football guide 2011

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

2011 SeasonSchedules

UT, Vandy,MTSU, Titans

Season Schedules

Expanded Coverage for Trousdale County

Local TeamPreviews

2011FootballPreview

2011FootballPreview

Tennessee Titans................................................................................................................page 4Middle Tennessee State University.......................................................................................page 4Week-by-Week Schedule of High School games ..................................................................page 5Lebanon Blue Devils ..........................................................................................................page 8Mt. Juliet Golden Bears....................................................................................................page 10Wilson Central Wildcats ..................................................................................................page 12University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University and Titans Schedules .....................................page 13Friendship Christian Commanders ....................................................................................page 14Watertown Purple Tigers..................................................................................................page 16Mt. Juliet Christian Saints .................................................................................................page 18Trousdale County Yellow Jackets .......................................................................................page 20Cumberland University Bulldogs .......................................................................................page 22

Cover photo by Dallus Whitfield

Table of Contents

2 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1

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4 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1

TENNESSEE TITANS

By TERRY MCCORMICKTitanInsider.com

The Tennessee Titans are entering un-charted waters in 2011.

For the first time since the team was stillknown as the Houston Oilers, someoneother than Jeff Fisher will be patrolling thesidelines as head coach.

Fisher exited after 16-plus seasons, leav-ing long-time offensive line coach MikeMunchak to pick up the pieces and rebuilda franchise that had slipped from 13-3 to8-8 and finally to 6-10 on Fisher’s watch.

What Munchak inherited was a teamthat had some parts in place, other partsmissing and several messes to clean up.

The first mess Munchak cleaned up wasreiterating the decision made by ownerBud Adams and Fisher to jettison VinceYoung and start over at the quarterbackposition.

After that, Munchak made the difficultdecisions of making over the coachingstaff, as he kept only six of Fisher’s assis-tants and brought in a host of new faces,including offensive coordinator ChrisPalmer and defensive coordinator JerryGray.

Then, the lockout hit, and for fivemonths Munchak and his staff had no off-season work to install schemes, pass outplaybooks or even, in some cases, meetplayers. Not to mention the fact that theteam did not know who its starting quar-terback would be.

Once the lockout finally ended, Mun-chak began remaking the Titans in his hisimage. Tennessee added veteran quarter-back Matt Hasselbeck, who will start in

the interim and tutor Jake Locker, who atsome point maybe in 2011 or perhaps in2012, will take over as the team’s regularquarterback.

Of the valuable pieces that Munchak in-herited, most of them are on offense,though even most of those have questionmarks attached to them, at least in theearly going.

The biggest weapon (and currentlybiggest question mark) is running backChris Johnson, who is holding out of train-ing camp looking for a contract that couldpay him somewhere in the neighborhoodof $25-$30 million guaranteed. Johnsondid not have the year he had in 2009, rush-ing for 1,364 a year ago instead of the2,006 he put up two years ago. But the Ti-tans have little choice but to accommodatetheir best offensive player with a big con-tract.

The best news for Johnson – other thana big payday – is that the offensive line heran behind last season returns intact withthe re-signing of Leroy Harris at left guard.That should be a good thing, but the Ti-tans did have some problems on the inte-rior of that line last year. Still, Munchakbelieves in this group as a strength of theteam, and that it will play better this yearthan it did in 2011.

As for other weapons on offense, the Ti-tans have a pair of players who haveshown brief flashes of being stars. But suchthings as injuries, lack of opportunity andeven lack of focus have gotten in the way.Receiver Kenny Britt has star potential andability, but is his own worst enemy. A nag-ging hamstring problem has had him onthe shelf early in camp, and that is minor

compared to the boneheaded string of run-ins he has had with the law over the pasttwo years. Still, Britt has the ability to be atrue No. 1 receiver. Britt had 42 receptionsa year ago, despite missing time with ahamstring injury and if he can stay healthyand matures, could easily surpass thattotal.

The other player who could be in forbigger things is tight end Jared Cook, whohas operated for two years in the shadowof Bo Scaife. That is no longer the case asScaife escaped to the Bengals, and Cooknow gets a full-time shot to be playmakerat tight end. Thus far in training camp,Cook has been the Titans’ most reliable re-ceiver.

Among the other receivers, the Titansmight be close to ready to give more play-ing time to youngsters like DamianWilliams and Marc Mariani at the expenseof veterans Nate Washington or JustinGage.

While the offense stayed status quo ex-cept at quarterback, the defense got amajor facelift.

Gray is charged with taking a unit thatfinished in disarray under Chuck Cecil andremolding it into a better prepared unit.

The makeover started on the defensiveline where the Titans will be bigger andstronger at the point of attack. Gone areundersized tackle Tony Brown and passrushing end Jason Babin (12.5 sacks) froma year ago, and in are beefier defensivetackles like rookie Jurrell Casey (300pounds) and veteran free agent ShaunSmith (330 pounds) as well as rookie KarlKlug and Zach Clayton, who are gettingextended looks. Jason Jones has moved

from being a small tackle to a big end,while the Titans also retained Jacob Fordand Dave Ball and welcome back DerrickMorgan from his knee injury.

The changes also continue at linebackerwhere last year’s leading tackler StephenTulloch and his 160 tackles went to De-troit. The Titans brought in Barrett Ruudfrom Tampa Bay to man the middle anddrafted Akeem Ayers, who will become animmediate starter on the strong side, leav-ing Will Witherspoon to fight off GeraldMcRath for the weak side spot.

In the secondary, the starters are thesame, with Cortland Finnegan at one cor-ner, though Jason McCourty and AlterraunVerner will fight for the other spot. SafetiesMichael Griffin and Chris Hope return andthe Titans believe this group can play bet-ter with Gray calling the shots. Just in case,Tennessee added decent depth with FrankWalker and Jason Babineaux.

On special teams, Mariani continues tobe a top threat as a returner, while kickerRob Bironas and punter Brett Kern aresolid as well.

In getting a gauge on the 2011 Titans, thetoughest thing to determine will be howquickly the offense and defense jell incomparison to other teams that had morecontinuity through the lockout.

The Titans should be a more efficient,better disciplined team than they havebeen in the past, even if the lockout layoffprevents them from showing as much im-mediately. Still, it appears the buildingblocks are in place for this team to contendin another year or two, even as they expe-rience growing pains this year.

Titans enter unchartered waters with new head coach

MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERSBy TERESA M. WALKERAssociated Press

MURFREESBORO — Rick Stockstill andhis Blue Raiders are talking only aboutfootball right now, and that’s a refreshingchange from a year ago.

Middle Tennessee hosted media day ayear ago with a news conference an-nouncing that senior quarterback DwightDasher would be suspended for the firstfour games. Hopes of a 10-win seasonquickly fizzled, though the Blue Raiders

rallied enough to finish 6-7 with a loss toMiami (Ohio) in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

“We didn’t even talk about the season,”Stockstill said Monday, recalling a yearago.

