Falcons Use Balanced Offensive and Turnovers by the Defense to Upset No. 5 Hurricanes 31-21

Fulton moving on up (KNS Article):

Perhaps those early season lumps the Fulton High School football team took are paying off.

The Falcons, who started the season 0-3, upset Morristown East 31-21 Friday night in a non-region game at Fulton.
Fulton (2-3) opened the season with losses to Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Chattanooga Tyner before beating Stone Memorial last week.
"We played a tough schedule early, and it's paying dividends," Fulton coach Buck Coatney said.
Morristown East (4-1), ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 4A, was going for its first 5-0 start in school history. The Hurricanes fumbled five times and lost four.
"We had four turnovers (total) in our first four games," Morristown East coach Dwayne Hatcher said. "Tonight we had three in the first half. You won't beat anybody doing that, let alone a quality opponent like Fulton."
Morristown East played without leading rusher Tee Howell, held out with a leg injury. He is likely to return next week against rival Morristown West.
His absence didn't detract from what Hatcher saw from Fulton.
"Those people who think Fulton is down, well, they're coming," Hatcher said. "Nobody better feel any false sense of security."
Fulton sophomore Ben Winters completed 8-of-17 passes for 114 yards with one interception. Courtland Styles caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Morristown East fumbled four times in the first half and lost three, but the Falcons didn't capitalize on the first two turnovers.
Early in the second quarter, Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Turner fumbled the snap in the backfield and Fulton's Shaquan Andrews returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.
The Hurricanes started at their 48 after Jared Broyles' 30-yard kickoff return and scored six plays later on Dee Dee Johnson's 36-yard touchdown run. It was 7-all with 7:55 left in the half.
Fulton took a 14-7 lead on its next drive when Styles caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ben Winters.
On their next drive, the Falcons drove to the 14 and Alexander Haun kicked a 31-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half for a 17-7 lead.
The Hurricanes got cut the deficit to 17-14 on Turner's 30-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Wills with 4:15 left in the third.
Fulton fullback Javonte Cotner scored on two-fourth quarter runs for a 31-14 lead.

Teams---Q1--Q2--Q3--Q4--Final
Fulton--0---17--0---14---31
MoEast--0---7---7---7----21

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
Second Quarter
FUL--S. Andrews 18 fumble return (Haun Kick)
ME--D. Johnson 37 run (McDaniel kick)
FUL--C. Styles 23 pass from B. Winters (Haun Kick)
FUL--Haun 31 FG
Third Quarter
ME--T. Willis 30 pass from T. Turner (McDaniel kick)
Forth Quarter
FUL--J. Cotner 8 run (Haun Kick)
FUL--Cotner 12 run (Haun kick)
ME--D. Johnson 32 pass from T. Turner (McDaniel kick)

School---Penalties---Penalty Yds---1st Downs---Poss. Time
Fulton-------2-----------15------------15--------26:13
MoEast-------0-----------0-------------11--------21:47



Individual Leaders

Rushing Leaders:
D. Thomas--17 attempts for 61 yards
B. Winters--14 attempts for 53 yards

Receiving Leaders:
C. Styles--5 receptions for 69 yards
J. Williams--3 receptions for 41 yrads

Passing Leader:
B. Winters--8 for 17 att, 110 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD

Leading Tacklers:
Q. Vinson--11 total; 4 solo and 7 assisted
J. Cotner--7 total; 2 solo and 5 assisted
A. Hamilton--7 total; 7 assisted

Fulton Hosts Undefeated and Number 5 Morristown East

This Friday the Fulton Falcons will host the 4-0 Morristown East Hurricanes at Bob Black Field for Homecoming. The Hurricanes will be led by seniors at linebacker DeMarcus Knight, runningback Tee Howell and quarterback Tyler Turner. Knight, a highly recruited middle linebacker, is 6 foot 2, 225 lbs, runs a 4.6 forty and has verbally committed to Ole Miss this off-season. He is nationally ranked as the #34 ILB by ESPN.com.

Link to Knight's ESPN profile and video:

Knight is a productive inside run stopper and possesses the size and straight-line speed measurables that project well at the next level. Ready to make the jump physically to the college. He is tall, thickly-built and utilize his wide base to hold his ground and avoid being turned through the hole. Attacks downhill with square shoulder pads. More of a short-range 'backer but can chase down plays off-tackle with above average acceleration; plays faster than his 40 time might indicate. However, we do have concerns about his hip-fluidity, ability to change direction and mirror quicker ball carriers between the tackles at the next level. Good motor and can chase down plays to the sideline but loses some of his speed and acceleration when pursuing laterally. Does not open and turn well in coverage and is a bit stiff overall in space. Can lumber at times in pursuit and look a bit rigid. Struggles reacting quickly through the fast moving traffic and can get caught flat-footed. Not real fluid sifting through wash and using hands. Love his high-impact hits but needs to break down and wrap up better.

