16
Look Inside for Previews and Schedules! Friendship Christian School–p.4 Lebanon High School–p.5 Mt. Juliet High School–p.6 Mt. Juliet Christian Academy–p.7 Wilson Central High School–p.8 Watertown High School–p.9 Cumberland University–p.10 Tennessee Titans–p.10 Tennessee and Vanderbilt–p.11 Trousdale Co. Yellow Jackets–p.12 2015 Gridiron Guide A SPecial Section of The Lebanon Democrat MT juliet news the hartsville vidette Wilson County football coaches and players stand beneath the marquee at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon. Pictured (front row, from left) are Mt. Juliet Christian head coach Dan Davis, Wilson Central head coach Brad Dedman, Mt. Juliet head coach Tre Perry, Lebanon head coach Sam Harp, Watertown head coach Gavin Webster, Friendship Christian head coach John McNeal, (back row, from left) Mt. Juliet Christian lineman Josiah Scott, Wilson Central lineman Alex Comer, Mt. Juliet outside linebacker Justyce White, Lebanon running back and corner Jarren Stewart, Watertown running back Luke Turner and Friendship Christian linebacker Gene Carman. Photo: Jared Felkins

Football Gridiron Guide 2015

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Page 1: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Look Inside for Previews and Schedules!

Friendship Christian School–p.4

Lebanon High School–p.5

Mt. Juliet High School–p.6

Mt. Juliet Christian Academy–p.7

Wilson Central High School–p.8

Watertown High School–p.9

Cumberland University–p.10

Tennessee Titans–p.10

Tennessee and Vanderbilt–p.11

Trousdale Co. Yellow Jackets–p.122015 Gridiron

GuideA SPecial Section of

The Lebanon Democrat

MT juliet news

the hartsville vidette

Wilson County football coaches and players stand beneath the marquee at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon. Pictured (front row, from left) are Mt. Juliet Christian head coach Dan Davis, Wilson Central head coach Brad Dedman, Mt. Juliet head coach Tre Perry, Lebanon head coach Sam Harp, Watertown head coach Gavin Webster, Friendship Christian head coach John McNeal, (back row, from left) Mt. Juliet Christian lineman Josiah Scott, Wilson Central lineman Alex Comer, Mt. Juliet outside linebacker Justyce White, Lebanon running back and corner Jarren Stewart, Watertown running back Luke Turner and Friendship Christian linebacker Gene Carman. Photo: Jared Felkins

Page 2: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Page 2 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

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Page 4: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Page 4 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Friendship Christian’s lineup was somewhat in a state of flux during the early days of fall practice.

But that wasn’t a bad thing. Long-time coach John McNeal and his staff had a lot of good players to choose from.

“There are a lot of positions we haven’t settled yet,” McNeal said ear-lier this month. “We’re running two different groups.

“Linewise, we’ve got more depth than we’ve had in a while. We have jobs open and we’re going to see who fills them at pretty much all of the positions. Offensive line, we’ve got some young guys, but we have more depth than we’ve had in a while. At wide receiver, we have a good core there. We’re not locked in to a cou-ple. Running back, we have four guys who’ve run well this fall.”

One position which is settled is quarterback, where 6-foot-2, 210-pound sophomore Mike Jones Jr. will shoulder more of the load after work-horse running backs/receivers Austin Taylor and Steven Hollis graduated. Jones’ name pops up regularly on the recruiting websites on the top-100 lists. He passed for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 750 yards and 10 scores as a freshman.

Sophomore JaJuan (Speedy) Foutch (5-8, 165) brings speed to the back-field where he will join junior Spen-cer Burge (5-7, 150) and rotate with

Friendship Christian CommandersDiv. II Class A East & Middle RegionHead Coach: John McNeal2014 record: 10-2Last playoff season: 2014, lost in state quarterfinal to St. George’s 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 at Davidson Academy 7 p.m.Aug. 28 Battle Ground Academy 7:30 p.m.Sept. 4 *at Knoxville Webb 6:30 p.m. CDTSept 18 Franklin Road Academy 7:30 p.m.Oct. 2 *at Mt. Juliet Christian 7 p.m.Oct. 9 at Northwest 7 p.m.Oct. 16 *Donelson Christian 7 p.m.Oct. 23 at Portland 7 p.m.Oct. 30 Lancaster Christian 7 p.m. *East-Middle District 1-A game

CommanDErS Carry morE DEptH into 2015 Campaign

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senior Chris Mickle (5-11, 180) and sophomore Ben Jamison (5-10, 200).

Seniors Will Burruss (6-0, 165), Hayden White (6-2, 180) and Marshall Taylor (6-0, 220) return at wide receiver and will be joined by senior Parker Hodges (6-2, 170). Tay-lor will also line up at tight end where senior Gene Carman (5-10, 215) and sophomore Jackson Cherry (5-11, 170) also work.

Up front where the Commanders lost three seniors from last year’s 10-2 season, senior Joshua Eatherly (5-10, 210) and freshman Luke Smith (6-0, 220) are vying for the center po-sition. Juniors Hunter Williams (6-4, 280) and Brady Stovall (6-3, 230) and junior Nick Norton (6-1, 240) are working at tackle while senior Luke Shoulders (5-8, 220), junior transfer Chris Draper (6-3, 280) and sophomore Mat-thew Skeen (6-3, 270) are laboring at guard.

On defense, sopho-more Cade Powers (6-0, 250) will join Norton, Shoulders and Skeen at tackle. Stovall, Eatherly and Smith will join ju-nior Gregory Elliott (6-4, 220) at end.

Carman, Taylor and senior Gage Bentley are the veteran linebackers. Carman racked up 121 tackles, including 17 for loss and three sacks with three fumble re-coveries in 2014.

In the secondary, Jones, White and Mickle are back at safety while Foutch, Hodges and Jamison rotate at cornerback with Burruss and soph-omore Chad Holcombe also in the mix.

Friendship has been blessed with reliable extra-point kickers in recent seasons. But McNeal is having to go deeper to find kickers and punters this time around. Burruss won the PAT contest by a wide margin, McNeal said. Jones was the punter at the end of last season and will be in the mix with Carman and sophomore Zach Greene.

As for kickoffs?“We don’t have a true

kicker,” McNeal said. ”We’ll just have to get an athlete and go with the best we have on kickoffs.”

Photos: Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Freshman Luke Smith (left in top photo)battles sophomore Matthew Skeen (62)

in a line drill.

Quarterback Mike Jones Jr. (1) will also beon the lookout from the defensive secondary.

Running back/receiver Parker Hodges (far right photo) makes a leaping catch

against Dalton Karstens (13).

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By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

After failing to break into the win column in 2014, the Lebanon Blue Devils won’t have to worry about making the ’15 playoffs.

Due to the TSSAA’s latest clas-sification change, Lebanon is among the 32 largest schools in the state and placed in the new Class 6A in which every team will qualify for the playoffs.

But Lebanon coach Sam Harp is more focused on the Week 2 opener against Warren County than the Week 12 postseason.

“Right now our goal is winning the first game,” said Harp, whose Blue Devils will reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007. “We can’t look too far ahead, obviously.”

After going through the Blue Dev-ils’ first winless season since 1979 and joining a new region, Harp tried to fill his non-region schedule with more winnable games. Warren County has struggled in recent sea-sons, Portland’s lone win was a close contest at Lebanon’s Clifton Tribble Field/Danny Watkins Stadium last season and Summit is a new school which also went 0-10 in 2014. But beating those teams alone won’t be enough to say the rebuilding process is well on its way.

“If we get that first win, that’ll get us some momentum and keep us going throughout the season,” said Lebanon senior athlete Jarren Stew-art (5-foot-9, 190 pounds), who’s likely to line up at all of the skill posi-tions except tight end.

Harp is looking for more than the first victory.

“We’ve got to get some signature

Lebanon High SchoolBlue DevilsRegion 3-6AHead Coach: Sam Harp2014 record: 0-10Last playoff season: 2007, lost to Lincoln County 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 28 Warren CountySept. 4 *at McGavockSept. 11 SummitSept. 18 *Mt. JulietSept. 25 at PortlandOct. 2 *at Wilson CentralOct. 9 *RavenwoodOct. 16 *at AntiochOct. 23 *at John OvertonOct. 30 *Franklin

All games kick off at 7 p.m.*Region 3-6A game

pLayoFF-BoUnD BLUE DEviLS SEEk FirSt win SinCE ‘13

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wins, beat someone we’re not supposed to beat,” Harp said. “If we can get some signature wins, then I think we can get over the hump.”

Entering his third season at Lebanon, the seven-time Ken-tucky-champion coach said the foundation of the program is more firmly in place, particu-larly in the area of the coach-ing staff.

“I have a full (12) coaching staff this season,” Harp said. “Last season, we ended the season with three assistant coaches. You can’t do that at this level, or at any level. I feel

very confident and very good about the staff I have now and the kids have bought in.”

The key Blue Devil will be Stewart, who started the quar-terback until tearing his ACL at midseason. Jackson Gray (5-11, 220) finished the season at QB and will be the regular there while Stewart moves all over to take advantage of his athleticism.

“I understand the offense so if he puts me anywhere on the field, it’s not a problem,” Stewart said. “I understand where to go and what to do. It’s not a problem learning ev-

Senior Jarren Stewart will get the ball from any one of six different positions.Photo: Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

erything about it.“(Gray) has come a

long way. He’s finally gotten some experience and that helped a lot after I got hurt.”

“He’s going to play on the defensive side of the ball as well,” Harp said, noting Stewart will see time at cornerback and safety.

Joining Gray and Stewart in the backfield will be senior running back Raheem Reynolds (5-10, 160), who played there last season. Also in the mix will be junior Brett Hutto (5-10, 165), freshman Xavier Mills (6-0, 175) and junior D’Anthony Harris.

On the outside will be senior returning receiv-ers Damerius (Truck) Weir (5-11, 160) and Tyler Hamilton (5-8, 155) and sophomore Rashaad Cooper (6-2, 165). The tight ends will come from a mix of senior Justin Brown (6-1, 200, a nose guard last year), senior Koty Lackey (6-1, 225) and junior Cameron Young (6-3, 230). Sophomore Kemon Neuble (5-11, 210) will probably be the H-back when Stew-art’s not there.

If that seems like a lot of players, it’s because with an extra week of preseason, there’s not as big a rush to put the depth chart in ink.

“We got three weeks before we play so I still want to keep things open competition,” Harp said a week after practice in pads began. “Certain positions are nailed down, but I like to have a lot of compe-

tition.“We have two more

scrimmages coming up before we have a game. We’re a week further out than everybody else since we don’t play the first week.”

The front line is more settled with junior Nick Anderson (6-1, 215) at center, senior T.R. Kirby (6-1, 200, a linebacker last year) and junior Isaac Brewington (5-10, 190) at the guards and returning senior Isaiah Moore (6-1, 270) at one tackle. Also returning at tackle is junior Hayden Hittle (6-1, 255). But ju-nior Jaden Moore (6-2, 255) and sophomore Nathan Counts (6-3, 305) are also vying for time at guard.

The defense, under new coordinator Sean Corbitt (who held that position under Herschel Moore at Cumberland at the turn of the century before serving on the Friendship Christian staff), is even more un-settled.

“Since the first scrim-mage, we’ve done a lot of regrouping, so noth-ing is settled,” Harp said of the defense. “Offensively, we’re a lot more settled. We’re still trying to find the right fit.”

Moore, Brown and junior J.W. Baird (6-2, 250) are vying for the interior defensive line between ends Young and Neuble.

Mills is expected to play linebacker along with inside ‘backers Lackey and senior David Davis (5-10, 200). Hutto will play a rover posi-tion, a hybrid outside LB/safety position.

Junior Corbin Pickard will return at corner-back with classmate D’Andre Harris on the other side. Cooper and D’Anthony Harris (D’Andre’s twin) will be the safeties with Stew-art in the mix at all four spots.

Junior Logan White will return at kicker and punter.

Harp said the Blue Devils are still young. But they’re fast.

“We got more speed than last year for sure,” he said. “Track speed and football speed are two different things. The Harris twins, Ra-heem Reynolds run track and they can stick their foot in the ground and go in different di-rections (as required in football).”

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By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Mt. Juliet isn’t loaded with seniors, but the Golden Bears do have experience in their sopho-more and junior classes as they embark on their journey into Region 3-6A and the “Super 32”.

“We do have some experience, but we’re still young,” said third-year head coach Trey Perry, whose Golden Bears went 5-6 last fall. “A lot of these juniors who have been in the fire…you’re still talking about 16-year-old kids. We’re trying to talk about a sense of patience with them, making sure we progress practice by practice, week by week.”

A new quarterback will take over for the de-parted Nolan Chowbay, but junior Joey Hayes (5-10, 190) did see playing time last year. He and/or junior Trey Pruitte (6-4, 190) will operate the spread of new coordinator Levi Brown.

Senior Jahuar Jackson (5-9, 200) will be the fea-ture back after rushing for 257 yards and a touch-down on 44 carries last year. Spelling him will be freshman Marcello Walton (5-8, 165)

“He’s really wowed us in this camp,” Perry said of Walton.

Senior H-back Josh Williams (6-0, 210) is another returning starter who ran for 159 yards and a pair of scores on 30 carries in 2014. Alternating with him will be sophomore Gabe Magalei (6-0, 205).

Senior Austin Simpson (6-1, 170) and sophomore Aidan Raines (6-0, 180) will return at receiver. They will be joined by Pruitte, junior Mason Earls (6-1, 175 transfer from Morristown West) and se-niors Addison Simmons (5-11, 185) Darius Lowery (6-0, 190) and Jay Murphy (5-9, 165).

If the skill players need a little time to get their feet a little more wet, an experienced line should give them plenty of time to do that as four start-ers return and the fifth played a lot last year.

Senior Kelani Smith (6-1, 270) will be in the middle at center with junior right guard Drew Tompkins (6-0, 275) and junior left guard Jacob Parker (6-2, 260, played off the bench in ’14) flanking them. Junior Justin Satterfield (6-7, 310) will be at right tackle and classmate D.J. Deffen-dall (6-5, 280) on the left side.

“I’m excited about this group,” Perry said of the O-line. “They’re very close.”

The defense will be run by new coordinator Greg Abner, a former head coach at Glencliff and Cane Ridge who was on the Beech staff last year. He’ll have lots of depth to work with, especially up front.

“We literally start seven people – four posi-tions,” Perry said of the D-line.

Senior Dominick Jamison (6-1, 215), junior Jacob Shanks (6-1, 225) and senior Lucas Long (6-0, 230) will be the ends along with junior Aaron Weist (6-2, 240), who may also see action at defensive tackle and tight end. Returnee Colt Jones (6-2, 250) and fellow junior Jaylon Jones (6-2, 250) will be the tackles and senior Adam Williams (6-0, 270) the nose guard.

Senior middle linebacker Justyce White (6-2, 210) is the heart of the defense after posting 33 tackles, four for loss, three forced fumbles and a recovery last year. He has offers from Eastern

mt. Juliet High Schoolgolden BearsRegion 3-6AHead Coach: Trey Perry2014 record: 5-6Last playoff season: 2014(lost in first round to Oakland) 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 at GallatinAug. 28 at Cane RidgeSept. 4 *at RavenwoodSept. 11 Franklin CountySept. 18 *at LebanonSept. 25 *Wilson CentralOct. 2 *John OvertonOct. 9 *AntiochOct. 23 *at FranklinOct. 30 *McGavock

All games kick off at 7 p.m*Region 3-6A game

yoUng, BUt ExpEriEnCED BEarS Look to CHaLLEngE in nEw CLaSS

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Have A Great Season!

Photos: George Page, Lebanon Democrat

Coach Trey Perry (top photo) watches a lineman closely while standing on the sled during a blocking drill.

Quarterback Joey Hayes gets set to throw as H-back Josh Williams (4) looks to protect his blind side.

Offensive line coach Curtis Grah (botton photo) watches two of his linemen work on blocking drills.

Kentucky and Lindsey Wilson. Williams or senior Noah Brandon (5-8, 195) will be the other linebacker.

Juniors Bryce Coma-cho and Jaden White (both 6-2, 190) will be the cornerbacks and Murphy the nickelback. Junior Zach McConnell (6-2, 190) returns at free safety and sopho-more Tony Thompson (6-3, 215) is already the incumbent at strong safety, though he’ll e pushed by classmate Evan Angle (6-2, 190). Senior weak safety Jonathan Jenkins (5-11, 195) is another re-turning starter. Senior Dylan Mathis (5-11, 170) will come in as the dime back.

Junior Jacob Bailey kicked some late in his freshman year before being injured last sea-son. Junior Josh Mitch-ell will be the punter.

Like Lebanon and Wilson Central, Mt. Ju-liet is assured a playoff berth in the new Re-gion 3-6A.

“We’ve already got our jackets ordered that say ‘2015 playoffs’ on the back,” Perry quipped. “That part was easy.”

The Wilson County three will be joined by last year’s 5A runner up Ravenwood, Frank-lin, John Overton, An-tioch and McGavock.

“It’s going to be a feeling-out process,” Perry said of the new region. “You got schools from three different counties (Williamson and Davidson in ad-dition to Wilson), that makes it interesting.”

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GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015 n Page 7

1444 Baddour Pkwy 615-444-7560

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By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

By his estimation, Mt. Juliet Christian is younger this season than last. But coach Dan Davis said the Saints are further along in his second season as head coach.

There’s been 365 days worth of difference,” Davis quipped. “The biggest difference over the course of the year we’ve installed things, gotten them to buy in. You’re seeing kids take things more serious. They’re a lot more excited. You’re start-ing to see the culture change.”

Davis inherited seven seniors last year and the Saints went 2-8. There are four this season.

The strength may be a sophomore class which went undefeated as eighth-grade middle-schoolers. They were followed by a 5-3 team which is now the freshman class.

“They’re going to be the ones who turn this thing around,” Davis said of the younger class-men. “They don’t like losing and they’re willing to work. That’s what’s changing the cul-ture. Guys have seen success.”

One of those sophomores will take over for the graduated Rik Vanmali at quarterback. Alex Pitman (6-foot-0, 170 pounds) will take the snaps in the Saints’ pro-style offense.

Pitman will hand off to ju-nior running back Austin Col-lier (6-1, 270) and/or freshman Darius Hylick (5-7, 180). He’ll throw to senior wide receivers Nate Green (6-1, 165) and Will Samuels (6-4, 200), sophomore wideout Preston Sloan (5-7, 170) and junior tight end Sam Easton (6-0, 180), who will be spelled by sophomore Tristan Mathis (6-1, 165).

The line will be led by senior right tackle Josiah Scott (6-4, 270), joined on his immedi-ate left by freshman guard Will Dedman (5-9, 270). A trio of 10th-graders will line up on the left side from center to tackle – Dawson Perry (5-10, 200), Jacob Sherrod (5-11, 205) and Cameron Burgess (6-1, 185).

“They all played to varying degrees,” Davis said of the line, excepting freshman Dedman.

“We won’t be able to run the ball down people’s throats, but we’ll be able to run inside and outside zone like everybody else in the country, make them de-fend the 53 (yards),” Davis con-tinued. “We’ll be able to throw the ball effectively. We probably won’t be able to chuck the ball all night long, but we’ll be able to throw the ball effectively.”

