2020 A publication of the Herald-Citizen Football in the time of COVID-19 BY BEN CRAVEN HERALD-CITIZEN

It’s high school football time in Tennessee, but things will look diff erent in 2020 thanks to the COVID-19 pan- demic. Teams have already faced many distractions and setbacks leading up to the season, such as no spring practice, a delayed start to contact practice and constant health screenings. But that was only the beginning. “One worry that you have moving forward is how you continue to maintain a germ- free zone,” Monterey football coach Scott Hughes said. “I know that there is no way you can be completely germ free in football, but you work hard to clean and disinfect. We’re disinfecting our locker room two to three times a day and disinfecting our weight room at the same rate.” The TSSAA has issued a set of COVID-19 regulations that will remain in eff ect for all 2020 sports. Two of the biggest regulations have the potential to be controversial. First, all preseason scrim- mages, jamborees, play days, or any other activities involving another team are canceled. The idea is that limiting exposure to other CHS athletic trainer Chris Loubier, right, takes Mason Vincent’s temperature before practice. schools, players, and fans will mitigate the spread of the practice until proof of a nega- can get (COVID-19). People’s at games. The home school is gram if you have an expo- virus, so teams must practice tive COVID-19 test or docu- brothers, sisters, aunts, and required to provide staff to sure,” Hughes said. “If it amongst themselves until mentation proving the fever uncles all have things to do, clean and sanitize bathrooms, knocks out your whole team the fi rst scheduled regular is not COVID-19 related. and they can get it. Then peo- but they are discouraged for two weeks, are you phys- season contest. Also, all players, coaches ple contact me to try to let me from running concession ically capable to play that Second is that all fans at and team personnel must be know who has it, so I’m try- stands. third week?” any game will be required to given a COVID-19 screening. ing to be diligent in keeping it All coaches also have to “We may not know from wear a mask at all times on This involves questions about out of my locker room.” complete the National Feder- week to week who our players the premises. The only excep- any symptoms the person These precautions will ation of State High School As- or coaches are going to be,” tion is for children under the or someone they’ve been in also be taken at games. All sociations COVID-19 training Cookeville head coach Jimmy age of two. contact with may have. This fans will have temperatures course. Maynord added. Other regulations were screening is to happen before checked before entering the Putnam County has al- “Even if your team is simple and already in prac- the person’s fi rst practice and gate, and the TSSAA will pro- ready started to see COVID-19 healthy, what about your tice by fall sports teams. at least once a week after- vide artwork to display the issues as the Monterey Wild- opponent? I’m glad we’re back All players, coaches and wards. COVID-19 symptoms promi- cats will miss the fi rst two out there with our kids, and team personnel must have “The hardest part for me nently around the venue. weeks of their season because I know everybody is looking their temperature checked so far has been trying to be The TSSAA is encouraging a player tested positive. forward to playing. There are before every practice. If a a detective,” Upperman head schools to limit the amount “You always worry about just a lot of unknowns, and person’s temperature exceeds coach Adam Caine said. “Peo- of fans that attend to either how many people will get things are going to be diffi - 100.4ºF, they cannot return to ple’s parents work, and they 1/3 or 1/4 of normal capacity knocked out of your pro- cult.” B2 HERALD-CITIZEN KICKOFF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 herald-citizen.com CAVALIERSCookeville High School 2020 ScheduleSche Owen set to Aug.Aug. 20 UppermanUpperm @ Tech Aug. 28 LivingstonLivingst Sep. 4 at RiveRiverdale•Rr Sep. 11 White CCo. lead Cavs Sep. 18 at Oakland•ROakla Sep. 25 Coff ee CCo.