Here is a look at The Tennessean’s top picks for this week’s high school football playoff games, along with predictions from staff writer Michael Murphy.

Hillsboro’s defense is allowing just 8.2 points per game in its last four games.

Last week’s record: 9-1 (.900)

Regular-season record: 84-26 (.763)

Hillsboro’s defense is allowing just 8.2 points per game in its last four games.

GAME OF THE WEEK

CLASS 5A

LA VERGNE (6-4) AT HILLSBORO (7-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

A pair of two-way standouts will be on display in this Class 5A opening-round matchup between Region 6-5A champion Hillsboro and La Vergne, which finished fourth in 5-5A. Mercer commitment and 2014 All-Midstate first-team safety Malique Fleming (65 tackles, 4 forced fumbles) leads a solid Burros defense, which has allowed an average of just 8.2 points in its last four outings, and the 6-foot, 190-pound senior has also made his presence felt on offense, accounting for 580 yards and five total touchdowns. Wolverines junior linebacker Maleik Gray (52 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 defensive TDs) has been equally impressive defensively, and like Fleming, the four-star 2017 prospect has also had to fill a role on offense, hauling in 18 receptions for 440 yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games at wide receiver. Hillsboro 31, La Vergne 28.

Blackman quarterback Miller Armstrong (12).

CLASS 6A

DOBYNS-BENNETT (4-6) AT BLACKMAN (8-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Blackman took a back seat to Oakland during the regular season, but the Region 2-6A runner-up Blaze captured double-digit wins in their other six league contests. Blackman’s offense, led by quarterback Miller Armstrong (1,516 total yards, 14 TDs) and running back Taeler Dowdy (1,439 yards rushing, 18 TDs), is averaging 35.3 points, and it has eclipsed the 40-point mark on five occasions. Dobyns-Bennett, on the other hand, which struggled to a seventh-place finish in a powerful Region 6-1A, enters Friday’s opening-round game having lost five in row.  Indians are allowing close to 40 points per game during that stretch, too. Blackman 42, Dobyns-Bennett 21.

McGavock running back Kendall Johnson (middle).

ARLINGTON (6-4) AT MCGAVOCK (6-4)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

McGavock has endured an up-and-down year, but the Raiders wrapped up the regular season on a high by capturing consecutive Region 3-6A wins. Quarterback Demontez Carlton (1,848 total yards, 17 TDs) and running back Kendall Johnson (1,665 all-purpose yards, 19 total TDs) headline a McGavock offense that has put up a combined 97 points in wins over Antioch and Mt. Juliet. The Raiders’ opening-round opponent, Arlington, has been pretty good in that department, too. The Tigers, led by sophomore quarterback Tate Kolwyck (2,359 yards passing, 26 TDs), have scored at least 28 points in all but one game, including their Sept. 4 upset of third-ranked Whitehaven, and they’ve eclipsed the 40-point mark on four occasions. McGavock 28, Arlington 27.

The Hendersonville High School cheerleading squad

CLASS 5A

SHELBYVILLE (7-3) AT HENDERSONVILLE (9-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Despite coasting to nine wins an average of 21.7 points, Hendersonville, ranked second in Class 5A and ninth in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, still missed out on a region title. The 49-21 Week 5 defeat at eventual 6-5A champion Hillsboro is to thank for that. However, the Commandos bounced back from that loss to win five in a row, and the top offensive option — senior Terrell Carter (965 yards rushing, 10 TDs) — has been relatively quiet during that stretch. Carter should see his fair share of carries against Shelbyville, though. The Golden Eagles, led by senior quarterback Mason Cunningham (2,064 total yards, 19 TDs), dropped three straight games to begin October, but they’ve since strung together wins over Columbia and Franklin County, eclipsing the 42-point mark in both. Hendersonville 42, Shelbyville 27.

Independence wide receiver Nate Johnson (right).

CANE RIDGE (8-2) AT INDEPENDENCE (10-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Cane Ridge squared off with one of the Midstate’s top rushers in its regular-season finale, and while Gallatin’s Jordan Mason racked up 289 yards and three rushing touchdowns, the Ravens ultimately held on for a 40-34 victory to secure a fourth-place finish in Region 6-5A. Cane Ridge now has to slow one of the area’s most prolific passers in Independence’s Andrew Bunch, along with his top receiver, Purdue commitment Nate Johnson (914 yards receiving, 14 TDs). In an injury-shortened senior season, Bunch has torched opposing defenses for 1,867 yards and 25 touchdowns in just 5-1/2 games. The Eagles, ranked first in Class 5A and fourth in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, are averaging 42 points, outscoring their opponents 421-108. Independence 45, Cane Ridge 17.

Springfield’s Dewayne Buckner (left) hands the ball off to teammate Isiah Bigbee.

CLASS 4A

HILLWOOD (5-5) AT SPRINGFIELD (7-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Hillwood hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2005. In fact, the struggling program had won just one game in the two seasons prior to coach Kurt Page’s arrival. The Hilltoppers, led by senior Jamal Kirklen (535 yards receiving, 8 TDs, 29 tackles, 2 Int.), dropped three of their first six games, including a demoralizing 36-7 defeat at Region 6-4A foe Whites Creek, before rebounding to win three of their final four. Springfield, runners-up in 5-4A, is coming off its worst defeat of the season — a 39-point throttling at Pearl-Cohn in which the Yellow Jackets surrendered 531 yards and a season-high 47 points. Prior to that, Springfield, which is averaging close to 30 points, had won six of its last seven. Springfield 31, Hillwood 27.

Stratford junior quarterback Josh Trueheart (9)

CLASS 3A

STRATFORD (7-3) AT FAIRVIEW (7-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Veteran coach Maurice Fitzgerald has done an exceptional job in his first season at Stratford, inheriting a struggling program and transforming the Spartans into a legitimate playoff contender. Now it’s time to take the next step as Stratford prepares for its first postseason appearance in nearly a decade. Junior quarterback Jordan Trueheart (1,516 yards passing, 15 TDs) and senior Corey Simmons (1,739 all-purpose yards, 16 total TDs) lead a solid Spartans offense, while senior defensive tackle Khalil Jones (112 tackles) anchors a defense that has allowed just 10.6 points in its last three outings. Fairview, preseason favorites in 6-3A, probably hasn’t had the season it had hoped for, but the Yellow Jackets, led by junior running back Blake Beathard, won’t be an easy out. Stratford 27, Fairview 24.

Jo Byrns fullback Mikey Chennault (22).

CLASS 1A

HOUSTON CO. (8-2) AT JO BYRNS (8-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Senior running back Nolan Seay has been the go-to-guy in Houston County’s offense, averaging 8.3 yards per carry while rushing for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Irish, whose two losses came against unbeaten Wayne County and one-loss Huntingdon. Senior fullback Mikey Chennault has been equally effective, racking up 1,038 yards and 11 rushing scores for the Region 5-1A runner-up Red Devils. Whichever team’s defense does a better job containing the other’s rushing attack should have the upper hand. Jo Byrns 28, Houston Co. 24.

Ensworth quarterback Coleman Goodwin (left) hands the ball off to teammate Darius Morehead.

DII-AA

FATHER RYAN (4-6) AT ENSWORTH (4-6)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

It has come close in recent seasons, but Father Ryan, which has suffered three-straight opening-round defeats by 10 points or less, hasn’t reached the Division II-AA quarterfinals since 2011. For that to happen this year, the Irish need to capture a win over Ensworth — something they haven’t done since 2007. The Tigers, led by senior running back Darius Morehead (1,077 yards rushing, 14 TDs), might not be the favorites this year, but they appear headed in the right direction after giving second-ranked MBA a major scare in their narrow 23-21 Week 11 defeat. A trip to Christian Brothers awaits the winner. Ensworth 27, Father Ryan 20.

Battle Ground Academy quarterback Clayton Beathard

DII-A

BGA (6-3) AT HARDING ACADEMY (8-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Battle Ground Academy probably didn’t enjoy the regular season it envisioned, and as a result, the Wildcats must go on the road if they hope to make a second straight title game appearance. Quarterback Clayton Beathard (2,343 yards passing, 25 TDs) and wide receiver Marcus Cawthorne (921 yards receiving, 15 TDs) have been virtually unstoppable, but the Wildcat defense, which surrendered a combined 70 points in losses to Knoxville Webb and Franklin Road Academy, has left something to be desired. That unit will be tested when they square off against a balanced Lions attack that features both a 1,500-yard passer (sophomore Zac Montgomery) as well as a 1,500-yard rusher (junior Marquavious Moore). BGA 35, Harding Academy 28.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

Stratford quarterback Josh Trueheart accounted for 1,726 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.

Hillwood coach Kurt Page looks on during Wednesday’s practice.

Hillwood coach Kurt Page talks to his team during Wednesday’s practice.

Midstate football fans should recognize the faces of longtime coaches Kurt Page and Maurice Fitzgerald.

What they might not recognize is the brand of football the two coaches have their teams playing.

“The excitement is everywhere,” senior Stratford lineman Khalil Jones said. “We shocked the whole city.”

Fitzgerald (Stratford) and Page (Hillwood) have their helped their programs break playoff droughts. Page’s Hilltoppers haven’t been to the playoffs since 2004 while Fitzgerald’s Spartans haven’t gone since 2006.

Not many predicted Stratford wrapping up its regular season at 7-3 and Hillwood at 5-5, despite the highly successful coaches taking over this season.

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

Both Fitzgerald and Page know a thing or two about turning around a program.

Fitzgerald took over a struggling Pearl-Cohn team in 1989 but directed the Firebirds to back-to-back 4A state championships in 1996 and 1997.

Page was a head coach at BGA before taking over a Father Ryan program (1994) that had struggled by its standards. He helped the Irish fight their way back to relevancy to capture a Division II state title in 1997, their first since 1974.

Despite that experience, both coaches faced an uphill battle to get the two Metro Nashville programs back to the state playoffs.

