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Oak Ridge Football 2019


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On ‎5‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 1:08 PM, CardinalGrey said:

From 5starpreps.com

SPRING REPORT – Oak Ridge football (2019) MAY 10, 2019 • BY MIKE BLACKERBY

    OAK RIDGE – The losses were small in numbers, but off the charts in terms of contributions. Several familiar faces are missing as Oak Ridge wrapped up its first week of spring football practice on Friday. Big-play guys like seniors Herbert Booker, Jordan Graham, Caelan Thompson, Jeremy Mitchell and Kai’Reese Pendergrass played their last football games for the Wildcats during the 42-40 5A quarterfinal loss to Catholic last season. Who will step in and fill the void for Oak Ridge in 2019 after the Wildcats finished 10-3 last season? “Last year’s senior class was the smallest (13) in years, but the quality was tremendous,” said Oak Ridge coach Joe Gaddis. Indeed. Graham (1,162 yards, 17 TDs) and Booker (610 yards, 12 TDs) were the Wildcats’ top two rushers a year ago. Graham had more than 3,500 rushing yards for his career. Booker (957 yards, 9 TDS) was the top passer and Pendergrass (32 catches, 626 yards, 7 TDs) led Oak Ridge in receiving. Gaddis, who is 176-40 in his 17 seasons as Oak Ridge coach and 315-128 overall (36 years), said many questions will begin to get answered during spring practice, which wraps up on May 23. “We don’t know about things like chemistry and how we’ll play together as a team,” he explained. “There are just too many questions right now to know how good we’ll be this season.” Here’s a look at some of the key players and positions to keep an eye on as Oak Ridge points to its Aug. 23 opener against Hardin Valley on Blankenship Field.

    QUARTERBACK   Rising junior Mitchell Gibbons (5-8, 175) replaces Booker, a Mr. Football finalist in Class 5A last season. Gibbons played in 11 of 13 games last season, completing 44 of 76 passes for 480 yards with five TDs and two interceptions. He won’t offer the running threat of Booker, but Oak Ridge figures to get a big upgrade in the passing department. “Gibbons throws not only an accurate ball, but a catchable ball as well,” said Gaddis. “Mitchell is a guy that’s gonna push himself to be the best he can, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field,” said Gaddis. “He has put on 15 to 20 pounds and he’s much, much stronger.”

    RUNNING BACK   Look for a breakout season from sophomore Kendall Jackson (6-1, 180). He has all the tools to be the next in a long line of great Oak Ridge running backs. “Kendall hasn’t done it yet at the varsity level, but he has good speed, vision and he’s hard to bring down,” said Gaddis. “He’s a throwback I-formation tailback. We have several guys who will be running the ball, but he’s certainly in the mix for the starting job.” Senior Tyrell Romano (323 yards, 6 TDs) and junior Trey Rowe will also see lots of action in the backfield.

    RECEIVER   Senior Isaiah Johnson along with juniors Johnathan Stewart, Preston Turner and Matthew Swigert are projected as the top pass catchers.

    OFFENSIVE LINE   The offensive line is one of the strengths and certainly one of the deepest areas of the team. “This is the first year in my coaching career where every offensive lineman who started last year returns,” said Gaddis. “It’s one of those strange times at Oak Ridge where we have a number of good linemen.” Players to watch up front are senior center Tyler Galloway (6-1, 250) and senior guard Issair Franquez (5-9, 230).

    DEFENSIVE LINE   Senior nose guard Niyahn Flack (5-9, 250) has already turned heads early in spring practice, according to Gaddis. “I think he’s fixing to be the best nose guard we’ve had in a while. Since spring practice has opened he has been very aggressive and very tough.” Jaxon Adams (6-4, 235) could be ready for a breakout season at defensive end.

    LINEBACKER   Senior linebacker Jacob Adams (5-11, 210) might be Oak Ridge’s best football player. He led the Wildcats last season with 127 tackles and seven tackles for loss. “He’s just a football player,” said Gaddis. “He’s kind of a throwback linebacker who will knock your head off.” Senior Matt Calhoun (5-9, 180) is another player to watch at linebacker.

    SECONDARY   Senior Jack Replogle is the only returning starter in the defensive backfield. “He’s a playmaker who is always around the ball,” said Gaddis. “He’ll be kind of the general of the secondary this season.” Johnson, Turner, Swigert and Stewart will be counted on to step in and play significant roles this season.

2019 OAK RIDGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

  Aug. 23 Hardin Valley

  Aug. 30 at Dobyns-Bennett

  Sept. 6 at Campbell County

  Sept. 13 Farragut

  Sept. 20 West

  Sept. 27 Clinton

  Oct. 4 Karns

  Oct. 18 at Mt. Juliet

  Oct. 25 at Powell

  Nov. 1 at Fulton

Good to see such a good report.  Thank You.

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22 hours ago, oridgecat said:

Replogle was qb for the undefeated JMS team.  I think Jack could play anywhere they asked him to play and play well.  He's just that kind of dependable guy that will give all he's got every play.   He's been a great player for us.  I remember his first start at safety as a freshman.  It was at LC,  Coach Gaddis was coaching him up on the field before the game.  he's been solid ever since.

Replogle as backup QB is probably the best idea I've heard all year. That would be a nice move, as well as him kicking the ball. He is a utility guy, I'm sure we'll see him playing both sides of the ball and special teams the entire season.

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