Christopher James

After growing up as a University of Maine fan, It’s sad to hear that fellow Colonial Athletic Association member Northeastern is dropping football. Maryville College assistant Luke Ewalt, who spent 2008 (a season that included a near-upset of Syracuse at the Carrier Dome) coaching the Huskies receivers, said he found out about the Boston school’s decision Sunday. He has it right when he says it’s a “shame. It’s a place with a lot of potential and history.”
It’s kind of amazing to think how insanely expensive football can be compared to almost any other sport, particularly at the Division I level. I once interviewed for a job at Xavier, which doesn’t have football. The Musketeers’ sports information staff, from director to intern, is exactly four. Compare that to the legions Tennessee deploys in the press box every Saturday. Obviously, that’s just a small part of an overall athletic budget, so multiply those extra employees through each support department, and it adds up. That’s even more true today when smaller, private schools are being forced to cut entire sports to stay afloat.

Maryville College hasn’t had any trouble finding it’s quarterback of the future.
Keeping that talent on the field hasn’t been so easy. When junior quarterback Tim Conner blacked out after being hit in Saturday’s season finale, he joined a list of Scots signal callers that can feel his pain.
“I don’t know,” former starter Derek Hunt said. “Just freak stuff happens. We have the ball in our hands more than anyone else. … It scares me when (Conner) gets hit like that ‘cause I’m just waiting for him to get back up.”

You may remember Hunt had his career shortened this year due to concussions. The Maryville High product won the job over Conner before last season only after incumbent starter Lucas Wall had his career cut short by severe back pain. In Saturday’s 21-14 loss to Ferrum, Conner, already dealing with a shoulder injury, struck his head against the turf and said he lost consciousness for the first time.
“I was trying to think if I was OK the whole time,” Conner said. “I was trying to put the pieces together. It was frustrating. I knew I got hit but I couldn’t remember if I laid on the field or if I just walked off.”
It’s a feeling Hunt can relate to. Offensive coordinator Jim Elliott said he’s seen Maryville quarterbacks take vicious hits every one of his five years with the Scots. A young offensive line probably didn’t help this year. While Conner is undoubtedly tough, Elliott said sometimes his desire to take on defenders sometimes can be his undoing.
“We need to do a better job of teaching him not to take those hits,“ Elliott said. “Get rid of the football and not take those kind of hits. … You can’t get your head stronger in the weight room.”
Conner eventually returned Saturday once his headache subsided. Scots coach Tony Ierulli ran into the quarterback outside the Cooper Athletic Center after the game and told him he could “take the next seven months off.”
“We’ve just had a string of bad luck,” Ierulli said of the health troubles at quarterback. “It’s just sometimes the way it happens. With a spread offense, what I’ve found is quarterbacks are taking more hits. They’re out there, on the edge sometimes they get involved in the run, in shotgun sometimes the defensive lineman, linebackers get in pass mode set and they’re putting more pressure on him.”
In the second half against Ferrum, MC went with two running back sets to provide more protection for Conner. Sometimes it worked and other times the quarterback couldn’t get the ball out. Ierulli said learning to get on the ground and save your body is something the Scots quarterback corps needs to work on. It’s an area where Conner’s gutsy play can help rather than hurt.
“I might’ve been wrong,” Conner said. “I might not should even been out there. But that’s my mentality. I just can’t watch the team, especially on the last game of the season.”
If those hits keep on coming, Elliott knows of only one way to keep the Scots offense afloat.
“I don’t know. One, is recruit more quarterbacks,” Elliott said. “If it’s going to continue to be a problem, we’re just going to have a whole stable of quarterbacks.”

MC’s last three starting quarterbacks have struggled to stay healthy.

COOKEVILLE —

Brandon Cole returns fumble 55 yards for SM score.. Dalton Wheeler returns ensuing kickoff 85 yards for touchdown of his own.
Halftime comes early thanks to the TSSAA mercy rule.

Tallant’s 28-yard scramble sets up a 12-yard touchdown run for Toney. For those of you scoring at home, that’s five on the day.

Toney punches in from 8 yards out.

Fumbled pitch by SM recovered by Brooks Cunningham at the 16. Tallant hits Chaz Barnes for a touchdown on the next play

Stone Memorial fumbles and Darrell Warren recovers the ball at the 10. Toney jogs in on the next play.

