Best Vols QB Ever

Last season the Tennessee Football magazine asked who is the best Vols quarterback of all time.The easy answer to the question was Peyton Manning.

However, others did get votes when the media was polled statewide.

Manning, a New Orleans, La. Native, holds many of Tennessee’s all-time passing records, including career wins (39), passing yards (11,201) and touchdown passes (90).

He is the only Vols’ quarterback to have his jersey number retired. No.16 was the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 1998.

In the past ten seasons, Manning has set NFL records, won MVP honors and led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship in 2007. Surely, he has cemented his place as a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Larry Fleming covered the Vols from the early 1970s until 1998 and was a Tennessee beat writer for 10 years. He said Manning “is a no brainer” for the best Vols field general of all-time.

"Manning’s knowledge and comprehension of the game was beyond belief for a college quarterback," Fleming said. "He raised the bar for preparation, including his legendary film study habits, to a level unseen at any level of football."

Fleming said the bottom line when assessing Manning’s career at Tennessee is he made everyone around him better. Much better.

Ron Bliss saw many Vols quarterbacks working for the Kingsport Times-News from 1973-1982 and again from 1983-2003. He now covers Tennessee for his website TriCitiesSports.com. He too labeled Manning as the best ever.

"Peyton always got a knock that he couldn't beat Florida, but one year he put up 37 points," Bliss said. "The only problem was his defense allowed 62 and he didn't play on defense."

Bliss has been a Hesiman Trophy voter since 1981 and said Manning should have won the award over Michigan's Charles Woodson.

“It was a travesty that he didn't," Bliss said. "He epitomized everything you'd want in a Heisman Trophy winner -- he has the stats, his team won the SEC title and played in what was considered the National Championship Game in the Orange Bowl."

Former Chattanooga Times Sports Editor Buck Johnson covered the Vols as a writer for more than 44 years. The first game he reported on was in 1959 against LSU. He too said Manning was the best choice, but pointed out that Johnny Majors played single-wing tailback in an offense that did not have a quarterback.

"Peyton was the greatest, no contest," Johnson said. "But what if Majors would have been a quarterback? He was the key man on the field."Majors was an All-American and Heisman trophy runner-up in 1956 as a triple-threat tailback on a team that was one of the last to use the single wing.

Johnson said the eras were different and Bobby Dodd would have been the best Tennessee quarterback of his era.

Dodd was an All-America quarterback at Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to a 27-1-2 record from 1928-30. He joins Manning as the only two quarterbacks in Tennessee history to be named first-team All-American.

Dodd went on to a legendary coaching career at Georgia Tech and is one of only three men to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

But, while Manning is the most accomplished NFL quarterback to ever step foot on Shields-Watkins Field, other names come up when the question is asked of the best in Vols history.

In the mid-1960s when Doug Dickey took over as head coach and ditched the wing T for the T-formation offense.Dewey Warren, a.k.a. "The Swamp Rat" won 19 games in his three years on The Hill. Warren was the first UT quarterback to ever throw for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.

The start of the 1969 season saw Bobby Scott from the northwest Georgia mill town of Rossville take over under center. Scott threw for more than 3,371 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Nevertheless, he's remembered most due to a career record of 20-3 as a starter and he's second on the all-time winning percentage list for UT quarterbacks (.869). Scott had a long NFL career as a back-up to Archie Manning in New Orleans before finishing his career with New Jersey and Chicago in the USFL.

Former Tennessee All-American lineman Chip Kell played with Scott.

"He was a pretty good one," Kell said. "He wasn’t very flashy, but he was a good leader. He wasn’t Peyton Manning he just got it done.

Conredge Holloway was one of the most electrifying players to don an orange jersey in Knoxville.
Chattanooga Times Free Press writer Ward Gossett covered the Vols for more than 20 years and remembers Holloway as a tremendous athlete.

"He’s another of the great Tennessee quarterbacks who could run and pass with the best of them," Gossett said. "How good an athlete was he? He played shortstop on UT's baseball team."

Holloway was an All-SEC first team selection in 1973 and was named as the quarterback for Tennessee’s 100-year team in 1991.

Tallahassee, Florida’s Tony Robinson burst onto the scene in Knoxville in 1984 after former starter Alan Cockrell left UT to begin a pro baseball career.

Robinson threw for 3,332 yards and 23 touchdowns in his all-too-brief UT career, which ended with a devastating knee injury suffered during the 1985 Alabama game.

