Irish vs. Bobcats pre-game summary presented by “The General”
CENTRAL Bobcats (0-0)
at
CATHOLIC Irish (0-0)
August 17, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Blaine Stadium/Hollin Field
SETTING THE SCENE – Catholic opens its 2012 season tonight…Irish have won 87 of their last 110 games…Catholic leads the series, 1-0…Coulter has 11 career 100-yard rushing efforts…Coulter rushed for more than 100 yards in eight of Catholic’s ten games last season…Coulter had 1,368 rushing yards last season… Coulter has 2,289 career rushing yards…Catholic was +13 in turnover margin last year…
THE RECORDS – Catholic was 4-6 a year ago, including a 2-5 mark in District 4AAA. Central was 3-7 overall and 3-5 in District 3AAA.
ON THE SIDELINE – Scott Meadows is in his fourth year at the helm of the Irish. His record at Catholic is 17-17. In his 14th year as a head coach, Meadows has posted a 105-52 career record (.669). Previous stops for the Tennessee Tech graduate include Sequoyah, Alcoa, Jefferson County, and William Blount. His 2000 Alcoa squad captured the state title.
RACK ’EM UP — Catholic has won 74 of its last 90 regular season games.
DISTRICT FOES – Catholic participates in Class 5A. The Irish are in District 4AAA, which includes (playoff bracket in parentheses): West (5A), Lenoir City (5A), Bearden (6A), Farragut (6A), Heritage (6A), Maryville (6A), and William Blount (6A).
DEPTH CHART – A breakdown of the 22 players listed as starters for tonight’s game (some who are listed as two-way starters) includes 15 seniors, four juniors, and three sophomores.
THE LAST GO ‘ROUND – Catholic’s 2012 roster includes 15 seniors. Included are Timmy Gibbons (WR/DB/P), Joey Cook (WR/DB), Stuart Smith (RB/LB), Cole Lombardo (RB/DB), Hayden Varner (TE/LB), Nolan Coulter (RB/LB), Nathan Teter (K), Reese Staley (OL/LB), Will Easley (OL/NG), Theo Sholly (OL/NG), Dakota Raines (OL/NG), Alex Smolens (OL/DE), Tyler O’Brien (OL/DE), Garrett Depp (OL/NG), and Zach Cole (OL/DE).
TEAM STATS — Catholic averaged 286.7 yards per-game in total offense last season, including 222.9 yards on the ground and 63.8 yards through the air. Defensively, Catholic allowed 321.6 yards per-game, including 216.4 yards on the ground and 105.2 yards through the air. Catholic averaged 20.6 points per-game. Opponents averaged 24.6 points per-game.
TURNOVER MARGIN – Catholic was +13 in turnover margin last season. The Irish threw two interceptions and lost eight fumbles, while opponents threw nine interceptions and lost 14 fumbles.
SERIES VS. CENTRAL – Catholic leads the series with Central, 1-0. Here’s a look:
2011: Catholic 21, @Central 14
LAST YEAR VS. CENTRAL – Nolan Coulter rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns to lead Catholic to a 21-14 road win over Central. Coulter also had the game-sealing interception with 24 seconds remaining in the game. Coulter earned a Player of the Week nomination from PrepXtra for his efforts. The game was played over a two-day period after severe weather forced postponement of the second half until Saturday. Following a scoreless first quarter, Central took a 7-0 lead early in the second period. Neither team was able to dent the end zone again before halftime. Severe weather then hit the area and the teams returned Saturday evening to play the second half. The Irish defense forced a Central punt on its first possession of the third quarter, but the Bobcats scored on a pass interception on the ensuing drive to up their lead to 14-0. Coulter’s 30-yard run on the following series capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive to make the score 14-7. Matt Armstrong, who was 6-of-9 passing for the game, connected with Hayden Varner on a 13-yard scoring pass early in the final quarter to even the score at 14-14. The Irish began their game-winning drive from their own 40 with 6:45 remaining in the game. Coulter found the end zone 11 plays later with his two-yard run. Matt Mackle and Nick Bonfini led the Catholic defense with six tackles each. Mackle also had a sack and a fumble recovery. The Irish limited Central to five first downs and 125 yards of total offense.
INDIVIDUAL STATS – Nolan Coulter rushed 226 times for 1,368 yards, a 6.1 yards per-carry average, and 15 touchdowns last season. Cole Lombardo carried 85 times for 404 yards and two scores. Coulter had 13 receptions for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while Logan Lacey had nine grabs for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
TOP STOPPERS – Nolan Coulter is Catholic’s leading returning tackler. Coulter had 53 stops in 2011. Zach Cole had 42 tackles a year ago, including six for loss.
HIT THE CENTURY MARK – Nolan Coulter has 11 career 100-yard rushing games, including seven last season. Here’s a look:
Opponent Att-Yds TDs
Farragut 17-147 1 2010
Maryville 18-104 0 “
Columbia 23-127 1 “
Central 28-144 2 2011
Cleveland 28-133 4 “
William Blount 18-170 1 “
Webb 17-102 0 “
Lenoir City 27-115 0 “
West 20-129 2 “
Heritage 24-298 4 “
Bearden 27-125 2 “
MORE THAN 1,000 – Nolan Coulter had 1,368 rushing yards last season. He became the first Irish player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 2009. Dorian Cozart rushed for 1,476 yards that season.
MORE THAN 2,000 – Nolan Coulter has 2,289 rushing yards for his career. Coulter had 921 rushing yards in 2010 and had 1,368 rushing yards last year.
POINT ON THE BOARD – Nolan Coulter led the Irish in scoring last season with 102 points (17 TD’s).
PICK IT OFF – Catholic registered nine interceptions last season. Among returnees, Nolan Coulter and Cole Lombardo had two picks, while Jordan Anderson and Joey Cook had one each.
ON THE RADIO – Tonight’s game is being broadcast on WNML, The Sports Animal (99.1-FM). John Wilkerson handles play-by-play, while former Tennessee Vol David Ligon adds commentary.
UP NEXT – Catholic travels to Cleveland next Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
