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 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.

Friday Night Lights - Midseason Report

So it’s the halfway point of the high school football season and I thought this would be a good time to give a midseason report.  Over the course of six weeks I have had the opportunity to watch ten teams play. In my opinion, out of those ten teams, one is a state champion, three others are more than likely going to be competing for a state title, and another is going to be right in the thick of things come November. Without further ado, here are ten thoughts I have from the first half of the high school football season.

1.  Alcoa is GOOD. I mean really good. I will go ahead and say right now that the Tornados are going to win the state championship. On the year Alcoa has three shutouts, has only allowed a total of ten points outside of the 31 they gave up to Maryville, and has scored a total of 274 points over six games. The Alcoa running game is phenomenal and I believe anyone will be hard pressed to slow them down. There are a number of players on that squad that I believe whole heartedly will be playing on Saturdays.

2. Kyler Kerbyson does not impress me at all. I got to watch him play at Austin East and my friend Ford and I had the same thought about him. During that game, he looked sick. If he wasn’t up field not blocking anyone, then he was five yards deep in the backfield because he was beat off the ball. I understand that with the right coaching and a weight program at Tennessee he may turn out to be an All American in college, but right now, I question why Tennessee even offered him.

3. If you want to have fun watching a high school football game, go to Austin East. Yes it’s in a rough part of Knoxville but trust me, the chicken wings alone is reason enough to make your way out for at least one game. The band is amazing to watch, and there are some serious athletes on the field for Austin East. Coaching is suspect so it’s even more impressive that Austin East is able to do the things they do on the field.

4. Anderson County is the Hawaii of high school football. Remember how June Jones was throwing up 700 yards passing every single game with the quarterbacks that no one remembers because they don’t play in the pros? Yea, Anderson County is a lot like that. I would be surprised if one player from the Mavericks makes it onto a legitimate division 1 roster.

Yea, remember Colt Brennan. . . didn't think so.

5. Campbell County is Campbell County again. After a nice run that included a handful of playoff appearances from 2004-2008, the Cougars are 0-6 and have maybe one chance left on the schedule to get out of the funk. It is amazing to me that some die hard Cougar fans still think that a certain player is good enough to play college ball. Reality is he isn’t.

6. Devrin Young on the other hand is a beast.

7. The fans of Maryville High School are next level. It was amazing to me that people were nearly 2 miles away from the stadium before the Alcoa game tailgating. It reminded me a lot of a Tennessee game the way traffic was backed up 2 hours before kickoff, people tailgating everywhere, having to pay for parking in most places.

8. I hate high school students, although it is funny to watch some of the male students try to spit game at the girls.

9. I’m pretty good at making fake press passes. Since I have had mine, it has worked every single time. I keep wondering when someone is going to be able to scan the bar code I pulled from Google.com and slapped onto the pass. I actually am rooting for this to happen just to see what it says. Also, if you play your cards right, you can probably get away with showing them a Kroger card and the pass gate person would believe it was a press pass. I literally just cropped someone out of the picture I used. Their hand is still on my shoulder even. I laugh every time.

10. Hand prints are overly popular as an option for painting up. I can’t think of a game I have gone to this year where the students who were painted up for the game didn’t have a hand print on them. It got crazy when at Hardin Valley I saw a girl with a hand print on her eye. Who thought this was a good idea or that it looked cool?

OK other than Mike Tyson, who thought this was a good idea?

Friday Night Lights - Oak Ridge vs. Maryville

I met Stone this week along with a couple of his friends and we headed out towards Oak Ridge for the Oak Ridge vs. Maryville game. I must admit, this was one of those games that I was looking forward to more for the atmosphere as opposed to the game. Oak Ridge is arguably one of the best high school football programs in the entire state of Tennessee. So much history with the Wildcats and I was looking forward to experiencing some of that. When we got to Blankenship Field I immediately wondered if my press pass would work. It did making it 4-0 for working. I am becoming more impressed with my handy work with each passing week.

