TankTalk

Congratulations on the win, was lucky enough to see this game and I haven't been more proud of a team in a long time. The seniors from Harriman who have hung in there despite the losing seasons, should be commended. One more thing...Mr. Jonathan Jones from Sequoyah is indeed the real deal. Wake Forrest is getting a fantastic football player.

Some have questioned my stance on the entire Kingston witch hunt, so this will be my final post on it. I have always tried to maintain a high morality in my work...and perhaps I am totally wrong on this. From day one, I have understood the hard work and dedication our young student-athletes put into representing their communities. I therefore made it my goal to make sure these young men and women would get nothing but my best in shining the spotlight on them in both the classroom and the field and/or court of battle. Hazing is wrong. Period. Zero Tolerance is wrong. Period. I hear stories of a young kid who may accidentally bring fingernail clippers to school, then getting a year expulsion. That's wrong. We have to get a better grasp on this entire tolerance issue. With that, we should then make sure we both put in place and enforce any fair rules on the matter. I ran into coach King tonight in Knoxville, as we were both visiting one of our favorite eating establishments. I pulled him to the side and talked with him. I told him the half a game suspension, was not right...he explained to me the entire story, from his side. He now has to live with that decision. I think it is wrong that because of this terrible situation...this lone situation, that so many are wanting to both hang coach King and these young kids on a cross. I will ALWAYS take the side of a man who has helped produce so many great individuals for the county in which I live. I have known Vic King a heck of a long time. Vic King has always treated me...and everyone I know with the utmost respect and has always been very honest with me. I know countless...I mean countless young men who have went through the man's program...and they would do anything for him. I will also ALWAYS take the side of our athletes. I take the side of the athletes who were hazed, and the side of the athletes who made such a terrible mistake. How can I do that? I can hope and pray that they do indeed learn a valuable lesson and from that, they become better people. If everyone had given up on me because of one mistake, there is no telling what or where I might be right now. Thank God, those around me never did. Thank God, we as adults (and children) have an opportunity to have coaches like Vic who will put aside what will happen to him, and will not give up on either group of kids in this situation. I never try to say that my side is the right way. But I have my convictions and my beliefs. I love high school athletics and anytime a black eye like this is sustained, it hurts. It hurts more when it happens so close to home. My wish is that everyone involved can learn and move on. I also hope that we can put aside any pettiness and judgemental behavior (let's face it folks, it's not our place to judge people) and try to re-focus on the positive of high school sports. Dwelling on our mistakes can never be a good thing.

I would listen, but that Oak Ridge play-by-play guy...I just don't know about him.

Tom is right about Jonathan Jones. If he was in a school or area that got a little more coverage, or on a better team, he would be talked about as one of the state's best. I would love for him to get a little more intensity and realize the potential he does have. He is tall (6'4"ish), has an incredible vertical leap and has fantastic hands. He has the frame that he could be around 225 or 230 in college and be a standout player. Because I am more familiar with him than others in the area, I have to put him high on my list. Monroe County has a hidden gem in Jeffery Moore as well. Moore is around 6'1", 185 and has very deceptive speed. He is a real sleeper and showed out at the Tennessee camp during the summer. He did so well in fact, the great pumpkin happened to be watching and got Jeffery's attention. He asked the young man who all was involved in the recruiting process...so he opened some eyes. He catches the ball as well as anyone I have seen in this year's class, but once again I don't have the chance to see everyone play.

Hopefully they will get someone in there soon. The timing was just terrible on my part...but you have to do what is best for your family. Monroe County is a wonderful place and I look forward to continuing many friendships I have made there.

Well, opinions vary...and I would guess if you asked anyone with knowledge of the Sweetwater football team, he would be considered one of the "stars" of the team. You can take the term however you like it, but there is no doubt he is one of the biggest keys to success for the Wildcats this year. The fact that he will probably finish as one of the highest ground gainers in East Tennessee history could lead one to call him a star as well.