The defensive front four will rotate between the tackles and ends with Scott leading the way and joined by Dedman, Hylick and junior Mike Rogers

mt. Juliet ChristianSaintsDivi. II Class A East/Middle RegionHead Coach: Dan Davis2014 record: 2-8Last playoff season: Never made the playoffs 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 CornersvilleAug. 28 at RichlandSept. 4 *at Knoxville Webb, 6 p.m. CDTSept. 11 Houston CountySept. 18 at Franklin Road AcademySept. 25 at Ezell-HardingOct. 2 *Friendship ChristianOct. 16 *King’s AcademyOct. 23 Zion ChristianOct. 30 *at Donelson Christian

*East-Middle District 1-A gameAll kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

SaintS BUiLDing witH Strong UnDErCLaSS

mt. juliet christian academy

Photos: George Page, Lebanon DemocratNate Green (top photo) catches a punt as Tristan Mathis (7) waits to block. The Saints’ four seniors are Race McLean (27), Nate Green (4), Josiah Scott (75) and Will Samuels (21).

(5-11, 290).Mathis will return at outside line-

backer with Collier manning the op-posite side. Sophomore Brayden Cox (5-10, 180) will shift between the in-side and outside. Perry and freshman Andrew Kittrell (5-9, 160) will be on the inside.

In the secondary, Green will move from free safety to cornerback with freshman Logan Collier (5-7, 140) lining up on the other side. Easton is a veteran at strong safety while Samuels takes over at free.

Green will be the kicker and Sam-uels the punter, Davis said.

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By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

If the old football adage ‘it all starts with the line’ is true, Wilson Central should be off to a good start for the 2015 season.

Four starters return on the offensive line, led by 6-foot-5, 280-pound senior right tackle Alex Comer, a three-year starter. Junior right guard Coleman Ladd (5-11, 230), senior left guard Cody Ma-cLennon (5-10, 205) and senior left tackle Brandon Bennett (6-4, 250), another three-year starter, are also back from 2014’s 4-6 team. Junior center Gannon Starnes (6-3, 270) is the “newcomer “ to the unit.

“That’s the strong part of our team,” sixth-year Central coach Brad Dedman said of the O-line. “We count on them heavily. We counted on them a lot last year and we’re going to count on them this year.”

“We feel we can open some holes for our backs, do something special,” Comer said. “We’re very confident in the offensive line.”

The beneficiaries of the line’s blocking will be an offense with a new quarterback, junior Blake Meadors (6-0, 205). Junior Tyler Bowes (5-10, 195) returns at fullback where he rushed for more than 400 yards on 20 carries per game after breaking into the lineup late in the season.

Seniors Jordan Hooper (6-0, 180), Jor-dan Wilson (6-0, 190) and Connor Walls (6-0, 175) return at wingback where they will be joined by juniors Slater Rountree (6-0, 175), Ray Coggins (5-11, 175) and Watertown transfer Devon High (6-1, 180). Juniors Colton Dowell (603, 200) and Spence Welch (6-1, 175) will rotate at wide receiver while sophomore Dalton King (6-1, 190) will replace Cumberland freshman Zack Dover at tight end.

“Our skill guys have come along nicely this fall,” Dedman said. “We got the speed to get outside when we need to. We just got to get better each week.”

On the defensive side, senior Zach Bu-ford (6-1, 250) and junior Noah Stafford (6-2, 220) return at tackle to flank junior nose guard Cole McCorkle (6-3, 260).

Walls, junior T.J. Minfee (6-2, 215) and senior Jonathan Binkley (6-1, 190) will rotate at outside linebacker. Junior Nic Schrenoch (6-0, 220) will return at one inside linebacker while Wilson and senior Chris Lackey (5-10, 205) will rotate at the other spot.

High and sophomore DeMarius McB-room (5-10, 160) will be the cornerbacks. Coggins is back at strong safety while Rountree is the free safety.

Junior Adam Williams will handle the punting and kicking.

Like Lebanon and Mt. Juliet, Wilson Cen-tral is guaranteed a playoff spot in the new

wilson Central High Schoolwild CatsRegion 3-6AHead Coach: Brad Dedman2014 record: 4-6Last playoff season: 2013 (lost in first round to Oakland) 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 BeechAug. 28 at Station CampSept. 4 *AntiochSept. 11 at SiegelSept. 18 *at McGavockSept. 25 *at Mt. JulietOct. 2 *LebanonOct. 9 *FranklinOct. 23 *RavenwoodOct. 30 *at John Overton

All kickoffs at 7 p.m.*Region 3-6A game

wiLDCatS to pUt BESt LinE ForwarD in 2015

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When I say “good,” you say “neighbor.”

Now that's teamwork.Jeff Gannon, Agent401 S Mt Juliet RdMt Juliet, TN 37122Bus: [email protected]

Jeff Gannon, Agent401 S Mt Juliet RdMt Juliet, TN 37122Bus: [email protected]

Now that’s teamwork.

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453-9702

Photos: Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Coach Brad Dedman (lower right) watches running back Tyler Bowes (4) stiff arm a defender and wide receiver Dalton King (10) catch a pass.

“Super 32” Class 6-A. With a new Region 3 forming with McGavock, Antioch, John Overton, Ravenwood (which lost to Maryville 35-34 in last year’s 5A state final) and Franklin joining the Wilson trio, it means a fresh opportunity for someone to step up to become the league’s first power.

“We want to be the first champions of the new district,” Comer said. “We don’t want to go one-and-out like we have the last couple of years. We want to go further in the playoffs than we have.”

“We just got to learn what our new region does,” Dedman said. “We’re having to fig-ure out what they do. The good news is they have to figure out what we do.”

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By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

A year after beginning the season 0-4 and in offensive dis-array, Watertown enters 2015 with returnees at quarterback, running back and receiver.

The light went on at mid-season when quarterback Seth Price returned to the team. The Purple Tigers won their final four games to just miss the Class 2A playoffs at 5-5.

Now, Watertown is in a new Region 4-2A in which only two of the teams had winning re-cords last year.

“Going into a new region, got a lot of kids returning,” veteran coach Gavin Webster said. “It’s a positive.

“Offensively, we’ve got a veteran quarterback coming back. He can run, he can throw. (With senior running back) Luke Turner (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), we got a pretty good combina-tion back there. We have a good group to throw to.”

The junior Price (5-11) will throw to four returning receiv-ers – juniors Vonte Bates (5-10, 180) and Brady Swann (6-1, 175) and seniors Zack Grisham (6-1, 180 who will also line up at H-back) and Skylor Scales (5-11, 175). Price picked up almost 1,000 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns in roughly half a season.

“I don’t know if we’re as fast as we have been, but we’re not slow,” Webster said. “We’ve got some kids who can move pretty good, (but) I’ve had faster teams.”

