Unicoi County football looks to maintain championship level

Drew Rice has taken the Unicoi County football program to a new level over his decade as head coach.The Blue Devils won their second Region 1-3A championship in four years last season. Unicoi County finished 10-2 after advancing to the second round of the playoffs.While they've lost a pair of standout receivers and top running backs, the best news for the Blue Devils is the return of star quarterback Kolby Jones.Jones led Northeast Tennessee with 1,911 passing yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 504 yards and 13 touchdowns."He's the total package — great young man, great leader and great competitor," Rice said. "We're obviously excited to have him one more year with all that he brings. He's a football guy that all the team looks to with respect."So is the respect for backup quarterback Gunner Peterson, who completed 14 of 17 passes for 216 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-16 playoff victory over Union County when Jones was injured last season.The Blue Devils have speed at running back with the appropriately named Blaze Rice and Nehemiah Campbell. Daven Thompson and Isaac Acevedo should also get carries.While the Blue Devils lost a pair of big-play receivers, they bring back juniors Aidyn Evely and Avery Hatcher, who have quite a bit of varsity experience."Those guys started for us last year. Avery stepped in when Garrett (Sellars) got hurt and had an awesome sophomore season," Rice said. "Aidyn is just a super smart, tough football kid with great instincts."Brady Simmons and Isaac Harris are H-backs.Dalton Cerezo, whom Rice refers to as a rock-solid anchor, is on the offensive line at the center position. Dillon Sifford and Jaxson Treadway are starting guards with Carter Simmons and Karson Buchanan a pair of tackles whom Rice is complimentary of the way they use their feet and hands.Going over to the other side in the 4-3 defense, Carter Simmons is versatile. Sifford, Treadway and Buchanan are other starters. There is depth with Hudson Stockfelt, Cole English and Carter Miller also expected to see time. Jack Swinehart, while 6-2 and 160, is a great pass rusher at defensive end.Brady Simmons, Harris and Campbell lead the linebacking corps. Douglas Mathis and Rice should also play prominently in the Blue Devils' plans.They're also deep at defensive back with Alex Laningham, Hatcher, Evely and Broox Bennett listed as starters. Brock Peterson, Cade Peterson and Thompson are others on the back end of the defense.Harris could take care of kicking and punting duties. Acevado, Hatcher, Evely and Thompson all give breakaway threats as kick and punter returners.No. Name Pos. Class1 Kolby Jones QB/DB Sr.2 Avery Hatcher WR/DB Jr3 Nehemiah Campbell RB/LB Jr.4 Broox Bennett WR/DB Jr.5 Gunner Peterson QB/LB Jr.6 Brock Peterson WR/DB Sr.7 Cade Peterson WR/DB Sr.8 Daven Thompson RB/LB Jr.9 Blaze Rice RB/LB Jr.10 Aidyn Evely WR/DB Jr.11 Jack Swinehart QB/DB So.12 Zach Jenkins WR/DB Fr.13 Mason Wright WR/DB Fr.14 Spencer Boings WR/DB Jr.15 Charlie Hughes WR/DB Fr.16 Sylis Arambula WR/DB Fr.18 Jaxson Pugh WR/DB Fr.20 Jacob Tipton RB/DB Fr.21 Isaac Harris TE/LB Sr.22 Will Smith WR/DB So.23 Isaac Acevedo RB/DB So.24 Alex Laningham WR/DE Jr.27 Ashton Effler WR/DB So.28 Myka Tipton WR/DB So.33 Michael Hampton TE/LB So.35 Blake Schwenke RB/LB So.40 Colton Hulin RB/LB Jr.42 Douglas Mathis FB/LB Sr.44 Brady Simmons RB/LB Sr.50 Drew Tapp OL/DL So.51 Eli Woodby OL/DL Sr.53 Corian Lopez-Jones OL/DL Fr.54 Will Sommer OL/LB Fr.55 Karson Buchanan OL/DL Sr.56 Tristan Duncan OL/LB Jr.57 Isaac Nuckols OL/LB Sr.58 Carter Simmons OL/DL Jr.59 Hudson Stockfelt OL/DL Sr.60 Dawson Pickard OL/DL So.61 Dillon Sifford OL/DL Sr.62 Nick Foster OL/DL Fr.63 Chance Harris OL/DL Fr.65 Brian Sullivan OL/DL Jr.65 Zachary Whaley OL/DL Fr.66 Lincoln Hodges OL/DL So.68 Aiden Ponce OL/DL Sr.68 Mason Blackburn OL/DL Fr.69 Isaac Smith OL/DL Jr.70 Jonah Buchanan OLD/DL Jr.72 Jake Buchanan OL/DL Jr.73 Brennan Hollenbeck OL/DL Fr.74 Carter Miller OL/DL Sr.75 Dalton Cerezo OL/DL Sr.76 Logan Tilson OL/DL So.77 Elijah Terry OL/DL So.78 Jaxson Treadway OL/DL Sr.78 Chandon Dean OL/DL Fr.80 Cole English TE/DE Sr.80 Emmanuel Reynoso WR/DB Fr.81 Marquise Lane WR/DB So.82 Isaiah Ebernickel TE/DE Jr.84 Karson Bell WR/DB So.88 Benny Acevedo TE/DE Fr.88 Evan Willis WR/DE Fr.90 Gabe Patten WR/DB Fr.