I made my way over to the Walk of Champions and just took in the fact that there have been countless players walk down this sidewalk who have gone on to play college ball, and even some who have made it to play on Sunday. A-Bombs and Football, THAT’S WHAT OAK RIDGE DOES! I was also a little excited to see the Wildcat Crossing. I’ve seen a lot of player entrances into the stadium this year, but none were as cool as the Oak Ridge Wildcats walking down the steps with the train horn blaring, the Wildcat Crossing sign flashing, and the players throwing out high fives as they made their way to the field.

Has a player ever slipped walking down the stairs due to his cleats and fell all the way down to the field?

Maryville received the ball to start the game and for a moment looked like they would own the game as expected, but after a Wildcat defensive stop, Maryville was forced to punt. Oak Ridge fumbled a hand off however, giving Maryville the ball back. It didn’t take long for the Rebels to take advantage of the opportunity. A pass to Maryville wide out Stian Romberg, who earlier in the year dropped a sure TD pass in the 1^st quarter of the Alcoa game, in the back of the end zone put the Rebels up 7-0. Two plays after receiving the kickoff Oak Ridge running back Rocky Fludd broke a fifty yard run, and then quarterback Bradley Zulliger hooked up with Ethan Wheeler for a touchdown to tie the game at 7 to end the 1^st quarter.

A three and out forced Maryville punter Greg Colquitt to punt and punt he did. He pinned the Wildcats within their own ten yard line. Preston Burnett scored for Maryville after the Rebels defense shut down the Wildcat offense, which would become a theme during the course of the night, putting the Rebels up 14-7. Maryville DB Jay Yoakum intercepted an Oak Ridge pass and took it all the way down to the Oak Ridge seven. Just a few plays later Brandon Cooper punched it in, putting Maryville ahead 21-7. The Wildcats went three and out again giving Maryville the ball back with enough time for Jacob West to run straight up the middle for a short TD run after a Maryville drive of about 40 yards, giving Maryville the halftime lead at 28-7.

During halftime, I had the awesome opportunity to meet Mr. Criscillis, whose son Tyler is a student at Maryville Middle School. At first this doesn’t seem interesting at all but Tyler, who attends every single Maryville home game and most of the away games, is dealing with cerebral palsy. Talking with Tyler’s father was almost as inspiring as listening to Tyler’s story. When Tyler was being born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck causing him to be distressed for over 2 hours. Unfortunately the nurse just thought that the blip on the ultrasound monitor was a technical issue and nothing important. This 2 hour fight in the womb caused him to be born blue due to a lack of oxygen, as well as his condition. The doctors only gave Tyler six days to live but Tyler is now 15 years old. It’s amazing to see how his classmates and those around him interact with him and how his father knows how blessed he is to have Tyler. The Criscillis’s are also new parents again as they now have a perfectly healthy, incredibly strong, 14 month old baby boy.

Tyler Criscillis and I. Tyler is a straight up ladies man!

After the Oak Ridge offense was staggered once again by the Maryville defense the Rebels’ offense was back on the field. This time though, the Wildcat’s defense stepped up and Alex Ingham took an interception to the house. On the ensuing kickoff Elliott Normand laid what is by far the hardest hit I’ve seen all year on the Maryville returner. The Oak Ridge defense held again and with the score 28-14 Maryville, the Rebels had to punt again and the thoughts of this actually becoming a game began to run through my head. Maybe the Wildcats can make a drive and score, maybe Oak Ridge’s defense makes another stop, maybe they tie it up and we go into over, or maybe they can fumble, Maryville recover, and Preston Burnett could score for the second time tonight and put the game away. With about 6 minutes to go in the game and Oak Ridge hanging on to the slightest glimmer of hope inside the 5 yard line, Maryville did have to make a goal line stand, and then with about 3 minutes left Stian Romberg picked off a pass allowing Maryville to just run the clock out to put the win in the back. Maryville might have won 35 – 14 but the talent that was on the Oak Ridge side of the ball was evident. In a few years, the Wildcats will be back in their place atop Tennessee high school football where they belong, rest assured Wildcat fans. The Oak Ridge band does need to realize singing along to “Hey Baby” which is being played by the winning team’s band is not really the best of ideas.