Returning up front will be

watertown High Schoolpurple tigersRegion 4-2AHead Coach: Gavin Webster2014 record: 5-5Last playoff season: 2012(lost in first round to Cascade) 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 GordonsvilleAug. 28 at Davidson AcademySept. 4 *CascadeSept. 11 at Grundy CountySept. 18 *Jackson CountySept. 25 *at EaglevilleOct. 2 *ForrestOct. 16 *at East RobertsonOct. 23 *at CommunityOct. 30 *Westmoreland

All kickoffs at 7 p.m. *Region 4-2A game

pUrpLE tigErS Look to CHaLLEngE in nEw rEgion

watertown high school

Photos: Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Quarterback Seth Price (11) throws a pass while running back Elijah McClary (28) runs the ball.

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junior left tackle Rusty Staats (6-4, 250) and junior right guard Bryson Watts (5-9, 205). They will be joined by junior left guard Josh Deel (5-9, 180), sophomore center Ryan Means (5-10, 245) and senior right tackle James Vaden (6-2, 245).

Six starters return on defense, including Staats at end. Vaden and Deel will rotate at the other end. Watts will be joined at tackle by senior Christian Pep-pers (6-3, 360) and/or junior Jesse Cooper (5-11, 245).

Turner, last year’s District 8-A co-most valuable player after

rushing for almost 1,000 yards, returns at inside linebacker where he posted 115 tackles while Grisham is back on the outside. Juniors Jay Tubbs (6-0, 215) and Dalton Tarpley (5-10, 175) will share time on the in-side while Bates, a cornerback last year, moves down to outside ‘backer.

Scales, who had 74 tackles, returns at one corner while Price will be the other with Swann roaming the middle between them at safety.

“We have some guys back, but still kind of green in some

areas,” Webster said of the defense. “We lost a real good linebacker last year (Cameron Jennings) and we’re still looking for someone to fill that void.

“We’re young on defense, but we have some guys who can be as good as they want to be.”

Price is expected to handle the punting duties while Nathaniel Gutierrez will be the kicker.

Watertown is seeking its first district/region championship in 30 years with East Robertson, Westmoreland, Jackson County, Cascade, For-rest, Community and Eagleville. Absent from the schedule are longtime nemeses Trousdale County and Friendship Christian are absent and Gordons-ville is now a non-league game.

“The regions we’ve been in in the past have been tough,” Webster said. “These teams (now) are no tougher than those guys we played year in and year out. We’re looking forward to the chal-lenge of being competitive every week.

“It’s going to be a challenge for everybody.”“Our goal is to win region and make a run in the

playoffs,” Turner said.

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Page 10: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Page 10 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

By Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

Cumberland was picked to finish in a tie for last place in the Mid-South Conference West Division in a vote of the league coaches.

Third-year head coach Donnie Suber doesn’t dis-pute the vote, saying it’s a by-product of losing not one, but two, four-year co-starting quarterbacks in Reed Gurchiek and Broc Loveless in what is increas-ingly becoming more of a QB game. The Bulldogs lost a number of other skill-position players from a 6-5 team in 2014.

“I’d rather be ranked low than be ranked high and get knocked off,” Suber said.

A four-way battle for quarterback is underway with fourth-year junior Justin Snyder (5-foot-9, 178 pounds) leading in experience with a half-game’s worth of snaps last fall, completing 6 of 13 passes for 58 yards and an interception. He’ll be joined by redshirt freshman Ryan Jordan (6-2, 190 from Eagleville) and true freshmen Joseph Rushin (Mc-Donough, Ga.) and Ian Spence (Creek Wood).

The H-back will be from Wilson Central, either senior Brandon Mallory (6-0, 220), the Bulldogs’ top returning rusher with 290 yards and four touch-downs on 81 carries, or freshman Zack Dover, a tight end for the Wildcats. H-back is the closest thing to a tight end or fullback (Mallory’s high school position) in Cumberland’s spread offense.

Junior Austin Chaplin (6-0, 183) from Mt. Juliet, listed as a defensive back on the old roster, was the front runner for the running back position coming out of spring practice. Redshirt freshman Moses Cornelius (5-10, 225) of Antioch could move to linebacker, Suber said. The Bulldogs are waiting for Marshall transfer Brandon Byrd to get the okay from the NAIA clearinghouse to practice and play. Byrd rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in six games for the Thundering Herd last year.

At wide receiver, fourth-year junior Michael Green (5-10, 160) is back on offense after moving to cor-nerback in the spring. He caught 19 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns last season. Third-year sophomore Trevon Jones (5-5, 147) is the top re-turning receiver with 24 grabs for 302 yards and a score. Redshirt freshman Ladarius Rodgers (5-10, 158) will also line up on the outside.

Freshmen Damaris Macon, from Boyd-Buchanan, and Blackman’s Lorel Morton will join third-year sophomore Mason Pavan (5-10, 169) of Wilson Cen-tral and several others for the fourth wideout spot.

On the flip side, there are no question marks up

Cumberland UniversityBulldogsConference: Mid-SouthDivision: WestHead Coach: Donnie Suber 2015 SCHEDULESept. 5 Georgetown College 1:30 p.m.Sept. 10 at West Alabama 6 p.m.Sept. 19 at University of the Cumberlands 6 p.m.Sept 26 at Valdosta State 3 p.m.Oct. 3 at Pikeville 12:30 p.m.Oct. 10 Kentucky Christian 1:30 p.m.Oct. 17 *Reinhardt noonOct. 24 *at Campbellsville 6 p.m.Oct. 31 *Bethel noonNov. 7 *Faulkner noonNov. 14 *at Lindsey Wilson 1:30 p.m.

*Mid-South Conference West Division gameAll times Central

BULLDogS to rEBUiLD aroUnD vEtEran LinE

cumberland university

Donnie Suber enters his third season as Cumberland head coach.Photo: Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat

By Terry McCormick247Sports.com

All you have to do is see all the marketing, promotional and ticket sales campaigns around town to see that things are vastly different in Ti-tans land.

For one, the team is now having to work to sell tickets that used to be tough to get. That’s what happens, though, when you sink to 2-14 and the fan base goes from angry to apathetic in the process.

The other thing that has changed for the Titans is what is being marketed. And the what is actually a who – new quarterback Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner. Mariota is being pegged not only as the Titans new franchise quarterback, but the very face, or should we say, facelift of the franchise.

By all accounts, Mariota is ahead of where the Titans had thought he might be heading into his rookie season and making the adjustment from being a zone-read quarterback at Oregon to being a pro quarterback. To make that transition a little easier, the Titans have incorporated a few things in the playbook that Mariota had in college.

The Titans are hoping to set up Mariota for as much success as pos-sible, even though they know there will be growing pains at times, de-spite his early acumen for picking up the offense.

