Gridiron Guide 2012

24
Special Section to The Lebanon Democrat, Mt. Juliet News, Hartsville Vidette Local football Team Previews and 2012 Schedules Gridiron Guide 2012 Cover photo by Dallus Whitfield

description

Local Football info and news

Transcript of Gridiron Guide 2012

Page 1: Gridiron Guide 2012

Special Section to The Lebanon Democrat, Mt. Juliet News, Hartsville Vidette

Local football Team Previews and 2012 SchedulesGridiron Guide 2012

Cover photo by Dallus Whitfield

Page 2: Gridiron Guide 2012

2 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Week-by-Week Schedule of High School games ........................................................................................page 3Friendship Christian Schoool Commanders ..............................................................................................page 4Lebanon High School Blue Devils..............................................................................................................page 6Mt. Juliet Christian Academy Saints ........................................................................................................page 8Mt. Juliet High School Golden Bears ......................................................................................................page 10McClain Christian Bulldogs....................................................................................................................page 12Trousdale County High School Yellow Jackets ........................................................................................page 14Watertown High School Purple Tigers......................................................................................................page 16Wilson Central High School Wildcats ......................................................................................................page 18Cumberland University Bulldogs ............................................................................................................page 20SEC Preview............................................................................................................................................page 21Tennessee Titans ....................................................................................................................................page 22

Table of Contents

Page 3: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 3

WEEK 0Aug. 17Lebanon at Mt. JulietWilson Central at GallatinWatertown at Cannon CountyFriendship Christian at Donelson ChristianMt. Juliet Christian at CommunityTrousdale County vs. Greenwood at

Warren Central [Ky.] 5:30 p.m.Aug. 18McClain Christian at Franklin Christian

WEEK 1Aug. 24Franklin County at LebanonWilson Central at LaVergneWhite House Heritage at Friendship Christian,

7:30 p.m.McGavock at Mt. JulietRed Boiling Springs at Mt. Juliet ChristianMcClain Christian at Pleasant View, 6 p.m.Macon County at Trousdale County

Week 2Aug. 30Huntland at WatertownMt. Juliet at PortlandEzell-Harding at Mt. Juliet ChristianAug. 31Lebanon at GallatinHendersonville at Wilson CentralFriendship Christian at GordonsvilleTrousdale County at Jackson CountySept. 1Sacred Heart at McClain Christian, 2 p.m.

Week 3Sept. 6Tennessee School for the Deaf at

McClain Christian, 6 p.m.Sept. 7Lebanon at GlencliffShelbyville at Wilson CentralWatertown at Red Boiling SpringsClay County at Friendship Christian, 7:30 p.m.Mt. Juliet at LaVergneMt. Juliet Christian at Clarksville AcademyTrousdale County at Gordonsville

Week 4Sept. 14Wilson Central at LebanonPickett County at WatertownJackson County at Friendship Christian, 7:30 p.m.Beech at Mt. JulietMt. Juliet Christian at Tri-Cities Christian,

6 p.m. CentralMcClain Christian at Riverside Christian

Week 5Sept. 21Lebanon at CookevilleWilson Central at CentennialMonterey at WatertownPickett County at Friendship Christian, 7:30 p.m.King’s Academy at Mt. Juliet ChristianMcClain Christian at Currey Ingram junior varsityClay County at Trousdale County

Week 6Sept. 28Station Camp at LebanonPortland at Wilson CentralWatertown at Clay CountyTrousdale County at Friendship Christian, 7:30 p.m.Mt. Juliet at GallatinMt. Juliet Christian at Zion Christian

Sept. 29McClain Christian at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, 2 p.m.

Week 7Oct. 5Lebanon at PortlandBeech at Wilson CentralFriendship Christian at WatertownStation Camp at Mt. JulietPickett County at Trousdale CountyOct. 6Aaron Academy at McClain Christian, 2 p.m.

Week 8Oct. 12Watertown at GordonsvilleCookeville at Mt. JulietDonelson Christian at Mt. Juliet ChristianTrousdale County at MontereyOct. 13Evangel Christian at McClain Christian, 2 p.m.

Week 9Oct. 19Beech at LebanonWilson Central at Station CampWatertown at Trousdale CountyFriendship Christian at Red Boiling SpringsMt. Juliet at HendersonvilleMt. Juliet Christian at Middle Tennessee ChristianMcClain Christian at Holloway, 4 p.m.

Week 10Oct. 25Mt. Juliet at Wilson CentralOct. 26Hendersonville at LebanonJackson County at WatertownMonterey at Friendship ChristianMt. Juliet Christian at Franklin Road AcademyRed Boiling Springs at Trousdale County

Week-by-Week Schedule 2012

All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

McClain Christian home games atStroud Gwynn Field.

Page 4: Gridiron Guide 2012

4 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

The year after a team wins a state champi-onship, the focus usually falls on the key return-ing players.

But at Friendship Christian, the summerspotlight has fallen on a newcomer.

A.J. Long transferred to the Possum Townschool this summer after passing for over 6,500yards as a freshman and sophomore at Pius X, aClass A Catholic school in Bangor, Pa. He wason pace to break the Keystone State’s careerpassing record by the time he was a senior. But

his transfer to theVolunteer State has already at-tracted the attention of area schools Vanderbiltand Tennessee. Florida State, Oregon, TexasA&M, Nebraska, Baylor and South Carolinahave also contacted him.

But it’ll be two years before he plays on Sat-urdays. For right now, he’ll transfer Friendship’spower offense which helped win the Command-ers their first state championship last fall back tothe spread attack employed during the LeeSweeney era in the mid-2000s.

“He’s done well,” Commander coach JohnMcNeal said of the 6-foot-1, 175-pound jun-ior. “I got to see him in game action. He hasexperience. He’s been a starter his freshmanand sophomore years. He knows the game. Heunderstands coverages.

“He has as strong an arm as Lee [whosigned with Louisville before setting severalpassing records at Tennessee Tech, where he’snow a graduate assistant quarterbacks coach].Lee’s advantage was he was 6-4. A.J.’s is hecan run.”

During his two decades at Friendship,McNeal has run just about every offense avail-able to suit his personnel. Long’s arrival meansthe Commander attack will look vastly differ-ent from the one which steamrolled Dresdenin last December’s BlueCross Bowl.

“We’ll definitely open up and do somethings we did with Lee [Sweeney] and somethings we did with Lee Maasen [a formerthree-sport star with a build more similar toLong’s who favored running]. We’ll still runsome power stuff... Teams loaded the box lastyear. [A.J.] will make it a little harder for peo-ple to do that.”

Long will step into a huddle with plentyof talent returning from the state champs.Sophomore StevenHollis [5-9, 160] will moveup into the feature back role with classmatesAustin Taylor [5-10, 180] and Cody Wallace[5-10, 205] playing some fullback.

“Our three running backs, as freshmenlast year, probably would have playedmore [ifnot for the presence of the graduated KyleWood and Dekolas Reeves],” McNeal said.

The ones who will most benefit fromLong’s arrival figure to be the receivers. Sen-

iors CaleMitchell [5-11, 175] and Ste-fan Remus [6-0, 185] are the top re-turnees. Classmate HunterWatts [5-10,160] has already proved his mettle intwo other sports at FCS since transfer-ring last winter from Gordonsville,where he did not play football. Sopho-more Parker Pinnell [6-3, 170] andjuniorMichael Hawks [5-10, 170] willalso try to move up the depth chart.

Walker and Pinnell will also seetime at tight end.

“We got some good receivers,good hands, good speed,” McNealsaid. “Our line is probably themost ex-perienced part.”

Most of the line which flatteneddefenses last year will be back to passprotect for Long. Though two startersgraduated, all six who are projected forthe rotation played at least some dur-ing the 12-3 2011 season. A couple ofthem have even shed a few pounds fordifferent reasons.

Senior left guard Ian Isbell haslost 25 pounds to get down to 260, togo with a 6-2 1/2 frame. Senior

friendship christian commandersState champs welcome

Pennsylvania blue-chip quarterbackFriendship Christian

CommandersS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 at Donelson Christian • 7 p.m.Aug. 24 White House Heritage • 7:30 p.m.Aug. 31 *at Gordonsville • 7 p.m.Sept. 7 *Clay County • 7:30 p.m.Sept. 14 *Jackson County • 7:30 p.m.Sept. 21 *Pickett County • 7:30 p.m.Sept. 28 *Trousdale County • 7:30 p.m.Oct. 5 *at Watertown • 7 p.m.Oct. 19 *at Red Boiling Springs • 7 p.m.Oct. 26 *Monterey • 7 p.m.

