RAVENWOOD
Region: 3-6A
Coach: Will Hester, third season
Last season: 14-1, fell to Maryville in the Class 6A championship
Players to watch:
Chris Rowland
Andrew Lutgens, Sr. DB — 2014 All-Midstate selection hauled in a team-leading five interceptions, helping lead a defense that surrendered just 11.8 points per contest. He’s one of 37 Raptor seniors. Sean Spence, Sr. LB — In addition to registering four sacks in 15 starts a season ago, Spence, the team’s top-returning tackler (74), will lead a senior-laden but somewhat unproven Ravenwood linebacking corps. Chris Rowland, Sr. RB/KR — Speedy option out of the backfield will see plenty of carries after racking up 591 yards and 10 touchdowns in a reserve role last season. Jordan Moore, Sr. DT — Reigning 11-AAA Defensive Lineman of the Year will anchor a strong Raptors defensive front, which returns all three starters from a season ago. Connor Jeffries, Sr. RB — Averaged nearly a first down per carry in 2014, totaling 411 yards and 3 touchdowns, and, like Rowland, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound back will see a larger role in the fall.
Quote: “We’ll be more of a physical, run-first offense than we have been. I think people would have considered us a pass-first team in the past, but we’re probably going to have to flip the script on that a little bit. But we’re always going to have the threat of the home run in there.” — Ravenwood coach Will Hester.
Schedule (*region game)
Aug. 20, Siegel, 7 p.m.; Aug. 28, Brentwood, 7 p.m.; *Sept. 4, Mt. Juliet, 7 p.m.; Sept. 11, at Centennial, 7 p.m.; *Sept. 18, at Franklin, 7 p.m.; *Oct. 2, McGavock, 7 p.m.; *Oct. 9, at Lebanon, 7 p.m.; *Oct. 16, Overton, 7 p.m.; *Oct. 23, at Wilson Central, 7 p.m.; *Oct. 30, at Antioch, 7 p.m.