Friday Night Lights - Powell vs. Anderson County

This Friday's game actually started at Hardin Valley Academy for Ford and me. My alma mater was playing the Hardin Valley Hawks and I had the opportunity to do a quick pregame interview on the radio with Josh Parker, The Voice of the Cougars. Our conversation could not have been any broader, but I enjoyed it. We were able to talk about things ranging from the article I write for TNVarsity.com to my work with One Vision International and my experience in Haiti. After we finished, Ford and I made our way to Powell High School where the Panthers were taking on the Mavericks.

Before I get into that game, I am going to clarify a previous post in which I made fun of Anderson County using a long horn as a Maverick, saying a Maverick was a horse. In fact, Merriam-Webster states that a maverick is, "1: an unbranded range animal; especially: a motherless calf. 2: an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party." While I admit my fault on the horse statement, I will point out the second definition, an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.

Part of the Herd??? Explain this.

We got to the stadium and were lucky to run into one of my Gator loving friends. He had two seats just in front of him so we sat there for the first half. The game was scoreless after the first quarter and learned that after just 4 mins of the Hardin Valley vs. Campbell County game, Hardin Valley was up 14-0. I was extremely glad we chose to leave. 

Powell ran a middle screen to start the 2nd quarter, going from their own 30 yd line to the Anderson county yard line. A few plays later, Powell's star running back Dy'shawn Mobley scored on a run from 2 yards out putting the Panthers up 6-0. After Anderson County went 3 and out, Powell handed the ball to Mobley again and he went for 28 yards. Powell quarterback Dustin McPhetridge took the ball in from 2 yards out to put the Panthers up 14-0 after a 2 point conversion. The Dy'shawn Mobley show continued on Powell's next possession as he took a handoff to the house from 38 yards out. Suddenly it was 20-0 Panthers, and the Campbell County gamed seemed a lot more appetizing after my Gator friend informed me it was now 14-14.

Powell scored again just before halftime to make it 26-0 and it was obvious the Anderson county offense had absolutely unraveled. It was obvious they had recovered during the halftime break though, as they took the opening drive of the 2nd half and scored. With the score now being 26-6 I was hoping the AC defense would be able to get some stands and make this a game.

The only touchdown pass AC had all night.

Powell continued to run away with the game, with Darian Logan scoring yet another rushing touchdown for the Panthers. Anderson County was able to counter that one with a rushing touchdown of their own with a sweep play. Powell did what they do best though with another touchdown run from Darian Logan. The Panthers converted on the 2 point conversion again, making it 42-14, which would be the final.

Two observations from the game tonight. Powell is extremely well coached and Anderson County has quite possibly the best away jerseys of any school I have seen thus far. Powell knew exactly what they wanted to do and was very organized in executing their game plan. My friend Ford pointed out that it was obvious the Panthers had a program in place to allow their players to succeed. They took advantage of the momentum gained from the first touchdown and never really let up. All AC had going for them in this game were their uniforms. Most of you by now are very familiar with the Nike Pro Combat uniforms. These are the type of uniforms that Anderson County had. I was simply amazed to see them on a high school field, and they looked sharp!

Looked just like this, except blue and silver instead of purple and gold.