Stratford High School football head coach Maurice Fitzgerald works with his team during an early-season practice.

Changing mentalities

When Fitzgerald arrived at Stratford this summer, it didn’t take long for his players to realize they were in for some changes.

“Just the way he approached us, I knew this guy was different,” Stratford senior wide receiver Corey Simmons said. “This guy is here to make a change, and I felt like it could be a special year if we bought into what he was telling us.”

One change that Fitzgerald made that has helped the Spartans buy in and move forward has been the way he has handled players’ mistakes and failed assignments.

“We know even if we do mess up, we’re still going to get coached up,” Jones said.

And it’s rubbed off on how players respond to one another after a blown play.

“Just like Coach Fitzgerald instilled in our heads,” Jones said, “if we do something wrong, encourage your teammate and get to the next play.”

Getting to the next play was a key piece of advice for a Spartan squad that started the season 4-0 before dropping three straight games.

Bracket breakdown: State football playoffs

Instead of letting it take the wind out of their sails as it might have in previous years, Stratford rebounded from its three-game skid to win its final three games and earn a 3A playoff berth. The Spartans play at Fairview on Friday night.

Handling losses better than they did last season is a tribute to changes Fitzgerald has made in the Spartans’ mentality.

“I think a lot of times it’s the way that you lose,” Fitzgerald said. “Sometimes you lose and you don’t have any sense of hope, and sometimes you can lose and you know that you’re in the game.”

Power of belief

For Hillwood players, simply having a coach they felt truly believed in them has made all the difference from last year to this year.

“He brought us in and talked about what we did last year and we could do this year,” senior receiver Jamal Kirklen said. “He made us have faith in each other and in the team.”

And having the support of their coach makes the Toppers want to put it all on the line for the man calling the plays.

The Tennessean Midstate Top 10

“It makes you not want to let him down,” senior running back DeShawn Kinzer said. “Previous coaches may have given up at halftime, but him, regardless of the score, he’s believing in us at all times.”

That belief has landed the Toppers in an opening-round Class 4A playoff game at Springfield on Friday night.

One reason Page has so much faith in his team is its ability to stick through tough times.

He knows how hard it is to stay positive when the Toppers’ previous two seasons produced a combined record of 1-19.

Hillwood senior Jamal Kirklen (left) has scored a team-leading eight touchdowns for the Hilltoppers this season.

“I don’t know if I could have done that at 15-, 16-, 17-years old,” said Page a former Vanderbilt quarterback. “Not everyone is going to stay with that. That’s a tough pill to swallow and they have done it, so I told them they will get my best effort every day.”

By believing in their teams and helping players embrace and cultivate a winning mentality, both coaches have helped struggling programs find new life.

And now that they’ve led their squads back to the postseason, there’s only one more thing to do.

“The playoff motto is go hard or go home,” Simmons said. “We’re just trying to go hard every snap, every play. Go hard and leave it all on the field, because Friday could me my last day playing football.”

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

TURNING IT AROUND

Stratford

2015: 7-3

2014: 2-8

2013: 2-8

2012: 3-7

2011: 5-5

2010: 3-7

Hillwood

2015: 5-5

2014: 0-10

2013: 1-9

2012: 4-6

2011: 3-7

2010: 3-7

Lipscomb athletic director Mike Roller speaks to the media during the TSSAA’s July 16 Legislative Council meeting.

Lipscomb Academy athletic director Mike Roller and Goodpasture principal Lindsey Judd were among the six private school administrators recently elected to serve on the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Board of Control and Legislative Council.

Roller, along with Knoxville Webb athletic director David Meske and Jackson Christian principal Scott Gatlin, were chosen to fill the three recently created independent school seats on the Board of Control — one for each of the TSSAA’s three Grand Divisions: Middle, East and West.

Judd (Middle), McCallie principal Kenny Sholl (East) and Harding Academy athletic director Kevin Starks (West) were elected to the Legislative Council.

“A portion of the TSSAA is made up of independent schools, and now they’ll have representation on the board and on legislative council,” Roller said. “Obviously the legislative council thought it was needed because they voted in favor of it, and I agreed with them. I think it’s a wise decision.”

The Legislative Council can make changes to the TSSAA bylaws, and the Board of Control enforces the bylaws.

At its July 16 meeting, the formerly nine-member Legislative Council passed a proposal to change Articles III and IV of the TSSAA Constitution, adding three independent representatives to both the board and council.

Prior to its passage, the last private school representative to serve on the board or council was former Franklin Road Academy administrator Steve Harris, who served on the council from 2003-12.

“I think the people that have been in there, even though they work at public schools, they’ve represented private schools as well as public schools,” Roller added. “I think the Board of Control and Legislative Council have always done a good job of trying to take all of the school into consideration, and I hope we’ll do that going forward.”

TSSAA vote is good day for private schools

At that same July 16 meeting, the council voted down a complete public-private split by a 5-4 margin. Instead, the council passed five proposals at a specially called Sept. 1 meeting, altering the association’s bylaws regarding financial aid in hopes of creating a fair and level playing field between public and private schools in Division I.

Those changes, which could force some of the 24 Division I private schools to join Division II, will take affect beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

In addition to the six independent school spots being filled, three new Board of Control members were elected — Station Camp principal Art Crook in District 5, West Carroll principal and athletic director Dexter Williams in District 7 and Mitchell principal Kevin Meeks in District 9.

Science Hill athletic Keith Turner was re-elected to the District 1 spot.

Memphis Central principal Greg McCullough, who previously served on the council, was elected to the Board of Control, representing District 9, while District 3 and 4 representatives, Tommy Layne and Jerry Mathis, were both re-elected.

The next scheduled Board of Control meeting is set for Nov. 12. The possibility of adding background checks for referees is on the agenda. The next Legislative Council meeting is slated for Dec. 9.

Williamson to background check officials
TSSAA council votes down public-private split

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

CHATTANOOGA Were you to look at the final score only, McCallie’s 54-21 victory over visiting Pope John Paul II on Thursday night was remarkably like its 35-point win (63-28) against the Knights two weeks earlier.

C.J. Laws

However, there was one difference in the Blue Tornado victory, which came in the two teams’ Division II-Class AA.

“I’ve got to go home tonight and study chemistry,” McCallie quarterback Robert Riddle – who ran for two scores and passed for a third – said. “I think I have a quiz tomorrow.”

Thanks at least in part to an overmatched opponent whose season ends with a 2-9 record, Riddle wasn’t the only one of his teammates to pass this gridiron quiz atop Spears Stadium’s Pete Potter Field with a top grade.

Rebounding from a recent concussion, Rico Dozier caught four passes for 68 yards, including a 32-yard scoring strike from Riddle less than five minutes into the game.

Maxim Yeoh carried the football seven times for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Xavier Brooks also scored twice while gaining 51 yards on 10 carries. Tyrik Stewart caught four of Riddle’s 13 completions for a team-high 81 yards.

The Blue Tornado improved to 6-5 heading into next Friday’s second-round game at Montgomery Bell Academy.

“We didn’t have a single missed tackle on their scoring drives in the second half,” McCallie head coach Ralph Potter said. “We gave them four or five third-and-longs in the first half when we weren’t in position. For us to accomplish what we want to, we’ve got to pick up the intensity on defense.”

Despite those third-and-longs, McCallie scored two touchdowns in a span of 14 seconds early in the first quarter, after the Knights fumbled away the kickoff following the Blue Tornado’s first score.

McCallie led 34-0 before PJP II senior running back Quar’Derius Hunter produced a 4-yard touchdown run in the second period.

Riddle’s second touchdown run created a 41-7 margin at halftime, leaving McCallie one point shy of the 35-point mercy rule (which is needed to have the clock run continuously in the final half). A Yeoh run and a Xavier Brooks run twice moved the margin to a big enough gap to run the clock, but each time PJP II scored to return the margin under 35 points.

“You kind of hate this for everybody (the rematch), but that’s the (playoff) format now,” Potter said. “At least we get to play again.”

Junior C.J. Laws scored the final two Knight touchdowns, a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a 30-yard reception from junior quarterback Ben Brooks in the final period.

PJP II gained 248 yards, with Brooks completing 13 of 23 passes for 175 yards and rushing for 30 yards.

Hunter rushed for a team-best 31 yards, and Neal Adams caught two passes for a team-high 52 receiving yards.

After losing at Brentwood Academy to conclude the regular season last week, Yeoh said that the victory feels great.

For Potter, ever the perfectionist, few victories feel as great as the losses hurt.

However, with Thursday being a school night, he had a different message for his team as he sent them off to the locker room after the win.

“Study,” Potter said.

PJP II lost its final five games in Justin Geisinger’s first season. The Knights were outscored 346-148 in seven games against its Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region foes.

PJP II has lost all 11 of its playoff openers. The Knights suffered a 64-14 loss at McCallie in their first-round playoff game last November.

PJP II loses 22 seniors.

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M – Robert Riddle 11 run. Kick failed. M – Marko Dozier 32 pass from Riddle. Riddle to Javaughn Craig. M – Xavier Brooks 6 run. Alec Earp kick. M – Shawn McColley 1 run. Earp kick. M – Maxim Yeoh 12 run. Kick failed. P – Quar’Deris Hunter 4 run. Jackson Morris kick. M – Riddle 20 run. Earp kick. M – Yeoh 2 run. Kick failed. P – C.J. Laws 3 run. Morris kick. M – Brooks 1 run. Noah Huerta kick. P – Laws 30 pass from Ben Brooks. Morris kick.

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RUSHING

Pope John Paul II – Quar’Derius Hunter 13-31, Ben Brooks 13-30, Jamaal Thompson 4-11, C.J. Laws 1-3, Theo Onaghinor 1-0, Jalon Cambridge 2-(-2).

PASSING

Pope John Paul II – Ben Brooks 13-23-0-175.

