INDEPENDENCE

Region: 5-5A

Coach: Scott Blade, third season

Last season: 6-6, fell to Hendersonville in opening round of 6A playoffs.

Players to watch:

Andrew Bunch

Andrew Bunch, Sr. QB — Threw for 2,802 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions a season ago. Nate Johnson, Sr. WR/DB — Hauled in 62 receptions for a team-leading 1,290 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. Pete Dorsten, Sr. OL/DL. Kylan Stribling Sr. WR/DB — Registered 60 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections last season. Seth Huner, Sr. WR/DB — Snagged a team-high 65 catches for 1,044 yards and three scores last year.

Nate Johnson

Quote: “We’ve got some experience at the skill positions, obviously, but we’ve got some experience on the offensive and defensive lines, too. We probably brought back a total of 15 starters, but there might be 18 or 19 kids that have had significant playing time. There’s not going to be a ton of new faces for us.” – Scott Blade

Schedule (* – region)

Aug. 21 at Brentwood 7 p.m.; Aug. 28 Centennial 7 p.m.; *Sept. 4 Lincoln County 7 p.m.; Sept. 11 Smyrna 7 p.m.; *Sept. 18 Summit 7 p.m.; *Oct. 2 at Stewarts Creek 7 p.m.; *Oct. 9 at Shelbyville 7 p.m.; Oct. 16 at Columbia 7 p.m.; *Oct. 23 Franklin County 7 p.m.; *Oct. 30 at LaVergne 7 p.m.