Donovan Stewart’s Week 2 Victory Formation

Goodpasture second year head football coach Jerry Joslin can finally exhale as the weight of a 22 game losing streak is finally off his back.

The longtime mid state head coach watched with a big grin on his face as Goodpasture snapped the state’s longest losing streak at 22 games as they defeated White House 28-13 to pick up their first win on Friday.

For the Cougars it was their first victory since defeating Jackson County in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs on November 8, 2013.

“It’s big to get your first win of the season but also to be able to break a lengthy losing streak which is a great confidence builder for the kids,” Joslin said.

Joslin now 1-11 in his first 12 games at Goodpasture knows how to win as he has a 136-101 overall record in stops at Gallatin (1994-97, 29-17, four Playoff appearances), Cookeville (1998-2011, 97-63, 13 Playoff appearances) and Pope John Paul II (2012-14, 10-2, three playoff appearances).

Joslin was hired to stabilize the Cougar program last year and inherited an 11 game losing streak as he replaced Andy McWilliams who was the interim head coach for the last three games of 2014 season.

Goodpasture fired Leslie Mote after the Cougars started the year 0-7 which was compounded by losing 16-15 to Red Boiling Springs on Homecoming night, the school fired Mote the next day.

In Mote’s first season in 2013, the Cougars went 6-6 and made the playoffs, then the train went off the tracks in 2014 as they suffered through an 0-10 season, which was a far departure of where the program had been under former coach David Martin.

Martin, currently the head coach at Stewarts Creek turned the Cougar program into a state juggernaut as they posted a 199-79 record in his 21 years at the helm.

The Cougars won three 2A state titles (1995, 1999 and 2001) and finished runner up in five others (1996, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010), Goodpasture made the playoffs 20 times in Martin’s tenure.

But then Martin was forced out as coach and the program has went backward ever since going 7-27 since 2013.

Since arriving at Goodpasture, Joslin has worked hard to rebuild the program and get them back to the playoffs one step at a time.

Goodpasture wasn’t the only big winner during week two as four other teams broke lengthy losing streaks.

*Cumberland Gap 20, Hancock County 18– The Panthers in the second tenure of coach DeLynn Cline (2003-06) gave him his first win and broke an 18 game losing streak in the process as they nipped a very game Hancock County team.

“It was a big win. I knew the first win was going to be the toughest, eighteen games without a win wears on you mentally,” Cline said. “However, they have worked extremely hard and have done everything we have asked. I am just happy for these young men.”
*Antioch 24, LaVergne 18– Like DeLynn Cline, Mike Woodward is back at Antioch in his second stint (2006-12) and already making a difference for the Bears. The Bears turned back the Wolverines breaking a 12 game losing streak.

“The kids were very excited. You could tell a huge weight had just been lifted off their shoulders. I couldn’t be more proud of them for all the hard work they have put in during the past four months and the way they have bought in to the importance of Courage, Commitment, and Character,” Woodward said.
*South Doyle 34, Karns 3– South Doyle broke a 12 game losing streak courtesy of a hard charging running game as Kent’ta Turner rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries and freshman Elijah Young also added two touchdown runs as well. Wide receiver Ton’Quez Ball caught four passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in the win.

“It was a great win for this team and our program. We made great improvements from week one to week two. We are excited about this week’s game with Heritage. I am excited about this team. We have a chance to be competitive in our league each and every Friday night,” South Doyle coach Clark Duncan said.
*Perry County 38, Mt. Pleasant 34– The Vikings broke an 11 game losing streak as running back Curtlen Sparks rushed for 235 yards and scored four touchdowns in Perry County’s come back win.

“It was a good win. These kids came out with big heart, determination, and fought their tails off in the second half. We refused to lose and that made the difference,” Perry County head coach Billy Sawyer said.

On the Flip side, five defending state champion programs saw their lengthy winning streaks come to an end.

Three of them Brentwood Academy (Division II), Nashville Christian (1A) and Trezevant (2A) were all ranked No. 1 in last week’s AP poll.

*Trinity (KY) 35, Brentwood Academy 21- For the fourth time since 2011, Brentwood Academy came up short against nationally ranked Trinity. The Shamrocks ranked No. 19 by USA Today rushed for 383 yards led by junior running back Roderick Thomas’ 157 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Trinity quarterback Spencer Blackburn added 181 yards on the ground as well. Austin Peay commitment Jeremiah Oatsvall (182 passing, 98 rushing, two total touchdowns) led the way for BA in the loss, which sees its 12 game winning streak snapped.

*White House Heritage 22, Nashville Christian 21- First year coach Hunter Hicks got a huge win on Friday as quarterback Austin Gunter scored the game winning touchdown from a yard out as the Patriots edged the Eagles and broke their nine game winning streak.

