Falcons Look to Avenge Lasts Years Loss to Wildcats in Season Opener

Summer workouts, Two-A-Days, Flag Leagues, Jamborees, Border Bashes and Scrimmages all served as valuable preparations for the 2008 season. This week, Fulton prepares for the first, and perhaps one of the biggest challenges of the season, as they travel to Blankenship Field to face 5A power Oak Ridge on Friday.>The youthful Falcons will look to avenge last years 30-14 opening game loss at Bob Black field, in which Oak Ridge tailback Jared Stephens gashed through Fulton’s defense, behind the likes of MTSU signee tackle Alex Stuart, for 207 rushing yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns. Stephens and Stuart have since graduated and the last year’s inexperienced offensive and defensive line must prove that they have grown up and are ready to challenge the Wildcats at the line of scrimmage. The Falcons return six starting linemen, four on offense and two on defense; on the Offensive Line, seniors Matthew Blasco (6-0, 276), Vincent Johnson (6-7, 251), junior Jarius Johnson (6-2, 263) and sophomore Mychal Cason (6-1, 229), and on the Defensive Line, senior End Antwan Hamilton (6-1, 221), who recorder 62 tackles and 11 QB sacks in 2007, and senior tackle Devin Crawford (6-0, 229).

The Falcons young line-backing core and defensive backs will be tested early by the Wildcats 3 and 4 wide/spread offense, led by senior standout quarterback Tyler Clark, running back Demarcus Rogers and wide receiver Jakari McClanahan. At 6’3, 195 pounds, Clark is receiving some interest from Louisville and Tennessee and was named the Number 11 best recruit in East Tennessee by PrepTennessee.com (a Scouts.com affiliated website). Clark is also a starting linebacker and is a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball.

The Wildcats are led by former Austin East coach Stanton Stevens. Coach Stevens is entering his thirteenth year of coaching; and his forth season as the Oak Ridge High School Head Football Coach.
He was born in Oak Ridge and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1988, where he played football in 1985, 1986, 1987 and was a 2 year letterman. He attended North Carolina Central University on a football scholarship and in 1995, during the Joe Gaddis years, Coach Stevens returned home to teach and coach in Oak Ridge until 1999. It was then that an opportunity to become Head Coach opened for him at Austin East. In 2001, not only did his team win the 3A State Championship, Coach Stevens won Coach of the Year honors in Class 3A. His overall coaching records including the 2005 State Runner Up 5A for Oak Ridge is 79% with 80 wins and 21 losses.

OAK RIDGE/MARYVILLE SCRIMMAGE


The Falcons and Wildcats have both experienced erratic, up-and-down preseasons and both hope for a good start and also gain much needed momentum going into their regional schedules. Oak Ridge held their own in scrimmages versus perennial 4A powerhouse Maryville Red Rebels and in a 4-way scrimmage in Cookeville earlier this month, but seemed to struggle in scrimmages versus 2A power Alcoa Tornadoes (losing 28-0) and in the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge jamboree, losing to the Anderson County Mavericks by a score of 14-0 in one quarter of action.

In 2007, much the same as this year, The Wildcats displayed a similar up-and-down preseason, also losing to Anderson County 7-0 in their jamboree, but rebounded nicely to handle the Falcons in the opener. When the Falcons visit Jack Armstrong Stadium this Friday for the 7:30 kickoff, they hope to return the favor by avenging last years opening day defeat and start the season on a good note.

OAK RIDGE FOOTBALL TRADITION