By Noah McKay
The Cookeville Cavaliers football program has renewed optimism ahead of the 2023 season in year two under head coach Taylor Hennigan.
Several returning starters, new athletes and a further established culture have CHS set for higher goals than four combined wins over the past two seasons.
For Hennigan, year two at the helm has meant more time focusing on the field, and less about logistics.
“Year two, coaching staff wise, has been completely different,” said Hennigan. “Having everybody around which feeds into our players knowing how we operate. That’s been a big part of it. And then the belief that we can win with our region opponents and some really good non-region opponents is something that we probably lacked at the beginning of last year.”
At the quarterback position, the Cavs are replacing outgoing senior Mace Thomsen, who broke several school passing records in 2022. Junior Blake Owen, who stands 6’1” and 212 pounds, won the job during the offseason.
“Blake’s going to start for us,” said Hennigan. “He’s completely different from Mace. Blake can still throw it and he’s going to do that a lot, but he adds a bit of a physical run presence too. Brody Allen is a sophomore who is going to be our backup at the start of the season, he’s capable of getting us going in a game if he’s needed.”
Hennigan said Owen’s rushing and throwing ability gives the CHS offense the ability to be dynamic in 2023.
“You’ve got to fit your offense to your personnel,” said Hennigan. “Quarterback run game was not something that we could do a lot of last season, but what we ultimately want to be is a running football team. We have a little bit more of a dynamic way of doing that, and we’ve got multiple guys who can do that.”
Joining Owen in the backfield will be a trio of running backs including returning seniors Caden Outlaw and Jourdyn Burruss alongside newcomer Thomas Johnson.
“Caden Outlaw really emerged towards the middle of the season,” said Hennigan. “He’s going to get a lot of carries. Jourdyn Burruss has been exactly what we needed him to be at that position this preseason. Thomas Johnson joined us this summer and has been a little bit more of a speed back.”
On the outside, the Cavs will look to Presley Jared, Mason Taylor, Isaac Frye, Joseph Owens, Lukas Hardin, Jackson Jones, Jack Clark, Jack Massengille and others to catch passes. Hennigan said the depth of the receiving room is a strength.
“We feel like we’ve got some guys who can create in space,” said Hennigan. “Just excited about that group. The best part about them is they want to win. We’ve got a good group.”
Along the offensive line, the Cavaliers have several returning starters in Sky Pleasant, Delton Dyal, Vince Altobelli, Jake Jasinski along with sophomore newcomer Austin Hoane. After being forced into action in 2022,
“We’ve got some depth, finally,” said Hennigan. “We’ve got seven or eight guys who we feel like can and will play.”
Dyal will anchor a defensive front that also features Israel Alvarez, Bennett Williams and Parker Ray.
At the linebacker position, the Cavaliers return every contributor from 2022. Burruss returns alongside Owen, Massengille, Evan Banks and Wes Hudson.
In the secondary many of the receivers will play defensive back, with Taylor anchoring the unit.
“Mason Taylor is the first guy,” said Hennigan. “He’s as physical and confident in coverage as anyone we have. He’s our leader. We’ve got corners that can cover and safeties who are not afraid to hit. I’m excited about that group. I feel like we’ve got at least two guys at each position. I think depth is a strength of ours.”
The Cavaliers’ schedule looks different from previous years with non-region matchups against Stone Memorial, PURE Academy (Memphis), at White County and at Lincoln County. Within Region 4/6A the Cavs will face Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Warren County, Gallatin, Green Hill and Wilson Central.
For Cookeville, a competitive preseason has led to optimism.
“I would be disappointed if we weren’t, at least, challenging in a very tough region,” said Hennigan. “It’s a very tough schedule, but I would be disappointed if we’re not competing with the teams in our region. That we aren’t pushing for a region title and a playoff berth. I do expect us to be in position to win games, now we have to go do that. We want to win right now.”
The Cavs will open the season on August 18 at home against Stone Memorial. The game will be streamed live on the Upper Cumberland Reporter 2 Facebook page with pregame coverage set to begin at 6:45 p.m.