Loudon Redskins Preview by Jay Kersting

The Loudon High School Redskins look to make an impact on a region that features the returning state champions, Alcoa. All eyes in Region 2-2A maybe watching the Tornadoes, But Redskins Coach Jeff Harig says that Loudon has some players to watch out for in 2005 as well. Despite the 2 and 8 record in 2004, the Redskins have a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball, and maybe more importantly, a few All Region players returning in 2005 as well.

Defensively, quickness is the first trait many will notice about the 2005 Redskins team. Up front, seniors Jimmy McQueen and John Paul Hackney are back as starters from the 2004 season and they will be joined by fellow senior Tim Ramsey. The linebacking corps has depth and plenty of experience as well. Senior linebackers Taylor Eldridge, Matthew Packett and Clay Matlock contributed a combined 109 tackles for the Redskins last season. Sophomore Ben Everett started two games last year and he added 13 tackles as well. Junior Daniel Laughlin expects to rotate in for Loudon this season to keep things fresh for the Redskins. The backfield features a pair of All Region players from 2004. Seniors Cory Fritts and Mark Harrison will be called upon to maintain the level they had shown last season. Sophomore Tyler Campbell will enter in the mix this season for Loudon. Junior Tom Cruz is a newcomer at defensive back. Cruz joins the Redskins in 2005 after playing at his former high school in Ohio. The biggest goal for Loudon this season is to allow significantly less points than the Redskins did in 2004, at 21.2 points per game.

On the offensive side of the ball, junior Josh Hawkins’ name pops to the top. All-Region as a sophomore, Hawkins rushed for an astounding 989 yards for the Redskins. The key for Josh Hawkins this year will be can he make a repeat performance? College scouts have already taken notice of Hawkins’ abilities. Helping Hawkins get the job done will be the fast undersized offensive line. Junior Tyler Roberts is likely the best lineman for the Redskins. He will be joined up front by returning senior starters John Paul Hackney and Joe Webb. The receiving corps will see junior Jeremy Johnson returning as a starter and senior Ryan Queen. Hopefully the soft hands of an all district basketball player will translate well for the Redskins as Queen hopes to be a significant contributor for Loudon. In addition to Hawkins in the backfield, senior Brandon Dixon returns as the starting full back. And maybe sophomore magic can happen again as Coach Harig will be looking to Tyler Campbell to take some of the pressure off of Josh Hawkins in 2005. Running things on the field for Coach Harig this season again will by Cody Fritts at quarterback. In 2004, Fritts passed for 470 yards and helped by setting up the defense with a punting average of 36 yards per kick.

Coach Jeff Harig looks to return the Loudon High School Redskins to the playoffs this season. In a tough region and with a competitive non-region schedule, this team should be much improved over 2004. The question that remains is will it be reflected in the final record in 2005?