biglon68

George Fritts from Lenoir City played Tackle at Clemson and then for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. Does anyone know how he is related to Stan Fritts who played at Oak ridge, NC State and two seasons in the NFL (1975-1976 Bengals)?

Robert G. "Bobby" Cifers was the greatest football player in Dobyns-Bennett history. Cifers was the national prep scoring champion in 1938 and 1939 ( breaking the national record in'38 that stood until 1953). He was the leading rusher at UT as a junior and would have been a front runner for the 1943 Heisman Trophy if the SEC had played football that year. He was also the NCAA punting champion as a junior. His pro career was shorten by WWII but in the 4 years he was in the NFL he was a star. He lead the Lions in scoring in '46 and the Steelers in rushing in '48. He still holds the NFL record for the highest punting average in a single game! He was the first Tennessee prep player who was recruited nationwide and articles on him appeared in newpapers as far away as Chicago and LA. He was even featured in the Saturday Evening Post. The TSSAA elected him as the track athlete of the century because he won 13 different individual or team track titles( he actually did not even compete in track one season) during his career. Dobyns-Bennett has been fortune to have produced a great number of successful college and pro football players over the years but Cifers is the greatest to have worn the Maroon & Gray!

How long did Murfreesboro actually have just one high school for "everbody"? When was Holloway High integrated into Murfreesboro High? Surely there was only one high school for only maybe a few years max ...i.e. late 1960's to about 1972 or 1973. Not trying to start anything nasty, I'm just curious because I know Holloway had some great athletes and especially in the mid 1960's were one of the best African-American schools in the state with players like Robert James and Tom Bracy would could have played SEC calibur football if the circumstances were different.

Good Luck Indians! Roll Tribe!

Comments from Coach clark and Coach Quarles: Aug. 11, 2005 By RON BLISS TricitiesSports.com KINGSPORT -- Two programs that were a combined 27-1 last season met at J. Fred Johnson Stadium on Thursday in a scrimmage. Who won or lost was not important, but both coaches came away pleased with the effort. On the scoreboard at the end, it was showing 14-14 between Class 5A Dobyns-Bennett and Class 4A Maryville, but the score didn't matter to either coach. "I don't care about winning scrimmages,'' said D-B coach Graham Clark, whose team won 12 straight games last fall before losing to Oak Ridge in the state quarterfinals. "It's all about evaluating personnel.'' This was D-B's third scrimmage and it could be argued D-B didn't win any of them. When the No. 1s played the No. 1s, Maryville came out on top, 2-0 with one offensive and one defensive touchdown. The D-B reserves put two scores on the board late -- one on a 24-yard run by sophomore Trevor McNew and the other when sophomore Barton Ring, the third-team quarterback, found fellow sophomore Austin Morrison on a short route from six yards out near the end. "I think we've made great improvement. I really do,'' said Clark, whose team struggled in its first scrimmage against Knox Halls and did better against Morristown West but was still outscored. "As everyone knows, the defense is ahead of the offense at this time in the season. We're very young on offense, but we threw the ball better tonight. Some things they did on defense, he haven't worked on yet. But we're trying to be sound fundamentally and we'll pick those up. Our kids had a good week.'' The thing Clark likes more than anything else is that he's been able to see improvement. "I'm very pleased with what we've accomplished,'' said Clark. "One thing about this bunch, I think they'll get better every game.'' Maryville coach George Quarles, whose team went 15-0 last year and won the Class 4A state title, is reloading but his No. 1s outscored Oak Ridge's No. 1s, 4-0, and his team also won easily against Austin-East. "it's hard to tell how the pieces are going to fit until you get going into the season,'' said Quarles. "We're inexperienced in the offensive line and at quarterback, but I feel pretty good about the rest of them.'' The only offensive touchdown Maryville scored came on an 8-yard run by Adrian Baker on Maryville's second possesson. The other score came when John Killebrew picked up Bo Burton's fumble and rambled 18 yards for a score. "They're not as explosive as they've been,'' said Quarles of D-B's offense. "They don't have the home-run guy yet, though I'm sure they'll find one. But I was very impressed with their offensive line. They are good up front and they gave us problems defensively with their 3-3 and bringing pressure.'' Quarles said it's hard to tell much about a scrimmage, but he said D-B vs. Oak Ridge at J. Fred Johnson Stadium in September "should be a really good game.'' Clark said he was pleased with his quarterbacks and how they threw the ball. It was catching the ball where they were lacking. Twice, Bo Burton appeared to have a TD pass only to have the receiver drop it in the clear. "We WILL catch the ball before it's all over with, I believe,'' said Clark. "I thought the quarterbacks threw it well. They are making some progress.'' Burton may have been the best thrower and the best receiver. The problem is, he can't throw to himself. "Sam McCord is ahead right now simply because he knows the offense better at this point,'' said Clark, who acknowledged it would something of a loss not to have Burton catching passes. Clark said settling the running back situation will be a focus as the Indians start working now toward their next meeting with another school. This one will count, at Elizabethton a week from Friday. "We have to make some decisions as to who we keep at running back,'' said Clark. Clark also liked the way Bart Ring played. "He does good job of standing in there,'' said Clark. "He is not easily rattled. He was the only quarterback we had in the spring against Halls in a scrimmage and he was the same way. He has great composure.'' After playing at Elizabethton on Aug. 19, the Indians will play a talented Sullivan South team in Death Valley the following Thursday and then play their first home game Sept. 2 against Knox Bearden.

