Cherokee to bring physicality to field

Cherokee was hard hit by graduation, but coach Josh Hensley believes the Chiefs can make up for much with their physical play. The Chiefs lost four-year starter Landon Jeffers at quarterback, and just return three starters on each side of the ball. Cherokee is coming off a 7-4 season which included a 22-point win over rival Volunteer in the Hawkins County Super Bowl. Hensley isn't much looking at the past, but more at the present with an enthusiastic group of players. "To really sustain what we've been working for the past few years, I'm super proud of what we've accomplished," Hensley said. "We can't look back at all those things. We got to make sure that we're continuing to do the things that got us there. And we're really excited about this football team. It's a hardworking group, and we're blessed to have them." Record-setting running back Jayden Weston leads the offense. An all-state selection, he ran for a school record 331 yards against Sullivan East last year and set the single-season rushing record of 1,570 yards. Now, he's closing in on Cherokee great Tyler Carpenter's career rushing record. "He's had a whale of a summer. I can't speak how proud I am of him for how much he's grown up in the past three or four years," Hensley said. "He's going to run the football the way God intended it to be ran, and he's entertaining to watch. We're excited to have him back for another year." Eli Gonzalez will get his share of touches as well. His older brother was a four-year starter for the Chiefs. Eli is described as being a lot like him from the standpoint of doing multiple things. A versatile talent, he could be at running back or receiver on offense or at outside linebacker or cornerback on defense. Sophomore Cade Putnal takes over the big role of starting quarterback. His competitiveness is his biggest trait as Hensley described him as a perfectionist. "He wants to beat you in rock, paper, scissors as bad as scoring a touchdown every play," Hensley said. "He's a competitor, and that's just who he is. It's his nature, and we never want to coach that out of him." Eli Boyd is the backup at quarterback, but a captain and three-year starter, who excels at other positions. He's the starting H-Back on offense and the middle linebacker, who quarterbacks the defense. The receivers are led by senior Ezra Garrett and junior Branson Mowell, a basketball player whom Hensley is glad to have on the field. Hayden Good, the center, earned honorable mention all-conference last season after playing 10 games with a broken elbow. After that display of toughness, he should be more effective now healthy. Kenner Jarnigan is another returning starter on the line. Ethan Haun, Aaron Cook, Mason McAnally, Peyton Garland and Tucker Turnmire are some of the other offensive guys who should be in the starting lineup. Hensley described Turnmire as another "Swiss Army" kind of player, a linebacker on defense. Up front, the Chiefs are led by Dawson Fobber. "I think Dawson is one of the best players in East Tennessee," Hensley said. "He plays football with heavy hands and a physicality unknown to mankind. He's going to be anchoring us on the inside as our three tech." Others who will play inside include Riley Johnson, Gage Brock, Jacob Browning, Haun and Garland. Grayson Fields had a lot of starting time as the defensive end position last season. Boyd leads the defense as middle linebacker, while Keaton Rimer is another explosive inside linebacker. Senior Landry Helton and freshman Layton Williams are expected to be a talented duo at outside linebacker. On the back end of the defense, there's Garrett, Ty Roberts, Luke Elkins, Braden Horn, Gonzalez and Mowell all keeping other teams in check. After a pair of foreign exchange students as kicker, Hensley is excited to have Cherokee soccer player Colton Engle in the role. "We're going to sharpen that blade as much as we can. But, this this team is physical," Hensley said. "I'm excited about this coming season. I'm never going to be a coach to predict we will win any game, but I know whoever we play is going to going to feel us. And this team works too, which is a blessing to have."