Falcons travel to Red Bank for Round Two Battle of Traditional Football Powers

Game Notes Courtesy of Fulton SID Russell Mayes:

Fulton travels to Red Bank to face the state’s consensus number one 4A team in the 2^nd round of the TSSAA playoffs. It will be the first ever meeting between the schools. Fulton is 11-2 all-time versus Chattanooga schools. Fulton coach Buck Coatney, and Red Bank coach Tim Daniels faced each other three times while Daniels was coach at Loudon. Fulton won two of the three meetings. The Falcons are outscoring opponents 217-64 in the 1^st half this year. Q

B Ben Winters tossed three TD passes in Fulton’s 30-14 win over Eas

t Ri

dge last week. The Lions scored 41 unanswered points in their 48-8

victory over Gibbs last week. Red Bank QB Andy Christopher threw

for 209 yards and four touchdowns against Gibbs. Red Bank’s leading rusher, Keon Williams, sat out of last weeks game with an injury. The Lions have finished the regular season undefeated in three of the last four years.

Fulton vs. Chattanooga Teams

This will be the 14^th time that Fulton has faced a team from Chattanooga. The first meeting with a Chattanooga team came in 1956 when Fulton faced the powerhouse Purple Pounders of Chattanooga Central. Central claimed four state championships in the 50s, but the Falcons pulled off a 20-14 upset in Knoxville. FHS assistant coach Pete Craig called the win “the greatest single victory by a Fulton football team in six years.” The Falcons have an 11-2 all-time record against Chattanooga teams including a 14-7 win over Brainerd in the 1973 East Ridge Pioneer Bowl, a 21-7 victory over McCallie in the 1974 state semi-final, and last week’s 30-14 win over East Ridge in the first round of the playoffs. Fulton is 3-0 versus Chattanooga schools in the post season. The Falcons defeated Boyd-Buchanan 40-6 during the 2006 season in Chattanooga, and knocked off Tyner the following week. Fulton dropped a heartbreaking 32-28 decision to Tyner last year. The Falcons are 5-1 in games played in Chattanooga. Fulton has also played several southeast Tennessee schools including Bradley Central, Rhea Co., Marion Co., and Whitwell.

Lion Notes

Red Bank is making its 22^nd playoff appearance, the Lions earned a state championship in 2000, and was a state finalist in 1978…the Lions have made six consecutive playoff appearances under coach Tim Daniels. Daniels is in his eighth year at Red Bank and has a 61-29 record…Red Bank has completed
undefeated regular seasons in three of the last four years…The Lions returned 10 starters from last year’s 7-4 team. Red Bank lost to West last year 31-24 in the playoffs last year…QB Andy Christopher is in his second year as a starter, and threw for over 1,700 yards last season. He has thrown for 1325 yards and 18 TDs this year…RB Keon Williams sat out last weeks game with a bruised shoulder. Tim Dews replaced Williams and ran for 116 yards and a TD.


Red Bank Football Website (BlueNationFootball)

Media Coverage of Red Banks Round 1 Victory over Knox Gibbs:

Christopher Passes Red Bank To 48-8 Win Over Gibbs (Chattanoogan):

For those of you who think that Red Bank's offense is centered around running back Keon Williams, you might want to think again.
Please don't misunderstand.
Williams is a very good athlete and he's made life miserable for a lot of teams this fall, but the bullish senior had the evening off on Friday.
Instead, the Lions took advantage of quarterback Andy Christopher's arm as they rallied for a 48-8 victory over the Gibbs Eagles in the first round of the TSSAA football playoffs at Red Bank's Community Stadium.
Williams suffered a shoulder injury last week against Hixson. He was dressed out and even took part in pre-game warmups, but he never left the sideline once the game started. As it turned out, the Lions got along just fine without him.
"We've been saying all along that we have a multi-dimensional team and we proved it tonight," said Red Bank coach Tim Daniels after the game ended.
"I'm extremely happy with the way we played. We know we can only take this one game at a time. Next week's game against Fulton will be another physical battle.
"It was good to see our defense get a couple of scores. I've been waiting all season for Jeremy (Jackson)to get a pick and he got one tonight," Daniels added with a smile.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Red Bank got on the board on the second play of the second quarter when Tim Dews zigzagged his way into the end zone from the 5.
Gibbs came right back two possessions later to score its only touchdown of the game.
The Lions made it 21-8 at the break when Christopher tossed a short pass to Kelvin Clay, who dodged and darted his way 37 yards into the end zone with 1:49 showing before intermission.
Christopher scored on a keeper from the 14 as Red Bank extended its lead to 27-8 late in the third quarter.
The slender Lion signal caller then added his third TD pass of the game on the first play of the fourth stanza.
Dews had gained 18 yards on the first two plays of the drive before Christopher hit Shawn McClesky in stride for a 43-yard score with 11:50 to play.
That's when the Red Bank defense decided to shine.
Keith Mayes scooped up a fumble and raced 28 yards for the first defensive TD at the 11:31 mark.
Jeremy Jackson then intercepted a Zack Batts pass two plays later and zipped 38 yards untouched down the right sideline just over a minute later for Red Bank's final score of the game.
Red Bank finished the evening with 381 total yards, including 210 through the air and 171 on the ground.
Dews was the leading rusher with 102 yards on 15 carries while Christopher completed 13 of 16 passes for the 210 yards.
Clay had six receptions for 79 yards while McCleskey gained 83 yards on three grabs.
Robinson also had three catches for 36 yards.
Hibbett was the workhorse for Gibbs as he finished the game with 130 yards on 23 attempts.
Gibbs finished the game with 190 total yards, including 171 on the ground.
Red Bank amassed 16 first downs while Gibbs finished with 11.
The Eagles end the year at 6-5 while Red Bank is now 11-0.
The Lions will be at home again next Friday when they host the Fulton Falcons.

Red Bank Does Victory Dance on Gibbs, 48-8 (News-Sentinel):

Knoxville Gibbs danced on Red Bank’s logo at midfield before the start of its Class 4A high school football playoff game Friday night. Gibbs matched the Lions step for step for a quarter and a half.Then the No. 1 team in the state waltzed away.

Playing without its best player, Red Bank rallied behind quarterback Andy Christopher’s four touchdowns to defeat the Eagles 48-8 in first-round action at Red Bank Community Stadium. The Lions trailed 8-7 midway through the second quarter before reeling off 41 unanswered points.

Starting tailback Keon Williams dressed but did not play. Coach Tim Daniels said Williams, who scored 24 touchdowns in the regular season, was nursing a bruised shoulder.Without Williams, the Lions turned to Christopher and senior tailback Tim Dews, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

“Number 22 (Dews) has been playing football around here for a long time,” Daniels said. “We had no problem relying on him.”

Dews scored the first TD of the game at 11:22 in the second quarter on a 9-yard run. Gibbs turned a Lions’ fumble into points when workhorse tailback Andy Hibbett plunged in for a 6-yard touchdown.

The Eagles took an 8-7 lead on Hibbett’s two-point conversion after Red Bank was flagged for roughing the kicker on a missed extra-point try.

Then Christopher took over. The senior quarterback completed 13 of 15 passes for 209 yards and an interception. His 14-yard TD strike to Josh Robinson gave the Lions a 14-8 lead with 3:37 remaining in the first half.

After a defensive stop, Christopher put the game away. He led the Lions to another score in 29 seconds, connecting on three straight passes for 68 yards, including a 37-yard TD to Kelvin Clay.

“That drive was huge for us,” Christopher said. “It gave us a boost. They stuck with us for a little bit, but we pulled away.”

Falcons Down Pioneers 30-14, Sets up 2nd Round Matchup with Red Bank

Like Old Times for Fulton (KNS Article):

Micah Pitchford finally discovered the elation of a November victory.

Only a freshman logging mop-up minutes during Fulton High School's 2007 run to a state runner-up finish, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Pitchford is playing a major role nowadays.

He had five catches for two touchdowns and 80 yards against visiting East Ridge on Friday night, and teammate Dametrius Thomas added 121 yards rushing in the Falcons' 30-14 first-round win the Class 4A playoffs.

"It feels good to win my first playoff game," said Pitchford.

Fulton (8-3) missed the postseason last year for the first time since 1992. Next week, Fulton will travel to Red Bank (11-0), which beat Gibbs, 48-8, on Friday. Fulton coach Buck Coatney had no reservations about playing away from Knoxville.

"You don't have the distractions of sitting around. You get on the bus and travel," said Coatney. "So, we welcome it."

East Ridge (7-4) never mustered a passing game to balance its rushing success, finishing 0-for-9 with two interceptions. BreVante King was the bright spot, rushing for 125 yards and two scores. He was nearly unstoppable out of the Wildcat package.

"We've been working on that the last couple of weeks," said East Ridge coach Mike Martin. "We were saving it for the right time."

Fulton looked poised to blow out East Ridge. Brad McKeehan kicked a 25-yard field goal on Fulton's opening drive of the second half for a 24-7 lead.

But King, who gave East Ridge its first half touchdown on a 4-yard run, continued his rushing prowess with a 3-yard touchdown with 4:54 left in the third. He carried four times in the seven-play drive for 52 yards.

East Ridge's Donnie Garner intercepted Fulton quarterback Ben Winters, who played almost perfectly in the first half, with 11 seconds left in the quarter. The East Ridge possession lasted until the 6:02 mark in the fourth.

It ended in disaster. King had a touchdown run wiped off by penalty. Josh Francisco's 32-yard field goal attempt hooked left.

Thomas sealed the win with 30-yard touchdown run, but Fulton's pass game got it done early. Fulton staked a 21-7 halftime lead behind Winters' 85 yards and three touchdowns on 8-for-9 passing.

Four plays after Fulton recovered East Ridge's fumble on the opening kick, Winters hit Pitchford on a 6-yard touchdown pass.

