WCLE Sport Media Day Wrap Up
Bradley County, TN –
The 2025 High School Football Media Day at Life Care Centers of America was more than a preseason roll call. Hosted by Mix 104.1 FM, MixTV.tv, and ESPN Cleveland 101.3 FM, it became a celebration of tradition, youth, and the relentless optimism that fills the August air before the first Friday night whistle. Coaches and players from eight programs—Bradley Central, Cleveland, McMinn County, McMinn Central, Meigs County, Rhea County, Ooltewah, and Walker Valley—took turns fielding questions, swapping stories, and setting the tone for a season loaded with rivalry and promise.
Bradley Central Bears – “Veterans in the Trenches”
Head coach Damon Floyd, in his 20th season, acknowledged the gut punch of losing quarterback Tyler Cook to injury for the second straight year but stayed firmly upbeat.
“We’re running the same offense. Tucker [Cook] started six games last year, he’s added forty pounds of muscle, and we believe in him,” Floyd said.
The Bears boast 17 seniors, a battle-tested offensive line, and power back Kenyon Phelps, who holds the school squat record for skill players at 585 pounds. Defensively, Tulane commit AJ Westfield headlines a front built to pressure quarterbacks, while linebacker Wiley Sutkiewicz eyes the school tackle record.
Reporter’s question on leadership prompted Phelps to sum it up:
“We hold each other accountable. If someone’s slacking, we let ’em know.”
Bradley’s schedule starts hot—McMinn County and Walker Valley in consecutive weeks, plus non-region matchups against powerhouses like Oak Ridge.
Cleveland Blue Raiders – “A New Era with Old Ties”
Returning to the program where he once coached under Marty Wheeler, first-year head coach Chris Brown called Cleveland his “dream job.”
“This is where I want to plant roots. I fell in love with this community years ago, and I’m here to build it the right way,” Brown said.
The Blue Raiders are young—just nine seniors—and without a single returning starter on the offensive line. Junior QB Kason McGowan will operate behind that rebuilt front, joined by explosive senior Emilio Green.
Asked about the team’s identity, Brown didn’t hesitate:
“Fast, disciplined, and relentless.”
McMinn County Cherokees – “Playing for the Black and Gold”
Veteran coach Bo Cagle never downplays the intensity of the Bradley rivalry.
“Every single person who’s worn McMinn black and gold has played against Bradley. It’s special,” Cagle told reporters.
Cagle’s two goals for 2025 are simple: play as hard as possible and be great teammates—regardless of the scoreboard. Running back Peanut Dyer will be a focal point offensively, while linebacker Jack Goodin sets the tone with his voice and tackling.
McMinn Central Chargers – “War Horse Mentality”
New head coach JT Ostrowski inherits a program on the rise, insisting this is a “reload, not a rebuild.” The Chargers return 14 seniors, led by captains Landon McIntyre, Jake Gooden, and Hunter Rayburn, all two-way players.
Gooden offered a vivid description of the school mascot:
“It’s a fearless horse that goes into battle no matter the circumstance… straight into the fire.”
Meigs County Tigers – “Outwork and Outlast”
Coach Nathan Cindric brings back eight offensive and seven defensive starters, leaning on quarterback Tuff Ricker and speedsters Ethan Shaver and Cornelius Morgan. Receiver/DB Bowen Combs reinforced the Tigers’ trademark:
“If you outhit your opponent, it can strike fear in them.”
Rhea County Golden Eagles – “Ground Game and Grit”
Head coach Mark Pemberton remains committed to the Eagles’ physical identity—smash-mouth football behind a senior-heavy offensive line. Quarterback Owen Tarwater returns to lead the triple-option attack, with fullback Luke Smith expected to carry the load.
When asked about offensive philosophy, Pemberton smiled:
“We’re gonna run it until they stop us. And then… we might run it some more.”
Ooltewah Owls – “Speed and Skill”
Coach Shannon Williams has a roster loaded with athletic skill players and a quarterback battle brewing in camp. Wide receiver Malik Johnson drew praise for his offseason work, and linebacker Tyson Green anchors the defense.
Williams stressed tempo:
“We want to play fast on both sides. If we dictate the pace, we can play with anyone.”
Walker Valley Mustangs – “Culture Carriers”
Head coach Drew Akins sees his senior class as “culture carriers” who’ve raised standards on and off the field. Quarterback Ryan Lay returns after a strong junior campaign, with running back Kade Smith and receiver Tyler Bennett giving the Mustangs a balanced attack.
Akins summed up the mindset heading into rivalry week vs. Bradley:
“We respect ’em, but we’re not afraid of ’em.”
The Road Ahead
From seasoned rosters like Bradley Central, Meigs County, and Rhea County to young-but-hungry Cleveland and Ooltewah, the 2025 season promises a full slate of storylines. Rivalries—some a century old—are primed to add another chapter.
As Coach Floyd put it, “We’re all chasing the same thing. And in this area, you’d better be ready every single Friday night.”
If you’d like, I can also turn this into a broadcast-ready script for ESPN Cleveland 101.3 FM so it reads like a segment you could air on tonight’s sports update. That would keep the same content but make it flow for radio delivery.
