kamerb

2017 Updated Schedule Cleveland Blackman @ Walker Valley McMinn County Lenoir City @ Bradley Central @ Catholic or Soddy Daisy @ Ravenwood @ Catholic or Soddy Daisy OPEN @ Cane Ridge

2017 Seniors: #3 Chris Sturgeon (RB/DB), #55 Jawan Martin (MLB), #84 Bradley Evans (TE/DL), #22 Christian Simon (RB/DB), #6 Reece Cooley (WR/DB), #59 Ty Goodwin (C/MLB), #27 A. J. Velasco (RB/OLB), #82 Brett Lloyd (WR/OLB), #4 Jaden Austin (WR/DB), #56 Justin Rodgers (OL/LB), #63 Logan Sullivan (OL/DL), #79 Will Boles (OL/DL), #72 Tyler Shelton (OL/DL), #25 Brandon Hunt (FB/LB), #88 Jared Kamer (TE/OLB), #30 Doug White (RB/LB), #62 Zach Swafford (C/DL). These were just the ones I remember off the top of my head, if there are any others or I have listed the wrong number, feel free to add or correct them.

Looks like there are going to be some good old fashioned gridiron battles in 2017. Lots of long-time rivals and big names on the Eagles schedule.

I know this is still pretty bare, but from looking at other team's schedules that have already been posted and knowing for 99% certainty three of the six non-region games, here is what it looks like right now: Rhea County 2017 Schedule 1. Cleveland @Home 2. ? 3. (Region game, MC, or Bye) 4. (Region game, MC, or Bye) 5. Lenoir City @Home 6. Bradley Central @Home 7. (Region game, MC, or Bye) 8. ? 9. (Region game or Bye)* 10. (Region game or Bye)* 11. ? *If McMinn County has been scheduled, as I have been told, they cannot be playing Rhea in Weeks 9 or 10. McMinn has a game scheduled for Week 9 with William Blount and is still looking for a Week 10 opponent.

Current scheduled teams: Cleveland (opener), Bradley Central, McMinn County (99% sure), Knox Catholic*, Soddy-Daisy*, Walker Valley*, and Lenoir City*. Not sure when the region games are scheduled for, but I do know that Cleveland is the opener, and Bradley Central is somewhere around Week 5 or 6 and that they are both probably at home. We are still looking for teams to fill Week 2, 8, and 11.

Still looking for teams to fill weeks 2, 8, and 11

Any players that flew under the radar this year that could be poised for a breakout next season?

From Rhea County, GO FARRAGUT!!

Thanks for the info. Any thoughts on who would be the best replacement?

My post-season all-region team! Feel free to disagree, but these were my top performers from 2016. Offense QB- Kolten Gibson (WV) RB- Cameron Turner (OOL) T- Avery Black (OOL) G- Owen Vice (SD) C- Jacob Matthews (WC) G- Isaac Hollingsworth (WC) T- James Moore (MC) TE- Jared Edwards (RC) WR- Skyler Davis (CLE) WR- Andrew Manning (OOL) WR: Bryce Nunnelley (WV) Defense DE- Tyler Brown (RC) DT- Xzayvier Beckingham (MC) DT- Rondarius Wash (OOL) DE- Roman Lockmiller (MC) LB- Eddie Davis (RC) LB- Jawan Martin (RC) LB- Skylar Swafford (WV) CB- Elisha Wigfall (OOL) S- Logan Stutzman (CLE) S- Xavier Abernathy (MC) CB- JaShawn Hill (CLE) Special Teams K- Alexander Toser (OOL) P- Chandler Kaylor (RC) R- Christian Simon (RC) APB: Cody Bice (RC) Let me know what you guys think!

What are everyone's thoughts on next year? Playmakers? Offensive scheme? Playoff chances? Let's get excited for 2017!

Proud of the Eagles this year! They showed no quit tonight, and that is something that I can look to. Never have I seen Rhea County quit and I sure as heck didn't tonight. Those seniors gave us something to be proud of. As Coach said, it's up to the younger guys now to carry the torch and build upon the foundation these seniors have worked so hard to build over the last four years. See y'all next year! I can and will say it is great to be a Rhea County Eagle!