“Whether it’s calling the play in the huddle, taking the snap under center, some of the different checks, concepts that he’s had to do. He’s handled him-self well, he’s been good in the pocket. His footwork’s been really good, quick release, he’s seeing things down the field,” Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Mariota. “A lot of the things that you see from a quarterback who’s maybe had more experience in the conventional type offense than one in the spread, he looks good.”

Still, the Titans will have to exercise patience and they are also young at

many other positions on the field as well, meaning this team needs to grow up together in order to build a con-tender.

“The one thing you don’t want to do is overload him. We’ll see how we can build off of that as we go. I mean look, he’s not the only young guy that we’re going to need contributions from, so it’s not really an exact science. We’re going to have to see what kind of load these guys that are going to be com-peting for spots can handle and how they do that. That’s going to be part of this training camp, finding out about that,” Whisenhunt said.

There is plenty of youth at the run-ning back position, where the Titans need more from second-year pro Bishop Sankey, who had 569 yards rushing as a rookie. He will be paired with rookie David Cobb and second-year man Antonio Andrews as the Titans are likely to use a committee in the backfield. Veteran Dexter McClus-ter figures in some as a gadget player. The Titans also spent a fourth-round pick on fullback Jalston Fowler, who figures to have a hand in a variety of chores from blocking, pass catching, getting an occasional carry and on spe-cial teams.

Wide receiver is one of the most in-teresting areas on the roster, as there are young players the Titans are hope-ful can step up and produce and get on the same page with their young quar-terback. Kendall Wright may be poised for a big season, and the Titans hope Justin Hunter finally begins to fulfill his potential. If not, his snaps could to go talented but raw rookie Dorial Green-Beckham, the team’s second-round pick. Tennessee added veterans Hakeem Nicks and Harry Douglas in the off-season to help steady this group.

Delanie Walker had a record-setting year at tight end with a franchise-best 890 yards receiving. Craig Stevens re-turns to provide help as both a blocker and pass catcher, and the Titans added solid vet Anthony Fasano to his group.

The offensive line is an area that still has question marks. Left tackle Taylor Lewan and right guard Chance Warmack, both recent first-round picks, are the anchors of the line. Be-yond that, there are questions. Brian Schwenke must stay healthy at center, and the Titans need more from 2013 free agent Andy Levitre, who has struggled in his first two years for the Titans at left guard. At right tackle, Michael Oher was cut, and the Titans signed Byron Bell from Carolina and drafted Jeremiah Poutasi to compete for the spot.

On the defensive side of the ball, the biggest acquisition was not a player, but venerable defensive coach Dick Le-Beau, who comes over from the Steel-ers. LeBeau, who turns 78 this year, basically invented the 3-4 scheme the Titans will run, and in the second year of the system, Tennessee has added more pieces it hopes will help.

The defensive line is solid with Jur-rell Casey at end. DaQuan Jones will supplant Ropati Pitoitua as a starter in the youth movement, while Sam-

mie Hill, once healthy, will be the nose tackle. Situational players like end Karl Klug, Pitoitua and nose tackle Al Woods all figure into the rotation.

The Titans knew they had to get btter in the pass rush, and signed Brian Orakpo to fill a spot at outside line-backer. If he can stay healthy, Orakpo should team with Derrick Morgan to help out on the outside. Inside, Zach Brown is back after missing nearly all of last year with a pectoral injury and will team with Avery Williamson in the middle.

The secondary also gets a shot in the arm as cornerback Perrish Cox joins Jason McCourty at cornerback and DaNorris Searcy fills a safety spot alongside veteran Michael Griffin.

Special teams is in good hands with kicker Ryan Succop, punter Brett Kern and long snapper Beau Brinkley all signed to extensions in the off-season.

The Titans know, though they prob-ably won’t admit it, that making a huge jump back into contention with a rookie quarterback is a huge stretch from 2-14. That said, the Titans are likely looking for progress and strides made in 2015 with an eye toward turning the corner back in the right direction.

Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt2014-2015 record: 2-14AFC South record: 1-5

i t ’ S a nEw Day For tHE tEnnESSEE t i tanS

tennessee titans

front, where all five starters re-turn – sophomore center Chandler Peeples (5-11, 290), sophomore guards Nick Bodden (6-3, 269) and Smith County’s Zac Carter (5-8, 311) and junior tackle Will Boler (6-6, 320) and fourth-year junior Chris Escamilla (6-1, 282) of Macon County.

“Our offensive line is our strong part on our team,” Suber said. “We found some pretty good skill players at receiver.

“The quarterbacks we’ve signed can run pretty well. We run the ball a good deal with the quarterback. We’re going to have more speed on offense than we had last year.”

On defense, fourth-year junior Justus Dauscha (6-2, 204, team-leading 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks) and sophomore Dono-van Norfleet (6-3, 230) return at ends. Fifth-year senior Cayman Russell (6-0, 250) of Henderson-

ville returns at a tackle where he posted 10 tackles for loss. Fresh-man Damian Starks is expected to eventually land at the other tackle.

Junior Nathan Jernigan (6-0, 191) of Eagleville is a returning All-Mid-South performer after posing a team-high 99 tackles at outside linebacker last year. He’ll move inside this season. Junior Christopher Golden (5-9, 205) is the middle linebacker. Daniel Wil-son will play a linebacker/strong safety hybrid nickel back.

Fifth-year senior Anthony Knight (5-10, 184, three intercep-tions) of McGavock returns at one cornerback. Junior Nytrellis Ross was expected to play the other corner but was injured in a car wreck and could miss the season. Fourth-year junior Fredrel Cross (5-6, 154), who missed last year after he was shot in the calf after

playing running back in 2013, is next in line at corner.

Two-year starter Tyler Burr (6-0, 173) is back at safety where he posted 92 tackles and picked off three passes last year. Third-year sophomore DeAnthony Patrick of McGavock will be the other safety.

“We’re still young at nickel back and safety and corner on one side,” Suber said. “We’ve always been small on defense. We should be a little bigger in the line. Our linebackers are small, but they run well.”

On special teams, former Friendship Christian standout Mike Self has graduated after handling kicking and punting. Third-year sophomore Matthew Alter could do both, either or nei-ther this fall. Third-year junior Tyler Way of Gallatin is in the mix at kicker and Burr could be the punter, Suber said.

