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