ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

Of course, the last time his team took that approach, West Ridge went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the 6A playoffs.

But after three years of directing the West Ridge offense, Trey Frazier has graduated and taken his talents to Tusculum’s football program.

Isaac McGee backed up Frazier a year ago, attempting just five passes but rushing for two touchdowns. Now a junior, McGee and sophomore Justice Hilton take center stage in Blountville — Hilton having one rushing touchdown to his name last year. It’s far from the first time they’ve been in competition with each other, even dating back to middle school and junior varsity, but there’s no tension between the two.

“Both of them know they’re going to play somewhere whether they’re at quarterback or not, so we’ll have to get them on the field,� Justin Hilton said. “But they’ve approached it as trying to help each other push each other. When the decision is made, I know they’ll support each other.�

RELIABLE OPTIONS

Whoever is at quarterback, West Ridge returns its top receiver and second-leading rusher behind Frazier for the 2025 season — seniors Kaleb Mabb and Ethan Amyx.

Mabb tallied seven touchdowns and 497 yards on 25 catches last fall, Amyx rushing for 581 yards and seven touchdowns on 103 attempts while never fumbling.

“Feels like (Amyx) has been here forever, doesn’t it,� Coach Hilton said. “Ethan benches 340, squats a ton, you look at him and he fits the bill.

“He needs to be the first once off the bus. He’s been carrying since was a sophomore.�

Junior running back Brody Fields averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2024 while rushing for two scores of his own.

Aside from Mabb, juniors Jackson Price and Braelyn Vance return to the Wolves’ receiving corps alongside sophomore Braiden Lawson. Price caught nine passes for 138 yards and two TDs last year.

TWO-WAY CONTRIBUTORS

Mabb contributed in every phase of the game as a junior, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble while making 22 tackles from his safety position, not to mention the two kickoffs he returned for touchdowns. Orlando Mack, a 6-3, 185-pound sophomore is projected to man West Ridge’s other safety slot.

“Kaleb’s not a heavy set kid but he can run a little bit,� Hilton said. “He’s got the skill set you need to get the ball in space.�

On the contrary, it’ll be cornerback by committee for the wolves. Jackson Walsh and Fields are currently the frontrunners with Dayton Brown, Price and Lawson also in the mix.

All-Conference linebacker Sam Perry, who recorded a team-high 88 tackles with eight for loss and a sack, is back for his senior year. Hayden Musick and Nathan Arnold will line up at outside linebacker, Musick having led West Ridge with his 15 TFL and three sacks while totaling 69 stops. Arnold made seven stops behind the line himself. Ronnie Smith and Cal Tatum are also expected to contribute, as is sophomore and former long snapper Jace Arwood.

LINE GROWING UP FAST

While the Wolves did graduate former All-State lineman Trent Tatum, three of the starters around him last fall were underclassmen. Seniors Ethan Iacino, Morgan Thornton and Tanner Mims will help anchor West Ridge’s front this year, aided by juniors Cal Tatum and Kingston McConnell. Thornton and Iacino are expected to line up at tackle, with Tatum and Mims at guard next to McConnell at center.

Mims is the most likely to contribute on the defensive line as well, with Cayden Duke and Leron Smith also in the mix.

On special teams, Hilton has never encountered his current situation — a different player to punt, kick off and kick field goals. Vance is expected to punt, with Evan Maness handling kickoff duties. Samuel Burress, a senior with previous soccer experience in Barcelona, will serve as the Wolves’ field goal kicker for 2025.