Closing speed gets Knight to Ole Miss (KNS Article):

Knight, a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder, visited Ole Miss on April 12 for the Rebels' spring football game and was offered by new head coach Houston Nutt. Knight accepted two days later.
What drew Ole Miss to Knight, Hatcher said, was the closing speed, the urgency Knight had to stop a ball carrier.
"He only runs a 4.65 40 if you put him out on a track and just have him run," said Hatcher. "But when you put pads on and the ball gets snapped, he runs to the football. He's got football speed."
Hatcher also said coaches from Ole Miss are expected in Morristown today to look at two more of his players: rising seniors Jeremy Jones and Chris Lowe. Jones is a 6-1, 175-pound receiver/safety with abilities good enough for the track team. Lowe is "a legit" 6-4, 295-pound center.
"A lot of the time, you'll see 6-4, 295 (on a roster), and he's 6-1, 275 and fat," said Hatcher. "This kid, he can walk on his hands and flip out of it into a standing position. He's pretty athletic for a kid that size."

The following Information was provided by Fulton SID Russell Mayes:
Fulton vs. Morristown East -The Series

Fulton and Morristown East will meet for the 10th time tonight at Bob Black Field. East has a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1953. This is only the 4th time that the teams have met in Knoxville. Fulton won the initial meeting in the series 21-19 in 1953. The Falcons also won the only post-season meeting between the teams in 1967. The undefeated “Mighty Mites” capped off their 10-0-1 season with a 27-6 upset victory over East in the Optimist Bowl at Evans-Collins Field. Morristown East knocked off Fulton 14-7 in the teams’ last meeting in Knoxville during the 1980 season.

Last Meeting

The Fulton Falcons recorded their second consecutive shutout for the first time since 2002 with a convincing 34-0 victory over Morristown East on the turf at Burke-Toney Stadium. Senior LB Bubba Stokes again led the defense with 13 tackles. East was held to 75 total yards, and option QB Tee Howell only recorded 5 yards on 15 rushing attempts.
Terrence Cobb opened the scoring for the Falcons with a 3-yard run in the 1st quarter. The defense then turned a Morristown East mistake into points, as Derek Wilcox returned a fumbled pitch 72 yards for a score to make it 14-0. Wilcox scored his second TD later in the half as he caught a 4-yard strike from Jonathan Blair. The Falcons closed the first half scoring on a 43-yard TD pass from Jonathan Blair to Jabriel Siler. Fulton led East 26-0 at halftime.
The Hurricanes controlled the football for most of the third quarter, but could only muster a failed 39-yard field goal attempt. Stokes scored Fulton’s final TD on the ensuing drive, outrunning the defense on a 36-yard run.
The Falcon offense rolled up 400 yards led by Terrence Cobb’s 3rd 100-yard rushing game of the year. Jonathan Blair hit on 9 of 11 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. All 75 of East’s yards came on the ground, as the Hurricanes completed 0 of 5 passes.


Poll Watching

Poll---------Fulton(3A)--M-East (4A)
AP--------------NR--------5
Earl Nall-------7---------19
Sonny Moore-----3---------25
Murphy Fair-----NR--------NR
tnvarsity.com---NR--------4
maxpreps.com----NR--------NR
Massey----------67--------74

Dual Threats on Both Teams

Fans of both teams tonight will get to enjoy to of the top triple-threat players in East Tennessee. Both Morristown East junior Tee Howell and Fulton sophomore Dametrius Thomas have been used as quarterbacks, running backs and receivers this season. Howell has accounted for 502 yards and 8 TDs this year, while Thomas has 277 yards and 3 TDs. Both teams will look for these emerging young stars tonight to be a dynamic part of the offense.


