C.C.H.S.Golf: Fighting Cocks Fall Short At Region
By SETH BUTLER
Newport Plain Talk Sports Writer
BRISTOL-A season full of expectations and hopes came to a disappointing end on Monday afternoon.
The Cocke County High School Fighting Cocks, who claimed the regular season District 2-AAA championship over Jefferson County, saw their season end with a fifth place finish in the Region 1-AAA tournament on Monday after shooting a total score of 306. The tournament was held at the par-71 Country Club of Bristol.
Jefferson County, led by a round of 69 by Jordan Jennings, won the event by a three stroke advantage over Science Hill. Jefferson County had a total score of 292, and used a Drew Jenkins eagle on the 18th green to fully clinch the regional championship.
Despite the team result, Cocke County’s Trevor Marshall advanced to the state tournament as an individual shooting a one over par round of 72. Sophomore Zach Briggs fell one stroke shy of qualifying for a state tournament berth, after shooting a 75.
The 2008 state tournament will be held at Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro on October 7 and 8.
The rest of the Fighting Cocks team suffered a tough afternoon however, combining for 241 strokes, hampering any chances for a team victory in the match.
Cocke County coach Blake Briggs said the performance was a matter of failing to execute.
“We had a good game plan going in,” Briggs said. “We just wanted to try to hit fairways and greens and not rely on the long shots.
“We just didn’t execute,” Briggs said.
Aside from the rounds of Marshall and Briggs, not much went well for the Cocke County squad, who struggled with the tough course like many other golfers did on the afternoon.
Usually reliable senior Luke Ottinger shot a 10-over round of 81, hitting only three greens in regulation and Jake Shelton shot 78. Shelton played in the three-some that provided the day’s lowest scores, a 69 by Jennings and a three-under par performance by Dobyns-Bennett’s Alex Ratliff.
“I’m disappointed for Luke and Jake because they played hard all year long,” Briggs said. “The last two 18-hole matches we played, they really came through for us in a big way.”
Ottinger provided the team’s lowest score and the second lowest score of the day in last week’s District 2-AAA tournament.
Despite the results on Monday and loss of seniors to graduation, Briggs said he expects to see the team right back in contention next year, just as they were this year.
Briggs noted that this year’s team had fought an injury bug, losing both Seth Moore (arm) and Kurt Brooks (knee).
“We have a lot of sophomores coming (in),” Briggs said. “We had two guys hurt (this year) and we have Chase Atkins and a lot more coming back.
“I expect to be right back here next season,” Briggs said.
C.C.H.S Golf: Lady Red Finish Third At Region
Ball, Clevenger advance to state
By SETH BUTLER
Newport Plain Talk Sports Writer
BRISTOL-Cocke County High School’s Lady Red golf team helped contribute to a District 2 domination at Monday’s Region 1-AAA tournament at the Country Club of Bristol.
The Lady Red, who finished with a team score of 162, finished third in the event. Jefferson County, powered by a two over par round of 73 by Kendall Martindale, won the event with a score of 148. Greeneville finished second in the event, six strokes behind the Lady Patriots.
Despite their third place finish, Lady Red golfers Whitney Ball and Lexi Clevenger will represent the team as individuals at the state tournament October 7-8 in Murfreesboro.
Clevenger’s berth in the event marks the second consecutive year the sophomore has qualified for the state tournament.
The Cocke County duo will join the Jefferson County team and Lady Greene Devil golfers Katy Hutcherson and Ashley Morris, who recorded the third and fourth lowest scores of the day.
Cocke County coach Blake Briggs was elated at the performance of the girls team, given the tough competition they received from their District 2-AAA counterparts.
“That’s the best they have played this season,” Briggs said. “It’s hard to deal with Jefferson County with Kendall Martindale, an All-American type player, and Greeneville shooting what they did.
“We played as well as we could,” Briggs said. “I’ll take that 162, that’s pretty good for us.”
Clevenger led the Lady Red with an eight-over par round of 79. Ball, the team’s lone senior, countered with a round of 83. Both Lady Red team members fared well on the course’s par-35 back nine.
Although team member Victoria Barrett did not qualify for the state tournament, she shot an 86, one of her finest performances of the 2008 season.
The performance of the trio helped establish District 2 firmly over the performance of the three District 1 teams. Third-place Cocke County topped fourth place Science Hill by 20 strokes. Dobyns-Bennett finished fifth with a score of 221 and Sullivan Central shot a 294, with individual scores of 111 by Brittany Rogers and a round of 183 by Lilly Davis.
Briggs was excited for his current team members who qualified for the state tournament, but also mindful that he has high hopes and expectations for the team next season.
“I’m glad Whitney gets to go as a senior and Lexi gets to go back. I expect to be here next year,” Briggs said. “We lose Whitney but gain Chasity Gibson.”
Frog Vol Report: Tennessee @ Auburn 9-27-2008
Where the Offense?
Tennessee had at least five chances to win this game and could not do it on Saturday as they lost at Auburn 14-12. A new quarterback may be in the mix this week as the Vols prepare for a home game against Northern Illinois on Saturday October 4th at 7pm. The game will be aired per pay-per-view, however I do not see them making that much off of this game as the Vols have had trouble pleasing the crowds with their lackluster performance on the offensive side of the ball so far this season.
Defense, however is still one of the best in the SEC.
Cosby Dominates! Eagles Slosh Past Black Knights (9-26-08)
By PAUL MEADOR
Newport Plain Talk Sports Editor
COSBY-It wasn’t the kind of weather hoped for. It was homecoming at the Eagles’ Nest, and the homecoming court was simply beautiful. But, a steady light rain fell throughout the day, and through all of the festivities and game.
