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