2008 Hurricane Schedule (4-0)

Date Opponent---------Result
8/29 Karns------------W, 21-20
9/5 @David Crockett---W, 28-14
9/12 Jefferson Co.----W, 28-7
9/19 @Cherokee--------W, 26-20

Howell guides Morristown East--Hurricanes 3-0 for first time since 1980 (KNS Article)

Morristown East Football Website (Link)

Falcons Get Their First Win in a Big Way, Down Stone Memorial 45-7

Teams - Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 -- Final
Fulton - 13 15 7 10 -- 45
S. Memorial - 7 0 0 0 -- 7


Scoring Summary

First Quarter
FUL--J. Williams 27 pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
SM--B. Howard 68 Run (Miller kick)
FUL--Golliday 1 Run (Kick fail)

Second Quarter
FUL--D. Thomas 12 Run (Styles catch)
FUL--C. Styles 9 pass from B. Winters (Haun kick)

Third Quarter
FUL--D. Thomas 6 run (Haun kick)

Fourth Quarter
FUL--Haun 26 FG (1st Fulton FG since 2004)
FUL--J. Compton 3 run (Haun kick)



School - Penalties - Penalty Yards - First Downs - Possession Time
Fulton -----2----------10-----------------22-----------26:44
S. Memorial --3----------30-----------------4------------21:16



Leading Rushers:
D. Thomas---11 for 81 yards
M. Golliday---9 for 51

Leading Passer:
B. Winters---14 of 25 for 148 yards, 2 TD and 2 INTs

Leading Receivers:
C. Styles---9 catches for 81 yards
J. Williams---4 catches for 64 yards



Leading Tacklers:
Q. Vinson---4 solo and 6 assists, 10 total
A. Barfield---2 solo and 6 assists, 8 total

Sack Leader:
A. Barfield---2 sacks for -22 yards



Photos Courtesy of John Valentine

Fulton Travels to Crossville in Search of First Win Versus Stone Memorial

Information Provided By Fulton SID Russell Mayes

Setting The Scene

The Fulton Falcons travel to face Stone Memorial in Crossville for the first time…The Falcons played Crossville High here in 1981, losing 35-6…Both school’s will be looking for their first win in 2008 tonight…This is Fulton’s first 0-3 start since 2005. The Falcons were able to rebound that year and finish 8-4…Fulton’s last 0-4 start came in 1992…Sr. WR/DB Courtland Styles made an immediate impact in his first game for Fulton last week. Styles caught 7 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 32-28 loss to Chattanooga Tyner…FHS is being outscored on the season 81-54…The Falcon defense has given up 60 points in the last 2 games…Fulton will be a sophomore-laden team in 2008. Six sophomores on offense and seven sophomores on defense were penciled in to starting roles on Fulton’s original 2008 depth chart.

Fulton vs. Stone Memorial-The Series

Tonight marks the second meeting between the Fulton Falcons and Stone Memorial Panthers. The Falcons shutout Stone Memorial last year in Knoxville 36-0. Fulton has faced Crossville High (now Cumberland Co.) twice. The Jets defeated Steve Brewer’s first Fulton team 35-6 in Crossville in 1981, and won at Fulton the next year 14-7.

Stone Memorial 2008 Schedule and Results

Date Opponent Details Result
Aug. 29 at Knox Catholic L 7-41
Sep. 5 Scott L 6-34
Sep. 12 Ensworth L 7-54
Sep. 19 Fulton
Oct. 3 Kingston
Oct. 10 at Bledsoe Co.
Oct. 17 at Austin-East
Oct. 24 Livingston Academy
Oct. 31 at Anderson Co.

Poll Watching

Poll Fulton Stone
AP NR NR
Earl Nall 7 54
Sonny Moore 3 48
Murphy Fair NR NR
tnvarsity.com NR NR
maxpreps.com NR NR
Massey 67 212

The Sonny Moore poll has Fulton listed as the number 39 team in the entire state of Tennessee. Stone Memorial is rated as the number 248 team in the state.

Offensive Notes

-QB Ben Winters will be making his fifth career start tonight. He is 1-3 as a starting quarterback.
-Winters’ best career start came against Tyner last year. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 176 yards and 3 TDs.
-The Fulton offense is averaging 223.3 yards per game. (105.3 yards rushing, 118 yards passing)
-The Falcons have only converted 6 of 27 3rd down conversions.(22%)
-FHS has converted 3 of 8 4th downs.
-Courtland Styles’ performance against Tyner set Fulton season highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (97), and touchdowns (2).
-Styles has caught 66 passes for 538 yards and 9 TDs in his career.
-Every Fulton receiver that caught a pass against Oak Ridge (J. Williams, Pitchford, Brown, Andrews) made their first career catch.
-Dametrius Thomas’ first varsity catch in the Anderson Co. game went for a 77-yard touchdown.
-Jerron Brown’s first varsity catch in the Oak Ridge game also was his first varsity touchdown.
-RB Marco Golliday has rushed for 323 yards on 63 carries and 2 touchdowns in his career.