Popular Knoxville ESPN radio talk show host Tony Basilio said Tony Robinson was one of the best.

"He played at a time in Tennessee football where he brought the program out of the doldrums," Basilio said."

Rhea County’s Andy Kelly starred for the Vols in the late 1980s and early 1990’s and his name remains near the top of most of UT’s passing records.

Kelly was 24-5-2 as a starter, throwing for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns.

CSS play-by-play announcer and longtime Vols network radio voice, Randy Smith said, "Kelly's teammates called him the greatest leader they ever saw."

Blessed with one of the strongest arms ever at Tennessee, Bryson City, N.C. native Heath Shuler went 19-5 in two-plus years as a starter, throwing for 4,088 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career.

Runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1993, Shuler was the No. 3 overall pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1994 NFL Draft.

In 2006, he successfully defeated eight-term incumbent Charles H. Taylor for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

Gossett said Shuler leaving a year early for the NFL upset many Tennessee faithful.

"But Shuler put UT back on the national football map," Gossett said. "I remember him shattering the Plexiglas shield as ESPN cameras rolled. In addition, Heath came along, as recruiting news was becoming a major item, but before the days of Rivals.com.

Moreover, not to be forgotten is the man who had to fill the giant footsteps of Manning; But Martin surpassed all expectations when he took over as the Vols’ starter in 1998. He guided Tennessee to a perfect 13-0 season, an SEC championship and a 23-16 win over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to capture the Vols’ first national championship since 1951," He went 9-3 the following year and remains to this day Tennessee’s all-time leader in career winning percentage (.880).

"Martin was a larger version of Holloway, able to create havoc for defenses with his running and throwing, and he won 22 of 25 games," Fleming said.

While the fortunes of future UT quarterbacks have yet to be written, there is one thing to be certain of – like those before them, the next generations of Vols’ quarterbacks have an incredible legacy of greatness to uphold. Tennessee fans will expect nothing less.

All-time Top Vols QBs
Peyton Manning _ He owns all-time records for career wins (39), passing yards (11,201) and touchdown passes (90). His Vols jersey was retired.
Bobby Dodd _ All-America quarterback, leading the Vols to a 27-1-2 record from 1928-30. Joins Manning as the only two quarterbacks in Tennessee history to be first-team All-American.
Heath Shuler _ 19-5 in two-plus years as a starter, throwing for 4,088 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. Runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1993.
Andy Kelly _ Kelly was 24-5-2 as a starter, throwing for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Tee Martin _ Guided Tennessee to a 13-0 season, an SEC championship and a national championship. Vols’ all-time leader in career winning percentage (.880).
Conredge Holloway _ An All-SEC first-team selection in 1973 and was named the quarterback for Tennessee¹s 100-year team in 1991.
Bobby Scott _ He threw for more than 3,371 yards and 32 touchdowns. Career record of 20-3 as a starter and is second on the all-time winning percentage list for quarterbacks (.869).
Tony Robinson _ He threw for 3,332 yards and 23 touchdowns in his all-too-brief UT career, which ended with a devastating knee injury suffered during the 1985 Alabama game.
Dewey Warren _ A.k.a. “The Swamp Rat,” won 19 games in his three years on The Hill. Warren was the first UT quarterback to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
Casey Clausen _ Completed 61 percent of his passes for 9, 707 yards and 75 touchdowns. Started 44 of 47 games and had a 14-1 record on the road with a 34-10 record overall.

Name Exp Att. Com. Pct. Yds TD's Record Pct.
Peyton Manning 1994-97 1,381 863 62.5 11,201 89 39-6 .867
Casey Clausen 2000-03 1,270 775 61.0 9,577 75 34-10 .773
Andy Kelly 1988-91 846 514 60.8 6,397 36 24-5-2 .790
Jeff Francis 1985-88 768 476 62.0 5,867 31 20-12-1 .621
Tee Martin 1996-99 588 326 55.4 4,592 32 22-3 .880
Heath Shuler 1991-93 513 316 61.6 4,088 36 19-5 .792
Alan Cockrell 1981-83 568 317 55.8 3,823 26 17-8-1 .673
Jimmy Streater 1976-79 467 241 51.6 3,433 17 13-12-2 .646
Bobby Scott 1968-70 498 236 47.4 3,371 32 20-3 .869
Dewey Warren 1965-67 440 258 58.6 3,357 27 19-6 .760
Tony Robinson 1982-85 411 253 61.6 3,332 23 10-5-1 .656
Conredge Holloway 1972-74 407 238 58.5 3,102 18 23-9-2 .705