“All we talked about was Dwight andthe situation he was in. We don’t havethat distraction, and I think that was a dis-traction, not pressure. So obviously there’sa better comfort level, a better comfort feelgoing into this going into this season rightnow because right now you don’t have

that distraction of what we went throughlast year.”

Dasher also was a big reason the BlueRaiders ranked last in the nation inturnover margin. He had four intercep-tions in the 35-21 bowl loss, and Stockstillsaid part of the problem involved injuriesto backups Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphyso the coach didn’t have any choice but tostick with the senior. The injury situationwas so bad a receiver took a couple snapsat center.

That’s why Stockstill addressed ball se-curity in a team meeting Sunday night,and he promises it will be his top priorityall season long.

“It made me sick to my stomach everygame last year that we turned it over. Iwas embarrassed by it because that’s notwhat I stand for. I’ve said it since the firstday I got here ... we’re going to protect theball, and we’re going to get more

Blue Raiders enjoying no distractions this year

See MTSU, page 13

WEEK-BY-WEEK SCHEDULE 2011Week 0 - Aug. 19Mt. Juliet at LebanonGallatin at Wilson CentralCannon County at WatertownDonelson Christian at Friendship Christian,

7:30 p.m.Community at Mt. Juliet ChristianTrousdale County vs. Warren Central

at Greenwood High School,Bowling Green, Ky., 6 p.m.

Week 1 - Aug. 26Lebanon at Franklin CountyLaVergne at Wilson CentralFriendship Christian at White-House Heritage,

7:30 p.m.Mt. Juliet at McGavockMt. Juliet Christian at Red Boiling SpringsTrousdale County at Macon County

Week 2 - Sept. 2Gallatin at LebanonWilson Central at HendersonvilleWatertown at HuntlandGordonsville at Friendship Christian,

7:30 p.m.Portland at Mt. JulietMt. Juliet Christian at Ezell-HardingJackson County at Trousdale County

Week 3 - Sept. 9Glencliff at Lebanon

Wilson Central at ShelbyvilleRed Boiling Springs at WatertownFriendship Christian at Clay CountyLaVergne at Mt. JulietClarksville Academy at Mt. Juliet ChristianGordonsville at Trousdale County

Week 4 - Sept. 15Mt. Juliet at Beech

Sept. 16Lebanon at Wilson CentralWatertown at Pickett CountyFriendship Christian at Jackson CountyRiverside Christian at Mt. Juliet Christian

Week 5 - Sept. 23Cookeville at LebanonCentennial at Wilson CentralWatertown at MontereyPickett County at Friendship Christian,

7:30 p.m.Mt. Juliet Christian at Kings AcademyTrousdale County at Clay County

Week 6 - Sept. 29Friendship Christian at Trousdale County

Sept. 30Lebanon at Station CampWilson Central at PortlandClay County at WatertownGallatin at Mt. Juliet

Zion Christian at Mt. Juliet Christian

Week 7 - Oct. 7Portland at LebanonWilson Central at BeechWatertown at Friendship ChristianMt. Juliet at Station CampTrousdale County at Pickett County

Week 8 - Oct. 14Gordonsville at WatertownMt. Juliet at CookevilleMt. Juliet Christian at Donelson ChristianMonterey at Trousdale County

Week 9 - Oct. 21Lebanon at BeechStation Camp at Wilson CentralTrousdale County at WatertownRed Boiling Springs at Friendship ChristianHendersonville at Mt. JulietMiddle Tennessee Christian at Mt. Juliet

Christian

Week 10 - Oct. 28Lebanon at HendersonvilleWilson Central at Mt. JulietWatertown at Jackson CountyFriendship Christian at MontereyMt. Juliet Christian at Franklin Road AcademyRed Boiling Springs at Trousdale County

All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1 • 5

By ANDY REEDSports Editor

As the Lebanon High community pre-pare to say goodbye to Nokes-Lasater Fieldat the end of 46 full seasons [plus onegame] of service, a new coach is comingin looking to light a spark in a programcoming off a string of 4-6 seasons.

Fortunately for Troy Crane, he has theelectrifying Patrick Maynard to light thefuse at quarterback.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior ran for1,412 yards and 18 touchdowns on 225carries last fall. He also completed 38 of 89passes for 470 yards for four scores andfour interceptions.

Crane is installing the hybrid wing-Tused by Dewayne Alexander at Cumber-land and Wilson Central, where Craneserved as an assistant at both places.

“They’ve all played in a different of-fense,” Crane said. “Now we’re askingthem to do different things.

“I’ve been impressed with how they’vepicked it up because we’ve thrown a lot atthem in a short amount of time.”

When Maynard doesn’t run the ball,he’ll have a plethora of backs to hand offto. Senior Dequarius [Juicy] Apple [5-6,

150] is the fullback after playing Z-receiverin former coach Bobby Brown’s offenselast year. Seniors Austin Olah [5-9, 143]and Jimmy McClain [5-10, 160] will rotateat left wingback while juniors Ethan Copas

[5-6, 150] and Destin Manous [5-8, 155]share snaps at right B-back.

McClain missed last season while Copasburst onto the scene with a couple of biggames last year before tearing his ACL.He’s still bothered by swelling and is beingclosely watched by Crane. Manous was in-

eligible last year after transferring fromFriendship Christian.

“We have enough of these runningbacks, we can get them touches within thegame,” Crane said.

He doesn’t have enough receivers rightnow with Justin Sandefur broke his handlast month in a 7-on-7 passing game andwill be out until probably the third game.Junior Dimitri Peters [5-10, 160] will startat wideout in the meantime.

“That’s probably one of the weakestareas on our football team in terms of ex-perience,” said Crane, who will lean onthree-year tight end Case Sloan [6-2, 215]as a receiver. Freshman Julian Crutchfield[6-2, 230] and junior Taylor Jones [5-8,155] are waiting in the wings behindSloan.

“Case Sloan, we’re going to look to uti-lize him a lot,” Crane said.

Anchoring the front line are center TonyBartalomeo [6-2, 248] and left tackle ChrisHarris [6-2, 305], both three-year starters.Junior right guard Daniel Kemp [6-1, 205]and senior right guard Kyle Pryor [6-3,300] saw some action last season. Sopho-

DALLUS WHITFIELD • THE LEBANON DEMOCRAT

Zach Hicks, left, collides with Johnathan Burlingame during tackling drills.

6 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1

LEBANON HIGH BLUE DEVILS

Lebanon Blue DevilsAug. 19 *Mt. JulietAug. 26 at Franklin CountySept. 2 *GallatinSept. 9 GlencliffSept. 16 *at Wilson CentralSept. 23 CookevilleSept. 30 *at Station CampOct. 7 *PortlandOct. 21 *at BeechOct. 28 *at Hendersonville

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

New coach arrives for final LHS season at Nokes-Lasater


Coach Troy Crane talks with kicker ChukaAruh.