Friday Night Lights - Austin East vs. Catholic

Other than the Maryville vs. Alcoa game, this was the game I was most looking forward to on my schedule. I had never seen Austin East play and I had heard that their band was amazing. I always love a good band so I was excited to watch for myself. Let me also just say, that since beginning this blog, I have been asked to contribute to the Tennessee high school Rivals site, TNVarsity.com. This partnership was allowing me to gain free admission to the games I decided to attend by contacting the home school and getting my name on the pass list. Well this week was a little different because the Austin East principal emailed me back and said I would need to show my press pass at the gate. The problem with this was that I had no press pass, so I made one in word, laminated it, got a fancy clip, and then used it to get into the game. It's probably one of the crowning achievements in my college career.

Pretty legitimate if you ask me.

I picked up my friend Ford who went with me to the Bearden game and we headed to Austin East. We quickly decided it may be best for us to sit on the Catholic sideline for safety reasons. Ford got some popcorn which had enough butter on it to last a week. I went for the chili dog but I think both of us would have rather gotten the fried chicken legs that were being sold at a stand behind one of the end zones. The Catholic band began playing during warm-ups, which really wasn't a big deal, until the bagpipe joined. I must admit I was even more surprised when the Catholic bagpipe player led the team onto the field.

You can't see him, but trust me. . . he's there.

The opening kickoff crossed the goal line and was immediately ruled a touch back. Let me just say, this is the dumbest rule in High School football. What purpose does this rule serve? What is the difference in catching the ball a yard deep in the end zone and catching the ball on the one? Get rid of this rule! 

Running back Nolan Coulter of Catholic absolutely was ready to play tonight. He reminded me a bit of Devrin Young of Bearden the way he was hitting the holes and making his way upfield. Catholic marched down the field but a holding penalty negated a touchdown run and then Catholic fumbled inside the Austin East 10 yard line. Austin East began a drive of their own, in which running back Cordy Cox channeled Hershel Walker and destroyed Catholic's Michael Bonfini. Cox threw Bonfini aside like a rag doll in route to a run that gained about 25 yards. The fumble bug hit the Roadrunners as well though and the two teams took turns driving down the field then either would have their drive stall or turn the ball over. Just as I was noticing the AE color guard stretching for the halftime show however, Catholic's QB Mike Wegzyn completed a jump ball to Patrick Haun to put the Irish up 7-0 at halftime.

Now was the point in the game that I had been waiting for. Austin East's band and fans did not disappoint. As the band played "All I Do Is Win" and a kid in the top of the stadium threw down moves that I had only seen from Michael Jackson, the marching roadrunners won yet another halftime show. It was by far the most entertaining thing I have seen in a long while.

This is the AE band. It was at this point I wished I had remembered my camera.

Catholic opened the second half by kicking a short squib kick, recovering it, and then proceeding the swiftly put the ball in the end zone again to take a 14-0 lead. On the ensuing Austin East drive, not only did I notice that the chicken stand's line had not gotten any smaller since I had arrived, but I also noticed that Cordy Cox for AE, was a play maker. On a busted screen play, Cordy made one of the most remarkable catches I believe I have ever seen by pulling down a pass with one hand that was at least 10 feet above him. This catch ended the 3rd quarter and to start the 4th, Austin East QB Donald Oggs went Seneca Wallace circa 2002 and scored on a QB scramble from about 8 yards out after running for what seemed like 3 years to put the Roadrunners on the board 14-6. The extra point attempt was probably the worst I have ever seen. Ford pointed out that this attempt made the Walker Valley kicker look like a Groza Award winner.

An Austin East interception gave the Roadrunners a chance to pull even closer, but yet another turnover gave Catholic the chance to go up 20-6. Another botched PAT try kept the Irish from making it 21-6. I think you should be made aware that the Catholic coach's mom was in attendance tonight. She sat right behind Ford and me and the only time she stopped shaking her milk carton full of beans and kept quiet, was during the halftime show. It was nothing short of inspiring. She was never more loud than after a terrible call by the referees, in which a Roadrunner ball carrier fumbled on the Catholic 1 with the ball bouncing out of bounds after crossing the goal line, put Austin East within one score instead of giving the Irish the ball on the 20. 

