Following the tremendous 2005 campaign that saw the Cobras reach the third round of the playoffs, Law and Co. missed the postseason in 2006 by dropping their final contest to Maplewood, thus losing the tiebreaker with both Tullahoma and the Panthers.

Although the cubbard is not exactly bare, and will never be because of Whites Creek's seemingly abundance of athletes, there is a feeling of rebuilding in 2007 with only a handful of starters returning.

That handful is lead by a pretty good core though. Quarterback Deandre Swanson, who settled in nicely midway through his junior campaign and threw for almost 800 yards, is back for his final season. Although he won't have Graham to throw to, he will have talented senior Tyler Allen.

Running back Ronnie Thomas rushed for more than 500 yards last year and should provide the Cobras with solid work in the backfield. Safety Derrick Beard is a preseason first-team All-Region 5-4A.com selection, coming off a junior season that saw him record 81 tackles.

The leader of the Cobras talent-wise this year is lineman Tevan Ferguson. The huge (6-3, 290) senior is the preseason Region 5-4A.com Most Valuable Defensive Player. He is joined up front by LaMar Brinkly (6-4, 240) and Tory Booker (6-3, 295). I guess its fair to say the Cobras have nice size along that line.

The schedule is challenging to say the least. Whites Creek opens up at Ooltewah in Week 0 as the first of four straight road games. By the first home game against Shelbyville, the Cobras could be already beaten up or gaining confidence. In Week six they host Knoxville Central, then follow that with three straight at Stratford and home against Maplewood and Hillsboro.