Rhea County Defense Stats: Passing Yards Allowed per Game: 139 Best Performance: McMinn County (12) Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: 99 Best Performance: Ooltewah (-5) Offense Stats: Rushing Yards Per Game: 344 Best Performance: White County (552) Passing Yards Per Game: 39 Best Performance: Lenoir City (114)

I think Rhea, Ooltewah, and McMinn have the best shot at making it to Round 2. I thought Walker Valley would have been far more competitive with Ooltewah than they were, and McMinn was a much better team than reflected by the final score last night. Rhea County just executed their offensive and defensive game plans and McMinn had no answer. Ooltewah is playing their best football of the season so far, and Campbell County just can't seem to "catch" a break here lately. I see Ooltewah handling them well. Lenoir City best Clinton 20-17 a few weeks ago. Those scores added together don't even come close to how many Rhea put up on them AT Clinton. Unless we come out flatter than a saltine cracker, I don't see us losing that one. McMinn defeated Oak Ridge, Farragut's only loss this year, and run that Wing-T offense that the Admirals have struggled against in the past. Walker Valley, if they come out fired up and ready to go, could very well win, but I'm going to have to see it to believe it after seeing them get dismantled by the Owls.

Prayers from Rhea County.

We'll said, Passive. It's been a pleasure having you as President and CEO, and I wish you and your Owls luck tonight, throughout the playoffs, and as you guys take the step up into 6A. I hope Rhea and Ooltewah keep the series going if at all possible in the coming years. I always enjoy watching my Eagles play you guys.

I'm ready to see a true classic in this one. McMinn County will definitely come ready to play. Will we? We can and should. All season long, I've been looking forward to this game. I knew coming in to the season that the Cherokees would make some noise, but I was imagining a firecracker, not an anti-aircraft gun. They've truly been this season's biggest surprise in the region, and, with only one region loss, they will definitely give this game everything they have. They have a physical offensive line, great running backs, and a tough defense. There are few problems with this team, but there is a big problem with the game itself. The game is in Evensville. I've noticed many times that homefield doesn't matter to some (Rhea is 3-1 in away playoff games under Pemberton) but it matters in Evensville. Rhea County is 4-2 in home playoff games under Coach Pemberton with wins over Lenoir City, Campbell County, Ooltewah, and Tullahoma. Their only losses are to Cleveland in 2013 and Knox West in 2014. Since 2013, Rhea County is 20-4 when playing any game at home, losing to those four opponents by an average score of 19-35. Cleveland in 2013 was a semi-final round team, Knox West won the state title in 2014, Baylor went to the semis in the tougher of the two private divisions in 2015, and Cathedral is a nationally respected football program with multiple D1 prospects and a multiple championship winning coach. Rhea County does not surrender Bill Horton Field to just anyone who comes in with a gameplan. You have to be pretty focused, polished, and executing your offense and defense at high marks to beat the Eagles at home. Homefield matters in this game, and I am certain it will influence the final outcome.

This week will go a long way in determining the region champ. With tonight's win over Walker Valley, the Eagles can finish no lower than 2nd place in the region. The remaining spots, and region champ, have yet to be set in stone. If Rhea loses and Ooltewah beats Walker Valley, there would be a three way tie at the top with three one-loss teams (Rhea to McMinn, McMinn to Ooltewah, and Ooltewah to Rhea). If both Rhea and Ooltewah win, Rhea would be the champions and Ooltewah would be runner up with a 3rd place finish for McMinn and 4th for Walker Valley. If Rhea wins, but Ooltewah loses, it would be #1 Rhea with a tie for 2nd (Ooltewah 4-2 with losses to Rhea and Walker, McMinn 4-2 with losses to Rhea and Ooltewah, Walker Valley with losses to Rhea and McMinn). If Ooltewah and Rhea both lose, it would be #1 McMinn, #2 Rhea, #3 Walker Valley, and #4 Ooltewah.

