Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday Night Lights - Bearden vs. Catholic

This week was the last week of the high school regular season. The game that I really wanted to attend was moved to Thursday night in Alcoa vs. CAK. So instead I went to a game featuring two teams with identical records at Bearden vs. Catholic. All the local stars were out for this one, including The Bear Jew. That's right, Knoxville's favorite sixth man was here to watch two future Tennessee football stars, and maybe his girlfriend cheer??? I'm not one to judge or anything, but this just seemed a little inappropriate.

What is about to happen at the end of this bat is more appropriate then what I saw tonight from The Bear Jew.

Moving onto the game, Catholic surprised me from the go by not kicking to Devrin Young. Apparently someone finally watched film. Both teams traded three and outs before Catholic had two big plays, a 15 yard run from Nolan Coulter followed by a 22 yard pass from Ryan Ridley to Zach Thomas, only to miss horribly on a field goal attempt. Bearden put together a nice drive and Devrin Young got the scoring going for the Bulldogs on a 1 yard run for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked however so Bearden's lead was only 6-0. Catholic couldn't answer and Bearden used a 45 yard pass from Kyle Riemer to Tyler Callaway to set up a 13 yard pass between the same two players to increase its lead to 13-0.

Even the bag pipe guy was ready to throw it in at this point.

After Catholic looked to be finally putting something together when Ryan Ridley hit Vic Wharton for a 34 yard gain, Ridley was intercepted on the next play by Stephon Stephens. Devrin Young didn't make Bulldog fans wait long, breaking free and going 88 yards for a touchdown, then scoring another touchdown from 3 yards out just as the half ended giving the Bulldogs a 27-0 halftime advantage. Everyone in the stadium realized this game was over, with a couple of the Catholic parents sitting behind us saying, "Well if this game keeps going like this, our boys may get in." This statement told me two things, that these guys had already thrown in the towel, and that their sons were scrubs.

I think we can all agree these kid's futures have a lot of this in them.

Catholic showed signs of life to start the half when Catholic quarterback Mike Wegzyn came off the bench and led the Irish on a scoring drive that was capped off by a 20 yard touchdown run by Trey Leake. Catholic was unable to capitalize on recovering the ensuing onside kick however and Bearden answered with a 5 yard touchdown run from Josh Haney to push the score to 33-7 Bearden after the extra point was once again blocked. Catholic scored a meaningless touchdown when Nolan Coulter scored from a yard out to make the final score 33-14. You could hear in the stands Friday night the math from supporters of both schools that goes into figuring out your playoff seed, if your in or out, and where or who you will be playing. That picture will be crystal clear by Monday, when we will know what the playoff bracket looks like. TSSAA football playoffs start next week and all roads lead to Cookeville.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Friday Night Lights - Halls vs. Campbell County

There were three games this week that stuck out to me. West at Bearden, Anderson County at Hardin Valley, and 0-8 Campbell County at 0-8 Halls. After careful consideration, I chose the battle of the beatens. I felt this would be Campbell County's last shot at a victory this season with Oak Ridge on the horizon in the season finale, and believed they would capitalize and snatch the win.

I grabbed my undefeated press pass and headed to Halls. When I got there, I made my way to the pass gate and I kid you not, the guy working the gate asked me if I was a scout just because I had on an Auburn shirt. A scout. . . at a game featuring two teams that hadn't won a game yet this year. . . really? I made it through with zero opposition and went up to the press box to check in on the Cougar broadcasting network. Halls had brought in some Ruby Tuesdays to feed the people working in the booth. I took advantage of this, claimed a seat on press row, and made me a plate. Trust me, if you just act and believe you belong somewhere, 95% of the time no one will ask any questions and you can get away with just about anything. After feasting like a king I returned to the peasants in the bleachers and immediately noticed the short goalposts much like the ones at Farragut.

Soon enough these sorry excuses for goalposts are going to cost Halls or Farragut a game, if they haven't already.

