughout,” he said. “You don’t have teams that you can go out and beat at the drop of a hat. You have to work hard in preparing for every game you play. If you look at the rankings in the preseason, there are usually four or five of the teams ranked high.”

He used McMinn County as an example.

“They were the only 7-3 team in the state last year that didn’t make it to the playoffs, and (coach) Bo Cagle has done a great job of energizing that program with a new offense,” Monroe said.

Cagle didn’t flinch.

“We’re in (contention) but the race is a toss-up every year. One through five could belong to anybody this year,” he said. “In the passing league, Ooltewah was as good as any I have seen. Farragut is good up front year in and year out. William Blount lost more than 20 seniors, but those kids laid a good foundation.

“And Oak Ridge? Gosh, if they’re anything like normal, they’re going to have the best athletes in the region. They have the tools every year to make a run. But we didn’t have a bad game against any of them last year.”

While he sees his offensive and defensive lines as team strengths, Cagle’s Cherokees are likely to throw more from his spread offense with quarterback Cy Ables filling the shoes of graduated Devon Johnson.

Bradley Central is beginning to see the results of an intensified strength and conditioning program, and Floyd has some flashy speed in tailback Deonte Lindsey to go with a bigger, stronger offensive line.

Newcomer coach E.K. Slaughter of Soddy-Daisy also has some speed — running back P.J. Hubbard and receivers Donovan Barnes, Bubba Haney and Craig Smith — to help build a spread offense around junior quarterback Scott Parrott. The former Red Bank offensive coordinator is still familiarizing himself with the region.

“I don’t know a whole lot about the Knoxville teams, but Ooltewah has an unbelievable amount of speed and their skill positions are very solid,” he said.

In that sense, Ooltewah and Oak Ridge are similar. With receivers Sammy Seamster, Gino Norwood and Darrion Delaney, Monroe’s Owls have exceptional speed. The Owls will miss graduated running back Brian Marshall, but observers at early workouts think Matthew Polk possesses his quickness and his hands.

When it comes to talent, though, most coaches were quick to mention Oak Ridge running back Demarcus Rogers, receivers Raphael Coffey, Durrell Thompson and Derrick Smith and quarterback/free safety Tyler Clark.

“Oak Ridge probably has more players returning, the kind of players you need to return, and that’s why I picked them to win,” Monroe said.

Predicted order of finish

1. Oak Ridge So many returning skill players; beat 4-time 4A state champ Maryville in a scrimmage.

2. Ooltewah Talented but still-young Owls might be a year away.

3. McMinn County More diverse offense and improved defense.

4. Farragut Graduated several key players but consistent with great feeder program.

5. Soddy-Daisy New coach brings spread offense, enthusiasm, optimism.

6. William Blount Quality running back but serious lack of experience.

7. Bradley Central Decent size, good strength throughout and more speed.

8. Heritage A chance for improvement but how much in this region?

Team on the rise: Soddy-Daisy has a new coach, new schemes, and better blend of talent.

Team on the decline: William Blount graduated 28 seniors.

Nightmare schedule: Ooltewah has 44A state runner-up Maplewood in addition to region grind that includes back-to-back weeks against Oak Ridge and Farragut.

Dream schedule: No team went undefeated in region play last year; Oak Ridge and Heritage are the only two playing Class 3A teams (Oak Ridge vs. Knox Fulton; Heritage vs. Seymour)

Best game: Ooltewah plays at Oak Ridge on Oct. 24.

Biggest shoes to fill: Versatile Ooltewah running back Brian Marshall.

Playoff bound: McMinn County should benefit from second year with coach Bo Cagle.

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