•R Oct. 2 at WarrenWarr Co.•R Oct. 16 Siegel•RSiegel•R in 2020 Oct. 23 at Rockvale•RRock Oct. 30 Blackman•RBlackm BY BEN CRAVEN All Games 7 p.m. HERALD-CITIZEN R — Region Game As the Cookeville Cavaliersaliers enter a 2020 football seasonon with COVID-19 concerns and more ques- tions than answers, one certainty loss, is that senior quarterbackk Stockton inter- Owen will be running thee show. ceceptedpted In 2019, Owen took overr the three passes, spot and led the CavCavss broke up fi ve in every off ensive categoryry except other passes and receiving. He rushed 140 times fforor forced a fumblfumble.e. 1,103 yards, completed 58 percent “BJ is one of the of his passes for 1,106 yardsrds and more dynamic players on scored 22 . our team, and he needs This year, however, Owenwen the ball in his hands,” will also take a shot at de-e- Maynord said. “He can fense, playing free safety.. plplayay wide receiverreceiver,, he can “Stockton is our big come out of the backfi eld and play guy,” CHS head we’re probably going to move coach Jimmy Maynord him around. BJ’s not very big, said. “He had a great but he’s very strong, very athletic year last year, and ev- young man.” erything runs through him.im. Drew Dyal and Logan Sides will He’s a great kid, and he’s worked work into the running game, whilwhilee exceptionally hard. returning receiver Harris CravenCravenss “He wanted to play ,ense, and spsplitslits out wide with SSkylarkylar Lassiter ththee I’ve been apprehensive aboutbout that. and Donovan Sullivan. bet- He’s a very intelligent kid,d, a good The biggest question mark for the teterr of athlete, and he wants to be on the Cavs is on defense, as players like CHS the fi eld, so I’m not going to keep him Owen, Sam Harness, Alex Delk and past two years. from it. You always worryy about Cravens will all try their hands at The game will be injuries with any of your plplayers,ayers, defense for the fi rst time. plplayedayed at Tennessee B.J. Billen but that’s just part of the gamegame.”.” Still, Ethan Cumby returns to Tech for the second Owen is poised to have another the defensive line after recording straight year Thurs- big year off ensively withan an off off en- 60 tackles in 2019, while Markus day with a 7 p.m. sive line made up of fi ve exexperi-peri- Banks and Cade AApplepple return at kickoff . enced seniors. with a combined 111 “Upperman lost At the guard positions, brothers tackles. Cumby also had four tactack-k- some good foot- Alex and Wes Delk return,n, along les for loss, while Banks and Apple ball players, but with tackles Malachi Williamsliams andand combined for eight. they still have good Reece Wilkerson. At center,er, TrTripip “We’ve got some new faces on tthehe athletesathletes,”,” Maynord Wallace returns after startingarting as a defensive side of the ball that either said. “The“They’vey’ve been sophomore but missing lastast season didn’t play or were strictly off en- able to defeat us two because of injury. sive players in the past,” Maynord years in a row, and we Another player to keep an eye on said. “I think they’re good athletes, want to end that. We had is senior BJ Billen. Not onlynly is he and I think that thethey’rey’re ggoingoing to chances last yyearear but jujustst the lone returning defensivesive back, be good defensive players. But the didn’t make plays when but Maynord also plans too use him fact that they don’t have in-game we nneededeeded ththem.em. in both the running and passing experience on that side, it’s more of “It’s going to be a tough, exciting game. In 2019, Billen was second on an uunknownnknown fforor mme.”e.” game, and this has turned into a the receiving chart with 18 catches Once again, the Cavs will open pretty good rivalry. It’s good for the for 198 yards and a .down He theirseasonagainstin-countyrivaltheir season against in-county rival communityandagreatwaytostartcommunity and a great way to start also made 40 tackles with two for a Upperman. The Bees have gotten the season.”

