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Locals Chase, Stone solid
Individually, a pair of local golfers stood out at or near the top at the Goodyear Wingfoot Classic in Union City on Tuesday.
South Fulton’s Chase Mayfield was the overall boys’ champion with a 69 — four shots ahead of his closest competitor.
Meanwhile, Union City’s Mollie Stone came to the clubhouse with an 81 — good enough for second place overall and just two strokes off the pace of first-place Morgan Todd (Henry County).
Aside from the individual standouts, the South Fulton boys were fourth overall with a team total of 348.
The UC guys claimed sixth with a 360, while the Obion Central boys finished seventh with a 362. Read More ...
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Hillcrest RB carries load
Hillcrest’s Bryce Warner did a little bit of everything on Thursday evening.
Altogether, the Cougar running back totaled 203 all-purpose yards, accounting for all of his team’s points during a 20-14 overtime victory over Ridgemont.
Warner finished with a rushing, receiving and kick return touchdown.
Meanwhile, South Fulton claimed a 30-0 victory over Black Oak. The Red Devils are now on a collision course with H’crest in a rematch from last season’s Rebel Bowl next Thursday evening.
The following is a roundup of Thursday’s middle school football action as reported to The Messenger by area coaches. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 10
Briefly
Rallying Ridgemont
upends Lake Road
Ridgemont struck for three runs in the sixth inning to overtake Lake Road and claim a 4-3 victory in middle school softball action on Thursday.
Autumn Payne knocked in the winning run for the Lady Mustangs, while triumphant pitcher Sheridan Bugg had a triple and single.
Also, R’mont’s Landry Webster smacked a double, while Jessica Hobbs singled.
Lady Generals’ Lynsey Berner and Kaitlyn Howard each hit and an RBI.
On the mound, Bugg struck out six and walked a pair. Losing pitcher Paige Russell finished with four punchouts.
The Lady Mustangs return to action this weekend at the Lake County Invitational. LR plays Hillcrest on Monday at Obion Central. Read More ...
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Game Notes for Week 3
Union City at Huntingdon
PLACE, TIME: Paul Ward Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
2010 RECORDS: Union City 1-1; Huntingdon 1-2.
COACHES (RECORDS): Union City: Darren Bowling (130-67 in 17th season; 23-5 in 3rd year at UC); Huntingdon: Eric Swenson (33-27 in 6th season).
LAST MEETING: 2009. The two split a pair of games, Huntingdon winning 44-35 in the regular season, and UC winning 30-7 in Round 3 of the state playoffs.
SERIES RECORD — Union City leads all-time, 14-8.
LAST WEEK — Union City lost to Trenton, 29-28, while Huntingdon beat Bruceton, 49-13.
NEXT WEEK — Union City hosts Obion Central, and Huntingdon plays at West Carroll.
KEY PLAYERS: Union City — QB Chase Bowling, RB/LB Keylon Hyde, OL/LB Trey Maddox, OL/DL Nick Crumble, RB/DB Deandrez Williams. Huntingdon — QB Tyler Warbritton, RB Bam Melton, FB/DL Zach Wallace, OL Shan Walton. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 9
Briefly
Pop scramble victors
impress at 11-under
Poplar Meadows Coun-try Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting an impressive 11-under par.
The winning team included Rodger Tanner, Greg Dunn, Terry Wise-man and Eric Stansbury.
Finishing in second at 7-under par was the team of Matt Russell, Rick Smith, Robert Hufstutter, Bruce Culver and Skipper White; and the team of Amos Davis, Gary Gill, Jim Baker and Tiger Haag.
The scramble begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
Anyone interested in participating should call 885-3650 by 2 p.m. Wednesday. Read More ...
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Top UC priority is defense
First things first.
With shortcomings on offense, defense and special teams — any one of which could be fingered for a one-point loss to Trenton last week — Darren Bowling has plenty to fix with his youthful Union City football team.
Tops on the list is the Tornado defense.
The Tornadoes, who start four and sometimes five players on defense who are either sophomores or freshmen, have given up 28 and 29 points, respectively in their first two games of the season.
And while costly turnovers on offense and a number of kicking game blunders were critical vs. Peabody, Bowling insists he’s addressing the defensive shortcomings first. Read More ...
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Reid takes lead for Jr. Twisters
Alex Reid ran for four touchdowns, setting up one of his scores with a 35-yard interception return, during Union City’s 44-28 triumph over Lake County on the middle school gridiron Tuesday evening.
Reid had two touchdowns that spanned seven yards, while he also made a 22-yard scamper to paydirt and a one-yard dive to the endzone.
In other junior high football action on Tuesday, Lake Road was shut out (22-0) by Gibson County.
Thursday’s middle school slate has South Fulton set to host Black Oak, while Ridgemont will entertain Hillcrest.
The following is a roundup of Tuesday’s games as reported to The Messenger. Read More ...
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Cushion comfy for OC linksters
Lordy, Lordy, look who was ahead by over 40.
The Obion Central boys’ golf team coasted to a 183-229 victory against Halls in prep golf action at Dyersburg Municipal Golf Course.
Cameron Green was the medalist for the OC golf team, firing a 42.
Meanwhile, Central’s Garrett Booth carded a 44, Trevor Riley finished with a 47 and Ryan Middlebrook came to the clubhouse with a 50.
On the girls’ side, Halls did not field a team, but the OC ladies took to the course for what was essentially a practice round.
Lady Rebel Ashlyn Runions totaled a 51, while Samantha Wallace carded a 52.
The Rebel golf teams return to action on Thursday (weather permitting) at the Goodyear Wingfoot Invitational.
Union City and South Fulton will both also be participating in the event.
All totaled, OC has just three regular season golf matches remaining on its schedule. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 8
Briefly
Devilette soccer squad
claims 1st-ever victory
South Fulton claimed its first-ever high school soccer victory on Tuesday night.
The Red Devil girls’ team — in its first season of varsity competition — bested Gibson County 5-1.
Morgan Kane finished with a hat trick (three goals) for SF, while Desiray Sturgeon and Mikaela Hardy each kicked in one score for the victors.
The Devilettes were ahead 4-0 at halftime.
South Fulton (1-3) returns to action on Thursday at Crockett County. Read More ...
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SF laughs last against Hillcrest
Hillcrest struck first, but South Fulton scored more and on a regular basis during Tuesday’s 8-3 middle school softball victory.
The Devilettes, who trailed 3-0 through two innings, got three runs in the third and five more in the fourth to improve to 7-0 on the campaign.
In other junior high softball action from Tuesday, Union City doubled Trenton 8-4.
The softball game between Black Oak and Ridgemont at Obion Central was postponed. It will be made up at a later, yet to be announced date.
Thursday’s middle school softball slate has Lake Road at Ridgemont and Union City at South Fulton.
The following is a roundup of Tuesday’s games as reported to The Messenger. by area coaches Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 7
Briefly
Wynridge winners
have slim advantage
The combination of Doug Cunningham, Dav-id Puckett, Chris Young, Jerry Davis and Jimmy Sutherland combined to shoot an 8-under-par and win the weekly men’s scramble at Wynridge Greens in Troy Thursday.
Meanwhile, the team of Randy Ursery, Kenny Adkins, Trey Shaw and Rodney Jones earned second place with a cumulative total of 7-under.
Wynridge Greens holds its weekly men’s scramble every Thursday. Read More ...
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Central setback is due to flags
It could be said that Obion Central both shot itself in the foot but also had blanks in the chamber of its offensive gun during Friday’s 22-16 defeat to Crockett County.
The Rebels committed a total of 14 penalties, resulting in 140 yards’ worth of setbacks and the team also failed to take advantage of a trio of opportunities to put the No. 3 ranked Cavs (Class 4A) either two possessions back — near halftime — or away at the end of the game.
“We made a bunch of bad mistakes,” Rebel coach Shawn Jackson said. “Tonight, penalties really killed us. We had a touchdown that could have clinched a win called back in the fourth quarter because of holding. We gave them over 100 yards in penalty yards on a night when our offense didn’t play as well as I’d like for it to.
“You can’t do stuff like that and expect to beat the No. 3 team in the state.” Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Downed Devils change outlook
South Fulton coach Kelly Spivey insists his team didn’t do its best against District 14A foe Greenfield during a 13-12 defeat on Friday night.
“They controlled the ball and we didn’t tackle well,” Spivey said. “We had enough yardage to win, but didn’t play very good on defense and our effort wasn’t great.
“We couldn’t tackle and gave up way too many yards. In a 13-12 game, you’d think there were a lot of punts, but I think they punted once and that was all.”
All totaled, Greenfield had 337 yards of total offense with 193 of the rushing variety and 144 coming through the air as part of the ’Jackets’ spread set. Read More ...
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Tide gives UC taste of its own meds
Union City found out exactly how the other half lives.
It was admittedly not a pleasant experience.
Matthew Nicholas kicked a 39-yard field goal on the game’s final play to lift Trenton to a numbing 29-28 victory over the fifth-ranked Tornadoes Friday night at Freed Field.
The heartbreaking loss broke a two-year district/region win streak for UC and was the locals’ first such setback in league play in Darren Bowling’s 28-game tenure as head coach.
It was made even tougher to swallow after the Twisters had scored a go-ahead touchdown themselves with just 20 seconds left and appeared on their way to a second come-from-behind triumph in as many games this season. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Fulton City upbeat despite defeat
Fulton City had the deck stacked against itself on Friday.
FC, one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state of Kentucky, matched up with the No. 4-ranked 2A team in the state at Murray.
And despite the 57-0 defeat to the Tigers, rookie Bulldog coach Brad Rozzell was surprisingly upbeat after the loss.
“We knew coming in that we were up against a big challenge,” Rozzell said. “Murray dresses 40 or more kids, is senior heavy and average 250 to 270 pounds on the offensive line.
“That’s a lot for us to tackle considering how few players we have, but I think the effort was there. As long as I continue to see that, I’m confident the wins will eventually come.” Read More ...
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W’view glad for bad Milan boots
Caleb Appleton twice missed game-winning field goals in the last 10 seconds, allowing seventh-ranked Westview to edge No. 2 Milan 15-14 in a District 13AA showdown Friday night in Martin.
The loss snapped a 31-game regular season winning streak for the Bulldogs, who’d last lost during seasonal play in Week 1 of 2007 against Huntingdon.
Appleton, a sophomore, got a second chance to be a hero after he was roughed on a 38-yard attempt. His 33-yarder then just missed, too.
Westview rallied from a 14-0 deficit and scored the game-winning TD with 1:15 to play on a six-yard run by Quan Williams.
The Chargers converted two times on third down with Williams’ run capping a 66-yard, 11-play drive.
Martin QB Tanner Spencer threw for 203 yards and ran for another 71 yards and a TD to key the victors’ comeback.
Milan sophomore signal-caller Caleb Powell had a pair of scoring tosses to Trey Milam and Rodney Nance had 94 yards rushing for the Bulldogs. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 6
Briefly
Jacksonville State
honored by OVC
The Jacksonville State 1-2 punch that knocked out Ole Miss also gained awards from the Ohio Valley Conference.
The quarterback tandem of Marquis Ivory and Coty Blanchard, which led the Gamecocks to a 49-48 double-overtime win at Ole Miss, also shared the league’s Player of the Week award.
It was the first win for an OVC team over a Southeastern Conference school since the OVC was formed in 1948.
Ivory was 13-for-23 for 126 and two touchdowns while Blanchard — a freshman who also was named the OVC Newcomer of the Week — was 9-for-13 for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Jackson-ville State linebacker Rodney Garrott claimed the OVC’s top defender honors for the opening week of the college football season. Read More ...
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Game Notes for Week 2
Union City at Trenton
PLACE, TIME: Freed Field, 7:30 p.m.
2010 RECORDS: UC 1-0 (0-0); Trenton 0-1 (0-0).
COACHES (RECORDS): Union City: Darren Bowling (130-66 in 17th season; 23-4 in 3rd year at UC); Trenton: Kent Scott (33-35 in 7th season).
LAST MEETING: 2009. Union City won 48-0.
SERIES RECORD — UC leads all-time, 40-30-6.
LAST WEEK — Trenton lost to Dresden, 13-7, while Union City was idle.
NEXT WEEK — Union City plays at Huntingdon, Trenton hosts McKenzie. Read More ...
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Titans slip past resting Saints
NASHVILLE — With starters sitting out on each side and several players striving to make a good last impression, the Tennessee Titans concluded their preseason by slipping past the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints 27-24 Thursday night at LP Field.
The Titans and Saints each entered the game with the hopes of getting through the game unscathed as each team now focuses on setting its final roster in preparation for next week’s opener. However, the Titans left the field with the better taste in their mouth, evening their preseason mark at 2-2.
“One of the things I mentioned to the team afterwards — with everything that happened out there in the ballgame — I couldn’t help but notice how the young guys were pulling for the starters at the beginning of the game and then the starters started pulling for the young guys at the end,” said Titans’ coach Jeff Fisher. “It’s a good locker room, a good team, and they really like to play. They wanted to win the game. They wanted to find a way to win the game and they did.” Read More ...
By LEE WILMOT, Special To The Messenger |
H’crest denies LR; Eagles down Pilots
Hillcrest had just enough in the end during its 34-30 triumph over Lake Road.
The Cougars, who had trailed after the first, second and third quarters, held the Generals out of the endzone with a redzone stand during the final two minutes to procure the triumph after a fourth-quarter rally.
In other junior high football action on Thursday, Black Oak routed Fulton County 28-6.
Hillcrest 34, LR 30
Cougar Bryce Warner rushed for 193 yards and totaled four touchdowns — a 98-yard kickoff return included — to account for much of his team’s offensive yardage and scoring. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 4
Briefly
SportsMonday is a go
despite Labor Day
The Messenger sports staff won’t be taking Labor Day off.
The weekly Sports-Monday section will be included in Monday’s edition of the paper.
The four-page pullout section will include coverage of Union City, Obion Central, South Fulton and Fulton City at the prep level as well as details from the first-ever football game between Tennessee and UT Martin. Read More ...
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Dad drama inspires Skyhawk DE
Most players come to Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium looking for a win, but for UT Martin defensive end Josh Cody, the journey means so much more.
It’s his chance to blur the lines between now and a magical time back in 1985 when a man nicknamed “T-Rob” reigned supreme at Tennessee.
It’s a chance to retrace his father’s actual footsteps, to feel the lights, hear the roar of the fans and wonder if somewhere up there in the crowd sits a stranger who bears an uncanny resemblance to him.
You see Josh has never met his father. Read More ...
By UTM Sports Information |
Messenger Sports Briefs for September 2
Briefly
Pop 2-man victors
a couple strokes up
Mike Albonetti and Mark Vanblairicom combined to shoot a 119 and win the championship flight of the two-man scramble recently at Poplar Meadows Country Club.
John Slayton and Cole Floyd teamed to fire a 121 and claim second in the title flight, while Craig Bowie and Zach McCollum shot a 122 for third.
In the first flight, Stan Welch and Mickey Stafford combined for a 132 to claim first prize. Donny Joyner and Bill Corwin teamed for a 133 to get second in said flight, while Danny Ellison and Joey Turner had a 136 for third.
Adam White and Jim Porter won the second flight with a 135. Tommy Dawson and Jeff Brasfield combined for a 135 but got credit for second, while Tom Elam and Lynn Watkins shot a 137 for third place. Read More ...
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Rebel defense could have new look
For more than one reason, there’ll likely be a handful of new faces on the field when Obion Central lines up against Crockett County Friday night.
Unacceptable defensive results and injuries have prompted Rebel head coach Shawn Jackson to say he’s looking at as many as five new defensive starters in the aftermath of OC giving up 563 yards in a 42-34 loss to Sikeston (Mo.) this past Friday night.
“We’re going to look at some different people and give them a chance,” the Central skipper said of his possibly-altered unit. “They (Sikeston) were good, and they ‘Pearl Harbored’ us. They hit us with some things that we didn’t expect and weren’t prepared for because we didn’t have any film of them.
“We just froze up, at times. It was like we didn’t know what to do.” Read More ...
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All Skyhawk talk about big-time Tennessee outing
Though he estimates “about half” of his current roster was with the program when UT Martin played at both Auburn and South Florida in 2008, head coach Jason Simpson acknowledged the obvious in preparation for the Skyhawks’ upcoming season opener at Tennessee Saturday.
It’s not the same.
“Those were big-time programs, too, but playing UT, it’s different,” Simpson admitted. “So many of our kids grew up watching Tennessee, pulling for them and dreaming about playing for them and running through the ‘T’ at Neyland Stadium.
“So many Saturdays in the fall in these parts revolve around the University of Tennessee football. I think our kids are both excited and anxious for the opportunity to play them and see how they measure up.” Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Unblemished UC hammers Halls
Alex Reid ran for three touchdowns to lead the Union City Middle School football team to its third victory in as many starts — a 34-14 triumph at Halls — Tuesday night.
Reid hit paydirt on scampers of 12, 7 and 11 yards for the Jr. Tornadoes, who improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in West Tennessee Athletic Conference play.
In the only other middle school gridiron game involving a local team Tuesday night, Three Oaks got the best of Ridgemont 22-6.
Thursday’s action has Hillcrest at Lake Road and Fulton County at Black Oak.
The following is a roundup of Tuesday’s games. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for September 1
Briefly
Central soccer gals
get taste of defeat
The Obion Central girls’ soccer team tasted defeat for the first time this season on Tuesday at Dyersburg.
The Lady Rebels, who were in a 1-all tie with D’burg through thirty minutes in the first half, fell 7-1.
The Lady Trojans struck for three goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a 4-1 advantage.
Paige Hicks scored the only goal for Obion Central (1-1-1). Her scoring kick came on a breakaway run down the right side of the field.
OC goalkeeper Taylor Baker made over 15 saves during the defeat. Read More ...
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50 a very nifty margin for Red Devil linksters
Fifty was very nifty for the South Fulton boys’ golf team on Tuesday.
The Red Devils bested Westview by that many strokes, claiming an easy 168-218 victory.
Meanwhile, the SF girls weren’t as fortunate in a 100-112 defeat to Greenfield.
South Fulton’s Chase Mayfield recorded the afternoon’s lowest score — a 36.
Additionally, Hunter Hutchins fired a 40, while J.B. Graves carded a 46 and Easten Woolf came to the clubhouse with a 47 for the victors. Read More ...
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Two late defensive stands elevate Lions
Twice the Dresden Lion defense was pushed to the limit and twice the unit rose up and answered the call to preserve a thrilling 13-7 win over the visiting Peabody Golden Tide on Friday night at Rotary Field. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Clock runs out on Westview rally
Sweet, sweet time. If only the Chargers could’ve had a little more of it.
After Jake Vincent batted down a Max Arnold pass on fourth-and-goal, Westview drove 52 yards in the final minute, attempting to set up a potential game-winning field goal. But the Chargers couldn’t get inside the McKenzie 40-yard line and saw time slip away as they fell 15-13 to the Rebels on Friday night at Graham Stadium. Read More ...
Joey Guest – Special to the Weakley County Press |
Bulldogs get first taste of victory in 2010 debut
After 24 minutes of play, the Fulton City Bulldogs could nearly taste the sweetness of revenge, but 24 minutes later Gleason had swiped the pie off the windowsill leaving the sweetness as a distant memory.
