Setting The Scene
Friday’s match-up between Fulton and Catholic will likely be the last regular season meeting between the teams for at least 4 years. The TSSAA announced this week that Fulton and Catholic will be in different classifications beginning next year…Fulton will try to rebound from a 21-14 loss to Kingston last week. The Falcons recorded season lows in rushing yards (14) and total offense yards (128) last week…With a 2-2 record in region play, the Falcons are fighting to keep a 15-year playoff streak alive…The last time Fulton started a season 3-4 was in 1998. The Falcons rebounded that year to earn a playoff berth and finish with a 7-5 record…Fulton is 1-2 in home games this year…Fulton opponents are averaging an over 2:30 advantage in time of possession… FHS has been a 2nd half team in 2008. They are outscoring their opponents 93-54 in the 3rd and 4th quarters…The Irish come into friday’s game with a perfect 7-0 record and a #2 AP state ranking…Catholic won last year’s meeting 27-0. It was the last time that Fulton was shutout in a game…Catholic holds a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Falcons…Friday’s game will be broadcast live on CSS, and webcast live on wazoosports.com. WKCS-FM 91.1 and the Sportsanimal 99 will handle the game broadcast on the radio.
Series History
Friday’s game between Fulton and Catholic could mark the final meeting between the schools. Catholic is scheduled to move up in classification next year. Despite only having 5 previous meetings, the Fulton-Catholic match-up has become one of East Tennessee’s premier high school games. In four of the previous meetings, one of the teams was ranked #1 in the state of Tennessee. Last year, the #1-ranked Irish steamrolled Fulton 27-0 at Catholic. The Falcons and Irish met twice in 2005 and 2006, with each team winning two games. Fulton won the first-ever meeting in 2005 over the #1 ranked Irish 38-9. Catholic won the playoff rematch 21-0 in the second round, thanks in part to an amazing touchdown catch by Harrison Smith. Catholic defeated the 1st ranked Falcons on Bob Black Field 27-14 in 2006. Fulton answered by knocking off the top ranked Irish later in the year. 18-13. The Falcons overcame a 13-0 deficit in the 4th quarter with 3 late touchdowns. Dennis Freeney’s diving catch gave Fulton the deciding points.Despite the fact that for many years Futon and Catholic were located near to each other, the schools do share a few similarities. From 1951-1964 Fulton played its home games on Evans-Collins Field, the same field that Catholic played on when the school was located on Magnolia. In 1983 Catholic hosted the Shamrock Bowl, a post-season doubleheader. The Falcons won their Shamrock Bowl game over Carter by the score of 10-7.
Fulton v. Catholic Highlights 2006
Last Meeting-Catholic 27 FHS 0
Fulton could not overcome a turnover plagued 2nd quarter that saw Catholic score 3 touchdowns, as the Irish defeated Fulton 27-0. The loss marked the first time since 2001 that the Falcons were shutout. Irish wingback Matt Pfleger scored all three 2nd quarter TDs.
The Falcons suffered a tough blow late in the 1st quarter as FB/LB Bubba Stokes suffered an injury that forced him from the game. Catholic quickly added to Fulton’s woes as QB Eric Lindsey connected with Pfleger on an 86-yard TD pass to open the 2nd quarter. Pfleger’s next two scores were 7-yard runs, set up by interceptions by Catholic. The Irish led 21-0 at the half.
For the second consecutive week, Fulton struggled in the run game, rushing for a total of 15 yards. QB Jonathan Blair was forced to go to the air to move the ball. Blair connected on 18 of 32 passes, but suffered 7 sacks. Derek Humphrey caught 7 passes for 68 yards, and Vic Smith had 5 catches for 56 yards.
Catholic closed out the scoring in the 3rd quarter on a 70-yard pass from Lindsey to Ryan Walden. Lindsey only completed 3 passes on the night, but threw for 155 yards. Terrence Cobb led the Fulton defense with 7 tackles. A fumble recovery by Derek Wilcox put Fulton in position for a late score, but the Falcons were unable to break the shutout.
2008 Fighting Irish Schedule (7-0)
Date Opponent--------------Result
8/22 @Mo West--------------W, 28-0
8/29 Stone Memorial--------W, 41-7
9/5 Austin-East-----------W, 21-12
9/12 Webb------------------W, 20-16
9/19 @Livingston Ac.-------W, 47-7
9/26 @Baylor---------------W, 21-20
10/3 @Anderson Co.---------W, 28-14
Poll Watching
Poll----------Fulton-------Catholic
AP--------------NR------------2
Earl Nall-------6-------------2
Sonny Moore-----7-------------1
Murphy Fair-----NR------------2
tnvarsity.com---NR------------1
maxpreps.com----98------------8
Massey----------111-----------17
The Sonny Moore poll has Fulton listed as the number 56 team in the entire state of Tennessee. Catholic is the number 16 team in the state. The Falcons have never ended the season at number one according to AP.
Falcons on TV
Fulton makes its 20th all-time live television appearance tonight. Five of those appearances have come in the BlueCross Bowl. Fulton has an all-time record of 9-10 in TV games. The Falcons have lost their last 4 TV appearances. The Falcons played on live TV a record five times in 2006, and compiled a 5-1 record. Tonight marks the 1st time the Falcons have appeared on wazoosports.com.
Falcons On The Web
Every Fulton football game will be broadcast live on WKCS-FM 91.1, and can now be heard on the Internet at www.wkcsradio.org... Fulton’s official football website is www.fultonfootball.com.
Knoxville Catholic Official Football website
Catholic Standout Jr Running Back Dorian Cozart
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