Preps Preview: Polk County Wildcats

photo Senior Justin Green (34) is the Wildcats' mot experienced skill-position player.

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

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