Prep Blitz 2014: Polk County Wildcats

Polk County senior Isaac Smith is about to be a high school varsity quarterback for the first time this football season. But by no means is he inexperienced at the position.

"I played it all my life until high school," Smith said. "And I played it here on JV, too. I feel pretty good with it."

Smith has waited for his chance to be the starting signal-caller for the Wildcats, watching Al Akins handle the duty two years ago and Josh Silas last year.

"We've always been going with an older kid - not saying he couldn't have done it," Polk County coach Derrick Davis said of Smith. "We didn't want to give too much, especially as a sophomore. Last year we thought a senior was our best option."

Throughout most of his career Smith has helped on defense, from playing some at outside linebacker as a sophomore to playing even more at inside linebacker last year. He'll play free safety this season.

Davis said Smith listens well and has worked hard to get better as a quarterback - which the coach said at Polk County is basically another running back who throws the ball every once in a while.

"We've got to have somebody there I think that the kids respect," Davis said. "The ball is in his hands every time. Some years we'll have more different types of runs for our quarterback than we do our running backs. We can sprint out with him and he can run on bootlegs, too. And we ask our quarterback to block on certain plays. When we're doing blocking drills, he doesn't just stand over there and watch."

Smith knows the running game is the Wildcats' power base. He said everyone who plays in the offensive backfield this season will need to share the load.

"Hopefully we can win district again," Smith said, "and just get better throughout the season."

- Kelley Smiddie

POLK COUNTY WILDCATS

Head coach: Derrick Davis (110-49 in 15 years here and overall)

Last year: 9-3; lost to Notre Dame in second round of 3A playoffs

Returning starters (O/D/K): 3/5/2

Schedule

(all games at 7:30 Eastern)

Aug. 22 - at Bradley Central

Aug. 29 - Central

Sept. 12 - East Ridge

Sept. 19 - at McMinn Central*

Sept. 26 - at Walker Valley

Oct. 3 - Sequoyah*

Oct. 10 - at Notre Dame

Oct. 17 - Sweetwater*

Oct. 24 - South Pittsburg, 8

Oct. 31 - at Loudon*

  • District 5-AA game

Control panel:

QB/FS Isaac Smith (5-11, 180, Sr.) will be in his first season as a varsity quarterback and will be playing his third position on defense since he's been at Polk County, but his reliability remains a constant. RB/DB Ryan Roland (5-9, 155, Sr.) was one of the Wildcats' top defensive players as an outside linebacker last year, but he's moving to cornerback because of need. He came on strong as a running back late last season. G Keegan Ingram (6-1, 245, Sr.) has played a great deal for the Wildcats and has improved every season. He's a physical player who doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he's athletic enough to get the job done as a pulling guard on the various traps, sweeps and bootlegs.

New producers: RB/LB Tristen Senn (5-11, 155, Sr.) went from being a guy who lost his starting job at outside linebacker three games into last season to having a standout preseason at inside linebacker this year. Davis praised his attitude and said he's the team's most improved player over the past year. FB/DT Seth Sloan (6-0, 200, So.) has the unenviable task of stepping into the fullback spot previously occupied by Zach Miller, who ran for 1,659 yards and 23 touchdowns in the 2013 regular season. He fits the tough-guy mold of a Polk County fullback and helped prove his tenacity as a freshman while in the rotation at defensive tackle. TE/DE Jake Carden (6-3, 225, Jr.) has played sparingly at tight end and defensive end in the past, but Davis said he feels good about playing him at either position and his playing time at both is expected to increase significantly this season.

By the numbers:

11 - Years since Polk County hasn't had a winning record in its league. The Wildcats have gone 49-9 against their league opponents since going 3-3 in 2003.

14 - Years since Polk County has had a losing record. The Wildcats were 2-8 in 2000, Davis's first season as head coach.

20 - Consecutive District 5-AA victories Polk County has registered since the TSSAA went to the current football-playoff format in the 2009 season.

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