Grundy County Yellow Jackets

Fan's guide to this year's Grundy County Yellow Jackets

Coach: Nick Bryant (Third year, 17-16 here and overall) Stadium: Crisp Field Address: 24970 SR 108, Coalmont, TN 37313

Three strengths

1) They Yellow Jackets return eight defensive starters so they have experience. The group, which Bryant says flies around pretty well, will be anchored by linebackers Michael Nolan and Tanner Bramhall.

2) Senior numbers are slim, around a half dozen, but there are three that have been through the grind. Three are entering their fourth year to at least contribute and have been among the first to arrive and last to leave - defensive backs Josh Rhea and Briley King and defensive tackles Claude Cunningham.

3) Bryant has been pleased with the team unity. This is the most consistency he has seen from a group - from seniors through sophomores - since he took over as head coach four years ago. "They've been there since we started in January in the weight room and through spring practice and summer workouts. They have bonded because they already have sweat blood together," he said.

Three concerns

1) There are questions offensively, especially in the line, where there are but two returning starters - center Tyler Land and guard Cunningham. They'll use two players at quarterback in Josh Rhea and Hayden Holland. It's likely that Rhea will see additional time at tight end, flanker and running back. He also is the team's long-snapper.

2) Sophomores will have to grow up quickly because some of them will start, especially on offense and quite a few will be asked to fill roles on special teams. The coaching staff has paid particular attention to the offensive line where three sophomores are battling for two starting spots.

3) Their coaches regularly bemoan the lacking of an accomplished kicker. "Those points add up if you're not getting them regularly, and it would help a lot if it didn't look like we were kicking onside every kickoff," Bryant said.

photo Josh Rhea

Three questions with ...

JOSH RHEA

(Senior running back/defensive back)

Q: What do you think of Grundy County's chances this year?

A: I think we'll get in the playoffs, but I also think we'll take it game by game.

Q: What do you think the strength of this team is?

A: Defense. We're stronger there because of the number of guys coming back.

Q: You play a number of postions. When do you take a break and how do you manage?

A: I really don't take breaks. I play tight end, quarterback, running back, safety and long-snapper, so I really don't come off the field. It's just a matter of pushing myself.

By the numbers:

2 - Most consecutive games won last year after a four-game win streak in 2010.

3 - Consecutive playoff appearances since enduring five straight losing seasons and a 13-38 stretch.

14 - There are 14 returning starters, including eight on defense, among 28 returning lettermen. Among those who have departed, though, is running back Johnny Cook, upon whom the Jackets' offense was built.

2011 stats leaders (returning players in bold type)

RUSHING Att Yards Avg TD

Johnny Cook 224 1362 6.1 13

*Michael Nolan 99 536 5.4 8

*Hayden Holland 81 484 6.0 2

*Josh Rhea 50 284 5.7 1

RECEIVING Att Yards Avg TD

*Hayden Holland 10 109 10.9 2

Austin Nolan 7 120 13.3 0

*Josh Rhea 5 89 17.8 1

TACKLES Solo Assists Total

Derrick Sanders 109 43 130.5

*Michael Nolan 71 31 86.5

Johnny Cook 54 33 80.5

Austin Fults 48 21 58.5

*Josh Rhea 49 12 55

*returning player

Recent history

The Yellow Jackets gave Bryant three playoff trips in his three seasons as coach, securing a 6-4 regular season despite a late-season upset loss to Grace Academy. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:

Season

2011 ------(6)

2010 ------(6)

2009 -----(5)

2008 -(1)

2007 --(2)

Schedule

Aug. 17 at Marion County, 8

Aug. 24 South Pittsburg, 8

Aug. 31 Sequatchie County*, 8

Sept. 7 at Whitwell, 8

Sept. 14 Signal Mountain*, 7

Sept. 28 at Chattanooga Christian*

Oct. 5 Upperman, 8

Oct. 12 Bledsoe County*, 8

Oct. 19 at Grace Academy

Oct. 26 at Notre Dame*

*District 7-AA game

All games start at 7:30 p.m. Eastern unless otherwise noted.

Roster

1 Michael Nolan Junior

2 Huang Chen Senior

3 Logan Meeks Sophomore

5 Trevor Hampton Sophomore

7 Hayden Holland Junior

8 Dakota Jones Freshman

10 Josh Rhea Senior

11 Zach Sanders Freshman

12 Austin Stewart Sophomore

15 Kevin Stewart Sophomore

16 Houston Mainord Freshman

17 Hayden Nunley Sophomore

18 Briley King Senior

20 Dylan Cleek Junior

21 Logan Borne Freshman

23 Garrett Crisp Senior

24 Nathan Carreto Sophomore

26 Alex Nunley Sophomore

29 Schyler Burgess Junior

32 Greg McDaniel Sophomore

42 Alex Campbell Senior

45 Levi Jacks Sophomore

51 Dakota Cantrell Junior

54 Terrince Bramhall Sophomore

55 Steven Baskiin Sophomore

56 Eldon Posey Sophomore

57 Matt Underhill Freshman

58 Tyler Land Junior

59 Cody Crisp Freshman

62 Jack Rice Sophomore

63 Jordan Tate Sophomore

64 Koty Anderson Sophomore

72 Sam Cassidy Sophomore

74 Claude Cunningham Senior

75 Mike Johnson Freshman

76 Dakota Travis Freshman

77 Arthur Roberts Junior

78 Daniel Anderson Freshman

79 Colton Myers Freshman

81 Carter Kilgore Freshman

83 Dallas Fountain Senior

85 Austin Sanders Freshman

88 Jessie Goodman Junior

90 Travis Cunningham Freshman

Upcoming Events