Cleveland and Ooltewah Football Teams Moving Up to Class 6A This Fall

The Cleveland and Ooltewah football teams may feel the need to step up their game this fall.
Both teams are moving up to the big 6A classification.
They’ll join a new district that will include McMinn County, Bradley Central, and Knoxville power-house Maryville.
The Blue Raiders went 5-5 last season in Class 5A, while Ooltewah went 10-3 in the 5A ranks.
Both schools know the 6A competition will be difficult, but they’re ready for the challenge.
Said Cleveland head coach Scott Cummings:”Teams in 6A don’t play people both ways, so you’ve got to have the depth to be able to compete in the fourth quarter by playing guys one way.”
Said Ooltewah head coach Mac Bryan:”The things is if you get in the playoffs now the way you have to deal with the 6A is they get tougher faster, so that’s going to be a difference.”
Said Cummings:”Luckily for me our kids have chosen to embrace it, and they don’t like it at all when people say you are playing 6A. They don’t like that. They say dang right we’re playing in 6A, and they’ve embraced it.”
Reporter:”Your players. Are they excited about it or it doesn’t make any difference.”
Said Bryan-“They just want to play football.”