Spence Jones

FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY

Region: Division II-A East/Middle District 2

Coach: Bill Whittemore, fourth season

Last season: 6-6, lost to Evangelical Christian in DII-A quarterfinals

Players to watch: Spence Jones, Sr. QB/DB — He totaled 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago; also registered 45 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Sam Harvin, Sr. RB/LB — Rushed for a team-leading 691 yards and six touchdowns last season, and the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior will also be a key defensive piece this fall. Ben Jackson, Sr. C/DT — Undersized two-way lineman will be among the leaders in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Larry Wilhoite, Sr. WR/DB — Another key two-way player for the Panthers, he is the squad’s top-returning tackler (65) and also hauled in 22 receptions for a team-high 337 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. Sam Wheeler, Sr. OT/DT — 2014 all-district honorable mention recorded 20 tackles with two sacks a season ago, and the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder will also be a key contributor along the Panthers’ offensive front.

Bill Whittemore

Quote: “We’ve got another good group of seniors. We’ve got some talented skill players and still have some experience at the line positions. … We’ve got a long way to go, but we feel pretty good about our first group. It’s just about depth, and that’s kind of how it is every year for us. We’ve got to stay healthy.” — Coach Bill Whittemore

Schedule (*region game): Aug. 21 Fayetteville 7 p.m.; Aug. 28 at Columbia Academy 7 p.m.; Sept. 4 DCA 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 11 at Goodpasture 7 p.m.; Sept. 18 Mt. Juliet Christian 7 p.m.; Sept. 25 Friendship Christian 7:30 p.m.; *Oct. 2 Ezell-Harding 7 p.m.; Oct. 9 Lipscomb Academy 7 p.m.; *Oct. 16 at Davidson Academy 7 p.m.; *Oct. 30 at BGA 7 p.m.

92 schools in 20 days: Ravenwood
92 schools in 20 days: Glencliff