Campbell County kicked off to start the game, and elected to go with the onside. I didn't really understand this decision but I guess thats why I am not a coach. Halls used a 24 yard pass from Josh Coffman to Donovan Henley to set up a three yard touchdown run from Logan Stansberry to put the Red Devils up 7-0. Halls pulled the onside kick trick too and had just as much luck with it. Campbell County went three and out with their initial drive however and the punt on forth down wasn't any better, covering only eight yards. Unbelievably, with some great defense and costly penalties, that eight yard punt was actually able to flip the field. The two teams exchanged the ball a few times before Campbell County was able to begin to put a drive together that looked like it might result in points, but a fumble quickly ended that. Halls fumbled inside its own 20 however and the Cougars capitalized with a 10 yard run from Wesley Cook to tie the game at seven. Halls went three and out and the Cougars took the ball down the field and scored again with a QB draw from Tuffy Shoupe to put Campbell County ahead 14-7 going into halftime.

At halftime my friend AE pointed out that the Halls coach was wearing shorts. It is one thing to wear shorts in September, like the Campbell County staff did at Anderson County, but to wear shorts in late October, when the temperature is below 40 degrees, well thats another thing all together. At some point you just look like the guy that hangs around the high school fields wishing you were a teenager again because you know you would have taken your team to state if you had just been given the opportunity.

I guess it could have been worse.

Halls began a drive inside their own one yard line after a surprisingly good punt from Campbell County in the third quarter. The only problem was that on 2nd down, they fumbled giving the Cougars the ball only inches from the goal line. Shoupe scored again on a QB sneak and Campbell County gained a 21-7 advantage. Halls climbed back into the game late in the third quarter after a lengthy drive that was capped by a touchdown run from Josh Coffman. Campbell County blocked the extra point however so Halls was only able to pull to 21-13. During the 4th quarter, neither team could make anything happen. The Campbell County defense ended all chances of a comeback with a big forth down stop around midfield, and the Cougar offense was able to ice the game with a couple of first downs.

The Cougars picked up their first win of the season to put them at 1-8 on the year and the Red Devils fell to 0-9. After the game the Campbell County locker room was full of kids that were elated to finally see the fruits of their labors. You could tell these kids had really banded together and fought through adversity. Even though the losses had piled up, and with only two games left on the schedule they had the opportunity to fold and just go through the motions, they didn't and were rewarded for that tonight with the school's first victory of the season and first win ever over Halls.


These kids deserved this one.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Friday Night Lights - Maryville vs. Farragut

It took me til the 2nd to last week of the regular season to do it, but I finally went to the same stadium twice to watch a game. This week Farragut was traveling to Maryville to try and hand the Rebels their first district loss in who knows how long. Coming off the huge win the previous week against Bearden, I thought maybe the Admirals would travel well and would have the possibility to pull off the upset. Alcoa's ground game had given the Rebels trouble in week 1 and Farragut ran a similar attack. This was the closest I believe I have come to getting caught with the press pass. I talked my way through the crisis though and was able to get in once again for free. May want to avoid Maryville for the rest of the year though. Anyway, before the game started though, we needed a game ball. At the moment however, the game ball was about 2,000 ft above head.

I have only seen a person parachute into a stadium once. That was in Sanford Stadium a few years back when Tennessee played Georgia. There were about 90,000 people in the stands, it was a primetime ESPN game, and both teams were ranked. That was the only time I had ever seen it happen, until tonight. There were about 88,000 less people and ESPN was nowhere to be found, but a member of the 101st Airborne Division Parachute Demonstration Team air dropped into the stadium carrying the game ball with the stars and bars in tow.

Right when I think I've seen it all with the streaker, some guy jumps out of a perfectly good airplane and I am surprised once again.