I was not aware, Alcoa will be loaded! Just found an article in Knoxville newspaper confirming this! Shiverdecker has a bright future, so the two best backs in the Big East transferred this season, Moten from D-B moved to Jackson and will be playing at Central-Merry.

Hello, reality calling.... this was a scrimmage and these are 15-17 year old kids so everyone relax. D-B has progressed from the Halls scrimmage but still needs alot of work on offense. Maryville was impressive and 3 or 4 kids really stood out. !st team vs 1st ended 7-0 so I felt D-B held in there much better than I thought they would. The $3 went toward donations to an athletic insurance fund so I felt better about it, maybe next time they should advertise why they are charging a gate fee. Good luck to both teams, the Maryville staff and players were a class act.

Here info on tonight's scrimmage courtesy of tricitiessports.com: D-B will be hosting Maryville and fans will be admitted for a $3 fee. Refreshments will also be available. This is D-B's third scrimmage. The Indians had earlier ones against Knox Halls and Morristown West. The scrimmage will start at 7 p.m.

Ted Wilson moved back from Florida and should be helping out for D-B, should be an interesting day for Ted

As far as I know it's only a two team scrimmage , I was hoping someone on here could tell us a little more about it

I just ran across this obituary for the great Ed Cifers who passed away a couple weeks ago. Edward C. Cifers, Knoxville. KNOXVILLE - Edward C. Cifers born July 18, 1916 in Hawkins County, died July 19, 2005 at his Knoxville home. Reared in Kingsport, he was a 1934 graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School where he began a legendary athletic career. He was the first All-State football player recognized east of Knoxville. Playing at the University of Tennessee under Coach Robert Neyland, he became known as "Big Ed", was as All-SEC end his junior and senior years, helped his teams win SEC championships 1938,1939, 1940, and participated in the Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls. Upon his graduation, he was a first round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in the 1941 NFL Draft and helped lead the Redskins to an NFL Championship in 1942. For his efforts, he was an All-Pro selection. Following the Pro-Bowl, he enlisted as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, played on the Del-Monte Pre-flight Football Team his first year and served the duration of World War II at Norfold Naval Base. He returned to the NFL to close his All-Pro career with the Chicago Bears in 1948. He was with the Daugherty & Waters Construction firm in Knoxville 1949-1961. In 1961, he joined the Charles H. Bacon Company of Loudon County and in 1980, he retired as president. He was a member of Church Street United Methodist Church, had served as director for the Tennessee Assoc. of Manufacturers and National Assoc. of Hoisery Manufacturers, served on the boards of Hamilton Bank and Lenoir City National Bank, and was an inductee of the East Tennessee, Knoxville, Northeast Tennessee, and Dobyns-Bennett Sports Halls of Fame. In addition, he was a member of the 1965 Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary All-American Team. Mr. Cifers was preceded in death earlier this year by his loving wife of 63 years, Catherine Daugherty Cifers; his parents, Robert Edward and Mannie Rose Epperson Cifers; three brothers, Bill, Bob, and George Cifers; two sisters, Gertrude Cifers Peele and Winifred Cifers Byrnes. He is survived by his three daughters and sons-in-law, Vandy and Don Leake, Gale and Mike Pettit, Meg and Sammy Manning, all of Knoxville; sister, Lucille Cifers Roller of Kingsport; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Following a private interment service for the family, there will be a service at 6 p.m. Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Rev. William J. Fowler and Rev. Cabel W. Trent officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church St. UMC, 900 Henley St., Knoxville, Tenn. 37902, Boys & Girls Club, 220 Carrick St., Knoxville, Tenn. 37921, or Ronald McDonald House, 1705 Clinch Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. 37916. Those who wish may send condolences to the family at www.rosemortuary.com.