The Pioneers shanked a punt on their ensuing possession, and Winters made them pay with a 35-yard scoring strike to Pitchford with 6:18 left in the first quarter. Just like that, 14-0.

"He put it on the money (tonight)," said Pitchford. "I told him if he throws it, I'm going to go get it."

Winters, also a linebacker, intercepted a East Ridge pass with 5:25 before the break and returned it 20 yards to the Pioneers 10. He found Javonte Cotner for a 8-yard touchdown pass on third and goal.

Penalties and no viable pass threat prevented East Ridge from answering.

"I was proud of the way we battled. That's a good football team," said Martin. "They've been here and done it.

"We're trying to get where Fulton is."

Fulton Goes to the Air, Whips East Ridge 30-14 (Knoxsportsonline):

Ben Winters threw three touchdown passes and connected on 15 of 19 passes for 139 yards Friday night to key Knox Fulton to a 30-14 victory over Chattanooga East Ridge in a TSSAA Class 4A first-round playoff game.

"It was a good win for us,'' said Fulton coach Buck Coatney. "We really got our passing game going. If we can keep doing that, it will take pressure off our running game.''

Dametrius Thomas complemented Winters' passing by running for 121 yards with 30 of those yards coming on Fulton's final touchdown.

Two of Winters' TD passes went to Micah Pitchford, while the other was to Javonte Cotner.

Fulton's defense forced East Ridge to got 0-for-9 passing with a pair of interceptions.

Fulton (8-3) advances to face unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Red Bank (11-0) next Friday in Chattanooga. Red Bank manhandled Knox Gibbs, 48-8, on Friday.

Ben King scored both East Ridge TDs on runs of 4 and 44 yards. He finished with 125 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Here are statistics from the game:

Knox Fulton 30, East Ridge 14

........................................ER.....KF
First Downs.......................11......14
Rushes/Yds gained.....45-202..29-122
Passing Yds......................0.......139
Total Offense..................202.......261
Passes A-C-I................0-9-2..15-19-1
Fumbles/Lost..................3-1........1-0
Punts/Average..............2-16.5...1-35.0
Penalties/Yards............8-55......4-35

Score by quarters:
East Ridge..................7....0....7....0 -- 14
Knox Fulton...............14....7....3....6 -- 30

Scoring Plays:
KF -- Micah Pitchford, 5 pass from Ben Winters (Brad McKeehan kick)
KF -- Pitchford, 35 pass from Winters (McKeehan kick)
ER -- Ben King, 4 run (Francisco kick)
KF -- Javonte Cotner, 7 pass from Winters (McKeehan kick)
KF -- McKeehan, 25 field goal
ER -- King, 44 run (Francisco kick)
KF -- Dametrius Thomas, 30 run (Kick Failed)

First Round Playoffs Brings Pioneers to Bob Black Field

After a one year hiatus, the Falcons are back in familiar territory and host the East Ridge Pioneers from Chattanooga in the First Round of the 2009 4A Playoffs. The Pioneers finish the regular season 7-3, on a 4 game winning streak and clinch a playoff birth with a 10-0 victory over district rival Chattanooga Central in week 9. East Ridge’s only losses came at the hands of Red Bank, Bradley Central and Tyner.
The Pioneers, who lost in the first round of last years playoffs to Semifinalist White House 39-0, are lead by second year head coach Mike Martin. Martin is a 1986 graduate of Sweetwater High and attended Tennessee Weslyan College. Prior to East Ridge, he was the head coach at Meigs County for 5 years and amassed a record of 34-16.

Their overall playoff record is 2-10 and best years were 1997 and 2001, when they advanced to the second round. The Pioneers sport a hardnosed defense that is led by tackles Ben Hunsucker (6’0”, 245) and Logan Roberts (6’0”, 235) and linebacker Clinton Harris (6’1’, 180). Other lineman standouts include Zach West (6’2”, 265), Branden Morgan (6’3”, 245), Keyonte Bush (6’0”, 255) and twins Micah and Makal Kidd. The skill positions are led by 2008 All-Region performer DB/WR Dominique King, who has recorded 6 interceptions the past two years. Other standouts include backs Josh Francisco, Breuante King and Chase Steele, and quarterback Jerrell Quarles.

East Ridge 2008 Results:
Silverdale Academy W 34-9
Red Bank L 7-38
Bradley Central L 10-28
Brainerd W 12-7
Sweetwater W 41-0
Tyner Academy L 12-27
Hixson W 35-7
East Hamilton W 47-7
Chattanooga Central W 10-0
Howard W 20-18

East Ridge v East Hamilton Week 8

4A Playoff Brackets Released, Fulton Draws East Ridge in 1st Rd

QUAD 1 BRACKET (Winner Advances to the SemiFinals. Nov 27)

#1 Red Bank (10-0)
#7 Gibbs (6-4)

#4 Fulton (7-3)
#5 East Ridge (7-3)

#3 Claiborne (8-2)
#6 Brainerd (7-3)

#2 Greenville (7-3)
#8 Chatt Central (5-5)