Senior running back Chris Rippy was a big compliment to Gunter as he ran for 134 yards on the night.

*Southaven (MS) 27, Trezevant 26- Southaven got the game winning touchdown on a Brandin Echols 51 yard run on a double reverse to nip the Bears. Echols had 108 total yards while Tyler Moore had two touchdowns one on a run, the other was an 85 yard kickoff return to help fuel the win.

Clemson commitment Cordarrian Richardson rushed for 198 yards in the loss for Trezevant who lost their nine game winning streak.

*Brentwood 41, Ravenwood 10- The game was tied at 10 before it was postponed until Saturday. When the teams resumed their game on Saturday, it was all Bruins.
Brentwood (1-1) scored the last 31 points in the game as they were led by junior quarterback Carson Shacklett had 252 total yards (194 passing, 58 rushing) and running back Collin Rudolph added 90 yards on the ground for the Bruins. The Brentwood defense did their part as well forcing five Raptor turnovers as Ravenwood lost its 12 game winning streak.

*Briarcrest 37, St. George’s 14- Saints running back Jake Powers led a powerful Briarcrest as he rushed for three touchdowns on the ground. Teammate Charles Elliott rushed for 138 yards and scored once while the Saints defense held St. George’s to only 129 yards of total Offense including just 33 on the ground.

Weather Wins Week Two
The clear cut winner in week two in high school football across the state of Tennessee?

The weather.

There were 188 games on the schedule for week two and while 162 games were completed on Friday night despite lighting and rain delays, other games were stopped and then cancelled or postponed until Saturday.

In all 24 games were moved or finished on Saturday night making for a long week for players and coaches, the only game that was originally scheduled for Saturday was the Fulton-Maryville contest, but because of the weather that game got a ton of company.

Two other games Oakhaven at Halls and Camden and Huntingdon were cancelled and will not be made up leaving the four teams with a nine game schedule.

“We were getting a lot of lightning and according to the weather the administration was watching it was going to continue for some time,” Halls coach Chris Parker said. “So our administration made a decision to push the game to Saturday, so they called the Oakhaven Athletic Director and they made the decision that Oakhaven would not be returning to play on Saturday and our open weeks do not match up for us.”

Camden and Huntingdon postponed their game on Friday and planned to play Saturday night but both coaches as well as administrators from both schools met and walked the field and made the tough decision to go ahead and cancel the game. Now Huntingdon is left to opening their season next Friday after having the first two weeks off.

Three games Lipscomb Academy and Page, Clarksville Academy and Eagleville and Columbia Academy and FRA were started then got delayed and both coaches after the delay decided to call the game a no contest which means the game won’t count and it also won’t be made up.

Another game pitted Houston against Henry County was stopped right before half with Henry County leading 7-0, the game got cancelled but both schools are trying to find a way to finish the contest at a later date according to the TSSAA.

Two games that were televised Smyrna at Stewarts Creek (My TV 30 game in the Mid-state) and ESPNU’s National broadcast of Hillsboro at Oakland were both delayed by lighting but they both were able to finish their games.

“Obviously, this is not the best situation (having to wait until the weather clears) because both teams are ready to play and get the exposure of a game on national TV but you have to be careful,” Oakland Coach Kevin Creasy said.

Lenoir City wins game, Coach gets engaged
Friday night was a big night for Lenoir City Head football coach Jeff Cortez, his football team and the special lady in his life Shenna Latham.

First, the Panthers won their second straight “Battle of the Bridge” contest 21-7 over rival Loudon as quarterback Gabe Williams passed for 153 yards and also had a rushing touchdown in the win.

The win for Lenoir City broke a six game losing streak dating back to last season but after the game the real fireworks started.

Cortez in his third year as head coach celebrated the win by getting down on one knee and proposing to Latham, his girlfriend of three years and she capped the night by saying yes.

“It was truly a great night,” Cortez said. “To get a big win over a rival and break a losing streak is one thing but then having Shenna say yes truly makes the night very special.”

Former Memphis East and Melrose Coach Hubbard Alexander dies
Former Memphis East and Melrose football coach Hubbard Alexander passed away Sunday night at his home, he was 77.

Alexander played his college football at Tennessee State and started his coaching career there as an graduate assistant in the 1962 and 1963 seasons.

He was named the head coach at Memphis East in 1971 and coached four seasons there before becoming an assistant coach at Vanderbilt in 1975.

Alexander then joined Howard Schnellenberger’s staff at Miami (FL) in 1979 and helped the Hurricanes win two National titles in 1983 and 1987. He also was on Jimmy Johnson’s staff at Miami and followed Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys (1989-1997) and helped the franchise win three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII and XXX).

