Tyner Rams
Coach: Wayne Turner (190-44 in 23 years here; 196-68 in 26 years overall)
Last year: 7-4, lost 21-20 to Sweetwater in the first round of the playoffs
'13 dreams: More than one opposing coach has made note of rejuvenation in Turner, who says this year's players have got him feeling good. It's about attitude and a willingness to maintain the fast-paced practice tempo he likes. There also is some talent, including Haasan Miller, who has taken over full time at quarterback after sharing the position a year ago with Willie Stewart, who has moved to running back. Stewart will share carries with Kalan Hardley and others, and Sadik Spence and Rodney Watson will be the primary receivers. All are seniors. A major key to the Rams' success rests on another senior, Arthur Coefield, the center and a defensive line starter as well.
13-for-13 contenders: Turner says Miller (5-foot-10, 165) has the speed, the arm, the vision and the knowledge of the game to break out as a legitimate offensive threat. He also is very high on the 6-1, 240-pound Coefield. Spence (5-11, 180) will play both sides of the ball.
Number of interest: The Rams won't play at home until Sept. 13 when they host Ooltewah, which figures to be among the 5-AAA favorites. By that time they will have played Signal Mountain and 6-AA preseason favorite Hixson.
13 years ago: Turner was entering his 10th year as the Rams' head coach, and the team suffered through one of just four losing seasons during his time at the school.
Program superstition: They look forward to a weekly pep talk from Lurone Jennings, a former coach and school administrator now heading the city's Youth and Family department, and everybody slaps the "Rams Only" sign above the door as they exit the locker room on Friday nights.
1-through-3:
Quarterback Haasan Miller
Q. How would you describe last year?
A. We weren't really together as a team. We underestimated some teams, first of all in the playoffs but also two or three games in the regular season.
Q. Is there a difference this year?
A. Enthusiasm, a lot more life. This group of seniors, we love playing with each other. We enjoy playing as a team. Last year a lot of people were worried about personal stats.
Q. What's it like to play for Wayne Turner?
A. Whooee! Most people never see "T" smile. He takes us places and tries to make sure we're happy - as long as we're taking care of business. It's wonderful to play for "T" unless you make him mad. He wants everybody to go hard all the time.
- Ward Gossett
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Signal Mountain
Sep. 6 at Hixson *
Sep. 13 Ooltewah
Sep. 20 Knoxville Catholic
Sep. 27 Soddy-Daisy
Oct. 4 at Central *
Oct. 11 Howard *
Oct. 18 at Brainerd *
Oct. 25 at East Ridge *
Nov. 1 Red Bank *
*District 6-AA game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Willie Stewart 22-51-2 411 5
Tony Walton 39-54-6 322 3
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Joseph Sturkey 76 638 7
Lamont Solomon 51 350 4
Kalan Hardley 59 304 5
Haasan Miller 48 293 4
Antonio Williams 27 201 1
Courtney Heard 32 189 2
Willie Stewart 38 143 2
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Sadik Spence 11 209 3
Rodney Watson 16 192 1
Jarrett Watson 15 187 1
Haasan Miller 7 170 3
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Jarrett Watson Senior
2 Willie Stewart Senior
3 Haasan Miller Senior
4 Alex Summerville Senior
5 Sadik Spence Senior
6 Rodney Watson Senior
7 Kalan Hardley Senior
9 Emmanuel Moss Sophomore
10 Keiontae Halfacre Freshman
11 Drakkel Parker Junior
12 Rashaad Craddock Freshman
15 Martavious Dunnigan Junior
16 Kirby Champion Junior
20 Juwan Samuels Sophomore
21 Markize Gillispie Freshman
22 Jaylen Grimes Junior
24 C.J. Ryals Junior
27 Raymond Howard Senior
29 Gary Walker Freshman
30 Patrick Childress Freshman
33 Shaylan Bailey Freshman
35 William Sullivan Freshman
40 Brandon Jackson Sophomore
41 Kenrick Fuller Sophomore
44 Juan Camacho Sophomore
50 Arthur Coefield Senior
52 Malik Bridge Senior
54 Kyon Calloway Freshman
55 Jaylon Beeman Freshman
60 D.J. Young Senior
64 Kevin Cortes Sophomore
65 Jeramy McGhee Senior
67 D'Angelo Whitson Freshman
68 Jared Leslie Sophomore
69 Lorenzo Foster Junior
70 Anthony Johnson Sophomore
71 Malik Coleman Freshman
74 Keith Thomas Sophomore
75 Daont Wilson Senior
76 William Pierce Freshman
80 Aaron Eberthardt Freshman
85 Frank Banks Sophomore
89 Jadarius Paris Sophomore