Reed Hall Harris Cravens Stockton Owen

2020 Cookeville High School Roster

1 Jayden Baker RB•CB 5’ 9” 175 lbs So. 31 Kyron Davis RB•LB 5’ 10” 165 lbs SO 65 Clayton Barrett OL•DL 6’ 3” 235 lbs JR 2 B.J Billen RB•DB 5’ 7” 165 lbs SR 32 Henry Peters WR•LB 5’ 10” 160 lbs SO 66 Wesley Bowling OL•DL 6’ 3” 235 lbs SR 3 Marcus Banks RB•DB 6’ 195 lbs SR 35 Brady Luetkmeyer RB•LB 5’ 10” 195 lbs SO 67 Parker Norris OL•DL 5’ 9” 175 lbs SO 4 Evan Whited RB•LB 5’ 11” 175 lbs JR 37 Wyatt Russell WR•LB 5’ 8” 160 lbs SO 69 Gael Romero OL•DL 6’ 2” 330 lbs SR 5 Waylon Whited WR•DB 5’ 11” 175 lbs JR 38 Clayton Barrett TE•DL 6’ 3” 235 lbs JR 70 Lucas Allen OL•LB 5’ 9” 160 lbs SO 6 Stockton Owen QB•DB 6’ 1” 205 lbs SR 39 Nathan Bowling RB•LB 5’ 9” 195 lbs SR 71 Reece Wilkerson OL•DL 6’ 3” 275 lbs SR 7 Drew Dyal RB•LB 6’ 210 lbs SR 41 Shane Mahan RB•DB 6’ 160 lbs SO 72 Malachi Williams OL•DL 6’ 3” 315 lbs SR 8 Reed Hall WR•DB 6’ 160 lbs JR 43 Truck Wilson RB•LB 5’ 9” 160 lbs SO 73 Cole Rich OL•DL 6’ 2” 230 lbs SO 9 Cade Apple RB•LB 6’ 1” 210 lbs JR 45 Sam Harness TE•DL 6’ 3” 265 lbs JR 74 Owen York OL•DL 5’ 11” 230 lbs SO 10 Adam Farris QB•DB 5’ 11” 155 lbs JR 46 Collin Garrison RB•LB 5’ 10” 170 lbs SO 75 Blaise Newman OL•DL 6’ 2” 250 lbs SO 11 Dontay Dillard WR•DB 5’ 10” 160 lbs JR 48 Talis Newman P 6’ 2” 185 lbs SR 76 Trent Smith OL•DL 5’ 11” 245 lbs SO 12 Harris Cravens WR•DB 6’ 2” 180 lbs SR 49 Jake Colwell TE•LB 6’ 5” 210 lbs JR 77 Alex Delk OL•DL 6’ 4” 300 lbs SR 13 Mace Thomsen QB•LB 6’ 190 lbs SO 50 Trip Wallace OL•DL 6’ 1” 245 lbs SR 78 Wes Delk OL•DL 6’ 5” 295 lbs SR 15 Jackson Ray TE•DL 6’ 2” 230 lbs JR 51 Mason Allen OL•DL 5’ 10” 235 lbs SO 79 Jaxson Robinson OL•DL 6’ 2” 240 lbs SO 16 Skylar Lassiter WR•DB 5’ 10” 160 lbs SR 52 Carter Apple OL•LB 6’ 3” 240 lbs SO 80 Cohen Williams TE•LB 5’ 10” 140 lbs SO 17 Donovan Sullivan WR•DB 5’ 11” 160 lbs JR 53 Daniel Otero OL•DL 6’ 1” 255 lbs SO 82 Spencer Masters WR•DB 5’ 8” 115 lbs SO 18 Parker Smith WR•DB 5’ 10” 150 lbs SO 54 Levi Reagan OL•DL 6’ 1” 240 lbs JR 83 Logan McCarter TE•LB 6’ 160 lbs JR 19 Will Halfacre QB•DB 5’ 9” 170 lbs JR 55 Sam Harness OL•DL 6’ 3” 265 lbs JR 84 Byron Heinzman TE•LB 6’ 1” 150 lbs SO 20 Brock Owen WR•DB 6’ 170 lbs SO 56 Tanner Rector OL•DL 5’ 9” 230 lbs JR 85 Roman Bartlett WR•DB 5’ 8” 125 lbs SO 21 Samuel Durand RB•DB 5’ 9” 135 lbs SR 57 Caleb Hammonds OL•DL 5’ 9” 160 lbs so 86 Grayson Walker WR•LB 6’ 3” 190 lbs SO 22 Jack Baker WR•DB 5’ 11” 175 lbs SR 58 Landon Rich OL 5’ 9” 180 lbs SO 87 Ethan Cumby TE•DL 6’ 2” 230 lbs SR 24 Austin Davenport WR•DB 6’ 180 lbs JR 59 Ryan Troxell OL•DL 6’ 1” 210 lbs SO 89 Quin Goodson TE•DL 6’ 2” 215 lbs SR 25 Tyler Ayers WR•DB 5’ 11” 170 lbs SO 60 Dalton Hammons OL•DL 6’ 245 lbs SR 90 Noah Spence P 6’ 155 lbs JR 26 Noah Sutton WR•LB 5’ 9” 160 lbs SO 61 Spencer Welch OL•DL 6’ 1” 240 lbs SO 92 Colin Thomas LS 6’ 2” 200 lbs SR 27 Logan Sides RB•LB 5’ 11” 215 lbs SR 62 Nathan Carter OL•DL 6’ 215 lbs SO 98 Andy Crockett K•P 5’ 11” 170 lbs JR 28 Seth Kincaid WR•LB 6’ 175 lbs JR 63 Eli Arms OL•DL 6’ 3” 245 lbs JR 29 Caleb Campbell WR•DB 5’ 9” 145 lbs So 64 Matthew Dutton OL•DL 6’ 2” 200 lbs SR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 KICKOFF HERALD-CITIZEN B3 herald-citizen.com WhiteWARRIORS County High School White County looks to keep momentum BY SCOTT WILSON 2020 Schedule FOR THE HERALD-CITIZEN Aug. 21 7 p.m. at Cannon Co. Mark Frasier and his staff Aug. 28 7 p.m. Cumberland Co. have triggered a renewal Sep. 4 7 p.m. CAK in the White County High School Football program. Sep. 11 7 p.m. at Cookeville Last season, Frazier took Sep. 18 7:30 p.m. at Walker Valley over a team that had lost 24 straight games, had dwin- Sep. 25 7 p.m. York