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