RECEIVING

Pope John Paul II – Neal Adams 2-52, C.J. Laws 2-40, Jalon Cambridge 2-38, Pace Dempsey 4-26, Jamaal Thompson 2-12, Andrew Cassman 1-7.

Live coverage of the first week of the high school football playoffs in Tennessee.

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The sun sets in the background during the Centennial and Independence game at Independence High School in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015.

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The Pope John Paul II High girls basketball team enters the upcoming season under new leadership.

Angi Puckett is now at the helm of the Lady Knight program, succeeding Karen Serra (who compiled a 56-61 record in four seasons at the helm).

Angi Puckett

Before arriving at PJP II, Puckett coached at Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School, serving as the varsity head coach for four years and for two years as the junior-varsity head coach. She led the program to a 22-12 record and the Area 2 championship last season, being named the Area 2 Coach of the Year.

With her debut season for the Lady Knights approaching, Puckett says she is continuing to familiarize herself with her players.

“Right now, it’s just going to be an adjustment period of me getting to know the players better and what they’re capable of and them getting to know my style and expectations of them,” Puckett said.

PJP II lost six seniors to graduation – including Sumner County Co-Player of the Year Lauren Ransom, Lillian Baker, Rachel Richardson, Ellen Gerstner, Nicole Kirby and Annabel Yates.

The Lady Knights have two starters returning from last season in forward Windee Johnson and guard Sophie Kolbe. Competition remains for the other three starting spots.

Pope John Paul II High senior forward Windee Johnson is the team’s top returning scorer.

“At this point, it’s really too early to name a starting five,” Puckett said. “I’m still trying to make that call, but definitely my senior players are all going to be very instrumental players for me.

“Wendy Johnson will definitely be a player that I rely on heavily. She averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds a game last year, and she just verbally committed to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.”

Several players that are expected to receive significant playing time are Mercedes Smith, Emily Galluzzi and Miranda Smith. Puckett also indicated that there are others who have made strides this fall.

“Callie Ryan is a great on-the-ball defender,” Puckett said. “She’s been working really hard, and she’s definitely stepped up. Lindsey Semrow, a sophomore, has put in a lot of work over the summer, and her shot is starting to look really good.”

Puckett points to a lack of overall size as a potential concern for her team this year.

“As a team, we’re small, so we’re going to have to apply a lot of pressure defensively,” Puckett said. “We’ll need to really press and get after them.

“Offensively, we need to continue to attack to get to the basket.”

Senior guard Sophie Kolbe is one of two returning starters for the Pope John Paul II High girls basketball team.

Puckett believes that Brentwood Academy and Ensworth will be the favorites in the East/Middle Reegion of Division II-Class AA.

The Lady Knights will have a blue-gold intra-squad scrimmage on Thursday, followed by a Tennessee Secondary Schools Hall of Champions game at Portland on Tuesday, Nov. 17. PJP II will also host Hall of Champions games on Saturday, Nov. 21, facing Middle Tennessee Christian and Oakland.

The Lady Knights open the regular season with a contest at Christ Presbyterian Academy on Nov. 24, and PJP II begins region play by hosting rival Father Ryan on Jan. 8.

The Pope John Paul II High boys basketball team had one of its best seasons in school history in 2014-15, finishing third in the East/Middle region of Division II-Class AA.

Despite coming off a successful season, the Knights will have several new players on the court this season after losing eight seniors.

“We do have high expectations because of talent, but it’s going to be hard to replace those seniors,” PJP II head coach Kip Brown – whose squad fell to Briarcrest Christian School in the Division II-Class AA state quarterfinals last season – said. “They brought a lot of maturity, size and experience. Basically, we’re going to have to grow up quick, figure out how to win, figure out how to play together, and find out what it takes to play at the high-school, varsity level. The majority of our team has not played much varsity-wise.”

Along with eight seniors, the Knights lose 6-foot-6 center Mason Hickman, who recently committed to play baseball at Vanderbilt University and has decided to focus solely on baseball.

The Knights return three starters from a year ago in junior guard Jalon Cambridge, senior forward Ryan Hatten, and junior forward Matt Galvin. However, Brown still hasn’t settled on his remaining starters.

Senior forward Ryan Hatten is one of three returning starters for the Pope John Paul II High boys basketball team.

“We’ve got 15 guys dressing, and it’s really up for grabs,” Brown said. “Jalon and Ryan will likely start, Matthew should start, and from there, it’s literally a number of six or eight guys that could start as well. We’re going to have a deep rotation.

“Mitchell Sorensen is a sophomore that is also going to play varsity this year. Mitchell is a forward who can step out and shoot really well. Devin Cambridge, who transferred from Cane Ridge, is also going to be an impact player on this team.”

Junior C.J. Laws and sophomores Jayson Brown, Justin McMurry, and Grayson Lane are also expected to be in the mix. Other guys that should see significant playing time are junior Jamaal Thompson and sophomore Jake Rucker. Freshman Ivashow Lowry could also see action.

Along with being young, Brown feels that the team’s overall strength is a concern.

“Our biggest concern is a lack of experience and a lack of strength, because half of our team is sophomores,” Brown said. “Physically, they have to get ready to go in there and bang and fight for the ball and fight for positioning.

“Outside of that, it’s just about getting the rotation successful and figuring out who plays well together. The biggest concern really is just the mental part of it and fighting through the adversity of the growing pains.”

Brown expects Brentwood Academy, which won the Divison II-Class AA state championship last season, as well as Enworth and McCallie to be the region favorites this season.

PJP II begins the season next week with an intra-squad, blue-gold game on Thursday and will then face Lexington and White House in Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions games on Tuesday, Nov. 17.  The Knights host another Hall of Champions game against Middle Tennessee Christian on Saturday, Nov. 21.

PJP II opens the season with a contest at Christ Presbyterian Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the Knights open region play on Jan. 8 by hosting rival Father Ryan.

MBA coach Marty Euverard (left) talks to quarterback Glenn Coleman.

Ravenwood linebacker Tahj Williams (right).

A look at the top high school football teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:

Brentwood Academy coach Cody White

FRA coach Bill Whittemore leads his team onto the practice field.

10. FRA (11-0) — Senior Woody Weicker ran for a career-high 128 yards and touchdown runs of 11, 28, one and two yards as the Panthers coasted to their 11th consecutive victory, 42-20 over King’s Academy. Last week: No. 10. This week: Friday vs. University School of Jackson (8-3).

Hendersonville running back Jack Towe (10).

9. Hendersonville (10-1) — The Commandos limited a potent Shelbyville offense to just 20 points while running for 335 yards and four touchdowns in a convincing 43-20 opening-round triumph over the Golden Eagles. Last week: No. 9. This week: Friday at Independence (11-0).

Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Andrew Howard (10).

8. CPA (10-1) — The Lions extended their postseason winning streak to six games, capturing a 41-0 first-round victory over Cheatham County behind the team’s 182-yard, five-touchdown rushing performance. Last week: No. 8. This week: Friday vs. Stratford (8-3).

Centennial senior Tyrel Dodson (25)

7. Centennial (10-1) — The Region 7-5A champion Cougars survived an opening-round scare from Southwind, securing a 20-14 win thanks to senior Tyrel Dodson’s fourth-quarter touchdown run — his third of the game. Last week: No. 6. This week: Friday vs. Brentwood (6-5).

Ravenwood senior Chris Rowland

6. Ravenwood (10-1) — Chris Rowland racked up over 300 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in leading the 2014 Class 6A runner-up Raptors to a 55-7 victory over Bartlett to set up a second-round matchup with region rival Overton. Last week: No. 7. This week: Friday vs. Overton (7-4).

Blackman coach David Watson

5. Blackman (9-2) — Running back Taeler Dowdy and quarterback Miller Armstrong each eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground in the Blaze’s 56-10 triumph over Dobyns-Bennett as the senior duo accounted for 331 of the team’s 387 yards. Last week: No. 5. This week: Friday vs. Siegel (3-8).

Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch (10)

4. Independence (11-0) — Quarterback Andrew Bunch threw for a season-low 135 yards in Friday’s 48-7 victory over Cane Ridge, but the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior managed a season-high 92 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns  Last week: No. 4. This week: Friday vs. Hendersonville (10-1). 

MBA running back Ty Chandler (left)

3. MBA (9-1) — The defending Division II-AA champions weren’t overly impressive in their regular-season finale — a 23-21 triumph over rival Ensworth — and the second-ranked Big Red welcome a talented McCallie team in this week’s quarterfinals. Last week: No. 3. This week: Friday vs. McCallie (6-5).

Oakland’s student section cheers on the Patriots.

2. Oakland (10-1) — Quarterback Brendan Matthews threw for a season-high 275 yards and four touchdowns in Friday’s 49-7 win over William Blount, and the Patriots defense delivered another dominating performance, holding a third straight opponent to seven points or less. Last week: No. 2. This week: Friday vs. Riverdale (6-5). 

Brentwood Academy coach Cody White

1. Brentwood Academy (9-1) —The Eagles’ offense piled up a Division II-AA leading 458 points and 4,384 yards en route to a 9-1 regular-season finish. Last week: No. 1. This week: Friday vs. Briarcrest (7-4). 

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

The TSSAA announced the 2014 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalists on Wednesday.

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Board of Control will meet Thursday at the TSSAA office building in Hermitage to discuss a handful of topics.

Perhaps most notably, the 12-member board — which now includes independent school representatives in each of the TSSAA’s three Grand Divisions: East, Middle and West — will discuss the possibility of implementing background checks for referees.

The topic was added to the meeting agenda following a controversial collision between Glencliff’s Malcolm Easley and referee Kyle Gill during the Colts’ Sept. 18 football game at Gallatin. Gill, who voiced his displeasure over the incident by calling Easley’s hit on him “malicious”, was later suspended by the TSSAA for providing improper background information prior to his hiring.

A recent background check of athletic officials performed by Williamson County Schools revealed that 21 of the roughly 200 referees checked had questionable backgrounds, including criminal charges ranging from statutory rape, prostitution and drug charges.

