5 things to know from high school football media day

The start of high school football season is almost here. This year's squad could be Alcoa's best team of its championship streak. Meanwhile, Catholic has holes to fill on offense. Here's more on that and other things you need to know before the first kickoff:

Maryville coach Derek Hunt on 7-on-7 football

Maryville coach Derek Hunt sees the value of playing 7-on-7 football, but that doesn't mean he's a big fan of it.

"It's hard for me to take a liking to it," he said. "I just never have. I feel like it's a little bit of fool's gold in some ways."

It does give teams a chance to evaluate their back seven on defense, but Hunt doesn't feel you get a good look at your team until you put pads on.

The best of Alcoa?

Kareem Rodriguez and Landon Ray have already been a part of three state titles at Alcoa, and the seniors think this is the best team yet.

Alcoa only graduated five seniors, so most of the last year's Class 3A state champion team is coming back.

"Our D-line is awesome," Rodriguez said, then turned and added, "You're welcome" to Ray, who plays there. "We have so much experience compared to the past few years."

The benefit of having played freshmen last year is now they are experienced sophomores.

Catholic has big shoes to fill on offense

Catholic's line is strong — its bread and butter, according to coach Steve Matthews — but the rest of the offense has some holes to fill from last year's 5A state champion team.

The Fighting Irish graduated their quarterback, top three receivers and top four rushers (one of whom was the quarterback). Coach Steve Matthews isn't sure who will step up into those roles yet, but he's been impressed with what he's seen so far.

"We have competition at lot of positions that will only make us better," he said. "We're probably going to rotate a lot and do it more by committee this year than last year."

Matthews feels he has three possibilities at quarterback. Jack Jancek played the one game starter Jack Sompayrac missed last year. Colton Gaines and Drew Gregg each saw minimal time.

Grace Christian fullback now left tackle

Grace Christian's Bradley Rash faces one of the more unique challenges this season.  The 6-3, 225-pounder is making the unusual move from fullback to left tackle on offense. He will remain as a linebacker on defense.

Mark Bradley, Rusty’s father and a longtime college assistant, has been instrumental in the switch.

“Coach Mark Bradley has made it a smooth transition,” Rash said. “This has certainly given me more of an appreciation for the big guys up front. You take for granted what they do until they are there.”

Sevier County has most starters back

Sevier County is starting one step ahead this season. The Smoky Bears have almost every starter returning. 

The biggest replacement they have to make is finding a punter and kicker, according to coach Tony Linginfelter.

“It’s not like we started from scratch,” said Linginfelter, whose team was 6-6 last season. “It’s already shown in offseason and summer workouts.”

That doesn't mean everything is easy, though.

“We’ve got to be more disciplined," the coach said. "We have to cut down on mistakes and busted plays and overall just play sharper.”

Contributing: Al Lesar, Sierra Galanza