PREP FOOTBALL: Former Abingdon QB Jake Hess is the new head coach at John Battle after four seasons as assistant

Tim Hayes Jake Hess is the new head football coach at John Battle High School as he takes over following four seasons as an assistant. The 31-year-old Hess is a 2011 Abingdon High School graduate who was a star quarterback for the Falcons and later played at Emory & Henry College. He takes over for Bradley Ricker, who stepped down earlier this month but has remained on as athletic director. “I’ve been around these kids for four years,” Hess said. “Pursuing the head-coaching job, I just really wanted to see these kids keep growing the way I’ve seen them grow.”...