2015 SCHEDULESept. 13 at Tampa Bay 3:25 p.m.Sept. 20 at Cleveland noonSept. 27 Indianapolis noonOct. 11 Buffalo noonOct. 18 Miami noonOct. 25 Atlanta noonNov. 1 at Houston noonNov. 8 at New Orleans noonNov. 15 Carolina noonNov. 19 at Jacksonville 7:25 p.m.Nov. 29 Oakland noonDec. 6 Jacksonville noonDec. 13 at New York Jets noonDec. 20 at New England noonDec. 27 Houston noonJan. 3 at Indianapolis noon

Wide receiver Justin Hunter.Photo: George Page

Page 11: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015 n Page 11

utsports.com

Butch Jones isn’t ready to say this is the year Tennessee turns the corner.

But the third-year Vol coach knows the vibe around Knoxville is different this season.

“The expectations are a little bit differ-ent than what we had it the past, but that’s what we want,” Jones said at SEC Media Days last month. “That’s why these play-ers came to the University of Tennessee and wanted to be a part of a program that has very high expectations. We still have a number of unproven areas within our foot-ball team.

“We’re going to have to rely on a lot of true freshmen to play important key roles in this season, so a lot of that success will be determined by how quickly they can de-velop into their roles.”

Tennessee is coming off a 7-6 season that was capped by a bowl victory over Iowa. The Vols got to a bowl game by beating South Carolina on the road, then knocking off Kentucky and Vanderbilt to qualify for a bowl and start erasing the memories of the Lane Kiffin/Derek Dooley era.

Jones has an ace in the hole in quarter-back Josh Dobbs, who will be back for his junior season. Dobbs has shown ability to both run and pass, and as an aerospace major, has a lot of intelligence and savvy.

“He provides you with great flexibility,” Jones said. “The great thing with Josh even more so than opening up the playbook is in corrections. You only have tell him one time. And for him to be able to have the re-tention of knowledge that it takes is vital.”

Jones also likes the Vols’ supporting cast — especially defensive end Derek Barnett and linemen Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie.

“(Barnett needs to) continue to grow and get quicker off the football,” the coach said. “His growth and development may have been set back a little bit in terms of spring practice. (But) the one thing that separates Derek Barnett is his workman like ap-proach. If you tell him you need to do this and this is going to make you successful, he’s going to do it.”

vucommodores.com

After a nightmarish 2014, Vanderbilt football fans might need a reason to be optimistic about this season.

Coach Derek Mason’s response? It’s a new year.“Well, 2014’s got nothing to do with 2015, first

of all,” said Mason, the Commodores’ second-year coach. “I think this football team is a different football team than we had a year ago. What you build on is the understanding of last year it was more about ideal self. Now it’s more about real self. We understand who we are and what we aren’t.”

Last year wasn’t a fun year for the Commo-dores. Vanderbilt finished 3-9, losing all eight of its Southeastern Conference games. The Commo-dores even suffered a 37-7 loss to Temple in its opener, which was a bitter pill for a fan base that had enjoyed 18 wins the previous two seasons.

Vanderbilt opens up on a Thursday night again this year, this time at home against Western Ken-tucky.

“When it’s time to play Western Kentucky,” Mason said, “we’ll be ready to play. This football team is primed to take one game at a time. West-ern Kentucky is a good football team, and we want to make sure that we play well on opening day

“It will be a Thursday night. So it’s exciting to get back on the field on a Thursday night and open up in our stadium. But who that opponent is, it matters. This game matters to us. It matters in terms of mak-ing a statement and showing our fan base as well as college football that we’ve moved forward.”

A big key for the Commodores will be running back Ralph Webb, who ran for almost 1,000 yards as a freshman. At times, he was Vanderbilt’s only potent offensive weapon.

“There’s special players all across the country, and I believe Ralph Webb is a special player for our team,” Mason said. “But we all have things to improve on. Ralph’s told me in confidence that at the end of the day, he wants to be a three-dimensional back. He wants to be a guy that can run between the tackles, he can set up in pass pro and really be a factor out of the backfield. Well, in order to do that, that takes work, and right now this football team is about doing work.”

The Commodores brought in a new offensive co-ordinator, Andy Ludwig.

“In looking at our football team, I know Andy

tennessee volunteersSEC EASTHead Coach: Butch Jones2014 record: 7-6 2015 SCHEDULESept. 5 #Bowling Green 3 p.m.Sept. 12 Oklahoma 5 p.m.Sept. 19 Western Carolina 6 p.m.Sept. 26 *at Florida TBAOct. 3 *Arkansas TBAOct. 10 *Georgia TBAOct. 24 *at Alabama TBAOct. 31 *at Kentucky TBANov. 7 *South Carolina TBANov. 14 North Texas TBANov. 21 *at Missouri TBANov. 28 *Vanderbilt TBA

#at Nissan Stadium, Nashville*Southeastern Conference gameAll times Central

vanderbilt CommodoresSEC EASTHead Coach: Derek Mason2014 record: 3-9 2015 SCHEDULESept. 3 Western Kentucky 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 *Georgia 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 Austin Peay 3 p.m.

Sept. 26 *at Ole Miss TBA

Oct. 3 at Middle Tenn State 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 *at South Carolina TBA

Oct. 24 *Missouri TBA

Oct. 31 at Houston TBA

Nov. 7 *at Florida TBA

Nov. 14 *Kentucky TBA

Nov. 21 *Texas A&M TBA

Nov. 28 *at Tennessee TBA

*Southeastern Conference game

BUtCH JonES, voLS Looking For morE in 2015

CommoDorES HopE maSon’S optimiSm SomEtHing to BUiLD on

University of Tennessee

vanderbilt university

Tennessee coach Butch Jones is in his third year of rebuilding the Vols’ program. utsports.com

Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has taken over as defensive coordinator. Last year, the first-year coach only won three games. vucommodores.com

Tuttle and McKenzie will try and solidify a defensive line that has po-tential, but needs depth and experi-ence.

“They’re gonna need to fit im-mediately,” Jones said. “Defensive tackle is one of those unproven areas on our football team. They’re going to be critical again on the suc-cess of our defense. We know you can never have enough defensive tackles (in this conference).”

The Vols are ready to get back on top.

“You’re not used to an SEC team being down that long,” said line-backer Curt Maggitt. “My thoughts during the recruiting process when I was being recruited was being a part of bringing it back.”

Defensive back Cam Sutton was more succinct.

“Hungry — that’s the only way you can really explain it,” Sutton said. “We want more. That’s our mentality. We had a great offsea-son, you know, spring ball. With the addition of the guys coming in the summer time, we’re eager to learn, always in the film room.”

Ludwig has done a tremendous job in being able to assess our talents,” Mason said. “You have to cater or build an offense around what you do best. So spring for him was about assessing our talent, our ability level, and what we do and how to help our quarterbacks manage the game.