The 2025 High School Football Media Day at Life Care Centers of America was more than a preseason roll call. Hosted by Mix 104.1 FM, MixTV.tv, and ESPN Cleveland 101.3 FM, it became a celebration of tradition, youth, and the relentless optimism that fills the August air before the first Friday night whistle. Coaches and players from eight programs—Bradley Central, Cleveland, McMinn County, McMinn Central, Meigs County, Rhea County, Ooltewah, and Walker Valley—took turns fielding questions, swapping stories, and setting the tone for a season loaded with rivalry and promise.
Bradley Central Bears – “Veterans in the Trenches”
Head coach Damon Floyd, in his 20th season, acknowledged the gut punch of losing quarterback Tyler Cook to injury for the second straight year but stayed firmly upbeat.
“We’re running the same offense. Tucker [Cook] started six games last year, he’s added forty pounds of muscle, and we believe in him,” Floyd said.
The Bears boast 17 seniors, a battle-tested offensive line, and power back Kenyon Phelps, who holds the school squat record for skill players at 585 pounds. Defensively, Tulane commit AJ Westfield headlines a front built to pressure quarterbacks, while linebacker Wiley Sutkiewicz eyes the school tackle record.
Reporter’s question on leadership prompted Phelps to sum it up:
“We hold each other accountable. If someone’s slacking, we let ’em know.”
Bradley’s schedule starts hot—McMinn County and Walker Valley in consecutive weeks, plus non-region matchups against powerhouses like Oak Ridge.
Cleveland Blue Raiders – “A New Era with Old Ties”
Returning to the program where he once coached under Marty Wheeler, first-year head coach Chris Brown called Cleveland his “dream job.”
“This is where I want to plant roots. I fell in love with this community years ago, and I’m here to build it the right way,” Brown said.
The Blue Raiders are young—just nine seniors—and without a single returning starter on the offensive line. Junior QB Kason McGowan will operate behind that rebuilt front, joined by explosive senior Emilio Green.
Asked about the team’s identity, Brown didn’t hesitate:
“Fast, disciplined, and relentless.”
McMinn County Cherokees – “Playing for the Black and Gold”
Veteran coach Bo Cagle never downplays the intensity of the Bradley rivalry.
“Every single person who’s worn McMinn black and gold has played against Bradley. It’s special,” Cagle told reporters.
Cagle’s two goals for 2025 are simple: play as hard as possible and be great teammates—regardless of the scoreboard. Running back Peanut Dyer will be a focal point offensively, while linebacker Jack Goodin sets the tone with his voice and tackling.
McMinn Central Chargers – “War Horse Mentality”
New head coach JT Ostrowski inherits a program on the rise, insisting this is a “reload, not a rebuild.” The Chargers return 14 seniors, led by captains Landon McIntyre, Jake Gooden, and Hunter Rayburn, all two-way players.
Gooden offered a vivid description of the school mascot:
“It’s a fearless horse that goes into battle no matter the circumstance… straight into the fire.”
Meigs County Tigers – “Outwork and Outlast”
Coach Nathan Cindric brings back eight offensive and seven defensive starters, leaning on quarterback Tuff Ricker and speedsters Ethan Shaver and Cornelius Morgan. Receiver/DB Bowen Combs reinforced the Tigers’ trademark:
“If you outhit your opponent, it can strike fear in them.”
Rhea County Golden Eagles – “Ground Game and Grit”
Head coach Mark Pemberton remains committed to the Eagles’ physical identity—smash-mouth football behind a senior-heavy offensive line. Quarterback Owen Tarwater returns to lead the triple-option attack, with fullback Luke Smith expected to carry the load.
When asked about offensive philosophy, Pemberton smiled:
“We’re gonna run it until they stop us. And then… we might run it some more.”
Ooltewah Owls – “Speed and Skill”
Coach Shannon Williams has a roster loaded with athletic skill players and a quarterback battle brewing in camp. Wide receiver Malik Johnson drew praise for his offseason work, and linebacker Tyson Green anchors the defense.
Williams stressed tempo:
“We want to play fast on both sides. If we dictate the pace, we can play with anyone.”
Walker Valley Mustangs – “Culture Carriers”
Head coach Drew Akins sees his senior class as “culture carriers” who’ve raised standards on and off the field. Quarterback Ryan Lay returns after a strong junior campaign, with running back Kade Smith and receiver Tyler Bennett giving the Mustangs a balanced attack.
Akins summed up the mindset heading into rivalry week vs. Bradley:
“We respect ’em, but we’re not afraid of ’em.”
The Road Ahead
From seasoned rosters like Bradley Central, Meigs County, and Rhea County to young-but-hungry Cleveland and Ooltewah, the 2025 season promises a full slate of storylines. Rivalries—some a century old—are primed to add another chapter.
As Coach Floyd put it, “We’re all chasing the same thing. And in this area, you’d better be ready every single Friday night.”
If you’d like, I can also turn this into a broadcast-ready script for ESPN Cleveland 101.3 FM so it reads like a segment you could air on tonight’s sports update. That would keep the same content but make it flow for radio delivery.
