Cherokee has big goals with big senior class

Cherokee has experience on its side this season with a big senior class led by quarterback Landon Jeffers.A star for the Chiefs on the football field and basketball court, Jeffers passed for 1,516 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He's thrown for over 1,000 yards the three previous seasons. He can also do damage with his legs, rushing for over 700 yards last season.Cherokee coach Josh Hensley again describes the running back position by committee. The group is led by Jayden Weston, although Jayden Gonzalez and Tyler Wolf add more speed to the equation.Garrett Lawson returns as starting H-Back with leading receivers Lofton Hayes and Rowe Fletcher back. Gonzalez will also line up some at receiver, just as he's done in the past."Garrett has been a really key piece for our offense the past three years, so we're excited about him going through his senior year," Hensley said. "Then at wide out, both of our guys are back from last season with Lofton and Fletcher. Jayden Gonzalez will be out wide a little, but another cat who has emerged this offseason is Ezra Garrett."There has been a good position battle for starting center throughout the summer with Hayden Good leading the charge. Cooper Bledsoe will be a four-year starter at guard and Hensley calls him one of the better linemen in East Tennessee. Kenner Jarnigan, who started eight games at center last season, will move to guard. Nathan Collins and Chance Lewis are starting tackles."We have a lot of experience there," Hensley said about the offensive line. "I'm really proud of them for their development, and the selflessness that they have up front."Turning to the other side of the ball, Dawson Fobber has emerged as a big force to be reckoned with at defensive tackle. Hensley describes him as "flat out strong." Damien Ellis is another one that really came on this off season. Peyton Garland, Riley Johnson and Ethan Hahn are others who should contribute heavily.Matt Carpenter has moved from tackle to a more natural spot at defensive end, along with Markus Baugh, a starter last season. Grayson Fields and Sawyer Jenkins are also getting tons of reps.Fletcher and Jeffers are corners, while a big addition is Brayden Horn, who comes from the basketball team and is a very physical safety. Jack Bailey will be back as well in the defensive backfield.The Chiefs' have a foreign exchange student as kicker second straight year. This time, it's Frederico Guijarro De Orueta from Spain. Collin Fugate is also been working at that position as well as punting duties."We've got a lot of really good kids, not the headaches I've had to deal with in the past just because of our senior leadership," Hensley said. "There are so many guys with a lot of experience. We're going to focus on what's right in front of us, and see how the chips fall at the end of the day."No. Name Pos. Class1 Landon Jeffers QB/DB Sr.2 Jayden Weston RB/DB Jr.3 Jaydan Gonzalez RB/DB Sr.4 Eli Gonzalez WR/DB Fr.6 Markus Baugh HB/DL Sr.7 Matt Carpenter HB/DL Sr.8 Cade Putnal QB/DB Fr.9 Jake Elliott RB/DB Sr.10 Rowe Fletcher WR/DB Sr.11 Lofton Hayes WR/DB Sr.12 Eli Boyd QB/LB Jr.13 Cole Davis RB/LB Sr.14 Carson Rimer WR/DB Sr.15 Noah Redding HB/LS Sr.16 Ezra Garrett WR/DB Jr.17 Landon Rimer WR/DB So.18 Brady Light HB/LB Fr.19 Noah Lawson WR/DB So.21 Braydon Haun WR/DB Jr.23 Tye Roberts RB/DB Jr.24 Xavier Robinson RB/LB So.27 Haden Jones HB/DL Sr.30 Luke Elkins WR/DB Fr.32 Tyler Wolfe RB/LB Sr.33 Sawyer Jenkins HB/DL Jr.34 Landree Helton HB/LB Jr.37 Alex Barnett HB/LB Fr.39 Federico De Orueta K Jr.40 Eli Price WR/DB So.41 Keaton Rimer HB/DL Jr.42 Hayden Warren WR/DB Fr.44 Garrett Lawson HB/LB Sr.45 Griffin Penny OL/DL So.47 Anthony Diaz OL/DL Jr.50 Dawson Fobber OL/DL So.51 Gabe Chandler OL/DL So.53 Gaige Brock OL/DL Fr.54 Aaron Cooke OL/DL So.55 Nathan Collins OL/DL Sr.56 Cooper Bledsoe OL/DL Sr.57 Riley Johnson OL/DL Jr.58 Tucker Turnmire OL/DL Jr.59 Collin Fugate OL/DL Sr.60 Jacob Browning OL/DL Fr.61 Kenner Jarnigan OL/DL Jr.62 Xavier Ferrell OL/DL Jr.63 Ethan Haun OL/DL Jr.66 Brodie Jarnigan OL/DL Sr.67 Aiden Hall OL/DL Fr.68 Hayden Good OL/DL Jr.71 Kenlee Morrison OL/DL Fr.72 Chance Lewis OL/DL Sr.73 Damien Alvis OL/DL Sr.74 Bryson Calhoun OL/DL Sr.75 Tyler White OL/DL So.77 Mason McAnally OL/DL Fr.79 Peyton Garland OL/DL Jr.80 Tristan Baker WR/DB So.81 Trinity Thacker WR/DB Fr.82 Eli Herron HB/LB Fr.83 Grayson Fields HB/DL Jr.85 Colton Williams WR/DB Fr.86 Blake Wolfe WR/DB Fr.88 Desmond Potter RB/DB So.Head Coach: Josh HensleyAssistant Coaches: Mylan Brewer, Jerry Fletcher, Reed Fletcher, Tyler Hensley, Wayne Herron, Matthew Myers, Jonathan Palmer, Matthew Seals, Jacob Watson, Gareath Weston.