tnhssports

I was up there yesterday at Columbia State and there were several area teams playing. There was some good games and the girls looked really good. Are they going to make the other games up next weekend or do the teams who didn't play get a refund?

The Mt. Pleasant athletic program has finally turned around here in Maury County. The football team had a fantastic year and now the basketball team is off to an amazing start. Led by Coach Boyd, the Tigers are off to their best start in over a decade. Dee, Kee, Adonis, Jamarcus, Neylan, and Larry are really playing well together and tearing teams apart. They are undefeated and have an average margin of victory by over 17 points. Look out Wayne Co., the Tigers are ready for you!

The only legitimate excuse Oak Ridge fans have is that Riverdale's defense stuck it to them all night, especially late. The Wildcats had 3 chances to score last night in the fourth quarter and beat Riverdale, but the Warriors defense was just too strong for us. With second and goal, Scott got blitzed hard and just couldn't get it over the linebackers hand there at the end. The DE made a great play to get his hands on the ball and seal the game for Riverdale. Oak Ridge's defense played good other than allowing the two big runs by Frazier and Thomas, which absolutely killed them. Keep your head up boys, I enjoyed watching a couple of your games and kept up with you throughout the year. Keep dominating Region 2 5A and be proud of that 12-2 record, it was a great year. Good luck Riverdale against Germantown next week! You guys are class acts and have a great team.

The Loretto Lady Mustangs look great after defeating Wayne County 64-46 and Collinwood 47-46. They are led by Rachel and Leah Stone, Jana Cross, Paige Hannah, Laura Birdyshaw, and the lean mean Green girls. The Lewis County Lady Panthers are off to the programs first 4-0 start in over 37 years. They are led by Britni Tenison, Delisha Brugman, and Nicole Duncan. These two teams meet this Tuesday in what could be the game that decides which team wins the District 9AA title at the end of the year. Who will be undefeated after this game? I'd like to hear some comments and opinions.

I have heard that both teams are down from what they have traditionally been in the past. It should be a pretty decent game, but from what I've seen and heard from both camps the Panthers are probably too big for the Wildcats to handle. I will take the Panthers by 18.

I heard several of Coach Bobby Sharp's assistants (at least 3) were accepting administrative positions in Lewis County and were no longer going to coach football. Where does this leave the team in 2003 and will this hurt the Panther's in any way?

Roddy was an avid Mt. Pleasant football and basketball supporter and fan. He truly loved the game and would probably have worked for free. He loved the game that much.

You must be one of the transfers to Lewis County. The tough coach you are referring to is whom? There have been several names mentioned from Lewis County on this thread. Is it Spivey, Watkins, Hill, or another? Do you know if they have met with Wolaver yet? Who, as a former player, do you feel would be the best fit at MPHS? Isn't it ironic? Supposedly Sharp "steals" players from MPHS, now MPHS may "steal" a coach from Sharp.

I have continued discussing with several people at various locations in Maury County the football situation in Mt. Pleasant. Individuals at WXRQ (1460-AM), the Daily Herald, the Maury County Central Office, MPHS, and those on the booster club have all voiced their opinions and they all have different views concerning who the next head football coach should be. To answer the previous post, I have heard several names which haven't been mentioned on here but are still hopefuls to some of those close to the situation. They include people already a part of MPHS such as (Andre Baker, Randy McNeese, Mike Dugger, Mike West, and former Def. Cord. Bobby Winston). Of course the majority of people do favor local hero Eddie Bassham, who proved to be a success at middle school football and high school baseball. Still many want a new look from someone at a successful program nearby, such as coaches and asst. coaches at Wayne, Lewis, and Perry County's. The one thing that surprised me was that some locals are still upset at the loss of Coach Dugger, who feel he was "ran-off" by crazed and irate parents like the Kelly's who feel they or their kids could do a better job running the program than the coaches. This is something all applicants must be very wary of. Regardless of public opinion, it is Mr. Wolaver's that counts. Whomever he decides will inherit a very talented and potentially powerful squad that should compete with most anyone in the years to come.

