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.
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