Having missed the playoffs each of the last two years, the Cornersville Bulldogs are aiming to return to the postseason under new head coach John Denton, who had served as CHS' offensive line coach for four seasons.

Cornersville got off to a promising start to the 2012 campaign, as they dropped a hard fought 39-36 decision to eventual District 9-A champ Moore County before notching convincing victories over Perry County (38-20) and Huntland (39-14) to run their record to 2-1.

After losing 53-21 to Mt. Pleasant, the Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking 28-26 defeat at the hands of county rival Forrest prior to being thumped 49-7 by Loretto the next week.

CHS then defeated Wayne County 21-18 on Homecoming to keep their playoff hopes alive, but saw the wheels come off down the stretch, as they lost their last three games to Columbia Academy (56-46), Collinwood (47-21), and Richland (63-34) to finish the season with a 3-7 mark.

Although Cornersville returns only a handful of starters from last year's team on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs are buoyed by a strong junior class that comprises over half of CHS' 27-man roster.

Offense

After averaging nearly 29 points per game a year ago, the Bulldogs will once again operate out of the Spread offense with four starters returning to that side of the ball.

Despite losing record setting quarterback Hayden McMahon, who started the previous two years and threw for 2,057 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, Cornersville has another promising signal caller waiting in the wings in junior Jamie Crowell.

Crowell has a excellent grasp of the Bulldogs' offensive system and actually started two games at quarterback for CHS as a freshman after senior Joe Stocstill went down with a season ending knee injury just before the start of the 2011 campaign.

Along with being a good decision maker, Crowell excels at making quick, intermediate throws and has improved as a downfield passer. Crowell is also a capable runner and can make plays with his feet when the pocket breaks down.

"I expect there to be no drop off at the quarterback position. Jamie has worked behind two good quarterbacks and he's the first quarterback that we've had that has been in the system his entire career," said Denton.

At tailback, the Bulldogs have a dependable, hardnosed player returning in junior Chance Dyer. Although not blessed with breakaway speed, Dyer has good vision and is difficult to bring down with just one tackler. As a sophomore, Dyer rushed for a team high 688 yards and nine touchdowns on 123 carries. Dyer is a capable receiver out of the backfield as well and had 18 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown last year.

"I wish I had 30 kids like him," said Denton. "Chance is the heartbeat of the team and is our leader. He does things the right way and is a good kid."

Fellow junior Devante Spencer will also see time at tailback and offers Cornersville a good change of pace at the position. Spencer is a smooth runner that can catch the ball out of the backfield and make defenders miss in the open field.

Senior wide out Stone Riner leads an experienced Bulldog receiving corps that also returns senior Tyler Lowery and junior Justin Black. Possessing breakaway speed and excellent quickness, Riner is difficult to corral once he gets into the open field and is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. After earning All-Region 6-A honors last season, Riner was named to Murphy Fair's Preseason Class A All-State Team after hauling in 62 passes a year ago for a school record 1,011 yards and 16 touchdowns. Riner will see his role in the offense increase even more this year and will see time at tailback and quarterback in certain situations.

"He's our playmaker. We're trying to find ways to get the ball into his hands. Stone has become more of a leader for us too. He is playing with a greater sense of urgency and has really matured," said Denton.

A second team All-Region selection, Black is a steady, sure handed receiver that caught 24 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown last year. Black is also a good route runner and an excellent downfield blocker.

Despite missing three game because of a shoulder injury, Lowery finished the 2012 season with 21 receptions for 329 yards. Along with having good hands, Lowery has above average speed and is a strong blocker.

After being forced to sit out the 2012 season due to a knee injury, junior Zack Welch will likely start at the final receiver spot. Welch is a very knowledgeable player and has a knack for finding holes in opposing defense. He is also a sure handed receiver and a good route runner.

Spencer, Jacob Reeves, Jody Sullivan, Jesse Phillips, and Tyler King will vie for playing time at the receiver positions as well.

Upfront, the Bulldogs have the difficult task of replacing all five starters from last year's offensive line. Sophomore Dillard Hatchett is expected to start at center and will have the responsibility of making all of the offensive line calls, but is picking up things quickly.

Blake Tomlin (Jr.) will man the left tackle spot and possesses good footwork and technique, while Kyle Dickson and Levi Henry are battling for playing time at right tackle.

Junior Curt Taylor transferred from Marshall County and is expected to start at left guard. Although he is learning a new system, Taylor is a solid run blocker and is improving as a pass protector. Fellow juniors Ivan Gutierrez and Lane Hagood will likely share time at right guard. Gutierrez has the potential to be a strong run blocker, while Hagood plays with good technique.

