ScottShasteen

Expect Region 4-4A to be as strong as ever this year with the exception of Maplewood. I don't believe they will return to their heights of two years ago. Marshall Co., Nolensville, and Tullahoma return solid numbers of starters. Expect those three to finish as the top three seeds in 4-4A. DeKalb is the team to beat in 3-4A in my opinion. Remember, two of the previous three years, 4-4A swept 3-4A in the opening round of the playoffs. Last year may have been a fluke. Sleeper in 4A? Look no further than Tullahoma, the school I have done play-by-play for 35 years. The Wildcats have their entire line back (I'm talking like eight or nine guys), a dual-threat junior QB in Ryan Scott, a legitimate D1 prospect in Jakobe Thomas, a dynamic, playmaking defensive leader in linebacker Justin Scott, and a couple of transfers who could be the missing pieces. The schedule is tough for Tullahoma, with trips to Marshall Co. and Maplewood, but the Wildcats get Nolensville at home.

Complete domination from the Wildcats for 48 minutes in 35-0 win over Coffee County in 94th Coffee Pot contest. Senior Brian Nelms honored before the game by U.S. Marines Great American Rivalry Series, then after the game as MVP. Also named our MVP on the broadcast. Wildcat defense held Red Raiders to 75 yards total offense, while racking up 440 yards themselves. Nelms had 12 carries for 125 yards, QB Fulton was 12-17 for 160 yards and 2 TD. Region 4-4A play opens this week with Marshall County coming to Wilkins Stadium on THURSDAY night. If you can't make it to the game, listen on Rooster 101.5, or rooster1015.com, or the new Rooster Radio app. Who you got?

My 25th year of broadcasting Tullahoma Wildcat football begins Thursday night when the 'Cats travel to Shelbyville to battle the Golden Eagles at 7pm. Hear all Tullahoma games live on Rooster 101.5 or download the Rooster Radio app in your favorite app store. Ken Keller and I would love to have you listen in.

One of the biggest regular season wins in John Olive's 25 years at Tullahoma. There was nothing cheap or fluky about it. The Wildcats overcame two turnovers and double-digit penalties. Wildcat junior QB Ben Fulton was our Player of the Game. He was unflappable despite a strong rush from Marshall Co. much of the night. Didn't have huge numbers, but his 55 yards rushing and no sacks was critical. Tullahoma's defense was outstanding, especially Samari Layne and Ty Cox. Kaleb Stroop had an interception on Marshall County's final drive that sealed the win for Tullahoma. Stroop has a knack for making big plays when the 'Cats need it most. Tullahoma will travel to Franklin County next week for another big non-region rivalry game. After that, it's Spring Hill at home. How will the Wildcats handle being favored?

Both Tullahoma and Shelbyville scored at will in the first quarter, with the Wildcats' Briason Corn carrying half the Golden Eagles' defense into the end zone for a 14-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter to give the 'Cats a 13-10 lead. Shelbyville responded with a 6-play, 87-yard drive and scored when their RB fumbled the ball into the end zone and the Golden Eagles recovered, taking a 17-13 lead they would not relinquish. Tullahoma only had six possessions during the final three quarters, ending in missed FG, punt, punt, INT, 4th down try, and INT. Caleb Marsh was outstanding for Shelbyville at RB, gaining 222 yards on 22 carries. Trammel completed 18-27 for 256 yds and 3 TD. Arius Trice had 10 catches for 133 yds and Burns had 5 for 82 yards and 2 INT. For the Wildcats, Ben Fulton completed 21-30 for 176 yds and the two picks. Corn gained 108 yards on 23 carries and scored twice, but was held to 18 yards on 10 carries in the second half. Race Marin caught four for 38 yards and Hunter Palmer 5 for 28. I was really impressed with two areas that Shelbyville has struggled with in the past - kicking game and tackling. Corley has a powerful leg as the placekicker and Day gets great hang time punting the football. The Golden Eagles hit hard and wrap up when they tackle, much better than they have in recent years. Justin Palmer has got Shelbyville headed in the right direction. The Wildcats took their lumps in the first start for their junior QB, although he was very accurate. He did take a couple of sacks that he will have to learn to avoid, and the Wildcats need to find more ways to get the ball to Burks, Thomas, Marin and Ross. Their total touches combined was 10. Tullahoma was beaten at the line of scrimmage and could not tackle Marsh right to end, as he rambled for 48 yards on the last play of the game. Tullahoma will host Coffee County Friday in the 93rd edition of the Coffee Pot series, with kickoff at 7pm at Wilkins Stadium. If you can't make it, or even if you do make it, listen to the broadcast on 101.5 The Rooster or download the free app.