Having traveled to Fulton last year and dominated the Bluegrass Dawgs at home, 50-0, Gleason weathered several penalties and a slow start to lead 18-7 at the half. Coming to life in the second half, Gleason scored 36 unanswered points and rolled to a 42-7 win this past Friday night in Gleason. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Big plays the key to Jr. Bulldogs’ easy win
Gleason can now add the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Junior Tigers to its list of trounced teams in 2010.
After dominating the South Fulton Junior Red Devils in the first game of the season, the Bulldogs put visiting Bruceton away early, 42-16, this past Thursday night in Gleason.
Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Reputable Union City starts off in 5 slot
Union City’s reputation has preceded it.
The reigning Class 1A state champion Tornadoes — despite losing 14 seniors and 17 starters off last year’s BlueCross Bowl titleist squad — were ranked fifth in the first Associated Press poll of the season Monday afternoon.
UC, which came from two touchdowns behind in the fourth quarter to win at Trigg County (Ky.) in its Week 0 opener Aug. 20, ironically finished the 2009 regular season listed at No. 5 in the AP ratings.
The Twisters’ current standing marks the 15th consecutive week Union City has been ranked in the Top 10 over a period of three seasons. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Twisters can brag of sweep vs. Rebs
The Union City golf teams claimed bragging rights over Obion Central on Monday afternoon in Troy.
The Twister boys bested their county rivals 184-189, while their female counterparts claimed a 105-111 triumph. Read More ...
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Lady Cougars stand tall against BO
Hillcrest stood tall on top of the hill on Monday evening.
The Lady Cougars bested Black Oak 14-2 in middle school softball action at Obion Central’s elevated field.
In other action on Monday, South Fulton bested Ridgemont 9-1, while Lake Road run-ruled Rutherford 13-2 in five innings.
Today’s softball slate has Martin coming to OC for a game with LR.
The following is a roundup of Monday’s games as reported to The Messenger. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 31
Briefly
Soybean Festival 5K
slated for Sept. 11
The Soybean Festival 5K road race, 5K walk and one-mile children’s run will take place on Sept. 11.
The one-mile youth run is to begin at 7:30 with the 5K race and walk set for an 8:15 start time at the softball parking area within the Martin Parks and Recreation Complex.
All entrants will receive a T-shirt with trophies and ribbons awarded for various age groups for their running efforts.
Entry fee is $12 in advance or $18 on race day for the 5K running event. The cost to take part in the children’s run or 5K walk is $8. Read More ...
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SF will leaves Eagles at a loss
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
South Fulton imposed its will on West Carroll, finding a couple ways to score during its 25-8 victory on Friday evening.
Red Devil fullback Cody Tatum, part of a heavy backfield along with fellow power runner Willy Kneuppel, bulled his way to two of his team’s four touchdowns.
Additionally, sophomore quarterback JaQuay Garmon threw for a pair of scores and a total of 103 yards on 5-of-7 passing in the season-opening triumph.
“For an opening game, I think it was fantastic,” SF head coach Kelly Spivey said. “Sure, we made mistakes, but every team does in the first game. We didn’t fumble. We had no bad snaps. For Game 1, that’s pretty good and it tells me I’m getting a response for all the harping I did in the offseason because our turnover ratio wasn’t too impressive last season.
“Tonight, we protected the ball and that’s what wins football games.” Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Sikeston takes OC to other extreme
Obion Central’s choice of opponents went from one extreme to the other.
Unfortunately, so, too, did the Rebels’ results.
Missouri 4A power Sikeston marched up and down the field to the tune of 563 total yards and scored on six of its first seven possessions to hand Central a 42-34 setback Friday night in Troy.
The non-district loss — on the heels of OC’s 35-6 season-opening victory over outmanned Fulton County in a game that was mercifully called in less than two quarters of play due to lightning — evened the Rebs’ record at 1-1.
The visiting Bulldogs, who were playing their first game of the season, were obviously much more of a formidable foe for Obion Central than FC was in Week 0. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Gleason canines take bite out of FC
Gleason had more bite than Fulton City during Friday’s 42-7 triumph in “Tater Town.”
The Bulldogs from Tennessee totaled 420 yards of offense, while their canine counterparts from Kentucky gained just 138 yards.
That said, FC did enjoy at least one bright spot as it held the lead for the first time during the 2010 campaign and the tenure of rookie head coach Brad Rozzell.
“I thought we showed improvement,” Rozzell said of his team’s second consecutive 35-point defeat. “On so many of the plays, we had 10 guys doing their jobs, but the one that wasn’t happened to be where they were going.
“I feel like the coaching staff is working to the best of its ability and that the players are, too — 99.9 percent of the time. Our job as coaches is to got the players to work to the best of their ability 100 percent of the time.” Read More ...
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(Max)ed McKenzie edges W’view
Max Arnold threw a pair of touchdown passes and what was the ultimate game-deciding two-point conversion to lift McKenzie to a 15-13 victory over Westview Friday night.
Arnold, a converted receiver who started his first game for the Rebels last week at quarterback, bounced back from a three-interception effort in that QB debut vs. Camden to lead McKenzie to its third victory over the Chargers in their last four meetings.
Arnold threw to Robert Taylor (23 yards) and Richie Clark (9 yards) for touchdowns, but it was heads-up play following the Rebels’ second score when he spotted Kirby Esch out of the swinging gate formation and threw to Esch for the two-point conversion that gave McKenzie a 15-0 halftime lead.
The conversion ended up being the difference.
Arnold ended up completing 8-of-12 passes for 120 and no interceptions. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 30
Briefly
Skyhawk footballers
hold dress rehearsal
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team held a dress rehearsal scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Hardy M. Graham stadium for its season opener this weekend at Tennessee.
“We wanted to go through everything, just like it was a real game,” Simpson said. “We even went through getting on and off the field.”
While it was a scripted scrimmage, Simpson said his team is still missing some energy.
Sophomore kicker Cody Sandlin made a 47-yard field goal during the rehearsal scrimmage.
The Skyhawks, who practiced on Sunday, have this afternoon off for the first day of classes. Read More ...
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Messenger Game Notes for Week 1
Sikeston (Mo.) at Obion Central
PLACE, TIME: Rebel Field, Troy, 7 p.m.
2010 RECORDS: Sikeston 0-0; Central 1-0.
COACHES (RECORDS): Sikeston: Kent Gibbs (20-14 in 4th season); OC: Shawn Jackson (14-18 in 4th season, 7-15 in 3rd season at OC).
SERIES RECORD — First-ever meeting.
LAST WEEK — OC beat Fulton County, 35-6, in a game called at halftime due to lightning.
KEY PLAYERS: Sikeston — LB Ray Clark, C/DT Corey Porter, TB/LB Treston Pulley, RB/CB Trey Lewis. Obion Central — RB LaDevin Fair, QB Trey Phipps, LB Steven Patton, OL Spenser Maloney, WRs Shawn Weaks, Mason McGrew. Read More ...
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Fulton City blown away by 2nd South Fulton wind
South Fulton’s second wind stopped Fulton City in its tracks on Thursday.
The Red Devils rallied for 24 unanswered points — after holding just a 22-20 advantage with four minutes remaining in the first half — to procure a 46-20 triumph.
Hunter Wade was especially impressive for the Redmen, totaling 113 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries.
Wade, who took in a two-point conversion, also came up big on defense with a sack of Bulldog quarterback Damian Roach for a safety just prior to intermission.
In other junior high football action on Thursday, Ridgemont edged Lake Road 12-8, Hillcrest walloped Fulton County 47-20 and Gibson County bested Black Oak 36-6.
The following is a roundup of Thursday’s games as reported to The Messenger by area football coaches. Read More ...
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UTM hoopster Lane facing sexual assault rap
University of Tennessee at Martin basketball player Delrico Lane has been suspended from the team indefinitely following his arrest for an alleged sexual assault.
Lane, who played in just nine games last season due to a knee injury, was released from the Weakley County Jail on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 8.
According to a police affidavit and a media report, Lane held a woman down while a co-defendant, Christian Carpenter, assaulted the woman, kissing her on the breasts and touching her genitals with a walking cane.
The affidavit said Lane was questioned by police and reportedly admitted to holding the woman down and biting her on the neck during the incident. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 27
Briefly
Central, SF linksters
at top of local match
The Obion Central and South Fulton golf teams swept the top spots on Thursday.
The Red Devils claimed a first-place finish with a 161 in a four-team boys’ match against OC, Gibson County and Westview at Wynridge Greens in Troy. The Rebel boys tied with GC for second with a 174.
Meanwhile, the OC girls defeated South Fulton 106-116 in head-to-head action.
In boys’ play, Red Devil Chase Mayfield tied with Westview’s Austin Smith for medalist honors. Both golfers fired 36s.
Otherwise, SF’s Hunter Hutchins totaled a 39, J.B. Graves shot a 42 and Hunter Faulkner finished with a 33.
Obion Central’s low score came from Garrett Booth (42). Trevor Riley and Cameron Green each fired a 43 for the Rebels, while Ryan Middlebrook added a 46. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 26
Briefly
Cluttered leaderboard
at weekly Pop event
Poplar Meadows Coun-try Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 7-under par and claiming victory via a scorecard playoff.
The victorious combination included Gary Gill, Jim Baker, Sid Chappell and Amos Davis.
Finishing in second also at 7-under par was a trio of teams including the combination of Matt Russell, Bobby Russell, Robert Huffstutter, Rick Smith and Bruce Culver; the team of John Slayton, Frank Clark, Brandon Orr and Justin Keathley; and the team of Mike Rogers, Thomas Ray, Jim Yates, Mark Anderson and Skipper White.
The scramble begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The fee includes dinner. Read More ...
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OC will essentially start from scratch
Though the official record lists Obion Central as 1-0, in many ways, Friday will be like the Rebels’ first game of the 2010 season.
Head coach Shawn Jackson reiterated Tuesday that OC got “no benefits” from Saturday night’s 35-6 win over Fulton County that was halted twice by lightning before finally being called an official game.
The Central offense was on the field for but 17 snaps vs. the Pilots, while the defense played just 24 plays. In all, the action equated to about a quarter-and-a-half of true game time. Read More ...
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Devilette teacher Lee schools LR pupil
Teacher 1, Pupil 0.
South Fulton Middle School softball coach Curt Lee claimed a milestone victory with his 6-3 triumph over Lake Road on Tuesday afternoon.
And while the margin of victory wasn’t particularly impressive compared to some of Lee’s bigger wins over the years, the triumph is of note as it is the first for Lee against a team coached by one of his former players.
The Lady Generals are skippered this season by 2005 South Fulton graduate Maddie Carrington — an All-State pitcher during her prep career.
“It makes me feel old,” Lee said in a joking manner when asked about what it felt like to go against one of his former charges. “It really was exciting to play someone that I coached and see her teaching some of the same things I do. I think the coach against former player deal also added some excitement for the fans and a good crowd turned out.” Read More ...
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Cushion is comfy for SF
The South Fulton boys’ golf team needed to squint if it looked back to find second place on Tuesday.
The Red Devils’ cumulative score of 166 was 37 strokes ahead of second-place Westview and 46 shots better than last-place Halls at the three-team match within the confines of the Fulton Country Club.
SF’s Chase Mayfield tied with Westview’s Austin Smith for match medalist honors as each fired a 36.
Meanwhile, Red Devil Hunter Hutchins carded a 39, Easton Woolf totaled a 44 and J.B. Graves finished at 47.
Devilette McKenzie Pane bested Westview’s lone girl Tara Wilkey 45-56 in an one-on-one match.
In other prep links play from Tuesday, the Obion Central boys finished in a tie for second at a three-way match against Dyersburg and Trenton. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 25
Briefly
Twister 1-2 punch
KOs Three Oaks team
The Union City Middle School football team hit Three Oaks with the old ‘one-two punch.’
Both Jacob Hyde and Alex Reid ran for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns and two PATs each in the Jr. Tornadoes’ 38-8 triumph Tuesday night at War Memorial Stadium.
Hyde, who ended up with 123 rushing yards, hit paydirt on runs of one and four yards, while Reid (111 yards) found the endzone on runs of one and 10 yards.
Quarterback Grant Walton accounted for the locals final points on a seven-yard keeper for a touchdown.
Hyde also had a team-leading seven tackles. Read More ...
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Titans go long to best Cards
NASHVILLE — A trio of long scoring drives of at least 80 yards resulted in 17 points, propelling the Tennessee Titans to a 24-10 home opening preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals Monday night at L.P. Field.
The Titans, playing before a nationally-televised audience on ESPN, capped off what head coach Jeff Fisher had called a good week of practice with the victory.
“We had a pretty good week of preparation last week — early continuing right up to the preparation for the Cardinals,” he said. “I felt like we took a step as a football team and I think it gave us a carryover tonight.
“I liked some of the things that we saw. I liked the effort, the enthusiasm and saw a lot of good things in all three phases.”
Along with the effective offensive play, the Titans first unit defense was impressive. Tennessee forced three consecutive three-and-outs by the Cardinals first team offensive unit led by new starting quarterback Matt Leinart. Read More ...
By LEE WILMOT, Special To The Messenger |
LR book has perfect Paige
Pitching was at a premium on Monday afternoon.
Lake Road’s Paige Russell hurled a perfect game as her team blanked Black Oak 15-0.
Meanwhile, Hillcrest sixth-grader McClain Bell allowed just one hit and struck out five during a 13-3 triumph over Ridgemont.
Finally, South Fulton winning pitcher Sierra Coley and Kristen Crocker combined to hold Martin at bay during a 7-2 victory.
Today’s junior high softball slate has LR at SF, while H’crest hosts Dyer at Obion Central.
The following is a roundup of Monday’s action as reported to The Messenger by area coaches. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 24
Briefly
OC girls’ soccer team
can boast of SF win
History was made on Monday.
The Obion Central girls’ soccer team claimed bragging rights within the county after its 8-1 victory over upstart South Fulton in the season-opener for both squads and the first varsity meeting between the two programs.
OC’s Paige Hicks led the charge with a total of three goals, while teammate Mandi McDaniel found the net twice.
Otherwise, Maddie Bell, Madison Turner and Kelsey Gibson had one goal each for the Lady Rebels.
The game was hotly-contested at halftime with OC ahead by a slim 1-0 margin. Read More ...
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Lions’ ground game gouges G’field for five TDs
Coming into the 2010 season, nearly every conversation about the Dresden Lions’ offense was centered around its passing attack led by senior quarterback Dale Hutcherson.
When the Lions made their debut on Friday night at Harris Field in Greenfield, it was the Dresden running game which nabbed the headlines in their 34-7 victory over the host Greenfield Yellowjackets. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Chargers dominate fumbling Huntingdon offense
BANG!
That’s how the Westview Chargers’ 2010 season got under way in a 34-0 win over the host Huntingdon Mustangs on Friday night.
The Mustangs won the coin toss and opted to kick to Westview to start the game. A short, angled kick was hauled in by senior upback Tevin Evans at the Chargers’ 26-yard line. Evans blazed up the sideline, squeezed between two defenders and raced 74 yards to paydirt. Landon Prather booted the extra point to put Westview on top 7-0 with just 14 seconds gone off the clock. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Hornets’ big plays bury Bulldogs in jamboree
When a hornet feels threatened, it releases a pheromone to alert the rest of the nest to come to its aid in containing the attacker.
This past Friday night, the Gleason Bulldogs were able to hold off the majority of a small group of South Gibson Hornets, but found themselves stung multiple times by a quarterback and running back duo and eventually lost, 20-14, in the second annual Star Physical Therapy Football Jamboree in Lexington. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
DMS penalties, turnovers costly in loss to McKenzie
When Tyree Owens picked off a pass made through heavy traffic at his squad’s 25-yard line, a contest that could have belonged to anyone from the start sealed itself as a victory for McKenzie.
The opening game of the season between the middle school Rebels and visiting Dresden Middle School Lions showcased the defense of both teams and also the mistakes of each offense with first-game jitters leading the way. Neither team managed to reach the end zone in the first half, but the junior Rebels scored early in the fourth quarter on a quarterback sneak. The conversion put them up 8-0, but Dresden answered quickly with a long touchdown run from Quincey McDonald. Tyler Hutcherson was stopped on the conversion, however, and that made the difference as DMS eventually fell 8-6. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
UC hammer reason for rally
CADIZ, Ky. — In the end, there was nowhere for Trigg County to (Hyde).
Sophomore fullback Keylon Hyde ran for 303 yards and four touchdowns to help Union City rally from a two-touchdown fourth-quarter deficit to a thrilling 42-28 victory over the host Wildcats Friday night.
Hyde’s third and fourth TDs came in the final 46 seconds when the Tornadoes completed their stirring comeback against a tiring TC defense that was repeatedly hammered and finally caved in vs. Union City’s relentless midline/veer rushing attack.
And though only a handful of starters return from UC’s Class 1A state championship team, it’s clear the physical style and superior conditioning displayed by that 2009 title club will still be a trademark of this season’s team. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Pilots grounded by flashy Rebels
Maybe it was Mother Nature’s way of saying enough was enough.
A second stoppage of play due to what was determined to be ‘heat lightning’ cut short what was eventually declared a season-opening 35-6 victory for Obion Central over Fulton County Saturday night at Troy.
Game officials signaled the contest over after lightning was spotted in the distance and after the game had already been delayed once by a state-mandated 30 minutes for a similar occurrence early in the second period.
The second quarter had already been shortened to eight minutes — from its usual 12 — after the first interruption and an opening stanza that took an hour and five minutes to play because of 16 accepted penalties and several more that were not applied.
The early halt to the game likely was nothing more than an unofficial mercy rule application. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Redmen escape without incident
South Fulton got in and out of its action at the Lexington Jamboree with a victory and without major incident.
The Red Devils blanked Middleton 20-0 in the two-quarter session, depending largely on its inside running game after the locals concluded they could run amuck on the outside.
“We ran our outside plays maybe three or four times and it was wide open,” SF head coach Kelly Spivey said. “Once we saw that, we subbed pretty quickly.
“I saw what I needed to early and we were best suited to get off the field healthy.”
South Fulton’s first score came in the initial 10-minute period when JaQuay Garmon connected with Khiry Lewis for a 50-yard touchdown pass. Read More ...
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Blown-out Bulldogs better?
New Fulton City head coach Brad Rozzell insisted he saw improvement despite his team’s 41-6 defeat to Lake County on Friday evening.
“The defense was out of place a lot of times and not in position to make some plays last week (in a 41-0 jamboree loss to Greenfield),” Rozzell said. “This week, we got to where we needed to be in order to make plays, but either we just didn’t or they made us miss.
“We knew how good Lake County was coming in and what we were up against. I thought we put our heads down once we got behind in the jamboree. This week, we kept fighting. I’ll sleep a lot better tonight than I did after the jamboree.”
Falcon quarterback Sam Hayes didn’t give up the fight either with two touchdown runs on an evening where he made just six carries for a total of 132 yards. Read More ...
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Long Camden TDs set McKenzie back
Devon White and Trae White each had long touchdown runs in the first half to help Camden build a big lead and go on to a 23-14 victory over McKenzie to highlight rural West Tennessee Week 0 games.