Institute dling numbers on the roster Oct. 9 7 p.m. Livingston and had not garnered much Oct. 15 7 p.m. at Clay Co. interest from the community. A lot of work created a big Oct. 23 7 p.m. at Macon Co. change in the culture and Oct. 30 7 p.m. Goodpasture revitalized support from the fans. The Warriors won their fi rst two games in 2019 and Caleb Bailey fi nished the year with a 5-5 record. the same restrictions he and he will be one of the best He is probably 6-foot-3 with Billings will be at one of the Frasier hopes that momen- said, so the key at WCHS this players (when it is all said long arms. We have (senior) tackles, but Frasier said there tum carries over into this summer has been to get the and done) to come through Tanner Paul, who is 6-4, from is a lot of depth there. season. players to focus in practice this school in the last 20 the basketball team. We have “Our problem, I think, “The kids bought into and make the most out of or 30 years,” Frasier said. also got (seniors) Kade Clark, could be at linebacker and what we’re doing, and they every snap. “Owen is very talented; but Hunter Pope, (and juniors) DJ in the secondary,” the coach played very hard,” Frasier The work seems to be pay- the best-case scenario will be Paul and Jayvn Strode.” said. “Junior Garrett Nash said. “I didn’t do anything, ing off . we don’t see him very much There are question marks will be at linebacker, but it is but I think the one thing the The Warriors were a for- at quarterback. He will play, on the off ensive line. The really an open competition. coaches did was we brought a midable off ense last season, but the future may have him Warriors are building the DJ Paul is probably the only lot of passion to the program. averaging more than 20 at quarterback and Malaki unit around senior Kyle for sure starter in the sec- I believe if the kids know you points a game. Frasier thinks running the ball.” Erickson and junior Simon ondary. However, there are care, and that you care for fans could see much of the Dowell’s backfi eld is expect- Ogletree. Frasier said there at least 10 guys that could see them, they are going to play same this year, especially ed to include seniors Jayden are probably eight players in time there.” as hard as they can. We may with talented experience in Richmond and Caleb Bailey, the rotation to fi ll the other With last year’s kicker/ not have been uber talented, the backfi eld and wideout both of whom saw signifi - three positions. Will Cheek lost to but I believe when you don’t positions. cant playing time last year. Defensively, Frasier said graduation, Frasier is looking give up and continue to play Probably one of the biggest Frasier said there is depth in the Warriors are looking to for someone to step up in that hard, the winning will come.” questions facing the Warriors the backfi eld, so it could be fi ne tune things as they hope role. White County is scheduled this year will be the develop- “ by committee” to improve on 2019’s results. “At the beginning of last to open the year Friday, Aug. ment of sophomore Malaki this year. White County allowed an year, if you had told me we 21, against Cannon County in Dowell at quarterback. He “We should have big play average of 26 points a game. were going to go 5-5, I think Woodbury at 7 p.m. will be backed up by fresh- capability at the wide re- The strength of the de- I would have jumped all over Frasier said his team has man Owen Adams. ceiver position,” Frasier fense will likely be the front it,” Frasier said. “I would con- not been hurt too bad by the “Malaki Dowell will get said. “We’ve moved (junior) line. Clark and Pope fi gure sider 5-5 a successful season, COVID-19 pandemic. Every the start at quarterback. He Cameron Stephens from to anchor the group at the but we hope everybody realiz- high school program is facing is a very good football player defensive end to receiver. end positions. Junior Malaki es that is just a start.”

BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT SEASON B4 HERALD-CITIZEN KICKOFF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 herald-citizen.com UppermanBEES High School Bees trying for region title three-peat

BY BEN CRAVEN 2020 Schedule HERALD-CITIZEN Aug. 20 7 p.m. Cookeville at Tech The Upperman Aug. 28 7 p.m. at DeKalb County HighHigh School football Sep. 4 7 p.m. at Smith Co•R team is looking to Sep. 11 7 p.m. at Livingston defend its Region 4-3A title in 2020, but Sep. 18 Cannon Co•R they’ll have to do Sep. 25 7 p.m. Oneida it without Mr. Oct. 2 7 p.m. York Institute•R FootbaFootballll fi nalist Oct. 16 at Grundy Co•R DoDon-n- Oct. 23 at Watertown ovovenen Mc- Oct. 30 7 p.m. Sequatchie Co.•R CaCallis-llis- R — Region Game teter. r. The boboth Thomas Ensor and Ty Dutchess at the BeBeeses ququarterback position. Dutchess was the num- kikickck ooffff beber two rusher in 2019 with 84 carries for 778 the season yayards and 13 touchdowns. Ensor was more of Thursday a ddefensive threat in 2019 with 85 tackles and at 7 p.m. at thrthree for a loss, but he also completed seven Tennessee papasses for 73 yards as a backup quarterback. Tech with a ““We do have a bit of a quarterback battle go- rivalry game ing on, and there has been no separation from against eiteither one,” Caine said. “We’ve had good days, Cookev- babad days and everything in-between. I think illeille.. ThThee thethey’re both really good football players, so PuPutnamtnam thethey bring something to the table off ensively County ri- whwhether they’re at quarterback or not. If it vals have concontinues the way it is, they will both play played at ququarterback. the be- ““One of them is a righty, and the other is a gin- leflefty. One of them is a really dynamic runner, ning anand the other one is not. One of them is prob- of abably a little more accurate throwing the ball. the ThThis is important to both of them, and they’ve past woworked really hard to try to be the quarter- fi ve baback.” sea- TThey will have help on off ense with the top sons, twtwo receivers from 2019 returning. Daniel with the Bees MeMetzgar led the group with 32 catches for claiming vic- 685 yards and fi ve touchdowns, while Carter tory the past ShShanks backed him up with 17 catches for 186 two years. yayards. Dutchess will also work into the run- “My goal ninning game with Terrance Dedmon and Jyron coming into every McMcClellan. season is defending ““Terrance Dedmon is a sophomore running our region cham- baback who has shown some fl ashes in a really pionship,” UHS head gogood fi rst six or seven days, but you have to coach Adam Caine said. temtemper your excitement with the young guys,” “We’ve won two in a row, CaCaine said. “I’m glad that he’s working hard, so we’re trying to make it anand we hope he’ll be ready to carry the ball a three. The region games, for me littlittle bit for us.” as a coach, are really the ones I DDefense has been one of Upperman’s biggest push towards. The rivalry games are strstrengths under Caine, but this year the Bees big, but they’re more for the fans and wiwill be without their top four tacklers in 2019. the community. ThThose four accounted for 424 total tackles, “Smith County was the runner-up lalastst bubut the Bees still have Shanks at defensive year. I know they lost a lot of good players, baback, who accounted for 90 tackles, 12 passes but I’ve heard they’re still expected to be defdefended and fi ve . good this year. York has a new coach, and to ““Carter (Shanks) did a great job last year be honest, there’s a lot of unknowns. I knknowow defdefensively, and he kind of exceeded my ex- in terms of returning starters, Sequatchie pepectations as a sophomore,” Caine said. “Ty County should probably be the favorite bbe-e- (D(Dutchess) played some defensive back for us, cause they have a lot of experience now.” anand we’re going to slide him over to the safety Replacing McCallister will not be easy as spospot. We’re breaking in two new he accounted for 2,602 total yards in 2019. He anand two new defensive linemen, but we’ve also 4 Daniel Metzgar rushed 159 times for 1,232 yards and 16 touch- got Jyron (McClellan) back on the defensive ddowns and d completed l t d 9090-147 147 passes ffor 11,370 370 liline. His