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Game Notes for Week 5

Game Notes for Week 5
TCA at Union City

  PLACE, TIME: War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
  2010 RECORDS: TCA 2-2; Union City 2-2.
COACHES (RECORDS): Trinity Christian: Mike Hodum (56-49 in 11th season); Union City: Darren Bowling (131-68 in 17th season; 24-6 in 3rd year at UC).
LAST MEETING: 2009. TCA won, 31-21.
SERIES RECORD — TCA leads all-time, 2-0.
LAST WEEK — TCA hammered Middleton, 53-6, while Union City lost to Obion Central, 19-14.
NEXT WEEK — Trinity Christian plays host to Adamsville, while Union City is at home vs. Greenfield.
KEY PLAYERS: TCA — QB/WR/RB/S Jabriel Washington, WR/CB Joey Hanson, TE/LB Dylan Yates, QB J.T. Tomlin. Union City — QB Chase Bowling, RB/LB Keylon Hyde, LB Brett Gore, OL/DL Joseph Shanks, WR/DB Travis Rutland.
 OUTLOOK: Washington, who gave a verbal commitment to Alabama in the offseason, will bring his multiple talents to War Memorial Stadium, where an inconsistent UC defense awaits. Last season, the nimble-footed TCA standout torched the Tornadoes for 343 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns as the Lions handed Union City its last loss before the locals went on a nine-game winning streak that was culminated with a Class 1A state championship. A dual threat to both run and throw, Washington’s best talents may actually be on defense, where he is expected to play for the Tide. The now 8th-ranked Twisters will look to get over the emotions of a rivalry loss to Obion Central last week, but must correct the multiple mistakes from that setback that include costly penalties and untimely turnovers. Potent through three-and-a-half games until then, UC had just 23 yards and one first down in the second half vs. the Rebels. The Tornadoes are giving up nearly 280 yards and 25.5 points-per-game through the first four weeks and are a minus-2 in turnover ratio.

Gleason at South Fulton

 PLACE, TIME: SF Athletic Field, 7:30 p.m.
 2010 RECORDS: Gleason 2-2; South Fulton 2-2.
 COACHES (RECORDS): Gleason: Noah Lampkins (32-57 in 9th season); South Fulton: Kelly Spivey (14-12 in 3rd season).
 LAST MEETING: 2009. Gleason won a regular season meeting, 34-21, while SF claimed a first round playoff victory, 34-6.
 SERIES RECORD — South Fulton leads all-time, 34-22.
 LAST WEEK — Gleason was blanked by McKenzie, 46-0, while South Fulton lost to Humboldt, 41-27.
 NEXT WEEK — Gleason plays at Bruceton, while South Fulton hosts Halls.
 KEY PLAYERS: Gleason — QB/DB Conner Verdell, FB/DL James Owens, WB/LB Dalton Teeter, TE/DE Gabe Lowrance. South Fulton — QB JaQuay Garmon, RBs J.P. Fowler and Chance Barnes, LB/RB Cody Tatum and Will Kneuppel, WR Khiry Lewis.
 OUTLOOK: Despite being of the non-district nature, this is a critical game to both teams’ playoff chances, given a postseason system that places a premium on overall wins after automatic qualifiers are determined. The Bulldogs as a team are dealing with the after effects of a broken neck suffered by freshman teammate Drake Damesworth in last week’s game vs. McKenzie. Damesworth is reportedly expected to make a full recovery from the injury. Gleason physically dominated a more talented SF club in last year’s regular season game, but — without running back Nicky Spain — saw the Red Devils turn those tables in the playoff rematch. Owens is a bruiser between the tackles, while Teeter actually played his middle school football at Lake Road. SF must avoid a letdown after playing a talented H’boldt team close last week and with homecoming festivities possibly a distraction.

Ballard Mem. at Fulton City

  PLACE, TIME: Memorial Field, 7:30 p.m.
  2010 RECORDS: Ballard Memorial 1-3 (0-0); Fulton City 0-5 (0-0).
COACHES (RECORDS): Ballard Memorial: Chris Cooper (11-17 in 4th season); Fulton City: Brad Rozzell (0-5 in 1st season).
LAST MEETING: 2009. Ballard Memorial won, 64-22.
 LAST WEEK — Ballard Memorial lost to Murray, 42-13, while Fulton City lost to Todd Central, 43-8.
KEY PLAYERS: Ballard Memorial — QB/DB Alex Mallory, WR/S Alex Hill, RB/DB Chris Jones, FB/DE Tyler Gough. Fulton City — RB/S Rondell Bransford, WR/S Adam Hamrick, FB/LB Bubba Kirby, QB Mason Garland, OL/DL Lorinzo Ruiz.
 OUTLOOK: The First District opener for both clubs, the winner will take a giant step toward qualifying for the playoffs. And the Bombers’ Mallory, who smoked FC for six TD passes a year ago and entered the season with more than 4,000 passing yards as a two-year starter, likely has his sights set on more big numbers. He’s already thrown for nearly 900 yards and 9 TDs in four games, while Hill (28-547 — 4 TDs) is his top target. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have not scored more than one touchdown in any of their five games. Fulton City is surrendering points at a 46 ppg clip with each of their five previous foes having scored 41 or more. Bransford does have three 100-yard rushing games to his credit.