When exactly was the deadline for applications? I know it's sometime in February, but not sure the exact date. I've talked with some assistant coaches from different Davidson County schools who'd like to apply. Two are from Maury County and would like to have a chance to move back down there.

Coach Douglas is definitely one of the best assistanct coaches in the state! He works so hard and does a fantastic job. I have heard from several insiders as well that he was taking over the offensive coordinator job over at CA. I would have to agree that Region 6-A better watch out for the bulldogs if he is put in charge of running the offense.

Kristy is really an amazing player (Nashville Xtreme Edge 14U) as well as her sister Amanda (Xtreme Edge 16U). They are both superb catchers and can knock the laces off the ball. They are the best sister-sport's duo since the William's sisters.

After reading various posts on CoachTand hearing numerous rumors from the locals since Coach Dugger made his retirement official last week, I am going to offer my input on the situation and who I feel wouldn't and would be the best choice for the job. Jim Hamilton - this native "son" would fit in well with parents and school officials. However some locals feel he is too lenient and would be another Dugger after the new wore off. I would pass on him this time around. Eddie Bassham - the logical choice due to Maury County's tight budget and the dedication he has given to MPHS over the years. However many insiders feel he doesn't have the desire to be the head coach and is currently focusing on winning the state title in baseball. Dewitt Whittaker ˜ the former Tiger coach is not very interested in coming home as he was shafted his last time there. He is still holding a grudge, as he should, and wouldn˜t give Wolaver the pleasure of throwing his application in the garbage thus being insulted once again. Bill Cox ˜ the legendary veteran coach is happy with his current situation and administrators feel this job will be much to stressful for a man in his health and is looking for someone young and energetic. Ricky Rice ˜ this front runner to many is known to turn teams around in short periods of time, something the Tigers desperately need. He˜s young and energetic and would be a new face around town. However he is dedicated to turning the Perry County Vikings around which he hasn˜t been able to do yet. I believe he˜ll stay there for a couple more years until they are winners and then make the leap to a bigger program and reap the rewards. Trent Hill ˜ a former Maury Countian who apparently is interested in the Mt. Pleasant position. However Wolaver is looking for someone with more experience on the field and has held a key coaching position before. His time is coming, perhaps as the next offensive coordinator at Lewis County. Tim Watkins ˜ the current offensive coordinator at Lewis County is my favorite for the job. He is young, energetic, and knows the famous and unstoppable wing-T offense as as good or better than anyone in the mid-state. As many have already mentioned, the wing-T could be deadly when ran to perfection at MPHS. He can take this job without having to move from his home. Also he could take along a couple of the Panther˜s great coaching staff without them having to move as well. The only problem I see in hiring Watkins is the budget problems. Please give feedback on these picks and any information you have heard on this situation.

I spoke with some MPHS insiders over the weekend and they are thrilled a new coach will head the reigns there next year. While not many applications are in yet, there has been several people mentioned who would supposedly like to turn this program around. With the budget crisis lingering in Maury County, some feel a coach outside the MC school system will not be a possibility. If that's the case there are a number of coaching assistants from around the county who'd love to get their start working with a potential 1A powerhouse like the Tigers. Assistants from Spring Hill, Columbia Central, and Mt. Pleasant would seem to be some of the logical choices. However many feel Mr. Wolaver will use his clout to get whoever he believes will be the best fit for the job whether they be from Maury County or anywhere else in the mid-state. Some successful programs with great assistant coaches outside Maury County but close to and familiar with the Mt. Pleasant area are those from Collinwood, Wayne County, Lewis County, and Lawrence County. While Rickey Rice and Eddie Bassham may appear to be the front-runners to some, any assistant coach from one of these schools would be more than suitable for the job.

This does look like one of the good games in AA action tonight. The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 1 point loss to the boys in Lincoln County after a late fourth quarter rally and the Panthers were recently defeated by the guys from Loretto. Marshall lost several starters but has a squad of big-game experienced players from last years state tourney squad. Lewis is off to a decent start and from what I hear could be off to a 5-0 record, with their only setbacks coming from a 2-point loss to Wayne County and not being able to withstand a last ditch effort by the Mustangs after a wild fourth quarter. It should be a great battle and one I look forward to hearing about on Saturday.