Thursday, September 25, 2008

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)

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