Senior Austin Dotson, left, is in a tight battle to be Rhea County's starting quarterback.

Coach: Mark Pemberton (first year here, 163-69 in 21 seasons overall)

Last Year: 2-8

'13 dreams: The Golden Eagles move to 6-AAA this season and immediately have entered the discussion for a district championship. They have a lot returning in their sophomore and junior classes, and a spot in the top two in the district and automatic berth in the playoffs is well within reach.

13-for-13 contenders: There is a quarterback competition between Austin Thurmond and Austin Dotson, but whoever wins it will have some options to play with in playmaking receivers David Loden and Demetrius Patterson, as well as tight end Taylor Jenkins.

2013 Schedule

Aug. 30 at Coffee County, 8

Sept. 6 White County*

Sept.13 at Walker Valley

Sept. 20 Cumberland County*

Sept. 27 Red Bank

Oct. 4 at Cookeville*, 8

Oct. 11 at Soddy-Daisy

Oct. 18 at Warren County*, 8

Oct. 25 East Hamilton

Nov. 11 at Stone Memorial*, 8

• District 6-AAA game; game time 7:30 Eastern unless noted.

1-through-3 with senior lineman Chad Arnold

Q. You're now on your fourth coach during your high school career. How do you adjust?

A. It's always difficult to lose a coach you're used to, but I think the change has brought us closer and strengthened us as a group. If there's a negative with a coach leaving, it's that you don't really know what's around the corner, but we're excited to see what Coach Pemberton brings to the team.

Q. How has your job changed on the field?

A. The biggest thing is that it's two new systems - we're changing from the pro-style to a wing-T. I'm having to relearn my position, but Coach is helping build the background. The basics are there.

Q. You're moving to a new district. What are the team's expectations?

A. Well, the move levels the playing field some athlete-wise. We're going back to playing "Old Eagles" football, but that brings expectations. We think we can be successful, and it's brought excitement to the team in the new district.

2012 STATS

Passing C-A-I PCT Yards TDs

Austin Dotson 114-200-13 57.0 1450 11

Rushing Att. Yards TDs

Desmond Sharp 152 611 2

Jacob Moffett 58 336 0

Jacob York 31 132 1

Receiving No. Yards TDs

Demetrius Patterson 39 507 4

Desmond Sharp 22 256 1

Taylor Jenkins 17 239 1

Jacob Moffett 14 174 1

ROSTER

No. Name Class

2 David Loden Junior

3 Joby Berry Senior

4 Krischen Goins Senior

5 Jacob York Junior

6 Demitrius Patterson Senior

7 Garrett Hill Senior

8 Austin Thurman Junior

9 Austin Dotson Senior

10 Lucas Logan Junior

11 Noel Patterson Sophomore

12 Taylor Jenkins Senior

14 Daniel Dotson Sophomore

16 Mason Stevenson Freshman

17 Jonah Scott Sophomore

18 Jamie Boswell Senior

19 Travis Aikman Sophomore

20 Eddie Davis Freshman

21 Cody Bice Freshman

23 Bryce Keylon Junior

24 Zach Daoust Junior

28 Daryle Manis Sophomore

29 Jake Loden Junior

34 Ethan Houston ophomore

35 Wyatt Maerki Senior

40 Tyler Pendleton Sophomore

41 Dylan Smith Sophomore

42 Trevor Curry Junior

44 Troy Pemberton Sophomore

50 Jacob Gardenhire Senior

52 Jacob Williams Junior

53 Daniel Cochran Senior

54 Logan Hinds Junior

55 C.J. Shelton Junior

56 Lans Patton Junior

58 Holden Doss Junior

60 Jonathon Shoemake Sophomore

62 Steven York Sophomore

64 Chad Arnold Senior

65 Jake Cranfill Sophomore

66 Josh Smith Junior

68 Nic Mullins Sophomore

69 Briar England Sophomore

70 Matthew Morgan Junior

74 Trent Solomon Sophomore

75 Isiah Sneed Sophomore

79 Wesley Guthrie Senior

80 Vinny Aguiar Senior

83 Josh Gardenhire Sophomore

85 Jared Edwards Freshman

86 Tyler Skidmore Junior

88 Lee Hill Junior