Transitioning into basketball season, Williamson County’s smallest high school student section will now turn its attention away from football.
Senior Austin Towler, who helps lead the student section, said the Yellowjacket student base had already reenergized before he decided to become involved. After running flags on the field post-touchdown, he wanted to have a bigger role, now helping coordinate participation efforts through Twitter and at pep rallies.
This season has been one of the best for Jacket Country, as the team concluded with a 11-1 record. After going undefeated through the regular season and the first round of the state playoffs, the Yellowjackets (11-1) suffered their first and only loss to Goodpasture Christian (10-2) 28-23 in the Class 3A second round.
Fairview took a 16-7 lead into the final quarter, but the Cougars rattled off 21 straight points in the final frame to steal the victory.
The Yellowjackets had trouble slowing down Goodpasture running back Jermaine Mason for most of the night. He ran for 142 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, his last being the final game-clincher for the Cougars.
“It was pretty intensifying knowing that this was the first time we went 10-0 in 37 years,” Towler said.
He said the best moment for the team happened probably the first of the year, despite their overall winning record.
“By far the Page game (was the best) because we scored the 48-yard, game-winning field goal with five seconds left,” he said.
Unlike some across Williamson County Schools, the Yellowjacket student section doesn’t operate as a club. Students are organized primarily through pep rallies and its social media effort.
“It has lifted off from there,” he said. “[Now], we transition into a student section at soccer games and basketball games, too.”
Emily West covers Franklin, education, and high school football for the Franklin Home Page. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter via @emwest22.