Now that the game ball had arrived, Farragut could kick off to Maryville. The return man for Maryville though fumbled the ball and allowed Farragut to recover, giving the Admirals the ball on the Rebel 20 yard line. The Admirals could only muster a field goal however and gave the ball back the Maryville up 3-0. This time the Rebels were able to first catch the kickoff then use a big play to score. Maryville quarterback Patton Robinette hooked up with Preston Burnette for a 55 yard touchdown pass. Farragut went three and out on their ensuing drive, and Maryville was able to gain another three points on the leg of Zach Sharp.

Just when it appeared that Maryville may have found its groove, Farragut began to move the ball. Eating up a lot clock, Farragut was able to score on a QB scramble from Cody Rule. Maryville got the ball back with plenty of time to run a two minute drill and possibly score just before halftime, but an inspired Farragut defense forced a punt. On the second play of the Farragut drive, Nathan Miranda of Maryville simply plucked the ball from the hands of Cody Rule and went 15 yards before being taken down at the Farragut 27. On the first play Maryville had from here on offense, Patton Robinette fumbled the snap and Farragut recovered. The half ended with the score tied at 10.

After Farragut went three and out to start the third quarter, Preston Burnette proved the touchdown he had earlier in the night wasn't all that he wanted to do. He caught the punt, went right, cut back left, and had a wall of blockers down the sideline. After cutting only once around the Farragut 5 yard line, Burnette scored. He had effectively taken a punt to the house from 66 yards away. I'm always glad to see special teams touchdowns because sometimes I forget what they are like, since Tennessee never has any.

Late in the third quarter Farragut QB Cody Rule took a nasty hit from Maryville safety Stian Romberg. Later it was announced that Rule had a possible ACL tear. This is bad news for Farragut who just last week lost Robbie Leonard for the remainder of the season due to multiple fractures in his leg. Farragut players are dropping like flies with leg injuries. Maryville put the game away with a short touchdown run from Jacob West to go up 24-10. Farragut scored late but never threatened to tie and with the 24-17 win, Maryville locked up the district championship.

Maryville could be headed to their 8th state title in 11 years. Maybe one day CCHS will have that trophy. . . or not.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday Night Lights - Farragut vs. Bearden

I was excited about this week's game because I was going to be able to see Devrin Young run against a legitimate defense and not Walker Valley, which was more like a clown show. My dad and one of my friends from back home, Troy, were able to make it out to this match up and as soon as we got to the stadium I left them in the dust to try and make it 7-0 on the fake press pass. Worked like a charm. I started thinking, if I carried myself like I belonged, I'm fairly confident that I could walk onto the field, grab a headset, and call plays with my press pass clipped to my side. This thing is gold.

It was pretty crowded when we arrived, but we were able to get pretty good seats on about the 35 yard line. I hadn't been in my seat more then 5 minutes before a woman sitting in front of me asked why I had a note pad. When I explained why, she suggested I cover the district volleyball games. Not a chance lady. Farragut's pregame entrance rivals that of Oak Ridge as the players walked through the stands, then down some steps. Actually I think I like the Admirals entrance better.

The way the fans reacted when seeing the players coming through the stands reminded me of the Vol Walk.

Bearden received to start the game and had two third down conversions on their opening drive but had to punt. Farragut used a 50 yard run on a QB keeper from Cody Rule to set up a 43 yard field goal from Jonathan King that gave the Admirals an early 3-0 lead. Farragut may have been able to score a touchdown on the drive but multiple penalties inside the red zone killed the drive. The field goal attempt made me realized just how short the uprights are on the goal posts at Farragut. It seems like it would be very advantageous to extend the uprights to a reasonable height.

It looks like they just painted two pencils white and stuck them on top of some PVC pipe.

