Falcons Get Their First Win in a Big Way, Down Stone Memorial 45-7

Teams - Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 -- Final
Fulton - 13 15 7 10 -- 45
S. Memorial - 7 0 0 0 -- 7


Scoring Summary

First Quarter
FUL--J. Williams 27 pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
SM--B. Howard 68 Run (Miller kick)
FUL--Golliday 1 Run (Kick fail)

Second Quarter
FUL--D. Thomas 12 Run (Styles catch)
FUL--C. Styles 9 pass from B. Winters (Haun kick)

Third Quarter
FUL--D. Thomas 6 run (Haun kick)

Fourth Quarter
FUL--Haun 26 FG (1st Fulton FG since 2004)
FUL--J. Compton 3 run (Haun kick)



School - Penalties - Penalty Yards - First Downs - Possession Time
Fulton -----2----------10-----------------22-----------26:44
S. Memorial --3----------30-----------------4------------21:16



Leading Rushers:
D. Thomas---11 for 81 yards
M. Golliday---9 for 51

Leading Passer:
B. Winters---14 of 25 for 148 yards, 2 TD and 2 INTs

Leading Receivers:
C. Styles---9 catches for 81 yards
J. Williams---4 catches for 64 yards



Leading Tacklers:
Q. Vinson---4 solo and 6 assists, 10 total
A. Barfield---2 solo and 6 assists, 8 total

Sack Leader:
A. Barfield---2 sacks for -22 yards



Photos Courtesy of John Valentine

Fulton Travels to Crossville in Search of First Win Versus Stone Memorial

Information Provided By Fulton SID Russell Mayes

Setting The Scene

The Fulton Falcons travel to face Stone Memorial in Crossville for the first time…The Falcons played Crossville High here in 1981, losing 35-6…Both school’s will be looking for their first win in 2008 tonight…This is Fulton’s first 0-3 start since 2005. The Falcons were able to rebound that year and finish 8-4…Fulton’s last 0-4 start came in 1992…Sr. WR/DB Courtland Styles made an immediate impact in his first game for Fulton last week. Styles caught 7 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 32-28 loss to Chattanooga Tyner…FHS is being outscored on the season 81-54…The Falcon defense has given up 60 points in the last 2 games…Fulton will be a sophomore-laden team in 2008. Six sophomores on offense and seven sophomores on defense were penciled in to starting roles on Fulton’s original 2008 depth chart.

Fulton vs. Stone Memorial-The Series

Tonight marks the second meeting between the Fulton Falcons and Stone Memorial Panthers. The Falcons shutout Stone Memorial last year in Knoxville 36-0. Fulton has faced Crossville High (now Cumberland Co.) twice. The Jets defeated Steve Brewer’s first Fulton team 35-6 in Crossville in 1981, and won at Fulton the next year 14-7.

Stone Memorial 2008 Schedule and Results

Date Opponent Details Result
Aug. 29 at Knox Catholic L 7-41
Sep. 5 Scott L 6-34
Sep. 12 Ensworth L 7-54
Sep. 19 Fulton
Oct. 3 Kingston
Oct. 10 at Bledsoe Co.
Oct. 17 at Austin-East
Oct. 24 Livingston Academy
Oct. 31 at Anderson Co.

Poll Watching

Poll Fulton Stone
AP NR NR
Earl Nall 7 54
Sonny Moore 3 48
Murphy Fair NR NR
tnvarsity.com NR NR
maxpreps.com NR NR
Massey 67 212

The Sonny Moore poll has Fulton listed as the number 39 team in the entire state of Tennessee. Stone Memorial is rated as the number 248 team in the state.

Offensive Notes

-QB Ben Winters will be making his fifth career start tonight. He is 1-3 as a starting quarterback.
-Winters’ best career start came against Tyner last year. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 176 yards and 3 TDs.
-The Fulton offense is averaging 223.3 yards per game. (105.3 yards rushing, 118 yards passing)
-The Falcons have only converted 6 of 27 3rd down conversions.(22%)
-FHS has converted 3 of 8 4th downs.
-Courtland Styles’ performance against Tyner set Fulton season highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (97), and touchdowns (2).
-Styles has caught 66 passes for 538 yards and 9 TDs in his career.
-Every Fulton receiver that caught a pass against Oak Ridge (J. Williams, Pitchford, Brown, Andrews) made their first career catch.
-Dametrius Thomas’ first varsity catch in the Anderson Co. game went for a 77-yard touchdown.
-Jerron Brown’s first varsity catch in the Oak Ridge game also was his first varsity touchdown.
-RB Marco Golliday has rushed for 323 yards on 63 carries and 2 touchdowns in his career.

Defensive Notes

-The Fulton defense is allowing an average of 258 yards per game. (173.7 rushing, 84.3 passing)
-The Fulton secondary has not allowed a passing TD this year.
-Shaquan Andrews’ interception against Tyner marked the Falcons’ 1st pick of the season.
-FHS has been tough on 3rd downs this year. Opponents have only converted 23.3% of 3rd down conversions, however they have converted 8 of 11 (72.7%) 4th down conversions.
-The Falcon secondary limited Oak Ridge to only 1 completion for 10 yards.
-Fulton is +3 in turnover margin for the season.

Rams Hold Off Falcons in 32-28 Victory

Teams Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Fulton 7 0 21 0 28
Tyner 6 14 12 0 32


Scoring Summary
First Quarter
FUL- C. Styles 211 pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
TYN- Jones 8 Run (Kick Fail)
Second Quarter
TYN- Poarch 26 run (Cornelius Kick)
TYN- Simmons 24 INT Return (Cornelius Kick)
Third Quarter
FUL- C. Styles 4 Pass from Winters (Haun Kick)
FUL- Winters 1 Run (Haun Kick)
FUL- Barfield 11 Blocked Punt Return (Haun Kick)
TYN- Poarch 23 Run (Kick Fail)
TYN- Williams 20 Run (Kick Fail)


Leading Rushers:
D. Thomas 13 for 83 yards
M. Golliday 13 for 70 yards

Leading Receiver:
C. Styles 7 for 97 yards

Passing Leader:
B. Winters 9 of 17 for 107 yards and 1 TD


Tackles Leader:
Q. Vinson 11 total tackles

Fulton falls to Tyner (KNS Article):

Fulton High School's nearly 50-year domination of Chattanooga-area teams ended Friday night.