Defensive Notes

-The Fulton defense is allowing an average of 258 yards per game. (173.7 rushing, 84.3 passing)
-The Fulton secondary has not allowed a passing TD this year.
-Shaquan Andrews’ interception against Tyner marked the Falcons’ 1st pick of the season.
-FHS has been tough on 3rd downs this year. Opponents have only converted 23.3% of 3rd down conversions, however they have converted 8 of 11 (72.7%) 4th down conversions.
-The Falcon secondary limited Oak Ridge to only 1 completion for 10 yards.
-Fulton is +3 in turnover margin for the season.

Rams Hold Off Falcons in 32-28 Victory

Teams Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Fulton 7 0 21 0 28
Tyner 6 14 12 0 32


Scoring Summary
First Quarter
FUL- C. Styles 211 pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
TYN- Jones 8 Run (Kick Fail)
Second Quarter
TYN- Poarch 26 run (Cornelius Kick)
TYN- Simmons 24 INT Return (Cornelius Kick)
Third Quarter
FUL- C. Styles 4 Pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
FUL- Winters 1 Run (Haun Kick)
FUL- Barfield 11 Blocked Punt Return (Haun Kick)
TYN- Poarch 23 Run (Kick Fail)
TYN- Williams 20 Run (Kick Fail)


Leading Rushers:
D. Thomas 13 for 83 yards
M. Golliday 13 for 70 yards

Leading Receiver:
C. Styles 7 for 97 yards

Passing Leader:
B. Winters 9 of 17 for 107 yards and 1 TD


Tackles Leader:
Q. Vinson 11 total tackles

Fulton falls to Tyner (KNS Article):

Fulton High School's nearly 50-year domination of Chattanooga-area teams ended Friday night.

Fulton (0-3) scored 21 points in the third quarter, but it wasn't enough as Chattanooga Tyner Academy won 32-28 at Bob Black Field.

Fulton, which last lost to Central (Chattanooga) in 1957, erased a 20-7 halftime deficit in the third quarter, only to allow Tyner (4-0) a chance to come back late.

"Hats off to those guys," said Fulton head coach Buck Coatney, whose team won its last three games against Tyner and entered Friday night's game with a 10-1 record against Chattanooga teams. "We came back and went ahead, and they came back and put together a drive."

Falcons Face Undefeated Tyner Rams in Week 3

This friday, the Falcons will host the undefeated and ranked Chattanooga Tyner Academy Rams at Bob Black Field. The Rams are sporting a 3-0 record and are ranked #10 in Class 2A by tnvarsity.com and #4 in the AP poll. Tyner has a strength of schedule ranking of 56 in the state, while Fulton holds the top spot with the number 1 strength of schedule in the state (regardless of classification). The Rams are coached by Wayne Turner, who returns after undergoing heart surgery for his 19th year and is leaning heavily on the leadership of preseason all-state running back Michael Poarch.

Tyner's Michael Poarch A Difference Maker For Rams:

Senior Michael Poarch is one of those quality athletes who has been a major contributor to Tyner’s success in the past.
The expectations are even greater this fall.
Poarch served as Tyner’s quarterback last year, but he will be the number one running back this time around.
He’s also a valuable member of the defensive secondary and he’s a threat on kickoff returns.
Poarch was an All-Region pick last year after gaining 638 yards on 76 carries while scoring eight touchdowns.
While he was an asset on offense, perhaps his real value came on defense where he recorded seven interceptions.
Standing just 5-9 and weighing about 175 pounds soaking wet, size might be his biggest shortcoming as far as college scholarships are concerned.
Poarch is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We have a good quarterback in Brandon Scott. We are going to have a good football team. If the line does what they’re supposed to do, then I can do what I’m supposed to do. We should have an outstanding season,” Poarch concluded.
Coach Turner isn’t one who talks just to be talking. But when he has an athlete like Michael Poarch on his team, he doesn’t hesitate to express good things about him.
“Michael is capable of making a lot of good things happen. He’s a smart kid with good instincts and he can do it all. He can throw, catch, run and tackle. He’s the total package,” the soft-spoken veteran coach praised.
“He’s everywhere we need him and he can adjust to any situation. About the only thing he doesn’t do is return punts and that his time to catch his breath and get a drink of water.
“He’ll be a major contributor on both sides of the ball. There are a lot of folks interested in him. His lack of size will hurt with the bigger schools, but he has a lot of heart,” Turner concluded.
Jim Parker is one of Tyner’s assistant coaches and he’s watched Poarch emerge into one of the best players in the city.
“He’s more of a threat at running back than he was a quarterback. He spent a lot of time in the weight room during the off-season and got a whole lot stronger. It didn’t slow him down a bit, but that will help reduce his risk of getting hurt.
“Michael catches the ball well as he’s just an all-around outstanding athlete. He wants to win,” Parker added.
The Rams are picked to win Region 3-2A again with tough competition coming from Boyd-Buchanan and Marion County.