Mr. Football finalists to be named Thursday: Finalists for the 2015 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards will be announced on Thursday, and there are several players from the Midstate still in contention.

Mr. Football

Two finalists will be announced for each of the 17 award categories — Back of the Year and Lineman of the Year awards for each of the state’s eight classifications, along with Kicker of the Year award for all classifications.

Among the semifinalists are Nashville Christian’s Daniel Bituli, Wayne County’s Preston Rice, Columbia Academy’s Taylor Thompson and Thomas Garrison, Forrest’s Boone Sweeney, CPA’s Zack Weatherly, Lipscomb’s Rutger Reitmaier, Marshall County’s Ashton Posey, Centennial’s Tyrel Dodson, La Vergne’s Maleik Gray, Henry County’s Gunner Osbron, Independence’s Nate Johnson, Oakland’s Ty Nix and JaCoby Stevens, Mt. Juliet’s Kalani Smith, Blackman’s Taeler Dowdy, DCA’s Michael Flowers, BGA’s Clayton Beathard, FRA’s Spence Jones, Brentwood Academy’s Ryan Johnson, Bryce Mathews and Jeremiah Oatsvall, MBA’s Ty Chandler, Ravenwood’s Crews Holt and Siegel’s Jacob Smith.

The 31st annual awards will be presented Nov. 30 at Nissan Stadium.

Friday night (high)lights

Avoiding serious injuries: There were a couple of scary moments during the opening round of the TSSAA high school football playoffs.

During Friday’s Class 5A first-round matchup between La Vergne and Hillsboro, La Vergne senior Daz’ren Dillard dove head first onto a Hillsboro fumble, suffering what appeared to be a neck injury. The 6-foot-1, 330-pound defensive lineman, who laid on the field motionless for close to 20 minutes, was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

About 30 miles north at White House Heritage High School, Sycamore junior C.J. Ivey took a hit to his back during Friday’s 14-7 opening-round defeat. Ivey, who suffered from temporary paralysis for hours after the hit, was also transported to Vanderbilt.

Fortunately, neither incident was as serious as originally feared. Dillard was diagnosed with a concussion. Ivey regained feeling in his arms and legs around 4 a.m. Saturday, and doctors told him he had suffered no permanent damage.

Sycamore coach Al Pellegrino said Ivey was in school Monday “and he’s ready to get back in the weight room and prepare for his senior year.”

Eagleville fires coach: Eagleville High School football Steve Carson was fired on Monday after eight seasons.

“I was completely shocked,” Carson told the Daily News Journal. ” …We were already talking about next year. The last thing I thought about was when I went to school today that I would be fired.”

Carson, who compiled a 53-39 record in eight seasons, led the Eagles to seven consecutive playoff appearances, including trips to the quarterfinals from 2011-13. Eagleville was defeated by top-ranked Boyd-Buchanan 41-0 in last week’s Class 2A opening-round game.

TSSAA State Football Playoff scores, schedule

Early signing period: The NCAA’s early-signing period starts Wednesday, meaning high school athletes are allowed to sign letters on intent with their schools of choice.

If a prospective collegiate athlete chooses not to sign scholarship papers during the early-signing period, which concludes Nov. 18, they’ll then have to wait until the regular-signing period, which begins April 13 and runs through Aug. 1.

The early-signing period applies to all NCAA-sanctioned sports other than football. The football signing period begins on Feb. 3 — better known as national signing day — and concludes April 1.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

NASHVILLE Merrol Hyde Magnet freshman Kaelyn Meier earned a top-10 finish at the state cross country meet on Saturday at Percy Warner Park’s Steeplechase course.

Merrol Hyde Magnet freshman Kaelyn Meier

Meier finished 10th in 20:26.57, coming in a little more than two minutes behind Central Magnet sophomore Taylor Cuneo  in the Class A-AA girls meet.

Cuneo won the race by just less than 24 seconds over Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) sophomore Rebecca Story.

Signal Mountain won the girls’ team title by 13 points over CAK, with Central Magnet coming in third.

Station Camp senior Nathan Watson finished 11th in the Class AAA meet, claiming his best-ever finish at the state meet.

The Bison finished 16th as a team, as Brentwood defeated Oak Ridge by 24 points for the Class AAA team title, with Daniel Boone finishing third.

Station Camp senior Logan Augspurger finished 41st.

Beech senior Nash Young finished 28th as an individual. Brentwood sophomore Brodey Hasty won the race by 15.49 seconds over Daniel Boone senior Josh Routh.

Station Camp High senior Nathan Watson finished 11th in the Class AAA State Cross Country Meet.

Merrol Hyde Magnet placed seventh as a team in the Class A-AA boys meet, led by a 36th-place finish from freshman Alex Ponce. Junior Sean Meier finished 39th, while classmate Richard Max Wagner placed 48th.

Westmoreland junior Virgil Casteel finished 63rd as an individual.

Sullivan East senior Luke Meade won the race by 1:05 over Page junior Colin Lamb. Knoxville Catholic won the team title by 90 points over Sullivan East, with Madison Academic Magnet placing third.

Station Camp finished 15th in the girls’ Class AAA meet, while Beech placed 18th.

Freshman Faith Brown was the top Lady Bison finsher in 48th, while senior Mikki Davis finished 72nd.

Beech junior India Cooper led the Lady Bucs, finishing 100th.

Houston won the Class AAA girls’ team title by 11 points over Brentwood. Hardin Valley Academy came in third place.

The Pope John Paul II High teams each finished 11th in the Division II-Class AA meet.

Senior Hayden Yates (60th) was the top Knight runner, while junior Gabrielle Tarbuck (47th) led the Lady Knights.

Brentwood Academy swept the boys’ and girls’ titles, with the Eagle boys claiming five of the first seven positions.

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Ref. David Porter flips a coin before the start of last month’s Battle of the ‘Boro between Oakland and Riverdale.

Rematches are nothing new to the playoff landscape in high school football.

There are an abundance, however, of second-round playoff matchups that are rematches of regular-season contests.

And some are downright must-see football.

Here are a list of rematches in the second round and what impact they will have on the remainder of the state playoffs.

RIVERDALE (6-5) at OAKLAND (10-1)

Matchup: Class 6A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 16 at Riverdale. Oakland won 43-14, thanks mainly to a strong third quarter. The Patriots led just 15-7 at halftime but outscored Riverdale 21-0 in the third. Lazarius Patterson had 243 yards rushing and three TDs to lead Oakland.

Winner gets: Winner of Smyrna vs. Science Hill. Oakland would be at home, Riverdale on the road.

What should we expect? The Patriots should again look to their ground game. Riverdale passed for 173 yards but was able to muster just 57 yards on the ground in the initial meeting. The Battle of the ‘Boro was picked as the Midstate’s top rivalry by The Tennessean. When a playoff game comes down to your biggest rival, anything can happen. What should happen is an Oakland win and trip to the quarterfinals.

Blackman quarterback Miller Armstrong nears the end zone during a 55-30 win over Siegel last month.

SIEGEL (3-8) at BLACKMAN (9-2)

Matchup: Class 6A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 16 at Siegel. Blackman rolled 55-30. Blackman racked up 579 total yards (426 rushing) while Siegel gained 534. Blackman running back Taeler Dowdy rushed for 283 yards and three TDs while Siegel QB Jordan Middleton threw for 305 yards and two scores.

Winner gets: Winner of Cookeville vs. Maryville. Maryville would be at home either way. Blackman would play host to Cookeville. Siegel would be on the road either way.

What should we expect? More of the same. Both teams thrive on offense. Blackman has scored at least 34 points in all nine wins. Siegel has scored 163 points in its past four games. With a little more defense, the Stars could pull off an upset, but expect Blackman to move on.

Ravenwood quarterback McCain Marrow is sacked by Overton’s Deandre Archie during the first half of last month’s game.

OVERTON (7-4) at RAVENWOOD (10-1)

Matchup: Class 6A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 15 at Ravenwood. The Raptors cruised 38-7 in Region 3-6A en route to a No. 1 seed.

Winner gets: Winner of McGavock vs. White Station. Ravenwood would be at home, Overton would be on the road.

What should we expect? Ravenwood has allowed just 20 points combined in its last five games while scoring 218 during that stretch. Overton will have to play its best game, but even with that, the Raptors have too much firepower and the defending 6A runners-up should find themselves in the quarterfinals.

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

WILSON CENTRAL (5-6) at FRANKLIN (8-3)

Matchup: Class 6A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 9 at Franklin. Rebels turned up the defense in a 35-3 win. The Wildcats had just 144 total yards. Lannom Craddock was the bulk of the Franklin offense, rushing for a career-high 245 yards.

Winner gets: Winner of Mt. Juliet vs. Whitehaven game. Whitehaven would be at home either way. Franklin would host Mt. Juliet. Wilson Central would be on the road either way.

What should we expect? Craddock has since been lost for the season with a knee injury, but Franklin has still been rolling, winning six in a row. The Rebels have allowed just 38 combined points in those six games. Wilson Central was impressive in last week’s 28-9 upset of Cordova. Defense could rule, but the way Franklin has been playing, don’t expect another upset.

Hillsboro senior running back Jeremy Hill tries to elude Beech senior Rodrick Napper on a first-quarter carry during an Oct. 30 contest.

BEECH (8-3) at HILLSBORO (8-3)

Matchup: Class 5A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 30 at Beech. Hillsboro won 21-17 to clinch Region 6-5A. Daylon Murphy’s 23-yard TD strike to Jeremy Hill in the fourth quarter was the difference. Rodrick Napper rushed for 106 yards and two TDs for Beech.

Winner gets: Winner of Independence vs. Hendersonville. Independence would be at home either way. Hillsboro would play host to Hendersonville. Beech would be on the road either way..