“So I think, when you put yourself in a position where you can hold on to the football and you can be better at not turning it over, better on third down, better in the red zone, you find yourself

scoring points.”The Commodores will probably turn to either

junior Johnny McCrary or sophomore Wade Free-beck at quarterback.

Mason also has a new defensive coordinator: himself.

“I felt like defensively we weren’t the type of football team that I foresaw coming into Vander-bilt,” he said. “I pictured us being aggressive, at-tacking style defense that looked to stop the run and really apply pressure to quarterbacks. If you look at our Tennessee game, I thought that’s ex-actly what we did.

“I think it’s important that, as you go through the process where you try to figure out who you are, and I couldn’t make every implementation during the season, but I think after the Missis-sippi State game I knew in my own mind that, at some point in time, I was going to need to make a change.”

You have to cater

or build an offense

Around what -dErek Mason

you do best.

Page 12: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Page 12 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

By Jerry Richmond,Hartsville Vidette

Trousdale County will enter the 2015 football season with a number of questions.

The Yellow Jackets must replace eight seniors lost to graduation - a class that won 23 games and a Class 2A state championship over its final two seasons.

Also being replaced is a coach who won 87 percent of his games and three state titles.

Not only did Kevin Creasy step down as head coach in March to accept the same posi-tion at Oakland High, but as-sistant Stephen Jackson opted to follow Creasy to Murfrees-boro. Defensive coordinator Adam Keeton stepped down from coaching altogether, leav-ing Brandon Eden as the only remaining member of the pre-vious coaching staff.

Enter Coach David Barker, who was hired in April by Director of Schools Clint Sat-terfield to take the reins of a storied Trousdale County foot-ball program.

A Dresden native, Barker had coaching stops at Union City and Ripley before spend-ing the last six years as the of-fensive coordinator at Crockett County.

Barker brought in Tony But-ler to serve as defensive coor-dinator. Butler, 32, spent the last five seasons at Fort Camp-bell (Ky.) High School, serving the last two seasons as head coach there.

Rounding out the coaching staff will be a pair of Trousdale

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trousdale County High Schoolyellow JacketsRegion 5-1AHead Coach: David Barker2014 record: 9-4Last playoff season: 2013(Class 2A State Champions) 2015 SCHEDULEAug. 21 at WestmorelandAug. 28 *at Clay CountySept. 4 UppermanSept. 11 *Jo ByrnsSept. 18 *GordonsvilleSept. 25 *MontereyOct. 9 *at Pickett CountyOct. 16 *at Middle Tenn. ChristianOct. 23 *at Red Boiling SpringsOct. 30 *Nashville Christian

*Region 5-1A game. All kickoffs at 7 p.m.

New Trousdale County Coach David Barker (left) offers direction to quarterback Trace McGuire (10), who will start his first career game Friday. Barker (below) wants his Yellow Jackets to always be the more physical team. This attitude has shown on the practice field as well. Photos: Chris Gregory

Page 13: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015 n Page 13

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County alumni in Kyle Gregory and Blake Satterfield.

The Yellow Jackets will look to a small, but quality, senior class for leadership.

Ricky Harrison (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) filled a number of roles last season, start-ing at left tackle, kicking 30 of 34 extra points and three field goals, and also serving as the backup quarterback. Har-rison has been chosen for the Star Physi-cal Therapy Class 1A preseason All-State team at offensive tackle.

Classmate Chase Dallas (5-10, 190) is the top returning ball carrier and also one of the top returning tacklers from last season. In 2014, Dallas had 110 carries for 611 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he was credited with 53 tackles (four for loss), one sack, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.

Other members of the Class of 2016 who are expected to play key roles are Hunter Chitwood (5-9, 230), Trenton Ervin (5-7, 220), Q’Lon Maynard (6-0, 245) and transfer Matt Thomas (5-11, 165).

“I love this group of young men,” Barker said. “They have been nothing but hard workers starved for more coaching every single day.”

One of the concerns for Coach Barker is that he has no experience at quarterback. Sophomore Trace McGuire (6-2, 170) has stepped up his game in practice, with freshman Keyvont Baines (5-11, 145) and junior Tanner Lannom (5-10, 175) also seeing time under center.

“By and large we are a young team,” Barker said. “However, I nor our team will ever use that as an excuse not to succeed. I’m very excited and anxious for the start of this season and I know our team is too.”

Trousdale County has dropped down to Class 1A and has been placed in Region 5. Region coaches have picked the Yellow Jackets to place second behind Nashville Christian. Also comprising Region 5-1A are Jo Byrns, Middle Tennessee Christian, Gordonsville, Monterey, Clay County, Red Boiling Springs and Pickett County.

The Jackets’ two non-region games will come against Class 2A Westmoreland and Class 3A Upperman. Trousdale County will open the season on Aug. 21 at West-moreland, an opponent the Jackets have not faced since 2002.

Coaches across the state believe Trousdale County will be its usual strong self, voting the Yellow Jackets in a sixth-place tie with Columbia Academy in a Class 1A poll conducted by Murphy Fair’s Tennessee High School Football magazine.

The top five teams in that poll were Union City, Peabody, Nashville Christian, Coalfield and Huntingdon.

“You can expect two things from our team this year,” Barker said. “We will al-ways give great effort and be as physical as we can be.”

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Trace McGuire (10) will take over at quarterback for the Yellow Jackets, who lost eight seniors from last year’s team. Photo: Chris Gregory

Colton Gammons (11) delivers a hit on Matt Thomas during a practice session. Photo: Chris Gregory

A young group of linemen will need to develop quickly for Trousdale County. Photo: Chris Gregory

Page 14: Football Gridiron Guide 2015

Page 14 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

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GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015 n Page 15

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Page 16 n GRIDIRON GUIDE 2015

Whether it’s for a checkup, treatment of an illness, or the management of a chronic condition, you can count on the

primary care providers on staff at University Medical Center to provide personalized care for you and your family.

For your convenience, same-day appointments are often available. And at some locations you’ll find extended

hours, with walk-ins welcome. For information or an appointment, call the location nearest you.

CONVENIENT.THESE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS OFFER SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS.

MEMBERS AND INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL STAFF AT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OWNED BY A PARTNERSHIP THAT PROUDLY

INCLUDES PHYSICIAN OWNERS, INCLUDING CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL’S MEDICAL STAFF.

Gary Gallant, M.D. • Callie Tuggle, NPGallant Family Medicine1420 W. Baddour Pkwy., Suite 210

615-444-1180

Kylene Haskins, D.O. University Medical Group Family Practice1616 W. Main St. Suite 101

615-453-7216

Robert Steves, M.D. • John Kane, M.D. • Julie Malkowski, PAHeritage Family Care115 Winwood Dr., Suite 201

615-443-6833

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