*Region 4-A game

Nick Norton gets some water during a break. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Cale Mitchell jumps to grab a pass. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

www.ligonbobo.com

Have AGreat Season!

Page 5: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 5

tackle/centers Greg Norton [6-1, 240] and Ben Dunn[6-0, 255] are also back, as is senior right guard TannerMartin [5-11, 215], who has dropped some weight inpreparation to play linebacker. Sophomore left tackleAndrew Wood [6-4, 280] and classmate center ColtonGaines [6-3, 225] also saw some action in the shadowsof their now-graduated big brothers [Connor Gaines andKyle Wood].

“We’ve got a big line,” McNeal said.On defense, six Commanders will rotate among the

three line spots – Isbell,Wood, Gaines, Dunn, Norton andsophomore Jeff Cherry [6-0, 200].

Martin will drop back from the line to middle line-backer with Taylor and Walker at the stack and juniorJustin Truszkowski [5-8, 165] at outside ‘backer.

Of all the Commanders, it’s Truszkowski, who’sbeen at FCS a few years, who has a previous connectionwith Long, having played with him as 8-year-olds inPennsylvania withA.J.’s father coaching them.

Three-fourths of the secondary return with Hollisand Remus at the corners and Mitchell at safety. Wattsand Pinnell will try to replace the BlueCross Bowl’s De-fensive Player of the GameDalton Patterson at free safety.

“Our defensewas themainstay last year,”McNeal said.Mitchell, whose punting into the wind in the Blue-

Cross Bowl was a key factor in the title game, returns.Josh Luck and Blake Grosch are vying for the kicking jobwhile incumbent Stefan Remusmoves up to long snapper.

“[Mitchell’s] as good as you can get,” McNeal said.This year’s Commanders are Wilson County’s first

football team which has to deal with the aftermath of achampionship – whether it’s the burden of expectation orthe hangover. But McNeal said this that was addressed inthe first team meeting.

“This is a new year and we want to be as success-ful,” he said. “That’s our goal every year. We want to getto Cookeville [home of the BlueCross Bowl].” Ian Isbell hits the sled during practice. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 6: Gridiron Guide 2012

6 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Lebanon high blue devilsAfter horrible offseason,

Blue Devils seek fresh start in new facilityLebanon’s final year at Nokes-Lasater

Field was a bad 2-8 season.The offseason which followed may have

been the worst in the program’s nine-decadehistory.

Spring practice was canceled after offsea-son workouts were found to be in violation ofTSSAA rules.

It got worse a couple of months later withthe death of rising sophomore defensive backJaelin Davis on the eve of the team’s move tothe Blue Devils’ new South Hartmann Drivecampus.

But the move to Clifton TribbleField/Danny Watkins Stadium offers a freshstart for Coach Troy Crane’s second season.Crane had 64 varsity candidates going into fallpractice, though only three starters return ondefense, one in the offensive line and a handfulof part-time skill players.

“We did some weeding out,” said Crane,who has five new assistant coaches, includingdefensive coordinator Terry Hemontolor andco-offensive coordinator Wes Elrod, who

helped tutor Crane on theWilson Central staff.Hemontolor, an LHS graduate, coached theBlue Devils to a 2-18 mark in 1979-80 andmost recently was head coach at Hunters Lanebefore retiring from Metro Nashville as ateacher. Both coordinators have extensive ex-perience as assistants in Wilson County, par-ticularly at Mt. Juliet.

“The thing I really like about our footballteam is the work ethic and atmosphere they cre-ate at football practice is going to pay dividends.”

Crane said losing spring practice made theBlue Devils appreciate the time they spend out-side even more when they got back out follow-ing the mid-summer dead period last month inhelmets and shorts.

“They focused up,” Crane said. “In helmetsand shorts, we got a lot of things installed. Theyworked harder in the weight room and condi-tioning and we didn’t get any injuries in thespring.”

With no spring practice, Crane didn’t tin-ker with the hybrid Wing-T offense which helearned from Elrod and current Cumberlandcoach DewayneAlexander.With the graduationof the athletic Patrick Maynard, Crane and

Elrod won’t run as much pistol as re-turnee Bryce Suber and freshmanChristian Haffner will work moreunder center.

Suber, son of Cumberland defen-sive coordinator Donnie Suber, madefour starts as a sophomore whileMaynard was injured last season.

“Bryce got under the lights andplayed at the speed of the game,”Crane said. “Since I’ve been here,he’s never missed a practice, nevermissed a workout... He’s earned therespect of thhe guys.

“Christian does have a little moreathleticism. You can see where he’smore of a true passer. Each of themhas their strengths.”

Whichever one of them starts willhand the ball to sophomore JulianCrutchfield [6-foot-4, 275 pounds],who ended last season as a defensiveend following the freshman season.Junior Winkie Johnson [5-9, 165]will see more action at wingbackwhile senior Ethan Copas [5-8, 165]

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Julian Cruthfield reaches out to grab a pass. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Lebanon High SchoolBlue DevilsS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 *at Mt. JulietAug. 24 Franklin CountyAug. 31 *at GallatinSept. 7 at GlencliffSept. 14 *Wilson CentralSept. 21 at CookevilleSept. 28 *Station CampOct. 5 *at PortlandOct. 19 *BeechOct. 26 *Hendersonville

*District 9-AAA game All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

has had some big games at the position despite anACLinjury.

“You can tell he’s a step faster,” Crane said ofCopas.

Sophomore Taye Davis [6-3, 215], another wing-back, was also a regular in the lineup at the end of lastseason.

Junior Zach Vaden [5-11, 235] and senior TaylorJones [5-10, 190] will rotate and be in the lineup at thesame time in two-tight end sets following the gradua-tion of Case Sloan.

Junior Taylor Bryan [5-11, 160] is back at wide re-ceiver after missing much of last season with a hair-line fracture in his leg. He will rotate with seniorDimitri Peters [5-11, 180], who saw action last year,and sophomore J’Quan Jackson [6-2, 170].

Up front, only junior left tackle Chris Osier [6-2,260] played every snap in the offensive line last seasonwhile senior left guard Daniel Kemp [6-3, 240] sawsome starts. Junior center Dyllon Bohanon [6-1, 305],senior right guard Isaac Freeman [6-2, 245] and juniorright tackle Nolan Sanders [6-2, 260] round out thefront wall.

On defense, Hemontolor is installing a 4-3 systemanchored by Crutchfield and junior Coleton Thomas[6-4, 245] at end. Bohanon and junior Wayne Bruton[5-11, 210] are slated to be the tackles.

Vaden will open at the Sam linebacker and sopho-more Cameron Reese [6-0, 175] at the Mike [middle].Senior Devon Tolliver [6-1, 200], playing for the firsttime since middle school but described by Crane as the

Page 7: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 7

BURDINE SUPPLY INC.PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

6966 LEBANON ROADMT. JULIET, TN (1/4 mile West of 109)

Phone (615)453-9222 • Fax (615)453-9272Owner: Vincent Lenning

Moen Bradford-White Tradewinds MansfieldFaucets Water Heaters Whirlpools Toilets

www.ligonbobo.com

Have AGreat Season!

strongest player on the team, is competing withsenior Keith Murray [5-10, 200] for the Will[weakside] spot.

Senior Demetrius Frazier [5-6, 145], de-scribed by Crane as “a steely-eyed hitter” leadsthe secondary at one cornerback spot. Johnsonor Jackson will be the other corner, whereDavis would have also been in the mix.

Jones is the strong safety and Peters or jun-ior Eddie McDaniels [5-10, 165], a familiarname in baseball and basketball but new infootball, are competing at free safety.

Haffner will be the punter while juniorsJosh Payne [extra points] and Cameron Harris[kickoffs] handle the place kicking.

Lebanon will open the season in Week 0 at

Mt. Juliet before beginning a new era at TribbleFieldwith anAug. 24 visit fromFranklin County.

“The kids have really taken a lot of pride inhaving a new weight room and a new lockerroom,” Crane said of the Blue Devils’ new digs.

“Facilities don’t makea football program.It’s the people in thefootball program that

make a footballprogram.”

Ethan Copas looks to run on a carry, but Malik Weir moves in on defense. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD LHS Coach Troy Crane. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 8: Gridiron Guide 2012

8 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Mt. Juliet Christian academyNew coach trying to teach

Saints how to winMt. Juliet Christian has never had a win-

ning season in 11 years of football, topping outat four victories on several occasions.

Jake Roberts, the Saints' fourth head coach,will be looking to teach the Saints to win.

"Learning how to win is more than half thebattle," said Roberts, who came to MJCA fromLebanon, where he was a Blue Devils assistantlast year after serving on DewayneAlexander's

staff at Cumberland. "We have focused onmental toughness and not flinching whenthings get tough. Instead of waiting for some-thing to happen, we're working on makingthings happen.

"We really focused this year on condition-ing, and part of that is mental toughness.We'regoing to be in better shape. They have workedtheir hearts out on the football field. They'verun until they can't run any more. Until we canget more guys out for football, they realize

we're going to have to be in bettershape than any other team on ourschedule."

Roberts, who has 28 players,credits his predecessor, Mark Harri-son, with beefing up the Saintsthrough the weights.

"He really emphasized the weightroom and I'm very fortunate to bearthe fruits of the seeds he planted,"Roberts said. "This is probably thestrongest and biggest team we've hadhere."

The Saints have size up front,which hasn't always been the case,with three 200-plus pounders on theinterior line, plus another at tight end.

Junior Gilbert Russ [5-foot-10,240 pounds] returns at left tacklewhile senior Bryce Perry will line upnext to him at guard. Junior BennyEastin [5-10, 195] is the center. Soph-omore Christian Webster [5-10, 215]is at right guard and junior SethThibedeax [5-8, 235] at right tackle.

Junior Zack Jones [6-3, 205] is abig target at tight end.

JuniorAndy Pittman [5-10, 185] will oper-ate the split-back veer at quarterback after play-ing quarterback last year.

"He earned it," Roberts said of Pittman.

"He's great throwing on the run. When all elsefails, he's pretty fast."

Junior Elliott Lee [6-0, 215] returns at a run-ning back alongside classmate NoahWilson [5-7, 155]. Senior Preston Raymer [6-0, 165] is

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Mt. Juliet ChristianAcademy SaintsS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 at CommunityAug. 24 Red Boiling SpringsAug. 31 *Ezell-HardingSept. 7 at Clarksville AcademySept. 14 @at Tri-Cities ChristianSept. 21 *King's AcademySept. 28 *at Zion ChristianOct. 12 *Donelson ChristianOct. 19 at Middle TN ChristianOct. 26 *at Franklin Road Academy

*East-Middle Region gameAll kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.@6 p.m. Central

New head coach Jake Roberts watches his players run drills in the hot afternoon temperatures. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

Coach Tim Butler coaches his lineman to get off the line on the snap of the ball. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

Page 9: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 9

back at receiver alongside former quarterbackBrant Lamberth [5-8, 170], also a senior.

"We're built around speed," Roberts said."We have quick players."

Russ will be at nose tackle in the 50 defensewhile Thibedeaux and Jones are the tackles.

The standup defensive ends/outside line-backers are Wilson and returning senior Jack-son Harrell [6-1, 205]. Eastin and Lee are backat inside linebacker.

Lamberth is an incumbent at cornerbackwhile senior Dallas Hammer [5-8, 150], theother corner, didn't play last year. Pittman andRaymer return at safety.

Senior Trevor West is back as the punterand kicker. He might also play cornerback.

"He's one of the better athletes in the entireschool," Roberts said of West.

The new coach is impressed with theSaints' work ethic.

"I've coached college and coached highschool here and in Georgia," Roberts said.

"This is thehardest-working team

I've ever been around.They have more heart.

They fight harderthan any team

I've ever been around."Coach Roberts talks with his offensive as he runs a four on four drills. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

LEBANONDEMOCRATTHE The

HartsvilleVidette

Page 10: Gridiron Guide 2012

10 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Mt. Juliet High Golden BearsBears look to replace

27 seniors from 13-1 teamMt. Juliet won its first 13 games of the sea-

son a year ago, a first-time accomplishment fortheWest Wilson school.

So what do the Golden Bears do for an en-core?

Make it more like what do they do in the af-termath as 27 seniors must be replaced from the

state semifinal team.“Kind of in a rebuilding mode,” said veteran

coach Roger Perry, who is entering his seventhseason at Mt. Juliet. “It’s a lot of new faces. Wehave a lot of shoes to fill.

“At least some of the guys got to experiencethe success. The young guys have really been apleasure to coach.”

While there are many new faces, there is at

least one familiar name at a key posi-tion – Chowbay will be the quarter-back. That’s sophomore NolanChowbay [6-foot-1, 170 pounds],younger brother to three-sport starCaleb who is preparing to play bas-ketball for Belmont University.

And he’ll have some veteran backsto hand off to, especially senior full-back Contrez McCathern [5-9, 225],who ran for some 1,500 yards last sea-son, and classmate Caleb Hopkins [5-8, 170] at halfback. Both are two-yearstarters.

Explosive senior Jalen Graham [6-3, 200] moves from wingback to widereceiver while junior Ben Cheatham[5-8, 175] moves up to wingback. Ro-tating from halfback to wingback willbe senior Austin Chaplin [6-2,180],who came out in the spring after run-ning track for the Bears.

Up front, junior Michael Khoury[6-4, 260] returns at tight end whilesenior Braiden Ealy [5-9, 250] movesfrom center to left tackle. SophomoreChrist Harper [5-10, 190] will takeover at left guard, senior Cody Bran-don [5-11, 210] at center and senior Brant Rich-mond [5-10, 200] at right guard. Right tackle isup for grabs between junior Jared Caperton [6-0, 260] and junior Nathan Fields [6-0, 270].

“Offensively, we do not have the size we hadlast year,” Perry said. “Maybe a little more speedbecause several of our backs are returning, andour linemen are quicker.”

A familiar left foot will return to kick in sen-ior Ryan Jenkins while Chowbay does the punt-

ing. Snapping the ball to themwill be senior JoeMcMahon.

The names on defense are mostly new. Anexception is senior outside linebacker Tre Neal-ous [6-1, 175], who started at safety last year,and senior strong safety Cody Carr [5-8, 180],an outside linebacker in 2011. Senior KyleGrace [5-9, 175], one of four Bears vying to ro-tate at the other safety and cornerback spots,played offense last year.

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Mt. Juliet High SchoolGolden BearsS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 *LebanonAug. 24 McGavockAug. 30 *at PortlandSept. 7 at LaVergneSept. 14 *BeechSept. 28 *at GallatinOct. 5 *Station CampOct. 12 CookevilleOct. 19 *at HendersonvilleOct. 25 *at Wilson Central

*District 9-AAA game All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

BURDINE SUPPLY INC.PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

6966 LEBANON ROADMT. JULIET, TN (1/4 mile West of 109)

Phone (615)453-9222 • Fax (615)453-9272Owner: Vincent Lenning

Moen Bradford-White Tradewinds MansfieldFaucets Water Heaters Whirlpools Toilets

www.ligonbobo.com

Have AGreat Season!

Offensive Coordinator Hunter Hicks watches sophomore quarterback Nolan Chowbay throw a pass. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

Page 11: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 11

Compare us to the big stores and be suprised!• Best USDA Choice Steaks in Wilson County!• All meat cut on the premises!• On Site Grilling• Produce Available for your convenience• Bar B Q Available 7days a week

Make the most of it with these delicious specials:• Homemade Chicken Salad or Pimento Cheese• Hot Hoagies• Taco Salad every Thursday• Meat & 2 Vegetables

Pick up a ready-to-eat delicious dish for your table, tonight!

Cooked and ready to eat!• Smoked Ribs - Every weekend!

Catering occasions:• Wedding • Birthday/Special Occasion• Holiday Parties • Corporate Events• Pharmaceutical/Office Deliveries• Football Fans

Favorite Catering Items:• RoastBeef/Gravy• Taco Salad• Twice Baked Potato Casserole• Smoked Boneless Pork Loin

Houston’s Meat & Produce3930 N. Mt. Juliet Rd. • Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 • 758-7226

IT’S LUNCH TIME!

MAKE DINNER EASY.

WEEKENDS - SPECIAL ORDER!

Coach Hicks gives his offense a play to run with #11 Nolan Chowbay & #10 Deontre Nealous. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

Seniors Michael Lewis [5-10, 175] and Chase Mang [5-10, 150] andsophomore Tavner Simmons [5-9, 170] are joining Grace in the DB rotation.

Senior Kenneth Clemmons [6-0, 205] will be the other outside linebackerwhile classmate Josh Belhu [5-11, 220], one of only a couple of Bears to playon both sides of the ball last year [the graduated Brett Dillard was the other]lines up inside with either junior Brigham Powell [6-1, 200] or juniorAdamGilg [5-7, 185].

