Border Bash II: The Vols Connection

One of them is a freshman fullback from Hickory. The other is a sophomore defensive back from Knoxville. They were both highly-valued recruits with all kinds of big-time potential. They are even next to each other on the University of Tennessee 2008 roster: Austin Johnson is #40 while Dennis Rogan is #41. Oh, by the way, their high school alma maters will face off against each other in Waynesville at the 2nd Annual Border Bash on August 15th.

Although he is a defensive back and special teamer for the Volunteers, Dennis Rogan was also a star running back at Fulton High School in Knoxville. Indeed, he is the all-time leading rusher (career total of 5,261 yards and 81 touchdowns) in Fulton High history. While at Fulton, Rogan contributed to three Class 3A state championships (2003, 2004, 2006) and earned two Mr. Football finalist awards. As a senior in 2006, Rogan ran for 2,876 yards and 44 touchdowns.


Dennis Rogan


In 2007 Rogan played in 13 games for the Volunteers as a kick-off and punt returner, as well as a defensive back. He helped the Vols to the largest 4th-quarter rally in Neyland Stadium history by returning a punt 45 yards to set up the winning field goal against Vanderbilt ... He finished that game with 72 yards on three punt returns and also returned three kickoffs for 74 yards with a long of 41 yards. He was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against the Commodores.

Johnson completed his high school career in 2007 as one of Hickory's most highly-decorated players of all time. He was named All-State as a senior in 2007 and as a junior in 2006 ... He was a three-time All-Conference honoree from 2005-2007 ... He was the CVAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 ... He was twice selected All-Piedmont by the Charlotte Observer and was named to the 1st-Team All-Observer squad in 2007... He was named three times to the Hickory Daily Record All-Unifour Team and was the Daily Record's Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007... He was named a 2007 Carolina Panthers Community Captain ... He was a Shrine Bowl participant in 2007 and a captain of the North Carolina team.

Bruiser Johnson



The Bruiser's career numbers as a Red Tornado are impressive. He racked up 580 tackles in three seasons ... He totaled 210 tackles as a senior, 211 tackles as a junior and 160 tackles as a sophomore in 2005 ... As a senior, he rushed 108 times for 692 yards and 16 touchdowns and had 35 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns. In his junior season he rushed 107 times for 602 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown.

An excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society, Johnson graduated from Hickory High following the 2007 fall semester and immediately enrolled at UT in order to participate in spring practice.

So, while family, friends and fans of both Austin Johnson and Dennis Rogan will eagerly keep track of events in Knoxville this fall, the rising stars of Volunteer football will no doubt pay close attention to the Hickory-Fulton clash at the 2008 Border Bash. This is gonna be good...