Fulton (0-3) scored 21 points in the third quarter, but it wasn't enough as Chattanooga Tyner Academy won 32-28 at Bob Black Field.

Fulton, which last lost to Central (Chattanooga) in 1957, erased a 20-7 halftime deficit in the third quarter, only to allow Tyner (4-0) a chance to come back late.

"Hats off to those guys," said Fulton head coach Buck Coatney, whose team won its last three games against Tyner and entered Friday night's game with a 10-1 record against Chattanooga teams. "We came back and went ahead, and they came back and put together a drive."

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

Fulton Basketball Coach Jody Wright to be Honored with Hall of Fame Induction

It's fame for Wright in Anderson County (KNS Article):

In March, Jody Wright earned the moniker of championship coach when the Fulton High School boys' basketball team won the Class AA state tournament.

On Sept. 25, he'll be called a Hall of Famer.

The former three-sport athlete from Lake City High School and basketball coach of 23 seasons will be inducted into the Anderson County Hall of Fame, which benefits the Boys & Girls Club of North Anderson County.

"I don't know that I'm worthy," said Wright, whose good friends Clark Wormsley (Webb baseball coach) and Shelley Sexton-Coller (Webb girls' basketball coach) grew up with him in Lake City. "You're somewhat humbled and honored by it.

"Anytime you're honored by the people of your hometown - who watch you grow up and had a part in your upbringing and who have rooted for you and pulled for you and followed you - that's a huge honor. I'm appreciative of it and humbled by it."

Former University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors will be the featured speaker at the 7 p.m. ceremony, which will be held at the First /Baptist Church of Clinton.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the silent auction. Dinner begins at 6. Tickets are $100 each, $85 of which is tax deductible. Tables cost $700 ($580 tax deductible).

"It's a worthy cause," said Wright. "I'm a believer in what the Boys & Girls clubs do."

Joining Wright as sports inductees will be former Tennessee offensive tackle and former NFL player Charles McRae, who played at Clinton, and former Anderson County and Vanderbilt track standout Josie Hahn.

"They have a nice induction ceremony," said Wright. "They do it up right. I'm excited about it.

"I think there are a lot of deserving individuals. ... It's hard to put into words how it makes you feel. It's gratifying."

Other inductees include John Rice Irwin (lifetime achievement), Margaret Fox-Best (business leader), John Faris (philanthropist), Jerry Shattuck (elected official), John W. Clark (community volunteer), William Chesney (posthumously, K-12 educator), and Sgt. David Connell Jr. (posthumously, military).

To purchase tickets, call 865-426-4711 or mail payment to: Anderson County Hall of Fame, c/o Boys & Girls Club of North Anderson County, P.O. Box 537, Lake City, TN 37769.

Falcons Fall to Mavericks 28-13 in Home Opener

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
AC- (6:22) Rogers 2 Run (Newby Kick)
FUL- (3:44) J. Williams 46 pass from B. Winters (Kick Fail)
Second Quarter
AC- (1:29) Rogers 6 Run (Newby Kick)
Third Quarter
Forth Quarter
AC- (11:42) Longmire 1 Run (Newby Kick)
AC- (1:34) Coleman fumble recovery (Newby kick)
FUL- (0:56) D. Thomas 77 pass from B. Winters (A. Haun Kick)

Teams Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Fulton 6 0 0 7 13
A County 7 7 0 14 28





Passing Leader:
B. Winters 7-15 for 167 yards and 2 TDs

Rushing Leader:
M. Golliday 8 for 69 yards

Receiving Leaders:
D. Thomas 1 for 77 yards
J. Williams 4 for 68 yards

Tackles:
J. Williams 6 solo, 5 asst for 11 total

Falcons Look to Rebound in Home Opener versus Mavericks

In Friday’s home opener at Bob Black field, the Fulton Football Falcons will try to improve on their up-and-down Week One performance versus the Oak Ridge Wildcats. The Falcon offense and defense at times looked extremely effective, but the special team’s execution was best described as erratic and inconsistent. This week the Falcons have focused on this all important phase of the game and are working toward an understanding of its significance. If they are to improve, the Falcon’s special teams must adopt the idea of legendary Volunteer coach General Robert Neyland and Number 6 of his immortal Game Maxims: “Press the kicking game…Here is where the breaks are made!”

Enough about last week…this week the focus shifts to Region 2-3A foe Anderson County, who leans heavily on the leadership of 18 seniors. Their senior class includes two-year starting quarterback Paul Longmire ( 6-foot, 185), fullback/linebacker Chad Coleman (6-2, 238), running back Zek Rodgers (5-8, 180) and wide receiver J.B. Young (5-8, 168). This type of leadership has Maverick head coach Larry Kerr optimistic about the season and especially the match-up against the Falcons this Friday.

Mavericks coach Larry Kerr said this could be his fastest, deepest and most talented pool of backs and receivers in his 16 seasons at Anderson County. "This year we've got the best chance we've had in a long time to maybe go deep in the playoffs," said Kerr, whose Mavericks finished 8-4 in 2007 with a second-round playoff loss to Fulton. For a change, Kerr said the Mavericks have as many home-run threats as any team in the region. "In the past we've never been able to run with the Fultons and Austin-Easts - this year I think we can run with them…We have a lot of weapons. It makes me more comfortable playing teams like Austin-East and Fulton. I think we're gonna have a great year."Anderson County looking to go deep (KNS article)


Anderson County ready to join Region 2-3A elite (KNS Artcle):

The Mavs - who feature big people up front as always and more home-run threats on offense than usual - return eight starters on offense, eight on defense. Anderson County has lots of size along the offensive line with Daniel Collins (6-5, 275 sr.), Carter Pack (6-3, 240 jr.) and Justin Ellis (6-3, 260 sr.) among the standouts.