Tullahoma put the hammer down on Warren County 54-8 in last night's scrimmage at Wilkins Stadium. Briason Corn was unstoppable at running back and Ben Fulton found multiple receivers, including running free in the secondary. Except for a tipped interception attempt that resulted in a Warren County first down near the end zone, the Pioneers would not have scored. Keep your eye on Tullahoma sophomore JaKobe(?) Thomas. My takeaway is the Wildcats definitely have some playmakers and their linebackers are a real strength. The Pioneers are really bad and will struggle to win a game.

Region 4-4A will once again be one of the toughest 4A regions top to (almost) bottom in the state. Don't be surprised if the race for the four playoff spots once again goes down to the final Friday night of the regular season, and don't be surprised if 4-4A once again sweeps Region 3-4A in the first round of the playoffs. In my opinion Maplewood and Nolensville are the teams to beat. The Panthers, behind third-year starting QB Bobo Hodges, have added D1 prospects and may be the fastest team in the region. The Knights have their first senior class and all 22 starters potentially returning, led by QB Brandon Wharton, but they must adjust to a new head coach. Marshall County features Bryce Wallace at QB and the Tigers certainly know how to win playoff games if they can get to the postseason. Spring Hill is very talented, but they have to learn how to stay focused for a full 10 game schedule under a new head coach. Tullahoma, the team I have done play-by-play for off and on since 1984, is the wild card in the region. The Wildcats return 16 starters and have better team speed and strength than they have had in the past five or six years. They must replace QB Nic Barstad and RB Amauri Burks, but the Cats should be better defensively. Can they beat one of the four teams above and earn a playoff spot? Lawrence County is in a downward cycle when it comes to quality athletes, but David Marston always has the Wildcats playing up to their potential. My dead period prediction is: 1. Maplewood 2. Nolensville 3. Marshall County 4. Tullahoma 5. Spring Hill 6. Lawrence County Your thoughts?

Tullahoma went toe-to-toe with the Tigers and was one successful lateral away from scoring a game-tying TD. Ultimately, Marshall Co. RB Kamron Liggett and QB Bryce Wallace were able to gain too much yardage on the ground. Tullahoma's run defense must improve heading into Friday night's matchup with Wing-T running Franklin County. Amauri Burks and Nic Barstad continue to lead a Wildcat offense that is averaging 37 points a game. Based on results these first three weeks around Region 4-4A, Tullahoma has a solid opportunity to be in position to host a first-round playoff game.

Your best football option today at 3pm is Marshall County at Tullahoma on 93.9 FM, 939theduck.com or the free app. The Wildcats have started 2-0 for the first time since 2005. Marshall County lost a close one to a fine Cane Ridge team and beat Shelbyville handily. Tullahoma has yet to put together four quarters of football, yet has managed to win both games with big plays and big defensive stops in the fourth quarter. QB Nic Barstad, RB/DB Amauri Burks, WR/DB Race Marin, WR/DB Kobe Burks and WR/DB John Moore have all shown the ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball. The Tigers are ranked #4 in the state in Class 4A behind QB Bryce Wallace and RB Kamron Liggett. Can the 'Cats contain Wallace and Liggett on a wet track at Wilkins Stadium? Can the Tigers keep the ball out of the hands of Tullahoma's playmakers, and if they don't can they catch them? This game could go a long way in determining who hosts opening-round playoff games in November. Join Ken Keller and me on the call. It should be a fun one.

Head Coach John Olive enters his 25th year leading the Wildcats program. He sports a 154-113 record at Tullahoma and 180-128 overall as a head coach. The Cats will be extremely young with only seven or eight seniors. There is good depth at the skill positions and a senior quarterback who can make all the throws. The biggest question mark is the offensive line, but early indications are they are more physical than in past seasons. Tullahoma opens with two arch rivals on the road; Shelbyville (Thursday, Aug. 17) and Coffee County, before hosting powerful Marshall Co. for the home opener in Week 3. Hear Wildcat football on 93.9 The Duck or right here: http://www.939theduck.com. Or download the free app from you app store and listen anytime, anywhere.