It was time for the Devrin Young show to begin at this point. Young broke off runs of 31 and 25 yards, then on another run, Young absolutely demolished a Farragut linebacker. As I was laughing at this, Troy pointed out that his parents were sitting in front of us. This isn't the first time Young as caused me to laugh at a player whose parents were sitting directly in front of me. Reference the Bearden vs. Walker Valley post. A scramble by the Bearden QB, Kyle Riemer, ended the Bearden drive with a touchdown putting the Bulldogs ahead 7-3. My dad pointed out that with a name like Riemer, pronounced Ream-er, the headline possibilities are endless. It looked like Bearden may take control of the game after Stefon Stephens intercepted a pass from Cody Rule, however shortly there after, Riemer was intercepted by Taino Perez and we were back to square one. Cody Rule again used his legs and this time it was for an Admiral touchdown making it 10-3.

There were alot of Farragut students walking around the stadium in jorts and over hauls. My friend Troy brought up a great point. How can they make fun of Campbell Countians when they are wearing the same type of things. Again, high school students are high school students no matter where you go. Anyway, after Devrin Young broke off a nice 28 yard run, he missed a blocking assignment which allowed Brooks Harper to make a great hit on Jerron Brown as he tried to run up the middle. Bearden had to settle for a field goal which made the halftime score 10-10. At halftime, the Bearden band might as well have had Les Miles watching the clock. They went all out blitz and left the Farragut band only 92 seconds to fit in 5 songs. The Farragut band literally took formation on the field, stood there for about 8 seconds, then walked off the field.

The third quarter started with a great drive from Farragut. The Admirals were very methodical and were able to drive down and again have Cody Rule run the ball into the end zone. Bearden got the ball back trailing 17-10. After a first down, Farragut's outside linebacker, Robbie Leonard, went down with what appeared to be a broken leg. While the medical staff were tending to him, a streaker sprinted across the far end zone. You stay classy Farragut.

When play resumed, Devrin Young broke off a 40 yard run, then caught a seam pass that covered a little over 20 yards for a touchdown tying the game once again at 17. The more I am able to watch Young play, the happier I become that he is going to be in orange next year. This kid is amazing in space and I believe he will be able to do some special things at Tennessee. Cody Rule would not be out done by Young however. It seemed like he wanted to show just how athletic he was after every big play by Young. Rule came out on the ensuing Farragut drive and called his own number for 65 yards before being tackled at the Bearden 7.

Rule reminded me alot of this guy.

Farragut went to Taino Perez on a sweep for the score, putting the Admirals ahead 24-17. Bearden, predictably, turned to Devrin Young. He delivered and after a swing pass for a touchdown was negated by a penalty, Young went 23 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked however and the Bulldogs still trailed 24-23.

The Bearden defense held to start the forth quarter, and after an incredible escape maneuver from Riemer, Tyler Callaway reeled in a pass for a huge 3rd down conversion. Ultimately Bearden was just able to get a field goal putting them ahead 26-24. As the game began to tighten up at the end, the guy sitting in front of me became more involved. His emotions began to get the best of him, and his reactions to each play became more and more animated. I begin to worry he was going to hit me in the face. After Farragut fumbled and Bearden recovered inside the Bearden 20, I was afraid he was going to jump head first out of the stands. After Braden Urevick played incredible defense on a long third down pass, I wondered if anyone has ever jumped higher. After Farragut scored the go ahead touchdown on a seam route to Madison Brown, I wondered if this guy was the happiest person alive. When Farragut converted the 2 point conversion attempt to go up 32-26 and he hugged me, I wondered if he was gay and if I needed to move before things go out of hand.

Bearden was forced into their 2 minute offense and it was incredibly effective. I don't believe I have ever seen a high school team be so effective running a two minute offense. A critical 4th down conversion allowed the Bulldogs to keep playing, but two incomplete passes on 3rd and 4th and goal ended what turned out to be another great battle for west Knoxville. After Farragut had won 32-26, the two teams had shaken hands, and the students had stormed the field, which is surprisingly not rare in high school football apparently, the Farragut band took the field to perform.

The Admiral band was going to perform come hell or high water, and you know who couldn't have been happier about it? . . .

