sheppy

Congrats to NEHS baseball team for winning the region title last night and having the opportunity to play for an opportunity to play in the state baseball tournament next week in the 'Boro. Head Coach DUSTIN SMITH, his assistant's and players have had a great season and are peaking at the right time. It has been 20 years since they have had this opportunity. 20 years ago I sat in Engle stadium in Chattanooga and watched NEHS play the Halls Red Devils in the first round. My son played for HHS and Doug Polston, baseball coach, was one of my assistant football coaches. The game was very exciting and HHS pulled out the "W". This year, I'm pulling for the EAGLES to again make it to the state. The pitcher for NEHS 20 years ago was DUSTIN SMITH, the same man that is NEHS head coach. When you talk about pride in a program, well folks it don't get any better than DS. Good luck EAGLES, T. N. P.!!!

Prayers to Coach Newby's family. Knew him originally from his TPS days. Excellent football coach even better man. RIP Coach Newby.

Pretty simple math to me. JDS was making $45-46,000 at APSU. He offered a former player more than $50,000 to come be an assistant coach and teach at CA. Former player turned him down. Offered $55,000. Former player thinking more about it now! Now if JDS is offering assistant's $55,000 +/-, don't you think JDS is getting a substantial pay raise over $45-46,000 from APSU. And on another note. This is Gary Shephard and I'm not mad about the situation that happened to me 7 years ago at CA. Truth be known, my wife and family didn't want me leaving Halls HS in the first place. My Mom took priority, just like my Dad is taking priority for the past 3 years. Should have left CA when Rick first offered me the job at APSU in 2007, when he first had an opening. That was a dumb #### mistake on my part. AND STILL NOT MAD ABOUT IT. Advice to JDS - don't make anybody mad on 2nd St. (Yes, I know it's Second St. and I was educated in public schools)

Everything that has been printed above is spot on. All colleges have a box and that box is by position...height, weight, speed. As a college coach for 15 years, I always felt that college coaches never looked outside the box except on rare instances. Your son can play at some school. Now being realistic, can he play at UT, ALA, Clemson, probably not going to be recruited and offered a full ride, but have been instances where his size has been overlooked because he is the best at his position. Don't remember the young man's name but Tenn. signed an center from Killeen, Tx. back in the 90's because he was the "best" they had ever seen. Left after 1 year and went to SFA, I think. Be realistic and don't rule any school out, because the one you eliminate, might be the only one at the end of the day, that really wants your son to play for them. Good luck and tell your son to keep working in the classroom, weight room and on the field.

Today?

What mass exodus are you referring to? Some, at least 1 showed up, at least 1 cancelled.

Had some in-person interviews scheduled yesterday. Some showed up, some cancelled.

Hawktime, The only reason for my post was this, the author of the article was Mike Robinson. Mike works for 5 Star Radio which owns the rights to ESPN, Clarksville. I listen to 104.1 while driving and in fact listening to it right now in our coaches office (we are on a 2 hour weather delay, usually not on this early in the am.) I have never heard or read any article by Mike except a commercial for potential employee's. Mike's son is an excellent football player that played QB for CA and Coach Hood the past 2 years.hat alone is the oddity I was speaking of. Rustyporter asked if Bryce will go to Rossview now. New rule prevents a player from doing this. Todd Hood is an excellent football coach and I wish him success in 9 of his 10 games in 2017. MW - get that short list out!

Congrats to Duncan Williams on being named the Interim Head Football Coach at CA. Do the right thing and name him the permanent Head Coach.

Here is an oddity. The person credited with writing the report for ESPN, Clarksville is Mike Robinson. Why is that odd you might ask? His son was CA's QB last season.

Pretty good source told me a decision has been made and an announcement should be made today or tomorrow about a new football coach here in Clarksville.

Evidently CA's A.D. is not a member of CoachT, since the name wally4ut doesn't go with Jake Peterson. Get him signed up Matt, he'll enjoy all of this stuff. (Just me talking, I would look no further than DW as HC, but that's just me.)