What;s the word on the upcoming D-B/Maryville scrimmage tomorrow in Kingsport? I assume it starts at 6pm?

I saw a Tilghman at Oak Ridge game in the early 90's that was among the best high school games I've ever seen! Came down to a goalline stand on the final play for Tilghman to beat Oak ridge on the final play and as I recall they were a USA Today Top 25 team and Oak Ridge played them strong!

Yep, a "didly squat school in Southwest VA" with 2 current NFL starters, isn't that two more than all schools in Claiborne County combined ever!

Historically, the best are Pennsylvania and Texas (look at HS All-Americans, NFL draft picks, college and pro hall of fame)). Currently, (past 10 years) Florida and California have produced a tremendous amount of talent. I love high school football and root for anybody from Tennessee who makes it to D-1, NFL, Arena, etc but we could not compete realistically due to population, economics, racial composition and school size overall. The closest thing to a Florida calibur public school is Memphis Melrose.

Interesting thread. UT does a great job recruiting nationally and does try to get the best to kids in-state that fit into the program needs. 75% on high school running backs play another position in D-1 anyway and just because you are a great high school back does not mean you will be a recruited as a back by Tennessee. Jeff Jennings would have been a LB at UT, he wanted to play RB and get a quality education so Vanderbilt was the best fit. I remember a few years ago Tennessee fans were bashing Bill Battle and Johnny Majors because they could not recruit out of state and Tennessee was mediocre. I love the fact we go after big time kids in other states. The reverse of all this is we can recruit in-state and let all the 4-star and 5-star players stay in state and go to Alabama, Georgia and Florida so we can be cellar dwellers again like we were in the 1970's. Let's face it Tennessee has a small state population and outside of Shelby and Davidson County an extremely small African-American population. I'd love to see every good kid from the state in Orange but it's not realistic.

OK, Wasn't the whole 7 class system designed to make football competitive, I think it is very balanced. I'm not a Maryville or Melrose fan but both have great programs, excellent coaching, community support and great athletes (especially Melrose!) to compete at any level. These are teenagers who love to play the game so quite bashing them or trying to downplay their success!

Good Luck Indians in 2005! Roll Tribe! Check out myD-B football site @ http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dobyn...dians_Football/

I agree with you there. Alot of these start out as a way to bash UT recruiting, I know you know there's a couple people on hear that think every 5'6" 140lb RB with a 4.8 40 from their favorite school was shunned by UT and start bashing them. Over the years here's some D-B guys I can think of right away and the school they signed with: Florida - Robbie Moore Georgia - Oliver Hawk, Larry Cage Vanderbilt - Howard Buck, Roy Duncan, Ken Roberts Michigan State - Usef Haney, Al Agett, Wayne Bowers Kentucky- Buck Anderson Mississippi - D.W. Salley, A.W. Salley, Cecil Puckett, Alf Crawford, Kyle Shipley Georgia Tech- John Bell, Jack Patterson, Don Miller, Hal Miller, Mike O'Neil, Ira Rathburn, Harry Wright, David Steadman Clemson - James Blessing Memphis (Memphis St) - Art Brumit, Fred Powell Virginia Tech - Coy Chambers North Carolina - Shane Pierson, Mike Faulkerson, Gerald Sensabaugh Wake Forest - Patrick Ghee, Denny Revell, Wally Bridwell Alabama - H. C. Dickson Marshall - Aaron Ferguson, Jeremy Graves Princeton (when they were big time) - Bobby Peters

What's the purpose of this thread? There has been hundreds of guys from East Tennessee who did not sign with UT for one reason or another thru the years. I'm a D-B fan and just off the top of my head I can think of a few dozen D-1 Kingsport players who went elsewere? Is this supposed to be the start of a UT bashing thread?

He is a gifted athlete and has the tenacity and vision to play linebacker in college but not the high D-1 level. Reminds me alot of Dat Nguyen at Texas A&M.

Have most of the posters quoting all these incredible 40 times actually played football. I doubt very few 14-17 year old kids are capable of running a 4.4 40 time! 80 % of the NFL can't do it and they are physically matured professional athletes! My high school team mate who played 4 years in the NFL ran maybe a 4.6 at his peak conditioning. Don't beleive the hype!!!

UCLA looking at him? As what? He's 170lbs soaking wet and runs maybe a 4.7 on a good day!!!

Lamon Williams was the receiver. He ended up signing with Tennessee State. The QB Duran Ferguson signed to play baseball at the University of Kentucky.

Thanks, he's a great kid and exceptional athlete, best of luck to Central-Merry.