Up front, senior tackle Chris Beason [6-1, 265] was at Farragut last year.Sophomore Charles [C.J.] Brooks [6-1, 225] will be at end and either juniorChase Cawthon [5-10, 295] or senior Cameron Sands [6-2, 335]. Sands hadnever played football until last year after moving in from the Bahamas.

“On defense, we’re bigger,” Perry said. “We’re excited about that.”

LEBANONDEMOCRATTHE The

HartsvilleVidette

#4 Cody Carr and #10 Deontre Nealous take a break from the heat. PHOTO GEORGE PAGE

Page 12: Gridiron Guide 2012

If you ask second-year McClain Christiancoach Seth Bass about his starting eight for thisfall, you can immediately sense his excitement.

“Our starters are as good as any other teamin our division” Bass says. “We can do somefantastic things if we gain a little more depth andstay healthy.”

McClain Christian heads into its first fullvarsity season this fall after enduring a brutal“transitional” schedule last fall which includedvarsity, junior-varsity and middle school teams.

“Last fall was tough on our kids,” Bass said.“Facing six strong varsity teams with only oneyear of middle school experience would betough for anybody, but we’re better for it.”

Entering 2012 though, Bass feels his playerswill be ahead of the curve.

“This year, we were able to go throughspring ball with a scrimmage and have a fullyear of weights,” he said. “Last year, theymissed all of that and it really set us back. We’remiles ahead of last year at this time.”

McClain Christian will compete in MTACDivision II following the league’s decision tosplit into two divisions based on team size, an-

ticipating league expansion for 2013.“Going into league play this year with the

new division format gives us a great shot at tak-ing home a title,” Bass said. “This means we’llbe playing teams similar in numbers to us, in-stead of some the giants we played last year.”

For most varsity games last fall the Bulldogsonly dressed 12 to 13 players while their oppo-nents often had 30 to 35 on the sidelines.

“It wasn’t a good situation,” Bass said. “It’dbe like Red Boiling Springs playing Mt. Juliet;it doesn’t make sense. Thankfully, the leaguerecognized that and I think it makes our league

very appealing to other prospectiveschools now.”

Several other MTAC schools areexpected to add eight-man footballsoon, while some TSSAA schoolsare also rumored to be exploring themove before next season. St. An-drew’s-Sewanee, Bell Buckle Webband Riverside Christian are TSSAAschools that have already made theswitch to 8-man football the last twoseasons.

“I’ve told our kids the path to atitle is going to get harder every yearas our league grows,” Bass said. “Wehave to take advantage of every ad-vantage we can get.”

Experience should be a boon forthe Bulldogs this fall as they welcomeback five of eight starters on offenseand six of eight on defense heading intothis season. Offensively, McClain ex-pects to take to the air more frequentlybehind sophomore signal-caller JonWhitener. While Whitener finished

with just 23-of-58passing for 280yards and twotouchdowns total in2012, he and senior quarter-back Brandon Fox combinedfor 252 yards and three TDsduring the spring scrimmagealone with the upgraded at-tack. When asked about thenew offensive wrinkles,Whitener shared his excite-ment.

“Last year we weren’tquite ready to air it out likethis,” he said. “This yearthough, I’ve followed mythrowing program andwatched some other greatQBs at work. I’m ready tobe the best I can be and takeour team to the next level.”

Helping keep the pressureoff the passing game will besophomorewingbackWestonRountree, who rushed for 630yards and eight TDs as afreshman in 2012, averaging7.7 yards per carry. In addi-tion to seeing the bulk of thecarries, Rountree is also ex-pected to be a primary targetin the passing game, as evi-denced by his 134 yds andtwo TDs in limited spring

scrimmage action.“Hard work beats talent any day, and that’s

what our team needs to learn,” Rountree said.“We are looking better, but we still have a longway to go for a title.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs will return to a 3-3-2 scheme under new defensive coordinatorand former Cumberland defensive lineman Der-rick Wilson. For any title dreams to come truethough, the coaching staff knows they must im-prove on their 2011 numbers, when they gaveup 51.2 points per game.

“We’re improving, but can still get better,”Wilson said. “On defense we have to be abouta relentless pursuit of continuous improvementevery day.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing our defensethis fall,” senior noseguard Kris Adams said.“Coach Wilson and Coach [Chip] Vanatta havereally helped our defense get stronger and moreaggressive, and they refuse to let us settle. Allour coaches expect us to conduct ourselves likemen on and off the field and you can see its pay-ing off.”

The Bulldogs will kick off their regular sea-son Aug. 18 at division opponent FranklinChristian. Home games will be played at the for-mer home of Castle Heights MilitaryAcademy,Stroud Gwynn Field, behind Wilson Bank &Trust’s main office on West Main Street. Theirhome opener will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 againstSacred Heart for homecoming.

McClain Christian bulldogsMcClain dives into

first full varsity scheduleMcClain Christian

BulldogsS C H E D U L E

Sept. 18 *at Franklin Christian • 7 p.m.Sept. 24 at Pleasant View • 6 p.m.Sept. 1 *Sacred Heart • 2 p.m.Sept. 6 Tennessee School for the Deaf • 6 p.m.Sept. 14 at Riverside Christian • 7 p.m.Sept. 21 at Currey Ingram jr varsity • 7 p.m.Sept. 29 at St. Andrews-Sewanee • 2 p.m.Oct. 6 Aaron Academy • 2 p.m.Oct. 13 Evangel Christian • 2 p.m.Oct. 19 *at Holloway • 4 p.m.

*MTAC Division II gameHome games played at Stroud Gwynn Field

“Going into leagueplay this year with thenew division format

gives us a great shot attaking home a title,”

Bass said.

12 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

MCA head football coach Seth Bass (kneeling) and assistant coach Derrick Wilson go through defensive plays with(l-r) Troy Huddleston and Kris Adams. PHOTO MCA IMAGES

Page 13: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 13

www.universitymedicalcenter.com • (615) 444-8262

AT UNIVERSITYMEDICAL CENTERWE’RE ALL ABOUTTHE COMMUNITY.

(Literally, all about the community.)

University Medical Center really cares aboutthe communities we serve. That’s why weprovideTeam Physicians and Certified AthleticTrainers at all high school sporting events thattake place in our county. We believe that beinga good neighbor goes well beyond theboundaries of our medical facility. Most of ourphysicians and staff live in cities and towns thatare located in and around our medical campus.They also have children who attend areaschools and participate in sports programs andother activities.

For more information on our SportsMedicine Program, please call 443-2503.

As the sole healthcare providerin Wilson county, it is a greathonor for University Medical

Center to assist our localathletes and to work in

partnership with our schools.

Where Compassion and Healing Come Together

Mt. Juliet

Mt. JulietHigh School

FriendshipChristian

Wilson CentralHigh School

LebanonHigh School

WatertownHigh School

Lebanon

Watertown

7070

70

109

231

231

840

40 40

CumberlandUniversity

Page 14: Gridiron Guide 2012

trousdale county yellow jacketsJackets picked behind Gordonsville,Friendship in rebuilding year

The football coaches in Region 4-A are ei-ther really impressed with Gordonsville andFriendship Christian or they believe TrousdaleCounty is in for a rebuilding year.

Probably, it is actually a little bit of both asthe Yellow Jackets have been picked to finishthird in league play behind the Tigers and

Commanders.The Tigers return a number of key players

from last year’s team that advanced to the ClassA semifinals, and the Commanders now havean extra boost of confidence to go along withan already talented squad after they claimed the2A state title last December.

Without a doubt, fifth-year head coachKevin Creasy does have some pretty serious

holes to fill since he lost nine offen-sive starters, eight defensive starters,his kicker, punter and top return manto graduation.

The Jackets lost 75 percent oftheir rushing yards with the departureof Jordan Harper, Steven Turner andDevon Turczyn, who all signed toplay college football. Plus, Turczynhad over half of the receiving yardslast year for the Hartsville gridderswho went 9-2.

Defensively, five of the top sixtacklers have also graduated.

“It’s pretty cool and fun to workwith these young inexperienced play-ers,” Creasy said. “It makes you wantto get after it and start from scratch. Itmakes you feel like you are accom-plishing something as a coach whenyou are really working out guys thathaven’t played any significant snapsin their whole life.

