s hold a 6-2 advantage in the series. The Falcons will try to bounce back from a heartbreaking 20-14 loss to Austin-East last week. Fulton failed to score points on 5 different possessions inside the Roadrunner 35 yard line. 4th down continues to be a problem for Fulton. The Falcons were 0 of 5 on 4th down conversions last week, while allowing A-E to c
onvert both of their 4th down opportunities. Alcoa has won 5 consecutive state championships, and enters the game 3-0 following a 21-0 shutout at Loudon last week.Fulton-Alcoa Series History
The Fulton Falcons and Alcoa Tornadoes meet for the 9th time this evening at Bob Black Field. The teams have combined to account for 13 state championships. Fulton and Alcoa met every season from 1985-1990 when the schools were members of the old district 3-AA, a period where Alcoa returned to the pinnacle of AA football. The teams met again in 2005 and 2006, with Alcoa embarrassing Fulton 48-6 in ’05, and Fulton stunning the Tornadoes 24-21 in ’06. Alcoa leads the all-time series 6-2. Before the 2006 win, Fulton’s lone victory in the series came in 1986 on the dedication night of Bob Black Field. The game went into overtime before Fulton came away with a 10-7 victory. Mike Potter, who was a FHS assistant coach from 1994-2008, kicked the winning field goal. The Tornadoes have a 3-1 advantage in the series in games played at Fulton. The Falcons have been shutout three times against Alcoa.
Tornado Notes
The Tornadoes are 10-time state champions, and have won 5 consecutive class 2A state championships…Alcoa’s all-time record since 1924 is 576-269-21…Gary Rankin’s career record is 296-60 which gives him the 2nd most wins of any active coach in Tennessee. Rankin is 44-4 in his 4 years at Alcoa…The Tornadoes have won 16 consecutive games…The last team Alcoa has lost to other than Maryville was Fulton in 2006…Their win over Maryville was Alcoa’s first since 2000…RB Jaron Toney has scored 12 touchdowns this year through three games.
The Tornadoes are 10-time state champions, and have won 5 consecutive class 2A state championships…Alcoa’s all-time record since 1924 is 576-269-21…Gary Rankin’s career record is 296-60 which gives him the 2nd most wins of any active coach in Tennessee. Rankin is 44-4 in his 4 years at Alcoa…The Tornadoes have won 16 consecutive games…The last team Alcoa has lost to other than Maryville was Fulton in 2006…Their win over Maryville was Alcoa’s first since 2000…RB Jaron Toney has scored 12 touchdowns this year through three games.
Poll Watching
Poll ----------Fulton------------Alcoa(3A)
AP--------------2-----------------1
Earl Nall--------5-----------------1
Sonny Moore----4----------------1
Murphy Fair---NR----------------1
tnvarsity.com--NR---------------NR
maxpreps.com--37----------------5
Massey---------57----------------7
Poll ----------Fulton------------Alcoa(3A)
AP--------------2-----------------1
Earl Nall--------5-----------------1
Sonny Moore----4----------------1
Murphy Fair---NR----------------1
tnvarsity.com--NR---------------NR
maxpreps.com--37----------------5
Massey---------57----------------7
The Sonny Moore poll has Fulton listed as the number 35 team in the entire state of Tennessee. Alcoa is the number 2 team in the state.
If Alcoa rips off a sixth-consecutive state championship this season, don't be surprised to see an asterisk attached to its streak.
But its lone purpose would be as an indicator that the first five championships were won in Class 2A and the sixth in 3A.
Under the TSSAA's new classifications for 2009-13, Alcoa was bumped up and will test its program on a higher stage.
That has some of the Alcoa players excited; they may actually get to play in the second half more frequently.
Coach Gary Rankin didn't build in any fluff into the lineup of opponents, adding Chattanooga Howard in July to complete the 10-game schedule.
"We don't have very many easy games," he said. "We've had too many of those in the past, maybe. Our non-region schedule is what's a killer for us. We open with Bell County, who is a 4A state champion out of Kentucky. They're a good, good solid football team. Then you got Maryville, Fulton, Howard and Loudon in those first five games.
"It's going to be demanding."
But its hard not to predict the same results. Alcoa returns a bundle of playmakers on offense, which could mask some of its shortcomings with some defensive newcomers.