Notes:
Peyton Manning is the only Tennessee quarterback on this list other than Bobby Dodd (1930) to be named All-American.
Manning is the only UT quarterback to be named All-SEC First Team twice (1995 and 1997) and the only UT quarterback to play in a Super Bowl.
Andy Kelly and Tee Martin are the only UT quarterbacks on this list to play on two SEC Championship teams. Kelly played on SEC Championship teams in 1989 and 1990, while Martin played on the 1997 and 1998 SEC Championship teams.
Martin is the only signal-caller on the list with a National Championship.

Vols Really Are The Big Orange

The first thing I noticed at media day Saturday was how much larger some of the Vols were.

Forget the sizes listed on the roster. The Big Orange is now truthfully the Big Orange.
Tennessee has a dozen players listed at 300 pounds or larger. But, I’ll assure you that there are more than that above the 300-pound mark.

Not only is the Tennessee football team larger physically, but the Vols are obviously stronger too.

Back-up quarterback B.J. Coleman said he has gained 22 pounds since he reported to the Vols in 2007 and is much stronger.

Super sophomore Eric Berry (now around 210 pounds) has gained 15 pounds and today looks more like a linebacker than a safety.

He’s not alone. Tackle Demonte Bolden (6-5, 295) is massive in size compared to 2007.

Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon (6-3, 320) broke all school records when he bench pressed 645 pounds. That’s sick. He’ was a big guy before the weight training ritual turned him into a beast.

My first thoughts when I saw Jacques was how this broad shouldered lineman gets through a door without turning sideways.

Vladimir Richard (6-4, 300) and Anthony Parker (6-3, 300) are other offensive lineman who look gargantuan now.
Richard joined McClendon by benching more than 600 pounds in the offseason too.

But the player who caught my eye who had made the largest jump in size was not one of the hogs up front.

When freshman Rod Wilks was a 6-1, 185-pound wide receiver catching passes from Sonny Gray at Smyrna High the past two seasons he was a sleek speedster who always managed to be one step quicker than his defenders.

He’s now 6-1, 220 pounds and has been moved to safety where he will join his brother Marsalous Johnson (CB) in the secondary.

Coach Phil Fulmer said Wednesday that Wilks would likely get on the field sooner in the secondary where the Vols need depth at safety.

If bigger equates to better look for the Vols to be much improved in 2008.

2008 Reebok Phenoms Announced

CHATTANOOGA – Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine is proud to announce the 2008 Reebok Tennessee Football Phenoms. The Reebok Phenoms signify the very best high school players in the state, regardless of classification.

College football programs nationwide are learning that Tennessee has more quality players than has been publicized by the recruiting services in the past.

Tennessee Football magazine has a mission to promote student athletes throughout the state in a positive and professional manner.

Those listed here on the Reebok Phenoms first, second and third teams are considered top prospects who will likely play at the next level.

Talent evaluators, media, and both college and prep coaches were consulted in selecting the Tennessee Reebok Phenoms.

For everything football in Tennessee
it’s http://www.tennfb.com/.

Reebok Phenoms

OFFENSE
QB Will Gilchrist, 6-2, 185, 4.6, Hardin Co
An intelligent leader with a knack of making the right decisions, Gilchrist is a high-completion passer with a good arm. He has committed to Memphis.

RB Gabriel Hunter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, Kingsbury
Good speed, good balance, cuts on a dime and when the hole opens Hunter has another gear. He ran for 2,679 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2007. Has committed to Ole Miss after offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Mississippi and Memphis.

RB David Jones, 6-0, 200, 4.5, South Pittsburg
Jones is a pure athlete with great lateral movement, who could end up playing defense in college. He was named the TSSAA State Championship Game Defensive MVP. Memphis, MTSU, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt have offered.

TE Thad McHaney, 6-5, 220, 4.8, Brentwood Academy
He's a large physical tight end that has the frame to play much bigger. McHaney is a good blocker and loves to be physical. He’s on the radar with offers from Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Marshall, Oregon and Oklahoma.

WR Marlon Brown, 6-5, 205, 4.5, Harding Academy
Brown has elite speed for his size with huge hands and long arms. He has great feet and at 6-5 runs and cuts like a 5-7 scatback. Offers are rolling in from all the major programs.

