Cubs to honor coach during home games

The Cheatham County Central Cubs have set a plan in place to honor coach J.R. Rogers at each home game this season.

Rogers was a T-DOT HELP operator and a Cheatham County Central High football coach, and he was struck by a passing car on I-40 on Christmas Eve while he was helping a motorist change a tire.

For each home game this season, one player has been chosen to wear No. 31, Rogers' number from his playing days with the Cubs.

For the Aug. 18 game against Hunters Lane, Ray Ray Sweatt will have the honor of wearing No. 31. Landon Barnes will wear the jersey for the Aug. 25 game against Creek Wood. Walker Bunce will wear No. 31 for the Sept. 15 game against Harpeth. Jordan Hoffman will have the honor for the Oct. 6 game against Greenbrier, and Shawn Singleton will wear 31 for the Oct. 20 game against Stewart County.

"When tragedies like this hit your community and your team, there is always the struggle of wanting to honor and remember your loved one, but also allowing the healing process to happen for everyone," said Coach Jeff Hobbs. "We had been approached a few times about retiring the No. 31, but we decided the best way to honor JR was to wear that number; wear it on our home field, on the grass that Coach Rogers loved so much, and let it be worn by some of the players that mirror the values and school spirit that JR was known for."