Taharin Tyson’s turn to shake through the D. His 40-yard run sets up a two-yard touchdown rush for Toney.

Toney bounces in and out and is gone, 67-yard touchdown run.

Stone fumbles on the first play, Tallent is intercepted on Alcoa’s second play, and now the Tornadoes have the ball back after a 3 and out

Stone wins the toss and will receive the kick.

Live here at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, where both Alcoa and Stone Memorial have taken the field. The press box is clearly in the midst of renovations for the state championships in December, but its still a pretty nice box with wireless and everything.
I had my doubts about coming here in December, but so far color me impressed with the folks at Tennessee Tech. This stadium and campus are pretty nice, and there does seem to be plenty of parking adjacent to the stadium. So far, the only issue was with the referees, who couldn’t find a dressing room that wasn’t locked. That was quickly remedied and in the words of one official, “They aren’t going to start without me.”
As for the game, the Panthers enter last in District 4-AA, a pedestrian 2-6 overall. Alcoa is unbeaten and well, Alcoa. Jaron Toney on artificial turf should be fun. The Tornadoes (7-0, 3-0) can clinch a playoff berth with a win.

Alcoa even brought its inflatable helmet.

GREENBACK —

Thomas Viar sneaks in for a 2 yd TD.

MW down to GB 5.

Burnette returns 41 yard INT for score.

Petty 45 yd td run.

GB drive stalls at MW 44

GB is stopped at the MW 22 just before the half ends.

Both offenses stalling.

73 yard TD run from Richard Seymour.

GB fumbles for a third time in this opening quarter. 4th and 24.

GB punts again.

Teams trade INTs.
MW gets a first down but forced to punt

Midway wins the toss and will receive.

Another Friday, another trip to Greenback. Getting set for kickoff here at Cooper Field where the ‘Kees (2-4, 0-2 Dist. 3-A) seek their fourth straight home win and first district victory against Midway (1-4, 0-2). The Green Wave have lost four straight since a 14-0 win over Wartburg Aug. 28. The only common opponent for these two so far is Harriman. Midway lost to the Blue Devils by just a touchdown, 21-14, on Sept. 4. Of course, Greenback fell to Harriman in that painful 20-18 loss two weeks ago.

Getting ready to head out for my fourth straight Greenback game, and I thought it might be time to check out the Cherokees playoff scenarios.
It doesn’t look pretty.
Greenback (2-4, 0-2 Dist. 3-A) currently sits near the bottom of District 3-A, just barely ahead of tonight’s opponent Midway (1-4, 0-2). It’s safe to say tonight’s game, and every game from here on out, is a must win. Teams make the playoffs via an automatic qualifier or wild card.
The ‘Kees have four games to go, including three in the district that are at home. To “automatically” qualify for the postseason, Greenback needs to jump over Grace Christian (4-1, 2-0) or Harriman (3-1, 2-0).
The good news is all of the Cherokees wins have come at home. The bad news is two of those games are against Grace, whose allowed seven points in district play, and Tellico Plains, a 5-1 (1-1 District 3-A) 2A school. In order to gain an automatic qualifier, Greenback needs to win all three remaining district games and hope either Harriman or Grace loses its last three. This makes that painful loss at the Blue Devils a little more excruciating. The TSSAA does a decent job of explaining automatic qualifying in each district here.
As the standings currently fall, there would be six wild cards in Class A. Greenback is in a tie for tenth based on total wins, the second tie breaker. Head-to-head is the first tie breaker, which will rarely come into play. For a full list of playoff procedures, look here. Two wins down the stretch would put the Cherokees right in the thick of things, especially considering Lookout Valley, Greenback’s opponent next week, is leading the wild card standings.
Chances for a return to the playoffs are slim, but not impossible.

ONEIDA —

GB gets onside kick.

Sellers 12 yd TD pass to burnette.

Sellers intercepted. This one’s over.

Hood takes it in from a yard out.

4th and 5 OHS at the 12.

Sellers fumble sets Oneida at the GB 14.

Willie Woodard goes 86 yards on a pass from Houston hood. Touchdown.

Sellers rolls out. Incomplete

GB has a 4th and 2 15 yards from the end zone.

GB gets a stop and great field position at the 23.

63 yd Td pass, sellers to Glenn.

Braxton Hudson gets loose for 44 yard TD rush.

Double reverse pass from Glenn to Tyler burnette sets GB at the 19 but Sellers is sacked and time expires.

GB punts and Oneida is pinned deep. Neither team has any offense in this weather.

10 yard rush by Richard Seymour ffinally produces GB first down.

Oneida has 4th and 5 at GB 38. Kees unable to move in slop.

GB has 2 drives, no first downs

Oneida’s Sam Woodard rushes in from 34 yards out.

GB 3 and out. Oneida down to the GB 20.

Oneida defers. Greenback will receive.

Live here in a sopping wet Oneida as we get set for a rivalry matchup between Greenback (2-3) and the Indians. Remember, Oneida delivered Bunkie Vanskiver and the 2008 ‘Kees their only two losses, including a 50-21 rout here in the Class 1A quarterfinals. The Indians (2-2) have won their last two by a combined score of 71-7. Of course, the Cherokees had that heart-breaking, 20-18 loss to Harriman last week. It’s getting down to must-win time for coach Justin Ridge. Trey Glenn returned to the lineup last week, and Ridge said his team is down to just four players with the flu. The only other question mark is how will Shawn Petty’s confidence rebound, and will freshman Richard Seymour reappear as a major threat? Stay tuned.

HARRIMAN —

Inman punches in from 3 yards out.

Petty fumbles on direct snap . H 3 yards from the lead.

3rd and 13 for H at midfield. GB is clicking.

67 yard Td run by Petty after a Chesser fumble.

52 yd rush by Stinnett pulls Gb within 2.

Sellers 42 yd TD pass to stinnett caps 84 yd drive. Petty really got moving this drive.

GB pinned at the 16 again.
GB stops H but a bigpunt pins ‘Kees at their own 5.

Sack ends the GB drive. H runs out the clock. A couple plays on either side are the difference. Sellers fumble on the opening drive and a stalling drive at the H30 just as Seymour was getting cranked up hurt. On the other side, Chesser’s big 4th down completion and McAbee’s 34 yd rush after he was initially stopped setup the two scores.

GB calls timeout facing 3rd and 15 at it’s own 40.

Inman falls into the end zone for the TD.

McAbee’s 34 yd second effort has H at the 2. Fourth and goal.

GB has H with a 3rd and 13 but Dimitrique Inman busts a 15 td gain.

‘Kees best drive stalls at the 30. Sellers sacked on fourth down, setting H at it’s own 42.

GB escapes, forcing a turnover on downs. ‘Kees are driving at their own 35.

Sellers goes on a knee to catch a punt attempt setting H up at the GB 22.

Travis Sellers fumbles and H marches 63 yards down the field. Mark Chesser’s 22 yard pass to Brice Mayton on 4th and 6 set up Cole McAbee’s 5 yard run.

Trey Glenn is suited up wearing 14. GB will recieve.

Set for kick and the rain has let up a little.

Here in Harriman for a Rivalry Thursday matchup between the Blue Devils and Greenback. It is pouring in Roane County. That was probably one of the worst drives I’ve had down 40 in my 1+ year here in Tennessee. Sidelines here are covered in standing water. Hopefully no sinkholes tonight.

On to the game. The Cherokees got their first-ever win over Harriman here last year, 30-22, but last year’s team is gone, 17 seniors in all. Greenback would love to get its first win in the new District 3-A and coach Justin Ridge is seeking his first career road victory following a 48-14 home thrashing of Sweetwater last Friday. Harriman has won its last two after dropping a 14-7 decision to Kingston Aug. 28.

Pretty cool story in Sports Illustrated this week about an Arkansas high school football team that doesn’t: 1. punt, 2. do a traditional kickoff, 3. kick extra points, and 4. field punts. It seems kind of insane, but it’s worked for this guy. Besides all the good points made there, that’s got to put pressure on the defense if you know they’re going for it on fourth EVERY TIME. There’s always a huge sigh of relief when you stop someone on third down. I can’t imagine having to get up for another down after that, all night long.

Two William Blount alums caught my eye this past week.
Yousef Baskin is listed as a freshman defensive back at Centre College. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound Baskin doesn’t appear to have seen any action in the Colonels first two games, including a 24-17 win over Maryville College Saturday. Baskin caught 11 balls for 172 yards and a touchdown last season as a receiver for WB.