Devon White scored on an 82-yard burst to make it 13-0, and Trae White had a 52-yard endzone dash late in the half to give the Lions a 20-0 advantage. Devon finished with 117 yards on just 10 carries, while Trae totaled 88 yards on six rushes.
McKenzie actually outgained Camden all totaled (361-279), but saw Max Arnold throw three interceptions. Arnold did have nine completions for 185 yards and both Rebel touchdowns. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 23
Briefly
OC soccer tickets
currently on sale
Season tickets for the 2010 Obion County Central girls’ soccer season are currently on sale at the school.
The Lady Rebels open their campaign today at home today vs. South Fulton in a 5 p.m. match.
Season tickets for OC’s eight scheduled home games can be had for $20, a $4 savings over the price of $3 that will be charged at the gate for each game.
Those season tickets will be available at today’s game and at the school thereafter.
For further information, call 536-4688. Read More ...
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Game Notes for Week 0
Union City at Trigg Co. (Tonight)
PLACE, TIME: Cadiz, 7:30 p.m.
2009 RECORDS: UC 12-2; Trigg Co. 7-5.
COACHES (RECORDS): Union City: Darren Bowling (129-66 in 17th season; 22-4 in 3rd year at UC); Trigg Co.: Shannon Burcham (22-15 in 4th season at TC).
LAST MEETING: 2009. UC won 45-6.
SERIES RECORD — Union City leads, 1-0.
NEXT WEEK — Union City has an open date. TC plays at Mayfield.
KEY PLAYERS: Union City — QB Chase Bowling, RB/LB Keylon Hyde, OL/LB Trey Maddox, OL/DL Nick Crumble, RB/DB Deandrez Williams. Trigg Co. — QB Andrew Stewart, RB Akeem Wilson, WR Nick Watkins and Jaron Gilbert.
OUTLOOK: The Tornadoes open defense of their Class 1A state championship out of state against a Wildcat bunch that lost four of its first five games last year before winning six in a row and making it to the second round of the Kentucky playoffs. UC is replacing 17 starters from last year’s title team, including record-setting bruising fullback Josh Nicks and three other all-staters. Union City’s suspect pass defense will likely get an immediate test as Stewart can sling it and is a good athlete in the Wildcats’ spread set. TC did lose four of five offensive linemen to graduation and but one starter along the DL returns. Read More ...
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UC softball time machine picks up Sisco as mentor
The Union City softball program is moving forward by reaching back.
In need of a new coach after Cristina Grimm resigned on the first day of school after just one season at the helm, UCHS Principal Wes Kennedy has coaxed former skipper Shane Sisco back to the Lady Tornado diamond post.
Sisco, the most successful coach in the largely-undistinguished history of the sport at UCHS, had resigned the position in the spring of 2009 after leading the Twister girls to a 58-49 mark and two regional semifinal appearances in three seasons.
“I’m looking forward to getting back involved and see if we can get the program over the hump and take that next step,” said Sisco, who — in his earlier tenure — established some respectability in a program that is still under .500 (178-207) for a span of 17 seasons. “Losing that last district tournament game in 2009 really left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I’m ready to get to work to get over that.” Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Twister (Hyde)s in LR endzone
Jacob Hyde scored four touchdowns to lead Union City Middle School to a 44-12 season-opening triumph over Lake Road Thursday night jayvee football action.
Hyde hit paydirt on runs of 36, 25 and 55 yards and also returned a kickoff 75 yards to paydirt.
In other games involving local teams on the first night of regular season play, Hillcrest dropped a 28-14 decision to West Carroll, while South Fulton came out on the short end of a 38-8 decision vs. Gleason.
The following is a roundup of those games, as reported to The Messenger.
UC 44, Lake Road 12
Hyde also added a two-point conversion to account for 26 of the Jr. Tornadoes’ 44 points.
Jormel Watson broke free for a 47-yard touchdown for the Twisters. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 20
Briefly
UCMS softballers
use broom on LC
The Union City Middle School softball team brought out the brooms on Thursday.
The Lady Twisters swept Lake County in a doubleheader — claiming a 14-3 victory in Game 1 and an 8-4 triumph in the second game.
In the opener, Ashley Faught hurled a one-hitter for UC.
Courtney Sherrill was a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs batted in and a triple, while Kristian Davis homered, tripled and drove in four.
Kealie Reaves also had a pair of ribbies in the opener. Read More ...
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Weakley County golfers finally get on links
The recent increased temperatures and the TSSAA-mandated heat index rule affected more than football practices and jamborees.
Due to high temperatures, all high school golf matches involving Weakley County teams were cancelled last week.
The local linksters finally got their 2010 seasons under way on Monday. Read More ...
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Skyhawk Football To Host Open House
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team will hold an open house at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 23 at Graham Stadium. Fans will have a chance to meet head coach Jason Simpson, his staff and the 2010 Skyhawks. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 19
Briefly
Winning team at ‘Pop’
finishes at 10-under
Poplar Meadows Cou-ntry Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 10-under par.
The winning team included Ron Cooper, Portis Tanner, Wynn Burnett, Terry Wiseman, Rodger Tanner and Greg Dunn.
Finishing in second at 9-under par was the team of Chris Tidwell, Robert King, David Sturkie, Randy Chism and Tony Westbrooks; the team of Ben Hopkins, Mason Storey, Nick Gilliam, Jacob Dobson, Clay Prince and Grant Gaines; and the team of Matt Russell, Bobby Russell and Rick Smith.
The scramble begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Read More ...
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Sports Briefs
OC girls’ soccer team
tunes up for opener
The Obion County Central girls’ soccer team tuned up for its upcoming season opener with a 4-2 victory over host Covington Monday.
Published in The Messenger 8.18.10 Read More ...
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Weakley County teams triumph in annual Ken-Tenn Jamboree
The preseason came to a sweaty and swatty close for teams participating in the annual Ken-Tenn Jamboree Friday night at Fulton County High School in Hickman.
In sweltering conditions and with swarms of insects feasting on the fans, the Dresden Lions, Greenfield Yellowjackets and Gleason Bulldogs proved to be victorious over their Kentucky counterparts.
For Dresden and Greenfield, the jamboree sessions wrapped up the preseason and sent a message that their rivalry game on Friday night should be a high-scoring affair. Dresden used its pass attack to roll over South Fulton 20-6. Greenfield then trounced the defenseless Fulton City Bulldogs, 41-0. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Balance is key for WHS in jamboree win over Bruceton
Mimicking a similar headline from last season, the Westview Chargers shined in their first Friday night football session by reducing a group of tigers to tabby cats.
This past Friday night in jamboree action in Huntingdon, the Chargers took the field in the third game of the evening and pummeled the Bruceton-Hollow Rock Central Tigers, 16-0. Clicking on offense and defense against its much smaller Carroll County opponent, Westview scored on the ground, through the air and even on defense with a blocked punt, which led to a safety. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Martin manages a jamboree win, while Lions leave on a good note
On a night filled with the electricity of heat and threatening thunderstorms, two Weakley County middle school teams took to the gridiron in McKenzie to put theory into practice and practice into a game. The Martin Middle School Panthers prevailed over Lexington, 16-6, while the Dresden Middle School Lions came up just a hair short to the Huntingdon Jr. Mustangs, 14-8. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Local linksters start early to finally beat heat
The Union City, South Fulton and Obion Central golf teams all finally began their season on Monday at the Kickoff Classic in Dyersburg.
Each team had been previously scheduled to take to the links last week, but the TSSAA’s heat index would not allow those matches to start.
Monday’s action at The Farms began at 8:30 a.m. in an effort to finish the tournament before heat concerns became a factor.
On Monday, the SF boys finished ninth out of 13 teams with a score of 392. The Twisters were 10th with a 413 and Central came in 12th with a 425.
UC was the top local girls’ team with a cumulative score of 220 in sixth, while Central was seventh (224) and SF eighth (237).
Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 17
Briefly
Jr. Tornado league
to sign up Saturday
Signups for the Union City Jr. Tornado Football League will be held Saturday at the UCHS Fieldhouse.
The registration will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with youths in grades 3-6 eligible and encouraged to participate.
Signup fee is $55 per player, with cheerleader fees to be determined at a later date. Both prospective players and cheerleaders must register in order to particpate in the league this fall.
For further information, call 884-0649. Read More ...
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UC aerial defense better vs. McKenzie
Union City cut McKenzie off at the pass on Friday.
A week after allowing four touchdowns passes in a scrimmage against Dresden, the Golden Tornadoes limited the Rebels to just 4-of-10 passing at the annual Huntingdon preseason jamboree.
However, McKenzie — which UC tied 3-all in a scrimmage just over a week ago — managed to get the lone touchdown of the 20-minute exhibition to claim a 7-0 decision.
The Twister secondary was much-improved Friday, forcing incompletions on the first six passes. Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Devils do OK without a few
Though it wasn’t a full dress rehearsal, Kelly Spivey liked some of what he saw.
“For us not to have six kids in uniform because of injuries, I still was pleased with a few things,” the South Fulton coach said after his troops came out on the short end of a 20-6 score against Dresden Friday night at the Ken-Tenn Jamboree in Hickman.
“We only had 20 kids dressed, and we had two of our five offensive linemen not in there. I was not displeased overall. I felt like we hung with them for the most part.”
Weakley County teams ended up winning in all three matchups of the annual get-together that consisted of three 15-minute quarters each with multliple breaks taken in stifling conditions that included a heat index of over 100 when the action began at 8 p.m.
Greenfield, 1-9 a year ago, hammered Fulton City 41-0, and Gleason edged host Fulton County 6-0 to complete the scrimmage-type action. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Rebels reserves passable this time
Obion Central took it easy on Friday at the Covington Jamboree.
The Rebels, in their final preseason action prior to the season opener this Saturday, relied on what head coach Shawn Jackson termed a team of “junior varsity” players exclusively on offense and only had their first-team defense on the field for about six minutes during a 14-10 win over Tipton-Rosemark Academy.
“Our first team (on offense) did good against Henry County, but when we put the JV team in, they didn’t move the ball at all,” Jackson said. “I felt like they were starstruck (at HC) and they didn’t play up to their ability. So, we decided to run them out in front of all of these people and get them used to playing on Friday night.” Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 16
Briefly
SF girls get victory
against Hillcrest
South Fulton bested Hillcrest 15-11 in middle school softball on Friday.
Kristen Crocker was the winning pitcher, while Aalia Bivens finished the game with a double, single and two runs batted in for the Devilettes.
Hillcrest had Rachel Jones, who was a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI.
Alea Ragsdale absorbed the mound defeat for the Lady Cougars (1-2).
H’crest returns to action at 11 Saturday morning at Crockett County. SF hosts Ridgemont on Aug. 24. Read More ...
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Consistent kicker on UTM wish list
UT Martin football coach Jason Simpson was honest with his team at the conclusion of the fourth practice of the 2010 season Wednesday night at Hardy M. Graham Stadium.
“We are building this football team, but we need consistency,” Simpson said.
Just four practices into the fall season, Simpson said the consistency of the three kickers is lacking. Sophomore Cody Sandlin from Nashville, and freshman James Satterfield (Gallatin) and Tucker Nelson (a transfer from South Carolina) are battling for the starting kicker’s job.
Nelson, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 175 pounds, was the most consistent field goal kicker Wednesday night. He made three-of-four field goal attempts with the longest being a 35-yarder. Satterfield made one of his attempts, while Sandlin had plenty of distance on his kicks but lacked accuracy. Read More ...
By UTM Sports Information |
Messenger Sports Briefs for August 13
Briefly
Football section
coming next week
It’s coming.
The award-winning Messenger football preview edition will be available and released to the masses in Thursday’s edition next week.
The section — judged as the best in its class by either the Tennessee Sports Writers Association or Tennessee Press Association in 11 of the last 13 years — is again packed full of information for the coming 2010 prep season.
Included will be in-depth previews of Union City, Obion Central, South Fulton and Fulton City along with numerous other previews and feature stories.
Both reigning Class 1A state champion UC and Central begin their respective campaigns next weekend, while South Fulton will open on Aug. 27. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 12
Briefly
Weekly Pop outing
goes to scorecard
Poplar Meadows Country Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 8-under par.
The winning team, in a scorecard playoff, included Chris Tidwell, Randy Chism, David Sturkie, Robert King, Tony Westbrook and Matt Sanner.
Also shooting 8-under was the team of Ross Clark, Frank Clark, John Slayton, Grant Simmons, Adam Reeves and Chris Snider.
The scramble begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The fee includes dinner.
Anyone interested in participating should call 885-3650 by 2 p.m. Wednesday. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 11
Briefly
Jamboree start times
altered due to heat
Start times for Friday’s football jamborees at Covington and Fulton County have been pushed back an hour due to heat concerns.
The evening’s first contest at Covington between Munford and Haywood will now begin at 6:30.
The Obion Central-Tipton Rosemark Acad-emy segment of the jamboree is now slated to start at 7:30.
Brighton and Ripley will follow at 8:30 with the evening’s final contest featuring Covington and Briarcrest set to start at 8:30.
At Fulton County, South Fulton and Dresden will now kick off at 8 Read More ...
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No sign of first-outing jitters for Dresden offense
The long wait to get on the field didn’t slow down the Dresden Lions’ offense.
After having their original scrimmage rescheduled due to extreme heat, the Lions football team finally got to scrimmage in preparation for the upcoming 2010 season. Dresden traveled to Union City to take on the defending Class A state champion Tornadoes on Friday afternoon. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Stiffer competition tested WHS in second scrimmage
It didn’t come as easily as the scrimmage victory over Jackson Central-Merry, but the Westview Chargers still managed to down their second preseason foe, 6-2, on Saturday morning at Westview’s practice field.
The Chester County Eagles had trouble slowing the Chargers’ mixture of bubble screens and quick passes to the flat with runs by the tailbacks and keepers by quarterback Tanner Spencer. The Westview varsity outscored the Eagles 4-2, while the Chargers’ junior varsity and freshmen outdueled their foes, 2-0. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
From Jacket to Wildcat
Greenfield golfer Taylor Stricklin signed with the Bethel University Golf team Monday. Stricklin was a four-year member of the squad at Greenfield High School where he was All-District for three years. Read More ...
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Prep grid menu offers Fri. jams
Football fans wanting to get a look at the local teams prior to the start of the 2010 campaign can do so on Friday.
Union City, Obion Central, South Fulton and Fulton City are all set to be in action during preseason jamborees at various locations.
UC gets it second crack at McKenzie in the fourth quarter of the annual Huntingdon Quarterback Club Jamboree at Paul Ward Stadium, while Obion Central does battle with Tipton-Rosemark Academy at Covington.
Both SF and the Bulldogs are to participate in the Ken-Tenn Football Jamboree at Fulton County.
At Huntingdon, the Twisters, who tied 3-3 with McKenzie in a scrimmage a week ago, face off with the Carroll Countians in the fourth and final 20-minute quarter. Read More ...
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Twister tix available locally
Advance tickets are on sale at Union City High School through the end of the week for Friday night’s Huntingdon Jamboree.
The Tornado football team will face McKenzie in the last of four 20-minute quarters in a session that will include eight West Tennessee teams in all. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 10
Briefly
LR softball squad
downs Ridgemont
Lake Road came out on top in the first Obion County School System middle school softball game of the season on Monday.
The Lady Generals, under new head coach and former South Fulton All-Stater Maddie Carrington, defeated Ridgemont and new skipper Jeremy Bugg 8-3.
Hannah Cavness had two hits for the Lady Generals, while Madison Gargus drove in a trio for the victors.
Ridgemont’s Macy Muirhead, Landry Web-ster and Keaton Cooper each had one safety.
Lake Road’s Paige Russell claimed the mound victory, striking out eight. Ridgemont’s Macey Beeler absorbed the mound defeat.
LR returns to action on Thursday evening at 7 on the Obion Central field against Hillcrest. The Lady Mustangs play next on Aug. 17 in a doubleheader at Dyer. Read More ...
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Top UC concern is aerial defense
Darren Bowling is the early leader in the contest for ‘Understatement of the Preseason’ by area high school football coaches.
“We have got to get better in all facets of pass defense,” the Union City skipper lamented after his team gave up four touchdown passes and was repeatedly riddled by Dresden’s Dale Hutcherson in a Friday scrimmage session.
And while the Lions never slowed down UC’s midline/veer offense themselves and gave up six TDs to the Tornadoes, it was his club’s overall struggles in defending the pass that was a glaring concern for Bowling afterward.
“We didn’t get much of a rush, we didn’t cover, we tackled poorly in the open field and we didn’t force but one turnover all day,” he said while rattling off his team’s shortcomings at the end of the two-plus hour scrimmage. “No question, our tackling is my biggest concern. They threw the ball so quickly, I didn’t expect us to get much pressure on them.
“That means you have to make one-on-one plays, and we didn’t very often. We’ve got to do a much better job of getting off blocks and getting the receiver on the ground.” Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Redmen satisfy at Bruceton
South Fulton got a satisfactory grade after its first scrimmage of the preseason on Friday.
The Red Devils, starting their third campaign under Kelly Spivey and struggling to find quality practice time with the recent hot spell, tied Bruceton 2-2.
“We haven’t been able to go live or outside as much as we’d like to with the heat, so we needed this scrimmage,” Spivey said .“All in all, I thought we did a lot of things well. Our linebackers did the best job of any I’ve seen in my time here.”
The linebacker corps, which includes juniors Cody Tatum, Willie Kneuppel along with Chance Barnes and Taverius James, came up big on the first trio of defensive series, stopping the Tigers for what would have been four three-and-outs in game situations.
The first series was especially impressive for the SF defense as the Redmen limited Bruceton to just a total of 16 offensive yards, forcing a pair of three-and-outs. Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Messenger Sports Briefs for August 9
Briefly
Wynridge victors
card 11-under score
The combination of Bryan Barker, David Puckett, Bim Barker, J.D. Stephens and Ike Peel combined to shoot an 11-under-par and win the weekly men’s scramble at Wynridge Greens in Troy Thursday.
Meanwhile, the team of Eric Garrigan, Kenneth Ferrell, Russ Johnson, Chris Booth, Woody Booth and Garrett Booth got second place with a cumulative total of 8-under.
Wynridge Greens holds its weekly men’s scramble every Thursday.
For more information, call 536-4653.
Read More ...
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Rebs respectable at tough Henry Co.
In lining up his team’s only preseason scrimmage, Shawn Jackson wanted to see how his Obion Central troops stacked up against one of West Tennessee’s better programs the past few years.
The Rebel coach wasn’t disappointed with the results.
OC turned in a respectable showing against Henry County Thursday, though eventually coming out on the short end of a 25-7 score against a Patriot program that made three straight semifinal appearances in Class 4A from 2006-08 before moving to 5A last season.
The Rebels scored one touchdown and threatened two other times, once reaching the three yard-line before turning the ball over on downs in the scrimmage that lasted nearly two hours. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Rebel tix go on sale Monday
Obion Central will begin selling season tickets to its five home varsity football games, freshman and junior varsity games on Monday.
Cost will be $25, and the ticket will admit the bearer to all home football contests.