I think Sweetwater has a freshman that has some potential in Craig Latham. The cousin of current star Dustin Latham, Craig has incredible moves and cutback ability already in his young career. Of course, it will take a great work ethic and honing of those skills to take it to the next level. He has that chance.

Actually, Rockwood won that scrimmage. I don't think Jones played, but don't know for sure. I think the varsity score was 16-13 Rockwood in the game. This Friday, Sequoyah will host Copper Basin at 5 p.m.

I appreciate it...and I wish you the best as well.

Yeah, for some reason they really fought it, but I am pretty sure they are going to let him come back. A few applied, but none with any real experience. To me, it seems like a perfect fit. He is a Monroe County fella, knows everyone and the sports readers love him to death. He is coming back in again this week to speak with them, but if I was a betting man, I would lay money that he will eventually get it. I wish they wouldn't drag their feet though, with the season already here.

I appreciate that very much. It was such a tough decision and hopefully the newspaper staff has learned a lesson. I think they have...and some exciting changes will be taking place. You all may finally get some sports pages down there...after me beating my head against the wall and fighting with them weekly about that. I have a feeling, after a very very strong recommendation by me, they are going to bring Tinker back. Although he writes a novel-like stories the man is a workhorse. I just couldn't justify to my family working the hours they wanted me to work for the pay they were giving. Tink man lives there local and will do an amazing job for you guys. I will be around and when I do I expect a microphone!!

Yeah, the Sweetwater/Catholic scrimmage was a track meet...or a display of two terrible defenses. Probably a mixture of both, but as expected Sweetwater will be devestating on the ground and Mason, who has really filled out and looks impressive at quarterback, could do some damage through the air. At Sequoyah, Rockwood started the scrimmage with a 70-yard scoring drive and Sequoyah answered with one of their own. Rockwood came right back with a big play to score then both defenses settled down. Rockwood hit a 30-yard field goal and the Chiefs sustained a drive to score late. As for Tellico Plains and Greenback, the young man who was covering that for me...declined to meet deadline and I haven't been able to get hold of coach Puryear yet to get some information.

Is there a monetary fine? It's not like the TSSAA to hand down punishment that doesn't include cash being exchanged.

The past two or three seasons, trainers at games have been using water one quarter, gatorade the next quarter...etc. I guess they have figured out a nice mixture of both is the best way to go.

The Goose man lost his grandmother and it will leave a tremendous void in his family. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and/or prayers. Goose is quite an asset to high school sports and those of us in this part of East Tennessee fully understand and appreciate all he means to our sporting life.

Appreciate it! thumb

Are you sure about that Sequoyah scrimmage? The Chiefs are scheduled to be playing in the Loudon Jamboree that night...I think.

Word I get...Marion County principal would not allow the funding for the bus trip. Coach Rhodes said they were going to try and find another team for the scrimmage.

Little Monday bump...

Little Sunday bump...

It is VERY important for me to get in contact with high ranking members of the booster club and/or coaching staff at Anderson County High School. Time is getting short and since I have just climbed on board full-time at Channel 12, I have a fantastic fundraiser and way to get the audio for the Mavericks live on the air for those who can't attend. Please email me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so I can give you the details and we can get working on this quickly. [email protected]

Thank God someone finally said something...

Talked with Sweetwater's coach today...and the three-way with them, Marion and Catholic is in Sweetwater. I got a little confused on this, but think that's the right information.

I see Harriman winning two games and losing two close ones. Two wins isn't anything to write home about, but it will be a vast improvement and perhaps begin the turnaround going into 1A during the 2005 season.

Yep, according to my shoddy math, I have Harriman in 1A quite easily. On the subject of this season, I still see Harriman struggling with their schedule. I do think they have a chance to break the losing streak and winning a couple of games. I also think they have a chance to not finish in the cellar of the region, but not vying for a playoff slot.