Newman enters second year at starting QB for Sevier County

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Sevier County will be a big threat in Class 5A this season because they have a talented young quarterback under center. Cooper Newman enters his sophomore season with high expectations after throwing for 1,891 yards and 22 touchdowns in his freshman season.

“He doesn’t look like a freshman anymore,” explained head coach Todd Loveday. “He’s well past 6’2″, 190. He works his tail off. He works on the things that he’s not as good at. He probably was throwing a football when he was in kindergarten. That’s never been the issue. He’s working on things to make him the best he can be. He’s a great teammate. The players love him.”

“It helps a lot knowing what he can do,” said senior tight end Jude Costner. “He proved himself and he proved himself every day in practice. It gives me a lot of faith in him. I’m friends with him. I play golf all the time with him, so it’s just nice having that dude back there.”

Newman will have plenty of help from the other side of the ball. The Smoky Bears have a stout defense that only surrendered 18.6 points per game last season.

“The standard is the same over there,” said Loveday. “Know your rights from lefts when the ball is snapped. Do your job. Go to the football. It’s a pretty simple philosophy, but it has always worked. (We) got a lot of guys coming back.”

Sevier County’s camaraderie will also be important in the Smoky Bears’ success this year.

“A lot of us grew up playing together whether it was little league or middle school,” said Sevier County senior lineman Otto Janse Van Rensburg. “We’re also gonna be team 100, which is the 100th year of football at Sevier County. I think that’s also pulling us closer together cause it’s gonna be a lot more historic. There is gonna be a lot of community support.”

The Smoky Bears will open their season hosting Carter on Aug. 23.

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