Student season tickets will be on sale for $20 for football games, or $30 for an entire yearly pass to all athletic events at Obion Central — including football, soccer, basketball, softball, and baseball. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for August 6
Briefly
SF, Twister gridders
to scrimmage today
Both Union City and South Fulton will continue their preparations for their respective season openers with scrimmages today.
The Tornadoes, who worked in brutal heat conditions Tuesday against McKenzie, are slated to work at home against Dresden at 5 p.m.
The Red Devils will see their first scrimmage action of the fall at Bruceton at 6. Read More ...
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Yellowjackets show steady improvements
Progress was the key word for Greenfield Yellowjackets head coach Jason Rodehaver after his team’s 26-6 scrimmage win over host Gibson County Tuesday night in Dyer.
“I was excited to see progress. We’re not where we want to be yet, but I’m pleased we’re moving in the right direction,” Rodehaver noted. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Sizzling heat, rising temps hinder fall sports workouts
Mother Nature has turned up the heat in Weakley County just in time to disrupt the preseason workouts of local athletic teams.
With the mercury in the thermometer threatening to pop right out of the top like a raging volcano, coaches are having to adapt their schedules to keep their players healthy and to stay within the guidelines set by the TSSAA. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Messenger Sports Briefs for August 5
Briefly
OC Little Dribblers
to register again
The Obion County Little Dribblers team is to have a second registration meeting Aug. 10.
The meeting is to begin at 5 and last for an hour at Obion Central.
Children ages 5 through fifth grade can participate with the OC Little Dribblers.
All parents of youths wishing to participate on the squad, which performs regularly during halftime at junior high and high school games, are encouraged to attend. Read More ...
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Hot UC ‘strikes’ an even ‘match’
Union City and McKenzie both made the best out of a less-than-ideal situation.
Battling triple-digit heat indexes and stifling temperatures, the reigning Class A state champion Tornadoes and Rebels got in more than two hours of scrimmage work Tuesday evening in preparation for their respective season openers that are a little more than two weeks away.
Both teams scored three times in the session, which began on the UC practice field and then moved under the lights of War Memorial Stadium. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Uncertainty creates ‘Grimm’ UC situation
On the first day of classes today in the Union City School System, Wes Kennedy was in need of a softball coach.
The UCHS Principal immediately got busy trying to find one.
Cristina Grimm, who served one season in the Lady Tornado program, reportedly told Kennedy Monday she “wasn’t sure she wanted to coach” and thus put into motion the wheels to find her replacement.
Kennedy hopes to have a new coach for both the high school and middle school in place by the end of the spring sports dead period, Aug. 14. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Messenger Sports Briefs for August 3
Briefly
Reelfoot winners
take home $1,000
Michael and Sam Stuart of Hornbeak caught five fish totaling 18.42 pounds to claim the championship payout of $1,000 at the eighth annual Reelfoot Lake catfish tournament over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the five fish caught by Jason Mount and Jacob Coffer of Kennett, Mo., totaled 17.26 pounds for second place and $500.
The Dyersburg tandem of Tony and Tammy Angel brought in five fish that weighted a total of 16.66 pounds for third place and $210. Read More ...
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Charger run game, defense too much for JCM
The Westview Chargers found little resistance in their first preseason opponent of the 2010 season.
Westview dominated the action against the Jackson Central-Merry Cougars, scoring eight touchdowns to JCM’s none on a searing hot Saturday morning at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Jackets dominate Middleton in first 2010 outing
Mother Nature was about the only thing that slowed down the Greenfield Yellowjackets in their first 2010 preseason scrimmage.
Lightning brought an early end to the scrimmage which saw the host Yellowjackets outscore the visiting Middleton Tigers, two touchdowns to none. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Memphis abuzz about Hudson
As the city of Memphis grieves over the loss of one of its own — former University of Memphis and Grizzlies star Lorenzen Wright — fellow Memphian and former University of Tennessee at Martin standout Lester Hudson unleashed a performance on Wednesday night that has many in the community abuzz.
The former Skyhawk dazzled his hometown fans with a spectacular 74-point showing.
Hudson has spent most of his time this summer playing for the Thunder in the Bluff City Classic — a pro-am league based in Memphis which started in 1981 but has rekindled this summer after a seven-year layoff, thanks to contributions from former NBA great Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and local businessman Stanley Blue. Read More ...
By UTM Sports Information |
Messenger Sports Briefs for August 2
Briefly
Union City track
to close for repairs
Dave Shatz Track — a popular walking place for several Union City residents — will be closed to such activity starting Tuesday.
Paving on a new track surface is scheduled to begin then, according to Union City High School Principal Wes Kennedy.
The project, which is reported to cost more the $60,000, is expected to be completed in plenty of time for the Tornadoes’ first home football game, scheduled for Sept. 17 against Obion Central. Read More ...
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Fight-marred Tornado scrimmage cut short
Things got hot Thursday when Union City concluded its first week of football camp with a scrimmage at Wayne County.
And it had nothing to do with the sultry weather conditions.
Tornado head coach Darren Bowling ordered his team to the bus after just one hour of the session when several fights broke out during and after plays between the two squads that met in last year’s Class 1A semifinals.
Reportedly, countless racial slurs made toward Twister players prompted some of the altercations, and both teams were said to have been regularly heard “jawing” at each other. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Messenger Sports Briefs for July 30
Briefly
Wynridge winners
have slim advantage
The team of Mason Storey, Nick Gilliam, Ray Swift, Tanner Perkins and Clay Searcy combined to shoot a 8-under-par and win the weekly men’s scramble at Wynridge Greens in Troy Thursday.
Meanwhile, the combination of Bim Barker, Bryan Barker, David Puckett, J.D. Stephens and Ike Peel got second place with a cumulative total of 7-under. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for July 29
Briefly
Scramble at Pop
goes to scorecard
Poplar Meadows Coun-try Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 7-under par.
The winning team, in a scorecard playoff, included Barrett Tanner, Ron Cooper, Greg Dunn, Eric Bing and Reuben Tanner.
Also shooting 7-under par was the team of Matt Russell, Bobby Russell, Rick Smith, Bruce Culver and Tripp Young; and the team of Bedford Dunavant, Chris Tidwell, David Sturkie and Tony Westbrook; and the team of Gary Gill, Jim Baker, Gerald Potts, Sidney Chappell and Gerald Potts.
The scramble begins at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The fee includes dinner. Read More ...
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State Runner-up
The Martin 14-and-Under Babe Ruth team edged Union City, 10-9, in the championship game of the state tournament losers’ bracket to face Lexington with the title on the line. Read More ...
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Champions
The Marlins captured the Martin 2010 T-Ball regular season championship. Members of the top team are Read More ...
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TILEY |
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UTM’s charity effort goes global
As it turns out, the University of Tennessee at Martin women’s tennis team’s year-long collaborative effort to help the fight against cancer reached donors from overseas who were more than willing to open their wallets for a good cause. Read More ...
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‘Family Feud’ makes a return at UTM vs. UT All in the Family tailgate party
For the first time since 2008, college football fans will square off in a version of “Family Feud,” the television game show that pits two families against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question posed to 100 people.
Football fans from both The University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Tennessee will play the game at the All in the Family Tailgate Party set for Sept. 4 from 3-5 p.m. ET at Circle Park on the UT Knoxville campus. Read More ...
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War Eagles will play at Bethel’s Wildcat Stadium
Bethel University Director of Athletics Glenn Hayes announced the West Tennessee War Eagles will play a regular season home game at Wildcat Stadium on July 31. There is a possibility the War Eagles’ scheduled Aug. 14 game could be played at the stadium as well. Read More ...
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Disc golf course is latest addition to Martin parks
The sun is out, the wind is gently blowing and the greens look freshly trimmed — a perfect day for golfing. But, as the first player steps to the tee pad, no bag-wielding caddy is in sight and instead of holding a driver, the golfer pulls out what appears to be a frisbee. While, to the average unsuspecting person, this might sound a bit like a dream, the sport of disc golf is a very big reality and it has been growing in popularity since its beginnings in the 1970s. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
’Hounds top dogs at World Series
The West Tennessee Greyhounds’ 11-year-old baseball team has gone global.
The squad, which is regularly comprised of all but two youths who play in the Union City Cal Ripken League, claimed the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Global World Series championship recently in Orange Beach, Ala.
Jack Guess, Jon David Fuzzell, Sam Guess, Graham Paschall, Tripp Conley, Cooper Hurt, Jordan Fowler, Hayden Smith and Thomas Barnes make up the contingent of local league players on the squad.
Meanwhile, Dresser Winn (Dresden) and Mac Hicks (Dyer) are the team’s pair of regular out-of-towners. Drew Harbin of Humboldt also competed alongside the West Tennessee team as a pick-up player at the GWS. Read More ...
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Scorching pace set by champs
Todd Johnson, Chris Martin and Harry Rogers shot a scorching 15-under par 57 on Saturday and followed up with a 13-under par 59 Sunday to claim Poplar Meadows Country Club’s annual three-man scramble title last weekend.
Their two-day total of 116 was good enough for a one-stroke victory over Matt Sanner, Steven Smith and Brendon Wilson, who shot a 58-59-117.
Third place went to Scott Carpenter, Trey McNeil and John Slayton, who shot 59-60-119. They were followed by Keith Gilliam, Robert Huff and Ray Swift, who shot 60-63-123. Read More ...
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Fulton title bid derailed
It took much longer than expected, but the KIT League finally crowned a regular season champion on Tuesday evening.
The Tradewater Pirates defeated the Fulton Railrroaders 6-5 in 12 innings to claim the league’s championship.
The game was a one-game playoff to determine the league’s regular season kingpin and the No. 1 seed for the league playoffs, which begin tonight.
The Railroaders started the game with a four-run outburst in the first inning on Tuesday. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for July 28
Briefly
UT alums Chism, Smith
to be pros in Turkey
KNOXVILLE (AP) — Two former Tennessee Volunteers will play in the Turkish Basketball League in its upcoming season.
According to Allegiant Athletic Agency, forward Tyler Smith will play again for Bornova and center Wayne Chism will play for Antalya.
Smith played for Bornova for three months last season, averaging 17 points and eight rebounds. He considered leagues in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Read More ...
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Much Skyhawk talk regards new coaches
UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson has quite a few new faces on his coaching staff.
All totaled, the fifth-year Skyhawk mentor has four new assistant coaches under his charge as UTM prepares for its Sept. 4 opener at Tennessee.
The game will be the first meeting between the two teams from the UT system.
The showdown again-st the Southeastern Con-ference power marks the second time in the past three years the Skyhawks — a member of the Football Championship Subdivision — have battled a SEC Bowl Championship Subdivision team. The Skyhawks traveled to Auburn in 2008.
Leading the list of assistants set to make their debut at Neyland Stadium is UTM alum Jordon Hankins. Hankins is in charge of running backs as well as strength and conditioning this season. Read More ...
By UTM Sports Information |
Messenger Sports Briefs for July 27
Briefly
Troy native Owens
aces W’ridge hole
George T. Owens of Troy recorded a hole-in-one at Wynridge Greens in Troy on Monday.
Owen’s ace came on the 100-yard seventh hole with the local golfer using a 9-iron.
Witnesses to the feat were Gaylon Long, Ken Pitts and Tommy Lovell. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for July 26
Briefly
Practice to begin
for BO, LR gridders
A pair of local middle school football teams have announced their first day of practice.
Lake Road will begin its preseason workouts on Tuesday with a session set to begin at 3 and end two hours later.
All players need to bring tennis shoes and cleats to practice.
It is also required that all football players have had a physical.
In cases of extreme heat, practice will be moved to the gym.
Meanwhile, the Black Oak football team will start practice Aug. 2 at 4:30, according to head coach Brian Moffitt. Read More ...
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Oh my Josh!!! Skyhawk Bey is top defender
UT Martin senior linebacker Josh Bey have been tabbed the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Austin Peay senior running back/return specialist Terrence Holt was the league’s preseason pick for Offensive Player of the Year.
The ballots were cast by the league’s head football coaches and sports information directors.
Eastern Illinois, Jacks-onville State and Tennessee Tech each had four selections apiece on the preseason team to lead the league.
Eastern Kentucky had the next most selections with three. Each of the league’s nine teams had at least one player on the preseason squad.
Returning players who were first-team All-OVC picks last season (12 in total) were automatic selections to the preseason team this year. Read More ...
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Jax. State is No. 1 pick
For the second straight season, five different Ohio Valley Conference schools received at least one first-place vote in the OVC preseason poll.
Meanwhile, Jackson-ville State picked up the most first-place votes (11) and was tabbed the preseason favorites in a vote of league head coaches and sports information directors.
Those 11 votes were out of 18 total, putting the Gamecocks (120 points) atop the preseason poll for the third time since joining the league in 2003.
Eastern Illinois, last year’s champion, picked up four first-place votes (114 total points) and was just six points behind Jax State.
Eastern Kentucky (102 points), Tennessee Tech (78 points) and Tennessee State (70 points) each received one first-place vote apiece and were picked third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
The preseason poll was rounded out by UT Martin (59 points), Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri tying for seventh (38 points) and Murray State (29 points). Read More ...
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Links champ
Austin Smith won the Tennessee Golf Association Junior Tour/Taylor-Made Adidas Championship Series Tournament that was held on July 6-7 at the Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory. Read More ...
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Briefly
Ex-Fulton football star
joins teammate at KSU
Former Fulton City High School football standing Daeron Williams will reportedly join ex-Bulldog teammate Jacquise Lockett at Kentucky State.
Published in The Messenger 7.23.10
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Youth league baseball
ALL-STARS
UNION CITY
14-YEAR-OLDS
The Union City 14-year-old All-Star team finished second in the district tournament to earn a berth in the state tourney this weekend in Lexington.
Published in The Messenger 7.22.10 Read More ...
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Briefly
Wynridge ladies event
decided by one shot
The foursome of Cheryl Brundige, Letha Barnes, Alice Peeples and Jill Emmons combined to shoot five-under par and win the weekly women’s golf scramble at Wynridge Greens in Troy on Tuesday.
Published in The Messenger 7.21.10 Read More ...
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Tae kwon do does Lewis, pupils well
By KENNETH COKER
Messenger Sports Reporter
Pardon Union City resident Dennis Lewis if he gets “defensive” about his tae kwon do students.
Published in The Messenger 7.21.10 Read More ...
Kenneth Coker, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Vernon’s priority is quality of dojo
By KENNETH COKER
Messenger Sports Reporter
Union City native and second-degree black belt Larry Vernon isn’t in the karate business just for kicks.
Published in The Messenger 7.21.10 Read More ...
Kenneth Coker, Messenger Sports Reporter |
HUDSON |
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Hudson helps Washington notch 4-1 winning record
Former UT Martin Skyhawk basketball standout Lester Hudson left his mark on the NBA’s Summer League, helping the Washington Wizards to a 4-1 record. Among Hudson’s highlights of the summer swing through Las Vegas were hitting a game-winning, buzzer-beating shot and dishing a beautiful, off-the-glass pass to teammate John Wall for a highlight reel-worthy dunk. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Third Place
Third place — The Martin 7-and-Under Rookie all-star team competed in the state tournament, earning a third-place finish. Read More ...
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UTM football has four listed on preseason teams
Rising senior linebacker Josh Bey was named to Phil Steele’s College Football Preview All-Ohio Valley Conference first team. Three other UT Martin players, Kenny Jones, Rodney Irvin and Jeremy Buchanan were named to Steele’s All-OVC second team. Read More ...
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Skyhawks on tube twice in OVC slate
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team will play two games this season on the Ohio Valley Conference Football “Game of the Week.”
The Skyhawks’ game set for Sept. 25 at Murray State and the home game against
Published in The Messenger 7.20.10 Read More ...
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Briefly
Railroaders on heels
of Kitty League leader
The Fulton Railroaders moved to within one game of Kitty League-leading Tradewater with an 8-4 rain-shortened victory over Owensboro Monday night.
The Railroaders now stand at 21-11 roughly two-thirds through the regular season in the wood bat league. Tradewater is 24-12.
Published in The Messenger 7.20.10 Read More ...
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SF duo together on all-state team
By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
Inseparable as batterymates, Haley McKinney and Paxton Sisson are also together on the all-state softball team.
Published in The Messenger 7.19.10 Read More ...
Mike Hutchens |
Sports Briefs
UCHS baseball tryouts
set for Thursday A.M.
The Union City High School baseball team will have tryouts on Thursday at Elam Stadium.
Published in The Messenger 7.19.10 Read More ...
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Hot Milan ends WHS soccer season
The Milan Bulldogs continued their upset run in the Region 7 A-AA soccer tourney by ousting Westview’s Chargers, 3-2, on Thursday night in Dyersburg. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Lady Lions come up just short
The Dresden Lady Lions softball team had its season end with a 4-3 loss to the West Carroll Lady War Eagles in a District 13-A Tournament losers’ bracket contest last Wednesday night in Atwood. Read More ...
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Sectional siren sounds for UC
HUNTINGDON — A tornado warning was issued for Carroll County minutes after Monday’s Region 7A semifinal game finished.
Huntingdon might have been better suited had it came before the contest.
Union City, which was plagued by errors during Thursday’s District 14A title loss to Greenfield, offered up a flawless defensive outing, committing zero miscues as the locals earned a 2-1 victory and a trip to both the 7A title game and sectional round.
“Our guys knew they had to play nearly perfect to beat an outstanding fundamental team like Huntingdon,” UC head coach Jeremy Maddox said. “We came ready to play and Rance (Barnes) stepped up like he has all postseason and gave us a chance to compete in a low-scoring, close game.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve played a 2-1 game all season. We’ve had some one-run games but they were like 10-9 or something like that.” Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
SF in usual playoff position
If it’s mid-May, it must mean South Fulton is in the midst of another deep postseason softball run.
The Devilettes clinched their 13th sectional berth in the past 14 seasons and with it a spot in the Region 7-1A championship game with an 11-1 rout of McKenzie Monday afternoon.
A program-record 30th victory assured SF of a place in Friday’s sectional round where the Lady Red Devils will look to earn the program’s sixth-ever state tournament spot — the first since 2004.
Before that though, South Fulton (30-10) will play for the Region 7A Tournament championship Wednesday against the winner of today’s Union City at Huntingdon matchup that was postponed Monday. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Messenger Sports Briefs for May 18
Briefly
McCurry Cav stint
already complete
Mac McCurry’s stint as Crockett County’s head football coach did not last long.
McCurry, hired last week to replace P.A. Pratt who has moved into an assistant superintendent administration role in the CC system, was reportedly fired surrounding allegations of a past DUI charge that was not brought to light during his interview process.
McCurry, who coached 12 seasons at Moore County and six more at Marshall County, had spent the past five years at Ripley (Miss.) where he was 48-15 and his teams made the playoffs every year. Read More ...
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Champion Devilettes wash UC onto road
The bottom fell out twice during South Fulton’s 11-1 victory over Union City in the District 14A Tournament championship game on Friday.
For starters, the game was delayed 90 minutes due to rain that left the field at Trenton unplayable, forcing a decision to move the contest to UC just 10 minutes before the scheduled first pitch.
Thus, both teams and their fans had to turn around and make the 45-minute trip back to Obion County.
