Cavaliers Confident In Depth Ahead Of Week 6

The 4-1 Cookeville Cavaliers take on the Warren County Pioneers this Friday on the road and the Cavs may be without multiple starters including their feature tailback and starting safety Thomas Johnson.

Through five games Johnson has 59 carries for 441 yards and six touchdowns, despite only getting one carry in last week’s loss to Mt. Juliet. Head coach Taylor Hennigan said Johnson would be questionable for Friday’s match-up, but has confidence in the Cavs’ reserves.

“We talk about depth and we talk about next man up,” Hennigan said. “It’s an opportunity for some other guys to get more opportunities to carry the ball or catch the ball, whatever it might be.”

Along with Johnson, Hennigan noted that sophomores Landon McCarter and Jackson Jones are working through injuries and their status’ for Friday night is up in the air. He said that depth is a strength of their program and has liked what he has seen out of the replacements for Johnson, McCarter and Jones.

“Senior Aiden Wray has done a really good job at safety kind of filling in for Thomas,” Hennigan said. “Hunt Reese has filled in for Thomas at running back and Jackson a little bit at safety. And then, Josh Arce, another senior, has kind of taken a more prominent role on the defensive line now that Landon has been out a little bit.”

Hennigan said injuries are unfortunate but they come with playing such a physically demanding sport. Depth can also been seen in the Cavs quarterback room, as Hennigan and his staff are using two different quarterbacks this season.

Along with senior captain Blake Owen, Easton Davidson has seen playing time in all five games this season. This season Davidson has completed 14 of his 18 attempts for 142 yards and three touchdowns.

“We’ve had a plan all year for Easton to play and throw the football and run our offense like we do,” Hennigan said. “Obviously Easton brings a little bit of something different than Blake. Blake is certainly our starting quarterback.”

The Cookeville Cavs will travel to take on the Warren County Pioneers this Friday in McMinnville. Kickoff at 7pm.