Austin Olah grabs the snap to setup a kick.

See LHS, page 7

LEBANON HIGH BLUE DEVILS

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1 • 7

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more right tackle Chris Osier [5-11, 210]will be trying to learn from the others.

“Our offensive and defensive lines arekey strengths of the team,” Crane said.

But there are some holes on the defen-sive front. Harris is a three-year starter atone tackle while Crane and new defensivecoordinator Heath Springer are looking forthe other in what Crane described as “mu-sical chairs”. Senior Dre Smith [5-5, 200]was the leading candidate to start whenfall camp began.

There are no such questions at endwhere senior Kyron Hart returns after post-ing 34 total tackles, including 21 solo, anda Lebanon-leading 3 1/2 sacks last year.Senior Jeff Dee is on the other side. Bothare 6-3, 285.

Apple and McClain are the outside line-backers while Sloan returns at the Mikeafter picking up a Blue Devil-high 72 tack-les last year. Senior Austin Meadows [5-8,165] is the Will linebacker after seeing alittle action last season.

Maynard is at one cornerback whileOlah is in a game of “musical chairs” on

the other side. in between will be Sandefurat safety when he’s released. Maynard can

also play in the deep middle.Senior Joseph Zimmerman returns at

kicker where sophomore Chuka Aruh istrying out the game after playing soccer.

“We got some young guys [with] sometalent and ability,” Crane said. “They’ve allplayed in a different [system]. Now we’reasking them to do different things.

“We do have some building blocks withsome experience.”

Sports Editor Andy Reed can be reachedat 444-3952, ext. 17; or by email [email protected]


Patrick Maynard hands off to Ethan Copas while running a play.

LHSContinued from page 6


Crue Julian hits the sled


In five previous seasons at Mt. Juliet,Roger Perry has guided the Golden Bearsto five playoff appearances, and second-round berths in four of those years.

Mt. Juliet football is enjoying as consis-tent a run of excellence as the Bears haveenjoyed since at least the Howell Flatt-eraof 1976-87, if not ever.

“I felt like the potential was there withthe numbers of our school,” said Perry,whose previous experiences came at almamater Westmoreland and Portland, bothsmaller schools. “There’s been obstacles,but there are in every program.

“But I’m proud of our young men.We’ve overcome a lot of them.”

Following a 9-3 season in 2011, Mt.Juliet appears poised for another run inDistrict 9-AAA in ‘11. Seventy-seven Bearswere suiting up on varsity as fall campopened and almost 50 more were on thefreshman team, easily the largest numberof Perry’s 33-year coaching career.

One of the goals of having such a bigroster is with high numbers, there isbound to be quality within the quantity.There’s also the depth factor as Perry will,for the third straight year, go with astraight two-platoon, a rarity in highschool.

But one area where a platoon has prob-ably been eliminated is quarterback,where senior Caleb Chowbay took hereins for good in the playoffs after alter-

nating with the now-graduated ColtCarver. The Belmont-basketball commit-tee will put his point guard skills to workon the gridiron.

“Good athlete, good decision mater,”Perry said of the 6-foot Chowbay.

Chowbay will run a wing-T offenseunder a new coordinator, Hunter Hicks,who was a quarterback/wide receiver onPerry’s 2000 state-champion Portland

team. Other new assistants are linebackerscoach Chase Brooks, who was a Mr. Foot-ball for Perry at Portland; defensive linecoach A.J. Harvey, who was on Perry’s1999 state runner-up team at Portland;and wide receivers coach Jason Millerfrom New York. Brooks is coming fromthe Smyrna staff.

Hicks will be calling for a lot of handoffsto alternating junior fullbacks Caleb Hop-kins [5-8, 165] and Contrez McCathern [5-9, 195] and wingbacks Jalen Graham [6-1,180, junior] and senior Brannon Garza [6-0, 190].

When Chowbay does throw, he’ll lookto sophomore tight end Michael Korey [6-3, 275] and senior split end Kaceem Street[5-9, 170], who moves up after the gradu-ation of Savannah State-signee VaughnCornelia.

“We finally got a little size at tight end,”Perry said. “We haven’t had that in awhile.”

And then there’s the X-factor, or slash-factor, in senior quarterback/receiverDerek Bailey [6-2, 180], who was ineligi-ble last year after transferring from Donel-son Christian.

“Derek’s a very good athlete,” Perrysaid. “He’s the type you’re going to find away to get him in the game.”

Opening the holes up front will bethree-year center Chase Howland [6-0,260], three-year left tackle Brett Dillard [6-, 275], returning right tackle David Bran-nam [6-4, 275, senior], junior right guardJosh Belhu [5-9, 195, who rotated lastyear] and junior left guard Braiden Eady

[5-8, 215].When the Bears stall close to the oppo-

nents’ goal line, left-footed junior RyanJenkins proved reliable for three pointslast year, going 8-for-8 on field goals.

“Offensively, we’ve got on of the biggersquads we’ve had since I’ve been here. We

have the potential to put bigger holes inthere.”

Perry’s son, Trey, continues to run the

MT. JULIET GOLDEN BEARS

Mt. JulietGolden Bears

Aug. 19 *at LebanonAug. 26 at McGavockSept. 2 *PortlandSept. 9 LaVergneSept. 15 *at BeechSept. 30 *GallatinOct. 7 *at Station CampOct. 14 at CookevilleOct. 21 *HendersonvilleOct. 28 *Wilson Central


8 • G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1

Consistent Golden Bears build depth for 2011 run

GEORGE PAGE • THE LEBANON DEMOCRAT

Golden Bears Head Coach Roger Perry keeps a close eye on offensive drills.


Head Coach Roger Perry keeps a close eye on offensive drills as Ben Cheatham (31) blocksfor Brandon Mitchell (24) who takes the handoff from quarterback Derek Bailey (8). See MJHS, page 9


Mt. Juliet High’s Justin Milele (5) and CodyCarr (4) tangle in a blocking drill.

4-2-5 defense based on the scheme usedby TCU. Like the offense, it’s blessed witha combination of experience, size andspeed.

“You’ve got five guys there that are sen-iors and we haven’t had that,” Trey Perrysaid of his unit. “Overall, a lot of guys withexperience. We would like to be better inthe depth department, but that’s alwaysgoing to be the case when you are two-platooning.”

Anchoring the line is three-year noseguard Jacob Wrye [6-4, 255]. SeniorsAdam Abernathy and Filmon Berhe [both5-9, 235] will rotate at tackle. SeniorsCameon Hoppe [6-4, 235] and Ben Gibbs[6-0, 190] will flank them at end.

Senior Tyler Magalei [5-9, 200] returnsat Mike linebacker after playing 30-40snaps last year while senior Keenan Gr-isham [6-1, 230] and junior KennethClemmons [6-0, 205] alternate at the Will.Grisham started in the defensive line lastyear while Clemmons got into the gamelate in the year.