The Roadrunners took advantage of this however, and an inspired defense gave the Austin East offense the ball back with enough time to tie the game. Austin East looked more efficient than they had the entire game on their final drive, but on a 4th and 1 on the Catholic 2, the Irish defense made a stand and time expired. A great game with a great halftime show and a great finish, these are the kind of games I love.

Friday Night Lights - Anderson County vs. Campbell County

I graduated from Campbell County in 2005. When I put my schedule of games to attend together I knew I wanted to go to at least 1 CCHS game, and tonight's game was the one I wanted to go to. When I was in high school we were never able to play ACHS but it was a huge rival none the less. Kids who felt they would get a better chance at getting a scholarship to play football would go to high school at Anderson County after going to middle school at Jacksboro or LaFollette. This created the mindset at Campbell County that we weren't good enough and seemed to always give the Cougars a chip on their shoulder.

There is a big difference between big time high school football, and just a high school football game. Tonight that difference was very obvious. This was the first game I had been to this year where there hadn't been a single D-1 prospect on the field for either school. Just one player of such caliber can make a difference in a game. Devrin Young was the difference in the Bearden game that I went to, and in the Maryville game there were numerous players on both sides of the ball that will be playing on Saturdays very soon. Tonight it was just two teams full of kids that want to be like the players they watch on TV but will more than likely never be able to have someone watch them.

The Anderson County PA announcer was introducing the starting lineups when I realized the intro music being played was that of the Chicago Bulls from the Jordan era. At any moment I was expecting to hear, "At guard, 6'6 from North Carolina, MICHAEL JORDAN!" While the remaining names were announced and the Jock Jams Volume 1 CD played, Hef, one of the friends that had come with me, pointed out that a Maverick, which is Anderson County's mascot, is a horse and not a longhorn which had been painted at midfield. As we looked around, we noticed a lot of the shirts for AC had the Chicago Bulls logo on them. Again I will point out that a Maverick is a horse. Not only did they have the wrong animal, but the logo's horns were so long that it resembled the female reproductive system more so then a longhorn.

Correct

Incorrect

Just before kickoff the sound of a cow mooing was played over the loud speakers. I don't really feel like this needs to be commented on any further to describe how ridiculous this was. AE, a friend that I met at the game, commented about how sharp the AC coaching staff looked. Looking across the sideline at the CCHS coaching staff, it looked as if the Campbell County staff were ready to go across the parking lot to the gym and play a pick up game of basketball. The coaches were in matching black athletic shorts with the CCHS logo on one leg, and blue t-shirts with the Cougar logo on the chest.

Following a defensive stop by Campbell County, the Cougars went three and out and decided to punt. The only problem was that the punt only went about 9 yards from the line of scrimmage. This gave the ball to AC on the CCHS 35. Needless to say the Mavericks scored. It became a scoring frenzy for Anderson County after that. Something I did not understand was after every single score, the entire Maverick team would huddle up and jump around, much like Lane Kiffin's teams would do before the 4th quarter began. I didn't understand it then, and I really didn't understand it now. 

After every single score. . . Is it really necessary?

Campbell County had just one score the entire game, and that was on a fluke defensive play. The Anderson County QB attempted to pitch the ball to the RB just when a CCHS defensive lineman hit him, making the ball fly skywards and back about 15 yards. Another CCHS player was able to scoop and score on the play giving the Cougars their only touchdown of the game. Anderson County won 56-7 making it two years straight the Mavericks have beat the Cougars. Again, I found that I should have attended a different game, this time being Farragut vs. Catholic. Catholic scored in the closing minutes to win 21-18.

Next week I plan on attending Austin East vs. Catholic. While I don't expect to see a grown man in a super hero costume, which was the case tonight, I do expect to see an incredible halftime show from the Austin East marching band. After tonight's game I have also amended my schedule of games to get rid of the CCHS games. The new list is below. Let me know what you think.