What should we expect? Possibly one of the top games of the night. Both are strong defensively, and a grind-it-out style should be expected offensively. If the Beech can get a big special teams play and Napper is healthy (sprained ankle in last week’s win), expect them to move on. Hillsboro WR Jay King should be back to 100 percent from an injury, giving Coach Craig Clayton the big-play threat that could advance the defending 5A runners-up.

Centennial running back Mondu Sawyers (8) runs as Brentwood’s Spencer Schwartz (8) tries to tackle him during last month’s game.

BRENTWOOD (6-5) at CENTENNIAL (10-1)

Matchup: Class 5A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 9 at Brentwood. Centennial won 24-10. One Cougars TD came on a blocked punt and another on a 5-yard pass from running back Tyrel Dodson. Brentwood’s Carson Croy passed for 234 yards but was picked off twice.

Winner gets: Winner of Northeast vs. Henry County. Centennial would be at home either way. Henry County would play host to Brentwood. Brentwood would play host to Northeast.

What should we expect? Centennial has been tested the past two weeks, including sneaking past No. 4 seed Southwind 20-14 last week, but the bottom line is the Cougars have responded with wins. Centennial has reeled off nine wins in a row since a blowout loss to Independence. Expect it to be 10 in a row, despite the nice run Brentwood and Coach Ron Crawford have made this season, including a 52-7 blowout of No. 2 seed Memphis Central last week.

TSSAA State Football Playoff scores, schedule

NORTHEAST (6-5) at HENRY CO. (9-2)

Matchup: Class 5A second round.

Last meeting: Sept. 4 at Northeast. Henry County started a string of five consecutive shutouts 43-0.

Winner gets: Winner of Centennial vs. Brentwood. Centennial would be at home either way. Henry County would host Brentwood. Brentwood would host Northeast.

What should we expect? As the schedule got tougher for Henry County, its shutout streak ended. The Patriots have allowed 84 points in four games since the streak, but was impressive in a 35-14 win over Munford last week. Northeast upset No. 1 seed Brighton 36-29 last week. However, the points will be tougher to come by against Henry County. Expect the Patriots to be stingy and advance.

SPRINGFIELD (8-3) at KENWOOD (8-3)

Matchup: Class 4A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 9 at Springfield. Springfield rolled 36-6. Antwuan Branch rushed for 207 of Kenwood’s 215 total yards. Springfield was much more balanced, with Isiah Bigbee, Dewayne Buckner and Alan Gardner combining for 342 yards on the ground. Buckner also passed for 93 yards.

Winner gets: Winner of Pearl-Cohn vs. Lipscomb Academy. Pearl-Cohn would host either way. Kenwood would host Lipscomb. Lipscomb would host Springfield.

What should we expect? The last matchup was the only blemish in the past six games for Kenwood. Branch and Co. have found an extra offensive gear in wins over Creek Wood, Lipscomb and Portland. However, Springfield has too many options on offense, and the Yellow Jackets will force the Knights to throw the ball more. That should equate to another Springfield win.

STRATFORD (8-3) at CPA (10-1)

Matchup: Class 3A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 2 at Stratford. CPA won 34-18, but this game wasn’t decided until late. Defending 3A champ CPA broke open a close game with the final two TDs after Stratford had cut the lead to 21-18 with a Josh Trueheart TD pass early in the fourth. Chip Omer rushed for 206 yards for CPA and Corey Simmons had 188 yards for Stratford.

Winner gets: Winner of White House-Heritage vs. Camden. CPA would be at home either way. Camden would host Stratford. White House-Heritage would host Stratford..

What should we expect? Stratford has done just about everything Coach Maurice Fitzgerald could have hoped for, and a break or two could give the Spartans the upset. Stratford has outscored its last two opponents 80-0. However, it’s hard to pick against the defending 3A champs, who have outscored their previous five opponents 222-44. Expect the Lions to win a close one.

HOUSTON CO. (9-2) at WAYNE CO. (11-0)

Matchup: Class 1A second round.

Last meeting: Oct. 9 at Houston County. Wayne County, as it has most of the season, dominated the 6-1A matchup, winning 41-7.

Winner gets: Winner of Nashville Christian-Huntingdon. Nashville Christian would be at home either way. Wayne County would host Huntingdon. Huntingdon would host Houston County.

What should we expect? After winning one game last year, Houston County has had a remarkable season. However, it was clearly outmatched in its two losses, including a 55-14 setback to Huntingdon. Wayne County has been tested just once this year and shouldn’t be in this contest.

MCCALLIE (6-5) at MBA (9-1)

Matchup: DII-AA quarterfinals.

Last meeting: Sept. 18 at McCallie. MBA pulled out a 33-27 victory, thanks to Ty Chandler, who rushed for 279 yards on 39 carries and four touchdowns, including the game-winner in OT.

Winner gets: Winner of Ensworth at Christian Brothers. Christian Brothers would be at home either way. MBA would host Ensworth.

What should we expect? Don’t let McCallie’s 6-5 record fool you. The Blue Tornado have lost to Blackman by two points, MBA in OT, Parkview (Ga.) by five and Brentwood Academy by nine. Their only “bad” loss was a blowout to rival Baylor. MBA’s lone loss was a blowout to Brentwood Academy. With MBA’s bye last week, Chandler should be fresh and the defending champs should have an advantage.

Titans marketing coordinator Toks Sokoya presented Baylor Bramble’s siblings Macy and Brady a Titans jersey and a signed mini helmet on Tuesday.

Toks Sokoya never attended Siegel High School with Baylor Bramble.

That didn’t keep the Tennessee Titans marketing coordinator from feeling like Bramble was a family member in need when he heard about Bramble’s head trauma.

“It hit home with me,” said Sokoya, a former Siegel boys soccer standout who graduated in 2009. “That is my alma mater. With me being at the platform I’m at with the Titans, I felt this was possibly a chance to help them.”

That help meant putting a smile on the faces of Bramble’s younger siblings, Macy and Brady.

Sokoya dropped off a Titans No. 33 jersey with Bramble’s name on the back to the family during a Titans learning lab Tuesday at Nissan Stadium that the younger Brambles were attending.

Bramble wore No. 33 this season at Siegel.

Baylor Bramble

Sokoya also gave the Brambles a mini Titans helmet signed by linebacker Brian Orakpo.

“We’re such a huge organization,” Sokoya said. “But I think if we can help a smaller community, I think the Titans are all about that.

“I think (Bramble’s siblings) were surprised. This is a very simple gesture, but it goes leaps and bounds. It was the right thing to do.”

Sokoya said he was told that Baylor Bramble attended the learning lab last year and was scheduled to attend the event this year. The learning lab gives students a chance to see various aspects of what employees do with the Titans — from marketing and accounting to the grounds crews.

Baylor Bramble sustained a head trauma during Siegel’s 44-14 win over Warren County on Oct. 23. The junior, who was making his first career start at cornerback, left the game late in the fourth quarter complaining of a severe headache.

Siegel scores upset on hospitalized teammate’s birthday

He was being loaded in an ambulance by the end of the game and was eventually airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He’s been there since with no reported improvement.

His father, David Bramble, tweeted that Baylor had a “small procedure” on Tuesday.

Titans players Perrish Cox, Harry Douglas, Michael Griffin and Ryan Succop all tweeted words of encouragement for Bramble, whose 17th birthday was last Friday — the same day as Siegel’s first-round playoff win over Bearden.

“A lot of people have heard the story,” Sokoya said of Bramble’s situation. “It was on ESPN. I’ve told the people in the Titans organization about it. They feel like because it happened in our community, it’s something we should take notice of.”

And it meant even more for Sokoya because it involved someone attending his high school.

“That feels like family to me,” he said.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Injured player honored before Siegel tops Coffee County

Many fresh faces will comprise the Gallatin High boys basketball lineup this season.

Sophomore post Zool Kueth is one of Gallatin High’s post options this season.

That’s because after losing seven seniors to graduation from last year’s squad, the Green Wave will have no seniors on this year’s roster.

For head coach Bobby Luna, a new challenge awaits.

“This’ll be the youngest team I’ve ever had,” Luna said. “No seniors … we have none. We have no players who started every game.”

The Green Wave advanced to the Region 5-AAA Tournament last season before being eliminated by Clarksville and finishing with a 19-12 record.

There are three players who saw playing time last season – juniors Marlon Mitchell, Dakota Bailey and Nigel Black – and all are expected to not only play considerably, but to also provide leadership to a very young squad.

It will be the least experienced team in District 9-AAA.

Mitchell, a forward, has the most experience of the group.

“He started six or eight games for us last year,” Luna said of Mitchell. “He was a solid player early in the year, but going from a role player to a guy who needs to be able to carry a little bit of the mail is a bit of a step up.”

Along with the departure of so many seniors goes so much of last year’s production, which someone will have to provide.

“We have to replace 95 percent of our scoring from last year,” Luna said. “It is what it is.”

Other juniors expected to contribute are guards Anthony Woods and Dezmond Chambers, along with post player Mark Brummett.

Luna said Brummett could be more of a dual threat with his shooting ability as opposed to being a standard inside player.

“We’re probably going to be a guard-oriented team,” Luna said. “But we do have some guys who I would consider to be post players, different types of post players. We don’t have the guy who’s going to go down and live on the block and turn and score.”

As for naming starters, Luna said that’s not in the cards yet. In fact, the starting five could change on a nightly basis simply based on match-ups.

Gallatin High junior forward Marlon Mitchell is one of only three returning players who received playing time last season.

“I think everybody that’s come in to practice feels like they’ve got a chance to play,” Luna said. “That’s a good thing from a practice standpoint. We might be more willing to pick a top 10 when it’s all said and done instead of a top five. If we have five guys that step up, that’s great, because players want to come to the gym knowing what their role is.”

In the sophomore class, forward Zyun Mason, along with guard Collin Minor and post Zool Kueth, could step in and assume key roles as well.

“We are young,” Luna said. “But the positive is that if we continue to make progress, everybody will be back next year. We do have a solid group of freshmen, a solid group of sophomores and a solid group of juniors.”