Tyner was also picked by Murphy Fair's pre-season publication to win the Region 3-2A championship. Tyner Rams Picked To Win 3-2A Football Title:

Tyner's Rams have been picked to win the Region 3-2A high school football championship this fall.
The Rams were chosen No. 1 in a coaches survey conducted by and published in Murphy Fair's 2008 Tennesee High School Football Magazine.

2008 Coaches Predictions

1. Tyner
2. Boyd-Buchanan
3. Marion County
4. Sequatchie County
5. Bledsoe County

Tyner 2008 Schedule and Results:
Aug. 22 at Faith Covenant Academy, AL Huntsville, AL. W 56-0
Aug. 29 Brainerd @ Finley Stadium W 44-6
Sep. 5 Bledsoe Co. R W 49-22
Sep. 12 at Fulton
Sep. 19 at Marion Co. R
Sep. 26 South Pittsburg
Oct. 3 Sequatchie Co. R
Oct. 10 at Howard
Oct. 24 McCallie
Oct. 31 at Boyd Buchanan R

Video: Tyner football players suit up

Fulton Basketball Coach Jody Wright to be Honored with Hall of Fame Induction

It's fame for Wright in Anderson County (KNS Article):

In March, Jody Wright earned the moniker of championship coach when the Fulton High School boys' basketball team won the Class AA state tournament.

On Sept. 25, he'll be called a Hall of Famer.

The former three-sport athlete from Lake City High School and basketball coach of 23 seasons will be inducted into the Anderson County Hall of Fame, which benefits the Boys & Girls Club of North Anderson County.

"I don't know that I'm worthy," said Wright, whose good friends Clark Wormsley (Webb baseball coach) and Shelley Sexton-Coller (Webb girls' basketball coach) grew up with him in Lake City. "You're somewhat humbled and honored by it.

"Anytime you're honored by the people of your hometown - who watch you grow up and had a part in your upbringing and who have rooted for you and pulled for you and followed you - that's a huge honor. I'm appreciative of it and humbled by it."

Former University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors will be the featured speaker at the 7 p.m. ceremony, which will be held at the First /Baptist Church of Clinton.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the silent auction. Dinner begins at 6. Tickets are $100 each, $85 of which is tax deductible. Tables cost $700 ($580 tax deductible).

"It's a worthy cause," said Wright. "I'm a believer in what the Boys & Girls clubs do."

Joining Wright as sports inductees will be former Tennessee offensive tackle and former NFL player Charles McRae, who played at Clinton, and former Anderson County and Vanderbilt track standout Josie Hahn.

"They have a nice induction ceremony," said Wright. "They do it up right. I'm excited about it.

"I think there are a lot of deserving individuals. ... It's hard to put into words how it makes you feel. It's gratifying."

Other inductees include John Rice Irwin (lifetime achievement), Margaret Fox-Best (business leader), John Faris (philanthropist), Jerry Shattuck (elected official), John W. Clark (community volunteer), William Chesney (posthumously, K-12 educator), and Sgt. David Connell Jr. (posthumously, military).

To purchase tickets, call 865-426-4711 or mail payment to: Anderson County Hall of Fame, c/o Boys & Girls Club of North Anderson County, P.O. Box 537, Lake City, TN 37769.

Falcons Fall to Mavericks 28-13 in Home Opener

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
AC- (6:22) Rogers 2 Run (Newby Kick)
FUL- (3:44) J. Williams 46 pass from B. Winters (Kick Fail)
Second Quarter
AC- (1:29) Rogers 6 Run (Newby Kick)
Third Quarter
Forth Quarter
AC- (11:42) Longmire 1 Run (Newby Kick)
AC- (1:34) Coleman fumble recovery (Newby kick)
FUL- (0:56) D. Thomas 77 pass from B. Winters (A. Haun Kick)

Teams Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Fulton 6 0 0 7 13
A County 7 7 0 14 28





Passing Leader:
B. Winters 7-15 for 167 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Leader:
M. Golliday 8 for 69 yards