Experience returns on the outside whilesenior Justin Milele [6-0, 185] is the ban-dit and junior Cody Carr [5-8, 175] is therover.

There are also returning starters at cor-nerback with seniors Josh Shelton [6-2,180] and Cameron Fryer [5-8, 165]. JuniorMichael Lewis [5-9, 165] moves up to No.1 at free safety after intercepting twopasses last year as a back up to the grad-uated Corderius Burns.

Junior Tre’ Nealous [6-1, 180] returns asthe nickelback while senior Taylor Dalton[5-11, 180], who has had an injury-plagued career, is also in the mix as a freesafety.”

Chowbay returns at punter after aver-aging around 40 yards per boot last year.

Trey Perry said his personnel is versatileto fit the 4-2-5 scheme. The bandit androver can easily drop into coverage asextra defensive backs against the spreador line up at outside linebacker againstrunning teams.

“A good multiple defense to get youdropped, especially at the level with all the

different styles of football you’re going tobe facing,” the younger Perry said. “You’retrying to put speed on the field and matchspeed with speed. That’s been good for usin the last couple of years, especially whenwe’re facing perimeter teams.

“Where we’d like to get better is be-tween the tackles.”


MT. JULIET GOLDEN BEARS

G r i d i r o n G u i d e 2 0 1 1 • 9

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MJHSContinued from page 8


Despite practice being at 6 a.m., frequent water breaks such as this one were required dur-ing the hot and humid early days of practice.

By KAITLYN GROSSSports Intern

Wilson Central’s second-year head foot-ball coach Brad Dedman already knowswhat his team has this year: a strong 3-4defense and a young wing-T offense.

With five defensive starters returning tothe 21-senior 2011 team, Wilson Central’smain concern lies with the young offen-sive line, where only one starter from the3-7 2010 season will be returning. TheWildcats’ projected starting lineup in-cludes many underclassman.

“On offense, we’re a really young foot-ball team all across the board,” Dedmansaid. “We‘ve got sophomores playingeverywhere.

“We got a lot to learn and a short time toget there, especially with Week 0 againstGallatin.”

Senior guard Justin Burd (6-foot-0, 200pounds) is the only returning offensivestarter. The other starting offensive guardis sophomore Jordan McCullough (6-0,215 ). Junior Brian Cummings (6-1, 215) isalso competing for a spot. Sophomore JoshByrd (6-1, 250) appears to be locked in atcenter. Offensive tackle is led by senior La-monzo Matthews (6-5, 335) with juniorsRod Crutchfield (6-2, 220) and AndrewCampbell (6-0, 230) looking to break intothe lineup.

Senior Brandon Mallory (6-0, 205) isleading the fullbacks with junior TreyGivens (5-11, 210) and sophomore KyleCoombes (5-10, 160) in tow.

Senior C.J. Grant (5-7, 150) and juniorD.J. Majors (6-1, 185) are the starting

wingbacks for the Wildcats. Juniors EricSimmons (5-10, 175), Chase Hobbs (5-11,185) and Jacob Myers (5-10, 170) as wellas sophomore Alex Price (5-8, 155) are inthe running for snaps. Seniors Jacob“Moose” Wood (6-3, 215) and JacksonSteeley (6-3, 220) are the projected tightends for Wildcats.

Sophomore Jordan Roundtree (6-0, 170)is the quarterback while Hobbs is alsocompeting for a backup spot, along withjunior Nick Grant (6-1, 175). Wide re-ceivers include senior Cody Steakley (6-3,195) and juniors Chris Lee (6-1, 185) andGrant.

While the offensive line is consideredyoung, the defensive side is full of experi-enced players. Senior Dee Williams (5-7,210) is the returning starter for defensivetackle. Seniors Steeley and Matthews aswell as sophomore Byrd are projected tojoin Williams up front.

Senior Baxter Ingram is a starting insidelinebacker at 6-3 and 225. Senior AlexSmiley (6-0, 220) and junior Givens arealso predicted for an inside ‘backer posi-tion. Seniors Hunter Pryer (6-1, 190) andWood (6-3, 215) are leading the outsidelinebackers with seniors Burd and Malloryand sophomore Coombes following.

Seniors Grant and Hobbs are the startingsafeties with juniors Majors and Lee back-ing them up. Junior Simmons and sopho-mores Price and Logan Ament (5-7, 155)are competing for spots on the corners.

WILSON CENTRAL WILDCATS

Wilson CentralWildcats

Aug. 19 *GallatinAug. 26 LaVergneSept. 2 *at HendersonvilleSept. 9 at ShelbyvilleSept. 16 *LebanonSept. 23 CentennialSept. 30 *at PortlandOct. 7 *at BeechOct. 21 *Station CampOct. 28 *at Mt. Juliet


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

Veteran defense leads Wilson Central Wildcats


Wilson Central Coach Brad Dedman watches his Wildcats go through drills.


Logan Ament gets a hold on Cody Steakley to stop the ball carrier.


David Howard looks for an open route. See WCHS, page 11

WILSON CENTRAL WILDCATS

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

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“Defensively, the experienced part isprobably the overall strength of the team,”Dedman said.

Dedman is also entering life after thestrong-legged Jackson Redditt graduated toUT-Martin. Senior Loren King will takeover the kicker-punter position.

“He’s got big shoes to fill but he’s com-ing along well,” Dedman said of King.

Sports Editor Andy Reed contributed tothis story.


At left, Jordan Roundtree lauches a pass.Above, Jacob Wood and Preston Reed, atright, collide during a tackling drill.

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

COLLEGE & PRO FOOTBALL SCHEDULESTENNESSEE

VOLUNTEERSSept. 3 Montana, 5 p.m.Sept. 10 Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m.Sept. 17 at *Florida, 2:30 p.m.Oct. 1 Buffalo, TBAOct. 8 *Georgia, TBAOct. 15 *Louisiana State, TBAOct. 22 at *Alabama, TBAOct. 29 *South Carolina, TBANov. 5 Middle Tennessee State, TBANov. 12 at *Arkansas, TBANov. 19 *Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 26 at *Kentucky, TBA

*Conference eventAll kickoff times Central

VANDERBILTCOMMODORES

Sept. 3 Elon, 6:30 p.m.Sept. 10 Connecticut, 6:30 p.m.Sept. 17 *Ole Miss, 11:21 a.m.Sept. 24 at *South Carolina, TBAOct. 8 at *Alabama, TBAOct. 15 *Georgia, TBAOct. 22 Army, TBAOct. 29 *Arkansas, TBANov. 5 at *Florida, TBANov. 12 *Kentucky, TBA Nov. 19 at *Tennessee, TBANov. 26 at Wake Forest, TBA*Conference eventAll kickoff times Central

TENNESSEE TITANS Preseason

Aug. 20 at St. Louis 7 p.m.Aug. 27 Chicago 7 p.m.Sept. 1 at New Orlean 7 p.m.

