Five things to know as Avery visits Polk County in week 10 of the 2025 football season.
Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. Polk County will be celebrating Senior Night.
Last week: Avery lost 78-26 to Hendersonville; Polk County had a bye and did not play.
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HISTORIC LOSS: Avery suffered the most lopsided defeat in school history last week, falling 78-26 to Hendersonville.
The Vikings allowed 71 points in the first half alone as the Bearcats rolled to their seventh straight win. The loss dropped Avery to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in Western Highlands Conference play.
The Vikings haven’t been on the road since a Sept. 20 loss at Madison, playing their last three games at home along with a bye week. Friday’s trip to G.M. Tennant Stadium will be challenging as Avery has never won a game at the Wolverines’ home field.
OFFENSIVE EVOLUTION: Avery has shifted through multiple offensive approaches this season, the latest a spread featuring freshman quarterback Hudson Manis.
Manis moved up from junior varsity and has shown promise in his first two starts. He completed 13 of 27 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns against Hendersonville after going 7-of-17 for 110 yards in his debut against Mountain Heritage.
Junior Nic Daniels started at quarterback for most of the season before the Vikings made the change. The running game is led by seniors Jaxton Boone and junior Zane Cheuvront.
MARKLAND MAKES PLAYS: Avery senior receiver Oak Markland is the Vikings’ top offensive threat and a scoring danger in multiple ways.
The 6-1, 200-pound Markland has scored touchdowns this season on pass receptions, rushing attempts, punt returns and kickoff returns. He caught seven passes for 178 yards and three scores against Hendersonville and has recorded several long kickoff returns this season.
Markland hauled in 24 receptions for 596 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. Containing him will be vital for Polk County’s defense.
WILKINS HEATING UP: Polk County quarterback Brody Wilkins has found his groove in recent weeks, recording the second 200-yard passing game of his career in a 27-22 loss at Madison two weeks ago.
Wilkins has completed 62 of 108 passes for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He’s found a new weapon in sophomore Acer Eadus, who has caught three passes for 107 yards and his first career touchdowns in the last two games.
Senior Loreynzo Sanchez continues to anchor the ground game with 204 carries for 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior Styler Blackwell leads the team in receiving with 24 catches for 434 yards and four scores, and also paces the defense with 74 tackles.
SEEKING HISTORY: Polk County has dominated this series in recent years, winning 15 straight meetings dating back to 2005.
The Wolverines defeated Avery 42-20 in March 2021, the last meeting between the schools. Avery’s last victory in the series came in 2005.
Five of Polk County’s last six games have been on the road, but the Wolverines will close the regular season with home games against Avery and Hendersonville. A win Friday would give Polk County momentum heading into its regular-season finale.