preseason has been a little up and yards and 11 touchdowns. down, but he was a stud on defense at the end In preseason, the Bees have been trying of last year.” 2020 Upperman High School Roster 1 Aidan Perry 41 Zack Butler 2 Terrance Dedmon 43 Hayden Petty 3 Thomas Ensor 45 Levi Wilken 4 Daniel Metzgar 46 Trenton Bilbrey 6 Elijah Petty 47 Michael Foster 8 Ty Dutchess 50 Matthew Mullins 9 Clayton Harris 51 Wes Boles 10 Kam Bush 52 Eli Bullock 11 Ethan Conley 53 Jackson Neal 12 Dalton Barney 54 JT Bowman 13 Joseph Williams 55 Zach Netherton 14 Joseph Boehm 56 Ean Cox 16 Solomon Strode 57 Braylin Cartwright 17 Marcus Campbell 58 Carson Loftis 18 Johnathon Rushing 60 Triton Smith 20 Caden Shanks 64 Alvin Gentry 21 Carter Shanks 65 Mathew Degroat 22 Eli Randolph 66 Luke Butler 23 AJ Mangrum 68 Will Penland 25 Jaxson Bush 69 Elijah Burgess 26 Zachary Neal 70 Bo Harrell 27 J.R. Newell 74 Diego Lopez 28 Nathan Ledbetter 76 Trey Stapleton 31 Josh Manis 77 Evan Briggs 33 Blayne Gurley 79 Bo Harrell 34 Jyron McCllelan 80 Bryson Harris 37 Jason Thomas 81 Ethan Brown 40 Carter Bilbrey 88 Brady Smith Ty Dutchess WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 KICKOFF HERALD-CITIZEN B5 herald-citizen.com Middle school football kicking off this week BY BEN CRAVEN Some players to watch MONTEREY Colt Elrod, Syrus Far- HERALD-CITIZEN in 2020 are quarterback In his 14th year as ley, Jonathon Walker Rookie Allison, Ethan head coach, Kyle Chil- and J.T. Sherfi eld. Like all the high Palk, David Greene, dress is looking for The Wildcats kick off school football pro- Evan Huddleston, Gage his MMS Wildcats to the 2020 season Thurs- grams in Tennessee, Ellison and Zach May- bounce back from a 3-5 day by hosting Wilson middle school teams nard. record in 2019. This County, and they travel were forced to delay the UMS kicks off its year, he has a large to Fentress County Aug. start of their season. season Aug. 25 with a number of 8th-graders 27. But it’s fi nally time to trip to Jackson County, returning, and some Their Putnam County kick things off with but its Putnam County players to keep an eye schedule begins Sept. 3 games this week. schedule begins Aug. 27 on are quarterback Jake with a trip to Prescott Here is a preview of with a trip to Prescott Ratchford, Logan Mont- South. All kickoff times the middle school foot- South. gomery, Luke Blaylock, are 6:30 p.m. ball in Putnam County.

AVERY TRACE Avery Trace is com- ing off a very successful 2019 campaign as the Raider fi nished with an 8-1 overall record. Also, head coach Orlando Avery Trace and Upperman face off Sept. 3. Easter will be working with an off ensive line County. Head coach True McGlaughlin, full of 8th-graders for Cory French has 15 Trace Anderson, Hunter the fi rst time in 2020. players returning as Campbell, J.P. Henry The line consists of 8th-graders for the 2020 and Michael Gluff . Evan Randalph, Cannon season, and some key AMS is set to start its Gibson, Colter Hogan players are quarterback season Thursday in Fen- and Zane Williams. A Briggs Cherry, Bran- tress County with a 6:30 few other players to son Turnbow and Eliel p.m. kickoff . Algood’s watch are quarterback Salina. Putnam County sched- Blake Owen, Emman- The Bulldogs are set ule begins the following uel Collier and Darius to kick their season off week with a matchup Marthel. Thursday by hosting against Avery Trace The Raiders began Clay County. From Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. their 2020 season Tues- there, they will break day with a home match- into their Putnam Coun- UPPERMAN up against Sequatchie ty schedule Aug. 27 by Upperman is coming County. They begin hosting Upperman. off a successful 2019 their Putnam County season where the Bees schedule Aug. 27 by ALGOOD went 8-2 and claimed hosting Algood. AMS and head coach the Middle Tennessee Michael McCarver are Middle School Football PRESCOTT SOUTH coming into the 2020 Conference Champi- The Prescott South season off a 5-5 record onship. They defeated Bulldogs fi nished their in 2019 with no post- Stone Memorial 16-14 2019 season with a 5-4 season action. Some in the semifi nals and overall record and a key players to watch Macon County 20-14 in 30-0 shutout of Jackson for are Wes Hudson, the fi nal.

