Tullahoma Football 2009

[OwnTheEdge]

Well, for starters has there been any progress on the new stadium? How many starters will they be returning and will there be any coaches leaving? Just a few questions I have for starters if there is anyone on here in the know about Tullahoma Football.

[Guest catsvoice]

Demolition has already begun on the old stadium, with most of the home-side stands already gone. The date of completion is scheduled for Aug. 14, just one week before Blackman visits in Week 0 to open the new stadium.

 

The 'Cats have some holes to fill next season. Among the losses are quarterback Matt Hagan, who threw for over 2,000 yards, receiver Jared Olive, who had almost 700 receiving yards, receiver Derek Lawson, who had almost 500 receiving yards. and multi-year offensive line starters Hampton Quick and Christian Rutan-Woods.

 

Returning on offense are three linemen - Justin Miller, Brandon Miller, and Jacob Hill, receiver Jordan Milleville, and running back Zach Bryson, who ran for over 1,000 yards.

 

Defense suffered significant losses, including the entire line except Justin Waggoner, all three linebackers, and the entire seconday except for safety Josh Fuhrman.

 

The rising senior class doesn't have the same numbers as the current senior class, but the rising junior class is very talented, as is the current freshman group which won the Lions Bowl. I think you will see a significant number of junior and sophomore starters next year.

 

The schedule for 2009 is very tough, with Blackman, Siegel, Cookeville, and Columbia replacing Hillsboro, Maplewood, Whites Creek, and Stratford.

 

It will be an uphill battle for Tullahoma to return to the playoffs in 2009. However, with three impressive classes on the horizon the future appears very bright at THS for the next few years.

[chs4life]

Heard tonight that the new stadium may not be called Wilkins Stadium, why?

[Guest catsvoice]

Every indication here is that it will indeed continue to be Wilkins Stadium. The land the stadium sits on was donated to the city by a Mr. Wilkins back in the day. That word is from schools director Lawson and AD Mathis. There is some consideration to adding someone's name to the 'field'. Like the baseball stadium is Grider Stadium and Jerry Mathis field.

 

All bleachers and stands are now gone and it is a quite strange site for those of us who have seen the old stadium standing our entire lives. As of today there is every indication that the stadium will be able to host the Aug. 21 games, although every single thing may not be complete.

[wingman10]

That thing is getting expensive.

[5A football fan]

Every indication here is that it will indeed continue to be Wilkins Stadium. The land the stadium sits on was donated to the city by a Mr. Wilkins back in the day. That word is from schools director Lawson and AD Mathis. There is some consideration to adding someone's name to the 'field'. Like the baseball stadium is Grider Stadium and Jerry Mathis field.

 

All bleachers and stands are now gone and it is a quite strange site for those of us who have seen the old stadium standing our entire lives. As of today there is every indication that the stadium will be able to host the Aug. 21 games, although every single thing may not be complete.

 

 

 

What I was told by Mr. Mathis for a story I did on the stadium was that the new stadium would be called Wilkins Stadium and it was named after Mr. Wilkins because that was the only way he would SELL the land for the stadium.

[Guest catsvoice]

Yes the scope of the project has certainly changed in the last few days. The latest word is from Alderman Mike Stanton, a former long-time employee of the school system and now the liaison between the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of Eduction.

 

Alderman Stanton said last night during the BMA meeting that the stadium would, without question, be completed at or below the $4 million price, which is what was originally approved by the BMA ($3.5 million from the city and $500,000 from the school reserves) almost eight months ago.

 

Hopefully that will be the case and construction can begin soon. As the days move on by it seems more and more folks are wondering if this thing can really be completed by Aug. 20. Let us hope it is ready when Blackman comes to town Aug. 21.