“But at the same time, we alsostill have our high expectations likewe always do. These guys are work-ing hard and we are out there coach-ing them up and we are doing it for

By Jerry Richmond Hartsville Vidette

Trousdale CountyYellow JacketsS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 @at GreenwoodAug. 24 Macon CountyAug. 31 *at Jackson CountySept. 7 *at GordonsvilleSept. 21 *Clay CountySept. 28 #*at Friendship ChristianOct. 5 *Pickett CountyOct. 12 *at MontereyOct. 19 *WatertownOct. 26 *Red Boiling Springs

*Region 4-A gameAll kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.@At Warren Central [Ky.], 5:30 p.m. kickoff#7:30 p.m. kickoff

G & L Garden Centerwith Unique Creations

Shrubs • Flowers • Gifts - Pam & Jeff Gregory • Angie & Tracey Langford

615-374-2331 • Fax: 615-374-2335Shrubs • Flowers • Gifts

Find beautiful touches to enhance your yard and landscape.

113 W. McMurry Blvd. • Hartsville, TN 37074

615-374-2147http://ttchartsville.edu

716 McMurry Blvd Hartsville TN 37074

DONOHO, TAYLOR & TAYLORAttorneys at LawGeneral Practice

Eddie Taylor • Betty Lou Taylor

204 Court St., P.O. Box 179 • Hartsville, TN 37074615-374-3004 • 615-633-4400

Fax: 615-374-2267

14 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Starters for the Yellow Jackets run through plays in the practice field. PHOTO MARIE CORHERN • HARTSVILLE VIDETTE

Page 15: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 15

LET’S GO YELLOW JACKETS!

LET’S GO

100 McMurry Boulevard • PO Box 45 • Hartsville, TN 37074ph: 615-374-2265, 615-254-3279 • tf: 800-337-4742 • f: 615-374-9571

CBTenn.com

EQUAL HOUSINGLENDER

the right reasons. It will be a long season,but hopefully by the time playoff rollaround hopefully we will be peaking atthe right time.”

The Jackets went 7-0 during theirjunior-varsity season last year and manyof those players also saw some actionwhen the starters were pulled on Fridaynights. Now those players must be ableto perform when a game is on the line.

“It’s pretty cooland fun to workwith these younginexperienced

players,”Creasy said

Trousdale County will look to its 11seniors for leadership, but will also counton a number of sophomores to play keyroles.

The Jackets will travel to Kentuckyto open their season Aug. 17 when theyplay Greenwood at Warren Central inBowling Green. They will host local rivalMacon County the following week. Twoof the biggest region games for the Pur-ple and Gold will both be on the roadwith trips to Gordonsville on Sept. 7 andto Friendship Christian on Sept. 28. Coaches, staff and players discuss the day’s drills. PHOTO MARIE CORHERN • HARTSVILLE VIDETTE

Page 16: Gridiron Guide 2012

16 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

watertown High purple TigersPurple Tigers look to reverse

bad ending to 2011The 2011 season was a tale of two years

for Watertown.The Purple Tigers won their first six

games. But the trio of Friendship Christian,Gordonsville and Trousdale County fol-lowed and Watertown never recovered, los-ing its final five of the season.

Six offensive and two defensive startersreturn for Coach GavinWebster’s eighth sea-son.Webster has 39 players out, a good num-ber for a ClassA school, including 10 seniorsand about as many juniors. But he is stillconcerned about depth.

“We don’t have any depth,”Webster said.“We have a lot of kids not ready to play.”

Experience is not a problem at quarter-back, where junior Ty Jobe [6-foot-1, 185pounds] enters his third season as a starter inthe spread offense.

Senior Brannon Hill [5-11, 180] returnsas the feature back. Seniors Cooper Jacobsen[5-10, 195, missed four games after beingbanged up last year] andDennie Holcomb [5-11, 205, played defense last year] will also bein the mix either in the backfield or in thefour- and five-wideout packages.

Senior Jake Belcher [6-2, 165] leads thepack of outside receivers. He’ll be joined by

junior Dakota Self [6-1, 180] and seniorColton Haun [5-11, 170].

Up front, Watertown’s experience is onthe left side where seniors Ben Bain [6-2,295] and Robert Davenport [5-10, 250]will be the tackle and guard, respectively.Senior Michael Mobley [6-2, 265] is thecenter after playing defense last year. Sen-ior Dylan Mathis [5-10, 185] will be atright guard and junior Sam Roller [6-1,245] at tackle.

On defense, Mobley returns at noseguard where he’ll be flanked by Bain andJacobsen, who played late in the season.

Holcomb returns at an outside linebacker

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Watertown HighPurple TigersS C H E D U L E

Aug. 17 at Cannon CountyAug. 30 HuntlandSept. 7 *at Red Boiling SpringsSept. 14 *Pickett CountySept. 21 *MontereySept. 28 *at Clay CountyOct. 5 *Friendship ChristianOct. 12 *at GordonsvilleOct. 19 *at Trousdale CountyOct. 26 *Jackson County

*Region 4-A game All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

Watertown Coach Gavin Webster talks with his Tigers before running plays. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD Colin Jennings looks around for the hand-off. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 17: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 17

TheHartsville

Vidette

To all Players and Coaches…Have a Safe and Exciting Season!

Go, Tigers, Go!Oakley’s Flowers & Gifts

122 East Main Street • Watertown

615-237-3842

Local News Is Just A Click AwayLocal News Is Just A Click Away• Local News• Opinions• Polls• And Much More!

www.mtjulietnews.comwww.lebanondemocrat.com

www.hartsvillevidette.com

LOG O

N TODAY!

alongwith Self. Sophomore Cameron Jennings[5-10, 225] andMathis will open at inside line-backer andMathis in themiddle ofWatertown’s3-3 formation.

Belcher and Haun will be the cornerbacksand Hill the safety.

“Got quite a bit of speed,” Webster said of

his Tigers. “Skill positions, we got quite a bit ofexperience, but not in the line.

“We need to stay healthy. We feel we canhave a pretty good year, but we need to stayhealthy.”

Holcombwill handle the punting and soph-omoreAustin Brown the place kicking.

Matthew Putman reaches out to grab a pass. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 18: Gridiron Guide 2012

18 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

Wilson Central High WildCatsTalent level, experience up

at Wilson CentralAfter five wins over the past two seasons,

Wilson Central’s talent level and work ethic areup, its coach said.

“We’re a lot faster than we were last year,”said third-year Central coach Brad Dedman,whose Wildcats went 2-8 last season. “We gotto develop some linemen along. We got to de-velop our depth along.

“Speedwise, we’ve got as good of skill guysas we’ve had at Wilson Central. We’ve gotten alot stronger. Our team has a lot better work ethic

than we’ve had in the past.”They also have a lot of experience on of-

fense. Junior quarterback Jordan Roundtree [6-foot-1, 185 pounds] passed for 1,100 yards andfive touchdowns last year.

Senior Trey Givens [6-0, 225] returns at full-back where he became the starter inWeek 3 lastyear. Junior Kyle Coombes [6-0, 210] and fresh-manVic Johnson [5-10] will rotate in.

Senior D.J. Majors [5-11, 184] and juniorAlex Price [5-9, 170] return to the wingback ro-tation.

But generating the most excitement for the

future is freshman Gabe Angel [6-3,215], who scored 28 touchdowns andgained 2,216 all-purpose yards forSouthside last year. He played in theEastbay Youth All-American Bowl inSan Antonio, Texas, in January. Asdominant a runner as he was for theSaints, Dedman envisions him as atleast a parttime receiver in the slot.

“He’s a good receiver,” Dedmansaid. “He’s got very good hands.”

Seniors Tim Fitzgerald [5-8, 170],Eric Simmons [5-10, 175] and AndreCorder [5-11, 190] are also in the mix.

Senior Chris Lee [6-1, 195] re-turns at wide receiver where he ledCentral in receiving in just four gamesafter missing most of the year with aninjury. Classmates Mason Pavan [5-11, 175] and Nick Grant [6-1, 170] arealso in the mix.

Replacing Jacob [Moose]Wood attight end will be senior Rod Crutch-field [6-3, 225], moved from offensivetackle, and/or classmate David

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Wilson Central HighWildcats

S C H E D U L EAug. 17 *at GallatinAug. 24 at LaVergneAug. 31 *HendersonvilleSept. 7 ShelbyvilleSept. 14 *at LebanonSept. 21 at CentennialSept. 28 *PortlandOct. 5 *BeechOct. 19 *at Station CampOct. 25 *Mt. Juliet

*District 9-AAA game All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

Andre Corder looks for room to run on a carry. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD Jordan Roundtree launches a pass. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 19: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 19

Nick Hays OFFICE (615 ) 444 -6554OFFICE (615 ) 449 -1694

SPORTS WORLDCELL (615 ) 308 -8102

nickhays11@hotmail . com FAX (615 ) 444 -1828

www.ligonbobo.com

Have AGreat Season!

