Henry County Patriots 2012

[RedSwarm10]

So...First off, a final congratulations from me to the 2011 Patriots for all they accomplished. The District title, all the records they smashed, the undefeated season, and of course, the gold ball. The senior class is going to be a difficult one to replace to say the least. I wish each and every one of those young men the best of luck in their future. Several of them will be playing at the next level, and rightfully so. And to the ones who aren't, they will still always be able to say they were the first class to bring that elusive championship to HCHS. The ones who got over the hump! Best of luck to all of them...and excellent job on a fine 4 years. It's been a pleasure watching them compete.

 

Now, with that said; With all that we graduate, what are some of the expectations for next season? We have some good underclassmen returning, including a few who are starters, and some who've seen plenty of action despite not starting. Storme Hilliard and Trey Cowans both return in the secondary. Dennis Tharpe Jr. returns at linebacker and will spear-head this defense for the next 2 years. Some names to look out for next year are Chosen Tharpe, Corvez Nored, Malcolm Benau, Spencer Ward, and Michael Etheridge among others I'm forgetting. On offense we bring back a solid, solid runner in Jamari Curtis. Nathanial Godbott, who ran as hard as anyone everytime he got his chance last year will play a bigger role. And we have a young sophomore who might just rewrite the record books at HCHS if he stays with it. We bring back our tight end James Brooks, and a good receiver in Brandon Donaldson. Who takes over at QB? Randolph saw plenty of mop-up action last season, so he'll compete. The incoming sophomore Autman who led the Freshmen to an undefeated season this past year will compete. I've also heard Hilliard's name thrown around to take over the QB duties for next year (although I'd rather develop someone else, Storme's value to the defense and return game is irreplaceable). The biggest replacement for us next season will be both the offensive and defensive lines. Those two units were on a level I'm not sure I've ever seen before at HCHS. I think it has a lot to do with the "younger" Coach Counce and the S&C program he's brought with him. We'll be tough in the trenches as long as this staff is here, but still. Having to replace everyone on both lines will be a task.

 

The incoming sophomore class is loaded with size and speed. Very similar to the group of seniors we had this past year. There will be some noise made by plenty of the younguns' next year I'm sure.

 

All in all, it should be a good year. Not sure if it will be Cookeville good because of all we have to replace; But we'll still be a force to be reckoned with in District 10-AAA and beyond if we work hard this off season, develop the same "team first" attitude we had this past season, and improve over the course of the year.

 

Lets hear your thoughts Patriots fans! Its been a week. I know you're all not still hung over from last Friday night!

Edited December 9, 2011 by RedSwarm10

[Red Warrior]

We continue to reside in the state's weakest district so we will likely be untested in the regular season with the possible exception of Beech...although I have no idea how they will be next year. Melrose is off the radar...Ridgeway could be good enough to test us...Gallatin should be good enough to test us, as will Hendersonville. We don't have to worry about Maryville anymore, so the final game will be one we can always win. We won't be challenged by anyone in the district, although we could face a bump or two in the playoffs. By playoff time, I expect us to be the class of West Tennessee.

[RedSwarm10]

We continue to reside in the state's weakest district so we will likely be untested in the regular season with the possible exception of Beech...although I have no idea how they will be next year. Melrose is off the radar...Ridgeway could be good enough to test us...Gallatin should be good enough to test us, as will Hendersonville. We don't have to worry about Maryville anymore, so the final game will be one we can always win. We won't be challenged by anyone in the district, although we could face a bump or two in the playoffs. By playoff time, I expect us to be the class of West Tennessee.

 

Beech brings back a lot, they could compete for a spot in Cookeville next year. Gallatin loses 20 something seniors, so many expect them to fall off the radar a little next year. Hendersonville will still be tough, but they have some holes to fill...Mainly their QB. I disagree about nobody in the district testing us. Dickson County brings back nearly everyone from a team that played us tough last season, while we're replacing nearly everyone. They could be a legit threat to take the district next season. I don't know anything about Melrose, and I've heard Ridgeway loses a lot.

[RedSwarm10]

Just a quick shout out to former Patriot QB Calvin McNairl, who will be playing in the HBCU all star game in Atlanta tomorrow. Excellent accomplishments both on and off the field, as he will also be graduating college this semester. It's been fun following his college career, and best of luck in whatever his future holds.

[StevieRayVol]

Just a quick shout out to former Patriot QB Calvin McNairl, who will be playing in the HBCU all star game in Atlanta tomorrow. Excellent accomplishments both on and off the field, as he will also be graduating college this semester. It's been fun following his college career, and best of luck in whatever his future holds.

 

 

Where did McNairl end up? Was it Tennessee State?

[HCFan]

Where did McNairl end up? Was it Tennessee State?

 

Yes, he played at TSU. He played QB for a year or two then moved to WR. He did well at both positions.

[StevieRayVol]

Yes, he played at TSU. He played QB for a year or two then moved to WR. He did well at both positions.

 

 

My old offensive line coach in high school Jim Younger coached him. Told me "HE COULD REALLY THROW THE BALL".

[StevieRayVol]

Yes, he played at TSU. He played QB for a year or two then moved to WR. He did well at both positions.

 

 

My old offensive line coach in high school Jim Younger coached him. Told me "HE COULD REALLY THROW THE BALL".

[wingman]

Just a quick shout out to former Patriot QB Calvin McNairl, who will be playing in the HBCU all star game in Atlanta tomorrow. Excellent accomplishments both on and off the field, as he will also be graduating college this semester. It's been fun following his college career, and best of luck in whatever his future holds.

Congrats to Calvin! Do you know if any of the ESPN channels will be covering this or have a replay later in next week?

[SEC1rules]

My old offensive line coach in high school Jim Younger coached him. Told me "HE COULD REALLY THROW THE BALL".

 

Calvin's Jr & Sr years really helped get Henry Co. back to a successful program. I enjoyed watching him play and he did have a cannon for an arm.

Edited December 12, 2011 by SEC1rules

[SEC1rules]

I do think HC will be really good next year. However, my expectations are tempered a bit considering all of the leaders we lost. I bet they will be a handful by the time the playoffs roll around though. I know several kids that have a ton of potential but were 2nd/3rd teamers this year. They just need some game experience. Swarm is dead on about the 9th grade team. They are absolutely loaded and I'm very excited to see them progress over the next few years.

[SEC1rules]

Conrgrats to Shaquille Allen, Najee Ray, Andrew Jelks, Caleb Counce, Randall Dunlap, Martrell Kendall, & Coach Counce on making the All-State team. I do think Storme Hilliard deserved it but other than that I have no complaints.

Edited December 24, 2011 by SEC1rules