Not to matter. The homecoming court made do with umbrellas, and their Cosby Eagles (6-0, 2-0) completely dominated the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights (1-5) in every facet of the game, coming away with a dripping wet 27-7 victory.
“Another good week,” said Eagles’ head coach Tyler Shelton. “It was a solid four quarters for us, just sound football overall. Our defense was stellar; our offense performed well, our special teams keep performing well, everything’s working. It’s a sweet taste.”
The final score was not indicative of just how dominant Cosby was. The Eagles pounded out 164 yards on the ground led by senior Mitch Miller, who finished with 19 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown. Despite the wet conditions, the Eagles mixed it up with plenty of passing. Senior quarterback Trenten Dunn was 7-13 for 80 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Defensively, the Eagles nearly spent more time in the Chuckey-Doak backfield that the Black Knights quarterback and running backs. The Eagles held the Black Knights to just 91 yards rushing, led by senior Cody McPeek, who finished with nine carries for 49 yards. Black Knight quarterback Drew Lady was 3-17 through the air for just 53 yards, and only managed six carries for 16 yards out of their multiple style offense.
And, it was another big night for Eagle sophomore sensation Robert Herzog, who had an exciting 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, and, as the Eagle punter, two boots for 75 yards, a 37-yard average.
The weather really wasn’t a factor for Cosby.
“The weather was rough,” said coach Shelton, “so, we wanted to take advantage of our opportunities and get the score up on them early before the field started getting bad. We managed to do that with two first-quarter touchdowns, and another in the second.”
As for Mitch Miller, Cosby’s tops playing in the rain.
“Nobody beats Cosby in rain games,” said Miller. “We are the best rain team, period. I love the rain. It fits my style of running. I’m a bulldozer. I squeeze the ball tight, make sure it’s protected, then just bang my way into the line. I don’t have a lot of jukes, pretty much just straight ahead. That’s perfect for rain games.”
Cosby’s scoring began in the first quarter, when Miller got the Eagles on the board with a 4-yard TD run. Robby Whitted’s extra point was perfect, and it was 7-0 with 5:32 remaining.
The Eagles struck again five minutes later, when Robert Herzog beat two Black Knight defenders into the right corner of the end zone, and cradled a perfect pass from Trenten Dunn. With Whitted’s extra point, the Eagles led 14-0 with 35 seconds remaining in the first.
The Eagles third scored of the night was a crowd pleaser. Herzog fielded a Black Knight punt on his own 23-yard line, made a beeline for the Cosby sideline, and took advantage of some great special teams blocking for the 77-yard TD run. Whitted’s extra point was perfect, and it was 21-0 Eagles with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter.
The Black Knights tried to get back into the game late in the second quarter. Quarterback Drew Lady ran the ball into the end zone from 10 yards out, and with the extra point, it was 21-7 Cosby at the break.
The Eagles put the game away, though, in the third quarter. Junior Jordan Cates caught a Trenten Dunn pass and slipped six yards to the house for the final score from both teams on the night. Whitted was wide left on the extra point attempt, and the score was 27-7.
“They didn’t really do anything that we hadn’t seen on tape,” said coach Shelton. “They did run the wishbone, which we hadn’t seen, and we had to make some adjustments there, but there really weren’t any surprises for us. Like I’ve said before, our film study and preparation are a big reason for our success this season. Jordan (Cates) was mentioning after the game how much he appreciated coach (Johnny) Yoakum’s tip sheets every Monday.”
“We got on them early,” said Trenten Dunn. “We wanted to come out and pound the rock, but we saw them in a soft cover three defense, so we started mixing in some passes. We had a couple of our linemen out tonight, so we brought in a couple of young guys, and they stepped it up. A lot of guys stepped it up. Our line had had been outstanding.
Defensively, Dunn plays free safety, and had plenty of praise on that side of the ball as well.
“We were stout,” said Dunn. “We’ve been stout all year, but that’s because coach Yoakum always comes up with great game plans for us.”
REGION 1-1A: All of the Region 1-1A teams played out of Region on Friday night. The biggest surprise came out of Mosheim, where West Greene shocked Hampton 22-16. Elsewhere, Grace Christian remained undefeated with a 39-18 win over Coalfield, while Cloudland spanked North Greene 53-7. Sullivan East rolled past Unaka 40-12. And, Pickett County downed Jellico 28-7.
UP NEXT: The Eagles are back on the road next Friday night for Region 1-1A play when they travel to Unaka (0-6, 0-2). Kick off is slated for 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on tape-delay Saturday, October 4, at 11 a.m. on WLIK, AM-1270 with Steve Wilhoit and Steve Souder.
HOMECOMING: Congratulations to sophomore Karrie Bowman, who was crowned Cosby Homecoming Queen on Friday night during halftime festivities. Karrie is the daughter of Barry and Kristy Nease, and was escorted by her father, Barry Nease. Nikki Crowe was named Senior Princess, while Cara Asbell was named Junior Princess, Whitney Black was named Sophomore Princess and Ashley Diluigi was named Freshman Princess. Other senior candidates included Preanna Davis, Stevie Gorrell and Whitney Hartsell. Other junior candidates included Tiffany Hartsell, Savanna Rogers and Shaina Valentine. Other sophomore candidates included Whitney Jayne Black, Marina Cureton and Alisha Everette. And, other freshman candidates included Cansis Thompson, Erica Williams and Dezarae Yarashefski.
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