Anderson County will also get a boost from emerging junior tailback Drew Hicks (5-11, 205) and wide receiver Josh Wilson (6-3, 180-pound junior). Wilson, who has become QB Paul Longmire’s number one target, made his presence known and had a strong performance for the Mavericks in the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge Jamboree versus the Oak Ridge Wildcats, scoring on touchdown passes of 11 and 24 yards and also winning the 40-yard dash competition for backs and the halftime punting contest. Wilson starts fast for Anderson County (KNS Article)

Last week, the Mavericks used a last minute rally in the form of a 10 yard run for a score by QB Longmire to defeat the visiting Clinton Dragons 34-32. Anderson County flexed their offensive muscles not just by scoring over 30 points, but also gaining 239 yards rushing on 39 attempts, 195 yards passing, and gaining 22 first downs. QB Longmire accounted for all five of his teams touchdowns, throwing for scores of 28, 46 and 17 yards (all to junior wideout Wilson), and running for scores of 1 and 10 yards.


Broadcasting Note: This week’s game will be televised as the CSS Game of the Week, and can be seen locally on cable channel 99.




ANDERSON COUNTY FOOTBALL

Rogan and UT Secondary Ready for Their First Test in Pasedena

When UT travels to Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California this Monday Night, Former Falcon Dennis Rogan and his fellow secondary teammates will gauge how well they have prepared for the upcoming season. Rogan will start at cornerback opposite DeAngelo Willingham, and along with Safeties Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley make-up a secondary that has been receiving much recognition this off-season and has been regarded by many as one of the best overall collection of defensive backs in the SEC. This hard hitting, ball hawking group is also regarded as the strength and cornerstone of the Volunteer defense for the 2008 season.

The first test for Rogan and his secondary mates will come in the form of UCLA junior Quarterback Kevin Craft and wide receivers Marcus Everett (sr), Terrence Austin (jr) and Dominique Johnson (soph). Craft, a junior college transfer, is getting his first opportunity to start after senior Ben Olson suffered a foot injury at the start of training camp. Craft began his college career at San Diego State and then played at Mt. San Antonio College before transferring to UCLA in the spring. He passed for 4,231 yards and 44 touchdowns last season playing for his father, Tom, at Mt. SAC. Former USC and Titan Offense Coordinator, Norm Chow, has had the task of preparing Clark and has been working diligently to get him ready for the Vols defense.

At 6 foot 1, 205 lb, Senior Wideout Marcus Everett has a nice mix of size and speed and looks to be the biggest challenge for the Rogan and the Vols secondary. Everett has 82 career receptions for 1084 yards and 7 TDs despite missing most of the 2007 season with ankle injury that he suffered the the third game of the season versus Utah. He is UCLA's best goal line, as well as, most explosive deep threat.

Marcus Everett TD to Tie Washington State


Marcus Everett 54-yard TD reception vs. Notre Dame


Recent Articles on Rogan Leading up to the UCLA Opener:
Rogan Rarin' To Go (Scouts.com article):

Your first college start is always exciting, but it will be especially thrilling for one Tennessee Vol tonight in Pasadena.
That would be Dennis Rogan, a Knoxville native who grew up just a few miles from the UT campus. Further enhancing the experience is the fact the 5-10, 185-pound sophomore is a live wire – a guy with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm that his teammates find infectious.
“Dennis Rogan brings fun, excitement and joy ... on the defensive side and on kickoff and punt returns,” junior safety Demetrice Morley said. “That kid is awesome. I love him. I think he's going to do a lot of good things this year.”
Rogan certainly will have the opportunity to do a lot of good things this year. In addition to starting at cornerback vs. UCLA this evening, he is slated to return kickoffs and punts. He performed those last two duties brilliantly during the second half of 2007, averaging 29.5 yards on kickoff runbacks and 9.7 on punt runbacks. His 78-yard kickoff return helped spark a smashing defeat of Arkansas in Game 10 and his 45-yard fourth-quarter punt return set up the winning touchdown vs. Vanderbilt in Game 11.
Despite his youth and inexperience, Rogan beat out senior Antonio Gaines, junior Marsalous Johnson and sophomore Brent Vinson – all of whom were starters in 2007 – to win a first-team job at cornerback this fall.
“He's been working hard,” Morley noted. “He's got a lot to do (starting at corner, returning kickoffs and returning punts) so he's just got to take it one step at a time.”
A lightly regarded prospect coming out of Fulton High School, Rogan scarcely left the Vol bench through the first half of the 2007 season. He has made incredible strides since then, however, and now has the complete faith of Tennessee's secondary coach.
“He has come along,” Larry Slade said. “Dennis has always had that great work ethic, so I expected him to come along.”

Slade has 2 words for Rogan: Big time (KNS Article):

Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade picked two words to describe sophomore defensive back Dennis Rogan.
"Big time," Slade exclaimed following UT's scrimmage in Neyland Stadium on Thursday. "He gives us that flexibility. He is tough.
"The guy is doing really well at corner, held his own versus all the competition and really would probably be the next safety in the football game."
Rogan is already a safety in UT's "Mustang" package, which incorporates one or two extra defensive backs. That allows usual starting safety Eric Berry to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
Rogan, the former Fulton High School standout, didn't start a game last season but is regarded as one of many stellar athletes in the secondary.
"He's right up there with them," Slade said of Rogan's athletic ability. "He can flat out run. He's a ball player. That's the best way to describe him."

