2017 Smyrna football: What you need to know

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Smyrna coach Matt Williams works with players during a recent scrimmage.

Smyrna was hit hard by graduation in 2016, but the younger Bulldogs have played well thus far in the preseason.

After going 6-5 during an injury-plagued 2016, Smyrna is hoping for new fortunes in a new region this year.

Here is what you need to know about the Bulldogs entering the 2017 season:

The skinny

Coach: Matt Williams

Last season: 6-5 (4-3 in 2-6A)

Region: Region 5-6A

Notable

Started the 2016 season on fire, but injuries took their toll on the Bulldogs late in the season as Smyrna lost four of its final five games. ... Team will start Stewarts Creek transfer Alex Bannister at QB to begin the season. ... Will play two county rivals and former region foes in non-league games this season (Siegel, Blackman) ... One of the area's top passers, John Turner, is now at MTSU. ... On top of Blackman and Siegel, the tough nonregion schedule includes CPA and Wilson Central.

Returning starters

Offense (3): RB Blake Watkins, RB Dyvonte McCormick, PK Jose Baeza.

Defense (5):  DE Quintin Smith, CB Lennon Harris, S Tevin Shipp, CB Blake Watkins, DL Kyle Lanphere.

Speaking stats

Watkins rushed for 665 yards and had 479 receiving yards last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. McCormick rushed for 283 yards and had 73 yards receiving in 2016. Junior LB Tevin Shipp had 32 tackles and two sacks last season. 

Inside the numbers

43: Average points per game the Bulldogs scored in their first six games last season.

Quotable

"We're coming together OK. It's a process. We knew that coming in. We don't have a lot of returning starters, but this group has been working hard. (Bannister) is still getting acclimated to our system. But, we're happy where we're at right now." – Williams

Schedule

All games begin at 7 p.m.

*Aug. 18 at La Vergne; Aug. 25 vs. Wilson Central; Sept. 1 at CPA; Sept. 8 at Blackman; *Sept. 15 vs. Overton; *Sept. 22 vs. Cane Ridge; Sept. 29 vs. Siegel; *Oct. 13 at Stewarts Creek; *Oct. 20 vs. Antioch; *Oct. 27 at McGavock.

* - Region game