Tullahoma traveled to the University of the South on Friday to scrimmage Walker Valley. The Wildcats fell something like 35-14 or so. It was more competitive than last year's scrimmage and I think Walker Valley is better. Tullahoma will host Warren County this Friday for the annual 'Fan Feast' at Wilkins Stadium.

No question Marshall County is the team to beat this year, although I don't think anybody in 4-4A will beat them. Giles County and Spring Hill should battle it out for second. However, in that race for the fourth and final playoff spot I think Tullahoma will be very competitive with Page and Lawrence County. You think these young Cats are going to be similar to last year's squad, but you are misguided. There's a renewed energy about this team, and they will be very competitive against their non-district rivals (Coffee Co., Franklin Co., Shelbyville and Lincoln Co.), which by the way are all in larger classifications except that Week 10 trip to Pearl-Cohn (OUCH).

Tullahoma's early roster shows 10 seniors, 9 juniors and 19 sophomores. Sounds like a pretty young team to me. Surprisingly low numbers for a 4A program. Once again this year you can expect a number of freshmen to play varsity minutes. Don't sleep on these Cats.

To point out that a team may have sophomores starting at literally half the positions on each side of the ball is not using youth as an excuse for what may or may not be a good or bad season. It is simply pointing out a fact. They sleep while we work.

Don't sleep on those Tullahoma Wildcats. A huge freshman class that played a lot of varsity football last year in now a year older and wiser. Many will play significant minutes as sophomores. The junior and senior classes are not large in numbers but there are some very talented players. The key to the Wildcats' season is their early non-region games against their biggest rivals. Coffee Co., Franklin Co. and Shelbyville all come to Wilkins Stadium in the first month. If Tullahoma can win one or two or three of those it should help the confidence of this young squad and they will make the playoffs. If they can't get a win in that first month then it could be another long season.

The same haters and complainers always come out when Murphy's magazine is released. Nobody else will put the time and effort to send out surveys, collect them, write the stories, compile the polls, list the coaching records, academic teams, all-state teams, sell the advertisements, assemble the finished product and get it to the printer, and finally drive from one end of the state to the other hand delivering the finished product. The book is 30 pages larger than last year, yet there are still some coaches who refuse to participate for whatever reason. The region and classification polls are determined by how coaches vote in those regions and classifications. Murphy determines the preseason all-state teams. Monday you can pick up your copy at Sports Plus, 701 N. Atlantic St., Tullahoma.

Coming off the only winless season in school history, it will be easy for pundits to ignore the Tullahoma Wildcats when the conversation turns to 4A playoff potential and Region 4-4A possibilities. Not so fast my friend. The Cats play four of their first five games in the friendly confines of Wilkins Stadium. Three of those four are against Tullahoma's most intense rivals - Coffee Co., Franklin Co. and Shelbyville. Note that none of the three are region opponents, which is part of Tullahoma's problem with its region placement. It's non-region games are its closest rivals. All focus is on the season opener - the 99th edition of the Coffee Pot game against Coffee Co. What happens opening night could go a long way in determining how the rest of the season plays out. For the first time in my 30+ years of covering Wildcat football, the Cats were completely outmanned last year by the Red Raiders. If that happens again it could be a long season in T-town. But I believe the Wildcats will compete in that opener, and I believe Tullahoma has a chance to win half its games and return to the playoffs. Coffee Co., Franklin Co., Shelbyville, Page, Spring Hill, Lawrence Co. and Lincoln Co. are all games that the Cats should have a chance to win. Admittedly, Marshall Co., Giles Co. and Pearl-Cohn are going to be huge challenges for a very young Tullahoma team that will likely have sophomores at half its starting positions on both sides of the ball. As John Olive prepares for his 24th season at the helm of the program, there is a renewed sense of dedication and focus. This is a young team that should get better as the season goes along, and a team that could surprise some folks this fall. Can Tullahoma end its 11-game losing streak and upset Coffee Co. in the season opener? Can the Cats make the playoffs?

The Tigers will be a big test for the young Wildcats, trying to avoid their second straight 0-3 start. Last year in game three they looked like a different team, taking Shelbyville to the wire. Can the Wildcats stage another turnaround? Marshall County appears to have the edge in every facet of the game, excect perhaps on the sidelines. On the other hand, you can't out-coach speed and that is one area the Wildcats are short on. Tullahoma's pass defense has not been tested in the first two weeks but it certainly will be Friday night. The Tigers like to throw the ball down the field and the 'Cats will struggle to stop that. Tullahoma needs its rushing game to control the clock with long drives, much like they did last week before self destructing in the fourth quarter. Listen Friday on the Ticket - 105.1 FM, AM 740, theticketradio.com, the Tune In Radio app, or in Tullahoma on LightTUBe channel 11.

