FAN'S GUIDE TO THIS YEAR'S POLK COUNTY WILDCATS
Coach: Derrick Davis (94-42 in 12 seasons here and overall) Stadium: Larry G. Davis Football Complex Address: 7200 Highway 411 N, Benton, TN 37307
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Junior Zach Miller heads a strong linebacking corps. Seniors Justin and Marcus Green and Aaron Caldwell also had significant playing time at linebacker last year.
2) Despite the graduation of its top three ground-gainers (2,524 yards), Polk County is expecting good things from Justin Green on the offensive side. Counting the wingbacks, he should be surrounded by several other dependable runners.
3) If team chemistry means something, the Wildcats should have a profitable season. Coach Davis said he sensed good bonding as far back as spring drills and it carried through summer workouts.
THREE CONCERNS
1) The offensive line must pave the way for Polk's renowned running game to reach peak performance, but three are gone from last year's starting unit.
2) The Wildcats don't lack in numbers but they do in overall experience. A few injuries in the wrong places could derail a promising season.
3) Other than when former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga punter and kicker Mike Hammons was at Polk County, the Wildcats' kicking game has routinely caused concern. Senior Justin Brown could make his team better if he has a solid year.
Three questions with ...
JUSTIN GREEN
(Senior running back/linebacker)
Q. What are expectations at Polk County this season?
A. Just go out there and try to do the best we can. Expectations haven't changed.
Q. What makes you think the running game can remain good despite graduating a 1,000-yard rusher?
A. We've got good blockers - Zach Miller for one, Chris Wimberley. I believe we're pretty strong in the backfield and we'll be able to get the ball up the field and get done what needs to be done.
Q. What is team chemistry like this year?
A. It's good. We all get along very well. We're very good to each other on and off the field. It's good to have good team chemistry to be able to work with each other.
BY THE NUMBERS
8 - Consecutive seasons the Wildcats went without advancing to the playoffs before qualifying in 2001.
11 - Ongoing winning seasons and state-playoff berths in succession.
36 - Consecutive games in which Polk County has scored at least 12 points.
Recent history
Meigs County advanced to the state playoffs last year for the first time since 2007. That was the last time the Tigers had a winning season. Here's a look at the regular-season win total the last five years:
2011-----(5)
2010--(2)
2009--(2)
2008---(3)
2007-------(7)
2011 STATS LEADERS
RUSHING Att Yards Avg TD
Derrick Saxe 228 1,245 5.5 12
Al Akins 138 916 6.6 16
Chase Mull 55 363 6.6 6
- Justin Green 26 160 6.2 3
PASSING Comp-Att Yards Int TD
Al Akins 45-79 609 3 8
RECEIVING Att Yards Avg TD
Collin Wimberley 9 199 22.1 4
Chris Moses 7 111 15.9 0
*Justin Green 6 107 17.8 1
TACKLES Solo Assists Total
*Zach Miller 47 83 130
Coty Farmer 25 73 98
*returning player
Recent history
Polk County has been a fixture in the state playoffs starting in 2001. However, the Wildcats' postseason record in that time is 5-11 with no more than one victory in any season. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season
2011 -------(7)
2010 ---------(9)
2009 ----------(10)
2008 --------(8)
2007 -------(7)
SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 Bradley Central
Aug. 24 Central
Aug. 30 at McMinn Central*
Sept. 7 at Chattanooga Christian
Sept. 14 Sweetwater
Sept. 21 at Walker Valley
Oct. 5 at Signal Mountain
Oct. 12 Sequoyah*
Oct. 19 South Pittsburg
Oct. 26 at Meigs County*
*District 5-AA game
ROSTER
10 Matthew Triplett Senior
11 Justin Brown Senior
12 Isaac Smith Sophomore
13 Ben Smith Freshman
14 Aaron Caldwell Senior
15 Luke Harrison Sophomore
16 Chase James Sophomore
17 Michael Woody Freshman
18 Reno Wimberley Freshman
19 Duncan Coffey Senior
20 Devin Weber Junior
21 Chris Wimberley Junior
22 Ryah Rowland Sophomore
23 Gatlin Lanning Junior
24 Tristen Cheatham Sophomore
25 Tristen Senn Sophomore
26 Justin Swallows Freshman
27 Riley LaBree Freshman
28 Dylan Davis Freshman
29 A. J. Pittaway Junior
30 Josh Silas Junior
31 Will Richmond Junior
32 Amos Rogers Sophomore
33 Joshua Swann Freshman
34 Justin Green Senior
35 Zach Miller Junior
36 Theron Allen Freshman
37 Noah Amelung Freshman
38 Oliver Rogers Freshman
39 Carter Flowers Junior
40 D. J. Gregory Freshman
41 Matthew Lydon Junior
42 Blake Cross RB-DB Junior
44 Marcus Green Senior
45 Morgan Wilson Sophomore
46 Hunter Wilcox Sophomore
47 Matthew Bishop Senior
48 Samuel Bishop Senior
49 Jake Carden Freshman
50 Toot Swallows Sophomore
51 Keegan Ingram Sophomore
52 Tanner Plemons Junior
53 Chance Hood Sophomore
54 Ben Norwood Freshman
55 Matthew Hammons Junior
56 Daniel Peters Sophomore
57 Austin Bivens Freshman
58 Brady Buckaloo Freshman
59 Matthew Wilson Senior
60 Caleb Bramblett Senior
61 Jakob Davis Sophomore
62 Michael Williams Freshman
63 Jordan Craig Sophomore
64 Austin Queen Freshman
65 Masan Trentham Freshman
66 Patrick Triplett Freshman
67 Seth Bishop Senior
68 Jordan Senn Senior
69 Christian Elliott Junior
73 Nathaniel Bishop Freshman
74 Zach Rowland Junior
76 Drew Womack Freshman
79 Walker Hood Junior
81 Dakota Bishop Sophomore
82 Zack Nichols Freshman
85 Corey Swallows Junior
87 Joseph Cross Sophomore
88 Mackenzie Swallows Junior