If 2017 was the Bulldog's Cinderella season and 2018 was Cornersville's season of destiny, then the 2019 season will be the season of longevity-- meaning this will be the season where Bulldog fans find out whether the success of the past two campaigns were due to an unreal, once in a lifetime talented senior class or if fifth-year coach Gerard Randolph has built this model into a model of sustainability.

“Honestly it’s going to be tough, but we have some guys that contributed to a lot of the success that we were able to achieve over the last couple of years," Cornersville head coach Gerard Randolph said. "No doubt it will be hard to replace the group that just graduated and I don't know if you really can."

Two-year dominance

Cornersville is coming off one of the most dominant campaigns in the history of 1A football with the Bulldogs giving up a meager 20 points (all in the season opener versus Community) the entire regular season which included eight straight shutouts.

For the second season in a row, the Bulldogs knocked off perennial state power after state power en route to a second straight berth in the 1A state championship game against another long-shot, the Whitwell Tigers.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their offensive firepower stalled in the championship game and Whitwell left Cookeville with the 7-6 win.

But for a struggling 1A squad just a few years prior, last year's senior class left the southern Marshall County school with the all-time record for wins over four years.

The 2018 class is one that comes along once in a blue moon and will be hard to replace.

"Our message to the senior class now and the underclassmen is to start their own legacy here at Cornersville," Randolph said. "Let's keep this train rolling and keep buying into what this coaching staff is trying to instill and implement.”

“We still have some talented young men in this program that got to play a lot of snaps last year and they need to understand that it is their time to put their stamp on Cornersville football in a positive way."

Region wins at a premium

The always competitive Region 5-1A will welcome back several experienced squads in Moore County (6-5), Mount Pleasant (8-4), and Huntland (7-4).

The Bulldogs have also added Division II Middle Tennessee Christian (9-3), Zion Christian (3-6), and Grace Christian Academy-Franklin (1-9) for non-region opponents to go along with 2A schools Community (1-9) and Eagleville (7-4) to open the first two weeks of the 2019 campaign.

"This team will definitely have its own identity," Randolph explained. "This team is still learning and trying to figure some things out as far as the game. The previous squads played four years together and had to play early as freshmen."

"Some of this group got to learn and watch the older guys and see where hard work and determination can take you," Randolph continued. "We will make mistakes this year, and that is expected from a young group of guys.”

New faces

“This team offensive wise I think will take a more methodical approach,” Randolph said. I don't think you will see as many long distance runs as you have seen in the past. I think we will try to wear teams down by being physical at the point of attack. This team has some playmakers and will be fun to watch."

The Bulldogs have a lot of new faces in 2019, but die-hard fans will find solace in the fact that the young Cornersville players poised to get more playing time this season are the same players that went undefeated in middle school two straight years.

"Of course it's several guys that we will need to step up this year," Randolph pointed out while breaking down the roster. "Junior Jackson Farler will be the signal caller on offense this year. Jackson gives us the option to not only throw the ball, but he can be a weapon for us in the run game also. He has a live arm, and is able to tuck it and be effective running the ball also.”

Backfield loaded with talent

“In the backfield we have several guys that will get a chance to touch the ball from the running back position,” Randolph said.

Junior Brady Calahan will get one of the starting nods at running back along with senior Wes Calahan and junior Alex Hillard.

“Brady has quick feet and has good vision to make guys miss at the point of attack. We look for big things from Brady this year.”

Wes Calahan and Hillard are battling for the number two position in the backfield and both bring their own unique qualities to the gridiron

“Wes is a veteran guy that knows every position and can run the ball with power and descent speed,” Randolph said. “Alex Hillard has had a great offseason in the weight room and on the field. Alex had a really good spring running the ball showing plenty of burst and could be the guy that can hit the home run for us out of the backfield. He just needs more reps and game time experience.”

Fullback spot up for grabs

Following Trenten Warren will also be a tough act to follow, but the Bulldogs sport two players in Rhett Woodard and Forrest transfer Cason Warner that are capable of filling that all-important fullback role in the Cornersville offense.

“At the fullback position we have two bruisers battling it out, both are sophomores and both are hard-nose players,” Randolph said. “Rhett showed signs of being able to run the ball and block with effectiveness during the season last year.”

“Cason is a strong kid that loves contact, he is not afraid to mix it up, and for a young guy he is very knowledgeable about the game. We are thrilled to have those guys on our side this year.”

Seniors man wide out positions

Farler will have plenty of options when he puts the ball in the air in Frog Bottom, led by senior wide-out Jackson Mitchell

“We have a few guys ready catch the pigskin if given the opportunity,” Randolph stated. “Jackson Mitchell is one of our leading receivers and he is a guy that demonstrates his leadership with his great work ethic.”

“He is a guy that brings it every time he gets the opportunity. He is another guy that had a good spring and off season in the weight room.”

Seniors Cameron Estes, and Trace Griest team up with talented sophomore Tanner Edwards to strengthen the wide receiver position for the Bulldogs.

“Cameron Estes and Trace Griest will be able to help us big time this year, both are capable of making good impacts for us this year,” Randolph said. “Sophomore Tanner Edwards has come into his own this year. Tanner has grown over the last year and can be a big time target for us. He is a long rangy guy that runs good routes and has pretty good hands. He is another guy that just needs more reps and game time experience.”

Also look for junior Garrett Alder and sophomore Hunter Fitzgerald to get reps at the outside receiver position.

