Dobyns-Bennett football coach Joey Christian hasn’t experienced this vantage point in a while — watching high school football from afar on opening night. Certainly not watching his own team in that manner.
But fear not. According to Christian, the only thing different about this game day will be his absence. Everything else will function the same as normal, with tight ends coach Jesse McMillan filling in the head coaching role. McMillan served as Volunteer High School’s head coach from 2020-23, leading the Falcons to their lone playoff berth since 2007 his second year.
“It’s still opening week for me too,†Christian said. “I’ll see the team off and be waiting for them when they come back … I’ve been with Coach Mac a long time. He understands how we do things here, what I want and everything. We have a good bunch of coaches who do a phenomenal job, and we have great kids.â€
And they’ll be put to the test for the first time Friday night at Dan Y. Boring Stadium in Fountain City, D-B’s first-ever football trip to the Central campus. It’ll also mark the second time in three years D-B has opened its football season in Knox County, having dropped a 24-17 heartbreaker at Farragut in 2023.
Central went 4-7 in its first season under head coach Kevin Lane, falling at state champion Sevier County in the first round of the 5A playoffs.
WHEN D-B HAS THE BALL
Junior quarterback Levi Chappell has already shown his ability to direct the Indians’ offense. And he’ll have help in senior wide receivers like Jaylen Thomas, Zabian Goodwin, Zayden Hayes and Noah Raines. Senior running back Tegan Begley will lead the backfield with Luke Lundy and Emmitt Starnes complementing him.
Of course, the biggest question surrounds D-B’s offensive line, where Baker Correll is the only returning starter. They’ll face an odd front from the Bobcats anchored by seniors Seth Laws and Cassen Jackson-Garrison, as well as junior Rodarrius Pannell.
Senior linebacker Nick Chittum made 61 tackles in 2024, 11 for loss with six sacks. Junior linebacker Dashawn Wilson also stood out on film to Christian.
Central is especially senior-heavy on the back end with cornerbacks Javaston Badgett and Kaylin Chesney. Torin McAfee, another senior, and junior J.J. Sackie man the safety positions.
“Badgett, he’s a track guy, a 10.7 100 (meter) guy. He can absolutely fly,†Christian said. “We have to keep it from being a track meet, got to be able to exert our will.â€
Badgett intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles with 10 pass breakups in 2024. McAfee returned one of his two picks for a touchdown while breaking up five passes and blocking a field goal.
WHEN CENTRAL HAS THE BALL
McAfee, Sackie and Badgett can be just as lethal at wide receiver, Badgett leading the Bobcats with his 564 receiving yards. Don’t be surprised to see freshman Cruz Jackson-Garrison start in his first high school game.
Junior quarterback Kaden Long directs Central’s offense, which Christian described as “about 75% pass†based on scrimmages. Long threw for 1,331 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 287 yards last year. Senior running back Jaedyn Harris led the ground game with 474 yards and eight scores last fall.
“If they get a centimeter, they can take it 80 yards,†Christian said. “They run a lot of those intermediate routes and perimeter screens counting on you to come up and miss a tackle. If you miss a tackle, they’re gone.â€
Sack leader Tyree Thomas and Braylon Fugate will anchor D-B’s front seven, with Hayes and Goodwin projected to start at safety alongside corners Jaylen Thomas and Jackson Sensabaugh.
SO MUCH HISTORY, SO FEW MEETINGS
Friday marks just the fifth all-time meeting between the Indians and Bobcats, a series which began in 1923. It’ll be the first time they’ve played at Central High School, the only previous meeting in Knoxville coming at Neyland Stadium in the 1987 playoffs.
D-B last defeated Central in the quarterfinals of the 1976 Class AAA playoffs, a 17-7 decision in Kingsport. Junior quarterback Marty Browder ran for two scores (28, 13 yards) to lead coach Fred Walton’s club, with Phil Maupin kicking a 19-yard field goal and both PATs. Todd East (82 yards) and David Earles (77 yards) led the ground game that night.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