Here's an idea. Let's talk about the football game. Friday night at 7 at Carden-Jarrell Field in Manchester. Listen to it on www.theticketradio.com. The series began in 1924 and this is the 90th meeting between these two schools separated by Crumpton Creek. The Coffee Pot label and trophy for the annual meeting came along in the 1930's. After winning seven of the first 12 meetings, Coffee County has never led the series since. Tullahoma reeled off 10 in a row between 1936-47 and went 24-7 between 1936-68. After Coffee County won 10 of the next 14, Tullahoma has reeled off a 27-5 streak since 1983. This year's game has been included in the 'Great American Rivalry' series sponsored by the U.S. Army, and the Heisman Trophy is going to be on display courtesy of Nissan. These former district rivals are now two classifications apart. The Red Raiders are part of the Super 32 slotted in Region 2. Tullahoma is a member of Region 4-4A along with Lawrence Co., Spring Hill, Marshall Co., Page and Giles Co. Coffee Co. QB Alontae Taylor is in the spotlight after a spendid freshman campaign and Head Coach Ryan Sulkowski has done a great job of injecting excitement and expectation into the Manchester program. Tullahoma lost a lot players and has been projected to finish outside the playoff chase in its new region. Never underestimate a John Olive-coached team. Last year the Wildcats were left for dead after getting blown out their first two games, but rallied to finish .500 and go the playoffs. Coffee Co. is clearly the favorite here, which puts the pressure on the Red Raiders to end a seven-game losing streak.

The Class 2A state-wide preview show will air again this afternoon at 4pm on The Ticket.

Tullahoma has played multiple games that were featured on the Thursday broadcasts in year's past, and as good as it might sound to 'just wing it' selecting games, you have to consider what it takes to change a game from Friday to Thursday. They can't just wing it from week to week. Schools have to prepare for Thursday night games if in fact they are going back to Thursday. IMHO, Spring Hill will get a sizable Region 4-4A win over Page.

Tullahoma showed improvement during Friday's four-way scrimmage against White Co., Smith Co. and Trousdale Co. The Wildcats are very inexperienced but they have a really good group of young players coming through the ranks. Never count a John Olive team out.

As the play-by-play voice of the Tullahoma Wildcats for 30 years, we are excited about the 'Cats' move to Class 4A in 2015. Although the new Region 4-4A will be extremely competitive and may be tougher from top to bottom than our former District 8-AAA, the Tullahoma program has consistently proven it can compete and be a frequent playoff participant wherever it is placed. All six teams in the new Region 4-4A made the playoffs in 2014. Tullahoma's 2015 schedule: 1 8/21 Coffee County Manchester 2 8/28 Franklin County Winchester 3 9/4 Marshall County* Wilkins Stadium 4 9/11 Shelbyville Shelbyville 5 9/18 Spring Hill* Spring Hill 6 9/25 Lincoln County Wilkins Stadium 7 10/2 Page* Franklin 8 10/9 OPEN 9 10/16 Lawrence County* Wilkins Stadium 10 10/23 Pearl Cohn Wilkins Stadium 11 10/30 Giles County* Wilkins Stadium

Too much speculation here without current enrollment numbers. After speaking with the head coach last night, I feel certain that Tullahoma will NOT move up to 5A as most are suggesting. Enrollment is down to 1015 after two weeks of school. Why would they choose to have to beat teams with 500 more students to reach the playoffs when they are slotted to play teams close to their size. Travel? Every other year Tullahoma goes to Columbia, Lawrenceburg, Nashville, Cookeville, Tyner ,etc... Take out those trips and replace them with Hillsboro, Spring Hill, Summit, etc...It's about the same size as the Cats. They will still likely schedule their closest rivals - Coffee Co., Franklin Co. and Shelbyville. In a seven-team district they would have one more non-district game and would likely choose between Warren Co., White Co., Giles Co., etc. I think it would be wise for the Wildcats to stay where they are slotted.

I'm gonna try and break some of this down with Dennis Weaver beginning at 5pm on theticketradio.com.