Receiving Leaders:
D. Thomas 1 for 77 yards
J. Williams 4 for 68 yards

Tackles:
J. Williams 6 solo, 5 asst for 11 total

Falcons Look to Rebound in Home Opener versus Mavericks

In Friday’s home opener at Bob Black field, the Fulton Football Falcons will try to improve on their up-and-down Week One performance versus the Oak Ridge Wildcats. The Falcon offense and defense at times looked extremely effective, but the special team’s execution was best described as erratic and inconsistent. This week the Falcons have focused on this all important phase of the game and are working toward an understanding of its significance. If they are to improve, the Falcon’s special teams must adopt the idea of legendary Volunteer coach General Robert Neyland and Number 6 of his immortal Game Maxims: “Press the kicking game…Here is where the breaks are made!”

Enough about last week…this week the focus shifts to Region 2-3A foe Anderson County, who leans heavily on the leadership of 18 seniors. Their senior class includes two-year starting quarterback Paul Longmire ( 6-foot, 185), fullback/linebacker Chad Coleman (6-2, 238), running back Zek Rodgers (5-8, 180) and wide receiver J.B. Young (5-8, 168). This type of leadership has Maverick head coach Larry Kerr optimistic about the season and especially the match-up against the Falcons this Friday.

Mavericks coach Larry Kerr said this could be his fastest, deepest and most talented pool of backs and receivers in his 16 seasons at Anderson County. "This year we've got the best chance we've had in a long time to maybe go deep in the playoffs," said Kerr, whose Mavericks finished 8-4 in 2007 with a second-round playoff loss to Fulton. For a change, Kerr said the Mavericks have as many home-run threats as any team in the region. "In the past we've never been able to run with the Fultons and Austin-Easts - this year I think we can run with them…We have a lot of weapons. It makes me more comfortable playing teams like Austin-East and Fulton. I think we're gonna have a great year."Anderson County looking to go deep (KNS article)


Anderson County ready to join Region 2-3A elite (KNS Artcle):

The Mavs - who feature big people up front as always and more home-run threats on offense than usual - return eight starters on offense, eight on defense. Anderson County has lots of size along the offensive line with Daniel Collins (6-5, 275 sr.), Carter Pack (6-3, 240 jr.) and Justin Ellis (6-3, 260 sr.) among the standouts.

Anderson County will also get a boost from emerging junior tailback Drew Hicks (5-11, 205) and wide receiver Josh Wilson (6-3, 180-pound junior). Wilson, who has become QB Paul Longmire’s number one target, made his presence known and had a strong performance for the Mavericks in the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge Jamboree versus the Oak Ridge Wildcats, scoring on touchdown passes of 11 and 24 yards and also winning the 40-yard dash competition for backs and the halftime punting contest. Wilson starts fast for Anderson County (KNS Article)

Last week, the Mavericks used a last minute rally in the form of a 10 yard run for a score by QB Longmire to defeat the visiting Clinton Dragons 34-32. Anderson County flexed their offensive muscles not just by scoring over 30 points, but also gaining 239 yards rushing on 39 attempts, 195 yards passing, and gaining 22 first downs. QB Longmire accounted for all five of his teams touchdowns, throwing for scores of 28, 46 and 17 yards (all to junior wideout Wilson), and running for scores of 1 and 10 yards.


Broadcasting Note: This week’s game will be televised as the CSS Game of the Week, and can be seen locally on cable channel 99.




ANDERSON COUNTY FOOTBALL

Rogan and UT Secondary Ready for Their First Test in Pasedena

When UT travels to Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California this Monday Night, Former Falcon Dennis Rogan and his fellow secondary teammates will gauge how well they have prepared for the upcoming season. Rogan will start at cornerback opposite DeAngelo Willingham, and along with Safeties Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley make-up a secondary that has been receiving much recognition this off-season and has been regarded by many as one of the best overall collection of defensive backs in the SEC. This hard hitting, ball hawking group is also regarded as the strength and cornerstone of the Volunteer defense for the 2008 season.

The first test for Rogan and his secondary mates will come in the form of UCLA junior Quarterback Kevin Craft and wide receivers Marcus Everett (sr), Terrence Austin (jr) and Dominique Johnson (soph). Craft, a junior college transfer, is getting his first opportunity to start after senior Ben Olson suffered a foot injury at the start of training camp. Craft began his college career at San Diego State and then played at Mt. San Antonio College before transferring to UCLA in the spring. He passed for 4,231 yards and 44 touchdowns last season playing for his father, Tom, at Mt. SAC. Former USC and Titan Offense Coordinator, Norm Chow, has had the task of preparing Clark and has been working diligently to get him ready for the Vols defense.

