Chilhowie High School head football coach Larry Russell recalls fondly his first season calling the shots for the Warriors in 2001.

Chilhowie claimed the Hogoheegee District title and reached the Region C, Division 2 title game that fall. Playing a big role in the success was the running back duo of C.J. Kestner and C.J. Clarke.

This season, the Warriors are once again a serious contender for the district title and will once again boast a two-headed monster in the backfield.

Juniors Aaron Conley and Brett Johnson are proven rushers who should thrive in Chilhowie’s run-oriented offense.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Conley was the Warriors’ workhorse last season and had no problem carrying the load.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Johnson is a transfer from Marion, where he rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season in the rigorous Southwest District.

Throw in versatile quarterback Rhett Sturgill and bullish fullback Daniel Ashby and the Warriors could have their most explosive backfield since that 2001 edition.

"It does remind me of that team a little bit," Russell said. "We’ve got some good backs. If we can get our blocking assignments down, I think we’re going to be all right in the running game."

There will be much more to the Warriors’ attack than just those running backs.

Tyler Austin moves from running back to tight end and will be a top receiving option. He’ll also provide blocking alongside offensive line veterans Scott Pennington, Isaac Testerman and Hunter Testerman.

The defense features 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end Ammi Fields and five other players who started last season for a team that reached the Region C, Division 2 playoffs.

"We’ve got some good athletes and got the numbers," Russell said. "But you’ve got to get 11 to step up and play on Friday night and that’s what we’re looking for."

Chilhowie and the four other Hogoheegee teams are looking to end George Wythe’s district dominance.

George Wythe has won the last three district championships and the Maroons enter the season with a 20-game winning streak against Hogoheegee foes.

George Wythe must replace nearly every big contributor on offense, including Brandon Atwell, who was last year’s Bristol Herald Courier offensive player of the year.

This version of the Maroons will be youthful, but more than capable.

"The thing is we’ve got kids pushing each other," said second-year head coach H.S. Ingo. "We’ve got a couple of kids come out that are going to help us. Our whole backfield is juniors and sophomores."

Like GW, Holston was also hit hard by graduation. The Cavaliers lost a plethora of standouts to graduation from a team that won the Region C, Division 1 title and reached the state semifinals the past two years.

 Hogoheegee District Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(First-place votes in parentheses)

1. Chilhowie (4) 24

2. George Wythe (2) 21

3. Holston 16

4. Rural Retreat 15

5. Patrick Henry 9

6. Northwood 5

 NOTE: For a look at each team in the Hogoheegee District, read Thursday's edition of the Bristol Herald Courier