Austin-East Roadrunners Have Recorded 4-1 Start

The football team has reached its best win record since 2017 after a difficult season last year.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Football

Expressive illustration of two football players in navy and gold jerseys celebrating on a field under stadium lights. — The Austin-East Roadrunners football team has achieved a 4-1 record, marking the program’s strongest start to a season since 2017. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Austin-East Roadrunners have achieved a 4-1 record this season, marking the program’s best start since 2017. The team currently holds a 2-0 record in region play and is tied for first place in Class 3A, Region 2.

Why it matters

This rapid turnaround follows a difficult 1-9 performance last season, signaling a significant shift in team morale and competitive capability under new leadership. The current standing puts the team in a strong position for post-season contention within their region.

The Roadrunners hold a 4-1 record, a significant improvement over their 1-9 finish last year. They currently maintain a 2-0 record in region play, tying them with Meigs County for the top spot in Class 3A, Region 2.

The players

Austin-East Roadrunners

The high school football team represents Austin-East High School in Knoxville.

Stanton Stevens

The head coach returned to the program in 2024 after previously leading the team to a state title in 2001.

Meigs County

The school is currently tied with Austin-East for first place in Class 3A, Region 2.

The details

The program saw success after players increased their physical strength through continued development since their freshman and sophomore years. This momentum helped the team match its highest win total since 2019.

Stanton Stevens coached the program from 1999 to 2004.
The team secured a state championship in 2001.
The team previously achieved a season start this strong in 2017.
Stanton Stevens returned as head coach in 2024.
The game against Sweetwater kicks off Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7 p.m.

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Season Trajectory

The team's current success follows the 2001 Tennessee Class 3A state championship, echoing the high-performance standards set during the coach's previous tenure. This turnaround positions the Roadrunners as a top contender in Class 3A, Region 2 for the remainder of the season.

The team's 2-0 region record places them in a tie for first place, directly impacting the path to the state playoffs. The outcome of the Friday game against Sweetwater will determine if the Roadrunners maintain their lead in the Class 3A, Region 2 standings.

The takeaway

Consistent physical development of student-athletes can rapidly transform a program's win-loss record. Investing in foundational player growth remains a primary driver for sustaining competitive success in high school football.