Regular SeasonSept. 11 at Jacksonville noonSept. 18 Baltimore noon Sept. 25 Denver noonOct. 2 at Cleveland noonOct. 9 Pittsburgh noonOct. 23 Houston noonOct. 30 Indianapolis noonNov. 6 Cincinnati 3:05 p.m.Nov. 1 at Carolina noonNov. 20 at Atlanta *noonNov. 27 Tampa Bay *noonDec. 4 at Buffalo *noonDec. 11 New Orleans *noonDec. 18 at Indianapolis *noonDec. 24 Jacksonvill *noonJan. 1 at Houston *noon

*Times subject to changeAll kickoff times Central

MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS

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

turnovers. We didn’t get as many last yearas we need to as we will this year, and weturned it over way too many times,”Stockstill said.

The coach said it will be easier to bencha player who has a turnover problem be-cause he has more running backs, quar-terbacks and receivers. He does have toreplace nine starters on defense includingRod Issac, a fifth-round pick by the NFL’sJacksonville Jaguars, and seven on offenseincluding Dasher.

The turnover is one reason why MiddleTennessee has been voted to finish thirdin the Sun Belt Conference tied withLouisiana Monroe.

Junior running back Benny Cunning-ham, who will split the work with D.D.Kyles, said he sees that as motivation.

“Getting looked over is going to pusheverybody,” he said.”If you forget whereyou are, it’s going to remind you youhaven’t accomplished anything yet. Goinginto the season high-ranked, that can getinto some people’s head. We don’t have toworry about that now. Everybody’s start-ing at ground zero. We have to make sure

people respect us and go out and earn it.”Kilgore will get the first shot with the

first-team offense, and Stockstill said hewants to settle on his starter within a fewdays. The 6-foot-3, 178-pound Kilgore is aredshirt sophomore who started threegames during Dasher’s suspension, whileMurphy started one. Kilgore was 50 of 80for 540 yards with 3 touchdowns and fiveinterceptions last season.

He also attended the Manning passingcamp this summer where he earned somegood reviews. Stockstill said the best partof the camp may have been Kilgore hear-ing advice he’s heard from coaches fromPeyton and Eli Manning themselves.

Kilgore agreed.“As a young player, you want to make

every play and you want to do 80-yardpasses every play,” Kilgore said. “To hearthose guys say it’s OK to check the balldown and live to fight another day ispretty important.”

Stockstill also made some changes onhis staff quickly this offseason. He pro-moted Willie Simmons to offensive coor-dinator after coaching running backs thepast four seasons, while Steve Ellis now isdefensive coordinator. Ellis has the biggerchallenge finding players to fill in most ofthe front seven, though senior Darin Davis

is expected to start at outside linebacker.Middle Tennessee opens the season

Sept. 3 at Purdue before hosting GeorgiaTech on Sept. 10. The Blue Raiders alsovisit Tennessee Nov. 5 in the usual toughnon-conference slate. The Blue Raiders

will have an open date before visiting Troyin the Sun Belt.

“It is difficult. It’s challenging in everysense of the way,” Stockstsill said of theschedule. “It’s one we’re not going to backdown from.”

MTSUContinued from page 4

Middle Tennessee State University Blue RaidersSept. 3 Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. 11 a.m.Sept. 10 Georgia Tech Murfreesboro 6 p.m.Sept. 24 *Troy Troy, Ala. 3:30 p.m.Oct. 1 Memphis Murfreesboro 6 p.m.Oct. 6 *Western Kentucky Murfreesboro 6:30 p.m.Oct. 22 *Florida Atlantic Boca Raton, Fla. 7 p.m.Oct. 29 *Louisiana Lafayette Mufreesboro 6:30 p.m.Nov. 5 Tennessee Knoxville TBANov. 12 *Louisiana-Monroe Monroe, La. TBANov. 19 *Arkansas State Murfreesboro TBANov. 26 *Florida InternationalMurfreesboro TBADec. 3 *North Texas Denton, Texas TBA

*Sun Belt Conference GameAll times central, tentative and subject to change


Entering his 20th consecutive season incommand at Friendship Christian, JohnMcNeal has a plethora of size and speedjust about everywhere on his 36-man ros-ter.

But the Commander coach was still try-ing to decide on a quarterback as fall campbegan.

Junior left-hander Brennan Swindoll isstill waiting to be cleared to throw after un-dergoing Tommy John surgery to repair anelbow injury caused when he made atackle playing safety in last year’s playoffwin over Marion County. It cost him hissophomore baseball season after he earnedAll-State honors as a freshman.

Also injured is senior Drew Hutchison[6-foot-3, 215 pounds], who was hurt dur-ing a preseason scrimmage. Seniors KyleWood [6-0, 210] and Tallon Mehlhoff [6-0,185] are the other two working eitherunder center, in shotgun or the pistol dur-ing the fall.

“Concern is quarterback, not experi-enced back there and not having Bren-nan,” McNeal said. “We got some athletesback there, probably more athletic thenpure quarterback. But they’ve been look-ing good in the preseason, looking good inthe passing game. The guys we have throwit good enough.”

On the receiving end will be seniorwideout Dalton Patterson [6-0, 150] andjuniors Cale Mitchell [5-11, 175], StefanRemus [5-11, 180] and Swindoll. Swindoll[6-4, 190] and Hutchison will be tight endsif not quarterbacks.

But McNeal’s Commanders have madetheir living in recent years by running theball. Wood and senior Dekolas Reeves [5-

7, 160] are back while senior Zack Lo [5-8, 170] is finally eligible after goingthrough spring practice a year ago at West-moreland. Freshman Steven Hollis [5-8,150] put up eye-popping numbers in mid-dle school.

They’ll have four returning linemen

opening holes in front of them. Junior cen-ter Greg Norton [6-0, 240] will be flankedby junior guards Tanner Martin [5-11, 220]and Ian Isbell [6-3, 280]. Senior Connor

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

FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN COMMANDERS

Friendship ChristianCommanders

Aug. 19 #Donelson ChristianAug. 26 #at White House

HeritageSept. 2 #*GordonsvilleSept. 9 *at Clay CountySept. 16 *at Jackson CountySept. 23 #*Pickett CountySept. 29 *at Trousdale CountyOct. 7 *WatertownOct. 21 *Red Boiling SpringsOct. 28 *at Monterey

All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless oth-erwise noted.#7:30 p.m. kickoff*Region 4-A game

McNeal looking for QB to lead talented FCS

ANDY REED • THE LEBANON DEMOCRAT

Friendship Christian coach John McNeal positions running back Zach Lo (7) as ConnorGaines (52) gets into his three-point stance at left tackle.


Westmoreland-transfer Zach Lo runs asweep.


Defensive tackle Ian Isbell is ready to fire offat the snap. See FCS, page 15

Gaines [6-2, 245] returns at tackle andcould also see time at center. Senior tackleAustin Defevers [6-2, 225] didn’t play lastyear while junior Ben Dunn [6-0, 225] wasinjured.

