After waiting for eight years, the folks in Grundy County have soaked up every ounce of enjoyment from last week's 21-6 win over Marion County. The Yellow Jackets hadn't beaten the Warriors since 2002, and it was only their third win in the series in the last 32 years.
"Every football player I pass in the hall still has a big smile on his face," Grundy County coach Nick Bryant said. "It was an awesome win and a great way to get the season rolling and the community believing in these kids. It's a huge confidence boost."
Besides his 230 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Grundy County senior Johnny Cook also had eight tackles and a sack.
"The thing I like after watching the film is that he never went down on the first hit," Bryant said. "He has tremendous leg muscles, and he just kept pumping those feet and fighting for yards."
Numbers for naught
Grace Academy's Golden Eagles pulled off an uncommon feat Friday against Notre Dame and hope they never do anything similar again. They piled up 629 yards from scrimmage and 29 first downs on the way to a 61-48 loss.
The TSSAA's contact for state records, assistant executive director Matthew Gillespie, said his organization does not keep any negative records like most turnovers or penalties, or any records of this kind. However, when told of the development, his first word was "Wow."
"Nothing comes to mind," Gillespie said of another team accumulating such totals in a loss, "but that's not to say it hasn't happened. That's a rarity. I'd take those yards, those first downs and those points every time out and take my chances."
Pioneers swap each play
East Ridge is rotating its quarterbacks -- Demetrius Bumpass and Eric McCurdy -- on every offensive play.
"We did it in the jamboree and it worked so well we decided to try it again last week," Pioneers coach Mike Martin said. "Until one of them gives me a reason not to, I'm going to continue to do it. It isn't like one of them runs or passes better than the other," Martin said. "It's not like I'm going to yank one if he makes a mistake, but there is a competition there, which keeps both on their toes."