Howard [6-1, 220].Four regulars return up front, including junior

center Josh Byrd [6-2,295], junior right guard Jor-dan McCullough [6-0, 225]; senior right tackleAn-drew Stoddard [6-3, 250], who is takingCrutchfield’s former position; senior left tackleAn-drew Campbell [6-0, 250] and senior left guardBrian Cummings [6-1, 225], who played a lot as abackup last year.

When drives stall, Dedman will again call uponthe strong leg of junior Brad Cavanough, who’s 44-yard field goal beat Lebanon last season. He willalso handle the punting, though Roundtree also didthose duties in 2011.

On defense, Crutchfield has moved from tackleto end while junior Preston Reed [6-3, 195] lines upon the other end. Junior Kaleb Roberts [6-0, 260]returns at a tackle alongside sophomore DillonSmith [6-0, 230].

Coombes will line up at inside linebackerafter playing outside last year. Givens will lineup next to him inside after playing half the timein 2011. Majors returns on the outside withCorder on the other side at least until senior in-cumbent Chase Hobbs [6-0, 190] can return froma knee injury.

Simmons played four games last year at corner-back while senior Jonathan Ward [6-0, 185] openson the other side. Price, Fitzgerald [a transfer fromCane Ridge], senior Darius Dailey [5-7, 160, injuredlast year] and junior LoganAment [5-7, 150, playedhalf the season] will also be in the mix.

Grant moves to free safety from cornerbackwhere he was hurt much of last year.

Wilson Central Coach Brad Dedman watches his Wildcats hit the sled. Central’s Colt Russell is seen in the foreground. PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 20: Gridiron Guide 2012

20 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

cumberland university bulldogs

The 2012 season will be remembered as the year Cumberlandmoved its operations amile from its longtime LindseyDonnell Sta-dium campus home toNokes-Lasater Field on the former LebanonHigh site.

WhileAlexander, his staff and a number of players who stayedin town this summer have painted, spruced up and transformed the46-year-old stadium from a high school to a college facility, con-struction of the team which will take the field this fall is well un-derway, needing only an annual tuning up.TheBulldogs have fallenone game short of the NAIA playoffs each of the past two seasons,and the last game of the season has meant something in three ofthe last four years.

“Each week over the last several years, we’ve been able to lineup and give ourselves a chance to win,” said Alexander, who had110 players in spring practice and was expecting 132 when fallpractice opened. “We’ve come very close to taking that next step.

“You’re going to lose good players every year, but we’ve beenbringing up good players every year.We’ve been able to retain ourguys in our program...We had some yearswhen I got herewhenwehardly had enough guys to practice.”

A look at the roster bears his point. Next to the class for some2/3 of the Bulldogs is the letter ‘r’, meaning there are a lot of fifth-year seniors, fourth-year juniors, third-year sophomores and sec-ond-year freshmen. Rarely now is a there a true freshman who hasto be thrown into the heat of battle before he’s ready.

“This could be our most mature football team we’ve had sinceI’ve been here,” said the seventh-year coach. “Wehave themost five-year, four-year, three-year guys we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Even at quarterback, where sophomore ReedGurchiek returnsfor his third season opener, the former Mt. Juliet star is in his thirdseason at CU.He completed 108 of 175 passes for 1,167 yards andeight touchdowns with seven interceptions last season.

“He’s so smart,”Alexander said of Gurchiek. “He understandsour offense. He’s such a good leader. He knows what everybodyon the field is supposed to do.”

Gurchiek has had trouble staying on the field due to injuries.Broc Loveless, another redshirt sophomore, hit 33 of 61 passes for569 yards and four scores with just one interceptionwhile winningboth his starts last fall.

“We’re fortunate to have twoquarterbacks likewehave,”Alexan-der said. “We’ll be as good at quarterback as anyone in our league.”

Fullback Tim McCord graduated. But Gurchiek may have anold familiar face to hand off to. His former Mt. Juliet teammate,Michael Nwokoji [5-foot-8, 215 pounds], transferred to CU fromBethel in January andwill be a redshirt sophomore. Fifth-year sen-iorAdrian [Tank] Baker, aMr. Football atMaryville where he never

lost a high school game, was injured early last season but is backat fullback along with fifth-year senior Marcus Thompson [5-10,204] of Macon County.

Senior Lemeco Miller [5-8, 190], one of the few not to haveused a redshirt year, has some fullback experience but is expectedto play more at wingback. Fifth-year senior Ken Dixon [5-7, 170],a wishbone quarterback at Thomasville [Ga.] High, ran for 178yards, a high during theAlexander years, against Kentucky Chris-tian last season. Sophomore Blake DeBoard [5-8, 178] also sawsome time at quarterback in high school and has been a defensiveback and special teamer at Cumberland before being moved to of-fense in the spring. Fifth-year senior Kelsea Fordham [6-0, 200]has been a special teams player.

At wideout, fourth-year junior DeJeay Woods [6-3, 198] wasblossoming into a gamebreaker when he tore his ACL in midsea-son andwas lost for the year. He caught 28 passes for 359 yards andfour scores. Fifth-year senior Daniel Dayton [6-1, 163] underwentshoulder surgery andmissed last season. Fourth-year junior Court-land Styles Jr. [6-3, 188] caught 16 passes last year. Senior JoshPierce [6-2] used up his basketball eligibility with Cumberland lastyear before coming out for football in the spring.

At tight end is formerAll-American wrestler BJ Stewart [6-5,249], a fifth-year senior whowreaked havoc as a defensive end lastseason, recording four sacks and returning a fumble 57 yards for atouchdown.

“He can catch the football reallywell,”Alexander said of Stew-art. “He’s a huge target. He’s got good speed, good hands, a phys-ical blocker at the point of attack.”

Also in the tight endmix are fifth-year senior Ryan Slack [6-2,208] and sophomore Victor Underwood [6-4, 246] of Mt. JulietChristian.

“We can have the biggest team we’ve had since I’ve been hereand be physical,”Alexander said.

Up front is third-year sophomore AJ Harmon [6-6, 335], atransfer fromGeorgia whowill protect Gurchiek’s blind side at lefttackle. Next to him at guard will be fifth-year senior Jesse Hall [6-5, 315], who played hurt last year.At center is junior Dalton Burge[6-0, 312], who came off the bench in his first college game and hasstarted every contest since. But it’s fifth-year senior right guardRyanWood [6-2, 305] who gets the team’s Cal Ripken award.

“He has been themost reliable, dependable football player I’vecoached since I’ve been at Cumberland,”Alexander said ofWood,who has also played just about every position on the line. “He has-n’t missed a snap, practice, workout or class. If we had anybodyget hurt, you moved RyanWood.”

Fourth-year junior Tucker Cathey [6-1, 338] is the leader tostart at right tackle. Redshirt juniorWilliam Judson [6-7, 309], red-shirt freshman Parker Bush [5-11, 281] and fourth-year junior

Grant Theall [5-10, 260] are also in the mix along the line.When drives stall, fourth-year junior JaredWhite of Trousdale

County will be called on after hitting 4 of 6 field goals last yearwith former FriendshipChristian kicker BeauBaker a closer option.Mt. Juliet junior Tyler Emmetts is a three-year punter, averaging39.1 yards on 52 boots in 2011.

“Our old fieldwas very tough to kick long field goals,”Alexan-der said. “The new field will help.”

When asked about the defense,Alexander went straight to thesecondary, which lost Chris Simpson to graduation but returns sen-iors Cody McAllister [three interceptions in 2011] and Allante’McLemore [two pickoffs] and gets back former three-year starterMichael Hagewood, anAll-Mid-South Conference performerwhodidn’t play last year after graduating but had a year of eligibilityremaining. Junior cornerback Josh Walker and sophomore GrantJones played behind Simpson last year.

In front of the secondary will be fifth-year senior Connor Mc-Church [6-1, 194], who has played quarterback in his career butcan play anywhere. This marks the 10th straight, and final, yearAlexander has coached a McChurch brother [after older brothersTyler and Mitch] at Wilson Central and/or Cumberland. Mc-Church’s 83 tackles, despite a foot injury, trailed only the 85 of thegraduated Ben Miller.

“If I had to pick a football team, period, you’d alwayswant himon your team,”Alexander said. “He makes plays, period.”

On the other side will be junior KyleMusice [6-0, 197, formerFriendship Christian player who was redshirted after a concussionlast year] or redshirt freshman Taylor Bozeman [6-0, 197].

Returning in the middle will be fifth-year senior Adam Wiss[5-11, 215], who played a lot in a backup role last year.

“He’s alwaysmade a lot of plays,”Alexander said ofWisswhilenoting redshirt freshman Robert McNeal [5-7, 240] will also be inthe mix. “He has a nose for the football.”