WR Zach Rogers, 6-2, 178, 4.35, David Lipscomb
Rogers’ play is like a how-to-video on football. He’s a combination of the Energizer Bunny and a bolt of lightning. Everybody who sees him play wants this big-play athlete. He has committed to Tennessee.

OL Austin Long, 6-5, 270, 5.1, Briarcrest
With Long, it starts with athleticism. He’s top-notch as a drive or pass blocker and works well in 3-point and 2-point stances. Long committed to Georgia after getting more than 20 major offers.

OL Alex Bullard, 6-3, 270, 4.9, Brentwood Academy
Bullard is physical and punishes his opponents with his arm strength. He plays every down like it was his last. However, he’s already committed to Notre Dame and may one day play professionally.

OL Sean Conway, 6-3, 285, 5.1, Father RyanConway is an athletic drive blocker who never takes a play off. He’s strong and has enough talent to make a solid Division I guard, one who can play at the Southeastern Conference level.

OL Will Jackson, 6-4, 280, 5.1, Knox. Farragut
Jackson is a prototype guard who comes off the ball low and hard and punishes defenders. However, he’s a technician that is consistent each play and loves to pull. He committed to Georgia Tech after offers from West Virginia, Wake Forest, MTSU and Vanderbilt.

OL Kevin Revis, 6-4, 270, 5.2, Rhea County
Revis is a projected college center, who has committed to Tennessee. He’s very intelligent on the field and in the classroom. Revis is a hard-nosed kid who knows what a pancake is.

PK Kyle Lehning, 5-10, 170, David Lipscomb
Lehning has a strong and accurate leg. He holds the TSSAA record for the most extra points without a miss.


DEFENSE

DE Daniel Hood, 6-5, 255, 4.9, Knox. Catholic
Hood is football-tough and never stops. He can play in college on either side of the ball. Auburn, Louisville, Georgia Tech and Tennessee have extended offers.

DE Dominique Allen, 6-0, 250, 4.6, Henry Co.
Allen is a beast on both sides of the ball. He ran for more than 1,500 yards and 30 TDs in 2007, and is a force on defense as well. The combination of strength, speed and athleticism put him on top of all lists. Nevertheless, Allen has committed to Tennessee.

DL Miguel Sanchez, 6-1, 250, 4.9, Red Bank
Sanchez is a bad man on the gridiron. He thrives on contact and punishes blockers and runners. Opponents are forced to double and triple-team him. He’s flying under the radar so far. However, that will soon change.

DL Justin Smith, 6-0, 252, 4.9, Maryville
Smith anchors the Maryville defense for Coach George Quarles. “He knows how to use hands, beat blocks, and he's getting a lot of interest,” Quarles said. “At that level (Division I), you've got to fit in the box. He needs to go to the camps and run well, but he can play."

LB Derrick Webb, 6-1, 220, 4.6, Whitehaven
Webb squeezes the green before making big hits. He plays sideline to sideline and never runs down. Middle Tennessee and Ole Miss have already made offers and more are to come.

LB DeMarcus Knight, 6-2, 230, 4.6, Morristown East
Knight committed to Ole Miss and now all the scouts are coming around to see what they missed. He’s big, fast, plays with passion and likes to hit. In other words, Knight is what coaches look for in a linebacker.

LB Cole Lail, 6-0, 220, 4.7, William Blount
He’s old-school tough and proved it by beating death last winter. Lail came off of a ventilator to return to the field in the spring. He’s fun to see play unless you have a football in your hand.

CB Eric Gordon, 5-11, 188, 4.4, Hillsboro
Gordon has great instincts that could make him an outstanding cover cornerback in college. His closing speed is special. Alabama, Tennessee, Colorado and Oklahoma are just a few of the many who have made offers.

CB Gene Robinson, 5-10, 180, 4.5, Whitehaven
This kid has stardom written all over him. Robinson hits like a kick from a mule hoof and runs like a deer. College offers have come from Alabama, Colorado, Vanderbilt, Memphis, North Carolina and Southern Miss.

S Marsalis Teague, 5-10, 170, 4.5, Henry County
Wow! Teague may be the best prep athlete playing football in Tennessee. He’s a quarterback, but will play either receiver or defensive back at the next level. He has many offers, including Tennessee, Clemson, Miami and North Carolina.