At 6 foot 1, 205 lb, Senior Wideout Marcus Everett has a nice mix of size and speed and looks to be the biggest challenge for the Rogan and the Vols secondary. Everett has 82 career receptions for 1084 yards and 7 TDs despite missing most of the 2007 season with ankle injury that he suffered the the third game of the season versus Utah. He is UCLA's best goal line, as well as, most explosive deep threat.

Marcus Everett TD to Tie Washington State


Marcus Everett 54-yard TD reception vs. Notre Dame


Recent Articles on Rogan Leading up to the UCLA Opener:
Rogan Rarin' To Go (Scouts.com article):

Your first college start is always exciting, but it will be especially thrilling for one Tennessee Vol tonight in Pasadena.
That would be Dennis Rogan, a Knoxville native who grew up just a few miles from the UT campus. Further enhancing the experience is the fact the 5-10, 185-pound sophomore is a live wire – a guy with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm that his teammates find infectious.
“Dennis Rogan brings fun, excitement and joy ... on the defensive side and on kickoff and punt returns,” junior safety Demetrice Morley said. “That kid is awesome. I love him. I think he's going to do a lot of good things this year.”
Rogan certainly will have the opportunity to do a lot of good things this year. In addition to starting at cornerback vs. UCLA this evening, he is slated to return kickoffs and punts. He performed those last two duties brilliantly during the second half of 2007, averaging 29.5 yards on kickoff runbacks and 9.7 on punt runbacks. His 78-yard kickoff return helped spark a smashing defeat of Arkansas in Game 10 and his 45-yard fourth-quarter punt return set up the winning touchdown vs. Vanderbilt in Game 11.
Despite his youth and inexperience, Rogan beat out senior Antonio Gaines, junior Marsalous Johnson and sophomore Brent Vinson – all of whom were starters in 2007 – to win a first-team job at cornerback this fall.
“He's been working hard,” Morley noted. “He's got a lot to do (starting at corner, returning kickoffs and returning punts) so he's just got to take it one step at a time.”
A lightly regarded prospect coming out of Fulton High School, Rogan scarcely left the Vol bench through the first half of the 2007 season. He has made incredible strides since then, however, and now has the complete faith of Tennessee's secondary coach.
“He has come along,” Larry Slade said. “Dennis has always had that great work ethic, so I expected him to come along.”

Slade has 2 words for Rogan: Big time (KNS Article):

Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade picked two words to describe sophomore defensive back Dennis Rogan.
"Big time," Slade exclaimed following UT's scrimmage in Neyland Stadium on Thursday. "He gives us that flexibility. He is tough.
"The guy is doing really well at corner, held his own versus all the competition and really would probably be the next safety in the football game."
Rogan is already a safety in UT's "Mustang" package, which incorporates one or two extra defensive backs. That allows usual starting safety Eric Berry to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
Rogan, the former Fulton High School standout, didn't start a game last season but is regarded as one of many stellar athletes in the secondary.
"He's right up there with them," Slade said of Rogan's athletic ability. "He can flat out run. He's a ball player. That's the best way to describe him."

Speedy Rogan eager for first college TD (Chattanooga Times Free Press):

Rogan, a hometown hero in the Knoxville area, had a memorable finish to his freshman season at UT. Injuries forced the high school tailback on the field as a Southeastern Conference defensive back last year, and he eventually overcame senior Jonathan Hefney as the team’s top return specialist.
As quickly as he entered the lineup, he removed any doubt whether he belonged.
The diminutive, dynamic Rogan provided a spark during UT’s late-season run to an SEC Eastern Division championship — especially on special teams. His kickoff returns routinely set the offense up near midfield, and his 78-yarder against Arkansas put Erik Ainge under center inside the red zone.
Rogan’s finest hour came weeks later, though, when his fourth-quarter heroics helped the Vols take a late lead and hold off Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. His 45-yard punt return with less than six minutes left keyed UT’s go-ahead drive, and he forced a Commodore out of bounds to prevent a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.
When junior cornerback DeAngelo Willingham struggled early in the SEC championship game, coaches replaced him with Rogan, who held his own against the eventual national champions.
Rogan seems shorter than his listed 5-foot-10 height, but he’s consistently referenced as one of the team’s strongest pound-for-pound players. That explosion is evident in the return game, when his good vision and quick feet routinely get him past the first wall.
“He gave us an unbelievable lift last year,” Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said.