The offensive linemen will double up onthe defensive side. Behind them, seniorAaron Johnson [6-0, 175] returns at insidelinebacker and will be joined by classmateIan Putman [5-11, 170], who was a backupon last year’s 9-3 team. Mehlhoff returnson the outside with Wood and possiblyReeves. Wood could also play inside.

Swindoll, who has been cleared to playbut not pass, and Mitchell return at safetywhile Patterson is at one cornerback. Loweis the leader on the other side with Hollisand Remus challenging.

Mitchell and Mehlhoff are the punterswhile Remus is being looked at to replacethe graduated tandem of Will Crockett andMichael Self at kicker.

“A lot of young kids got a lot of experi-ence last year, and that’s got to help thisyear,” said McNeal, entering his 23rd sea-

son overall at FCS. “We got a lot of skillpeople who can give us a lot of things.

“We’re going to be big up front and wedo have good speed. All of the skill guysrun well. It’s probably the most speedwe’ve had all together.”

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Zach Lo blocks for fellow running back Kyle Wood (24).


Drew Hutchison (4), one of four quarterbacksvying for a starting spot, fires a pass as run-ning back Kyle Wood (24), another QB can-didate, blocks.

FCSContinued from page 14


A young Watertown team took its lumpsduring a 4-6 2010 season. With a smallsenior class having departed, the remain-der are ready to put those lessons learnedto good use in ‘11.

“A lot of kids coming back, a lot of themplayed,” said Gavin Webster, who hastaken the Purple Tigers to four playoffs inhis six previous seasons. “Our strengthswould be speed, we’ve got a little size upfront and we have speed.”

Sophomore Ty Jobe [6-feet, 175 pounds]is back to trigger the Tiger attack at quar-terback after passing for 970 yards lastyear. Junior Brannon Hill [5-10, 175] re-turns at running back.

Among the four-wide, exciting seniorKeAnDre Bates returns along with hisclassmate cousin, Quis Bates, who are both5-9, 165. They will be joined by juniorJosiah Smith [5-10, 165] and junior JakeBelcher [6-1 170], who transferred fromKentucky.

Up front, massive senior Maricus Gaines[6-3, 285] is back at left tackle after sittingout last season. The remainder are re-turnees – senior left guard Bo Cherry [6-3,225], junior center Ben Bain [6-3, 255],junior right guard Robert Davenport [5-10,245] and senior right tackle Cody Hamlet[6-2, 255].

Hamlet will work double time as helines up at nose guard next to senior tackleTrevor Tarpley [5-10, 180]. SophomoreJake Weldy [6-0, 225] and senior LoganGrantham [6-2, 185] are the ends.

The linebackers should be fresh as nonestart on offense – seniors Antonio Huddle-

ston [5-10, 180] and Matt Oxley [5-9, 175]on the inside and juniors Dennie Holcomb

[5-11, 180] and Cooper Jacobson [5-10,185] on the outside.

The Bates cousins will be the corner-backs and Smith the safety.

The kicking game, in the capable feet ofthe graduated Cody Lipski the last few sea-

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

WATERTOWN PURPLE TIGERS

WatertownPurple Tigers

Aug. 19 Cannon CountySept. 2 at HuntlandSept. 9 *Red Boiling SpringsSept. 16 *at Pickett CountySept. 23 *at MontereySept. 30 *Clay CountyOct. 7 *at Friendship

ChristianOct. 14 *GordonsvilleOct. 21 *Trousdale CountyOct. 28 at Jackson County

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

Tigers have experience, size, speed in 2011


Matt Oxley setps high while running drills.


Watertown Head Coach Gavin Webster talks with players Colin Jennings, at left, Cooper Ja-cobsen and Ty Jobe.


Jade Hess reaches out to grab a pass.

See WHS, page 17

WATERTOWN PURPLE TIGERS

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

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sons, is up for grabs, Webster said.With so many starters returning, Web-

ster is looking for depth. With 42 playersout, a large number for a Class A school,he has places to look.

“We’re wanting to find depth,” Webstersaid. “We’ve got some guys who will beable to give us some depth.”

Junior two-way lineman Brice Crips,senior defensive lineman Tim burns andoutside linebacker Dakota Self were men-tioned by Webster as providing depth.


WHSContinued from page 16


Dennie Holcomb carries the ball as Quis Bates moves in on the tackle.


Ben Bain relaxes during a break as players had to deal with hot temperatures.


Mark Harrison’s building program en-ters its second season at Mt. Juliet Chris-tian with goals that would be modest atsome places, but not at Suey Field.

“I’m hoping we’ll be .500,” Harrisonsaid of a program that has never wonmore than four games in a season sinceits 2001 kickoff. The Saints went 2-8 lastseason.

He’ll have size to work with up frontwhere senior Joe Shedd [6-foot-4 1/2,254 pounds] is the big man at centerafter also playing tackle last year, andcould do so again. Sophomore ZachJones [6-4, 235] will start at tackle afterplaying guard last year while seniorCarver Hibbett [6-3 1/2], 204] hasearned the title of captain on the otherside. Senior Ken Brown [5-8, 175] andsophomore Gilbert Russ [6-0, 201] sawsome time at guard where junior BrycePerry [5-11, 164] could also see snaps.

Harrison plans to run a quarterback-by-committee system. Junior Brant Lam-berth [5-8, 154] is the veteran of thebunch. Freshman left-hander RikeshVanmali [5-11, 165] will play despite twobroken bones his his left [plant] foot be-fore undergoing surgery after the sea-son. Sophomore Elliott Lee [6-0, 175]started at fullback last year.

Lee will play fullback again this yearalong with sophomore Stephen Harris[6-0], who has shed 20 pounds to 170after recently completing a half-marathon.

Speedy sophomore Noah Wilson [5-8,147] will be the halfback this fall aftermissing football to play hockey last year.Sophomores Andy Pittman [6-0, 155]and Jay Brown [5-7, 143, Ken’s brother]will be backups.

“[We’re] a little bit smaller this year,”Harrison said. “But we are a whole lot

faster. The linemen can really move. Thebacks can hit the hole really good.

“We’re still learning a few things hereand there.”

Harrison prefers a 60-40 or 70-30 run-pass ratio. But junior Preston Raymer [6-0 1/2, 156] is back at slot receiver afterplaying with a broken forearm last year,

even catching a couple of passes one-handed. Junior Trevor West [6-0, 172]returns at X-receiver. Harris could playtight end when not at fullback while

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

MT. JULIET CHRISTIAN SAINTS

Mt. JulietChristian Saints

Aug. 19 CommunityAug. 26 at Red Boiling

SpringsSept. 2 *at Ezell-HardingSept. 9 Clarksville AcademySept. 16 *Riverside ChristianSept. 23 at Kings AcademySept. 30 *Zion ChristianOct. 14 *at DonelsonChristianOct. 21 Middle TN ChristianOct. 28 *at Franklin Road

Academy

All kickoffs 7 p.m.*East-Middle Region Game

Harrison begins second season of building Saints


Mt. Juliet Christian Academy Saints quarterback Brant Lamberth (3) looks to handoff to a run-ning back.