Then, in the home half of the fifth at the contest at Eddlemon-Hawks Field, the bottom fell out on the diamond as the Devilettes struck for nine runs, thanks in part to a pair of two-out Lady Twister errors, a couple of wild pitches and a trio of walks to invoke the 10-run mercy rule. Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
New wave of Rebels tie old-school Ponies
While it was officially listed as Huntingdon against Obion Central, it could just as easily been dubbed ‘old-school vs. new-wave.’
The Mustangs and Rebels displayed contrasting offensive styles at Friday’s spring football scrimmage at Paul Ward Stadium — their exactly-opposite philosophies essentially serving as an exhibition of the evolution of sport from early times until the present.
Huntingdon, long a smash-mouth running team, operated from the elementary single-wing set during the 90-minute session, while OC employed formations regularly using four and five receivers, consistent with many of today’s schemes that are heavy with the pass.
Both proved to be effective Friday.
Each team scored twice in action between first-teamers on a sloppy turf that absorbed over an inch of rain in 30 or so minutes before the scrimmage. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Messenger Sports Briefs for May 17
Briefly
UC spring banquet
scheduled for Thurs.
The Union City High School spring sports banquet is scheduled for Thursday night.
The event, honoring baseball, softball, track and tennis participants at the school is slated to begin at 6:30, in the high school’s commons area.
Tickets, which will be on sale until 3 Wednesday afternoon, are $10.
For more information, call 885-2373, ext. 23. Read More ...
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Battle-tested UC set for title war against Devilettes
TRENTON — Union City won both of its District 14A Tournament battles on Thursday.
Now, the war for the 14A crown is set to begin this afternoon at 5 against an all-too-familiar South Fulton team.
To get to the 14A championship round, the Lady Tornadoes won a 1-0 pitcher’s duel over Halls to procure a berth in the 14A championship round. UC also defeated Lake County (6-4 in eight innings) to keep the team’s postseason’s hopes alive in the afternoon’s first loser’s bracket contest.
The Devilettes blanked Halls 4-0 in Thursday’s first game to punch their ticket into the 14A title round and Monday’s Region 7A Tournament semifinals.
SF is looking for its 12th district championship of the past 13 seasons.
That said, Union City also had some milestones to brag about after Thursday’s play.
For starters, with the triumph over Halls in the loser’s bracket finale, UC has now reached the 20-win plateau for just the second time in program history. Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Tornadoes feel sting again as crown fits Yellowjackets
Not that it needed much, but any help Greenfield had to have to repeat as District 14A champions, it got from Union City.
The Tornadoes committed six errors against the Yellowjackets for the second straight game Thursday and were forced to watch G’field celebrate winning the tournament championship on their own L.H. Ladd Field turf for a second straight year following a 6-3 loss in the 14A title game.
However, the setback is not the end of the line for UC (20-15), which advances to the Region 7A Tournament semifinals Monday at Huntingdon (25-12). The contest has been set for 3:30 p.m., due to graduation ceremonies at HHS that evening.
Greenfield hosts Clarksburg in the other regional semi. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Busy day ahead for Twister sprinter
DeAndrez Williams will be a busy man next Friday at the Class A-AA West Sectional.
The Twister sprinter is set to take part in four races at the Memphis-hosted event after the running finals of the Region 7A-AA meet on Thursday in Dyersburg.
Williams advanced to the sectional by finishing second in both the 100- and 400-meter dashes and third in the 200-meter race.
Williams is also a part of Union City’s 400-meter relay squad that claimed fourth on Thursday along with Jorge Guerri, Keontre Murrell and Kendrick Price.
The top four finishers at the regional level advanced to the sectional. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 14
Briefly
Skyhawk softball
wins in OVC opener
In front of a reported packed house at Bettye Giles Field Thursday night, the No. 1 overall seed UT Martin softball team opened play in the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Championship with a dramatic 3-2 win over No. 4 Eastern Illinois.
Junior Kate Vanderham hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to propel the Skyhawks to their opening-round victory. Read More ...
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Devilettes, UC deliver KO to Trenton
A 1-2 Obion County combination knocked host Trenton out of the District 14A Softball Tournament.
First, top-seeded South Fulton rocked Peabody 10-0 in five innings Wednesday, before Union City then pounded the Tidettes into submission with a 15-6 romp as the local contingent advanced to the Final 4 of the double-elimination event at Shady Acres Park.
The Devilettes (27-10) now face second-seeded Halls in the winner’s bracket championship today at 4 with the victor securing both a spot in Friday’s finals as well as spot in next week’s regional tourney. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
No shame for OC in manner of exit
BROWNSVILLE — Obion Central and Milan might still be playing Tuesday’s do-or-die District 13AA Tournament game if not for the tiebreaker rule.
The Lady Rebels, who set a program record for wins in a season (22) this year, and Lady Bulldogs were deadlocked in a scoreless tie for nine innings before said rule was put into play, resulting in a 1-0 Milan victory in 10 frames on Wednesday.
“I can live with losing like that,” OC softball coach Tommy Victory said after the final game of his team’s campaign. “I told the girls in the huddle after the game that there’s no shame in losing if you play your best like we did today. Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Twisters regroup to stay in hunt
Union City made connection without any layover in the finals of the loser’s bracket at the District 14A Tournament on Wednesday.
The Tornadoes, who were drubbed on Tuesday against Greenfield to set up the do-or-die game, bounced back with a 7-3 win over Halls.
With the triumph, UC reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time in program history. The Twisters (20-14) also claimed a spot in both today’s 14A championship round at 4:30 and the Region 7A Tournament with Wednesday’s win. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 13
Briefly
Scramble at Pop
goes to scorecard
Poplar Meadows Country Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 7-under par.
The winning team, in a scorecard playoff, included Raymond Hendrix, Tommy Lemons, Will Lemons, Mike Revell and Charles Denaburg.
Also shooting 7-under par was the team of Ryan Burke, Dylan Bondurant, Chad Snider, Rodney Price, Brian Castleman and Benny Castleman; and the team of Bruce Culver, Brad Dame, Rick Smith, Matt Russell and Bobby Russell. Read More ...
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Westview softball’s total effort sparks two must-win victories
It took the total package of pitching, defense and offense for the Westview Lady Chargers to stay alive in the District 13-AA Softball Tournament.
Westview edged Dyersburg, 2-0, before knocking out Milan, 7-1, in a pair of elimination games Wednesday night in Brownsville. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Lady Fillies blank Dresden
An early missed opportunity sent momentum away from the Dresden Lady Lions’ dugout in their 10-0 loss to the Huntingdon Lady Fillies in the District 13-A Tournament Tuesday in Atwood. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
UTM, OVC Accepting Donations For Flood Relief
In an effort to help its neighbors in middle and west Tennessee, The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team and the Ohio Valley Conference are encouraging all fans to bring canned food items to the 2010 OVC Softball Tournament at Bettye Giles Field, May 13-15. Read More ...
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WLJT Night Set At Pringles Park
Come out and support WLJT and the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx on Sunday, May 23 as the Diamond Jaxx take on the Montgomery Biscuits. Game time is 2:05 p.m., and gates open at 1 p.m. Read More ...
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Lion Spirit
The Dresden High School cheerleading squad was honored for its dedication at the school’s athletic banquet. Cheerleaders individually honored were Read More ...
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DHS Diamond Standouts
The Dresden High School baseball team was honored during the school’s annual athletic banquet on Tuesday night. Players earning individual hardware Read More ...
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Lady Lion Hoop standouts
The Dresden High School Lady Lions basketball team was recognized during the school’s annual athletic banquet held on Tuesday night. Players taking home individual awards for their play were Read More ...
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Dresden runners
The Dresden High School cross country team was recognized during the school’s annual athletic banquet. Individual runners Read More ...
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Twisters in sectional ‘field’
The Union City track teams will “field” a team of at least three competitors at next week’s Class A West Sectional.
Jasmine Dysart (shot put), Chase Bowling (discus) and Antuwan Powell (shot put) all punched tickets to next week’s West Sectional as a result of Tuesday’s field event action at the Region 7A-AA meet in Dyersburg.
Dysart won the girls’ shot put with a best throw of 33 feet, one inch.
Meanwhile, Bowling was second in the boys’ discus. The Twister junior was ahead distance-wise — with a best throw of 123 feet, three inches — for most of the competition. He was beaten when Ripley’s Keeland McElrath made a final toss of 123 feet, six inches. Read More ...
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Stung Tornadoes down to last shot
At least Union City won’t have to dwell very long on Tuesday night’s 15-3 drubbing at the hands of Greenfield in the District 14A Tournament.
The Tornadoes will take L.H. Ladd Field today at 4:30 — barely 18 hours after Tuesday’s blowout loss — to face Halls with a spot in Thursday’s tourney championship round and next week’s regional at stake.
UC can only hope that there’s no residue from the aforementioned rout vs. G’field left over for this afternoon.
The Yellowjackets pounded out 13 hits and took advantage of six Twister fielding errors and several more mental mistakes to end Tueday’s game via the 10-run mercy rule.
After Union City had plated a pair of runs in the top of the first, Greenfield scored one in the bottom of the frame, four in the second and five times in both the third and fourth to punch their own 14A finals ticket and secure a slot in Monday’s Region 7A semifinals. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
SF Cinderella run ends in extras
You live by the sword, you die by the sword.
The beneficiary of a two-out error in the seventh that allowed two runs to score and force extra innings, South Fulton then saw its season end on a similar wild throw in the ninth in a heartbreaking 10-9 loss to Halls Tuesday that concluded the Devils season in the District 14A Tournament.
The setback was not only the final chapter to SF’s 2010 campaign, it also ended a magical postseason run that saw the Big Red oust top-seeded Trenton and win two games in the district tournament for the first time in five years.
South Fulton concluded its year at 13-20-1. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
UC no-hits mark; Central still waits
There was “no-no” way Bradford was going to upset Union City on Tuesday afternoon in the District 14A Softball Tournament at Trenton.
Twister hurler Karly Hollis spun a no-hitter, allowing just two walks and striking out a dozen as the locals whipped Bradford 10-0.
With the triumph, Union City advances to the semifinals of the winners’ bracket at 4 p.m. today against Halls.
South Fulton also plays in the winner’s bracket semis against host Trenton at 5:30. The winners of those two games play at 4 on Thursday. The losers of today’s two games play each other at 7 tonight with the victor advancing to face Lake County on Thursday at 5:30.
The championship round of the 14A Tournament is set for Friday at 5. Game 2, if necessary, would follow. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 12
Briefly
Reb football camp
scheduled for June
Obion Central head football coach Shawn Jackson is set to host a “Fourth Quarter Camp” June 1-2 in Troy.
The individual camp is one of a series involving high school and college level coaches that is open to football players entering grades 6-12.
Coaches helping Jackson at this year’s camp are Upper Iowa University’s Brian Frana and Jesse Mantalto, the University of Missouri’s Marcus Yokeley and Joe Liebner, Minot State’s Aaron Frana and Drake University’s Tom Allen. Read More ...
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Top seed Tide washed out by peaking Red Devils
South Fulton has saved its best for last.
The upstart Red Devils — seeded sixth in the District 14A Tournament — staved off elimination for a second straight game by ousting regular season champion Trenton 5-4 Monday afternoon at Elam Stadium.
The victory avenged a pair of regular season losses and bought SF (13-19-1) at least one more game in the double-elimination event that now consists of just four teams from an original field of eight.
The Redmen play No. 2 seed Halls today at 4:30 in another do-or-die game after the Tigers also remained alive Monday with a 14-4 thrashing of Humboldt.
Third-seeded Greenfield and No. 4 Union City play in the winner’s bracket final with the victor earning a spot in Thursday’s tourney championship game as well as spot in next week’s regionals. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Lions stay alive on Janes' walkoff hit
The Dresden Lions extended their season by a game when Daniel Janes made the McKenzie Rebels pay for intentionally walking the winning run in the form of Matt Beaty for a 6-5 Dresden win. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
WHS uses big inning to bury Ripley, drops close one to Covington
The Westview Lady Chargers’ bid to make a fourth consecutive trip to Spring Fling started off well but hit a bump in the road in its first two games in the District 13-AA Tournament held in Brownsville.
On Friday, the Lady Chargers used five-run outburst and the pitching of Shaylon Robb to defeat the Ripley Lady Tigers, 6-0. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
McMillin perfect for Dresden
There wasn’t much more Dresden Lady Lion Courtney McMillin could do to carry her team to a District 13-A Tournament win.
The DHS senior pitched a perfect game and was a double shy of batting for the cycle during her team’s 10-0 five-inning win over the visiting Bruceton Lady Tigers on Thursday. Read More ...
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Dresden eliminates West Carroll on Beaty slam, loses lead to Rockets
The Dresden Lions were forced to fight their way through the District 13-A Tournament losers’ bracket after giving up an early lead in a 9-6 loss to the visiting Clarksburg Rockets on Wednesday.
Facing must-win games the rest of the way, the Lions eliminated the Gleason Bulldogs, 13-8, on Thursday before knocking out the West Carroll War Eagles, 13-3, on Saturday in Huntingdon. Read More ...
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Jackets hammer Halls, need extras innings to out-duel SF
The Greenfield Yellowjackets used two different methods to earn two wins Friday and Saturday in the District 14-A Tournament.
On Friday, the Jackets used dominating pitching to edge out a 2-1 victory in 10 innings over the visiting South Fulton Red Devils. One day later, the Greenfield offense piled up 18 runs in an 18-3 win over Halls in Union City. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Bradford ousts Lady Jackets
The Bradford Lady Red Devils scored the only run they needed in the first inning of their 4-0 victory over the host Greenfield Lady Yellowjackets in a first-round elimination game of the District 14-A Softball Tournament on Thursday. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
WHS soccer suffers loss, tie
The Westview Chargers concluded their regular season with a road loss to the Jackson North Side Indians, 3-2, on Thursday and a 1-1 tie with the visiting Haywood Tomcats on Friday. Read More ...
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McKenzie crushes Lady Dawgs
The Gleason Lady Bulldogs were bowled over by the McKenzie Lady Rebels in a 17-2 season-ending, five-inning loss in the District 13-A Softball Tournament on Thursday. Read More ...
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Chargers blanked in baseball season finale
The Westview Chargers’ baseball season came to an end in an District 13-AA tourney with a 10-0 five-inning opening round loss to the host Covington Chargers Thursday afternoon.
Westview (10-19) gave the hosts too many gifts, offering up multiple walks and errors of both the mental and physical variety. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 11
Briefly
Brackets altered
by Monday showers
Monday’s wet weather forced a pair of bracket changes involving local softball teams.
All play at both the District 13AA Tournament (at Haywood) and the 14A Tournament (at Trenton) was postponed due to the steady rain that West Tennessee received on Monday.
As a result, Obion Central plays Milan tonight at 7 in a do-or-die game in the 13AA Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Union City softball team begins play in the 14A Tournament this afternoon at 5:30 against Bradford. Read More ...
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Davis is done with OC diamond
A wearer of multiple hats in the Obion County School System, Russ Davis is getting rid of his baseball cap.
Davis, head coach at Obion County Central the past three seasons and the assistant principal at the Career Technology Center, officially confirmed his long-known intentions with the OCCHS baseball program after the Rebels were eliminated from the District 13AA Tournament over the weekend.
He’s giving up his diamond duties. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Rebs put up fight until end
The Obion Central baseball team did not go down without a fight.
Hopefully, the Lady Rebel softball squad still has a little fight left in them.
OC’s 2010 baseball season came to an official close over the weekend when the county locals dropped a heartbreaking 7-6 decision in eight innings to Ripley on Saturday in the District 13AA Tournament at USA Stadium in Millington.
Central had bought itself an extra day in the event on Friday with a 5-2 victory over Gibson County in a loser’s bracket elimination game at Dyersburg.
The Rebels ended the season at 18-24. Read More ...
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SF in better spot; Twisters sit pretty
The most important games of the season are up next for both the Union City and South Fulton baseball teams.
The Twisters, who defeated Lake County 10-2 on Friday and edged Peabody 7-6 in eight innings on Saturday, have a chance to clinch a spot in the District 14A Tournament championship game if they can prevail over Greenfield at 7 Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils must defeat Trenton in the loser’s bracket of the event at 4:30 today (weather permitting) if they hope to continue their 2010 campaign.
SF won its first district tourney game since 2006 on Saturday when it battered Bradford 12-4. The Redmen lost 2-1 to Greenfield in 10 innings on Friday afternoon.
Tonight’s loser’s bracket nightcap has Halls against Humboldt at 7. Read More ...
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UTM has new HR king
UT Martin first baseman Wes Patterson connected on his 33rd career home run to become the program’s all-time longball leader Sunday, but host Morehead State rallied back from an 8-1 deficit to salvage a 10-9 victory.
Patterson, a Memphis native, connected on his 12th homer of the campaign in the first inning, which shot him ahead of Jim Willis (32 home runs in 1983-85) on the all-time career home run list.
He also added another hit on Sunday for his 14th multi-hit game of the season.
Along with Patterson, four other Skyhawks turned in multi-hit days. Cody Terry was 3-for-5 with four RBI, Trey Karlen finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, Ty Nelson was 2-for-4 and Brent Morris compiled a 2-for-5 worksheet to pace the Skyhawk offense.
The Skyhawks baseball team closes out its home schedule this week, beginning with a game against Belmont on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Read More ...
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Lady Rebs’ run already historic
The Obion Central softball team is in uncharted territory.
The Lady Rebels edged Gibson County 4-3 in the opening round of the District 13AA Tournament to claim their school-record 22nd victory on Thursday evening.
The current win total surpasses that of the program’s most successful season — 21 in 1996 when OC finished fifth in the state.
In other Thursday action, the Obion Central baseball team was downed 9-4 in the first round of the 13AA Tournament against host Dyersburg.
South Fulton finished its softball regular season on Thursday with a 4-2 defeat to perennial Class 2A State Tournament entry Westview.
Today’s slate has a trio of baseball tournament games on tap. Read More ...
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Twisters fit with elite at top
The elite track teams in West Tennessee had to make room for Union City Middle School near the top.
The Twister thinclads brought home fourth-place honors — out of over 40 teams competing in both girls’ and boys’ action — from the West Sectional in Memphis Thursday.
On the boys’ side, UC had 33 points, 25 behind the total of meet champion Sherwood. Ridgeway was second with 52 tallies, while American Way totaled 42.
The Twister girls had 35 points for the meet. American Way won the girls’ championship with 80 points. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 7
Briefly
Rebel soccer team
earns 1st trophy
The Obion Central boys’ soccer team ended their regular season on a high note.
The Rebels squared their mark to 6-6-1 with a 6-4 win over South Gibson in the title game of the Gibson County Invitational Tournament.
The Hornets scored first, but Alejandro Acevedo found the net to tie it up. Then, Martin Reyna, who finished with two goals, kicked in a tally to put Central up 2-1.
Otherwise, Juan Mora, Victor Gonzalez and Tanner Noles each had one goal. Others with one goal for OC were Juan Mora, Victor Gonzalez and Tanner Noles. Read More ...
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Rebs live to play a couple more days
Win and you’re in.
That was the simplest way to explain what was needed for Obion Central to advance to the double-elimination portion of the District 13AA Tournament.
The Rebels did on Wednesday — battering the Tomcats 16-6 — to ensure the county locals’ of at least two more baseball outings this spring.
