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Defending Class 1A champion Greenback football coach: 'We can absolutely go undefeated'

Greenback head coach Greg Ryan tips his cap to his team after their 42-21 win over Cornersville in the Class 1A state championship game at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017.

After losing only one game in each of the last two seasons, defending Class 1A champion Greenback is returning eight starters on offense and 10 on defense.

However, one of the players the Cherokees are losing creates a big hole. Star running back Breeden Gilbert, who moved to West Virginia, had 1,150 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

Coach Greg Ryan emphasized that losing one player doesn't define Greenback, and he expects his other players to step up.

"Gilbert's a good football player, everyone knows that," Ryan said. "We have solid backups that can replace some of the things that he does. The only way our offense would change is if we didn't have any other running backs."

Josh Edwards was the second-leading rusher last year with 569 yards and 20 touchdowns. Quarterback Bryce Hanley ran for 490 yards and seven scores. Cody Alexander didn't get many chances with 25 carries but also figures into the equation without Gilbert.

Winning a state title for the second year in a row is the most obvious goal, but is there pressure for the Cherokees to go undefeated?

"I think we can, but obviously every season is a new season," Ryan said. "All we're really focused on is Loudon, but if we do what we're capable of, we can absolutely go undefeated."

Greenback opens at Loudon on Aug. 17.

It's no secret that the Cherokees are a juggernaut offensively, especially with their passing game. Greenback accounted for 2,081 passing yards last season.

In last season's championship game, Hanley was named offensive MVP for his 257 all-purpose yards and two passing touchdowns.

"He’s played a lot of quarterback now," Ryan said. "He knows the system and the reads. We expect him to put us in a good place when I call bad ones to make me look good, and I’m sure he’ll do that.”

Bearden players defend a Greenback player during the 2018 East Tennessee 7-on-7 Perimeter Passing Day at Maryville College Saturday, July 14, 2018.

Greenback allowed 18 points per game last season. The Cherokees tough front, led by Reese Plemmons, made 23 sacks and the whole unit returns this year.

“Last year we were pretty much capable of stopping the run with our front," Ryan said. "Anytime you can do that, you can play less people in the box and defend the pass. It makes defense a whole lot easier."

Fine-tuning what they've already managed to accomplish in the past two years will be the primary focus for the Cherokees.

"Growing up together we’ve probably been playing for 12 years now," Hanley said. "In the offseason we play baseball and basketball together, so there’s no break. It’s been a great bond and I think that’s why we play well together."