REGION 2-2A 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
By Terry Futrell
Four of the five teams in Region 2-2A make it to the playoffs, with the weakest team being left out. But 2020 is potentially different – the COVID-19 pandemic can wreak havoc on one or more of the teams in the region. Any team forced to quarantine for 14 days will forfeit at least two and possibly three games. Should those be against regional opponents, it could be devastating and keep the team from participating in the playoffs.
Wartburg Central Bulldogs
Wartburg Coach Kevin Human is faced with several challenges in his fourth year at the helm of the Bulldogs. Wartburg lost starting wide receivers Colby Justes and Caleb McCarty. Along with Owen Vespie who also graduated, these same players also served as the Bulldogs defensive secondary – ouch! To make matters worse, the Bulldogs lost top running back Saylor Jones. Other key players lost include defensive back Jeremiah Davis, offensive linemen Robert Williams and Trevor Hill, and defensive lineman Colton James. Key players returning for the Bulldog offense include quarterback Tyler Davis, tight end Chris Flowers, and running back Ethan Stedham. Davis is a dual-threat quarterback, but the Bulldog offensive line must show improvement and give Davis time to develop plays and to work with relatively inexperienced wide receivers. Defensively, the Bulldogs return several key players, including linemen Hunter Morgan and Samuel McCarty, linebacker Nick Newport, and defensive ends Isaac Monroe and Perion Cruz. The defensive line is a key to Bulldog success this season – they must show better penetration to take pressure off the inexperienced defensive secondary.
Cumberland Gap Panthers
Coming off a 4-7 record in 2019, Panther Coach DeLynn Cline is faced with a major rebuilding challenge, returning only six starters for 2020. The Panthers won only one region game in 2019, defeating Wartburg 46-38. Cumberland Gap was destroyed by Hampton in the first round of the playoffs 50-0. The newly constituted Panthers will get their baptism by fire as they face 4A Grainger County on August 21.
Meigs County Tigers
As the largest school in Region 2-2A, the Tigers have historically been a powerhouse football team. The 2019 Meigs County team had six all-state players and advanced to the state championship game, losing to Peabody 27-16. The Tigers return five offensive starters and seven on defense. These include 2019 all-state offensive selections lineman Malachi Hayden and athlete Will Meadows. The Tigers will field an experienced team with all key returnees being juniors and seniors. Meigs County is noted for its strong defense and held regional opponents to a total of 16 points in regular season games in 2019. Things do not bode well for their 2020 Region 2-2A opponents who are generally rebuilding their offenses.
Oneida Indians
Buoyed by all-state selections Hunter Barnhart and Kolby Morgan, the 2019 Indians placed six additional players on the all-region team. Barnhart was named defensive player of the year and Morgan was selected as offensive player of the year. Losing all but three starters on both offense and defense, Coach Tony Lambert is faced with a major rebuilding effort. Fortunately, Kolby Morgan returns to spearhead the Indians offense, but much uncertainty remains about the team’s overall performance in 2020.
Rockwood Tigers
With 24 years at Rockwood, Coach John Webb is dean of the Region 2-2A coaches and has most assuredly been faced with rebuilding many times. But for 2020, Webb is fortunate to have eight returning players on both offense and defense. The 2019 Tigers were hampered by injuries to running back Octavius Worthy and offensive lineman Billy Cofer, but both return to strengthen the Tigers’ offensive attack. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost Nate Brackett to graduation. Brackett was named special teams player of the year in Region 2-2A and was selected to the all-state team as defensive back. Brackett also served as the Tigers quarterback. Perhaps most important, Brackett was clearly the team leader and field general. With Worthy and Dakota Waldo returning as running backs, the Tigers will field perhaps the strongest running team in the region. Include wide receiver Xadrian Fickey in the mix, and the Tigers should have excellent balance on offense. But Coach Webb is faced with replacing Brackett with a quarterback who can successfully direct the Tigers’ potent offense. If he is successful, Rockwood will likely put a hurt on several teams in 2020.
Predicted Top Three in 2020
Unless the pandemic takes an unpredictable toll, the following teams should finish on top of Region 2-1A.
- Meigs County
- Rockwood
- Oneida