In Wednesday’s other baseball game, South Fulton came from behind in the seventh with five runs to deny Fulton City’s upset bid in a 12-8 win.
Today’s slate has the Central baseball team playing the host Dyersburg at 6 in the first round of the double-elimination 13AA Tournament. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 6
Briefly
Rebel soccer team
knows playoff fate
The Obion Central boys’ soccer team found out its postseason fate on Wednesday.
The Rebels, who play at 6:30 tonight against South Gibson in the finals of the twice-delayed Gibson County Invitational at Rutherford, have to play their way into the Region 7 Tournament.
OC (5-6-1) will play at Covington on Monday evening at 5.
The winner of that game plays Westview on Tuesday at 5:30 in the regional tourney. Read More ...
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Three not enough for Dawgs
The Gleason Bulldogs’ struggles at the plate resulted in an end to their season with an 8-5 loss to the host Bruceton Tigers in the first round of the District 13-A Baseball Tournament Wednesday in Bruceton.
The Dawgs managed only three hits in the loss. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
G’field wins third singles title, first doubles crown
Neither rain nor competitors could keep Greenfield’s Katie McCall from claiming her third consecutive district tournament singles championship. As a bonus for the Lady Yellowjackets, the duo of Meagan Porter and Mallory Robinson won the first-ever district tournament doubles title for Greenfield. Read More ...
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Westview’s Nance perseveres to win district singles crown
After more than four hours on the court Tuesday afternoon and evening, Westview sophomore Chloe Nance finally wore down her opponents and claimed the District 14 A-AA Tennis Tournament singles championship.
By a pair of 2-1 margins, Nance defeated Haywood’s Lindsey Yoder in the semifinals and Covington’s Rhett Watson in the final. The Lady Chargers’ No. 1 singles player twice rallied from being a set down to take the wins and the title. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Chargers’ strong effort downs Milan
With the postseason looming in the near future, Westview head soccer coach Dan Scates was pleased to see his team begin to elevate its intensity and improve its overall play in a 5-0 win over the visiting Milan Bulldogs on Tuesday at the MTD Soccer Complex in Martin. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
UC guys, OC gals are still better off
Though Tuesday’s outcomes weren’t what local fans wanted, the future seems brighter for both of the local tennis programs.
Union City sophomore Anna Moore, making her second straight appearance in the District 14A-AA Tournament semifinals, was eliminated a win short of a regional tourney berth via a straight set loss to Covington’s Rhett Watson (6-0, 6-4).
Meanwhile, the Obion Central boys’ duo of Carson Castellaw and D.J. Higgins fell (6-2, 6-1) to Haywood’s Eric Sellari and Taylor Dedmon in the 14A-AA semis. Castellaw and Higgins are the first tennis players to advance to the semifinals of the district tourney under the watch of third-year Rebel tennis coach Sarah Frazier.
“These two guys worked really hard and it paid off for them,” Frazier said. “I hope we can build on this as the years go by and get a littler farther next year than we did this year.” Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Rebs take it easy on Fulton puppies
The Obion Central baseball team took it easy on Tuesday.
The Rebels, playing at Lohaus Field and against Fulton City, fielded a team of mostly non-regulars during their 13-3 triumph.
Meanwhile, the Union City baseball team also coasted on Tuesday during its 21-1 blasting of Humboldt as did the OC softball team in a 15-0 shellacking of Fulton County.
The South Fulton baseball squad was the only local team to suffer a loss on the day, blanked 10-0 by Greenfield.
The Red Devils, who no-hit G’field on Monday, nearly found out how the other half lived as they were limited to just one safety on Tuesday.
A pair of baseball games are scheduled for this afternoon. OC hosts Haywood in a District 13AA Tournament play-in game this afternoon at 5.
SF jumps the border to Fulton City for a 4:30 contest. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 5
Briefly
Rebel soccer team
nearing .500 mark
Obion Central moved a step closer to the .500 mark in its inaugural soccer season with a 7-0 victory over Gibson County Tuesday.
The Rebels, now 5-6-1, got two goals from Martin Reyna and one each from five other players in their convincing win over GC.
Alejanddro Acevedo, Victor Guerrrero, Will McBride, Tanner Noles and Juan Mora also found the net for the county locals. Read More ...
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Devilette act (no hit) with G’field
The South Fulton softball team got into the no-hitter act on Monday as well.
On a day when the SF baseball team held Greenfield hitless, the Devilettes followed suit with a pair of 10-0 no-hitter triumphs over the Lady Yellowjackets.
Sara Reams toed the rubber in Game 1, striking out six and allowing just at trio of baserunners by way of walks.
Haley McKinney bragged of the no-no in the second contest with eight Ks and just one free pass.
In other Monday action, Union City rallied for a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Trenton.
Today’s softball slate has Obion Central as a host to Fulton County for Senior Night at OCCHS.
SF 10-10, Greenfield 0-0
The Lady Yellowjackets had a tough time keeping Kacie Daugherty off the basepaths on Monday afternoon.
The SF infielder was a combined 4-for-6 with one run batted in and four stolen bases during the two no-hitters.
Otherwise, Katie Bivens was 2-for-3 with three RBI in Game 1, while Reams finished with a pair of hits and one ribbie.
Desiray Sturgeon also had a hit for SF in the first contest.
In the second game, Macy Maxwell, Savannah Larson and McKinney all drove in a pair.
Larson and Maxwell were both 3-for-3, while McKinney reached in two of her three plate appearances.
Chelsie Pitts also drove in a run in the second contest for South Fulton (26-9) as did Paxton Sisson.
The Devilettes host Westview, which has advanced to the Class 2A State Tournament in each of the past three seasons, on Thursday at 5. SF won an earlier meeting of the two teams.
UC 5, Trenton 4
Union City had a flair for the dramatics on Monday.
The Lady Twisters came from behind to score three tallies in the bottom of the seventh and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Hannah Jackson singled to chase in courtesy runner Aranda Tate for the winning run.
Paige Fisher had previously tied the game with a two-run double in the seventh that plated both Taylor Hargrove and Angela Chesteen. Hargrove and Chesteen each singled to get on.
Otherwise, Allison Bruff had one ribbie in the sixth inning as did Katie Townes.
On the mound, reliever Karly Hollis was lights out during her time on the hill. The UC senior struck out nine and allowed no hits to gain the mound triumph. Katie Hawks started the game for the Lady Twisters (16-12).
Union City returns to action on Friday in the District 14A Tournament at Trenton against a yet to be announced opponent. Read More ...
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Royal SF proclamation is no-no
It was another “Prince” of an outing for South Fulton’s standout freshman hurler.
Red Devil ninth-grader Ryan Prince — on the heels of beating Union City in an extra-innings thriller last week — twirled a no-hitter Monday in SF’s 3-0 blanking of Greenfield.
Prince allowed just three baserunners, none via the base-hit variety. He struck out six and issued two walks.
The no-no was the first thrown by SF in the three-year tenure of head coach Jeremy McFarland.
In the only other prep baseball game involving a local entry from Monday, Union City outslugged Humboldt, 19-9 at Elam Stadium.
Today’s schedule feature rematches of Monday’s District 14A games, at Greenfield and Humboldt, respectively.
SF 3, Greenfield 0 Read More ...
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UC gal, Reb duo to play ‘Moore’
There’s “Moore” than just an Obion Central boys’ doubles team still alive after Day 1 play at the District 14A-AA tennis tournament.
Union City’s No. 2 seed Anna Moore advanced to today’s semifinals as did the Obion Central boys’ duo of Carson Castellaw and D.J. Higgins..
In the semis, Moore is set to play the district’s second seed (Covington’s Rhett Watson), while Castellaw and Higgins face off with Haywood’s Eric Sellari and Taylor Dedmon.
The 14A-AA semifinals begin at 4 this afternoon on the UT Martin campus. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 4
Briefly
Jaycee links outing
now set for May 14
The Union City Jaycee Golf Tournament — orignally scheduled for this past weekend — has been rescheduled for May 14 at the Goodyear Wingfoot Golf Course.
Lunch will start at 11 a.m. with tee-off set for noon.
The tournament was originally scheduled for Saturday, but it was postponed due to the thunderstorms that covered the area.
For more information, contact Matt Russell at 885-5453, ext. 31. Read More ...
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Jacket home runs provide cushion in win over Halls
An early home run is nice, but it’s twice as nice to get a repeat performance in the same inning.
The Greenfield Yellowjackets cranked a pair of two-run home runs over the fence in the first inning of their 6-3 win over the visiting Halls Tigers on Thursday in Greenfield.
The win avenged a 4-3 loss to the Tigers on Wed-nesday afternoon in Halls. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Latest SF jewel is league crown
South Fulton added another jewel to its 2010 crown on Friday.
The Devilettes, already past the 20-win plateau regularly considered the benchmark for success, clinched the District 14A regular-season championship with a 6-1 victory over Halls.
With the triumph, the Devilettes (24-9) have procured the No. 1 seed for the upcoming 14A Tournament, which is set to begin Friday at Trenton.
Meanwhile, Obion Central reached a milestone of its own on Friday as a result of its 15-6 besting of McKenzie.
The Lady Rebels reached 20 wins for just the second time in program history and for the first time since 1996 when the team finished fifth in the state.
Today’s softball slate has Union City entertaining Trenton.
SF also hosts Greenfield in a make-up doubleheader this afternoon. Read More ...
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Twisters have bright Friday as does OC
Two out of three ain’t bad.
The Union City baseball team battered Hickman County 17-2 on Friday, while Obion Central downed Haywood by the final count of 9-6.
Meanwhile, South Fulton was the lone local team of three Obion County entries to fall on Friday — edged by a 5-3 margin at home against Gleason.
Today’s slate has Humboldt at UC and Greenfield at SF. Central’s game with Covington has been canceled.
District 14A play today and Tuesday is crucial to starting the league tournament on time.
The event is slated to begin this Friday with first-round play of the double-elimination tournament at the higher seeds. Then, play would shift to Union City on Saturday and run through May 13. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for May 3
Briefly
14A-AA tennis event
postponed until today
The District 14A-AA Tennis Tournament, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday, was postponed due to inclement weather.
The play-in, first round and quarterfinals are now set to begin today. Action is scheduled to get under way at 1 p.m. at the UT Martin tennis courts.
The event’s semifinals and championship rounds are set for Tuesday. Read More ...
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BREAKING NEWS: District 14A-AA Tennis Tournament Postponed
The District 14A-AA Tennis Tournament, which was scheduled to begin today (Saturday) at 9 a.m., has been postponed due to inclement weather.
The play-in, first round and quarterfinals will now be played on Monday. Action is to get underway at 1 p.m. at the UT Martin tennis courts.
The event's semifinals and championship round are set for Tuesday.
For pairings, see related story on this Web site. Read More ...
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Lady Rebels rule North
The Obion Central girls may be Lady Rebels, but for now, they are the champions of the “North.”
OC downed Dyersburg 6-4 on Thursday to claim the District 13AA North Division regular-season championship.
The Lady Rebels finished 5-3 in league play and in a three-way tie with Westview and D’burg record-wise.
However, Central (19-11-1) gained the title because of its 3-1 worksheet against the two teams it was tied with in the standings.
The Lady Rebels are now just one victory away from the coveted 20-win plateau, a mark the program has reached just once — in 1996 when the team finished fifth in the state.
The OC softballers have an opportunity to gain that win this afternoon at McKenzie and another — if they are unsuccessful this afternoon — on Tuesday at home against Fulton County.
In other action Thursday, the third out proved to be a difficult one for the Central baseball team to get early during Thursday’s 10-4 loss to Ripley.
The Tigers rallied for one run in the first inning and two in the second after the Rebels had recorded the first two outs with ease to build an early 3-0 cushion.
The Union City baseball team also defeated Hickman County 14-3 in a makeup game that was The Messenger was not made aware of. Read More ...
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Pairings released for 14A-AA Tennis Tournament
Pairings were made known on Thursday for the District 14A-AA individuals tennis tournament.
The event is scheduled to begin (weather permitting) at 9 on Saturday morning with play-in round, first round and quarterfinal matches at UT Martin.
The semifinals and finals are slated for Monday at 4.
However, if it rains on Saturday as forecasted, the event will begin at 1 Monday afternoon with the first three rounds.
In that scenario, the semis and finals would be on Tuesday, according to Union City High School tennis coach Jason Deem.
Opening round girls’ action has UC’s Mary Elizabeth Harpole against the winner of a play-in round match between Gibson County’s Taylor Eddlemon and Halls' Shelby Hurt. Read More ...
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All Twisters thinclads wear silver
Both Union City High School track teams brought back silver from Thursday’s McKenzie Invitational.
The Twister girls were edged 91-89 by Jackson Christian School for the event’s top prize, while their male counterparts totaled 105 points — nine short of meet champion Humboldt.
Both track teams return to action on May 11 (for field events) and 13 (for running competition) in the Region 7A-AA meet at Dyersburg.
On Thursday, the Lady Twisters had a pair of gold medalists, while their male teammates also had two first-places.
UC girl Jasmine Dysart won the shot put with a top throw of 31 feet, six inches, while Aranda Tate leaped the farthest (27 feet, 11 inches) in the triple-jump. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 30
Briefly
FCA golf classic
to feature Reese
The Northwest Tennessee Fellowship of Christian Athletes is hosting a golf classic and dinner at The Farms in Dyersburg on June 28.
Tee time is 1 p.m. and the guest speaker for the event is New York Giants’ general manager Jerry Reese, who prepped at Lake County.
The entry fee is $1,000 per four-person team or $250 per player.
That fee includes dinner, a golf shirt, golf vest, audio Bible and a goody bag.
Dinner-only tickets can be purchased for $50. Read More ...
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Bulldogs Bethel Bound
Bethel Bound — A trio of Gleason Bulldog football players — defensive end/tight end Ben Sumner, linebacker/offensive lineman Matt Mayo and wingback/defensive back Shadow Roney — will continue Read More ...
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Lady Jackets claim third straight regular-season district title
For the third consecutive season, the Greenfield Lady Yellowjackets have stormed through their district competition to claim the regular-season crown.
Playing in District 13 A-AA for the first time due to redistricting by the TSSAA, the Lady Jackets kept up their winning ways against Camden, Huntingdon and Milan. Greenfield claimed its first two regular-season titles competing in 2008 and 2009 in District 14 A-AA. The Lady Jacket team swept all its regular season competition for a 12-0 overall record, the second consecutive season it has finished with a 12-0 mark. Read More ...
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Eight runs in the third propel Westview softball to win
The Westview Lady Chargers delivered a knockout blow with an eight-run third inning in their 12-0 win over the visiting Gibson County Lady Pioneers on Monday afternoon at the Martin Recreation Complex.
Westview grabbed an early 4-0 lead after an inning, but it was the third Lady Chargers’ at-bat that truly determined the final outcome.
The Lady Chargers took advantage of four GC errors and two walks to go along with their six hits in the big inning. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Westview’s Nance stays undefeated in district
Despite their No. 1 singles player remaining undefeated against District 14 A-AA foes, the Westview Lady Charger tennis team fell against Peabody, 5-2, in tennis action on Monday.
The Lady Chargers bounced back with a non-district 4-3 win over Crockett County on Tuesday. Read More ...
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G’field tennis productive in road trip
The Greenfield Lady Yellowjacket tennis team was victorious twice when it battled both the conditions and the Obion County Central Lady Rebels. Greenfield went to Union City Tuesday to take on Obion County at the Fairgrounds. The rain was threatening, the temperature was dropping, and the wind was blowing, but the Lady Jackets won every match played and beat Obion County 6-0. The final doubles match was not played because of time constraints. With the victory, Greenfield clinched its second straight 12-0 season. Read More ...
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G’field’s Meade blanks Fulton City twice in shutout sweep
Victory was twice as nice this past Monday for the Lady Yellowjackets as Hannah Meade pitched two shutouts and Greenfield picked up a pair of wins over the visiting Fulton City Lady Bulldogs in doubleheader softball action.
Greenfield won by 4-0 and 6-0 scores. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Walked Redmen hush Fulton puppies
South Fulton got taken for a few walks against a group of Bulldogs on Wednesday.
The Fulton City pitching staff issued 13 free passes as the Redmen scored all of their runs in the first two innings of a 15-1 five-inning triumph.
Meanwhile, the Union City softball team was twice a victor for the second consecutive afternoon, sweeping both games of a doubleheader against Lake County.
The Lady Twisters blanked LC 5-0 in Game 1 and routed the opposition 12-1 in the second contest.
Today’s prep slate has the Central baseball team hosting Ripley at 6:30 and the Lady Rebel softball team at Dyersburg for a 4:30 contest. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 30
Briefly
Weekly Pop scramble
goes to scorecard
Poplar Meadows Country Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 7-under par.
The winning team included Jeff Stone, Tommy Lemons, Ken Courtwright and Raymond Hendrix.
Also shooting 7-under par, but finishing in second after a scorecard playoff, was the team of Jack Buckland, Justin Keathley, Mason Storey, Kyle Hitt and Ben Hopkins; and the team of Ron Cooper, Lynn Jenkins, Wynn Burnett, Clint Damron, Scott Critchlow, Jody Kizer and Alan Knapp. Read More ...
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Devilettes have all local bragging rights
Though there’s no crown that goes with such designation, South Fulton has earned the title of Obion County Softball Champions.
The Devilettes completed a season sweep of county rivals Obion Central and Union City, beating OC 7-4 Tuesday night at Troy.
SF, now 23-9 overall and winners of six straight, has beaten both Central and UC twice each as part of that mark this spring.
In the latest of those triumphs, South Fulton had to rally from a 3-0 deficit and some sloppy early play, but did so by pounding out 14 hits — five for extra bases.
Katie Bivens and Macy Maxwell had three hits each and drove in three runs for the Devilettes, who scored a trio of runs in both the second and third innings to climb out of an early hole.
Read More ...
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Twister revenge is sweet vs. SF
Union City came back with a vengeance on Tuesday.
The Twisters scored in each of the first four innings en route to an 11-4 victory over South Fulton.
With Tuesday’s triumph, UC surely eliminated some of the sting of Monday’s 5-4 nine-inning defeat at SF.
In other baseball action on Tuesday, Obion Central hammered 16 hits and senior Patrick Haskins hit for the cycle during an 11-6 besting of Haywood.
Haskins was a perfect 4-for-4 outing with six RBI.
Read More ...
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Rebels, Lady Twisters prevail
The Union City-Obion Central tennis match was as close at it comes.
In the final regular season match for both schools, the Rebel boys procured a 4-3 triumph, while the UC girls prevailed by a like margin.
Both tennis teams will return to action with individual and doubles play at the District 14A-AA Tournament Saturday at UT Martin. The bracket for that event will be finalized today.
The first two rounds of the league tournament are scheduled to be played (weather permitting) on Saturday.
Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 28
Briefly
W’ridge ladies play
to start on Tuesday
Wynridge Greens in Troy will host a ladies scramble every Tuesday until the last week of July, starting next week.
The cost for members to play in the event is $10 each week. Non-members can play for $15. Both entry fees include dinner.
Prospective participants need to call and confirm their plans to enter by no later than 4 p.m. the Monday before each scramble.
For more information, call 536-4653.
Read More ...