“Don't be surprised to see some freshmen get in and start making a name for themselves. We have a few good ones that could also see some playing time in the backfield and they are Mason Calahan, Riley Qualls, and Nick Nuenswander,” Randolph said.

O-Line has the experience

The Bulldogs bring back four seniors on the offensive line with Michael Bungay as the only returning starter on the offensive line from last year, but Dylan Baus, Houston Williams, and Devon Massengill all had massive amounts of playing time and are poised to step in and not miss at beat up front. ‘

Junior Boone Solomon steps in to a starting role this season for a Bulldog offense that set school records in every category the last two years.

Bulldog defense has new faces, same grit

Seniors Dylan Baus and Houston Williams are the only two returning starters on the defensive side of the ball with Baus holding down the middle at nose guard while Williams is poised for a huge campaign at defensive end.

Sophomore Blake Jones has won a spot at defensive tackle and sophomore Eli Welch will get the start at weak side defensive end.

The Bulldogs have plenty of depth along the line that includes Bungay, Trenton Posey, Barrett Powers, Jake Singleton, and middle school standout David Metcalf.

Junior Tracy Woods had a ton of playing time at linebacker and teams up Warner and Woodard to battle those guys at inside backer while the senior Massengill leads the linebacking corps.

Mitchell and Hillard take over at the corners with the Calhan brothers as safeties.

Wes Calahan starts at strong safety and Brady free safety.

Special Teams

Cameron Estes will handle the punting duties and sophomore Jackson Williams is back for kickoffs and field goals.

“Both of these guys have worked really hard in the off-season to help our kicking game," Randolph said.

The young Bulldog squad will now be in the unique position to be the team that followed up the legendary Bulldog squads of the past two years.

What the 2019 squad is able to do without the super-talented 2018 senior class will go a long way to putting the Cornersville program on the map for good.

"Something we tell our guys every day is that we expect them to compete at a high level each and every time that they get the opportunity to do so," Randolph summarized. "We know with our recent success that we will get everybody's "A" game when we face them. So in turn we have to have meaningful preparation and reps every day.”

“I hope that all this success continues to be contagious to all of these young men. We won't them to continue to keep this program moving in the right direction, and continue to play football at a high level."

2019 Cornersville Football Roster

# Name Grade Position

1 Cameron Estes 12 WR/OLB

2 Riley Qualls 9 RB/LB

3 J.C Spray 10 QB/DB

4 Cason Warner 10 FB/LB

5 Rhett Woodard 10 RB/LB

6 Hunter Fitzgerald 10 WR/DB

7 Jackson Farler 11 QB/DB

8 Mason Calahan 9 RB/WR/DB

10 Caden White 9 QB/FS

11 Alex Hillard 11 RB/CB

12 Jackson Williams 10 QB/DB

14 Nick Nuenswander 9 RB/DB

19 Blake Estes 9 WR/LB

20 Trace Griest 12 WR/DB

21 Miguel Wilson 11 RB/DB

22 Brady Fitzgerald 12 WR/LB

27 Wes Calahan 12 RB/FS

32 Brady Calahan 11 RB/FS

33 Jackson Mitchell 12 WR/DB

40 Eli Welch 10 TE/DE

42 Tilden Jackson 12 FB/LB

44 Tracy Wood 11 RB/OLB

45 Bryson Alexander 9 WR/OLB

50 John M. Jeter 9 OL/LB

51 Sam Mitchel 10 OL/DL

52 Logan Hinzman 10 OL/LB

54 Barrett Powers 10 OL/DL

55 Hunter McNeese 9 OL/DE

56 Bradden Hickman 9 OL/DL

57 Trenton Posey 11 OL/DL

58 Xander Campbell 9 OL/DL

59 Briar Alexander 9 OL/DL

60 Houston Williams 12 OL/DL

61 Jayden Hancock 12 OL/DL

62 Bryan Giles- In Memory

63 Devon Massengill 12 OL/LB

64 Michael Bungay 12 OL/DL

67 Elias Nunez 11 OL/DL

70 Blake Jones 10 OL/DL

72 Dylan Baus 12 OL/DL

74 Boone Solomon 11 OL/DL

77 David Metcalf 9 OL/DL

6 Bailey Foss 11 OL/DL

79 Jake Singleton 12 OL/DL

83 Tanner Edwards 10 WR/DB

84 Garrett Alder 11 WR/DB

Coaches

Gerard Randolph-Head coach

John Conklin- Running backs

Eliot Cook- Defensive Coordinator

Sam Hubbell- Offensive Line

Louis Scheuchenzuber- WR/OLB

Andy Woodard- LB

Bradley Woodard- Offensive Line

Jerry Davis- Defensive Line

Henlee Mitchell- QB

Jason Starr- Defensive Line

Managers

Carmon Estes

Anna Gibson

Emma Rasnake

Lauren Bivins

Ashley Henson

Kaelyn Burton

Gracie Luna

Videographer: Blayne Bradford

Stats: Zach Holder

Schedule

Date Opponent Venue

8-23 Community Home

8-30 Eagleville Away

9-6 Moore County* Away

9-13 Grace Christian Home

9-20 Mt. Pleasant* Home

9-27 MTCS Home

10-4 Fayetteville* Away

10-11 Bye

10-18 Richland* Home

10-25 Huntland* Away

11-1 Zion Christian Away

*Region4-AAAA

All games begin at 7 p.m.