Carver Hibbitt (59) looks to provided line help as offensive tackle and defensive end for theSaints this year.


Coach Harrison talks to his offensive lineman between plays.

See MJCA, page 19

MT. JULIET CHRISTIAN SAINTS

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

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

junior Jackson Harrell [6-0 1/2, 190]plays there when he is.

West will also handle kicking andpunting duties.

With 23 players on the roster, most ofthe Saints who play offense will notleave the field when the defense comesin.

Hibbett will be a standup defensiveend with Jones the tackle, Shedd thenose guard and Russ the other end.

Sophomore Ben Easton [5-10 1/2, 165]will be the Sam linebacker, Harris andPerry the Mike and Lee the Will.

Brown and Lamberth will rotate atone cornerback while Raymer and jun-ior James Laxton [6-1, 182] will sharethe other. Laxton recently moved to thearea while his father is deployed toAfghanistan with the Air Force..

Wilson and Pittman are the strongsafeties and West, Lamberth and Laxtonthe free safeties.

Sports Editor Andy Reed can bereached at 444-3952, ext. 17; or by emailat [email protected]

MJCAContinued from page 18


Saints Head Coach Mark Harrison watcheshis quarterback Brant Lamberth (3) run theoffense.

By JERRY RICHMONDHartsville Sports Writer

Trousdale County football fans werein a strange location last year duringthe playoff semifinals — at home.

After back-to-back state champi-onships in two different classificationsthe Yellow Jackets were eliminated ina rare home playoff loss to SignalMountain with a 46-36 final in thequarterfinals.

Signal Mountain went on to win itslast two games by 39 and 28 points toclaim the 2A state championship. How-ever, the Eagles will not be a threat tothe Jackets this year as they had tomove up in classification, not one, buttwo levels. Even at the 4A level the Ea-gles have been picked as a top-10 team.

The question is, “Can the Jackets re-turn to the Blue Cross Bowl and bringhome state championship No. 9?”

If you ask the coaches in 2A, they an-swer “yes”. According to Murphy Fair’s2011 Tennessee High School Footballbook, the coaches tabbed the Jackets as

the preseason No. 1 team ahead ofBoyd Buchanan, McKenzie and Friend-ship Christian. The Jackets received 17of the first-place votes while BoydBuchanan and McKenzie had two each.

On paper the Jackets do look like atalented football team as they returntheir top two ball carriers, their top twoquarterbacks and their top three tack-lers from last year’s 11-1 team. Plus,their kicker and punter are also intact.

The Jackets may have their biggestsenior class ever as 15 players will beputting on that gold helmet for the lasttime. In that senior class are some play-ers who up some impressive numbersin 2010.

Jordan Harper scored 26 touchdownslast year and rushed for 1,429 yards fora 9.1-yard-per-carry average. DevonTurczyn ran for a 10.6-yard-per-carryaverage and 553 yards despite missingthe first three games.

Quarterback Hunter Murphree

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

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See TCHS, page 21

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

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passed for 991 yards and 11 touchdownwhile throwing only four interceptions.

Defensively, linebacker Turczyn ledthe team in tackles with 65 while line-man Jordan Holder had 51 stops anddefensive back Harper was creditedwith 49.

“We have been looking forward tothis year for a while because their guyswere freshman when I took over,” saidCoach Kevin Creasy. “They have had alot of success growing up, playingfreshman ball and JV. A lot of themhave experience.”

As the fourth-year coach talked aboutthis year, Creasy added, “We have somepretty good skilled guys but our weak-ness this year is going to be differentthan in the last three years because ourstrength has been our lineman andnow we are going to be a little inexpe-rienced in the line.”

League coaches have picked the Jack-ets to win Region 4-A. The Hartsvillegridders received every first-place vote

but one. Behind the Jackets the coacheshave selected Friendship Christian,Gordonsville, Watertown, Monterey,Clay County, Jackson County, Red Boil-ing Springs and Pickett County.

“Watertown is much improved. Theyhave been young and now they havesome experience back,” Creasy ex-plained. “Gordonsville gave us all wewanted last year and their coaches do agreat job over there. The most talentedteam with the most experience comingback would be Friendship. So it’s goingto be a tough battle for the top fourspots.”

The Jackets will open their season onAug. 19 against Warren Central atGreenwood High Central in BowlingGreen, Ky. Warren Central made it tothe third round of the playoffs last yearbefore losing in triple overtime at the5A level.

The Purple and Gold will travel toLafayette for its second game against amuch improved Macon County Tigersteam.

The home opener for the Jackets willalso be their region opener when theyhost Jackson County on Sept. 2.

TCHSContinued from page 20


A new coach takes over a struggling pro-gram and begins building the roster frombottom up.

Four and five years later, those firstfreshmen are seniors and the team is suc-cessful. Then they graduate.

That’s been the story of Cumberlandfootball under Dewayne Alexander, whosefifth Bulldogs team enjoyed one of the pro-gram’s best seasons since its 1990 revival.A final 8-3 record [the best in Tennessee],national ranking and falling just one gameshort of the NAIA playoffs.

Now, can the Bulldogs survive the lossof those early classes and continue toflourish?

“Any successful program, you better begraduating players,” Alexander said. “Butbehind it, we recruited to where we had agood junior class.

“We feel like we have a good group be-hind them. We have a lot of players backon the offensive side. The defense is thesame.”

Translation, the Bulldogs should keep onrolling, especially with four All-Mid-SouthConference players returning.

No all-conference players are returningat quarterback, but a future one may beready to burst on the scene one year afteran opening-game injury ended his fresh-

man season. Redshirt freshman ReedGurchiek of Mt. Juliet bounced back froma dislocated hip to have a good spring.

Junior Christian Burnett continues toman the Bulldogs’ bullpen. He won fourgames as a starter last season, completing51 of 88 passes for 494 yards and fivetouchdowns with five interceptions as oneof three quarterbacks to see action duringthe season. He withdrew from school dur-ing the spring semester as his mother bat-tled cancer. She is better and Burnett isback.

“You love to have one good quarterback,but it’s good to have two,” Alexander said.

As usual, Cumberland quarterbackshave plenty of backfield options to handoff to. Junior Tim McCord [5-foot-10, 193pounds] will start at fullback but yieldplenty of snaps to classmate ThomasGoodloe [5-10, 207]. McCord was secondon CU with 397 rushing yards and two

touchdowns on 95 carries.Junior Lemeco Miller [5-8, 181] led

Cumberland with 712 yards and fourscores on 105 carries to earn second-teamAll-MSC honors at halfback. He’ll bejoined by sophomore James McClain [5-8,170], who was all-conference as a fresh-man in 2008 before missing the last twoseasons for academic reasons. He returnedto the team in January. He is also a possi-ble receiver.