Rogan's sense of purpose and humor (KNS Article):

In only a year on Tennessee's campus, Dennis Rogan has made his impact felt in a big way.
Last season, he played in more games than any other true freshman except Freshman All-America safety Eric Berry. He added a new dynamic to Tennessee's return game and ranked among the SEC's best by year's end. He played the majority of the SEC championship game against LSU at cornerback, a little less than four months after setting foot on campus.
And he put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.
"He's not one of those rah-rah guys," says Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade. "He goes out and gets it done. I think they can see the results of how hard he's worked. He's a great story."
Veteran players talk about Rogan as if he's their younger brother, and his classmates at UT speak highly of the former Fulton High School standout.
"All of us are pretty close outside of football and outside of school," Rogan says. "I guess you kind of develop a relationship as a little brother. Most of the guys are older than me, so it kind of developed that way. On the field I'm younger and less experienced than most of them, too, so it kind of carries over that way, too. They help me with everything, let me know what to be aware of and everything."
He'll start the season as UT's kick and punt return specialist after averaging 9.7 yards per punt return and 29.5 yards per kickoff return last fall.
After that whirlwind freshman year, Rogan has settled into a starting role at cornerback opposite senior DeAngelo Willingham for Monday's season-opener at UCLA (TV: ESPN, 8 p.m.). After injuries to both starters forced Rogan into the rotation last fall, he's only grown into the role.
"I look at Dennis as an overachiever," Slade said. "He's a guy that I think people underestimate. He just works his butt off. He's gotten better every day and more confident in what he's doing."
Already he's proved to be one of the most valuable members of the Vols' 2007 signing class, which included highly touted prospects like Berry, receiver Gerald Jones and defensive end Ben Martin.
That Rogan was initially overshadowed by other prospects doesn't matter anymore.
"It's been fun," Rogan says. "Flying under the radar is not always a bad thing. It's really never a bad thing as long as you make your way up."
And it didn't even take a year to get there.

Vol seeks more out of returns; Yardage isn't enough for specialist Rogan; he wants touchdowns (Tennessean Article):

As good as Dennis Rogan was last season, he knew he had a chance to be great.
As a Tennessee freshman in 2007, he returned punts and kicks and nearly broke several for touchdowns. Instead, there was always one tackler in the way.
"That's a big goal of mine and of the team's," Rogan said about scoring a touchdown. "Anyway you can help the team out, that's what I want to do."
A special teams touchdown would help considerably, and he appears to be on the verge. Rogan proved to be one of UT's best weapons last season. The Knoxville native did not enter his freshman year as a potential game changer, but he ended as one. When former UT returner Jonathan Hefney struggled on punt returns, the coaching staff inserted Rogan midway through the year.
It was a good move. In seven of UT's final eight games, he had either a punt return or a kickoff return that went for more than 20 yards. He also ended the season as the Southeastern Conference's most productive freshman returner with a 9.7-yard average. He was equally impressive on kickoffs (29.5-yard average).
"Dennis has done well," UT Coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He's good with his hands on the ball, and he's legitimately a threat.
"He can't do it by himself. He needs a lot of guys helping him getting started and picking up blocks."
Helping out
Last year, multiple players — many who were upperclassmen — spoke about how much they liked blocking for Rogan, who some called their little brother. When asked about those comments, the soft-spoken Rogan responded sheepishly.
"It may just be because it's a team thing because sometimes it's exciting to just block," Rogan said. "But if you know there's someone back there who is exciting, you want to help him."
Among the highlights were a 78-yard kickoff return against Arkansas and a 31-yard kickoff return at Florida. But his top effort came against Vanderbilt late in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. He broke a punt return for 45 yards, which helped set up the game-winning field goal.
UT had to battle back from a 24-9 deficit in the fourth quarter and was also aided by a late, missed field-goal attempt by the Commodores.
More responsibility
Rogan's contributions won't only come on special teams, however. He did not make a start last season on defense, but is currently slated to start at right cornerback. He added 15 pounds of muscle weight in the offseason, and his improved strength quickly showed. During a recent scrimmage, he had one of the biggest hits of fall camp when he leveled an offensive player coming across the middle.
The adjustment to starting on defense has been tough at times, but Rogan's athletic ability and interest in getting better has made it more seamless.
"It's been pretty easy," Rogan said. "It has its time, but it's been pretty easy for the most part. Everybody has been trying to help me out."
Just like when they block for him on special teams.