By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
On Sept. 13, Cedar Bluff will honor its first state football championship team for its 65th anniversary. Teams like the 1959 squad that went a perfect 10-0 helped build the school’s rich football tradition, something that’s still talked about today.
“Getting to honor a group like that, it makes you understand how important it is to carry it on,” second-year head coach Garrett Crane said. “You hear people from that era talk today about ‘How are we looking?’ If you’re truly involved and invested in something special like it is here at Cedar Bluff, it’s using the word ‘we.’ They’re still embedded in this program, and it will be no different when these guys graduate.”
Crane, himself a 2010 Cedar Bluff graduate, said the school’s football history is about to become even more prevalent on campus.
“We’re about to get a lot more displayed on the outside (of the school), so when you come into our place, you see the area championships, the region championships. Some people don’t know we’re top 50 in the state in total wins. The number of area championships, the 70 playoff appearances, a lot of people don’t understand how deep it really is.”
But Crane said, “our guys understand that.”
“We talk about legacy and how important that is and about leaving your jersey in a better place,” he said.
“I have started for a long time, and for the guys under me, I just want them to understand that there is an expectation when you play for Cedar Bluff, when you put on the red and white,” senior lineman Jacob Chambers said. “You’re going to work hard and not back down when it comes to game day.
“Every team, when they first start, their goal is not just to win week to week, but it’s to get to that championship. I think this is the best group we’ve had in several years. I think if any year we can do it, it’s going to be the Class of 2025.”
Chambers has good reason to believe this year’s Cedar Bluff team can claim a championship. The Tigers have 12 seniors this year, including nine starters returning on offense and nine on defense.
“With routines being established a year out, it’s a totally different feeling now,” Crane admits. “The comfort level between all of us is better, and it’s the same way with the coaches. It was a brand new coaching staff essentially, but we’ve all blended together. We all have a feel for each other.
“The biggest thing is the difference in the weight room. That’s been a really big priority. Since January, it’s picked up. Our numbers were through the roof. The kids have really bought in from that side. At the end of the day, that’s really going to make a difference. Our camps have been good. The kids have worked hard. They’ve really busted it.”
Cedar Bluff has built depth in the off-season at several positions, including quarterback with senior Hunter Stallings, junior Bryson Teague and Gaylesville junior transfer Kuper Bradley.
Crane notes that Teague and Bradley will play at receiver as well.
The Tiger receivers will also feature a combination of seniors Byrann Kinsey, Jordan Taylor and Caleb Edmondson, Kadien Tracy, and junior Dylan McDaniel and sophomore Fischer Young.
The backfield features senior Hunter Jenkins, Tracy and Hayden Tucker.
Chambers is part of a veteran offensive/defensive line that also features juniors Isaac Roberts and Hudson Smith, and sophomores Saw Jordan and Cayden Garrett. Crane said sophomore Noah Hutchinson and junior Johnny Shaw have also been working hard at those positions.
On defense, Crane said positions are “fluid right now.”
“The receivers are essentially our DBs (defensive backs). Hayden Tucker, our fullback, is our starting inside linebacker. Essentially, the skill guys (on offense) are our safeties and corners. The tailbacks and Y (receivers) are playing as our linebackers.”
The Tigers also have a few new wrinkles on their schedule this season. For just the second time in school history and the first since the 2018-19 seasons, Cedar Bluff moves up to Class 2A.
Joining Cedar Bluff in Class 2A Region 7 is Sand Rock, Gaston, North Sand Mountain, Pisgah, Pleasant Valley and Section. The Tigers open the 2024 season at Valley Head on Aug. 23, then host Class 3A Collinsville on Aug. 30. Cedar Bluff’s other non-region opponents include hosting Spring Garden on Sept. 27 and ending the regular season at Donoho on Nov. 1.
“It’s been a few years since we’ve been in 2A. It’s always exciting for something new, a challenge. The kids are excited about that too,” Crane said.
“Expectations are extremely high this year, especially with this group,” Edmondson said. “We’re feeling really confident. We’re going to go out there and give it 110-percent and leave everything out on the field.”
“It’s the most seniors we’ve had in a long time. We have a lot of experience. We’ve all been playing together for a long time. I’m just looking forward to it,” Stallings said. “We all believe we can make it as far as we want to, which is that last game. We’ve just got to play like it.”
2024 Cedar Bluff Football Schedule
Aug. 23 at Valley Head
Aug. 30 Collinsville
Sept. 6 at Gaston
Sept. 13 North Sand Mountain
Sept. 20 Section
Sept. 27 Spring Garden
Oct. 4 at Pleasant Valley
Oct. 11 at Pisgah
Oct. 18 Sand Rock
Nov. 1 at Donoho