The Oak Ridge Wildcats open the regular football season at home against Farragut at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Image courtesy Oak Ridge Wildcat Football)
The Oak Ridge Wildcats open the regular football season at home tonight against the Farragut Admirals. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. at Blankenship Field.
The Wildcat Football Boosters have a $6 catered tailgate party starting at 5 p.m. that will feature Mexican food at the upper parking lot of Blankenship Field before the game.
“Bring your pom-poms and your appetite,” a press release said. “Make sure you come early enough to cheer on our mighty Wildcats as they take their ‘Walk of Champions!’ Roll Wildcats Roll!”
After a Wildcat Day pep rally on Saturday, Coach Joe Gaddis said challenges this week will include using a new quarterback and winning battles up front, with a relatively inexperienced offensive line taking on an experienced Admirals defensive line.
“It’s still a work in progress,” Gaddis said.
Oak Ridge Wildcats football coach Joe Gaddis, right, talks to Athletic Director Mike Mullins at a Wildcat Day pep rally on Saturday.
But it will help to play at home, he said.
The question of who would start at quarterback had not been resolved as of Saturday. The two options were junior Logan Fadnek, who is 6’2″ and 190 pounds and a better thrower, and junior Gavin Warrington, who is 5’10” and 180 pounds and a better runner, Gaddis said.
The coach said there are about a half-dozen returning starters on each side of the ball. Among the returning starters on the offensive and defensive lines are some seniors: right guard Isaac Chapman, nose guard Shawmain Fleming, and tight end Ryan Waddell. There are also three returning starters each at linebacker and in the secondary, but new defensive ends, Gaddis said.
The Wildcats have three running backs: junior Isiah Jones, who played last year; junior T.J. Allison, who was on the junior varsity squad last year; and senior Malik Hardy, who played receiver last season. Jones and Allison will also play linebacker, Gaddis said.
The Wildcats have five receivers, including several who played last year. The receiving corps includes seniors Ted Mitchell, Brandon Bonds, and Jiminquas Johnson; junior Jordan Dunbar; and sophomore Tee Higgins.
Junior Brandon Nickle, who is a “very good punter and kicker,” will play both positions, Gaddis said.
Gaddis said the Wildcats are a little bigger than normal, with more height than in the past, and have good speed.
See the Wildcats 2014 roster here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
