Former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer drops by Gatlinburg-Pittman football practice

Story byFormer Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer stops by Gatlinburg-Pittman; Photo courtesy of Tyler WilliamsAndy VillamarzoFri, December 5, 2025 at 1:29 AM UTC·2 min readA Tennessee Volunteer legend dropped by Gatlinburg Pittman‘s (Tenn.) last practice before they take on Westview on Friday morning for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class 3A, Division I state championship. According to a social media post via X, formerly known as , former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer dropped by Gatlinburg-Pittman ahead of their first-ever appearance in a high school football championship game. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFulmer coached the Volunteers from 1992 to 2008, leading Tennessee to the 1998 BCS National Championship game when they defeated the Florida State Seminoles. The Highlanders are seeking their first undefeated season in program history when they take the field Friday morning at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga as they team has ripped off 13 straight wins, gunning for a 14th. Gatlinburg-Pittman is coming off a narrow 23-20 victory over Tyner Academy last week as the Highlanders are in search of the not only the first unbeaten season ever, but also the first state championship. The Highlanders (13-0) will look to pull off the feat behind an offense that’s averaging 41.6 points per game this season behind the play of junior quarterback Tyson Sutton, who has completed 176 of 270 passes for 2,656 yards and 23 touchdowns. Another player to keep a close eye on from Gatlinburg on Friday is junior running back Brayden Maples, who has rushed for 1,236 yards on 165 carries and scored 27 touchdowns. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHow to Follow Tennessee High School FootballFor Tennessee high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Volunteer State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Volunteer State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy.