Notebook: Bond, Fant, Gray, Stevens nominees for U.S. Army game
MURFREESBORO — Four Rutherford County football players have been nominated for the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Riverdale's Gentry Bonds, La Vergne's Princeton Fant and Maleik Gray and Oakland's JaCoby Stevens all are nominees for the game scheduled for Jan. 7.
The athletes were nominated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee. Of the 400 nominees, 90 will be invited to the bowl game.
Bonds, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound defensive back, has around 15 offers from various schools, including several in the SEC and ACC. He had 59 tackles and four interceptions last season.
Fant, a 6-2, 215-pound receiver, has 10 offers, including several SEC schools. He missed his junior season because of a knee injury.
Gray, a 6-2, 205-pound linebacker and Class 5A Mr. Football semifinalist in 2015, has narrowed his top schools to Alabama, Florida State and Tennessee. He had 57 tackles with 10 for loss last season. He also had two sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and two defensive scores.
Stevens, a 6-2, 195-pound safety, was a Class 6A Mr. Football finalist. He's whittled his offers down to a top seven. Georgia is his current favorite. He had 84 tackles, 8.5 for loss, six interceptions and two defensive scores a year ago.
Other Tennessee nominees included MBA running back Ty Chandler, Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins, Overton defensive back Theo Jackson, Lipscomb Academy defensive lineman Rutger Reitmaier, Trezevant running back Cordarrian Richardson, Knoxville Catholic wide receiver Amari Rodgers, USJ offensive lineman Trey Smith and Lausanne defensive lineman Isaiah Stokes.
Oakland football camp sign-up info: The University of Michigan and Middle Tennessee State football coaching staffs will be working Oakland's football camp on June 14. Incoming freshmen through seniors are eligible to participate in the camp.
Cost is $60 and those wanting to participate can register at http://oaklandfootballcamps.weebly.com/.
Smyrna concession stand dedicated: Smyrna High has added to its soccer facility in the spring. One of the few dedicated high school soccer fields in the county added a concession stand after receiving a grant from the Richard Siegel Foundation.
The program also received help from TEAM Electric, Home Depot in Smyrna, Lowe's in Smyrna and Jay-Vee Home Improvement.
"We really appreciate the support from the community," said Brian Grogran, Smyrna boys soccer coach. "For smaller sports, this wouldn't be possible. This means a lot for our program and the community."
Putty MVP: MTCS' Asfaw Putty was named the District 9-A/AA's South Division Offensive MVP. He was joined on the all-district team by teammates Abu Azath and Trey Lashlee.
Shoemaker MVP: Central Magnet senior Kyle Shoemaker was recently named the District 8-A/AA West Division's MVP. He was joined on the all-district team by teammates Zavior Phillips, Jacob Apigian, Max Finley and Luis Sanchez. Finn Mullen and Elijah Barrit were named to the second team.
Cannon County's Jake Walkup was named to the first team. Justin Hill and Reece Wisdom were second-team honorees.
9-A softball honors: Eagleville's Bailey Alexander and Hannah Brown were named to the All-District 9-A softball team. Kassidy Burks and Shi Knox were each named honorable mention. MTCS' Caitlyn Bolin was named to the all-district team. Teammate Kinsley Welker was honorable mention.
Former mayor helps La Vergne freshman: Former La Vergne Mayor Seanna Mosley recently gave La Vergne freshman softball player Madison Gossman a letter of recommendation for college admittance and advocating for scholarships.
Gossman is former Junior Miss La Vergne winner and was an ambassador for La Vergne from 2012-13.
Gossman has a 4.0 GPA and recently received state academic honors from the TSSAA.
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.