D-B’s Christian Elated With Tribe Spring Football Practice
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
May 22, 2019
KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Coming off a 4-6 campaign and missing the playoffs for the first time in a quarter-century, second-year Dobyns-Bennett coach Joey Christian wasn’t sure what to expect when his squad reconvened for spring drills.
Turns out he got everything he could ask for and more.
“I saw a lot I liked,” said Christian, whose squad closed the spring with a ‘practice session’ with Greeneville last Friday.
“It was just great energy, great leadership from our upperclassmen. It was very enthusiastic. We still coached ‘em hard just like we always have and they are taking it. It was the way it’s supposed to be. It was very exciting for me as a coach and I think it was exciting for the kids as well.”
Christian said it was evident from day one, the Indians wanted to wipe the slate clean.
“I think our kids have a bad taste in their mouth from last year and they want to get that bad taste out,” added Christian. “The fair majority of them have worked very hard to do that.”
The Indians have a couple of significant holes to fill at running back and quarterback, but there is no shortage of candidates for either.
Back-up signal caller Zane Whitson is 20 pounds heavier and comfortable with the offense.
“Zane had ten good days of practice,” said Christian. “He’s getting better and he plays the position really well from the neck up.”
Rising senior Cade Maupin just came in from baseball the middle of the last week.
“Cade’s skill set would be a match-up nightmare for defenses,” added Christin. “We want to give him some time in there.”
Once a darkhouse candidate, rising senior Nick Blackwell is now firmly in the mix as well.
“Nick has come a million miles from where he was his sophomore year,” noted Christian. “He’s gotten stronger and had a really good spring. He’ll be in the mix at QB. I’m proud of that young man.”
At running back, no one is expected to take the load or provide the productivity of three-year starter Ian Hicks.
Philip Armitage is the leading returning rusher and has impressed this spring.
“Phillip Armitage has worked as hard as anybody this offseason,” Christian said. “He’s probably come as close to anybody as taken on Ian’s work ethic and it shows in the way he’s played this spring.”
Tyler Teasner also returns as does Josh Morero, who moves in from wide receiver.
“Tyler Teasner has had a good spring and Josh Morero shows spark,” said Christian. “Morero can get lost in there and he’s got some quickness back there.”
At wide receiver, Christian is excited about newcomer Abiah Releford.
“Abiah is as good as we’ve had in the last little bit,” noted Christian. “He catches the ball well, has great spacial awareness of where he is on the field.”
Sam Ritz is another younger player ready for his chance as is senior Jagger Lisa, who is back on board for the first time since his freshman year.
“Sam is very athletic, has good hands, has a chance to be a bigger kid who will help us down the road,” said Christian. “Jagger Lisa has done some good things, too.”
Up front, Christian says he needs to find several replacements and identify eight that can be part of the rotation.
“Two seniors are in the mix for us,” added Christian. “Kyler Banks started eight or nine games. Seth Hale started one game last year.”
Junior Caleb Burleson has been moved to center while Zach Ferguson returns after starting nine games last year. Cade McNabb was a starter before being lost for the year with an injury in the win over Science Hill.
Christian says other candidates include Ethan Murray, Ayden Neal, Fonzo Booker and Jessie Greer.
“We’ve got some experience and those other guys on pushing for playing time,” explained Christian. “We have to find our best five and you’ve always got to find eight.”
It’s much the same on the defensive front where productive Ricky Wagner returns as does the experienced Blake Collier. Neal is also pushing while two-time all-region linebacker Jet Harris was initially being cross-trained at defensive end.
“Jet was actually cross-trained to play a couple of other positions on defense as well,” noted Christian. “We’d like to kind of get him in a little on offense set as well.”
Harris, however, was shut down for a bit due to injury but returned in the skirmish with the Greene Devils as was Braxton Kulbacki who re-injured his shoulder and was shut down for good.
“First day and Jet and Kulbacki both got hurt,” signed Christian. “For Kulbacki, it was kind of freak injury. The screw got hit on the plate that was put in. It wasn’t the same place as before. So, we decided to shut him down and protect him the rest of the spring.
Working this spring in the Tribe defensive backfield were Trent Cody, Cam Williams, Thomas Church, Isaac Ratliff, Dalton Harkleroad and Maupin.
All were working with new defensive backfield coach and former Tribe standout and University of Tennessee Vol Malik Foreman.
“Malik is an employee of the Kingsport City School system and is coaching cornerbacks,” explained Christian. “And we are excited to have him.”
Christian expects at least one more yet-to-be formally announced addition to his staff. It was a poorly kept secret that another former Indian and Tennessee Vol Teddy Gaines was also involved with spring practice.
One member of last year’s staff - Daniel Preston - recently announced that he was returning to student ministry.
Dobyns-Bennett opens the 2019 season on August 23 at J. Fred Johnson Stadium against Tennessee High.
2019 Dobyns-Bennett Indians Schedule
August 23 - Tennessee High
August 30 - Oak Ridge
September 6 - at Bearden
September 13 - Open
September 20 - Hardin Valley
September 27 - at Daniel Boone
October 4 - at Jefferson County
October 11 - Farragut
October 18 - at Morristown West
October 25 - Science Hill
November 1 - at Alcoa