S Jay Fullam, 6-1, 190, 4.5, McCallie
Fullam’s tackles pack a punch. He’s aggressive like a linebacker and uses his speed to find the football. Fullam is another throwback player who is fun to watch on both sides of the ball. He committed to Vanderbilt early.

P Josh Davis, 5-11 190, 4.6, Rhea County
Davis was a preseason All-State selection and punted for a 43-yard net average in 2007. He has a strong leg and hit a 66-yarder last season. Davis has received attention from Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Memphis and MTSU.

Second Team

OFFENSE
QB Chris Campbell, 6-4, 195, Briarcrest
RB Darren Garner, 5-9, 167, William Blount
RB Tavares Jefferson, 5-10, 170, Ensworth
TE Cameron Mason, 6-4, 225, Brentwood
WR Corey Jordan, 6-0, 193, Hillsboro
WR Bo Gilroy, 6-1, 180, Ravenwood
OL Hunter Beedle, 6-3, 261, Sullivan South
OL Tyler Eady, 6-3, 290, Smyrna
OL Deonte Cruse, 6-2, 280, Siegel

OL Wesley Johnson, 6-5, 240, MBA
OL Aaron Nations, 6-4, 300, Friendship Christian
PK Hendrix Brakefield, 6-3, 180, Hillsboro

DEFENSE

DE Cordarrol Mitchell, 6-3, 268, Hillcrest
DE Cole Tischer, 6-4, 225, Brentwood

DL Barry Dabney, 6-2, 250, Brentwood Academy
DL Alex Smithson, 6-2, 275, Riverdale
LB Evan Webb, 6-2, 225, David Lipscomb
LB Gunner Miller, 6-1, 210, East Ridge
LB Joseph Bennett, 6-1, 200, CAK
CB Jamal Ramsey, 6-3, 185, BGA
CB Monte Scotton, 6-0, 180, Cleveland
S Mitchell Stoffer, 6-0, 185, Father Ryan
S Jamal Starnes, 6-1, 175, Franklin
P Brandon Reagan 5-11, 199, Bearden


Third Team

OFFENSE
QB Nathan Jolley, 6-2, 200, Houston
RB James Walker, 6-0, 205, Houston
RB Markus Cantrell, 5-10, 185, Maplewood
TE Rob Grabill, 6-3, 255, Knox. Karns
WR Carl Brady, 6-2, 188, Raleigh-Egypt
WR Gino Norwood, 6-2, 182, Ooltewah
OL Deonte Newsome, 6-3, 270, Maplewood
OL Cliff Jones, 6-3, 270, MUS
OL Austin King, 6-5, 270, Briarcrest Christian

OL Dalton Hudson, 6-6, 240, David Lipscomb
OL Jebb Lenhart, 6-4, 295, Pigeon Forge
PK Christian Prudhome, 5-9, 160, Johnson Co

DEFENSE

DE Matthew Shelton, 6-4, 230, Cordova
DE Jamar Neal, 6-1, 245, Battle Ground Academy

DL Romerio Cathey, 6-3, 270, Maplewood
DL Ryan Carrethers, 6-1, 285, Brentwood Academy
LB Nick Nelms, 5-11, 215, Houston
LB Michael Saggio, 6-3, 200, David Lipscomb
LB William Harris, 5-11, 200, Goodpasture
CB Sammy Seamster, 6-3, 185, Ooltewah
CB Benjamin Cunningham, 5-11, 195, Goodpasture
S Alex Crutcher, 6-0, 195, Hillsboro
S Bryant Belew, 6-4, 196, Columbia Central
P Kyle Youmans, 5-8 165, Dyersburg

It's All Worth It

Working with athletes is a wonderful and rewarding experience. Much of the wisdom and the many of the lessons learned have come from working with kids.

In addition, no matter how old the athletes participating get there’s always a little bit of a kid in all of them.

Saturday at the Tennessee Volunteers Media Day, I talked with many of the orange-clad football gladiators that millions across the state cheer for each game in the fall.

The Tennessee football players are often worshipped, praised, scrutinized, and at times cussed by their fans and opponents' fans.

Nevertheless, Saturday I watched as some of the gladiators let their guard down and showed there’s a little boy in each and every one of them.

While coaching kids to catch a baseball, or make a block or tackle in football the rewards are often obvious for the coaches.

