Central

Head coach: Curt Jones (3052 here; 32-60 overall)

Returning starters: 8 offensive; 8 defensive

Last year’s record: 6-3 overall, lost in Class 4A first round

Key players: Donovan Smith (6-3, 198) Sr. WR/FS, Londen Martin (6-1, 180) Sr. LB, Chris Nichols (6-0, 255) Sr. DE, Larry Henderson (6-1, 175) Sr. WR, Perry Armour Jr. (6-1, 275) Sr. OL/DL, McKenley Bacon (6-2, 290) Sr. OL/DL, Jamison Johnson (6-2, 295) Sr. OL/DL, Ronye’ Watson (5-8, 160) So. QB/CB, Tyler Patillo (6-2, 298) Sr. OL/DL

Season outlook: The Purple Pounders were a win away from being region champions last year, and they believe this should be an even stronger season with the talent they have returning.

One of the top playmakers in the area is Smith, who had 777 receiving yards, 347 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season and can score from anywhere on the field. He has offers from Austin Peay and the University of Tennessee at Martin and should have more on the way.

Last year the program tied its highest winning percentage of this century — the 2003 Purple Pounders went 8-4 — and Watson had close to 2,000 total yards as he threw 14 touchdown passes with just four interceptions. He will be protected by a massive and talented front of Armour, Bacon, Johnson and Patillo, who are all four-year starters.

Martin is one of the top linebackers in the region, while Nichols has a strong motor up front defensively; the four-year starter was an all-state second-team selection last year. Both lines should be strengths for Central, which must replace graduated talent in the backfield.

Tyran Forte (6-1, 180) is a newcomer to keep an eye on at receiver and defensive back, Moses Duckett (6-2, 190) is a leader at linebacker and juniors Tristan Odom and Leundre Hinton could make a major impact defensively. Henderson and Houston Boykin are expected to pose big threats on offense.

The Pounders will have to be road warriors as they open the season with five of their first six games away from home.

“We have great experience, depth and overall team speed,” Jones said. “We must start fast and maintain throughout the season.”