Speedy Rogan eager for first college TD (Chattanooga Times Free Press):

Rogan, a hometown hero in the Knoxville area, had a memorable finish to his freshman season at UT. Injuries forced the high school tailback on the field as a Southeastern Conference defensive back last year, and he eventually overcame senior Jonathan Hefney as the team’s top return specialist.
As quickly as he entered the lineup, he removed any doubt whether he belonged.
The diminutive, dynamic Rogan provided a spark during UT’s late-season run to an SEC Eastern Division championship — especially on special teams. His kickoff returns routinely set the offense up near midfield, and his 78-yarder against Arkansas put Erik Ainge under center inside the red zone.
Rogan’s finest hour came weeks later, though, when his fourth-quarter heroics helped the Vols take a late lead and hold off Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. His 45-yard punt return with less than six minutes left keyed UT’s go-ahead drive, and he forced a Commodore out of bounds to prevent a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.
When junior cornerback DeAngelo Willingham struggled early in the SEC championship game, coaches replaced him with Rogan, who held his own against the eventual national champions.
Rogan seems shorter than his listed 5-foot-10 height, but he’s consistently referenced as one of the team’s strongest pound-for-pound players. That explosion is evident in the return game, when his good vision and quick feet routinely get him past the first wall.
“He gave us an unbelievable lift last year,” Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said.

Rogan's sense of purpose and humor (KNS Article):

In only a year on Tennessee's campus, Dennis Rogan has made his impact felt in a big way.
Last season, he played in more games than any other true freshman except Freshman All-America safety Eric Berry. He added a new dynamic to Tennessee's return game and ranked among the SEC's best by year's end. He played the majority of the SEC championship game against LSU at cornerback, a little less than four months after setting foot on campus.
And he put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.
"He's not one of those rah-rah guys," says Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade. "He goes out and gets it done. I think they can see the results of how hard he's worked. He's a great story."
Veteran players talk about Rogan as if he's their younger brother, and his classmates at UT speak highly of the former Fulton High School standout.
"All of us are pretty close outside of football and outside of school," Rogan says. "I guess you kind of develop a relationship as a little brother. Most of the guys are older than me, so it kind of developed that way. On the field I'm younger and less experienced than most of them, too, so it kind of carries over that way, too. They help me with everything, let me know what to be aware of and everything."
He'll start the season as UT's kick and punt return specialist after averaging 9.7 yards per punt return and 29.5 yards per kickoff return last fall.
After that whirlwind freshman year, Rogan has settled into a starting role at cornerback opposite senior DeAngelo Willingham for Monday's season-opener at UCLA (TV: ESPN, 8 p.m.). After injuries to both starters forced Rogan into the rotation last fall, he's only grown into the role.
"I look at Dennis as an overachiever," Slade said. "He's a guy that I think people underestimate. He just works his butt off. He's gotten better every day and more confident in what he's doing."
Already he's proved to be one of the most valuable members of the Vols' 2007 signing class, which included highly touted prospects like Berry, receiver Gerald Jones and defensive end Ben Martin.
That Rogan was initially overshadowed by other prospects doesn't matter anymore.
"It's been fun," Rogan says. "Flying under the radar is not always a bad thing. It's really never a bad thing as long as you make your way up."
And it didn't even take a year to get there.

Vol seeks more out of returns; Yardage isn't enough for specialist Rogan; he wants touchdowns (Tennessean Article):

As good as Dennis Rogan was last season, he knew he had a chance to be great.
As a Tennessee freshman in 2007, he returned punts and kicks and nearly broke several for touchdowns. Instead, there was always one tackler in the way.
"That's a big goal of mine and of the team's," Rogan said about scoring a touchdown. "Anyway you can help the team out, that's what I want to do."
A special teams touchdown would help considerably, and he appears to be on the verge. Rogan proved to be one of UT's best weapons last season. The Knoxville native did not enter his freshman year as a potential game changer, but he ended as one. When former UT returner Jonathan Hefney struggled on punt returns, the coaching staff inserted Rogan midway through the year.
It was a good move. In seven of UT's final eight games, he had either a punt return or a kickoff return that went for more than 20 yards. He also ended the season as the Southeastern Conference's most productive freshman returner with a 9.7-yard average. He was equally impressive on kickoffs (29.5-yard average).
"Dennis has done well," UT Coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He's good with his hands on the ball, and he's legitimately a threat.
"He can't do it by himself. He needs a lot of guys helping him getting started and picking up blocks."
Helping out
Last year, multiple players — many who were upperclassmen — spoke about how much they liked blocking for Rogan, who some called their little brother. When asked about those comments, the soft-spoken Rogan responded sheepishly.
"It may just be because it's a team thing because sometimes it's exciting to just block," Rogan said. "But if you know there's someone back there who is exciting, you want to help him."
Among the highlights were a 78-yard kickoff return against Arkansas and a 31-yard kickoff return at Florida. But his top effort came against Vanderbilt late in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. He broke a punt return for 45 yards, which helped set up the game-winning field goal.
UT had to battle back from a 24-9 deficit in the fourth quarter and was also aided by a late, missed field-goal attempt by the Commodores.
More responsibility
Rogan's contributions won't only come on special teams, however. He did not make a start last season on defense, but is currently slated to start at right cornerback. He added 15 pounds of muscle weight in the offseason, and his improved strength quickly showed. During a recent scrimmage, he had one of the biggest hits of fall camp when he leveled an offensive player coming across the middle.
The adjustment to starting on defense has been tough at times, but Rogan's athletic ability and interest in getting better has made it more seamless.
"It's been pretty easy," Rogan said. "It has its time, but it's been pretty easy for the most part. Everybody has been trying to help me out."
Just like when they block for him on special teams.

Falcons Push Oak Ridge to the Limit, but are Unable to Overcome Special Team Miscues in 21-13 loss

During Friday night's battle versus Oak Ridge, the Falcons refused to lie down and showed resilence and guts as they continuously battled back, despite giving up three special teams returns for touchdowns. Fulton led in almost every statistical category; including total yardage (210 yds to 120 yds), time of possession (29:21 to 18:39), passing yards (88 yds to 10 yds), first downs (12 to 9), and turnovers (1 to 3), but in the end could not overcome a kickoff return and two punt returns for touchdowns by the Wildcats. The Falcons could have easily rolled over and quit after giving up an 82 yard touchdown on the opening kickoff to Wildcat standout senior Demarcus Rogers, but instead, they continually bounced back, but ran out of time as they had a chance to tie the game with the ball inside the Oak Ridge 30 with one minute remaining in the game.