Maybe no player will be relied on more than senior Tyler Robinson. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound tight end/defensive lineman is one of the state's top players and recruits.
While he has much attached to his name - including a Mr. Football award and scholarship offers from Virginia Tech and Kentucky - he doesn't want to be remembered as part of the team that halted the title streak.
"Senior class, you don't want to be the one to ruin it, mess it up, you know?" said Robinson. "You can't take it for granted.
"You can't take anyone lightly. What did Maryville win - 74 in a row (until is lost last year in the 4A state championship)? You can't take anybody lightly."
Running backs Jaron Toney (Alcoa's leading rusher last year) and man-child Taharin Tyson (5-11, 230) will carry the offense until new quarterbacks Austin Tallant and Ryan Stoutt find their comfort zones and go-to receivers are sorted.
"(Tyson) used to be a little chubby and have that baby fat on him," said Toney, who scored 18 touchdowns last season. "But he's slimmed down and gotten his speed up. So I think that will help out a lot this year."
Rundown
But its lone purpose would be as an indicator that the first five championships were won in Class 2A and the sixth in 3A.
Under the TSSAA's new classifications for 2009-13, Alcoa was bumped up and will test its program on a higher stage.
That has some of the Alcoa players excited; they may actually get to play in the second half more frequently.
Coach Gary Rankin didn't build in any fluff into the lineup of opponents, adding Chattanooga Howard in July to complete the 10-game schedule.
"We don't have very many easy games," he said. "We've had too many of those in the past, maybe. Our non-region schedule is what's a killer for us. We open with Bell County, who is a 4A state champion out of Kentucky. They're a good, good solid football team. Then you got Maryville, Fulton, Howard and Loudon in those first five games.
"It's going to be demanding."
But its hard not to predict the same results. Alcoa returns a bundle of playmakers on offense, which could mask some of its shortcomings with some defensive newcomers.
Maybe no player will be relied on more than senior Tyler Robinson. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound tight end/defensive lineman is one of the state's top players and recruits.
While he has much attached to his name - including a Mr. Football award and scholarship offers from Virginia Tech and Kentucky - he doesn't want to be remembered as part of the team that halted the title streak.
"Senior class, you don't want to be the one to ruin it, mess it up, you know?" said Robinson. "You can't take it for granted.
"You can't take anyone lightly. What did Maryville win - 74 in a row (until is lost last year in the 4A state championship)? You can't take anybody lightly."
Running backs Jaron Toney (Alcoa's leading rusher last year) and man-child Taharin Tyson (5-11, 230) will carry the offense until new quarterbacks Austin Tallant and Ryan Stoutt find their comfort zones and go-to receivers are sorted.
"(Tyson) used to be a little chubby and have that baby fat on him," said Toney, who scored 18 touchdowns last season. "But he's slimmed down and gotten his speed up. So I think that will help out a lot this year."
Rundown
Heroes: Tyler Robinson (TE/DL, senior, 6-4, 250, Mr. Football lineman winner, PrepXtra defensive player of the year, Division I prospect), Jaron Toney (RB/DB, senior, 5-9, 165, 846 yards and 18 TDs last season), Taharin Tyson (FB/LB, junior, 5-11, 230, 779 yards and eight TDs in 2008).
Breakout Players: Quarterbacks Austin Tallant (junior, 5-11, 175) and Ryan Stoutt (senior, 6-0, 185) likely will shine on offense. Tallant and Stoutt double as defenders (in the secondary). Others: Steven Isom, (WR/DB, junior, 6-1) Chaz Barnes (wide receiver, senior, 6-3), Lajuan Warfield (5-10, sophomore, WR/DB).
What's Good: Alcoa has three senior starting offensive linemen, and its backfield is as deep as any program's in the state. While Toney and Tyson will log a majority of the carries, Vanderbilt Hambrick and Darrell Warren are no slouches.
Help Needed: Alcoa is young in the secondary. It not only lost to graduation a coach and playmaker on the field in wide receiver/defensive back Sam Thompson, it also lost its kicker and punter. Alcoa's only trusted pass-catcher is Robinson.
Help Needed: Alcoa is young in the secondary. It not only lost to graduation a coach and playmaker on the field in wide receiver/defensive back Sam Thompson, it also lost its kicker and punter. Alcoa's only trusted pass-catcher is Robinson.
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