Chattooga coach Charles Hammon knows his way around a rodeo.
He also knows his way around a horse - enough to soak its feet like a star running back.
Hammon's 11-year-old daughter competes in barrel-racing and a few other events across the Southeast during the summer. He can help her prepare and recover.
He can't race for her. She's the participant.
It's the same for his football team.
He can teach, coach and prepare until the cows come home. And he does.
"The day Coach [Clay] Livingston made the change, I took it and and started hiring staff," said Hammon, who has coached in the greater Chattanooga area for decades.
Hammon accepted the challenge of rebuilding the team.
He started with family.
Darion Foster is a senior and plays in the secondary. He has twin younger brothers.
Isaac Foster is the sophomore quarterback, and Isaiah Foster is a sophomore receiver.
"All three brothers have that special connection," Hammon said. "They just click. They're a lot of fun to be around. They can make plays all over the place."
And Hammon has been doodling around with different plays to line up the trio on offense and take advantage of their skills.
"We've got both kids where they can play both sides of the ball, so there's no need for a trick play," Hammon said. "They're two special kids. They play football, basketball and baseball.
"You definitely want them on your team."
- David Uchiyama
CHATTOOGA INDIANS
Head coach: Charles Hammon (0-0 here and 31-46 overall)
Last year: 2-8
Returning starters (O/D/K): 7/7/1
Control panel: QB Isaac Foster (5-9, 170, So.) is not a big guy. But that shouldn't matter in Hammon's system. LB Markalin Christopher (5-10, 200, Sr.) and FB/DE Tyler Hughes (6-0, 200, Sr.) led the Indians through offseason workouts and were named team captains.
New producers: Even though Hammon tried to avoid starting freshmen, DT P.J. Adams (5-8, 240, Fr.) will play from the start this season. RB Tyler Griffin (5-9, 170, So.) played for Hammon in middle school but broke his collarbone; then last year he was out with concussions. He should be good to go this season. Mike Adams (6-1, 260, So.) started all last season at OT and attended a Florida State camp this summer.
Item of interest: The Indians promoted from within. Chattooga hired Hammon, who had been the middle school coach, after the school and former coach Clay Livingston parted ways last November.
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 29 - Ridgeland
Sept. 5 - at North Murray
Sept. 12 - at Fellowship Christian
Sept. 19 - Pepperell*
Sept. 26 - at Armuchee*
Oct. 3 - Coosa*
Oct. 17 - at Gordon Lee*
Oct. 24 - Model*
Oct. 31 - at Dade County*
Nov. 7 - Darlington*
- Region 7-AA game