Special teams huge as Oak Ridge tops Fulton (KNS Article):

The Falcons battled to the end and had a long pass attempt at the Oak Ridge 10 fall just incomplete in the final minute.
"It (the kicking game) killed us," said Fulton coach Buck Coatney, whose Falcons had 195 yards in total offense to Oak Ridge's 115.
"No. 4 (Rogers) is the player of the week. You take away those three scores (in the kicking game) and it's a different game," Coatney said.
Rogers, who showed toughness by fighting through numerous spells with cramps, was the difference-maker according to his coach.
"He played like a senior is supposed to play - he made plays," Stevens said.
Fulton, the state 3-A runnerup a year ago, got a 10-yard touchdown run by junior Marco Golliday in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7.
Rogers' punt return gave the 'Cats a two-touchdown cushion with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter, but Fulton answered at the 5:28 mark as fullback Jerron Brown tallied after grabbing a 22-yard middle-screen toss from quarterback Ben Winters.
Winters was 8-of-18 through the air for 87 yards and Golliday ran for 45 yards on 16 totes as both teams had trouble moving the ball.

Wildcats 'cramp' Fulton's style (The Oak Ridger):

Oak Ridge had many battles on their hands in Friday night's opening game of the 2008 football season.
From a very determined Fulton opponent, to a severe case of cramps forcing most of the lineup to suffer at times, it was a tough way to start the year.
But Oak Ridge overcame, got some sensational play from the special teams, and defeated the Falcons, 21-13.
And those special teams were indeed special.
Demarcus Rogers opened the game with an 86-yard kickoff return. The senior would add another return to extend the lead early in the second half. LeMichael Gibson also returned a punt for a score giving the 'Cats all of their 21 points through special teams play.

SCORING AND GAME STATS

Fulton 0 7 6 0 - 13
Oak Ridge 7 7 7 0 - 21

Scoring:
OR – D Rogers 81 yd Kickoff Return (Phillips kick)
OR – L Gibson 42 yd Punt Return (Phillips kick)
FUL – M Golliday 10 yd Run (Haun kick)
OR – D Rogers 54 yd Punt Return (Phillips kick)
FUL – J Brown 21 yd pass from B Winter (kick failed)

FULTON OAK RIDGE
1st Downs 12 9
Rush-yds 33-112 27-110
Passing 88 10
Comp-Att 8-19-0 1-12-0
Punts 7-34.5 4-43.5
Fumbles-lost 3-1 3-3
Penalties-yds 9-85 9-77

FULTON STATISTICAL LEADERS:
Rushing --Golliday 16-47
Receiving --J Williams 3-57
Passing --Winters 8-18-88 yds
Tackles --J Williams 5 total
Tackles for loss --Blasco 1 total
Points --Golliday/Brown 6 points

Former Falcon Chris Pitchford to Start In Moc's Opener versus No. 4 Oklahoma

Chris Pitchford, a 2006 Fulton graduate and member of the 2003 and 2004 State Championship teams, has worked his way up the depth chart and has became a popular target for UTC’s quarterbacks. Because of his work this off-season, Pitchford will see significant time in the UT-Chattanooga Moccasins season opener versus the fourth ranked Oklahoma Sooners on August 30 at 7:10 PM EST. Chris stated this preseason that he has experienced a big boost in confidence from the the Moc's coaching staff whom have expressed that "they have the utmost faith in him, want him to get the majority of the snaps and feel he is the best one-on-one threat on the team."

Pitchford Catching More (Chattanooga Times Free Press Article):

“I’ve been in the system going on three years, so I feel like the plays are ingrained on my mind,” he said after the first of the Mocs’ two practices Friday at Scrappy Moore Field.
“I know what to do. I just have to go out there and execute. I feel like I’m as good a one-on-one player as we’ve got, so I’ve just got to make it happen.”
The sophomore from Knoxville redshirted his first season, in 2006, and saw limited action last season. In nine games, he totaled six receptions for 85 yards.
“My confidence is through the roof right now,” he said. “I feel like if I see (the ball), if I can get my hands on it, it’s caught.”
Pitchford is one of the Mocs’ smaller receivers at 6-foot, 179 pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed. Wide receivers coach Jason McManus said Pitchford is one of UTC’s fastest players, with a 40-yard time right at 4.4 seconds. That makes him a true deep threat.
Beyond that, McManus said, one key to Pitchford’s emergence has been tutelage from UTC’s strength and conditioning coach.
“The biggest difference is his work in the weight room this summer — his overall strength and explosion,” McManus said. “Coach (Scott) Brincks did an excellent job this summer as far as getting him more physical and getting him faster.”

Five Questions with Wide Receiver Chris Pitchford (Chattanooga Free Press Article):

1. What’s been the best moment of your athletic career?

That would have to be in high school when my team (Fulton) won back-to-back state championships my sophomore and junior years. That was the best time of my life, being on top of the world and winning championships.

2. If you could sit down to any meal, what would it be?

My mother does a good macaroni and cheese, green beans, homemade mashed potatoes and steak.

3. If you could meet any living person, who would it be?

Michael Jordan.

4. What movie can you watch over and over again without getting tired of it?

Any Will Ferrell movie, and I love Chris Tucker, too.

5. What sports team has the best uniforms?

I love USC ... the red tops with the gold pants and white socks.

UTC MOCS PLAYER PROFILE

Falcons Look to Avenge Lasts Years Loss to Wildcats in Season Opener

Summer workouts, Two-A-Days, Flag Leagues, Jamborees, Border Bashes and Scrimmages all served as valuable preparations for the 2008 season. This week, Fulton prepares for the first, and perhaps one of the biggest challenges of the season, as they travel to Blankenship Field to face 5A power Oak Ridge on Friday.>The youthful Falcons will look to avenge last years 30-14 opening game loss at Bob Black field, in which Oak Ridge tailback Jared Stephens gashed through Fulton’s defense, behind the likes of MTSU signee tackle Alex Stuart, for 207 rushing yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns. Stephens and Stuart have since graduated and the last year’s inexperienced offensive and defensive line must prove that they have grown up and are ready to challenge the Wildcats at the line of scrimmage. The Falcons return six starting linemen, four on offense and two on defense; on the Offensive Line, seniors Matthew Blasco (6-0, 276), Vincent Johnson (6-7, 251), junior Jarius Johnson (6-2, 263) and sophomore Mychal Cason (6-1, 229), and on the Defensive Line, senior End Antwan Hamilton (6-1, 221), who recorder 62 tackles and 11 QB sacks in 2007, and senior tackle Devin Crawford (6-0, 229).

