Football Still The Same In Red Bank

Pictured on the left, quarterback Jake Ledbetter and fullback Tracy Sims.

Friday night’s in the fall haven’t changed much in the past 40 years in Red Bank.

Football games are still a big event and the community turns out in droves.

You can stop off by Cooley’s Fine Clothing and Jimmy Cooley knows all about the Lions and their families. He has likely fitted most of the players for the prom.

The Downey family has been backing the Lions at Downey’s Florist for more than 43 years and can probably tell you the favorite flowers of the cheerleaders.

Tommy Reese of Reese’s Plumbing is one of the biggest Red Bank fans and he loves to cook hot dogs.

Sally Worthington has decorated more Red Bank lettermen jackets than anyone could ever fathom at Athletic Specialties just off of Dayton Boulavard. Can you imagine how many white chenille R’s Sally has sewn on royal blue jackets?

In addition, Tim Ledbetter and his booster club work seven days a week to make sure the Red Bank players and coaches have the best of everything.

Nevertheless, it all starts at the top where head Coach Tim Daniels towers above the players, coaches and fans.

Daniels is the “Big Daddy” of the Red Bank family. He continues to make autumn in the shadows of Signal Mountain festive.

When the big guy speaks everybody listens.

His Lions are 11-0 this season and will host Knoxville Halls in the second round of the 4A state playoffs on Friday.

The former University of Tennessee offensive lineman will send one of the most successful senior football classes in Chattanooga prep football history on the field Friday night.

The Red Bank seniors are a part of a 41-8 four-year mark and have had perfect back-to-back 10-0 seasons.

Only Maryville with 108 wins in the Rebels last 110 games have defeated the Lions in the past two seasons.

Quarterback Jake Ledbetter has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in his three years as a starter.

Ledbetter refers to himself as a Red Bank football fan and Daniels describes the 5-10, 187-pounder as “the most blue-and-white guy on the team.”

He watched as his brother Jason Ledbetter was a part of the Red Bank 2000 team that won the Tennessee 5A state championship under Tom Weathers.

Tracy Sims has started for four years and joined Ledbetter as an All-state selection in 2006.

The 5-11, 238-pound running back/linebacker blows opponents up when he hits them.

Maryville head coach George Quarles said after the playoff game last season that Sims was "as good a linebacker as we’ll ever see.”

Seniors Tim Benford (6-2, 195) and Dominique McDuffie (6-2, 190) are big playmakers.

Kerry Maddox and Jared Mitchell have done more than was expected of them in the backfield.

The offensive line at Red Bank is massive and has a mean streak. Some of that toughness might come from facing the Lions defensive front each day in practice.

Twins Taylor and Tylor Chambers are the best brother duo since Josh and Daniel Bullocks at Hixson.

The pair remind me of former Dalton twin offensive linemen Jason and Jeremy Carroll, who signed with Clemson following the 1997 football season.

The Red Bank defensive front is so much fun to watch. With Miguel Sanchez leading the way, the defensive wall has an ultimate fighter mentality.

And don’t forget the contributions of Corey Emory and Jeff Reece on the line.

When I watch this team play, I think about the old football days at Red Bank. I remember players like Mike Ducker, Joe Cook, Bobby White, Randy Reagan, Allen Ridge, Gary Partrick, Jeff Price and Bill Price to name a few.

The new generation brought players in like kicker John Becksvoort, Jeff "Shamu" Stephens, Justin Barnes, Gerald Riggs Jr., Victor Ellis, Gerald Ware, Cory Simpson, Mike Kelley, Marty Lowe, Jim Thurman, Bart Rich, Jamichael McGoy, Cole Goins and Kell Harvey.

There are too many good ones to name them all.

Is there another program in the Chattanooga area today that can boast the longevity of outstanding teams and players?

The 2007 Red Bank football team is special. Nevertheless, the Lions have an opportunity to become extra special if they play as a team with one purpose and one heartbeat in mind.

Red Bank, Tyner and Lookout Valley are carrying the Chattanooga banner in the TSSAA playoffs and nearby South Pittsburg looks to be the bully of 1A. But the road to Murfreesboro is paved with challenges.

The next few weeks will be fun to watch.

I’m not ready for high school football to end.