After losing round one of the playoffs last year, the Chiefs football team worked all off-season to get bigger, quicker, and stronger for the 2018 season.

“After the playoff loss, it made a lot of players realize what we want to do is possible,” senior Jackson Smith said. “The captains and coaches pushed everyone in the offseason in the weight room and on the field.”

Smith, the starting fullback, spent a lot of his time working out during the offseason. Smith won the Ironman award, given to the player who has a combination of strength and speed.

“Ironman felt good to win, but that wasn’t my focus,” Smith said. “I did all the work for the team because there is nothing like winning with the team.”

Smith feels that all the team’s hard work was reflected when they defeated Dalton. Dalton came into the game undefeated but lost 42-14.

“Beating Dalton made everyone want to work harder because it really showed that our goal to win the region is possible.”

Junior Connor Johnston has also put in a lot of work in the weight room. Johnston improved his numbers from last season, as he now benches more than ever; at 290, he squats 500, and cleans 260.

“After last year’s playoff loss, the whole team became motivated to give more effort in the weight room and on the field,” Johnston said.

Like Smith, Johnston felt that their hard work paid off after beating a region rival in September.

“My favorite moment of the season was beating Dalton, and realizing how much potential our team has,” Johnston said. “It made the whole team want to work harder and more often.”

Johnston has high expectations for the team.

“My expectations for the team for the rest of the season is to play hard and not quit, and get a home playoff game,” Johnston said.

Smith expects nothing less than a region title after blowing out Dalton. Sequoyah placed 4^th last year, one spot behind Dalton in 2017.

“My only goal right now is to win region,” Smith said. “I definitely think after defeating Dalton we can win our region.”