The Falcons young line-backing core and defensive backs will be tested early by the Wildcats 3 and 4 wide/spread offense, led by senior standout quarterback Tyler Clark, running back Demarcus Rogers and wide receiver Jakari McClanahan. At 6’3, 195 pounds, Clark is receiving some interest from Louisville and Tennessee and was named the Number 11 best recruit in East Tennessee by PrepTennessee.com (a Scouts.com affiliated website). Clark is also a starting linebacker and is a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball.

The Wildcats are led by former Austin East coach Stanton Stevens. Coach Stevens is entering his thirteenth year of coaching; and his forth season as the Oak Ridge High School Head Football Coach.
He was born in Oak Ridge and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1988, where he played football in 1985, 1986, 1987 and was a 2 year letterman. He attended North Carolina Central University on a football scholarship and in 1995, during the Joe Gaddis years, Coach Stevens returned home to teach and coach in Oak Ridge until 1999. It was then that an opportunity to become Head Coach opened for him at Austin East. In 2001, not only did his team win the 3A State Championship, Coach Stevens won Coach of the Year honors in Class 3A. His overall coaching records including the 2005 State Runner Up 5A for Oak Ridge is 79% with 80 wins and 21 losses.

OAK RIDGE/MARYVILLE SCRIMMAGE


The Falcons and Wildcats have both experienced erratic, up-and-down preseasons and both hope for a good start and also gain much needed momentum going into their regional schedules. Oak Ridge held their own in scrimmages versus perennial 4A powerhouse Maryville Red Rebels and in a 4-way scrimmage in Cookeville earlier this month, but seemed to struggle in scrimmages versus 2A power Alcoa Tornadoes (losing 28-0) and in the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge jamboree, losing to the Anderson County Mavericks by a score of 14-0 in one quarter of action.

In 2007, much the same as this year, The Wildcats displayed a similar up-and-down preseason, also losing to Anderson County 7-0 in their jamboree, but rebounded nicely to handle the Falcons in the opener. When the Falcons visit Jack Armstrong Stadium this Friday for the 7:30 kickoff, they hope to return the favor by avenging last years opening day defeat and start the season on a good note.

OAK RIDGE FOOTBALL TRADITION

Young Falcons Display Air-Attack, Gain Experience at Border Bash II

This past Friday night in Waynesville, North Carolina, the Fulton Falcon football team stepped foot onto the newly installed field turf at CE Weatherby stadium and took another step closer to gaining much needed “game-like” experience. The Hickory Red Tornadoes offered a quality test for the youthful Falcons, which started sophomores at 14 of 22 starting positions.

The Border Bash started with a controlled scrimmage, in which each team started at the 40 yard line and had eight plays to score. Each team had 4 series on offense. Fulton dominated this part of the scrimmage through the air, outscoring the Red Tornadoes 4 tds to 1, with Sophomore Ben Winters and Senior Josh Compton completing a pair of touchdown passes apiece. Hickory, who used this portion of the scrimmage to focus mostly on establishing their ground game, picked up their lone touchdown on a pass to the flats during a series with second team players.

The second portion of the Bash was two-quarters of “game-like” action. The two-quarters was by far the most entertaining, most competitive and hardest hitting action of the entire night, as both teams traded big hit after big hit on the opposition. Hickory showed much improvement during the two-quarter scrimmage besting the Falcons by a score of 14-6. Fulton continued to show flashes of brilliance with their air-attack as Ben Winters connected with Senior WR JeMicheal Williams for a 60 yard touchdown down the left sideline. The Falcons were ultimately done in by three interceptions and two touchdown receptions by Hickory Senior standout WR/DB Trevin Parks.

In all, the 2008 Border Bash proved to be a useful and productive outing for the youthful and talented Falcons, who walked away from the scrimmage with a 5-3 total TD victory. More importantly, the Falcons were able to get some quality work versus Hickory, who served to be a very worthy opponent and also great preparation for Fulton’s Week One contest versus the 5A Oak Ridge Wildcats.

Fulton to Face Halls in 2008 KIL Jamboree

On Thursday night, August 14, 2008, the Fulton Falcon football team will face off against the Halls Red Devils of Northeast Knoxville. The Jamboree will be held at Central High School's Dan Y. Boring Stadium which is located in the Knoxville's Fountain City Community. The event starts at 7:00 PM and will display 6 quarters of football matchups from 12 local teams. Fulton is slated to play during the second quarter of action. There will also be half time competition after the third quarter, in which there will be a contest for longest punt, kickoff and pass, and a lineman and backs fifty-yard dash.

Thursday's schedule:

1st Quarter- T.S.D. Vikings vs. King's Academy Lions
2nd Qaurter- Halls Red Devils vs. Fulton Falcons
3rd Quarter- Hardin Valley Hawks vs. Cosby Eagles
----Halftime Competition----
4th Qaurter- Gibbs Eagles vs. Grace Rams
5th Quarter- Cosby Eagles vs. Hardin Valley Hawks
6th Quarter- Carter Hornets vs. Knoxville Central Bobcats

Games Notes Provided by Fulton SID Russell Mayes:

This year marks the 49th annual Knoxville High School Football Jamboree. The annual jamboree began in 1960, and Fulton is one of the few KFL schools to have participated every year.
- Fulton has amassed a 21-9-18 record in the Kick-Off classic in 48 games.
- Fulton has faced 15 different schools in the jamboree. Carter, Halls, and Powell have been Fulton’s most frequent opponent, each playing the Falcons 8 times.
- Coach Buck Coatney has a 9-3-4 record in the Kick-Off Classic.
- The Falcons last played a jamboree quarter at Dan Y. Boring Stadium in 1988. Fulton holds a 4-3-7 record in the Kick-Off Classic at Central

Fulton vs. Halls--The Series
Fulton faces Kevin Julian’s Halls Red Devils tonight in the KOC Kick-off Classic for the first time since 2002. It will mark the 9th time that the teams have met in the jamboree. Fulton is 4-2-2 against the Devils in the pre-season classic. The teams have not met in the regular season since 1992. Halls owns a 5-2 advantage in the seven all-time meetings. Fulton won the first-ever meeting in the series with a 19-7 victory in 1958, and upset the Red Devils in overtime 21-14 in 1991.