He also coached with the Vikings (1998-99) and the Saints (2000-03) before coming back to Memphis to take over the Melrose program.

In 2006, Alexander took over the Melrose program and led the Golden Wildcats to five playoff appearances in his five seasons at the helm. He posted a 39-23 Record in his time there and Melrose made three consecutive Quarterfinal trips (2006-08) in two different classifications (2006-07 in 4A, 2008 in 5A).
Time to Panic or Circle the Wagons
The following eight teams came into the 2016 season with high expectations and through the first two games have struggled and are winless so far. Is it time to panic or can they right the ship and still have a productive season?

CPA
Losses To- Parkview 32-7 and Knoxville Catholic 45-0
Outscored- 77 to 7
Next Four Games- at White House Heritage (2-0); at Pearl Cohn (1-1); Ensworth (1-1) and Stratford (2-0)
Analysis- The next four games are brutal with two very good Region teams in White House Heritage and Stratford as well as tough non Region games with Pearl Cohn and Ensworth. The Lions could be staring at an 0-6 start but with talent on the coaching staff, don’t bet against Ingle Martin and his coaches to coach the Lions up and have them turn a corner.

Hillsboro
Losses To- Pearl Cohn 9-7 and Oakland 41-13
Outscored- 50 to 20
Next Four Games- at Station Camp (1-1); Riverdale (1-1); at Hendersonville (2-0); Cane Ridge (2-0)
Analysis- The Burros found their quarterback in their loss to Oakland and that will serve them well when they have back to back Region games against Hendersonville and Cane Ridge. Hosting Riverdale will also give them a chance at revenge as the Warriors beat them last season.

Grace Christian Academy
Losses To- Jefferson County 31-14 and CAK 36-29
Outscored- 67 to 43
Next Four Games- at Oliver Springs (2-0); at Campbell County (2-0); Knoxville Webb (0-1) and Rockwood (1-1)
Analysis- The Rams started 0-2 last season as well but they were able to right the ship and make a run to the 2A Quarterfinals. Offensively, they could be better then last year, if new Defensive Coordinator John Brewster gets the players to buy in to the 4-2-5 system, expect GCA to turn it around for a second straight year.

KIPP Academy
Losses To- Memphis Overton 32-0; Trezevant 36-6 and MAHS 36-20
Outscored- 104 to 26
Next Four Games- at Booker T. Washington (0-2); MLK Prep (0-2); Hillcrest (0-2) and Middleton (0-2)
Analysis- Offensively, not much has went right for KIPP so far but Kansas State commitment Dewayne Betts is too talented to stay down too long. Expect KIPP to feast on their next four opponents as they are a combined 0-8.

Pigeon Forge
Losses To- Gatlinburg Pittman 28-24 and Seymour 28-9
Outscored- 56 to 33
Next Four Games- at Northview Academy (1-0); West Greene (0-2); at Lenoir City (1-1) and Elizabethton (0-1)
Analysis- The Tigers haven’t been terrible in their first two games but the offense needs to improve the way coach Scott Meadows knows it can. If the wing T rebounds and starts putting up points look for Pigeon Forge’s season to turn around.

LaVergne
Losses To- Smyrna 38-20 and Antioch 24-18
Outscored- 62 to 38
Next Four Games- Columbia (0-2); at Stewarts Creek (0-2); at Shelbyville (2-0) and at Maplewood (1-1)
Analysis- The loss to Smyrna wasn’t a bad loss since the Bulldogs are one of the top teams in 6A, but the loss to Antioch was shocking and shows that the Wolverines are underachieving despite a talented roster that includes Tennessee commitments Maleik Gray and Princeton Fant.

White Station
Losses To- Christian Brothers 22-14 and DeSoto (MS) 16-7
Outscored- 38 to 21
Next Four Games- at Collierville (2-0); at Olive Branch (MS) 0-2; Arlington (2-0) and at Bartlett (2-0)
Analysis- The Spartans haven’t been bad so far this year, they just haven’t gotten the breaks so far. After losing a big senior class last season, White Station has responded slow out of the gates and their next four games against three undefeated teams doesn’t do them any favors.

Friendship Christian
Losses To- Davidson Academy 36-29 and BGA 38-7
Outscored- 74 to 36
Next Four Games- at The Kings Academy (0-2); Knoxville Webb (0-1); at FRA (0-1) and Mt. Juliet Christian (2-0)
Analysis- The offense needs to get going but the biggest need is for the defense to step up and start slowing down opposing offenses.

Coaches Getting Their First Career Win:
Carter Cardwell, Boyd Buchanan
Travis Mozingo, CAK
Nathan Medlin, Claiborne County
John Elmore, Greenbrier
Justin Robison, Sycamore
David Whittle, Dyer County
Kevin Patterson, Fairley
Scott Blair, Fayette Ware
Donnie Nickey, Jackson North side
Nick Markle, Munford
Collin Pinner, Tipton Rosemark
Jordy Harrison, South Greene
Randy Murphee, Dickson County
Chanz Swartz, Stewart County

Coaches Getting Their First Win with their new team
Rusty Bradley, USJ
DeLynn Cline, Cumberland Gap
Tim James, East Ridge
Mike Woodward, Antioch

Current Longest Winning Streaks
Independence- 17
Alcoa- 13
Daniel Boone- 3
McEwen- 3

Current Longest Losing Streaks
Union County- 18
Sheffield- 16
Chattanooga Central- 15
Wartburg- 15
MLK Prep- 14
Ripley- 14
Oakhaven- 13
Booker T. Washington- 13
Tullahoma- 13
Lookout Valley- 12
Sullivan Central- 12
Concord Christian- 11
Loretto- 11
Westwood-11
Grundy County- 9
Loudon- 9
West Creek- 9
Columbia- 8
Craigmont- 8
Glencliff- 8
STAT STUFFERS
Caleb Johnson, RB, MAHS- Rushed for 227 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 36-20 win over KIPP Academy.

Cole Copeland, QB, Bradley Central- Passed for 366 yards and six touchdowns in a 39-7 win over McMinn County.

Jordan Graham, RB, Oak Ridge- The sophomore rushed for 214 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 41-28 win over Dobyns Bennett.

Antwaun Branch, RB, Kenwood- Rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-24 loss to Clarksville.

Jordan Mason, RB, Gallatin- Rushed for 213 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 35-28 win over Springfield.

Tre Curtis III, RB, FACS- Rushed for 195 yards and scored three times in a 31-8 win over Sheffield.

Alontae Taylor, QB, Coffee County- Ran for 303 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 54-30 loss to JPII.

Chris Richmond, RB, White County- Rushed for 209 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-21 win over York.

Cordarrian Richardson, RB, Trezevant- The Clemson commitment rushed for 198 yards in a 27-26 loss to Southaven, MS.

Nick Davis, RB, Greenbrier- Rushed for 225 yards and scored three touchdowns in only ten carries in a 41-20 win over Portland.

Darius Hylick, RB, Mt. Juliet Christian- Rushed for 371 yards and eight touchdowns in a 53-28 win over Richland.

Chase Cunningham, QB, Knoxville Catholic- Passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns in just a half as the Fighting Irish beat CPA 45-0.

Kyndall Clark, LB, Oak Ridge- Recorded 15 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles in a 41-28 win over Dobyns Bennett.

Tanner Boston, DE, Campbell County- Made 10 tackles including five for a loss and added a sack in a 17-13 win over Knoxville Central.

Tavaris Moore, RB, Rossville Christian- Rushed for 302 yards and scored four times in a 36-14 win over Memphis Nighthawks.

Cody Wyllins, RB, Stone Memorial- Ran for 232 yards and two touchdowns in a 34- 7 win over DeKalb County.

Tyler Dysart, RB, Chester County- Rushed for 265 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 43-14 win over McNairy Central.

Curtlen Sparks, RB, Perry County- Rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-34 win over Mt. Pleasant.

Kyle Dunn, RB, Polk County- Rushed for 216 yards and scored three times on just 12 carries in 33-0 win over Sequoyah.

Taeton Weink, RB, Stewart County- Rushed for 294 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 28-21 win over Houston County.

Ty Love, RB, Watertown- Rushed for 256 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 56-24 win over Davidson Academy.

Jake Beathard, RB, Fairview- Rushed for 193 yards and scored and scored twice in a 38-14 win over Creek wood.

Jacob Murphree, QB, Dickson County- Passed for 405 yards and six touchdowns in a 55-40 win over Columbia.

Ahmik Watterson, RB, Science Hill- The sophomore rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries in a 28-21 double overtime win over Elizabethton.
Chris Wall, RB, Montgomery Central- Rushed for 230 yards in a 28-27 loss to Harpeth.

BY THE NUMBERS
-12- Total yardage by Craigmont in a 39-0 loss to Cordova.
0- Total yardage by St. Benedict in a 45-0 loss to Germantown
2- Number of safeties that FACS got in their 31-8 win over Sheffield.
88- Number of undefeated teams that are currently 2-0 on the season.
595- Rushing yards through the first two games for Tennessee commitment Alontae Taylor.

Contact Donovan at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at Examine_Stew