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LC tells Whitby services not needed in 2-Barger plan
Having heard widespread rumors of his fate as Lake County boys’ basketball coach, Jimmy Whitby said he went straight to the source for confirmation.
“I asked her if she needed me next year and she said ‘no,’” the now-ex Falcon skipper claimed of a conversation with LC School Superintendent Amy Floyd Monday afternoon.
“I even offered to coach for free.”
While repeated attempts to reach Floyd to confirm the account were unsuccessful, Whitby went on to say he was told by Floyd that Lake County “had decided to go in a different direction” with its boys’ program after nine seasons with Whitby in charge.
The “direction” is Dawn Barger — the wife of new Falcon head football coach David Barger — in what was essentially a package deal for the husband and wife duo to return to the Lake County School System, where they spent four years from 2003-07.
Dawn Barger, who was the head boys’ middle school coach at LC when the Bargers left rural West Tennessee for Chattanooga three years ago, will become what is believed to be just the third female to be the head coach of a boys’ basketball team in Tennessee with her hiring. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Tornadoes made peasants by SF royalty
South Fulton’s Ryan Prince threw like a “King” on Monday.
The Red Devil freshman tossed the entire nine innings, striking out eight and allowing just four runs on seven hits as SF defeated Union City 5-4.
The victory was undoubtedly the biggest of Red Devil head coach Jeremy McFarland’s three-year tenure as skipper and probably the highest point for the program since 2005, when the team advanced to the Region 8A Tournament and finished as the District 15A runner-up.
Union City starting pitcher Rance Barnes also turned in a commendable effort during the defeat. Barnes, who was the losing pitcher, lasted 82⁄3 innings before he was pulled from the contest.
In other action on Monday, Gleason downed Obion Central 10-6.
Today’s baseball slate has SF at Union City for a rematch at 6:30. Obion Central hosts Haywood at 6. Read More ...
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Champ Twisters taking field trip
Union City Middle School will need a full-sized bus to carry its track team to the sectional meet in Memphis next week.
A luxury vehicle might be a more fitting means of transportation.
A total of 22 Tornado athletes qualified Monday for the honor of competing on the largest stage in the sport on the middle school level after a pair of strong showings at the West Tennessee Athletic Conference meet in Dyersburg.
The Union City boys — directed by WTAC Coach of the Year Bobby Williams — finished first in the nine-team field with 97 total points. Brighton was a distant second with 80 points, followed by Munford with 71. Ripley (68) and host D’burg (65) rounded out the Top 5.
Thirteen different UCMS boy athletes qualified for the May 6 sectionals — a feat accomplished by finishing either first or second in their respective competitions.
The Lady Tornadoes finished third behind Dyersburg and Brighton and will carry nine thinclads to the Shelby County meet next week. Read More ...
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Devilettes batter another old rival
The hits kept a-coming and so did the runs during South Fulton’s 13-1 battering of Trenton.
All totaled, the Devilettes smacked 18 hits and scored in each frame en route to the five-inning victory.
It is the second straight contest where SF has routed an opponent that was once one of the county locals’ most heated rivals.
South Fulton shut out Union City 11-0 on Friday.
In other Tuesday action, Obion Central prevailed 3-1 over Dyersburg, while UC was downed at Halls by the final of 5-1.
Today’s softball slate has SF at Central at 7 tonight. Union City hosts Humboldt today at 4:30. Read More ...
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Rebels can brag; so can UC ladies
Union City and Obion Central had to split bragging rights on Monday.
The Rebel tennis team swept the Twisters 7-0. Meanwhile, the Lady Tornadoes bested OC 5-2.
The Lady Rebel tennis team also lost a make-up match to Greenfield by the final tally of 6-0 on Monday.
After Monday’s play, the UC boys are 5-4 on the season, while their female counterparts are 5-6. The OC girls sport a 1-7 record, while their male teammates are 4-1 on the campaign.
Today’s tennis slate has Central and Union City as adversaries once again at 4. Read More ...
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Lady Lions' strong finish tops Gleason
The Gleason Lady Bulldogs’ bats heated up against the host Lady Yellowjackets Wednesday in Greenfield.
Gleason ripped a dozen hits, many of the extra base variety, and took advantage of seven Lady Jacket errors in earning the 15-3 win. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Lady Dawg bats heat up at G’field
The Gleason Lady Bulldogs’ bats heated up against the host Lady Yellowjackets Wednesday in Greenfield.
Gleason ripped a dozen hits, many of the extra base variety, and took advantage of seven Lady Jacket errors in earning the 15-3 win. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
WHS netters split two outings
Heading down the stretch of the regular season, the Westview Lady Chargers tennis team prepared for the upcoming district tennis tournament by splitting two recent outings. Read More ...
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Baseball Lions nearly let Red Devils off the hook
What looked to be a certain Dresden blowout and a shortened game took a sharp turn in the fourth inning as the South Fulton Red Devils nearly decimated their deficit. Dresden held on to win, 21-20, this past Thursday in Dresden.
The batting heroics of Matt Beaty, who knocked a three-run home run and a grand slam on the way to putting the Lions up 17-0 after three innings, were nearly relegated to second-page news as the Red Devils scored 13 unanswered runs and continued to score until the last out in their one-run loss. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Press |
BREAKING NEWS: Obion Central coaching legend Jimmy Whitby won't return at LC
Obion County Central boys’ basketball coaching legend Jimmy Whitby — who has spent the past nine seasons at Lake County — won’t return to that position next season.
Whitby, who ranks in the Top 10 in the state among boys’ coaches in all-time wins with more than 850 victories, will be replaced by Dawn Barger — wife of new LC head football coach David Barger.
The Barger husband/wife tandem was officially hired on Monday.
They were previously in the Lake County School System for four years.
Dawn Barger will become just the third female ever to direct a boys’ basketball team in Tennessee, according to unofficial reports.
For complete details, see Tuesday’s Messenger.
Read More ...
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SF rout of Lady Twisters not a fluke
Evidently, South Fulton’s earlier rout of Union City was no fluke.
The Devilettes pounded UC for double-figure hits and runs for the second time in less than two weeks Friday in an 11-0 five-inning softball victory.
SF, which had beaten the Lady Tornadoes 10-0 earlier in the spring, can now win the District 14A regular season championship and secure the top seed in the league’s upcoming postseason tournament by winning at Halls by two or more runs on Friday.
Halls won an earlier meeting of the two clubs, 4-3, in 10 innings. South Fulton later avenged that setback with a victory over the Lady Tigers in the Covington Invitational.
South Fulton’s second convincing triumph over Union City this season was nearly a carbon copy of the teams’ aforementioned earlier meeting. Read More ...
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Devils alright in end
South Fulton overcame the odds on Friday.
The Red Devils, who committed a total of six errors, banged out 11 hits in their 8-4 besting of Carlisle County.
Other action on Friday had Obion Central an 11-7 loser to Halls.
Union City’s Friday outing with Hickman County was taken off the slate due to the threat of inclement weather in the area.
Today’s slate has Union City at South Fulton. OC hosts Gleason at 6:30. Read More ...
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Ex-Skyhawk joins Jaguars
Former UT Martin wide receiver Roren Thomas signed a free agent NFL contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars after Saturday’s 2010 NFL Draft.
Thomas played three seasons (2005-08) at UTM and transferred to Lindenwood University after he was dismissed from the Skyhawk football program following an off-field altercation with another student last April.
At Lindenwood, Thomas caught 37 passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 236 yards and three scores.
At UT Martin, Thomas saw action in 34 games. He had 90 receptions for 1,481 yards and 14 touchdowns. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 26
Briefly
Athlete physicals
set for UC hopefuls
Health physicals will be given to all Union City Middle School and High School student-athletes that plan to participate in a sport or cheerleading during the upcoming 2010-2011 school year Saturday.
High school students need to report to the gym for the health physical at 8 a.m.
Next year’s middle school students need to report at 9:30 to the gymnasium for their check-ups.
For more information, contact Tammy Sparks at Union City High School at 885-2373, extension 23. Read More ...
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OVC tandem gets picked
The Ohio Valley Con-ference had two student-athletes selected in the 2010 National Football League Draft, which concluded on Saturday.
Eastern Illinois offensive tackle Otis Hudson and Murray State defensive lineman Austen Lane were picked back-to-back in the fifth round.
Hudson was selected in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals (pick No. 152 overall). Lane was taken a pick later by the Jacksonville Jaguars (pick No. 153). Read More ...
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SF washed away by rallying Rebs
Though it only sprinkled rain on the field, the bottom fell out in the bottom of the fifth inning.
In what was a game tied at 3-all, Obion Central struck for four runs en route to its 8-5 triumph over county rival South Fulton on Thursday.
During that inning, Patrick Haskins and Tanner Cary both doubled as OC totaled four hits and took advantage of one Red Devil error.
In other prep action, the OC softball team pounded Gibson County 12-2.
Today’s baseball slate has (weather permitting) Union City at Hickman County, Halls at Central and Carlisle County at South Fulton.
Softball action set for today has UC at SF. Read More ...
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Tornadoes cruise
The Union City boys brought out the broom at Crockett County on Tuesday.
Their female counterparts barely got brushed away.
The Twisters blanked CC 7-0, while the Union City girls were edged 4-3.
Both UC tennis squads return to action Monday and Tuesday against Obion Central.
The District 14A-AA team championship match is set for next Thursday at UT Martin, while the individuals league tournament begins May 1.
On Thursday, Julio Fuentes and Jackson Donnell did not allow a game in their singles or doubles play.
Fuentes shut out Cavalier No. 3 seed Rafael Diaz (8-0), while Donnell blanked Spencer Lisk 8-0. Read More ...
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All Twisters golden at home
The Union City Middle School track team had a ball at home on Thursday.
The Twister track teams notched two first-place finishes in a three-team meet at War Memorial Stadium against Ripley and Northview.
The UC boys totaled 69 points — 19 ahead of second-place Ripley and 32 up on last-place Northview.
The Lady Twisters’ margin of victory was a bit slimmer.
The local girls tallied 541⁄2 points, while Northview had just two fewer total markers.
Third-place Ripley finished with 46 during the three-team meet.
Both of the Union City track teams return to action on Monday at the conference meet in Dyersburg. Read More ...
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Westview's Swaim to join McMillan's Skyhawks team
Little more than a month after her high school basketball career came to an end, Westview Lady Charger senior Grace Ann Swaim has signed to extend her on-the-court experience to the collegiate level.
And she won’t have to travel far to do it. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Titans tandem ready to defend starting roles
When the Titans Caravan rolled into Martin Wednesday morning carrying two members of the Tennessee Titans secondary, questions about Thursday night’s NFL draft were at the forefront of those posed to the two former Pro Bowl performers. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Dresden denied win by visiting Lady Rebs
The host Dresden Lady Lions struggled against the pitching of McKenzie’s Crystal Doub in District 13-A action Tuesday.
Doub retired the Lady Lions in order in four of the first five innings to key her team to a 9-2 victory. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Dawgs pull away late
After three scoreless innings, Gleason lit up the scoreboard and poured on the runs for the final three innings leaving the Big Sandy Red Devils in the dust, 8-1, on Monday in Gleason. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Jackets take advantage of WHS gifts, split with UC
The Greenfield Yellowjackets took full advantage of gifts given by the Westview Chargers in a 12-2 win last Thursday, before splitting two games with the Union City Tornadoes on Monday and Tuesday. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Westview wins Memorial
The Westview Lady Chargers bounced back from a 1-1 start in their own Madison Fagan Memorial Scholarship Tournament to claim the title with a 6-1 win over Dyer County in the championship game on Saturday night. Read More ...
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Skyhawk tennis ousted in OVC quarterfinals
The University of Tennessee at Martin tennis team saw its 2010 season come to an end Friday with a 4-2 loss at the hands of Murray State in Ohio Valley Conference Tournament action at the Heflin Tennis Center. The third-seeded Skyhawks end the season with an overall record of 10-7. Read More ...
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UTM duo named All-OVC
For the second straight season, the Ohio Valley Conference tennis coaches have recognized multiple University of Tennessee at Martin tennis players as some of the most elite players in the league. It was announced last Thursday that senior Martie Wahl and freshman Anna Winkelmann have earned All-OVC first-team accolades. Read More ...
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Small Titan Finnegan has plentiful fight supply
Cortland Finnegan readily gave away the secret that helped him earn All-Pro honors in the National Football League.
“I play with a chip on my shoulder,” Finnegan said Wednesday, confirming the widespread theory of how he’d overcome an unimposing physical stature and small-college background to gain NFL stardom as a Tennessee Titans’ cornerback.
“If you’re the smallest guy out there, you have to do something.”
The 5-10, 188-pound Finnegan and secondary teammate Michael Griffin — also a past Pro Bowler — helped make up a Titans contingent that stopped at the Elam Center on the campus of UT Martin as part of the team’s annual caravan through the Mid-South.
Titans’ play-by-play man Mike Keith, network radio Gameday host Larry Stone and team mascot T-Rac were also headliners of a group that entertained more than 650 elementary students from Obion and Henry counties, including youngsters from Black Oak, Lake Road and Hillcrest. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Keith ‘voices’ defensive concerns
Already a wearer of many hats in the Tennessee Titans organization, Mike Keith was asked to put on his mythical general manager’s cap on the eve of tonight’s National Football League draft.
“Defense makes the most sense,” the Titans’ popular play-by-play man said Wednesday when asked whom the team might pick tonight with the 16th overall pick in the first round.
“We have the most needs on defense. We lost two defensive ends (Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse) in the offseason, and there are two or three players at that position out there that fit our needs.” Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Griffin not forgetting lessons of 2009
That Michael Griffin won’t forget last year is a double shot of good news for the Tennessee Titans and their fans.
The sting of an 0-6 start to the season for the Titans’ Pro Bowl safety and the loyalty of Tennessee faithful through that rough stretch that eventually ended with a 8-8 record in 2009 are both vivid memories for the ex-University of Texas standout, who enters his fourth NFL season this fall.
“I think we all learned a lesson last year —that coming off a 13-3 — nobody is going to lay down for you because you finished well the season before,” Griffin said Wednesday before participating the teams’ annual caravan in Martin. “Every team comes out ready to play every game. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Russell, McMillan reuniting at UTM
UT Martin women’s coach Kevin McMillan and David Russell are reuniting.
Russell, a long-time fixture in the rural West Tennessee high school coaching ranks with six state titles as a head coach, retired at the prep level Wednesday, resigning from his post as the mentor of the Class 2A state champion Gibson County girls.
Less than 24 hours later, he was announced — along with Stacie Evans — as part-time assistants within the UTM program to replace departing full-time assistant Jessica Grayson.
Meanwhile, GC also worked quickly to fill its coaching vacancy, moving boys’ coach and former Union City assistant Michael Hart into the girls’ head coaching office. Hart, an aide on the 2008 UC state champion team, was 20-30 in two seasons as the Gibson County boys’ coach.
According to published reports, Hart is expected to retain Russell’s son, Nathan, as an assistant. Hart also hopes to add his wife Christy (Hicks), who prepped at GC, to his coaching staff. Read More ...
From UTM, staff reports |
Lady Rebels crash Ripley system with road rout
If the local baseball and softball fields were computers, there might have been a system overload on Wednesday due to the sheer volume of runs scored.
The Obion Central softball team routed Ripley 13-1.
Casey Russell smacked a grand slam, while Brandi Goodman knocked a three-run homer during that win.
Meanwhile, Dresden was a run better than the South Fulton baseball team in a 21-20 slugfest.
Today’s prep slate (weather permitting) has SF at Obion Central for a 4:30 game.
The only softball game of the evening has OC on the road at Gibson County. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 22
Briefly
Jaycees golf tourney
postponed until May 1
The sixth annual Union City Jaycees’ four-person scramble golf tournament has been postponed until May 1 due to the threat of inclement weather this weekend.
The event is to be held at the Goodyear Wingfoot Golf Course.
The tourney is set to begin at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided at the course at noon. Read More ...
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SF standing tall on usual plateau
South Fulton is standing on a familiar plateau.
The Devilettes routed Fulton City 14-0 to earn their 11th 20-win season in Curt Lee’s 12 seasons with the program.
The victory also marks the seventh consecutive campaign in which SF, now 20-9, has reached what is usually regarded as one of the benchmarks of a successful season.
For his career at SF, Lee is now 266-79-1.
Other action on Tuesday had Union City twice a winner against Greenfield. The Lady Tornadoes downed G’field by 11 runs in both contests, winning the opener of the doubleheader by a 11-0 margin and triumphing in the second contest 12-1.
Today’s softball slate has Obion Central at Ripley for a makeup game. Read More ...
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Sharp Rebels get revenge
Obion Central was nearly flawless and it paid off.
The Rebels committed just one error and played sound, fundamental baseball during their 7-5 victory over Westview on Tuesday evening.
The triumph broke a five-game losing streak for OC and avenged an error-plagued 10-3 District 13AA defeat to the Chargers on Monday.
In other action on Tuesday, South Fulton broke its five-game losing streak with a 9-4 victory over Humboldt. Union City was routed 8-1 by Greenfield.
Today’s baseball slate has SF at Dresden in a game that was added to the season slate after schedules were released. Read More ...
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Tornadoes swept
Trenton had Union City’s number on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tide boys defeated the locals 6-1, while their female counterparts blanked UC 7-0 in prep tennis matches.
With the defeat, the Twister boys fall to 4-3 on the campaign. The Union City girls are now 4-5.
The UC netters return to action Thursday at Crockett County. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs: Rebel soccer team wins final home game
Briefly
Rebs rout Pioneers
in soccer home finale
The Obion Central boys’ soccer team closed the home portion of its schedule in rousing fashion, routing Gibson County 9-1 on Tuesday.
Victor Guerrero scored a team-best three goals for OC, while Juan Mora kicked the ball into the net twice.
Otherwise, Eric Torres, Martin Reyna, Tanner Noles and Jackson Smith each had one goal for the Rebels.
Central goalkeeper Samuel Smith had 11 saves. The Rebels return to action in a Gibson County Tournament against Dyer County on Thursday at Rutherford City Park.
The OC game is set to begin around 7:15. Read More ...
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Past Red Devils to play FC grads
The Fulton/South Fulton Rotary Club will host a Fulton City vs. South Fulton High School alumni baseball game on May 8 at Lohaus Field in Fulton.
The game will start at 5 p.m.
Players must have graduated in 2004 or earlier. Read More ...
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‘Snow’ days over on Lake Co. field
There will be no (Snow) this fall in Tiptonville.
Lake County is looking for a new head football coach with the resignation of Bert Snow, who is headed back to his native Henry County to be reunited with former boss James Counce.
The 32-year-old Snow was an assistant for one season under Counce at Dyersburg before taking his first head coaching job at LCHS last spring. He will assume the roles of offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Henry County.
Snow’s decision leaves Lake County looking for its third head coach in three seasons and fourth in the past six campaigns. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
OC finally KOs Westview
In boxing terms, Obion Central had to go 10 rounds before it was able to knock out perennial Class AA State Tournament team Westview on Monday.
Triumphantly, the Lady Rebels had their hands raised after they scored two in bottom of the 10th inning to edge W’view 3-2.
The Lady Chargers had gone ahead with a single tally in the top of the inning.
