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On the heels of a 1-9 debut season, Cherokee football coach Josh Hensley sees some value in the challenges the Chiefs faced last season.

Playing with one of the youngest teams in the area, even the state, the Chiefs took their lumps and learned hard lessons on the field.

Now, coming into the 2023 season, the Chiefs are a year older, a year wiser and after an offseason of workouts, a year stronger.

“We’re very excited,” Hensley said. “I’m very proud of the growth that we’ve made. It’s a hard-working team. We’re looking forward to the season.”

It is a process however. The Chiefs while a year older, will remain a young team, learning as they go.

“We’ve made a lot of improvements. They’ve embraced the weight room,” Hensley said. “As young as we were, there’s going to be some growing pains. We’re still going to be a very young football team. But we’ve got a lot of contributors back.

“I feel like they just gathered a lot of experiences. Nothing can replace playing football.”

Among those contributors is quarterback Landon Jeffers – who started for the Chiefs as a freshman last season.

Hensley said his growth has been quite apparent.

“Landon Jeffers had a pretty good season for a 14-year-old signal caller,” he said. “He’s grown physically. I remember him at the start of last season, I was looking down a little and by the end of the season it was more eye to eye. This season, I’m looking up. He’s developed physically but with maturity as well.”

The Chiefs will look for maturity from senior defensive end Andres Moncier as well. The defensive end will be a handful for opposing offenses.

“He’s a guy that can disrupt things,” Hensley said. “We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do. He’s going to be one of the best players in East Tennessee.”

Hensley said Moncier might see some time on offense but it’s the defensive side where he clearly shines.

If Jeffers has a success year, Drew Gibson will quite literally be at the center of the action. Hensley said he expects Gibson to be an anchor on the offensive line and praises the leadership he’s brought to the group.

Among Jeffers’ offensive weapons will be Kolden Sexton at running back.

“We’re excited about what he brings to the table,” Hensley said. “We’re going to need him to tote the rock.”

Hensley mentioned a pair of sophomore wide recievers Lofton Hayes and Jayden Gonzalez.

Hayes has added a “ton of speed” and by the end of last season Gonzalez had worked his way into the starting lineup.

“We’re glad to have him back.

Hensley added that he’s expecting big things out of players like Roe Fletcher and Sammy Augusta as well.

He also said he expects Mason Emery, the team’s leading returning tackler – to be an anchor at the Mike Linebacker spot.

“He’s a big time leader,” Hensley said.

It won’t be easy for Cherokee.

The Chiefs open at home as they host regional rival Cocke County on Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m. then travel to David Crockett and Greeneville on consecutive weeks before hosting Elizabethton on Sept. 8.