Preps Preview: Baylor Red Raiders

BY THE NUMBERS1 - Returning starter (Derek Green) from lines that took the Red Raiders to the state championship game last season.4 - Returning backs that ran for at least 100 yards during the 2011 season. Conner Davidson was the leader with 820 and Houston Clement was next with 364 although he missed the last half of the season with an Achilles' injury. Mike Davis also missed five games, and he and George Porter combined for 458 yards.66 - The point swing in the two meetings between Ensworth and Baylor. The Red Raiders won handily during the regular season, 42-14, but were overwhelmed in the state championship game (48-10).SCHEDULEAug. 17 at Soddy-DaisyAug. 24 Bradley CentralAug. 31 Father Ryan*, 8Sept. 7 MBA*Sept. 14 at Ensworth*, 8Sept. 21 McCallie* at Finley StadiumSept. 28 Brentwood Academy*Oct. 12 at Columbia Central, 8Oct. 19 at Pope John Paul II*, 8Oct. 26 at BGA*, 8* Division II-AA East/Middle gameGames start at 7:30 p.m. Eastern unless otherwise noted.

BAYLOR RED RAIDERS

Coach: Phil Massey (Seventh year, 44-25 in six seasons here and 106-61 in 11 years overall)

Stadium: Heywood Stadium

Address: 171 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405

RECENT HISTORY

Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:

Season 1 5 10

2011---------(9)

2010----------(10)

2009------(6)

2008-----(5)

2007---(3)

THREE STRENGTHS

1) The running backs will be strong with Conner Davidson, Houston Clements, George Porter and Mike Davis. Davidson was the team's second-leading rusher a year ago and came up big after Clements suffered an injury halfway through the season. Porter just missed a 1,000-yard season as a freshman.

2) Kicker Rafael Gaglianone is consistent on 60-yarders despite being a relative unknown, spending last season in the shadow of eventual UTC signee Henrique Ribeiro. The coaching staff thinks the junior will be an NCAA FBS prospect.

3) With the exception of Spencer Craig, the defensive backfield returns intact. It is a group that includes Bryce Reynolds, Landry Taylor and Russell Buron, each of whom picked off three passes last season.

THREE CONCERNS

1) The Red Raiders are working hard to develop starter skills and depth in both lines. There are only eight returning starters - four on each side of the ball - and the bulk of those are "skill guys."

2) The Raiders have benefited greatly from quarterback play the last three seasons but now have inexperienced contenders for the starting job: sophomore Nick Tiano and junior transfer Michael O'Connor. The question is who'll emerge from the battle, but there will be talented depth at a key position in a very physical league.

3) Which George Porter will the Baylor faithful see? He flirted with the 1,000-yard mark as a freshman but was slowed by - and never fully recovered from - a preseason knee injury in 2011.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH JOEY ROGERS

(Senior receiver/defensive back)

Q: What are your thoughts about the season?

A: "I think we'll be a solid team if we get some young guys to fill some key positions. We're not really worried about it. It will come with practice."

Q: Two straight state finals trips. Do you think you can make it back?

A: "That's what we're shooting for."

Q: What is it in your mind that sets Baylor football apart?

A: "I've been on other teams, and the football team has a brotherhood that no other teams have."


ROSTER

2 Steven Crews - Sophomore

3 John Durham - Freshman

4 Joey Rogers - Senior

5 Taylor Maxey - Junior

6 Landry Taylor - Senior

7 Reggie Upshaw - Senior

8 Glenn Ireland - Junior

9 Gage Upshaw - Freshman

10 Rafael Gaglianone - Junior

11 Hunter Holland - Sophomore

12 Michael O'Connor - Junior

13 Keaton Baker - Freshman

14 Nick Tiano - Sophomore

15 Bryce Reynolds - Senior

16 Colton Jumper - Senior

17 Kota Nix - Junior

18 Jeffrey Bowens - Senior

19 Chandler Gouger - Junior

20 Blake Layne - Junior

21 Mike Davis - Senior

22 Bryce Cronin - Sophomore

23 Caleb Lofty - Freshman

24 George Pettway - Freshman

25 Russell Burton - Senior

26 Preston Ballard - Freshman

27 Walker Norris - Freshman

28 Ulysses Strawter - Freshman

29 George Porter - Junior

30 Reid Dotson - Junior

31 Connor Davidson - Senior

32 Sean Wampler - Sophomore

33 Houston Clements - Senior

34 Jaylen Simmons - Senior

35 Hayden LaMance - Freshman

36 Robert Stagmaier - Junior

37 Sterling Stewart - Sophomore

38 Emory Norred - Junior

39 Sam Greene - Senior

40 Ryan Parker - Freshman

41 Jake Ryan - Senior

42 Luke Hutchiins - Sophomore

43 Josh Smith - Senior

44 Rob Moore - Freshman

45 Joel Banks - Freshman

46 Will Jumper - Sophomore

47 Austin Thompson - Senior

48 Will Moore - Freshman

49 Colton Duncan - Freshman

50 Colin Brewer - Sophomore

51 Will Thomas - Junior

52 Maunick Sheth - Sophomore

53 Hayden Longley - Junior

54 Max Jump - Senior

55 Derek Green - Senior

56 Hayden Burnette - Senior

57 Conneer Williams - Senior

58 Tyler Seaberg - Sophomore

59 Charlie Pruett - Freshman

60 Mike Thompson - Junior

61 Will Anderson - Freshman

62 Jay Gruber - Sophomore

63 Trey Foshee - Junior

64 Jon Schmissrauter - Sophomore

65 Cooper Reiniche - Freshman

66 Cole McMahan - Sophomore

67 Julius Boggus - Freshman

68 Aden George-Warren - Junior

70 Parker Catlett - Freshman

71 Thomas Plantin - Junior

72 Garrison Thompson - Sophomore

76 Tommy McFarland - Sophomore

77 Ben Pettway - Junior

80 Coleman Hobson - Freshman

81 Romeo Gibbs - Freshman

82 Devin Smith - Sophomore

83 Henry Moore - Freshman

84 Henry Trotter - Freshman

85 Roger Carter - Senior

86 Daniel Monroe - Freshman

87 Ian Jump - Junior

88 Isaac White - Junior

89 Matthew Heywood - Senior

90 Lucas Mozingo - Sophomore

94 Patrick Walker - Senior

95 Alex Mason - Freshman

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