Video of 1991 Overtime Victory:

The TN/NC Border Bash II

For the second year in a row, the Fulton Falcon Football team will travel to western North Carolina to participate in the Border Bash. The 2008 Border Bash II matches six teams from East Tennessee and West North Carolina in a 2-quarter showcase jamboree. Last year, Fulton was matched up with host Pisgah, while South Greene played Pisgah's neighbor and long time rival, Tuscola.
This year, Border Bash II will be hosted by the Tuscola Mountaineers (UT Vols QB Jonathan Crompton's alma mater) at C.E. Weatherby Stadium in Waynesville, NC. The Border Bash II will be the first event on the new field turf that Tuscola had installed this off season, which will surely add to the excitement for the locals at this event. The event will be held on Friday, August 15, beginning at 6 PM

For the 2008 Border Bash II event, Fulton will take on the 3A Hickory Red Tornadoes that hail from the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference in North Carolina. Hickory, with an enrollment of around 1300, are coached by John Worley and sported a 12-1 record last season, losing to Charlotte Catholic in the 3rd round of the 3A playoffs. The Red Tornadoes won their last State Championship in 1996 against Ragsdale High School, which capped a perfect 16-0 season. Hickory also takes pride in and has had great success with their Junior Varsity Teams and completed another 10-0 season in 2007, their 5th consecutive and 6th in the last 7 years. Hickory's JV is currently on a 55 game win streak and have won 74 out of their last 75 games.


Hickory is led by senior 6-foot-2, 200 lb Quarterback Kevin Shelton (rivals.com profile). The Red Tornadoes return 20 lettermen, including 5 starters on offense and 8 on defense. The large number of returning letterman will help ease the loss of top offensive star, RB Darrien Burch, and top defensive star and UT VOLS freshman, LB Austin Johnson.

Returning Seniors for 2008:

KEVIN SHELTON (QB, 6-2, 200, 4.8) – He completed 90 of 165 passes for 1,317 yards with 13 TDS. College prospect. KEYSHELL GETER (RB, 5-11, 185, 4.6) – He ran 80 times for 603 yards. College prospect. TREVIN PARKS (WR, 5-9, 160, 4.5) – He caught 17 passes for 407 yards with 6 TDS. College prospect. DALTON ABEE (OL, 6-0, 250, 4.95) –All-Conference. College prospect. CHAVIS SHUFORD (DL, 5-9, 220, 5.0) – All-Conference. College prospect. DAVID DULA (DB, 5-9, 160, 4.5) – All-Conference. College prospect. MORGAN BROWN (DL, 6-7, 335, 5.4) – College prospect. CLAY JOHNSON (DL, 6-2, 245, 5.0) – College prospect

Here are the Matchups for Border Bash II:

Fulton Falcons vs. Hickory Red Tornadoes
South Greene Rebels vs. Pisgah Black Bears
Chuckey-Doak Black Knights vs. Tuscola Mountaineers

Scrimmage session starts at 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Rotating basis)

Two Quarter Games begin at about 8:15 p.m..

1st game - Hickory vs. Fulton
2nd game - Pisgah vs. South Greene
3rd game - Tuscola vs. Chuckey-Doak

Gallman commits to MTSU

Fulton senior guard, James Gallman, verbally commits to the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders. Gallman plans to sign with MTSU during the NCAA early signing period and is MTSU basketball's second verbal commitment this week, joining Mississippi high school guard John David Little. He chose MTSU over Appalachian State and Dayton.


Fulton guard commits to MTSU basketball team

Defense, for a change, is what wows people about Gallman's game, and he doesn't mind it a bit.

Gallman's lock-down defense was well known even before he led Fulton to a Class AA state title last season. But it was confirmed in the state tournament at MTSU's Murphy Center.

"He may be the best on-ball defender in the state," Fulton coach Jody Wright said. "He gets after it every time, and he's got a great motor. That's our personality as a team. We focus on man defense and rebounding.

"And that's what people like about James. He's got that rare combination of being a great shooter and defender. At the high school level, you just rarely see a scorer like him work so hard on the defensive end."

Gallman's defensive masterpiece came at last season's state tournament, where he disrupted and frustrated three of the state's best scorers.

Gallman forced Livingston Academy star Chase Dunn into six turnovers. He held Mr. Basketball finalist Justin Blake from Dyer County to 5-of-16 shooting.

And finally, one day after Memphis Mitchell's Kenyan Torry scored 48 points in the state semifinals, he was limited to only 18 points on 0-of-6 shooting from 3-point range by a relentless Gallman in the Class AA championship game.

Gallman helped guide Fulton to back-to-back 28-win seasons and last season's state title. He averaged 15 points per game and shot 40 percent from 3-point range on the season.

In three state tournament games in March, Gallman averaged 19.3 points.

But defense continues to be Gallman's identity entering his senior year.

"He is a tenacious defender, and I've seen him play a lot over the years," said Andre Whitehead, a recruiting analyst for TNPrepHoops.com.

"He's an ideal player for any coach because he never has to be motivated. He sets the tempo with his defense from the opening tip. He's a relentless defender, and he takes defense very seriously. I've seen a lot of players, but he's one of my all-time favorites."