The Green Wave are going about their preseason work a little differently than in past years with so many questions left to be answered, but it’s a challenge the coaching staff has been willing to assume.

“That’s a lot of fun, it really is,” Luna said. “It challenges you as a coach to do something different. Granted, there are things I’d love to do, but when you get into coaching, you’re looking for challenges … and heck, this challenge is finding a place where the players are happy, playing hard and being successful.”

Luna said that while the Green Wave find their identity, it’s hard to put expectations on such a young group.

“The effort has been really good,” Luna said. “We’ve made some mistakes, but they’re eager to learn and do things right. They’re willing to battle and compete. I won’t even consider putting a standard on where I think we could finish. I don’t even know where to start.”

Luna said he has no idea on where the Green Wave could finish, especially in a district with two teams that advanced to the sectional round last year (Mt. Juliet and defending District 9-AAA and Region 5-AAA champion Station Camp).

Instead, the Green Wave have enough on their plate in putting the best five on the floor on a game-to-game basis.

“Everybody we’ve got on our team has a strength,” Luna said. “Maybe everybody has a weakness or two, so from a coaching standpoint, we’ve got to find that combination at all times. We expect to play a lot of people. If there are mistakes, we just hope that we learn from them.”

The Green Wave will open the regular season with a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game at Rossview on Tuesday, and they will begin district play at Portland on Friday, Dec. 4.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

The Gallatin High girls basketball team is beginning a new chapter in its story.

Gallatin High senior Rene’ Hudson will likely start at point guard for the Lady Wave.

First-year head coach Malcolm Montgomery takes over the helm of the program after Kim Kendrick retired following last season.

Montgomery is already putting his stamp on the Lady Wave.

“I was so excited about taking the job,” Montgomery said. “Coming home and seeing the people in the stands, some of them I know, shows that we have great pride here. People want us to get back on the right track, and nobody (does) more than I do. I’m excited and honored.”

Gallatin finished 12-16 last season, ending it with a 58-19 loss to Mt. Juliet in the District 9-AAA quarterfinals.

Now, the Lady Wave begin anew with a new coach and some new ideas.

“We’re going to press,” Montgomery said. “We’re going to get up and down. We want to turn our secondary break into a motion offense. I’m a big coach on letting players have freedom and play, but you’ve got to work really hard because your skill level has to be high.”

Four seniors – Rene’ Hudson, Grayson Pryor, Keile Hale and Anastasia Blakemore – will lead the charge.

Hudson and Pryor have the most experience from last year’s squad – which lost six seniors to graduation – and will step into leadership roles this sesaon.

“It’s kind of a new role for them,” Montgomery said. “It’s one I think they’ll get better in, but it’s a new role. It’s one that they’ve just got to keep working at and try and get better.”

Hudson will be expected to assume the point-guard duties, but Montgomery said he’s not ready to name starters.

“We’re going to have a lot of different combinations,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got a lot of different angles to look at.”

A group of five juniors – Grace Pincock, Tiera McDermott, Sha’Mari Johnson, Katie Whitefield and Katey Rogers – will be called on to step up and provided needed depth.

Gallatin High junior Tiera McDermott is expected to challenge for playing time.

“One good thing I’m going to like about this year is that everybody’s going to get some minutes,” Montgomery said. “They’re going to get a look. How much depends on what they do, but they will get an opportunity.”

Three sophomores – Andrea McDowell, LaMonica Mintlow and Veronica Varoz – round out the varsity roster.

“One thing about high school, it’s not like when I coached college, when you could go get the players to fill those spots,” Montgomery said. “Here, you have to make them.”

The challenge for Montgomery will be getting the Lady Wave up to speed after they finished in last place last season.

“It’s going to be tough,” Montgomery said. “(District) 9-AAA is one of the toughest around. There won’t be any easy nights. We’ve just got to prepare to go in and come hard. It’s a tough league. It’s a great basketball league.”

Gallatin has had one winning season since 2006-07 (when the Lady Wave finished 14-12 in 2013-14) and hasn’t won a postseason game of any kind since 2002-03.

Montgomery hopes to change that history sooner rather than later.

“Expectations are always high for me,” Montgomery said. “I want us to be in the top four in the league, but we know that it’s a journey. I just want to get out there and play and try to improve every day.”

If the Lady Wave can do that, Montgomery believes that Gallatin can provide a challenge to the rest of the district.

Malcolm Montgomery

“My thing is, I want us to be better at the end then we were when we started,” Montgomery said. “If we do that, come tournament time, we may surprise some people.”

The Lady Wave will open the regular season with a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game at Rossview on Nov. 17 and will begin district play with a contest at Portland on Dec. 4.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

The Station Camp High girls basketball team is certainly used to having Jill Gregory on the bench.

This year, Gregory will be leading the Lady Bison on an interim basis.

Gregory will assume control of the program while head coach Kendra Jackson recovers from a bone marrow transplant as she battles lymphoma. Jackson was in the hospital for four months and will be off the court until next April.

However, Gregory indicated that Jackson’s recovery is progressing, and Jackson has been to some preseason scrimmages.

“Overall, she’s doing pretty good,” Gregory said. “She came to our play-day last Saturday, and I always talk to her.”

Gregory, along with assistants Natalie Marsh, Amber Gregory and McKenzie Gregory, will continue to coach the team.

“It’s a group effort,” Gregory said. “I might be the one up during the games and talking to the girls, but there’s four of us. It’s a group effort. It’s different being a head coach than an assistant coach.”

The Lady Bison are coming off a 17-15 season that concluded with a 46-30 loss at Rossview in the Region 5-AAA Tournament quarterfinal round.

Junior point guard Emiline Payne is Station Camp’s only returning starter from last season.

However, they won’t have one of their key players on the court as the season begins.

Senior J’Lese Lyles tore her anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee during track season and will miss the beginning of the regular season. Gregory hopes that Lyles can return for most of the team’s district games.

“We’re hoping that she will get to come back at Christmas or a little bit after,” Gregory said. “Right now, she’s having to be a leader off the court for us. With her quickness and the way we’re up and down, trying to press and fast break as much as possible, hopefully she can get back in and help us with that.”

As it stands, three juniors – Emiline Payne, Linze Edwards and Cassidy Fry will be called upon to handle leadership duties as well as play a lot of minutes.

Payne will be the starting point guard.

“She will be a key for us offensively and defensively,” Gregory said. “She is one of those kids that has a lot of energy and keeps our team going.”

Sophomore Jane Deason returns at shooting guard and will be one of the more experienced players on the court.

The Lady Bison are turning up the pressure in practice to combat the inexperience.

“(It’s) a lot of full-court in practice,” Gregory said. “Sometimes, we’ll throw in a (junior-varsity) player in practice so (that) it’s five against six, so that way, they get that extra pressure.”

If there’s one thing Gregory is expecting to have from her players, it’s composure under fire.

“We have to be disciplined in practice,” Gregory said. “That’s our big thing that I’ve pushed in practice. We have to be disciplined and do the correct movement, stance – all those little details in practice. That way, when it comes to game time and it’s hectic, hopefully, that will carry over.”

Sophomore Sydney Creager will see time at the post position.

“I think everyone’s going to have to chip in at some point,” Gregory said. “If someone’s not knocking down threes (3-pointers), then, we’ll have to have someone come in to knock down threes. If we get tired, I’m going to need fresh legs.”

That includes sophomores such as Carolyn Fitch, Jessica Hopson, Lapraysia Ward and Morgan Appenrott.

Sophomore guard Jane Deason (20) will step into a starting role for the Lady Bison this season.

“I thought Lebanon looked good in camp,” Gregory said. “Wilson Central has good players coming back. Hendersonville has some key players coming back, and Portland looked better this summer … it might be one of their better teams. We’re going to have to come ready to play every night.”

Not only will the Lady Bison have to come ready to play, they’ll have to make the transition to Gregory’s coaching style.

“I know there’s an adjustment for (the players) for me being a head coach, but I think the key for them is believing in our program and listening to us coaches as a whole,” Gregory said.

The Lady Bison host Hunters Lane for a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions contest on Tuesday, and Station Camp will travel to Beech on Dec. 4 to open District 9-AAA play.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

Two words that could accurately describe the Station Camp High boys basketball team might be experience and depth.

Senior Yalen Reed returns at forward for the Bison after earning Sumner County Co-Player of the Year honors last season.

With nine returning players who received playing time last season, the Bison are not lacking in the experience department.

With the addition of senior Sawyer Taylor – who transferred from Beech last spring – and head coach Seth Massey has plenty of weapons at his disposal.

The Bison will try to improve on last season’s 30-5 campaign. Station Camp suffered a 60-46 loss to visiting Brentwood in the Class AAA sectional round. Brentwood finished as the Class AAA runner-up.

“I don’t know if they’re using that (loss as motivation),” Massey said. “I know I’m not. We felt like we got beat by a very good team, and we would have loved to have kept playing.”

The Bison have one underclassman on their varsity roster, sophomore center Jonathan Gillard. The rest are all juniors or seniors.

The upperclassmen include one of the Sumner County Co-Players of the Year from last season, senior forward Yalen Reed.

“He’s still working to be the player that we think he can be,” Massey said of Reed. “He still has room to continue to improve. He’s learned the game really and is trying to add more things to his game. He’ll play similar to what he did last year. He’ll still be a forward and play inside some and outside a lot.”

The other county player of the year – center Kyle Anderton – is now playing football at Vanderbilt University.

“Replacing the things that (Anderton) gave us on the court probably won’t be as big as they will off the court,” Massey said. “He was a phenomenal leader for us. He and Shi’Vonta Perry both did a fantastic job with the leadership of the team. We’ll miss him on the court too, but it’s a chance for some of our seniors to step up.”

With Taylor’s arrival, the Bison have plenty of depth at the guard positions.

Massey said he’s been getting to know Taylor ever since his arrival.

