Team History and Awards
Central High School, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, fields athletic teams known as the Bobcats, wearing red and black. The program has a proud playoff legacy with a championship record of 47–28 across 30 postseason appearances from 1972 to 2024.
The Bobcats won back-to-back Tennessee Class 5A state championships in 2018 and 2019, and finished as state runners-up in 2016 and 1999. In 1991, quarterback Todd Helton was awarded TSSAA Mr. Football (Class 3A) before going on to a celebrated MLB career and induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The program also holds state records for standout individual performances, including the Longest Punt (Allen Stanley vs. Science Hill, 1965) and Most Rushing Yards in a Game by JaJuan Stinson vs. Clinton, 2012.
In the 1920s, under Coach Harper “Rusty” Cornelius, Central logged dominant seasons such as 7–0–1 in 1920 (six shutouts) and 7–1–1 in 1923.
Team Highlights and Star Players
- Todd Helton (QB, Class of 1992): 1991 Mr. Football; later MLB star and College Football Hall of Famer.
- Reggie Cobb (RB, Class of 1986): Former NFL running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers.
Meet the Team – 2025 Roster Snapshot
Head Coach: Kevin Lane
Offense
- Jaedyn Harris (Sr., RB/MLB) – 6’0″, 195 lbs
- JJ Sackie (Jr., WR/CB) – 6’3″, 170 lbs
- JJ Smith (Sr., WR/CB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Javaston Badgett (Sr., RB/CB) – 5’9″, 163 lbs
- Kaylin Chesney (Sr., CB/WR) – [height/weight not listed]
- Kaden Long (Jr., QB) – 6’2″, 170 lbs
- Sam Verneuil (Sr., WR/QB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Torin McAfee (Sr., CB/WR) – 6’1″, 150 lbs
- Jhamari Champion (Jr., WR) – [height/weight not listed]
- Demario Chapman (Sr., OLB/RB) – 5’11”, 150 lbs
- Ethan Huffman (Jr., OLB/WR) – 6’1″, 182 lbs
- Lincoln Elmore (Sr., QB/DB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Tnaj Taylor (Jr., WR/DB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Bryce Johnston (Sr., WR/CB) – 5’8″, 155 lbs
- Preston Hampton (Sr., WR/DB) – 6’0″, 160 lbs
Defense
- Jaedyn Harris (Sr., RB/MLB) – 6’0″, 195 lbs
- JJ Sackie (Jr., WR/CB) – 6’3″, 170 lbs
- JJ Smith (Sr., WR/CB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Javaston Badgett (Sr., RB/CB) – 5’9″, 163 lbs
- Kaylin Chesney (Sr., CB/WR) – [height/weight not listed]
- Demario Chapman (Sr., OLB/RB) – 5’11”, 150 lbs
- Ethan Huffman (Jr., OLB/WR) – 6’1″, 182 lbs
- Nicholai Brooks (Sr.) – 5’10”, 240 lbs
- AJ Bryson (Sr., LB/RB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Nick Chittum (Sr., OLB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Cassen Jackson-Garrison (Sr., DT) – 6’3″, 250 lbs
- Seth Laws (Sr., T/DT) – 6’0″, 250 lbs
- Rodarrius Pannell (Sr., DE) – [height/weight not listed]
- Jerbrion Harris (Sr., T) – 5’10”, 250 lbs
- Collin Wonderleigh (Sr., G/C) – [height/weight not listed]
- Zach Brown (Sr., C) – [height/weight not listed]
- DeJay Merchant (Sr., DL) – [height/weight not listed]
- Adrian Kimberlin (Sr., OL/DL) – [height/weight not listed]
- Brayden Starnes (Jr., MLB/TE) – 5’10”, 180 lbs
- Tnaj Taylor (Jr., WR/DB) – [height/weight not listed]
- Lanier Badgett (Jr., DB/WR) – [height/weight not listed]
- Gabe Eldridge (Jr., DL/OL) – [height/weight not listed]
- Dontay Kibiyu (Jr., DL/OL) – [height/weight not listed]
- Gecari Cox (Jr., DL) – [height/weight not listed]
- JB Carter (Jr., OL/DL) – [height/weight not listed]
2025 Season Schedule
*(District games marked with )
Oct 31 – Karns HS* (Home), Time TBD
Aug 22 – Dobyns-Bennett HS (Home), 7:00 PM
Aug 29 – at Fulton HS (Away), 7:00 PM
Sep 5 – West HS* (Home), Time TBD
Sep 12 – at Campbell Co. HS* (Away), 7:00 PM
Sep 19 – Clinton HS* (Home), 7:00 PM
Sep 26 – at Powell HS* (Away), 7:30 PM
Oct 3 – at McMinn Co. HS (Away), 7:00 PM
Oct 16 – at Halls HS* (Away), Time TBD
Oct 24 – William Blount HS* (Home), Time TBD