Rogan Lauded as the Number 5 Most Underrated Player in the Nation

10 Most Underrated Players of 2008

5. Dennis Rogan, Tennessee (Defensive Back, Returner)

Rogan is a sophomore defensive back for the Vols, but is more known in Knoxville for some breathtaking returns in the second half of last season as a true freshman. Unfortunately, he was noticed a little too late as he fell just short of the necessary number of returns needed to qualify for statistics. However, he averaged nearly 30 yards per kickoff return and had a lot of success in the punt returns. His smart instincts were beneficial on the punt returns as if it would have been a questionable catch or dangerous touch, he let it go. But he was also electrifying too. Arkansas kicked to him to open a game and Rogan returned it 78 yards inside the 10. Arkansas never kicked toward him again. He also led the Vols comeback against Vandy when he returned a kickoff 41 yards to set up a field goal and then a punt 45 yards to set up the winning field goal.

Rogan was also profiled on WVLT's 30 Days, 30 Vols report:

VIDEO - Dennis Rogan: Day 27

Falcons to Scrimmage Morristown West

On Tuesday, the Falcons will host Morristown West at Bob Black field at 6:30 PM, for their second preseason scrimmage. After a very productive first scrimmage versus the Grainger County Grizzlies last week, Fulton will look to further improve and use this contest versus the 4A Trojans as a measuring stick for preparation for Border Bash II and the regular season.

This offseason, Morristown West Defensive Coordinator Lamar Brown was promoted to head coach. The 38-year-old replaced long-time coach Don Woods, who left to join brother Sparky Woods' coaching staff at Virginia Military Institute.

"Coach Woods established a great program here," said Brown, a 1987 Jefferson County graduate. "What we want to do is: carry on the tradition that's been built, but also build upon it."
Brown has served the Trojans' football program since 1999 - save 2001, when he was a defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Cumberland College in Kentucky.
Brown said Woods was a "great mentor" but that he has no intentions of trying to be another Don Woods.
"He's the best football coach I've been around," said Brown. "Some things will stay the same. But I can't be Coach Woods. I have to be Lamar Brown."

Morristown West finished 7-5 last season, after making runs to the Class 4A state semifinals the two seasons prior. The Trojans finished state runners-up in 2003 and are the last team to beat four-time defending 4A state champion Maryville. That happened in the 2003 semifinals.

The Trojans will be led by (6 foot 3, 225 lb) senior standout C/LB Christian Padrnos. Currently, Christian has scholarship offers to play at the next level primarily from NAIA schools, however he is receiving interest from Florida Atlantic University, UAB, Tennessee-Chattanooga, and Austin Peay.

Rogan Ready to Increase his Role for the Volunteers

Former Falcon Dennis Rogan is entering his sophomore season with the University of Tennessee Volunteers and is looking to continue his role as a top returner in the SEC, and also increase his role and contributions on defensive. Rogan made several exciting plays and headlines this past Spring, as he started at CB opposite DeAngelo Willingham, due to injuries to 2007 starter Brent Vinson. In addition to being the starting Punt and Kick Returner, he projects to be the first DB off the bench and the starting nickel back.



Here are some articles and quotes from various previews of the 2008 season:

Tennessee football 2008: Special teams

Defensive back Dennis Rogan certainly played a big role in UT's return game last season as a true freshman.
The former Fulton High star averaged 29.5 yards on 13 kickoff returns, which would have ranked second only to Jones in the SEC and sixth in the nation if Rogan had reached the minimum 1.3 returns per game to be counted among statistical leaders.
After taking over punt-return duties from safety Jonathan Hefney in November, Rogan averaged 9.7 yards per return, which ranked fifth in the SEC behind James, Arenas, Georgia's Mikey Henderson and Mississippi State's Derek Pegues.

Getting you Ready: The Kicking Game

Dennis Rogan (5-10, 185, So.): The electric and elusive Rogan was an unexpected dynamo a year ago. All he did was wow fans, coaches and teammates alike with his work returning punts and kickoffs. His 9.7-yard punt average led all SEC rookies and was fifth-best in the league. His 29.5-yard kickoff average would've been tops, but he just missed having enough. That won't be an issue this year. And it's not far-fetched to think he'll return at least one punt and one kickoff for touchdowns -- unless teams kick away from him.

This season, Tennessee should again be good in the return game with Rogan. It took the coaching staff longer than it should have to trust a freshman to field punts and kickoffs, but once they punt Rogan back deep, the Knoxville native was dynamic and gave the Vols a huge lift. He finished fifth in the SEC averaging 9.7 yards a punt return. He didn't have enough kickoff returns to qualify for a ranking, but he did average 29.5 yards on each attempt. His kickoff return against Arkansas 78 yards set up a score and he earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his day against the Commodores, which included a 45 yard return to help the Vols cap off a fourth-quarter rally to beat Vanderbilt.

How good does Rogan's teammates think he is? Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley asked to be on the punt return team to help block for Rogan.

Handicapping the 2008 Vols Defense

This group had better live up to all the hype that they have been getting all offseason. It starts and ends with Eric Berry. He's clearly the best football player on either side of the ball for the Vols. He'll likely play this year and next and (barring injury) will turn pro a year early. Vinson and Willingham are pretty good CBs on the outside. Look for Dennis Rogan to be the Nickel back. There is some concern over Dee Morley's playing status for the fall at this point. I don't know who to believe anymore. But as of this writing, I fully expect him to be on the field at UCLA on Labor Day. The knock on Morley though is that he is a risk-taker and gets caught out of position on occasion. If he doesn't reign that in, opposing OC's will catch onto this habit and exploit him. Also, Tennessee's defensive backs have a history of regressing from Year 1 to Year 2 under John Chavis and Larry Slade. I can't answer as to why that is. But it is a trend that we've seen time and again. That factor and Morley's gambling are the two things keeping this unit from getting an 'A.'

ESPN article: Kicking it with Eric Berry

ESPN: Do you want to play on special teams this year?

Eric Berry: "Yeah, I want to block for Dennis Rogan (on punt returns). That's our goal this year. We want to get Rogan to the house. I told him, 'We're going to take care of the other stuff. You've just got to get past the punter this year.' I joke with him about that all the time. He'll shake DBs and make a linebacker miss, but he gets to the punter and freezes up. I'm like, Rogan, come on, man."

Rogan's 2007 UT Highlights: