2008 Record 5-5 .500 Overall 4-3 .571 Conference Location: Maryville, TN Head Coach: Tony Ierulli (Maryville '80) Stadium (cap.): Lloyd Thornton (5500) Conference: USAC Region: South 2009 Schedule

The Maryville College Scots will look to build on the experiences they had last season and make a run at the USA South football title in 2009. Seventh-year head coach Tony Ierulli welcomes back 26 lettermen, including (13) starters, in his quest for the league championship. 2009 marks the fifth season Maryville will vie for a league title within the always strong USA South Athletic Conference.

OFFENSE

The 2009 Scots offensive attack will be under the new guidance of Offensive Coordinator Jim Elliott. Elliott is in his fifth season with the Scots after developing MC’s offensive line. His attack will return seven of eleven starters from last years unit that averaged 168 yards a game on the ground and over 175 yards via the air.

Elliott’s line returns a pair of starters in center Brian Wendel and co-captain Adam Bean. Graduation took a great deal of experience but returnees Kevin Walther, Chase Worley, Brad Eich, Jake Burns, Nick Saah, and Corey Brewer should create some space for Maryville’s playmakers to operate. MC also lost three outstanding tight ends to graduation. Adam Crisp and Jonathan Caughron will look to add their skills to the offensive line via the tight end position.

The offense will be under the direction of returning starter and All-USA performer Derek Hunt. The sophomore connected on 55% of his passes for 1,129 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior quarterback Tim Conner will also see playing time after throwing for 576 yards and four scores during his sophomore campaign. Each player has exceptional leadership skills and the ability to strike at any time with the big play.

The passing attack will be supported by a pair of starting receivers returning and seven route runners that hauled in passes last season. All-USA South receiver Wesley Idlette returns for his sophomore season after leading the team with 47 catches and 778 receiving yards. He averaged 16.6 yards every time he touched the ball while reaching the end zone on four occasions. Returning starter Sam McCord looks to expand his 12 yard per catch average during his senior season. Returnees Zach Bledsoe, Michael Bosco, Landon Dunford, Josh Terry, Ryan Roach, and Blasé Wilson will provide strong targets for Hunt and Conner to connect with. Standout defensive backs Nick Jensen and Brandon Joynes have been converted to receiver to add to the quality and depth of the receiver position.

MC’s running attack features three outstanding backs each with different characteristics of advancing the ball. The Scots all-time career rushing leader Rommel Hightower has amassed 2,592 in the orange and garnet. This senior and three-time All-USA South performer is MC’s career leader in yards, carries, and rushing scores. He ran for 926 yards last season while averaging 4.9 yards a carry. Fellow senior Nick Moore adds a speed component to Hightower’s power running. Moore ran for 420 yards last season and averages over 5.1 yards per carry during his three year career. He is only seven yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000 yard career rushing mark. The Scots combination of speed and power back is in the form of Darrell Tate. Tate averaged 4.6 yards a carry last season while rushing for 170 yards. This trio will look to increase their 168 yard per game rushing attack of a season ago.

DEFENSE

Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Tony Ierulli welcomes back six of eleven starters on defense. Ierulli’s defense paced the USA South in rushing defense allowing only 123 yards a game on the ground in 2008. They were second in the league in total defense allowing only 299 total yards a game last season.

The defensive line took the biggest hit due to graduation Joel Byars and Yohance Butler are the only pair of linemen returning as starters. Each defensive end will be supported by returnees Justin Siler, Blake Barnes, Kyle Kriz, James McCarty, G.L. Waynick, and Andrew Partin.

MC’s linebackers continue their strong tradition with the return of a pair of starters. All-South, All-USA South, and USA South Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Chewning returns for his senior season at the middle linebacker position. Chewning paced the team and league with his 71 total tackles while recording a dozen stops for a loss of over 50 yards. Tanner Caylor, a rising sophomore, returns as a starter on the weak side of the ball. Caylor finished third on the team in tackles with 35 total stops. He added five tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks during his freshman campaign. Adding depth to MC’s linebacking group is Hayden Jerrolds, Craig Owens, Dakota Crews, and Corey Click.

Maryville’s secondary features a pair of returning starters in Bud Christy and Demetrius Christian. Christy returns as an All-USA South performer after his 41 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes broken up last season. Christian also hauled in three interceptions while recording 18 tackles. The Scots secondary will include the talents of Phil Garrett, Paul Costanzo, Caleb Clement, Maurice Sheffield, Logan Farley, and Hunter West.

SPECIAL TEAMS

After losing seniors Brad Daniell and Doug Carter to graduation, MC’s kicking game will see some new standouts on special teams. Taylor Richardson averaged 34 yards per punt last season when Carter was injured, but R.J. Sandmeyer will challenge for playing time with his strong leg. The pair will also handle the place kicking duties for MC during the 2009 season