But in the media business, you're not there in their dorms, dens and bedrooms when they pick up one of your stories and read it.

When my wife Deb gave Arian Foster a copy of the 2008 Tennessee Football magazine at Media Day I got to see his reaction as he thumbed through the pages and smiled at pictures of him and words praising his abilities.

Foster told redshirt freshman quarterback B.J. Coleman he wanted a copy of the picture of him flexing to show off his King Tut tattoo in the magazine to put on his wall.

Moments later, she handed super sophomore Eric Berry a magazine with his picture featured on the cover.

As the day came to an end and the players exited to head off to lunch Berry was sitting backwards on the back of a gator riding up the hill still looking through the Tennessee Football magazine.

At that point, it was clear that even a managing editor of an annual football magazine and those who toiled to make the 2008 edition possible could make a difference too.

To see a pair of football players who will likely one day make millions as National Football League stars smile as if their third grade teacher had just given them a star sticker was worth it all.

For those short moments, Foster and Berry were humble and appreciative young men saying thank you.
I would like to take this space to say thank you to them and all of the players who are a part of the Tennessee Football magazine.

These old eyes see things now in a different perspective.

_ Stump Martin

Greatest Team Ever

The greatest team ever to play in Tennessee, and possibly in America is not one of the typical state powers.

Maryville, Brentwood Academy, Dobyns-Bennett, Trousdale County, the once-feared Chattanooga Central and Oak Ridge are just a few that come to mind.

Nonetheless, possibly the greatest dynasty is a mystery team once known as Bedford County Training Center.

This was a public school for African Americans in Shelbyville, Tennessee that was open for more than 30 years prior to segregation.

The Fighting Tigers football team carved out a bit of national history with an unbelievable 78-0-4 record from 1943 to 1950.

Nobody is quite sure who the Bedford County Training Center played. But they are positive that the school set a National Federation record that likely will never be broken with 52 consecutive shutouts from 1942 until 1949.

Coach Edward Finley’s team went nine years without giving up a single point. In addition, the Fighting Tigers nine years of undefeated football tops the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association record book.

The school was later renamed Harris High before it merged with Central High in 1967.

The building that once housed the school has been turned into an office complex.

The people of Shelbyville believe the state’s best team played there in the 1940's.

Read more in the Hot Reads section of the 2008 edition of the Tennessee Football magazine now at your favorite bookstore.

OLPH Football: 'A Tradition of Excellence'

EAST RIDGE -- For more than 60 years, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help junior high football program has been a tradition of excellence – recording 336 victories, 21 championships and too many bowl victories to remember since 1948.

In addition, the Rams brought home a National Pop Warner championship from Philadelphia in 1955.

OLPH defeated Valley Stream, N.Y. 13-0 and Fairless, N.Y. 12-0 to claim the title. When the team returned to Chattanooga, a large crowd and a police escort awaited the champions. The players spent the next week with personal appearances on Chattanooga radio and television stations.

The Dearing brothers, Billy and Bucky, coach OLPH today and are proud of the school’s tradition.

“One of the first things we explain to new players is what it means to be a part of OLPH Football,” Bucky said. “We want them to appreciate the history.”Billy Dearing said the school’s tradition refers to the storied past.

“But it also is a continuing goal,” he said. “It’s vital that our young men not be satisfied with mediocrity.”

Billy Dearing began coaching youth football in 1992 and the brothers joined to coach OLPH in 1998. The players refer to them simply as Coach Billy and Coach Bucky.

Barry Courter was on the 1976 OLPH championship team, and his son Carson Courter played on the 2002 champions.

“In both cases it was a good training and proving ground for high school football,” the father said. “Through all six decades, when Notre Dame High School did well, it probably meant OLPH did well in years prior.”

Xan Martin played football at OLPH in 2000-2001 and was team captain his second year. He was the only lineman in school history to be named most valuable player.

“Playing at OLPH always felt like a team,” Martin said. “Billy and Bucky taught us to have fun, not get all stressed out and work together as a team.

“And they always talked about the tradition and wanted the current team to uphold it and carry it on to the next team.”

The Dearing brothers were recognized in 2005 by the East Tennessee Chapter of the College Football Hall of Fame for their contributions to youth football.

In 2006, OLPH Football was honored as the area’s Youth Sports Program of the Year by a Chattanooga television station.