"If we see improvement in the offensive line each week, we should be fine on offense. I expect our offense to be as efficient as last year's if we can run the ball. That hinges on our line," said Denton.

Defense

Cornersville will be switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 front this year after yielding a staggering 38.7 points per game last season. The Bulldogs will employ multiple looks on defense depending on their opponent, but have simplified their scheme so that they can play faster instead of having to think about what they are going to do.

Dickson and Phillips will line up at the two defensive end spots. Dickson has a great motor and is solid against the run, while Phillips has good quickness and has rapidly improved after being moved to a new position.

Taylor will start at defensive tackle and has the potential to be a good run stuffer. Hagood should also see time at defensive tackle as well and offers quality depth at the position, while Gutierrez and Bobby Wayne Lee provide the Bulldogs with a solid nose guard tandem

Dyer returns at middle linebacker after earning All-Region honors at the position a year ago and will make all of the Bulldogs' defensive calls. Considered the most physical player on the team, Dyer had a great nose for the ball and is a hard hitter.

Black and Tomlin will line up at the two outside linebacker spots. After playing cornerback last year, Black has adapted quickly to his new position and pursues the ball well along with being a sure tackler. Tomlin plays with good technique and is good at anticipating opposing teams' plays.

In the secondary, Cornersville return some experienced players, but must cut down on the number of big plays that they allowed last season. Riner and Welch are expected to man the two cornerback spots. Riner has the ability to be a good cover corner and is physical against the run, while Welch is a heady player and a sure tackler.

Spencer and Crowell will start at free safety and strong safety respectively. Spencer has become better in pass coverage and has improved as a tackler, while Crowell is a hard hitter with good instincts.

Although not listed as a starter, Lowery is a physical player that offers the Bulldogs some versatility on defense and is expected to see time at nickel back, safety, and linebacker during the course of the season. Sullivan has also worked himself into a position to see time at either safety or linebacker.

Special Teams

Gutierrez will handle the extra point and field goal duties, while Crowell will serve as the team's punter this year. Riner provides the Bulldogs with a big play threat in the return game and scored two touchdowns on special teams last year.

Outlook

With Region 6-A splitting into two four-team Districts this year, Cornersville saw their chances for reaching the playoffs automatically increase now that they no longer have to navigate their usually brutal conference schedule.

"We want to get back to the playoffs and win a playoff game," said Denton. "That would be a great step because we don't lose many guys after this year."

After opening the 2013 campaign with road games against Huntland and Moore County, the Bulldogs return home to take on District 11-A foe Richland and county rival Forrest. Cornersville goes back on the road for three straight weeks when they sandwich District tilts against Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Academy around a trip to Zion Christian Academy. CHS then ends the season with three straight home games against McEwen, East Robertson, and Perry County.

2013 Cornersville Schedule

Location Time

Aug. 23 Huntland Away 7:00

Aug. 30 Moore County Away 7:00

Sept. 6 Richland Home 7:00

Sept. 13 Forrest Home 7:00

Sept. 20 Mt. Pleasant Away 7:00

Sept. 27 Zion Christian Away 7:00

Oct. 4 Columbia Academy Away 7:00

Oct. 11 McEwen Home 7:00

Oct. 25 East Robertson Home 7:30

Nov. 1 Perry County Home 7:00

2013 Cornersville Bulldogs

No. Name Position Grade

1 Jamie Crowell QB/DB Jr.

4 Jacob Reeves WR/DB Sr.

5 Zack Welch WR/DB Jr.

8 Trevor Greene WR/DB Jr.

9 William Lyles WR/DB Soph.

10 Tyler King WR/LB Sr.

11 Carson Walker WR/DB Fr.

12 Tyler Wright WR/DB Sr.

15 Chance Dyer RB/LB Jr.

20 Tyler Lowery WR/DB Sr.

22 Stone Riner WR/DB Sr.

24 Devante Spencer RB/DB Jr.

25 Justin Black WR/LB Jr.

52 Dallas Wright OL/DL Jr.

54 D.J. Swisher OL/DL Jr.

58 Blake Tomlin OL/LB Jr.

60 Dillard Hatchett OL/DL Soph.

63 Levi Henry OL/DL Sr.

64 Grant Cook OL/DL Soph.

65 Bobby Wayne Lee OL/DL Jr.

66 Kyle Dickson OL/DL Jr.

72 Ivan Gutierrez OL/DL Jr.

73 Curt Taylor OL/DL Jr.

77 Lane Hagood OL/DL Jr.

80 Jesse Phillips WR/LB Sr.

81 Jody Sullivan WR/LB Sr.

83 Ben Taylor WR/LB Fr.