“He moved, and when he got registered at our school, that was the first time I had really talked to him at all,” Massey said of Taylor. “It was just something that his family decided to do, and we were happy to get him. He’s going to be a big contributor for us.”

The goal is to allow Taylor to feel like a cog in the machine instead of the main component. He led the Buccaneers in scoring last season.

“I feel like with the way we tried to play last year – we had three guys that averaged 10 points per game, and those were our leading scorers – that’s something (Taylor) has really embraced,” Massey said. “He doesn’t feel like he has to carry the load – not that he had to do that last year. He’s a fantastic shooter and scorer. He’s playing free and easy right now, and he’s enjoying it.”

Last season gave senior Keaton Dotson and junior Chase Freeman an opportunity to become major contributors. Freeman assumed the point-guard position midway through the season.

“Keaton had to grow up quick,” Massey said. “Chase Freeman had to grow up quick. (Junior) Thomas Zazzaro and (senior) Peyton Anderson – some of our guards that had to play at a young age – had to grow up quick, and hopefully, that now equals experience.”

Freeman, Taylor and Dotson figure to be the first three in the guard rotation, with senior Anderson and juniors Zazzaro, Reed Reynolds, Bailey Ferguson and Noah Cowart providing additional depth.

“We’ve got more depth than we’ve ever had,” Massey said. “We’re trying to channel that toward competition.”

Senior center Hayden Baldwin could see minutes inside, along with Gillard. Junior Kody Eden will see action at forward.

As far as starters are concerned, Massey said that numerous players have made a case for being in the starting five.

“The beautiful thing we have is that today at practice, it was so rough and physical and competitive,” Massey said. “Right now, I think we have nine guys that could make an argument to start. This is one of the best preseasons that I’ve had because of that competition.”

Station Camp High senior Keaton Dotson (14) is expected to see extensive playing time, as will classmate Sawyer Taylor (34). Taylor transferred from Beech last spring.

That competition is what Massey loves about his players.

“Our whole thing last year, and starting this year with this group, is that they’re so competitive,” Massey said. “They want to win every five-on-five drill in practice. Every game, every scrimmage, these guys are competitive, and they want to win.”

Improving on last year’s finish would involve reaching the state tournament for the first time in school history.

“We’re just trying to see how good we can be,” Massey said. “We want to take this team and reach our potential, whatever that is.”

Station Camp opens its season on Tuesday by hosting Hunters Lane for a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions contest, and the Bison will travel to Beech on Dec. 4 to open District 9-AAA play.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

Independence players celebrate a 49-7 win over Cane Ridge in a Class 5A playoff game on Friday. Independence players celebrate their 49-7 win over Cane Ridge in a 5A playoff game Friday.

The first two rounds of the TSSAA football playoffs were pretty simple, as far as determining the home team.

The quarterfinals and semifinals can be different story, at least in Classes 1A-5A.

In the first two rounds, the team with the higher region seed has been the host team.

However, the quarterfinals and semifinals aren’t quite as simple. In odd years, the upper-bracket team will host quarterfinal and semifinal games. In even years, it’s the lower-bracket team.

Tennessee high school football playoff brackets

The exception to that, however, is if the two teams are from the same region. Then the higher-seeded team hosts.

There are a handful of teams that, should they win second-round contests, could be quarterfinal hosts despite being the lower seed. Those include in Coalfield (No. 4) in 1A, Tyner and Douglass (both No. 3) in 2A, Chattanooga Christian and Stratford (both No. 3) in 3A, and East Hamilton and Lexington (both No. 3) in 4A.

In 6A, with seedings from 1-8, the higher seeds will host quarterfinals. The semifinals are the same rule as for the other classes.

In DII-A, the higher seeded team hosts throughout the quarterfinals, with the upper team hosting a matchup of same-seeded squads.

The DII-AA bracket is set up where the higher seeded team will play host through the first three rounds.

Rematches highlight second round of playoffs

The toe: Most knowledgeable football fans realize the importance of special teams, especially in the postseason.

Overton is well aware of the difference special teams can make.

The Bobcats suffered a heart-breaking exit from the 6A playoffs a year ago after missing an extra point in overtime in a 28-27 setback to McGavock in the first round.

One year later, the Bobcats experienced the thrill of victory, thanks to “the toe.”

Jose Bravo’s career-long 41-yard field goal as time expired lifted Overton to a 20-17 win over Germantown in the first round of the 6A playoffs last Friday. It was Bravo’s second field goal of the game.

Overton (7-4) will play at Ravenwood (10-1) in the second round Friday.

Midstate dominance: Of the 16 teams remaining in the 6A playoffs, 12 are from the Midstate area.

A large part of that was the dominance the Midstate teams had over teams from West Tennessee and East Tennessee, winning six of the eight games in both the top and bottom half of the bracket.

Among first-round upset winners were No. 6 seeds Wilson Central (28-9 over No. 3 Cordova) and Siegel (34-17 win over No. 3 Bearden). The only four Midstate teams to lose in 6A were seeded seventh and eighth. Of the teams left, only Maryville, Science Hill, White Station and Whitehaven are not located in the Midstate.

Bull’s-eyes on their backs: It’s hard going unbeaten in any level of football. It’s been particularly hard this season in the high school ranks.

There are only 10 teams remaining with unbeaten records. There are none left in DII-AA and only one left each in 6A (Maryville), 5A (Independence), 4A (Stone Memorial) and DII-A (Franklin Road Academy).

Divisions with two left include 3A (East Ridge, Liberty Tech), 2A (Hampton, Boyd-Buchanan) and 1A (Union City, Wayne County).

The early signing period kicked off Wednesday with athletes across the Midstate signing National Letters of Intent with colleges all over the country.

The 2015 Tennessean All-Midstate Girls and Boys Basketball Players of the Year. Blackman’s Crystal Dangerfield will be heading to Connecticut and Braxton (Blackwell) Key, formerly with CPA and now with Oak Hill Academy, will be playing for Alabama.

Possibly the most high-profile early signees of 2015 were Blackman’s Crystal Dangerfield and former CPA standout Braxton Key.

A two-time reigning state champion and Gatorade state player of the year and reigning Class AAA Miss Basketball won’t have to adapt to not playing for a perennial powerhouse when she leaves the Lady Blaze next year.

Dangerfield will be heading to Connecticut to play for Geno Auriemma and the 10-time NCAA champion Lady Huskies.

After leaving CPA to attend Oak Hill, Va., last summer, Key, a two-time Class AA Mr. Basketball, decided to go to college a little closer to home.

The 6-foot-8 forward chose Alabama where he will play for former NBA coach Avery Johnson.

Ravenwood had nine athletes sign — three in softball, three in golf and one each in volleyball, lacrosse and track and field.

BASEBALL

Haddon Adams, Riverdale – North Carolina State

Korey Bell, Brentwood – Ole Miss

Alex Brewer, Forrest – Vanderbilt

Alex Carignan, Siegel – Air Force

Jackson Curb, Franklin – Belmont

Christian Denton, Page – Palm Beach Atlantic

Sam Folkes, BGA – Union

Coleman Goodwin, Ensworth – Lipscomb

Logan Jarvis, Franklin – Belmont

Jacob Key, Siegel – Illinois-Chicago

Mckenzie Kilburn, Summertown – Trevecca

Zach King, Spring Hill – Vanderbilt

Micah McClellan, Stewarts Creek – Lee

Mitchell Runnion, Page – Lincoln Memorial

Arcentae Stone, Stratford – Maryville

Will Wacaser, Hendersonville – Austin Peay

Zell Walker, Nashville Christian – Tennessee Tech

Peyton Warren, FRA- West Alabama

Grant Williams, Hendersonville – MTSU

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jordan Bone, Ensworth – Tennessee

Kenny Cooper, FRA – Lipscomb

Ross Cummings, Creek Wood – Mercer

Brandon Dansoh, Cane Ridge – Tusculum

Nick Hopkins, Fayetteville – Belmont

Braxton Key, Oak Hill/CPA – Alabama

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Jazz Bond, Blackman – South Florida

Lea Lea Carter, Dickson Co. – Vanderbilt

Crystal Dangerfield, Blackman – Connecticut

Le’Jzae Davidson, East Nashville – Furman

Ansley Eubank, Oakland – Northern Kentucky

Shelby Gibson, Oakland – Ole Miss

Leslie, Golden, Columbia Acad. – Samford

MacKenzie Iles, Cumberland Co. – Tennessee Tech

Windee Johnson, Pope John Paul II – Spring Hill

Caroline Patrick, Oakland – Palm Beach Atlantic

Carleigh Short, Hendersonville – Lipscomb

DIVING/SWIMMING

Charlie Clifton, Ensworth – Georgia

Patrick Kelly, Oakland – Colgate

Chase Van Patten, Siegel – Washington-St. Louis

FOOTBALL

Joseph Snowden, MBA – Columbia

BOYS GOLF

Davis Armstrong, Lipscomb Acad. – Lipscomb

Connor Downey, MBA – Villanova

Brayden Garrison, Ravenwood – Tennessee

Ben Garvin, Ravenwood – Christian Brothers

Jay Grove, Ravenwood – Tennessee St.