“We ingrain in the boys football fundamentals, which usually results in victories,” Billy Dearing said. “However, more importantly, we want them to learn valuable life lessons like teamwork, discipline, and hard work, which can help pull them through tough times in years to come. On top of that, we want them to enjoy the experience.”

Those who have played and coached at OLPH during the 60 years of the program have contributed to building the tradition of excellence.

In honor of the Rams tradition a custom cover was created for the 2008 OLPH team. The special cover is pictured in the upper lefthand corner of this story.

The SEC Media Days in Hoover again created many storylines that the Southern-Fried football fans can take home or to work for debate.

A little more than 70 of the 850-plus media members who showed up in Alabama took time to vote on which teams would play for the SEC title.

Nonetheless, I have to take time to disagree with the small number who voted Auburn and Florida to win their respective divisions.

Those picks are justifiable.

However, I don’t agree.

I have a hard time wondering how anybody could pick against the LSU Tigers to capture the SEC West again.

I know, the media likes Tommy Tuberville more than Les Miles.

Not only does Miles wear a baseball cap worse than any SEC coach in history, he will never grade high in a course of how to win friends and influence others.

Okay, back to why I originally decided to speak out.

LSU is the best team in the west.

The question in Baton Rouge is who is going to play quarterback. With the abundance of talent the Tigers have it’s obvious that a quarterback who doesn’t make mistakes will be able to lead the charge.
So, why not the defending national champs to win the SEC West?

And yes, Auburn will be the runner-up.

The SEC East is crazy.

Georgia, Florida and Tennessee are all very good and capable of getting on a winning streak.

Tennessee has to have a strong performance from Jonathan Crompton at quarterback.

Of course, Georgia has Matthew Stafford and Florida has "Superman" Tim Tebow at quarterback.

I think Tennessee will beat Georgia or Florida, and the Dogs will get the Gators again. I also believe LSU will beat Florida.

But, I believe Georgia will survive the East and play LSU in a rematch of the Oct. 18 game.

STUMP SAYS:

LSU
Auburn
Miss State
Alabama
Ole Miss
Arkansas


EAST
Georgia
Tennessee
Florida
South Carolina
Kentucky
Vanderbilt

Tebow Inspired Meyer To Take Mission Trip

My friend Ron Bishop, who founded SCORE International, a sports-related mission organization that provides the means for athletes to go abroad and introduce people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, has touched many with his efforts.

This week, at the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, there was more proof that Bishop’s passion for teaching people about Christ was hitting the mark.

Florida football coach Urban Meyer talked about his mission trip to the Dominican Republic with SCORE.

Meyer took his wife and three children along with two other families to visit orphanages and feed the hungry in villages where SCORE is planting churches.

“Probably, the impact of Tim Tebow inspired Meyer to take the trip,” Bishop said.

Meyer told the media gathered at the Wynfrey Hotel Wednesday that Tebow had done a lot of things that opened his eyes.

“It was a life-changing experience,” Meyer said of his trip to the Dominican.

Bishop said that Chris Mayberry, a basketball coach at First Academy in Orlando, gets credit for getting Meyer and his family to take the trip. First Academy is a ministry of the First Baptist Church.

“A year ago, Chris took his boys team on a sports mission trip to the Dominican Republic. One of the players took his dad along,” Bishop said. “That dad happens to be a good friend of Urban Meyer. Thus, the idea of a “family” mission trip was born and three families spent July the 4th week doing mission work.”

Mayberry is a former basketball player at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. who went with Bishop on a SCORE trip to Jamaica to do missions years ago.

Bishop said SCORE International honored the request of Meyer to keep the trip a quiet, low-key event.

However, Bishop said when the Tampa Tribune and the Associated Press ran the story last week, he and his organization were happy to confirm it.

“It is so neat to have a person like Tim Tebow on the national scene,” Bishop said. “Teenagers (and adults) need positive role models and Tebow is one of the best. He went on three mission trips this year, kept a 3.68 GPA, and won the Heisman Trophy. What a kid!”

Nevertheless, Bishop said the biggest impact Tebow might have had on anybody was the spiritual impact he likely had on his coach, Urban Meyer.

Your Mag Is Almost Here

The 2008 edition of Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine is dedicated for those who help make football special across the state.

A tremendous amount of effort goes into making football possible at every level.

The same type effort from many different people has gone into making this magazine the one you want to pick up off the shelves and take home.

The Tennessee Football magazine staff began planning for 2008 when the first edition was rolling on the presses in July of 2007.