Yes. If we lose, and Ooltewah beats Walker Valley, there would be a three way tie at the top (Rhea loses to McMinn, McMinn to Ooltewah, and Ooltewah to Rhea). If both Rhea and Ooltewah win, they would be #1 and #2 respectively. If Rhea wins, but Ooltewah loses, it would be #1 Rhea with a tie for 2nd (Ooltewah 4-2 with losses to Rhea and Walker, McMinn 4-2 with losses to Rhea and Ooltewah, Walker Valley with losses to Rhea and McMinn). If Ooltewah and Rhea both lose, it would be #1 McMinn, #2 Rhea, #3 Walker Valley, and #4 Ooltewah

If Rhea can pressure Gibson early and often, I think it will stay a tight game up to half-time, Rhea will pull away in the 3rd quarter, and solidify that lead in the 4th.

Eddie Davis Yards: 408 Carries: 58 Average: 7 yards/carry Games: 7 (did not have a carry against McMinn Central) Yards Per Game: 58 Scoring Leaders (Rushing) 1. Mason Stephenson (12 touchdowns) 2. Eddie Davis (7 touchdowns) 3. Christian Simon (6 touchdowns) 4. Cody Bice (4 touchdowns)

Top 3 Runners going into Game 9: 1. Christian Simon (#22, Jr., RB) Yards: 757 Carries: 78 Average: 9.7 yards/carry Games played in: 8 Yards Per Game: 94.6 2. Mason Stephenson (#16, Sr., FB) Yards: 686 Carries: 86 Average: 8.0 yards/carry Games played in: 7 (missed Cathedral) Yards Per Game: 98 3. Cody Bice (#21, Sr., RB) Yards: 684 Carries: 94 Average: 7.3 yards/carry Games played in: 8 Yards Per Game: 85.5

Rhea County over Soddy Daisy Walker Valley over White County Ooltewah vs. McMinn County? No idea. It would definitely be interesting if the Owls were downed at home by a team that wasn't even supposed to make the playoffs in most people's pre-season predictions. The Cherokees are rolling and riding high after that takedown of Oak Ridge. I thought McMinn could make some noise this year, but they have far exceeded my expectations. I thought the Mustangs would beat them, but they didn't. I thought Cleveland would beat them, but they didn't. I didn't think, preseason that is, that this team was capable of beating the teams I ranked 2nd through 4th in my region title race. They have surprised me week in and week out, so I'm not picking for or against them this time just to be safe. I definitely look forward to seeing who wins! It should be a good one!

My region standings after Week 8: 1.McMinn County 2. Rhea County 3. Walker Valley 4. Ooltewah I do give massive credit to the Blue Raiders. You guys showed no quit from start to finish. With a spot in the playoffs on the line, you guys left it all on the field. Great things are in store in Cleveland in 2017. I like the Cherokees to win the region now, but I think the game in Evensville decides the champion. Still a lot of football to be played between now and then, and I wish every team the best of luck.

This game could get interesting. I'm not sure about Soddy's injuries, but we just played a team where almost their entire starting lineup from the beginning of the season was watching the game from the sideline in a jersey and practice shorts. This is not the way we should be playing in game seven. This looked more like game one where we got burned deep at Baylor. The defense made great strides in the Cathedral game, but did not even seem to show up much for this one. They stepped up in the 4th with the game on the line and performed well enough to win, but that secondary has to get better in a hurry. I think we take the Soddy game simply because they're not the same Trojans of the last couple of years. They're still dangerous and talented enough to beat you if you sleep on them, but I feel tonight was big enough of a wake up call for us to rebound from the narrow win and handle Soddy. I know our coaches will have this team ready. I'm worried about our defensive backs matching up with Gibson, Nunnley, and Walker Valley's stable of wideouts. We faced Cleveland's 5th string QB. A kid who would probably have never seen the field in the heat of a game or even in garbage time at least another year had the injury bug not bit the Blue Raiders so badly. I see Rhea County winning at Soddy and then taking extra care and effort practicing for Walker Valley and the region's new favorite McMinn County.