THIS GUY!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Friday Night Lights - West vs. William Blount

The game I wanted to go to this week was on Thursday at Bearden where the Bulldogs played Maryville. I have a small group bible study on Thursday nights so I had to miss this one. I get to watch Bearden play Farragut next week in a rivalry game that is one of the fiercest in Knoxville. This week however, I decided to travel about three minutes down the road from my apartment to West High School where the Rebels were taking on the William Blount Governors.

If Anderson County has the best looking away jerseys, then West has the best home. They were a mix of the new Indiana jerseys and Kentucky's shirt designs before the current model. I like to think I know quite a bit about jerseys and things of that nature, and so far these two schools know what's up.

These pants.

These shirts, minus the white filler between the silver piping running down the underarm.

The game started with William Blount getting the ball and on third down a pass to Jesse Crisp for a first down, Crisp fumbled before he was tackled and the West Rebels were in business on the Governor 31 yard line. During the West drive, which ended with a 52 yard field goal attempt that was wide right but would have been good from 65, the PA announcer said they had found some keys for a black Toyota. This was the third time in four weeks I have almost had a heart attack when the first words were black Toyota, only to be relieved with the last word was not Tacoma.

I have never seen as many penalties in a single game as were committed tonight. In the 1st quarter West and William Blount combined to commit seven. In the 2nd there were four, and three in the 3rd and 4th quarters. You can do the math to see how many total, but whatever the answer, it's way too many. A William Blount penalty wiped away a first down and forced a punt. After the Governor punter netted about an 8 yard punt, I got to thinking. I have seen maybe one punter all year that is just decent. All the other high school punters are TERRIBLE. Which makes me wonder how hard is actually is to become the #1 ranked punter in a recruiting class.

West missed a chance to score late in the 1st when Ivan Freeman fumbled on the one yard line. William Blount again went three and out again however, and this time a penalty one West on the punt return forced the Rebels to start on their own side of the 50 for the first time all night to start the 2nd quarter. The West drive ended when Coty Willocks picked off a pass. William Blount fumbled a handoff however, and this time West was able to capitalize. A swing pass to Freeman that went for 44 yards set up a 30 yard pass from Christian Francis to Antonio Stinson for a touchdown to put the rebels up 7-0. West got the ball back and as the Rebels tried to run the rest of the clock out at the end of the first half, William Blount called a timeout with about a second left. Only problem was West had already began running off the field. It was funny watching the team run back out and try to get lined up to run the last play of the half.

While West was running back out onto the field for the last play of the half, I was regretting my decision to wear flip flops as my toes were going numb.

Late in the third quarter West went for it on 4th and 3 from the William Blount 16 yard line. My mind went back to when West attempted a 52 yard field goal on 4th and one early in the 1st quarter. Why would you attempt that kick, but not go for the points now with what would be a 33 yard attempt? West didn't convert and William Blount was able to drive and eventually score on a Zach Witt scramble. The extra point was blocked however and West was able to stay on top 7-6. It didn't take long for West to extend their lead though. After the West offense went three and out, William Blount began to drive the ball again. West corner back Patrick Bardsley picked off a pass and would have returned it for six points, but a block in the back call took six points off the board. Ivan Freeman was able to score on a short run though and West was able to go up 14-6 with about four minutes remaining.

Just when it looked like William Blount was finished, Crisp connected with Hunter Saunders who was wide open on a post pattern. Saunders was tackled at the West 5 and with 21 seconds remaining, Greg Cook was able to put the Governors within two points of drawing even with West. All William Blount had to do was convert the 2 point conversion and play for overtime. Crisp called his own number on the 2 point conversion attempt and was stopped. The onside kick was recovered by West and the Rebels went into the victory formation to finish off the Governors 14-12. Finally, another great game, and I look for nothing less next week at Farragut when the Admirals take on Tennessee commit Devrin Young and the Bearden Bulldogs.

Biggest stop of the game . . . Not letting Crisp cross the goal line on the 2pt conversion.