The staff took the suggestions from the fans who read the 2007 magazine and from the players and coaches who play the game.

Then it was time to go to work.

Like football teams, injuries can make a difference. This year the Tennessee Football magazine team refused to allow injuries to stop us short of our goal.

Out of necessity, the team learned to play hurt.

One writer broke his leg. However, that allowed him to sit at home and write many of the high school previews.

A photographer broke both of his elbows in a softball game. Thankfully, he had his mishap after he had his picture day with the Vols.

Another photographer broke his arm.

Nevertheless, the Tennessee Football magazine team rallied together and played through pain to present another winning product.

This is the first year of “The Great Divide.” The staff split the state high school teams into East, Southeast, Middle and West Tennessee regions.

Each region is represented with a high school feature story.

In the staff’s travels across the Volunteer State, many stories were told.

In West Tennessee, the Memphis Melrose football team is featured in a story about “Legend of Orange Mound.”

In Middle Tennessee, “Third Time’s Charm” tells of likable David Lipscomb coach Glenn McCadams and how his Mustangs defeated Knoxville Fulton to capture the Tennessee Class 3A state crown after losing to the Falcons the previous two seasons.

The trip to Southeast Tennessee took the staff to South Pittsburg where the town folks claim to have the best cornbread in the world and the “top thoroughbreds” in the state when it comes to high school football players.

It’s hard to argue with the Pirates 15-0 record and a state 1A championship in 2007. But in South Pittsburg, the supporters expect another title this season.

Staff members enjoyed the trip so much that photographer Matt Ledger and writer Scott Herpst couldn’t resist returning to South Pittsburg a week later for the famous “Cornbread Festival. There, the two caught up with Pirates coach Vic Grider sprinkling hot sauce on a skillet of cornbread.

In East Tennessee, writer Marky Billson visited Kingsport to learn of the history of Dobyns-Bennett football.

The Indians have won more games than any team in the state by hitting the 700 mark last season.

John Brice is back again this year writing the University of Tennessee stories you won’t find anywhere else.

Tennessee Titans beat writer Terry McCormick again gets up close with Jeff Fisher and the state’s only professional football team.Meet the 2008 Reebok Phenoms, an all-classification team featuring the best prep offensive and defensive players in Tennessee by position.In addition, learn about the top prep high school football players in the state in the Power 279. And read about your favorite teams and their opponents in profiles of 326 Tennessee teams.Whether you’re a player, coach, fan, parent or business supporter the message is simple, it’s all for you.

For more of the same check daily at www.TennFB.com for everything football in Tennessee.

Stump Martin
Managing Editor
Varsity Sport Media’s Tennessee Football

2008 Magazine In The Final Run

The 2008 Tennessee Football magazine is in the final run before dashing off to the printer.

I’m very excited about this year’s magazine. There’s more stories, more information and an overall better product for those in Tennessee to enjoy.

In the 2008 edition meet the top Tennessee Volunteer players returning and get a close up look at sophomore sensation Eric Berry by reading the cover story.

In addition, check out the in-depth reporting by Tennessee Vols beat writer John Brice as he takes fans behind the scenes for information you will only find in the Tennessee Football magazine.

The NFL section is packed with a preview of the Tennessee Titans as Coach Jeff Fisher attempts to return his team to the playoffs.

Will the return of defensive end Javon Kearse, or the addition of tight end Alge Crumpler make a big difference in the Titans?

Of course, Tennessee Football magazine is the leader in delivering the best prep information and feature stories to the readers.

Find out the best teams in Tennessee in the Top 25 All-classification poll and read about the Top 10 match-ups that you don’t want to miss in 2008.

Don’t miss picking up a copy to read about the Reebok Phenoms, a collection of the elite prep football players in the state.

The 2009 Tennessee signing crop is already growing with players across the state making commitments to SEC and other Division I schools.

The Tennessee Football magazine Power 279 provides information on the best talent the Volunteer State has to offer.

See who from your area is in the top players’ lists and read about your favorite high school in the 2008 previews.

I can’t wait to get the first issue in my hand and I know what’s coming.

I can only imagine your anticipation.

A special thanks to those who have worked with the Tennessee Football magazine staff to make this edition the best ever.

Oops, I almost let the cat out of the bag.

That’s right; the magazine will announce the best back and best lineman to play football in Tennessee and a list of others who were so close.