Signal Mountain Eagles
Coach: Bill Price (34-5 in four years here; 151-101 in 26 years overall)
Last year: 7-4, lost 42-41 to Page in the first round of the state playoffs
'13 dreams: The schedule is tougher with more balance in District 7-AA and the addition of Bradley Central and perennial Class 4A playoff power Greeneville, but Price believes this is the most talented team he has had at Signal Mountain, and that includes the undefeated state championship team of 2010. The Eagles are looking forward to having a healthy Diamez Franklin in the backfield after he struggled through an injury-laden junior season. Of course, the big backfield load is 260-pound James McClellan, the Eagles' leading rusher in 2011. They're breaking in a new quarterback in southpaw Jack Teeter, who's replacing current Kentucky freshman Reese Phillips. The offensive line is big, averaging 250-plus pounds, and a favorite target for Teeter could be 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end Harrison Moon. The defensive line will be anchored by 360-pound Marcus Hardy.
13-for-13 contenders: Franklin, who also played some at linebacker, has recovered from a high-ankle sprain and rib injuries that hobbled him most of the 2012 season, and he's packing in the neighborhood of 195 pounds to go with the quick feet. Moon, though just a junior, already has FBS scholarship offers.
Number of interest: The Eagles needed 13 wins in 2010 to get to the Class 2A state championship game. They fell behind early despite their "point-a-minute" offense but rallied in the second half to beat Trinity Christian 56-28 to complete an undefeated season.
13 years ago: Signal Mountain High School was no more than a wish for some and a goal for others. The school opened in 2008.
Program superstition: It's become tradition for the team to touch the Eagle head before entering the stadium and then to listen to "The Boys of Fall."
1-through-3: Quarterback Jack Teeter
Q. How good can this team be?
A. We have a lot of starters coming back. I think we'll be a good football team. If we push ourselves and put in all the work, we could be in a position to go all the way.
Q. Is there pressure on you because of Hogan Whitmire and Reese Phillips, your predecessors?
A. There's a lot of pressure. Coach Price is always yelling and then a lot of parents asking me how I'm doing and if I'm ready for [the season]. But I think I'm ready for it. Pressure is something I look forward to. Some people may doubt me, but I want to prove them wrong and show them I can do it.
Q. What's it like playing for Bill Price?
A. Practices are long and hard, but he's a good coach. If you mess up he's on you, but he makes you want you to try and do it right the whole time. He's tough and he yells a lot, but outside of football he's a really good guy.
- Ward Gossett
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 East Hamilton
Aug. 30 Tyner
Sep. 6 at Bledsoe County *
Sep. 13 at Red Bank
Sep. 20 Grundy County *
Sep. 27 at Bradley Central
Oct. 4 Notre Dame *
Oct. 18 Chattanooga Christian *
Oct. 25 at Greeneville
Nov. 1 at Sequatchie County *
*District 7-AA game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Reese Phillips 172-274-3 2,274 15
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
James McClellan 122 678 10
Robert Turner 102 654 7
Diamez Franklin 89 471 3
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Madison Byrd 83 1251 9
Casey Johnson 27 357 0
Chris Abernathy 24 236 0
Diamez Franklin12 155 2
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Jackson Etter Freshman
2 Diamex Franklin Senior
3 TaDarrius Hodge Junior
4 Nathan Johnson Sophomore
5 Evan Greve Senior
6 Zach Brown Senior
7 Ryan McCaffery Junior
8 Levi Glasscock Junior
9 Jack Teeter Junior
10 Cody Snow Senior
11 Skye Wilson Freshman
12 Chris Feemster Junior
13 Corey Dehart Sophomore
14 Jack Chandler Sophomore
15 John Ryan Wilson Junior
16 Nick Spalding Junior
17 Garrett Hensley Freshman
18 Dallas Payeton Junior
20 Ryan Claxton Senior
21 Lee Nagle Sophomore
22 Clay Adams Sophomore
23 Hunter VanDyken Junior
24 Garland Wood Freshman
25 TaDarrell Hodge Freshman
26 James McClellan IV Senior
27 Walter Gailmard Junior
28 Cale Shelton Junior
29 Kaleb Menzel Junior
30 Houston McClain Senior
31 Jake Carmichael Sophomore
32 William Franklin Junior
33 Cade Oglsby Sophomore
34 Chris Moore Junior
35 Colin Weigert Freshman
39 Hunter Broughton Sophomore
40 Drew Dudley Sophomore
42 Ben Brown Sophomore
44 Harrison Moon Junior
45 Parker Swan Sophomore
46 Luis Gutierrez Senior
50 Cole Sitton Senior
52 Isaac Green Freshman
53 Cole Johnson Freshman
54 Dusty Hall Senior
55 Jared Menzel Sophomore
56 Andy Faulk Sophomore
57 Devin Laman Junior
60 Calelan Clemons Freshman
61 Micah Pressley Senior
62 Garrett Bird Freshman
64 Colin Rich Senior
66 Jacob Wright Senior
70 Bryson Foss Freshman
73 Aaron Williams Junior
74 Davis Brock Senior
76 Marcus Hardy Senior
79 Grant Hensley Senior
80 Drake Cunningham Sophomore
88 Leyton Teal Sophomore