BY THE NUMBERS2 - Wins credited to the Eagles a year ago. They won on the field eight times but were forced to give up six victories after the TSSAA ruled that they had played an ineligible player (Tim McClendon), leaving them out of the postseason.20 - Fewest points the Eagles have scored in a game. Signal Mountain lost 48-20 to South Pittsburg on Sept. 18, 2009, in their initial varsity season.26 - Times the Eagles have scored at least 40 points in their three-year history, which includes 36 games. They have tallied 50 or more 11 times (30.5 percent).SCHEDULEAug. 17 at East HamiltonAug. 24 at TynerAug. 31 Bledsoe County*, 7Sept. 7 Blackman, 7Sept. 14 at Grundy County*, 8Sept. 21 at South Pittsburg, 8Sept. 28 at Notre Dame*, 7Oct. 5 Polk County, 7Oct. 11 at Chattanooga Christian*Oct. 26 Sequatchie County*, 7* District 7-AA gameGames start at 7:30 p.m. except where noted.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES
Coach: Bill Price (Third year here, 144-97 in his 28 years)
Stadium address: 2650 Sam Powell Trail, Signal Mountain, TN 37377
RECENT HISTORY
Most observers had Signal pegged for a deep run in the Class 4A playoffs, and they were headed in the right direction despite a lopsided loss at Class 6A powerhouse Blackman and a one-point upset at Polk County. That loss in Benton came on the day they were informed by the TSSAA they would have to vacate six victories for playing an ineligible player. While they had eight wins, their official 2011 spreadsheet reads 2-2. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last three years:
Season 1 5 10
2011 --(2)*
2010 ----------(10)
2009 ---------(9)
* vacated six wins; ineligible player
THREE STRENGTHS
1) A proven quarterback. Reese Phillips is coming off an all-state season in which he threw for almost 1,900 yards and 21 TDs with only four interceptions. Although he has started just 10 games, the University of Kentucky commitment will be counted on heavily to adjust the Eagles' offense on the fly.
2) Speed and size. The offensive line, man for man, will be the largest Signal has fielded, and the defensive line likely will average 240-250 pounds with above average speed. Among players expected to make major impacts are sophomore linebackers Cale Shelton, Hunter Vandyken, Caaleb Manzel and Chris Femester.
3) Coaching. In addition to Price's long career of program building, his assistants include two former head coaches, Ernie McCarson and Troy Boeck, and defensive coordinator Bumper Reese has been a head baseball coach for more than a decade.
THREE CONCERNS
1) The Eagles graduated their top five wing-T rushers, and the question is how much new depth Coach Price has developed. Keep an eye on Diamez Franklin, a junior who sat out last season, and Harrison Hall, who'll spend much of his time at linebacker.
2) In addition to running backs departing, Signal also lost receivers Jon Patton and Will Queen, who accounted for more than 1,600 of quarterback Phillips' 1,895 passing yards. Leading candidates to replace them are seniors Chris Abernathy, Casey Johnson and Madison Byrd.
3) Price said he has only three returning starters, including Phillips, defensive tackle Elijah Turnage, who may also get a look at fullback, and punter/kicker Houston McClain. That is somewhat misleading because upwards of two dozen players including sophomore tight end Harrison Moon (6-6, 250), linebacker/running back Hall and defensive tackle James McLellan got extensive playing time, especially in second halves when games often were tucked into the win column early.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH THOMAS GAUTHIER
(Senior center)
Q: What are Signal's prospects this year?
A: We're getting a new administration and I'm looking forward to it. I have a great feeling about this football season. It's going to be tough but definitely rewarding. We are inexperienced as far as actual game time, but a lot of us have been together four years and we know how it works.
Q: What's it like to play for Bill Price?
A: It's a lot of fun. It's challenging and demanding, but that's part of it. Coach Price is a great coach. He's a nice guy who knows when to be tough. When we're on the [practice] field, it's get out there and get down to business. He has a strict schedule and he always makes sure everything is up-tempo and that everybody is upbeat.
Q: What does it take to be a starter at Signal Mountain?
A: You have to work hard and you have to prove you're the best for your position. Coach Price doesn't look much at age. If a sophomore is better than a junior, the sophomore will start. It's about work. When I came into the program as a freshman I was benching 85 pounds. Now I'm benching 335.
ROSTER
1 Dylan Buck - Senior
2 Diamez Franklin - Junior
3 Robert Turner - Senior
4 Nathan Johnson - Freshman
5 Evan Greve - Junior
6 Zach Brown - Junior
7 Griffin Moon - Senior
8 Levi Glasscock - Sophomore
9 Jack Teeters - Sophomore
10 Cody Snow - Junior
11 Reese Phillips - Senior
12 Chris Femester - Sophomore
13 Cody Dehart - Freshman
14 Jack Chandler - Freshman
15 J.R. Wilson - Sophomore
16 Houston Mainord - Freshman
17 C.J. Johnson - Senior
18 Dallas Payeton - Sophomore
19 Harrison Hall - Senior
20 Ryan Claxton - Junior
21 Jamil Mathis - Senior
22 Clay Adams - Freshman
23 Hunter Vandyken - Sophomore
24 Ben Philyaw - Senior
25 Tavarius Hodge - Sophomore
26 James McClean - Junior
27 Walter Gailmard - Sophomore
28 Cale Shelton - Sophomore
29 Kaleb Menzel - Sophomore
30 Houston McClain - Junior
32 Elijah Turnage - Senior
33 Kade Oglesby - Freshman
34 Chris Moore - Sophomore
35 Jason Mooris - Freshman
36 Hunter Phillips - Freshman
37 Lee Nagel - Freshman
38 Austin Miller - Freshman
39 Hunter Broughton - Freshman
40 Taylor Harvey - Senior
41 Jack Rockholt - Sophomore
42 Ben Brown - Junior
44 Harrison Moon - Sophomore
46 Layton Neal - Freshman
48 Miacheal Cate - Freshman
50 Cole Sitton - Junior
52 Will Hawkins - Senior
55 Dusty Hall - Junior
56 Jared Menzel - Freshman
57 Andy Faulk - Freshman
58 Devin Layman - Sophomore
60 Shaquille Collier - Junior
64 Colin Rich - Junior
65 Thomas Gauthier - Senior
66 Jacob Wright - Junior
67 Jake Williams - Senior
71 Brandon Coleman - Sophomore
72 Joey Welch - Sophomore
73 Aaron Williams - Sophomore
74 Davis Brock - Junior
76 Marcus Hardy - Freshman
78 William Franklin - Sophomore
79 Grant Hensley - Sophomore
80 Ryan McCaffrey - Sophomore
81 Drake Cunningham - Freshman
84 Adam Wolfe - Senior
85 Madison Byrd - Senior
86 Patrick Bruce - Senior
88 Chris Abernathy - Senior