Be th ta ar w 1-800-261-29400 1-

UC us Re co Proud Supporters of all our Upper Cumberland Teams! Let’s Another Winning Season! As we kick off a new school year, we’d like to wish all Upper Cumberland football teams a great season. Good luck to all of the football players in the Fall 2020 season. We hope all of your hard work and dedication to the team pays off as you pursue your goals. Have a safe & successful season! B6 HERALD-CITIZEN KICKOFF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 herald-citizen.com WILDCATSLivingston Academy No pressure for Livingston Academy

BY SCOTT WILSON 2020 Schedule FOR THE HERALD-CITIZEN Aug. 21 7 p.m. at Westmoreland Bruce Lamb said Aug. 28 7 p.m. at Cookeville he and his Livingston Sep. 4 7 p.m. at Cumberland County•R Academy players are Sep. 11 7 p.m. Upperman not feeling too much pressure as they make Sep. 18 7 p.m. Stone Memorial•R fi nal preparations for Sep. 25 7 p.m. Smith County the upcoming football season. Oct. 2 7 p.m. at DeKalb County•R The Wildcats rolled Oct. 9 7 p.m. at White County through 2019 with a Oct. 23 7 p.m. York Institute perfect regular season before losing to No- Oct. 30 7 p.m. Macon County•R lensville in the second R — Region Game round of the playoff s. Kaleb Robinson But with 14 lost to graduation, the Wild- pace with last year’s seniors Parker Coleman stop,” Lamb said. ‘The Wildcats were stellar replace Tee Beaty, who cats must fi nd players 37-points-per-game av- and Raven Carpenter key for us is we have to last season. Livingston rarely missed during to step into big holes. erage. But LA lost four and sophomore Nathan fi gure out how to utilize Academy gave up 115 his four years with the Lamb said preseason starters on the front Cowgill. Lamb said all those weapons. It all points, with 41 coming Wildcats. practice has answered line, two wide receiv- three provide diff erent starts with Kaleb Rob- in the playoff s. LA had Lamb said he has many of those questions ers, a running back skill sets the Wildcats inson. He looks incred- two shutouts and kept been pleased with how and confi dence is rising and quarterback Will hope to take advantage ible, you can tell he has its opponents to single his team has prepared at LA as the opener McDonald, who threw of this year. worked hard in off sea- digits in eight of 10 for the season, much looms. for over 2,400 yards and Senior Kaleb Rob- son. He’s gotten very games. less overcoming the “It was a great year 30 touchdowns. inson, who ran for 727 quick, a lot stronger and Smith, Wright, and obstacles posed by the with a great bunch of “I think we could be yards and 13 touch- he is going to be diffi cult Reeder will stabilize coronavirus. He said seniors that took charge as productive as we downs last season, to stop back there.” the defensive line and the Wildcats have been of the team,” Lamb said. were last year, it just fi gures to get most of the Lamb said even should be helped by focused on doing what- “We played well togeth- might not be the same carries at running back. though he is rebuilding senior Jordan Brown ever they needed to do er, and we played hard. way we’ve always done Senior Nathan Carwile the off ensive line, he and fellow senior Ethan to get ready to play. It is going to be diff erent it,” Lamb said. “We will will also see time in the might be deeper at that Rumancik. Junior “Having to deal with this year, and we have be more oriented on the backfi eld. position than he was Xander Cantrell and this virus has been 22 seniors who are real ground. We have got The receiving corps last year. Senior cen- Robinson should handle quite diff erent as a leaders. This could be a three players fi ghting at is expected to include: ter Carson Smith will most of the duties at coaching staff , but it has good football team.” quarterback, and each Carpenter (when not anchor the unit, and he linebacker. Mosley and been extremely diff erent The Wildcats will of them can run and at quarterback), se- will be joined by seniors Carpenter will high- for the kids. We’ve had open the 2020 campaign throw the ball. We also niors Bryer Mosley and Austin Reeder and Noah light the secondary and to change everything,” Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. have some good run- Bryson Tucker and ju- Sliger on the left side. get support from Rob- Lamb said. “What at Westmoreland. ning backs and receiv- niors Ayden Coff ee and Sophomore Logan John- inson, Coleman, Coff ee hurt us the most is we Livingston’s off en- ers that we need to get Jaden Lawrence. son and senior Dexter and Cowgill. lost 14 seniors and we sive production will be the ball to.” “For opposing defens- Wright will play on the Seniors Mitchell didn’t get to have spring key this season as the The three-way battle es, we will have a lot right side. Watson and John Moree practice or any 7-on-7 Wildcats try to keep at quarterback includes of weapons to try and Defensively, the will be competing to sessions.” LAFEVER INSURANCE AGENCY Independent Agent NEVER MISS Located in the Town Plaza ANOTHER PLAY! Get LASIK with Dr. Alissa Hudson