“He’ll be that guy who can stretch thefield for us,” Alexander said of McCord.

Fifth-year senior Adrian Baker [5-9, 210]is also in the mix, as is junior Ken Dixon[5-7, 175], who had a couple of 100-yardgames in 2009 before a preseason injurylast year limited him to four junior-varsitygames.

“He can run, he can catch, he’s a physi-cal blocker,” Alexander said of Baker, a for-mer Maryville High star who transferredto Cumberland from Furman.

With Mike Moore and Josh Crouch hav-ing graduated, sophomores DeJeay Woods[6-3, 192] and Courtland Styles [6-3, 196]have their opportunity to step up.

“These guys are very gifted, talent-wise,”Alexander said. “They’re big guys. They’rephysical receivers. They run well.”

Senior Daniel Dayton [6-1, 163] couldjoin them. But coming off shoulder sur-gery and having a redshirt year available,Alexander doesn’t want to force him backif he’s not ready.

Another hole is at tight end, where All-MSC Mitch Reynolds and former LebanonHigh standout Kenny Sallis have gradu-ated. Junior Ryan Slack [6-2, 205] is theleader there with redshirt freshman MasonWillis [6-1, 198] in the mix.

Then there’s Victor Underwood, the for-mer Mt. Juliet Christian star who playedbasketball the past two years at Bryan Col-lege. The 6-4, 235-pounder will be a juniorand is playing football for the first timesince his MJCA days.

“We know he’s athletic, we know he’sbig,” Alexander said of Underwood. “He’sbeen out of football two years. But youcan’t coach big and athletic.”

Blocking for them will be an experi-enced offensive line which lost only tackleJeremy Hurford to graduation.

“Our offensive line could be a strongpart of our football team,” Alexander said.“They had a tremendous spring and agood fall last fall. They controlled the linein about every game we played.”

Fifth-year senior Carson Clemmons [6-3, 305] enters his fourth season as a starter,this time at left tackle. Junior Jesse Hall [6-5, 350] will be at left guard after startingsix games last fall. Sophomore DaltonBurge [6-0, 332] stared 10 games at centerlast year. Junior right guard Ryan Wood [6-2, 285] has made 22 straight starts whilesenior right tackle Sam Green [6-0, 265]has started at all five line positions duringhis time on Cumberland Square.

Alexander will be looking to bring alongsophomore William Judson [6-7, 318],sophomore Kyle Long [6-0, 275], freshmanSam Andrade [6-0, 270] and junior ElvinVann [6-1, 300] for depth up front.

On the other side of the ball, the Bull-dogs’ defense was one of the NAIA’s bestin 2010.

“We’ll have an excellent defensive foot-ball team again this year,” Alexander pre-dicted.

The Bulldogs will especially be loadedin the secondary and at linebacker. Seniorcornerback Chris Simpson and junior Al-lante McLemore each intercepted threepasses last year and both earned NAIA De-fensive Player of the Week honors.McLemore returned two for touchdownsand Simpson one. Junior free safety/punt

CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS

Cumberland UniversitySept. 2 Lindsey Wilson Columbia, Ky. 7 p.m.Sept. 10 Campbellsville Campbellsville, Ky. 6 p.m.Sept. 17 Kentucky Christian Lebanon 1:30 p.m.Sept. 24 West Virginia Tech Montgomery, W. Va. 12:30 p.m.Oct. 8 *Shorter Roma, Ga. 12:30 p.m.Oct. 15 *Faulkner Lebanon 1:30 p.m.Oct. 22 *Bethel Lebanon 1:30 p.m.Oct. 29 *Union Barbourville, Ky. 11 a.m.Nov. 5 *Belhaven Jackson, Miss. 1:30 p.m.Nov. 12 *Cumberlands Lebanon noon

*Mid-South Conference West Division game

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

Cumberland’s Bulldogs ready to sustain success


Reed Gurchiek, a redshirt freshman from Mt. Juliet, throws on a rollout as Coach DewayneAlexander watches. Gurchiek entered fall camp as the Bulldogs’ No.1 quarterback.

See CU, page 23

CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS

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

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return Cody McCallister picked off twopasses and returned a fumble for a touch-down. Senior strong safety/kick returnerDa’Juan Manning has played a number ofpositions on both sides of the ball duringhis career.

Perhaps the leader of the defense is pre-season All-American linebacker StephonRansom [5-10, 210], who led Cumberlandwith 79 tackles last year. Joining him inthe middle will be fifth-year senior All-MSC Ben Miller [6-1, 240], who had 78stops.

The only hole at linebacker was left bythe graduating Todd Holman. Senior Con-nor McChurch [6-1, 193] will take thespot after opening last fall camp as thestarting quarterback. An injury to his bigtoe ended the season before it started forthe former Wilson Central star, who pre-viously played safety and punter.

“He could be all-conference at aboutfour different positions,” Alexander saidof McChurch. “He loves to play. He’ll playinjured. He just makes football plays.”

Backing them up will be junior AdamWiss [5-11, 210].

Up front, junior Simon Moriarty [6-2,257] brings his athleticism to one tackleposition. Redshirt freshman DevinGuthrie [6-2, 262] and fifth-year seniorSteven Clemons [6-0, 250] will rotate atthe other tackle. Clemons, a former SmithCounty star, has missed 1 1/2 seasonsdue to injuries after being redshirted as afreshman.

“He’s what small-college football is all

about,” Alexander said of Clemons. “Heloves to play football. He is tough. He hasovercome a lot.”

On the ends will be senior B.J. Stewart[6-5, 249] and junior Collin Urenda [6-2,215].

Stewart returned to football last seasonafter starring on the mat as a Cumberlandwrestler. He was ranked No. 1 at heavy-weight as an All-American in 2009-10.Urenda played in nine games off thebench last year.

Special teams will have a local flavorwith three sophomores. Mt. Juliet’s TylerEmmetts averaged 40.7 yards per puntlast year. Kicker Jared White of TrousdaleCounty hit 10 of 17 field-goal tries andFriendship Christian’s Beau Baker 1 of 3last year. But extra points were more of aconcern to Alexander.

“Extra points should be routine and wemissed too many,” Alexander said.

But the overall state of the program ap-pears to be as solid as it’s been since itsresurrection 21 years ago. Another sign isthe number of freshman who are havingto play on Saturday afternoons hasdropped precipitously during Alexander’stenure, noting 37 true freshmen traveledwith the team in 2007, but only five on aregular basis last season.

“We’re consistently putting a more ma-ture team on the field,” Alexander said.“Coming into camp, we’re not having tofind a team. We’ve got experience, gooddepth.

“We’ve got a chance to have a greatyear if everything falls into place.”


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