High school notes: Dobyns-Bennett with target on its back after consecutive Region 1-6A titles

Use the word rebuilding at your own risk around the football programs at Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett. Players graduate. Expectations don't. No matter who comes and goes, both programs expect their annual Week 11 showdown to determine the Region 1-6A champion. In three of the last four years, it's done just that. There are two particular dates to circle for the Region 1-6A race this fall — Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. Science Hill plays Jefferson County, last year's Big East Conference runner-up and 2023 champion, that night while Dobyns-Bennett entertains a West Ridge team looking to join the upper echelon of Region 1-6A. The following week, Dobyns-Bennett hits the road to face Jefferson County, a rematch of last year's 21-14 victory over the Patriots at J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Deciding the "play of the game" was easy for that encounter, as Zabian Goodwin returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards to break the 14-14 tie. For West Ridge, the last two weeks of the regular season will be the ultimate measuring stick — home games against Science Hill and Jefferson County. The Wolves held both teams to 28 points last season but couldn't capitalize, falling 28-14 and 28-21 respectively on the road. LEVI LEADS, JUSTICE SERVED There's no secret who will be the offensive focal point for Dobyns-Bennett and West Ridge this fall. Both teams return their quarterbacks, Levi Chappell having earned Region 1-6A Player of the Year honors in 2025. He completed 60% of his passes for 1,522 yards and ran for 617, accounting for 25 touchdowns in total. Justice Hilton, one of two 1,000-yard rushers for West Ridge last fall, is calling signals once again for the Wolves' flex-bone offense. He rushed for 1,143 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall, and it's a pretty safe bet he'll attempt more than 24 passes his junior year. For both, the only difference in 2026 will be what's around them. West Ridge lost its top rusher, All-State running back Ethan Amyx, to graduation. Orlando Mack, Brody Fields and Jax Brown are the frontrunners to fill that void, while Jackson Price is the Wolves' most experienced returnee at wide receiver. Chappell returns his top target in fellow senior Tyree Thomas, who had 493 yards and 8 touchdowns receiving as a junior. But the rest of the receiving corps, and four positions on the offensive line, will feature new starters. Interestingly, Chappell is also D-B's top returning rusher after the graduation of Luke Lundy, with senior Emmitt Starnes back after his 445-yard campaign. NEW FACES ON THE HILL For the second straight year, Science Hill will break in a new quarterback after the graduation of Lane Clement. Pearson Harrison, Eli Lopez and Mac Gillert have all been fighting for the job this offseason — Harrison a junior while the other two are entering their sophomore years. Running back Kiantai Harris and receiver Marcus Jones are back, and they'll have help after several players transferred to Science Hill after the 2025 season. Sophomore running back Sage Milhorn, who accounted for more than 500 yards his freshman year at Hampton, is one of them. Former Providence Academy receivers Hunt Simpson and Carter Larson joined the receiving corps. REST OF THE LEAGUE Jefferson County — The Patriots led Dobyns-Bennett 14-0 but couldn't score again in their aforementioned Oct. 3 defeat in Kingsport. It was the lone blemish on Jefferson County's conference slate, and Bradley Central upended the Patriots at Dumplin Valley in the first round of the 6A playoffs. Three-year starting quarterback Mason Henderson graduated as did the explosive Shawn Jackson, an All-State honoree who shined on both sides of the ball. Junior running back Donovan Jackson led Jefferson County in rushing last season. But the quarterback spot is still up for grabs as coach Spencer Riley enters his 11th year (yes, it's been that long). Morristown East — The Hurricanes were youthful at just about every position last season. MoEast hasn't tasted victory since winning its 2025 season opener at South Greene, having lost nine straight since. Junior quarterback Josiah Valentine has seen varsity action since his freshman year, and he'll be looking to lead coach Dallas Kuykendall's Hurricanes to their first winning season since 2016. TRIVIA TIME Q: Dobyns-Bennett went undefeated at home in both the 2024 and 2025 regular seasons before losing home playoff games, as did Jefferson County in 2023. What current Region 1-6A team was the last to finish undefeated at home, both in the regular season and playoffs? A: Science Hill in 2014. Those Hilltoppers went 11-2 with road losses to Brentwood Academy and Maryville, winning their second straight conference title. Q: Science Hill coach Stacy Carter, Dobyns-Bennett coach Joey Christian and Jefferson County coach Spencer Riley have all led their teams to a conference title. Which current Region 1-6A team most recently won a conference title with a different head coach? A: Dobyns-Bennett in 2017. Despite an early-season loss to Science Hill, D-B rebounded to win Region 1-6A outright in coach Graham Clark's 25th and final season.