Up front, former Watertown star Nick Lennox [6-3 1/2, 235]has transferred in from Carson-Newman and will open at a defen-sive end as a redshirt sophomore. Senior Colin Urenda [6-2, 242],who posted seven tackles for loss last year, and junior JarredWilliams [6-3, 246] return at the other DE.

Fifth-year senior Johnny Turner [6-1, 300] is back at defensivetackle after sitting out last year following the death of his mother.Fourth-year junior ElvinVann [6-1, 287] returns after breaking hisleg in last year’s second game, against Campbellsville. Third-yearsophomore Devin Guthrie [6-2, 271], an athletic quarterback atDicksonCountywho injured his foot last year, and redshirt freshmanCayman Russell [5-10, 244] will alternate between end and tackle.

“We feel like they all will play well,”Alexander said.

Bulldogs look to take nextstep in new stadium

By ANDY REED Sports Editor

Cumberland UniversityS C H E D U L E

Sept. 1 Kansas Wesleyan (at Dyersburg) noonSept. 8 University of the Cumberlands 1:30Sept. 15 *Belhaven 1:30Sept. 22 at Virginia-Wise 5:00Sept. 29 at Pikeville 12:30Oct. 6 Union College 1:30Oct. 13 *at Faulkner 1:30Oct. 20 *Campbellsville 6:00Oct. 27 *at Bethel 1:30Nov. 3 *Bluefield 1:30Nov. 10 *at Lindsey Wilson 1:30*Mid-South Conference West Division game

Cumberland University Bulldogs include local athletes from left: Daley Sallis (Lebanon High School), Jared White (Trousdale County High School),Connor McChurch (Wilson Central High School), Head Coach Dewayne Alexaner, Reed Gurchiek (Mt. Juliet High School), Michael Nwokoji (Mt. Juliet HighSchool), Tyler Emmetts (Mt. Juliet High School), and Hunter Locke (Mt. Juliet High School). PHOTO DALLUS WHITFIELD

Page 21: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 21

The Southeastern Conference has lined up a few contendersfor Lucky No. 7.

Defending national championAlabama and last season’s 13-game juggernaut LSU remain the headliners of a league that haswon the last six BCS titles. And that’s despite the Crimson Tideand the Tigers losing a combined six first-round NFL draft picks.

Other SEC – and national – powers are trying to catch up.Arkansas, which ended last season ranked fifth, and Geor-

gia return star quarterbacks. Steve Spurrier fields another formi-dable-looking South Carolina team. Plus, the Razorbacks andGamecocks get star running backs back from injuries.

Even those suffering from SEC fatigue might not want tomiss that prime-time Nov. 3 three-match in Baton Rouge. TheTide and the Tigers split last season with ‘Bama grabbing Round2, 21-0 in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

The rivalry carried over onto Twitter with sniping betweenTide quarterbackAJMcCarron and LSUHeisman finalist TyrannMathieu — in June.

“I can tell you that no game is won in a Twitter page,” LSUcoach Les Miles noted.

What’s new this year is Big 12 Conference defectors TexasA&M and Missouri step into the SEC. They’ll both try to showthey belong.

“Only way you’re going to get respect is winning games,OK?” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “That’s the only way it’sgoing to happen. I got no problem with that.You’ve got to proveyourself.”

Here is an overall look at the conference:

EASTGEORGIA—Key players: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavar-

res King, DB Bacarri Rambo, LB Jarvis Jones. Returningstarters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: RB Isaiah Crowell is gone. Cornerback Sanders Com-mings and cornerback Branden Smith— and perhaps Rambo—face suspensions. ... Malcolm Mitchell, last season’s No. 2 re-ceiver, opens at cornerback and will likely play both positions. ...Lightweight nonconference schedule includes Buffalo, FloridaAtlantic and Georgia Southern.

SOUTH CAROLINA — Key players: QB Connor Shaw,RBMarcus Lattimore, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor.Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: A second straight Top 10 finish seems possible. ... IfLattimore returns to pre-knee injury form, it couldmore thanmakeup for the loss of WRAlshon Jeffery. ... Pass rush remains formi-dable even minus NFL first-round pick DEMelvin Ingram.

FLORIDA— Key players: RB Mike Gillislee, WR AndreDubose, LB Jon Bostic, DL Sharrif Floyd. Returning starters: 7

offense, 10 defense.Notes: Gators try to rebound from mediocre season. ... Brent

Pease replaces offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and has thepersonnel to mount a more physical running attack. ... Defensivelinemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley are trying to re-turn from knee injuries.

MISSOURI— Key players: QB James Franklin, LT ElvisFisher, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, CB E.J. Gaines. Returningstarters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: The SEC’s third group of Tigers enters the leaguehoping to prove skeptics wrong. ... Franklin is expected to befully recovered from spring shoulder surgery after flirting with3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season. ... It’s unclear ifRB Henry Josey (knee) will play.

TENNESSEE—Key players: QB Tyler Bray,WR Da’RickRogers, LB A.J. Johnson, LB Herman Lathers. Returningstarters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Derek Dooley’s rebuilding project continues after oneSEC win last season. ... Volunteers have dangerous receivers butmust replace RB Tauren Poole. ... Tennessee reloaded with sev-eral JUCO transfers, including onetimeAlabama defensive line-man Darrington Sentimore and WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

VANDERBILT — Key players: QB Jordan Rodgers, RBZac Stacy, DT Rob Lohr, CB TreyWilson. Returning starters: 9offense, 8 defense.

Notes: The Commodores have adopted coach JamesFranklin’s feisty attitude, but face uphill climb from 2-6 SECmark that still marked solid progress. ... Rodgers, Aaron’syounger brother, seems to have regained Franklin’s confidenceafter bowl game benching.

KENTUCKY — Key players: QB Morgan Newton, OLLarryWarford,WR La’Rod King, S Martavius Neloms. Return-ing starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Coach Joker Phillips might be on the hot seat after 4-12 SECmark in first two seasons. ... QBMorgan Newton was heldout of contact in spring after having surgery on his right shoulder.... Defense must replace SEC’s two leaders in tackles per game,LB Danny Trevathan and S/LBWinston Guy.

WESTLSU — Key players: QB Zach Mettenberger, CB Tyrann

Mathieu, DE Sam Montgomery, DT Bennie Logan. Returningstarters: 7 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Mettenberger, a former Georgia player, has drawnstrong reviews from coach Les Miles and teammates and mightrepresent a sizable upgrade at QB. ... Offense has runners galore,led by SpencerWare andMichael Ford, and offensive line has fiveplayers who have logged 102 collective starts. ... Secondary losesMorris Claiborne, but returns stars Mathieu and Eric Reid. ... EndsMontgomery and Barkevious Mingo combined for 17 sacks. ...

Tigers spent 11 weeks at No. 1 last season.ALABAMA — Key players: QB AJ McCarron, C Barrett

Jones, LB Nico Johnson, S Robert Lester. Returning starters: 6offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Quest for third national title in four years faces daunt-ing scheduling, including opener with Michigan in Arlington,Texas, and visits to LSU and Arkansas. ... New offensive coor-dinator Doug Nussmeier is unlikely to change pound-before-passphilosophy. ... Defense that topped all four major categories na-tionally must replace seven starters with 188 combined starts.

ARKANSAS — Key players: QB Tyler Wilson, RB KnileDavis, WR Cobi Hamilton, LB Alonzo Highsmith. Returningstarters: 8 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach John L. Smith trying to keep Bobby Petrino’soffseason ouster from slowing program’s momentum. ...All-SECRB Knile Davis returns after ankle injury sidelined him in 2011.... Razorbacks hosting LSU in Fayetteville for the first time since1992. ... Six members of Smith’s staff in new roles.

AUBURN — Key players: QB Kiehl Frazier, WR EmoryBlake, DE Corey Lemonier, LB Daren Bates. Returning starters:7 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Frazier is the odds-on favorite to claim starting jobover Clint Moseley. ... Tigers have new coordinators in Scot Lo-effler (offense) and Brian VanGorder (defense). ... Two-time1,000-yard rusher Mike Dyer is gone, and so is Gus Malzahn’sno-huddle offense.

TEXASA&M—Key players: LT Luke Joeckel, RB Chris-tine Michael, WR Ryan Swope, LB Sean Porter. Returningstarters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

QB Jameill Showers is apparent leader in race to replaceRyan Tannehill, the No. 8 NFL draft pick. ...Coach Kevin Sum-lin, whose Houston offenses twice led the nation in total, pass-ing and scoring, brings a fast-paced attack to College Station. ...Top pass rushers Sean Porter and Damontre Moore return fromteam that led nation in sacks per game.