Trevor Johnson, Brentwood – Louisville

Austin Lancaster, Hendersonville – Austin Peay

Brock Ochsenreiter, Ensworth – Indiana

Tanner Owens, Blackman – Virginia Tech

Jordan Reynolds, Central Magnet – Faulkner

Jack Story, Dickson Co. – UT-Martin

Hunter Wolcott, Dickson Co. – Tennessee

GIRLS GOLF

Reagan Kinnie, Riverdale – Carson-Newman

Meghann Stamps, Hendersonville – Austin Peay

BOYS LACROSSE

Jake Fowler, Riverdale – Alabama-Huntsville

Aaron Weisel, Father Ryan – Mount Saint Mary’s

GIRLS LACROSSE

Megan Hawken, Ravenwood – Radford University

Grace Lascara, Pope John Paul II – Kennesaw State

GIRLS SOCCER

Callie McKinney, Franklin – Louisville

SOFTBALL

Kaylee Davis, Mt. Pleasant – Martin Methodist

Drew Dudley, Ravenwood – Austin Peay

Katie Eakes, Wilson Central – North Alabama

Sabrina Gilliam, Columbia Acad. – North Alabama

Cassidy Hale, Franklin – Austin Peay

Abby Irwin, Ravenwood – Belmont

Brooklin Lee, Dickson Co. – Belmont

KaraLynn Levy, Siegel – Carson-Newman

Peyton Mathis, Hickman Co. – Union

Alley McDonald, Pope John Paul II – Southeast Louisiana

Molly McKelvy, Zion Christian – Union

Autumn Ogletree, Ravenwood – Florida Southwestern

Savannah Rosevear-Goetch, Page – MTSU

Ashley Scott, Dickson Co. – Union

Hannah Thompson, Hendersonville – Austin Peay

Dallas Weatherly, Harpeth Hall – Bethel

Veronica Westfall, Siegel – Softball

Taylor Woodring, Clarksville – Cumberland

GIRLS TENNIS

Skylar McDonald, Fayetteville – Dallas Baptist

BOYS TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY

Adam Neelly, Gallatin – Memphis

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY

Madelaine Bayless, Brentwood – Colorado

Hannah Caldwell, Brentwood – UT-Chattanooga

Julia Henderson, Ravenwood – UT-Chattanooga

Riley Killian, Creek Wood – Cumberland

Kailey Schuyler, Columbia Acad. – Lipscomb

VOLLEYBALL

Elizabeth Bossong, Siegel – Tennessee Tech

Sophia Cerino, Ravenwood – Western Kentucky

Lauren Dorrell, Father Ryan – Colorado

Gracie Larkin, Father Ryan – Trevecca

Kaela Massey, Brentwood – East Tenn. State

Asha Phillips, Siegel – Tennessee

Anna Wilson, Brentwood – Sewanee

Beech High senior Ben Buhrow is one of two returning starters for the Buccaneers.

Beech High senior forward Noah Chatman releases a one-handed shot during a game last season.

The Beech High School boys basketball team has a mix of experienced seniors and inexperienced sophomores.

However, Buccaneer head coach Darrin Joines is optimistic that it will blend into a successful 2015-16 campaign.

“Our team has probably understood their roles earlier than any team I’ve had in a while,” Joines – whose program compiled a 17-11 record and suffered a loss to Gallatin in the District 9-AAA Tournament quarterfinal round last season – said. “We have three guys who have played. Everybody else hasn’t. We have several guys in our rotation early on who haven’t played in that Tuesday and Friday-night spotlight.

“It’s a long season. We don’t have to be ready in December. We have to be ready by January and February. I’m confident that by Jan. 4, we’ll be settling in like they usually are. I like this team.”

Beech could open the season without its players who also play for the Buc football team, including sophomore guards Ty Dean and Nelson Smith and senior guard Devin Smith. Dean and Nelson Smith will likely be in the starting backcourt once they arrive.

“I have confidence that, with experience, we’ll be fine,” Joines said.

Senior guard Ben Buhrow is a returning starter on the perimeter.

“I think people are going to be real surprised at how good of a player (Buhrow) is,” Joines said. “He’s confident. He’s bought in.

“Ben is one of the most complete players on our team. He can play in either spot (on the perimeter or in the post area). The way we play Ben will be dictated by who guards him. He’s really shooting the ball great, and he’s become pretty physical. We’re quite a bit more physical than we’ve been because of our size.”

The 6-foot-4 Buhrow is expected to be joined in the starting lineup by 6-foot-5 forwards Noah Chatman and Caleb Walton.

“It’s a positive,” Joines said. “We’re not probably as quick in some spots, but we’re definitely longer. We’re going to be tough to shoot over. People are going to have to drive through us, and we should be good on the boards.”

Joines believes that the development of both Chatman and Walton will be evident.

“They both have really improved,” Joines said. “Noah has come out of nowhere. He wasn’t even a varsity player as a sophomore. With the jump he made last year … he’s made another jump. He’s handling the ball a little bit. I’m not afraid to let him bring it up against pressure.

“(Walton) has gotten bigger and stronger. With those three guys, we’ll be a pretty impressive looking group.”

Sophomore guard A.J. Robertson, junior forward Heath Pentecost and junior guard T.J. Downing are among those who will provide depth off of the bench.

“We had a good summer,” Joines said. “The team I have right now it pretty motivated and dialed in to what we’re about and who we are. I think we have that trying-to-prove-ourselves mentality. The good teams we’ve had, they’ve had that. You want that little bit of a chip on your shoulder. We have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder.”

The Buccaneers lost three players to graduation, including senior point guard Derrick Wilcox. Wilcox and junior guard Sawyer Taylor were first team All-County selections last season, but Taylor – the team’s leading scorer – transferred to Station Camp last spring.

Joines expects Mt. Juliet – the Region 5-AAA runner-up last season – to be among the district favorites this season.

“Mt. Juliet is the best team,” Joines said. “They have everybody coming back. I think that most would agree that they are the team to beat. At the end of the year, I think most would agree that they were the best team in the league … but, you never know. Stranger things have happened.

“Our goal is always to be in the top half of the league no matter what. We want to be in with a chance (to advance) at the end (of the season).”

Beech plays a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game at Clarksville on Tuesday and will host Stewarts Creek for another Hall of Champions game on Friday.

The Buccaneers open the regular season by hosting West Creek on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and they will open district play by hosting Station Camp on Friday, Dec. 4.

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

Before the season even begins for the Beech High girls basketball team, a transition is already being made.

Beech High senior Deja Smtih was one of the Sumner County Co-Players of the Year last season.

The transition will occur due to head coach Kari Douglas only being able to coach into December before going on maternity leave. Douglas is expecting her first child and will miss the remainder of the season once she goes on leave.

“The plan is to go until I can’t go anymore,” Douglas said. “We’re going to Gatlinburg in December (for a tournament), and I won’t go for that. So, my last game will probably be Dec. 15 … if I can make it that long.”

Troy Carnes will take over as interim head coach once Douglas takes her maternity leave, with Lauran Hudgins assisting.

“I hate it for the girls, because it’s not good timing,” Douglas said. “But you can’t time everything.”

Douglas is already preparing for the change in preseason practice.

“You don’t get a night off in our district, no matter who you play, and our non-district schedule is really tough,” Douglas said. “(Over) the next couple of weeks, we’ll make sure that everybody is on the same page and knows what’s going on and get the feel of the new coaches.

“With me being gone sooner than later, I’m trying to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and everyone knows what to expect. They should expect the same hardness as if I was there.”

The Lady Bucs finished 12-16 last season and suffered a first-round exit in the District 9-AAA Tournament, due to a 40-35 loss to Hendersonville. Six days prior to that, the Lady Bucs had defeated Hendersonville by 16 points.

There isn’t much experience returning from last year’s squad either, and preseason injuries haven’t helped.

Beech lost senior Lexi Cook on the last day of preseason conditioning to a torn anterior-cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee, and she will miss the season. Another senior, Jordan Mueller, was already ruled out after tearing her ACL prior to soccer season.

That leaves senior point guard Deja Smith and sophomore guard Reese Taylor as the only players with any significant playing time from last year’s squad.

“I think Reese has improved tremendously,” Douglas said. “I think she knows that she’s going to have to step up more than what she would have if Lexi were still playing.”

Smith was a Sumner County Co-Player of the Year last year, and she will handle the point-guard duties again.

“Deja’s not necessarily the vocal leader, but she’s the leader by example,” Douglas said. “She will go out there, and she may take some bad shots. But she’s going to have to take bad shots, because she’s going to be one of our main scorers.”

Beech High sophomore Reese Taylor is one of only two returning players who played in the majority of the Lady Bucs’ games last season.

Taylor played extensively as a freshman, and she immediately becomes the second-most experienced player on the team.

“We kind of consider Reese an upperclassman, even though she’s just a sophomore, just because of her experience of playing every game and almost every minute,” Douglas said.

Juniors McCall Decker and Joslyn Brinkley are expected to step into starting roles.

Others that could break into the starting lineup are sophomore Savannah Garrett, along with two freshmen – Kennedy Powell and Kendra Mueller.

Garrett didn’t dress for Beech’s varsity games last season.

“We’ve only done a couple of play days, but she’s been an aggressive, hard-nosed player that will get after it,” Douglas said.

Kendra Mueller is currently out due to a concussion, and she may not be ready for opening night. However, she should return to the lineup quickly to give the Lady Bucs an option inside.

“We may not have her for our first game, but she’s not afraid,” Douglas said. “She’s not afraid to come in and do what we ask her to without any questions. She catches on really quick.”

Those younger players could be critical to the Lady Bucs’ season.

“They’re getting it quicker than I expected them to,” Douglas said. “It’s actually helping us along the way.”

Douglas doesn’t expect the effort to change once she leaves.

“We’re always not the most experienced team, but they’re a group that will do whatever – dive on the floor or do whatever it takes,” Douglas said. “They’re really competitive.”

Douglas expects Wilson Central and Hendersonville to contend for the district title again, and Mt. Juliet will still be competitive even after losing most of their starters from last season.

“All the coaches in our district are unbelievable coaches,” Douglas said. “They also have the great players. Mt. Juliet lost a couple of people, but Coach (Chris) Fryer never has a down year. They’re always going to be competitive. It’s going to be tough all the way around.”

For now, the puzzle is incomplete, but the Lady Bucs believe that they can find the right combination.

“There’s bits and pieces in there,” Douglas said. “We’ve just got to figure out how to put them together and how to jell, because only two people have any experience. There are pieces of the puzzle that are good. We’ve just got to figure out which piece goes where.”

Beech opens play with a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Champions game on Tuesday evening at Clarksville, and the Lady Bucs will begin District 9-AAA action by hosting Station Camp on Dec. 4.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.