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727 S. Jeff erson Ave. Cookeville, TN 38501 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 KICKOFF HERALD-CITIZEN B7 herald-citizen.com MontereyWILDCATS High School 2020 Schedule Sep.Sep. 4 Red BoilingBoiling SpringsSprings R COVID-19 Sep. 11 7:30 p.m. at Harriman Sep. 18 at Pickett Co•R Sep. 25 at Jackson Co. strikes, but Oct. 2 7 p.m. at Jo Byrns•R Oct. 9 7 p.m. Bledsoe Co. Oct. 23 7 p.m. at Clay Co•R Monterey Oct. 30 Gordonsville R ready R — Region Game Anthony Soberanis BY BEN CRAVEN HERALD-CITIZEN

The MHS football team will not be able to repeat itss 10-0 regular season from 2019 ass the Wildcats are in a 14-day quarantine because of a positive COVID-19 test. However, the Wildcats expectpect to playplay eight games in the 2020 season,son, and will be forced to jump straight intonto Region 4-A play. Their season is scheduledheduled to start Sept. 4 in Monterey againstgainst Red Boiling Springs. “When you talk about regiongion play for us, it starts with Claylay County and Gordonsville, who are tremendously talented teams every year,” MHS headad coach Scott Hughes said. “You can pretty much fl ip a coin between them becausee they’re loaded with excep- tional talent. Jo Byrns is always well-coached, hard-nosed, and very physical. I also think Pickett County and Red Boiling Springs will In both be improved.” 2019, one of The biggest obstacle I Monterey’s big-big- facing the Wildcats gest strengths was its is replacing standout told defense. The Wildcats allowed quarterback and defen- him that I want an average of 10 points per game with one shutout sive back Jordan Key, him to bebe him- (43-0) against Lookout Valley. who was the Region 4-A self. Matthew has In 2020, Monterey returns a few key players Player of the Year. improved so much to the defense, but there are still some holes Last year, Key car- in a 6-8-month time- to fi ll.ll. ried the ball 81 times span, and I’m super “On defense, we’re going to be led for 624 yards and nine excited for the opportu- by Denver Smith up front, and he’s touchdowns and com- nities he’s getting.getting.”” another guy that’s probably started pleted 70-113 passes for The good news off ensively is that both every game of his high school 966 yards and 15 touch- Anthony Soberanis and Mason Bowman career,” Hughes said. downs. Defensively, he return at tailback after combining for 1,285 “He gets us going, and he’s recorded 39 tackles with yards and 13 touchdowns in 209. HughesHughes one of our few seniors. He’s three for a loss, sacked the said that even if Soberanis is moved to a great leader, teacher andand quarterback once and inter-r- off ensive line out of necessity Bowman will teammate. cepted two passes. He also have exceptional help in fellow sophomores “At the second level, An-An- racked up 506 yards and fourur Michael Allred and Eli Saylors, who both thony (Soberanis) is our guy, touchdowns on special teams.ms. playedplayed receiver in 2019. but we’ve got to fi nd 2-3 more Set to take over the quarterbackterback position is soph- “Mason (Bowman) has bulked up a bit, and he’s linebackers that can read it, under- omore Matthew Montgomery.ry. probably weighing in around 190 pounds,” Hughes stand it and physically do it. “It’s exceptionally hard too replace a guy like Jor- said. “He looks the part, and I’m really excited for “In the secondary, we’ve got to replace Jordan dan Key, and for us, you don’tn’t replace him,” Hughes him because he’s a really good football talent. More (Key) and Kevin (Borjas), and those are big shoes to said. “What we do here is takeake whawhatt we hhaveave anandd importantly, he’s a tremendous young man withwith fi ll.ll. structure to that skill set. Matthew (Montgomery) super high character. He’s a team-fi rst guy, and his “We’ve got several guys that are capable, but ca- was worried about being diffff erenterent from from Jorda Jordan,n, but but teammates love beingbeing around him.”him.” pabilitypability and productionproduction are two diff erent things.”things.” 2020 Monterey High School Roster

1 Chandler Bowden JR 2 Eli Saylors SO 3 Cayden Jones SR 4 Mason Bowman SO 5 Jayden McCants FR 6 Aydn Reagan FR 7 Marvin Granados SR 8 Michael Allred SO 9 Taylor Murphy JR 10 Carter Charlton JR 11 Cason Riley FR 12 Byron Borjas SO 13 Nic Wiley JR 14 Bryant Charlton JR 15 Antony Soberanis SR 16 Alex Montejo FR 17 Mekkiah Henry FR 18 Matthew Montgomery SO 20 Logan Sparks JR 21 David Walker JR 22 Abner Felix FR 29 Nathan McMurray SO 50 Isreal Roth JR 52 Hudson Thompson SO 53 Grant Hoover JR 54 Denver Smith SR 55 David Farley SO 57 Logan Bowman FR 59 Vaughn Delisle FR 60 Logan Davis JR 63 Jasai Maddux JR 66 Tomas Sebastian JR 67 Miguel Francisco SO 70 Samuel Aguilar SR 74 James Henry SO 77 Dustin Hernandez JR Anthony Soberanis Mason Bowman B8 HERALD-CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 herald-citizen.com