MISSISSIPPI ST — Key players: QB Tyler Russell, LGGabe Jackson, CB Johnthan Banks, LB Cameron Lawrence. Re-turning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Bulldogs have won back-to-back bowl games for firsttime since 1999-2000— not to mention three straight Egg Bowlswith rival Mississippi. ... Coach Dan Mullen predicts “a hugeyear” from Russell. ... Mississippi State 0-12 under Mullenagainst SECWest teams other than Ole Miss.

MISSISSIPPI — Key players: WR Donte Moncrief, RBJeff Scott, DB Charles Sawyer, LB Mike Marry. Returningstarters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

NOTES: Randall Mackey has moved from QB to WR withemergence of Barry Brunetti, JUCO transfer BoWallace. ... WRNickolas Brassell has left the team because of academics, andfour others had work this summer to assure eligibility.

University of TennesseeOct. 31 North Carolina State [at Atlanta] 6:30Sept. 8 Georgia State 3:00Sept. 15 *Florida 5:00Sept. 22 Akron TBASept. 29 *at Georgia TBAOct. 13 *at Mississippi State TBAOct. 20 *Alabama TBAOct. 27 *at South Carolina TBANov. 3 Troy TBANov. 10 *Missouri TBANov. 17 *at Vanderbilt TBANov. 24 *Kentucky TBA

*Southeastern Conference game All times Central

Vanderbilt UniversityOct. 30 *South Carolina 6 p.m.Sept. 8 at Northwestern 7 p.m.Sept. 15 Presbyterian 11:30 a.m.Sept. 22 *at Georgia TBAOct. 6 *at Missouri TBAOct. 13 *Florida TBAOct. 20 *Auburn TBAOct. 27 Massachusetts TBANov. 3 *at Kentucky TBANov. 10 *at Ole Miss TBANov. 17 *Tennessee TBANov. 24 at Wake Forest TBA

*Southeastern Conference game All times Central

Alabama,LSU and SECtrying toremainon top

By John Zenor Associated Press

sec Preview

Page 22: Gridiron Guide 2012

22 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

tennessee titans

Coming off a 9-7 finish a year ago, theTennessee Titans have bigger aspirations for2012.

But they also have bigger questions thatmust be resolved if they are to take the nextstep and make the playoffs for the first timein four years.

A year ago, the Titans were a patchworkproject in a situation where new head coachMike Munchak was promoted to replacelong-time coach Jeff Fisher. Munchak hiredmuch of his staff around the time the lock-out began, so many players and coaches did-n’t even know each other until training camp.

The Titans drafted Jake Locker last yearto be their long-term answer at quarterback,and signed Matt Hasselbeck to keep the seatwarm until Locker is ready.

For a team that lost its best wide receiver,Kenny Britt, to a knee injury in week threeand never got running back Chris Johnson outof second gear, finishing just a game out ofthe AFC playoffs was somewhat remarkable.

As the Titans go through training campand preseason, the big question has beenwho will start at quarterback. Hasselbeckturned in a solid season in his first year inTennessee, throwing for 3,571 yards with 18touchdowns and 14 interceptions. But dur-ing the off-season, Munchak said the Titanswould be opening the position up to compe-tition, giving Locker the chance to win thejob and settle in long-term at quarterback.

Thus far in camp, there has been no clear-cut leader, but theTitans want to make a decision by the third preseason game ifpossible.

“You take everything into account, and obviously, we’re notgoing to put someone out there who we feel is going to strug-gle. If we feel someone is ready at any position, not just thequarterback position, then we feel good making it,” Munchaksaid at the start of camp. “You have to feel good about makingthe decision, and then you go with it. ... The bottom line is win-ning football games, and we feel the guy that’s going to movethe team the best, put more points on the board, and on and onis what you’re looking at.”

Whoever wins the job has the potential to have plenty ofweapons at his disposal. The Titans believe Johnson will bounceback from a sub-par season that followed a holdout last year andeventually a $53million extension. He rushed for just 1,047 yards,slightly over half the 2,006 yards he put up three seasons ago.

Johnson’s problems were partially on him and partially onthose blocking for him. As a result, he will have a new fullback– either Quinn Johnson or Collin Mooney – and there have beenchanges on the offensive line as well.

Tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart are set, but the Ti-tans brought in veteran Steve Hutchinson to play left guard.Andthere will be a new center with Eugene Amano lost to a tricepsinjury. Either Kevin Matthews and Fernando Velasco will start,while Leroy Harris, who played left guard last year, moves tothe right side.

The one thing the line did well last sea-son was pass protect, allowing just 24 sacks.That was important, because offensive coor-dinator Chris Palmer has been busy chang-ing the team’s approach to more of apass-first mentality.

At some point, the Titans will get Brittback on the field and will hope he can be thedynamic player he was becoming before hetore his knee up last September vs. Denver.Britt could also be facing a suspension fromCommissioner Roger for a DUI arrest in July,his latest in a string of run-ins with police.

Even without Britt, the Titans haveweapons to work with. NateWashington hadthe first 1,000-yard receiving season of hisseven-year career in 2011, and tight endJared Cook is becoming a vital piece of theoffense as well with 49 catches a year ago.First-round pick Kendall Wright will getplenty of opportunities as a receiver as well.

On defense, the Titans know they have toget better at rushing the passer. Tennesseehad only 28 sacks in 2011, and the Titanssigned free agent KamerionWimbley to helpbolster the pass rush. The Titans also hopethat former first-round pick Derrick Morganwill finally realize his potential after blow-ing out his knee as a rookie two years ago.But for now, he is playing behind formerpractice squad player Pannel Egboh in camp.

At tackle, the Titans appear deep, as theteam is very high on second-year pros JurrellCasey andKarl Klug. Sen’DerrickMarks holds

one starting spot and theTitans are high on rookie third-round pickMike Martin.

The linebacker corps has been retooled over the past coupleof years, and the Titans wouldn’t mind if two second-year play-ers, Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, and a rookie, second-round pick Zach Brown, wound up as starters. McCarthy andAyers are already there, but Brown must beat out veteran WillWitherspoon to earn his playing time.

In the secondary, the Titans lost cornerback CortlandFinnegan and safety Chris Hope, but feel comfortable with whatis still left to fill in the gaps. Jason McCourty and AlterraunVerner will start at the corners, and second-year man TommieCampbell will come in in the nickel package, while Vernerslides in to cover the slot. The Titans like the potential of ChrisHawkins and rookie Coty Sensabaugh as well.

At safety, Michael Griffin is now the leader of the second-ary, by virtue of beginning his sixth year with the team andbeing armed with a five-year, $36 million extension. JordanBabineaux starts at the other spot. The Titans have to hope thosetwo stay healthy, because depth behind them is rather thin.

On special teams, kicker Rob Bironas continues to be one ofthe NFL’s best. He was 29 of 32 last year, including making 6of 7 from beyond 50 yards. Punter Brett Kern was solid, and theTitans like what Marc Mariani has done in the return game.However, Munchak might give Wright some opportunities onpunt returns as well. Tennessee is breaking in a new long snap-per as rookie Beau Brinkley replaces long-time snapper KenAmato.

By Terry McCormick Titaninsider.com

Tennessee TitansSCH E D U L E

Sept. 9 New England noonSept. 16 at San Diego 3:25Sept. 23 Detroit noonSept. 30 at Houston noonOct. 7 at Minnesota 3:25Oct. 11 Pittsburgh 7:20Oct. 21 at Buffalo noonOct. 28 Indianapolis noonNov. 4 Chicago noonNov. 11 at Miami noonNov. 25 at Jacksonville noonDec. 2 Houston noonDec. 9 at Indianapolis noonDec. 17 New York Jets 7:30Dec. 23 at Green Bay noonDec. 30 Jacksonville noon

Times subject to change All kickoff times Central

Who will play Quarterback?

Matt Hasselback (8). WADE PAYNE • ASSOCIATED PRESS Jake Locker (10). WADE PAYNE • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Page 23: Gridiron Guide 2012

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2 • 23

tworiversford.com

1.800.900.1000 • 76 Belinda Parkway • Mt. Juliet

s a l e s • s e r v i c e • p a r t s

Page 24: Gridiron Guide 2012

24 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 2

(615) 444-8120

LEBANON’S ONLY AUTHORIZED MICHELIN® DEALERA L L I A N C E

www.rosetire.com

SCORE BIGwith Rose Tire & Service

and Michelin® Brand Tires!