2013 - McMinn Central Chargers

photo Denzell Boyd looks to build on a big junior season.

McMinn Central Chargers

Coach: Josh Goodin (13-29 in four seasons here and overall)

Last year: 5-6, lost 28-18 to Alcoa in the first round of the playoffs.

'13 dreams: The Chargers finished 2012 strong and hope that momentum carries over into this season. Defense is the side of the ball where more starters return, so expectations are greater there, at least in the beginning. How quickly the line comes around will go a long way in determining the offense's success. Denzell Boyd (5-foot-9, 165) is about to enter his fourth year as a starter at running back and is making the switch from cornerback to safety this season. Linebacker Gage Johnson (6-1, 195) is often around the ball, and he often leads Boyd into the line from fullback. A third senior, Zeb McKinney, is a playmaker at tight end and defensive end. Every team currently in this district made the state playoffs last year. It will be tough, but McMinn Central could be a repeat playoff performer.

Number of interest: The Chargers scored at least 13 points every game last season. Two years ago they were 0-10 and didn't score more than seven points in any game.

13 years ago: McMinn Central wasn't so lucky back then, losing to rival Polk County for the first time in eight years and finishing 3-7.

Program superstition: Former coach Eddie Rich did some research into McMinn Central's nickname years ago and discovered that a Charger was not a knight on a horse like many had thought but instead it was the horse. Subsequently, when Chargers football teams do their group breakdowns, the players yell "War horse!"

1-through-3: Senior linebacker and fullback Gage Johnson

Q. What effect, if any, does playing well at the end of last season carry over to this season?

A. We ended the season real hot last year. And the fans, they really started getting behind us, so I think we can carry it in.

Q. You're probably better known for defense, but what is it like being a blocking back for Denzell Boyd?

A. It's great. For the linemen and fullback, everybody kind of feels like they had that achievement of 1,000 yards rushing.

Q. What kind of goal has the team set this season, and what have you got to do well to accomplish it?

A. You know, we're trying our best to get back to the playoffs, and hopefully we can go a little further than we did last year. We're going to have to keep up hard work. The line was the big question then. But they are working as hard as ever, so I think we've got what it takes.

2013 Schedule

Aug. 23 at McMinn County 7:30

Aug. 30 Boyd-Buchanan 7:30

Sep. 6 Sequoyah* 7:30

Sep. 13 Grace Christian 7:30

Sep. 20 at Polk County* 7:30

Sep. 27 at Meigs County 7:30

Oct. 4 Sweetwater* 7:30

Oct. 11 at Carter 7:30

Oct. 18 at Loudon* 7:30

Nov. 1 Central 7:30

*District 5-AA game

2012 Stats

Passing

C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs

Levi Holley 83-148-8 56.1 1,176 11

Rushing

Att Yards TDs

Denzell Boyd 193 1,354 23

Receiving

No. Yards TDs

Josh Scudder 28 460 3

Tackles

Solo Assists Total

Gage Johnson 78 42 99

Roster

No. Name Class

1 Jordan Brooks Sophomore

2 Ryann Dahle Junior

3 Jackson Long Freshman

4 Will White Senior

5 Denzell Boyd Senior

6 Will McInturff Senior

7 Josh Scudder Senior

8 David Bull Junior

9 Luke Davis Junior

10 Douglas Watts Freshman

11 Jace Johnson Freshman

12 Jackson Guy Sophomore

13 Austin Runkles Freshman

14 Bradley Pennell Freshman

15 Kaleb Nichols Junior

16 Zayne Baxter Sophomore

17 Zeb McKinney Senior

18 Braden Dills Freshman

19 Logan Carter Sophomore

20 Blake Johnson Freshman

21 Tyler Shaw Freshman

22 Jordan Miller Junior

23 Tony Guardiola Sophomore

24 Josh Knight Junior

25 Austin Hale Freshman

26 Colby Cook Senior

27 Matt Hale Freshman

28 Alan Runkles Senior

31 Robbie Chancellor Sophomore

32 Gage Johnson Senior

36 Nick Buckner Sophomore

38 Matthew Moses Sophomore

39 Chase Wood Freshman

40 Cody Hughes Freshman

42 Jesse Forshee Sophomore

44 Hunter Stokes Sophomore

45 Joseph Toney Freshman

48 Austin Tate Junior

49 Don Middleton Sophomore

50 Jake Crowder Freshman

51 Collin Garwick Sophomore

52 Jake Croft Sophomore

53 Chris Mull Junior

54 Josh Roach Junior

55 Bradley Gunter Freshman

56 Michael Munoz Senior

57 Joe Croft Sophomore

58 Jack Ingram Junior

59 Kelund Martin Sophomore

60 Aaron Davidson Sophomore

64 Bryar Masingale Freshman

69 Cameron Powers Freshman

74 Brant Thompson Freshman

79 David Ables Junior

80 Trenton Kimbler Sophomore

81 Brandon Carter Freshman

82 Zack Newman Freshman

84 Louie Wells Senior

86 Drew Pierce Junior

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