Fulton Quick Facts

Location……….. Knoxville

Opened………... 1951

Enrollment…….. 956

District/Region... 2-3A

Home Field……. Bob Black Field

Principal………. Kitty Hatcher

Athletic Director.. Bob Black

Head Coach…… Buck Coatney

Seasons……….. 14

Record………… 92-71

Seasons Played.… 54

All-Time Record…317-261-11

Playoff Appearances..15

Playoff Record… 21-13 

About Fulton High School 
 

Fulton High School opened in 1951 as one of Tennessee’s first comprehensive high schools, combining a complete academic curriculum with a full vocational program. Fulton is located in historic North Knoxville just 5 minutes from the University of Tennessee campus. The school is named for noted industrialist and inventor Weston M. Fulton. Fulton has developed a reputation for turning out graduates who have followed the school motto “enter to learn- go forth to serve.” A tradition of outstanding athletic teams has been born at the school. Famous former Falcons include College Football hall of famer and former Dallas Cowboy D.D. Lewis, UT basketball All-American Bill Justus, former Vol linebacker Jackie Walker, and four-sport letter winner Ron Widby. Fulton’s destiny was almost sealed in 1992 when the Knox Co. School Board voted to close the school, but strong protests by alumni and supporters helped to reverse the decision. The Falcons clinched their first state championship in any sport in 2003 defeating Covington for the class 3A football title. Fulton began their title defense on a rocky note in 2004, losing 2 of their first 4 games, but showed constant improvement throughout the season. The Falcons hit their stride in the playoffs, advancing to their 3^rd consecutive BlueCross Bowl. Fulton’s 2^nd state championship was sewn up after a 34-6 defeat of Greenbrier. 

Coach Buck Coatney 
 

Coach Buck Coatney is in his 14^th season at the helm of the Fulton football program. His 92-71 record makes him the winningest coach in school history. Coatney’s teams have developed a reputation for both a physical defense and a high scoring offense. Coatney’s roots are colored maroon and white, as his father John captained Fulton’s 1959 team. Coatney was known as a hard-nosed linebacker and tight end on the Falcon teams of the late 70s. He was named to the all-state team and the Knoxville Journal defensive player of the year, as he led Fulton to a region championship in 1979. Coatney earned Honorable-Mention All-American honors at Furman University where he was coached by current Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson. He began his coaching career at Furman as a graduate assistant. After leaving Furman, Coatney spent two years as an assistant coach at Middlesburg High School in Florida. He returned to Fulton in 1987, where he served as Defensive Coordinator. He was named Fulton’s 11^th head coach in 1992. Fulton has advanced to the playoffs under Coatney for the last 12 years. In 2003, Coatney directed what was thought to be a rebuilding effort into the school’s first ever state championship team, and led the Falcons to a repeat championship in 2004. For his work in 2004, Coatney was named state coach of the year by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association, and the Tennessee Titans.

Last Week 
 

The Fulton Falcons were paced by four Dennis Rogan touchdown runs as they won their first ever meeting with Boyd Buchanan 43-7 last week in Knoxville. The win was the first for the Falcons in the 2005 season. The Falcons stunned Boyd with 24 first quarter points on two Rogan touchdown runs, and a five-yard Jock Stinson to Chris Pitchford touchdown pass. The game marked the first ever-starting assignment at QB for the freshman Stinson. Stinson connected with JaMichael Mathis for a 12-yard TD pass in the second quarter, as the Falcons went into halftime leading 30-7. Rogan added two more touchdowns and an extra point in the second half to make the final score 43-7. For the game, Rogan carried the ball 17 times for 210 yards and added 29 yards on two punt returns. Stinson completed 7 of 17 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Vic Smith won the team’s defensive player of the game award for leading the Falcons with 8 tackles.

Last Week 
A-E 56 Scott 8

Fulton 43 Boyd Buchanan 7

Anderson Co. 7 Kingston 6

Catholic 24 Livingston 21 

 

This Week 
Anderson Co. @ Clinton

Brainerd @ A-E

Kingston @ Oliver Springs

Catholic @ Wartburg

Fulton @ Tyner

Livingston @ York Institute 

 

Next Week 
Anderson Co @ Catholic

A-E @ Livingston

Loudon @ Kingston

Scott @ Fulton 
 

Fulton vs. Chattanooga Teams 
 

Tonight marks the first ever meeting between Fulton and Tyner, and the eighth time that Fulton has faced a team from Chattanooga. The first meeting came in 1956 when Fulton faced the powerhouse Purple Pounders of Chattanooga Central. Central claimed four state championships in the 50s, but the Falcons pulled off a 20-14 upset in Knoxville. FHS assistant coach Pete Craig called the win “the greatest single victory by a Fulton football team in six years.” The Falcons have a 6-1 record against Chattanooga teams including a 14-7 win over Brainerd in the 1973 East Ridge Pioneer Bowl, and a 21-7 victory over McCallie in the 1974 state semi-final. The Falcons defeated Boyd-Buchanan 43-7 last week. Fulton has also played several southeast Tennessee schools including Bradley Central, Rhea Co., Marion Co., and Whitwell. 

 

 

Fulton Statistical Leaders 

 

Poll Watching

FalconTalk 
 

Fulton’s 2005 schedule features five schools that have won a combined total of 12 state football championships…Fulton’s 0-3 start to the 2005 season marks the first time that the Falcons have started a season with 3 losses since 1994. That year the Falcons dropped decisions to Seymour (11-8), A-E (20-12), and Anderson Co. (22-18). Futon got their first ’94 win in week 4 over Claiborne Co. 48-20. Despite a 2-8 record that year, the Falcons still advanced to the playoffs… Fulton’s OT loss to Anderson Co. was the Falcons’ first OT loss since 2001 when the Mavericks defeated Fulton 36-33 at Anderson Co. in the 2^nd round of the playoffs. Fulton had won 3 consecutive overtime games… Tonight’s game will be broadcast in Knoxville on WKCS-FM 91.1 with Russell Mayes, and T.J. Earl on the call. .. Only 9 East Tennessee schools have won back-to-back state championships. Fulton won in ’03 and ’04. Alcoa, Cleveland, and Maryville are the only ET schools with three consecutive championships. 

Next Week

Fulton returns to Bob Black Field next week for Homecoming 2005 as the Falcons face the Scott Highlanders.