Carson-Newman freshman golfer Melanie Manis, who advanced to the State class AAA tournament last year with the Lady Govs, tied for ninth in the Lady Falcon/McNairy Invitational in Badin, N.C. Manis shot a 79 Monday. Manis lost a chance to move up when the tournament was shortened today.

Manis is joined on the Lady Eagles by sophomore Erica Ray, a former Maryville standout. Ray tied for 36th.

Greenback may have seen the return of kicker Jeremy Miller Friday but the Cherokees still had to do without offensive coordinator Mark Streit.
The first-year assistant had to deal with a family emergency in Nashville, leaving coach Justin Ridge, primarily a defensive guru, to call the offensive plays.

“I’m not very good at it,” Ridge said. “I’ve done it before. We put a couple of extra things in this week. It’s been hard on me, just time-wise. But we understand why he’s not here and everything. It’s his offense and we just basically tried to do some things we were planning to do anyway.”
Ridge scrapped Streit’s no-huddle system because he didn’t have the time to put together the cards Streit uses each week to telegraph plays. The coach admitted the ‘Kees could’ve used that no-huddle when quarterback Travis Sellers had his team down to the Sweetwater 1-yard line in the final seconds of the first half. Sellers still punched it in for the score, but Ridge said he hopes he can have his top offensive mind back next week at Harriman.
“If anything, it wasn’t as good as what he would’ve done,” Ridge said.

Tyler Burnette has to be the early favorite for area defensive player of the week, and the senior didn’t look too shabby on offense either. The Florida transplant moved from a 6A school in the sunshine state last fall where he specialized in baseball. Burnette said he was told to play any sport he could at class A Greenback, so he picked up football.
The decision paid dividends for the Cherokees Friday. Burnette returned one of his two first quarter picks for a touchdown and caught a 34-yard pass in the second quarter for his second score of the game.
“Everybody says I’m slow,” Burnette said. “I ran as hard as I could trying to burn ‘em. I always want coach to throw me a fade and this was my first chance and I had him beat. Perfect pass by Travis.”
Ridge attested to that lack of speed, but the shortstop certainly fooled the Wildcats Friday.
“He’s only been playing football two years I think,” Ridge said. “He’s just a football player, man. He works hard and makes plays.”

Ridge’s playcalling may have led to 48 points, but it wasn’t all roses for the Cherokees offensively. The run game looked hot and cold. Freshman tailback Richard Seymour’s eventual 116 yards seemed like a fairy tale when the Cherokees ended the first quarter without a single first down.
(Hear Ridge on the ‘Kees start)
The hosts had the same problem at the start of the third quarter, stumbling around and letting Sweetwater back into the game with a Sellers fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Of course, Seymour erased any doubt with a cutting 58-yard run across the field on the next play.
“We made a couple adjustments at halftime and then the first series we had the ball we forgot the adjustments,” Ridge said. (Hear Ridge’s adjustments)

That run game was also missing senior Trey Glenn, who was in street clothes after suffering an injury at Rockwood last week. Ridge said he was hoping to to get Glenn released by doctors to play against the Blue Devils. Unfortunately for Ridge, it’s a short week with the Cherokees playing on the new made-for-television Rivalry Thursday. The coach warned his players after the game that missing just one of only three practice days this week could hurt their chances of seeing the field
“The good thing is it’s the same for them,” Ridge said. “It’s just a lot of preparation to do in three days.”

Regardless of Glenn’s status, Greenback seems to have at least found a kicker with the return of Miller. Going into Friday’s game, the Cherokees were 0-for-3 on extra point attempts and had yet to kick a field goal. Miller nailed 6-of-7 extra points against the Wildcats. Ridge pointed out those six points made a touchdown difference on the scoreboard.
“It’s huge,” Ridge said. “You don’t have to worry about a 2-point play, you just line up the play. You don’t have to think every time you score.”

———
The Cherokees left Harriman last year with a 30-22 victory, their first over the Blue Devils in school history … Ridge, in his first year as a head coach, is unbeaten in two home games with both wins coming over 3A schools. The former defensive coordinator has been outscored 58-6 in two road contests.