Played with Bonnie Sloan at Austin Peay 69-71. Played at Isaac Litton HS and then was drafted by the Cardinals in the NFL. Coached Richie McGraw at Cincinnati in 1983 who was also a DL. He was from Youngstown, Ohio.

Thoughts and prayers for Coach Kevin Ward and his family. Wishing you a speedy recovery and wanting you to know that we all look forward to your return to the sidelines soon. Gary Shephard TnFCA

Glad to see the proposal was tabled for later discussion. I have talked to some coaches in different area's of our state and found not one single coach OR OFFICIAL that thinks this is a good rule. Does that mean we shouldn't look at it and decide what if anything we need to do to help protect the safety of our players? No, something needs/should be done, but what, is the question. I really liked what Bernard Childress stated in the newspaper interview. Maybe we should suspend the guilty player for 4 quarters. I think some coaches would support that rule. Here is a situation that is hypothetical...Opening kickoff for the 2016 season. K-off coverage player hits returner and receives a flagrant targeting foul penalty and receives: 1) 2 game suspension as proposed. The player actually will miss 3 games. 2) A 4 quarter suspension. He will be eligible to return to action in the 2nd quarter of the 2nd game. NOW, what do you do to a repeat offender? MAYBE DOUBLE THE PENALTY? I don't know the answer but I do believe that the situation described in #1 is way too harsh. I think the TSSAA and the TnFCA need to sit down and discuss the possibilities. I also know that the state of Georgia has not implemented any rule of this nature but was assured by the man that runs the championship games in Atlanta, that it would be brought up for discussion when they meet in mid April. I have another friend that is checking with Alabama association to see if they have a rule in place.

God Bless the family of Graham Clark as they deal with a tragedy that no family wants to deal with. Talked with Graham on Saturday to learn about Megan's situation. Many prayers were sent on behalf on Megan and the Clark family. But the good Lord needed her to come home. I talked with Graham for about 15 minutes yesterday and right after hanging up the doctors came in with the worst possible news. Please lay all problems aside and join the many who are praying for this family in this time of need. Football wins/losses are just a dot on the radar screen compared to this situation. RIP Megan Clark Johnson and bless both families. Gary Shephard

I have know Graham Clark for many years. I respect him as a person and as a coach and love him like a brother. The many things he does for this sport in our state are well beyond what many even know about. God Bless Graham Clark and his family. RIP Megan Clark Johnson Gary Shephard

Wondered why this young man didn't play last night?

Who was your source? Mine was Coach Arrington and Don Barry. Do I know you Pilgrim? If so, I'll look you up Thursday night.

Pilgrim I feel compelled to let you know the CHS - NEHS game was not moved because of fall break. It was moved up because there are so many games on Friday that the assigning officer of officials, Don Barry, asked Coach Arrington if he would moved the game to Thursday with the promise of us having a 7 man crew instead of the normal 6 man crew. In fact, this crew is the same crew that will be assigned a state championship game in Cookeville this December. "Pilgrim" must be in reference to the Duke.

I played in that 1967 game and MOST of the information stated by Leon were true. However, the ball was fumbled on the 2 yd line and there is a photograph showing the ball on the ground and the official signaling TD. CHS also missed a potentially winning FG late in the game. Became friends with many of those SHS players including the late Pat Beck, a superb RB.

Start checking to see how many classified employee's have children playing sports. Easy way around this rule!

Is the QB Aaron Kirby's son? Whether it is or not, how will he be eligible to play? Public to private transfer and not 20 miles...is Aaron now coaching at GCA?

Joel Helton was a good man and a darn good football coach. This makes 5 classmates/teammates, coaching friends that I have lost since May 31. I hope it stops soon. Prayers and thoughts to Joel's family and to the Central High Bobcat community. You have lost someone that can't be replaced. RIP Coach Joel Helton. Gary, Linda and John Shephard

Many college players go there to prepare for the NFL draft. Chad Pennington being one of them. Lionel Taylor, the 1st pro football player to catch 100 passes in a single season worked with the WR's for years.