Other softball action on Monday had all local teams victorious.
Union City battered Trenton 17-3, while South Fulton swept a twinbill from Mayfield. The Devilettes prevailed 10-0 in Game 1 and 2-0 in the second contest.
Today’s softball slate has Greenfield at Union City and Fulton City at South Fulton. Read More ...
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Rebel defeat not easy on eyes
Head coach Russ Davis sat out Obion Central’s game against Westview Monday as part of a state-mandated two-game suspension for being ejected at a weekend tournament in Tullahoma.
The Rebel skipper wouldn’t have liked what he would’ve seen.
OC was guilty of eight errors that led to a like number of unearned runs in a 10-3 loss to the Chargers in Troy.
The setback was the fifth straight for Central, which fell to 11-19 overall.
In other prep baseball games on Monday, Union City edged Greenfield, 6-4, while South Fulton fell to Humboldt, 13-5.
Today’s slate has rematches for all three teams with OC at W’view, South Fulton hosting Humboldt and UC at home against Greenfield. Read More ...
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Only Twister guys net desired return
The Union City boys walked off the tennis court in a good mood on Monday.
None of the other local teams did.
The Twister boys were the only winners among the four local squads in action on Monday — edging Dyersburg 4-3.
The UC girls fell 5-2 to the Lady Trojans, while both Obion Central teams lost to Trenton in a makeup match.
The Rebel boys suffered their first defeat of the season in a 5-2 loss to the Tide, while their female counterparts were defeated by a 6-1 margin.
Today’s tennis slate has Union City as a host to Trenton at 4. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 20
Briefly
Westview’s Swaim
commits to UTM
UT Martin women’s basketball coach Kevin McMillan has put the finishing touch on his first recruiting class with a hometown product — Westview’s Grace Ann Swaim.
Swaim, the daughter of Mike and Ann Swaim, signed her National Letter of Intent Monday.
Swaim averaged 13 points and eight rebounds per game as a senior. During her four years as a Lady Charger, she helped the school post a .759 winning percentage (107-34). W’view advanced to the Class AA State Tournament the past two years. Read More ...
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Westview softball splits first pair in Memorial
In two tight and highly-competitive contests, the Westview Lady Chargers netted a win and a loss this past Friday at the Madison Fagan Memorial Scholarship Tournament in Martin.
In the first contest, the Lady Chargers took an early 1-0 lead against district-rival Dyer County, but faltered in the bottom of the third and dropped the contest 3-1. WHS also took a 3-0 win over Bolton. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Press |
Lady Bulldogs fall twice
The Gleason Lady Bulldogs dropped two games against two Gibson County opponents this past Friday afternoon in the first day of action at the Madison Fagan Memorial Scholarship Tournament in Martin. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Beaty homer not enough
Matt Beaty spoiled the chance for a shutout, but the Henry County bats were too much from the beginning and the Patriots knocked out the Dresden Lions, 12-1, this past Thursday in Dresden. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Press |
GC trying Atkins to end grid famine
New head coach Lee Atkins and the Gibson County High School football program sound like the perfect match.
“I like the challenge of taking a program where there’s nowhere to go but up,” Atkins told The Messenger over the weekend, on the eve of being officially named the Pioneer skipper today.
The 50-year-old Atkins — who spent the last two years as head coach at Franklin County in Winchester — takes over a GCHS program that will carry a 13-game losing skid into next season.
The Pioneers last posted a winning record in 1995 when they went 6-5 and last qualified for the playoffs in 2000. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Host shows UC, SF the door
Westview showed South Fulton and Union City little hospitality at the Maddie Memorial Tournament on Saturday.
The host Lady Chargers eliminated SF with a 5-3 decision in the quarterfinals and knocked UC from the tourney after a 1-0 win in the first round.
Other action at the Martin tournament had South Fulton a 9-2 victor over Gibson County in the first round. In pool play on Saturday, the Devilettes defeated perennial Class A powerhouse Huntingdon 5-0. SF lost both of its Friday contests, blanked 1-0 by Graves County and defeated 4-1 by Milan.
Meanwhile, Union City downed South Gibson 6-1 in Saturday pool play action. On Friday, the Lady Twisters battered Carlisle County 12-0, but fell 3-0 to Murray.
Obion Central was also in action over the weekend, going 3-2-1 at the Duff Tournament in Cookeville. The Lady Rebels were edged (6-5) by Stone Memorial on Saturday. Prior to that defeat, OC had beaten Gordonsville 6-4, Hendersonville 4-2 and Clay County 10-2.
The Lady Rebels’ only other loss was a 7-6 defeat on Friday to Upperman. OC also finished in a scoreless tie with Cookeville. Read More ...
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Twisters outshine McKenzie
Union City eventually had fun in the sun on Saturday.
The Twisters, under the guidance of assistant coach Jason Qualls, held off the host team’s late rally to celebrate a 5-4 afternoon triumph.
Qualls was in charge of the Tornado team while head coach Jeremy Maddox was in Florida, mourning the death of his grandmother.
The victory came after UC fell 13-6 at Henry County on Friday.
Other weekend baseball action had Obion Central 0-4 at the Tullahoma Invitational.
The Rebels lost on Saturday to Shelbyville and Franklin County by respective finals of 13-8 and 10-2.
OC also fell twice on Friday to Tullahoma (11-7) and White House (15-5). Read More ...
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Tornado thinclads wear bronze
Bronze fit Union City High School at a Thursday track meet.
Both of the Twister thinclads teams finished in third at the “Ballard Memorial All Comers” meet, according to results reported well after The Messenger’s press deadline.
The UC boys totaled 91 points, finishing behind the winner and host Bombers (152.5) and Heath (114).
The Lady Twisters finished with 79 points. Livingston Central won the girls’ meet with 115 points, while Mayfield was second with 113.
A total of 10 schools competed on the boys’ side and nine girls’ teams were present.
The Twisters controlled the sprint events on the boys’ side with Deondrez Williams winning both the 100- and 200-meter dash. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 19
Briefly
Underwood judged
as Strikeforce winner
The final verdict went in favor of Obion Central graduate Zach Underwood.
The 26-year-old professional mixed martial arts fighter defeated Hunter Worsham via unanimous judges decision at Saturday’s “Strikeforce” event in Nashville.
Underwood’s fight was not among those shown on CBS as all three of the scheduled live bouts went the distance, forcing the MMA broadcast to run longer than originally advertised.
With the victory, Underwood is now 7-2-1 as a professional fighter. Read More ...
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Childrey a happy Cubbie camper
As a young boy growing up 60 miles south of Chicago, Al Childrey regularly dreamed of suiting up for his favorite major league baseball team.
Fast forward more than 40 years and now a respected businessman in Union City, Childrey finally got to experience his ultimate fantasy.
Childrey, owner of Collision Specialty Auto Repair, recently returned from a week at Randy Hundley’s Chicago Cubs Fantasy Baseball Camp, where he lived the life of a big leaguer and rubbed elbows with many of his Cub idols.
The experience at the club’s spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., was indeed everything Childrey had ever imagined while dreaming of pulling on a Cubs’ jersey as a youth in Wilmington, Ill., a small farming community less than an hour from the Windy City. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Cardinal fan chirps no big deal to Union City Cub man
Being a Chicago Cub fan requires thick skin.
And it doesn’t all have to do with the team’s 102-year World Series drought.
Buried deep in the heart of St. Louis Cardinal country, Cub faithful like Al Childrey and others in a small but tight-knit fraternity are used to being chided by fans of the North Siders’ most fierce rivals.
The legions of local St. Louis followers regularly remind Cubbie die-hards of the Redbirds’ National League-best 10 World Series championships — second only to the New York Yankees’ 27 such titles. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Counce returns to Henry County
While one veteran rural West Tennessee prep football coach is leaving his post, another is returning to his roots.
James Counce, who spent two different tenures at Dyersburg, is going back to where he began his head coaching career, having been named to that position again at Henry County High School.
The flip side of that coming-and-going equation is the decision by Crockett County head coach P.A. Pratt to give up his Cavalier duties for the assistant director of schools position in CC.
The moves will further change the coaching landscape and leaves an opening in Alamo that is expected to draw a wide range of candidates to a post that is considered among the better jobs in the area. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Central outbursts set pace
Obion Central’s road trip began somewhat smoothly on Thursday.
The Rebels, competing at the Tullahoma Invitational, had two big innings to escape with a 13-12 edging of Warren County.
OC had big offensive outpourings in both the first and fourth innings with five and eight runs, respectively, in those frames.
In other action Thursday, South Fulton almost reached double digits, but it was in the wrong facet of the game. Read More ...
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Twister boys nipped by Dyersburg at end
The Union City Middle School boys fought to the end.
However, so did host Dyersburg.
That said, the Twister boys shouldn’t have anything to be ashamed of after Thursday’s ever-so-slim defeat.
The Twister track team was edged by three points (71-68) in the overall standings.
The Trojans clinched the victory with a better showing in the afternoon’s final event. Three Oaks was third with 46 points, while Northview totaled 27 tallies.
Meanwhile, the UC girls claimed three individual first place medals and finished third — ahead of Three Oaks, but behind Northview and winner D’burg — with no cumulative point totals reported to The Messenger. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for APril 16
Briefly
Wynridge scramble
goes to scorecard
The team of Keith Gilliam, David Short, Jimmy Sutherland and Jimmy Yates combined to shoot a 9-under-par and win the weekly men’s scramble via a scorecard playoff at Wynridge Greens in Troy Thursday.
Meanwhile, the team of Danny Carpenter, Bobby Larue, Haskins Ridens and Larry Fesmire got second place with a like tally.
Wynridge Greens holds its weekly men’s scramble every Thursday.
For more info, call 536-4653.
Read More ...
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Fast starts help G’field burn Red Devils twice
Hot starts fueled the Greenfield Yellowjackets to two wins over the Bradford Red Devils on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
The host Jackets earned an 11-1 five-inning win on Monday, before traveling over the county line and earning a 9-6 win at Bradford on Tuesday. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Home field is sweet in McKenzie, Gleason split
Gleason rounded out its two-day series with the McKenzie Rebels with a win and a loss to start off the spring break week.
At home this past Monday, the Dawgs overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 7-5, but the next day on the Rebels’ field, McKenzie gained revenge with a 6-3 victory. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
Lady Jacket Hoop Leaders
During the annual Greenfield High School athletic banquet held Thursday night at the school’s cafeteria, the Lady Jacket girls basketball team was honored for its outstanding play on Read More ...
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Jacket Court Stars
During the annual Greenfield High School athletic banquet held Thursday night at the school, the Yellowjacket boys basketball team was honored for its hard work on the hardwood during the 2009-10 season. Read More ...
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Jacket Gridiron Standouts
During the annual Greenfield High School athletic banquet held last Thursday night at the school cafeteria, the Yellowjackets football team was honored for its efforts during the 2009 season. Read More ...
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Track deterioration halts historic Rotary Relays
Union City High School principal/athletic director Wes Kennedy would like to get the Rotary Relays back on track.
It won’t happen this year.
The UC-hosted event, which is longest-running track meet of its kind in West Tennessee and would have been in its 34th year this spring, was axed from the schedule due to concerns about the deteriorating track at War Memorial Stadium.
“This is something we look forward to every year and we’d love to have it again, but the track is not in any shape from a liability standpoint to hold an event like this right now,” Kennedy told The Messenger. “The inside lane is in really bad shape and our track team doesn’t even practice in that lane.” Read More ...
By KENNETH COKER, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Messenger Sports Briefs for April 15
Briefly
UTM women’s team
inks juco tandem
UT Martin women’s coach Kevin McMillan added two more players to his signing class recently.
McMillan announced he signed Shelby Crawford, a 6-foot-2 forward, and Rickiesha Bryant, a 6-foot-4 forward. Both players are transferring from East Mississippi Community College and will have three years of eligibility at UT Martin.
Crawford, from Thomasville (Ala.) High School, averaged 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for head coach Sharon Thompson’s Lady Lions at EMCC. She started five games, played in 28 games and scored double-figures in four games this past season.
Bryant played in 20 games and averaged 1.8 points and 2.8 rebounds a game at EMCC. Like Crawford, she enjoyed her best game at EMCC against Coahoma, where she netted eight points and had three rebounds. Read More ...
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Devilette rarity is routing of UC
What had been a spirited softball rivalry with several close games over the past couple of years was anything but that Tuesday.
South Fulton pounded out 10 hits and took advantage of five Union City errors in a 10-0 rout of the Lady Tornadoes at Eddlemon Hawks Field in Graham Park.
The victory for the Devilettes was one of their most lopsided in recent times vs. a UC program that had become a legitimate and natural rival of late.
On Tuesday, though, SF — a perennial rural West Tennessee power with 12 substate/sectional appearances in the past 13 years — was clearly the superior team. Read More ...
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Union City breezes past GC
Though the winds were mostly still, Gibson County turned out to be a breeze for Union City.
Both the Lady Twisters and their male counterparts blanked GC 7-0 on Tuesday afternoon.
With the victory, the Union City girls are now 4-3 on the campaign. The Tornadoes boys improve to 3-2.
The Twister tennis teams return to action on Monday at home against Dyersburg (4:30).
The UC tennis teams play four of their last five matches at home before the district team championship match on April 29 at UT Martin.
The district individual tournament is scheduled for May 1 at UTM. Read More ...
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Rebounding Twisters bounce Halls at the end
Union City bounced back.
The Twister srallied for eight runs in the final three innings to overtake host Halls for a 10-9 victory on Tuesday.
The come-from-behind triumph certainly helps to take away some of the sting of two consecutive lopsided home UC losses.
The Twisters were routed 13-2 by Halls on Monday and blanked (14-0) by Henry County on Friday.
In other Tuesday action, Obion Central and South Fulton fell to Milan and Lake County, respectively, for the second consecutive day.
The Redmen were shown a repeat with another 6-5 defeat to Lake County, while OC was routed 12-1.
No baseball games are on today’s slate.
The following is a roundup of Tuesday’s action. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 14
Briefly
UCMS soccer team
blanks Gibson Co.
The Union City Middle School soccer team squared its spring record at 3-3 with a 6-0 shutout of Gibson County Tuesday afternoon.
Cesar Landeros was the offensive star for the Jr. Tornadoes, scoring four of the winners’ six goals.
Devin King and Noel Mejia also found the net for UC. Read More ...
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Chargers walk their way to split with Lions
The umpire’s yell of “Ball four,” occurred way too frequently when the host Westview Chargers and Dresden Lions hit the diamond Monday at the Martin Recreation Complex.
Dresden pitchers combined to walk 14 and hit four more batters as Westview took a 16-6 win in six innings. Westview pitchers didn’t fare much better. In the win, the WHS mound crew combined to give up five walks and hit five Lions. The victory gave Westview a measure of revenge after the Lions took a 6-5 win over Westview on Friday at Wilson Park in Dresden. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Greenfield tennis keeps Lady Chargers in check
The only two tennis teams in Weakley County squared off on Thursday at Skyhawk Courts on the UT Martin Campus.
It was the Greenfield Lady Jackets keeping their won-loss record unblemished, picking up the 7-0 victory over the Westview Lady Chargers. Read More ...
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Chargers’ Brock is Iron Man of annual WHS Lift-A-Thon
The Westview Chargers football team held its annual Lift-A-Thon fund-raiser Wednesday night at the high school, and the performance amazed those in attendance.
Said one Westview cheerleader to her friends: “They could lift, like, three of us!”
Actually, it’s probably closer to four. Read More ...
Joey Guest – Special to the Weakley County Press |
Robb pitches WHS to win
Taking an early 2-1 lead, the Westview defense kept the Crockett County girls’ bats in check for the remainder of the contest and the Lady Chargers held on for a 3-1 win this past Thursday at the Martin Recreation Complex in Martin. Read More ...
Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres |
No Union City curtain call after lackluster encore
Union City followed up a forgettable performance with another it would just as soon not remember.
On the heels of a Friday blowout loss to Henry County, the Tornadoes were guilty of several misplays in a sloppy 13-2 five-inning District 14A loss to Halls Monday at Elam Stadium.
UC had as many errors (6) as it did hits, the team’s multiple misplays leading to nine of the Tigers’ runs being unearned.
The news wasn’t much better from either of the other two Obion County baseball entries on Monday as Obion Central was beaten 16-3 by Milan, while Lake County edged South Fulton, 6-5. Read More ...
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Tornado netters back at Square 1
The Union City tennis teams are back where they started the season — with an evened up record — after losses at Dyersburg on Monday.
The Trojans got the better of the local boys during a 5-2 match, while the D’burg girls prevailed 6-1.
The dual defeats put the Lady Tornadoes at 3-3 on the campaign, while their male counterparts fell to 2-2 on the current season.
The Twister tennis teams return to action this afternoon at home against Gibson County at 4.
Counting today’s match, five of Union City’s last six tennis matches will be held at home.
The team championship match of the district tournament is scheduled for April 29 at UT Martin. Read More ...
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Twister thinclads on podium again
The Union City Middle School track teams continued their respective string of impressive performances with a pair of second-place finishes in a seven-school meet at Dyersburg Monday afternoon.
Both UC squads were runners-up to the host team, the boys edged out by two points — 126-124 — while the Lady Tornadoes’ 118 points was second to D’burg’s 136.
Jamie Hyde recorded a pair of first-place individual finishes for the Twister boys’ thinclads, winning both the 100 and 200 meter races.
Hyde also ran the anchor leg of the 800-meter relay team that placed first, combining with teammates Daulton Parish, Iroa Smith and Dontarius Owens to take the top prize in that event. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 13
Briefly
Jr. Skyhawk Clinic
scheduled for Sat.
The UT Martin football team will host a Junior Skyhawk Clinic on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
The free clinic, designed for youngsters ages 4-12, is to feature the fundamentals of the game.
Participants and area fans are invited to meet the Skyhawks at this time. Players and coaches will pass out free posters and will be available to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans after the clinic. Read More ...
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Red Devils feel burn of another slim defeat
Another close game didn’t go South Fulton’s way.
The Red Devils fell in a contest decided by three or less runs for the sixth time this season, losing 3-1 to Gibson County on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Obion Central baseball team had another stellar outing in a classic/tournament setting.
After falling 13-4 to Covington on Friday in regular-season play, the Rebels bounced back at the Haywood Classic Saturday — routing the host team 13-2 and blanking Bradford 10-0.
In tournament/classic action the past three weekends, OC is 7-2.
Friday’s other game had Union City shut out 14-0 by Henry County. Read More ...
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Errors enemy for SF
Errors ate South Fulton up at the Covington Invitational Tournament.
The Devilettes bowed out of the event in the semifinals on Saturday with a 7-0 defeat to the host Lady Chargers — a perennial Class 2A State Tournament team.
In said defeat, four Covington runs eventually scored in the second after an error on a softly hit fly ball, according to SF coach Curt Lee.
Previously on Saturday, South Fulton had defeated Halls (2-1) in the tournament’s opening round and blanked Harding Academy (11-0) in pool play.
The Devilettes began the event with a rough patch on Friday, falling to Adamsville and Covington by respective scores of 7-1 and 9-2.
Today’s softball slate has South Fulton at Lake County for a 4 p.m. contest. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 12
Briefly
United Way Scramble
scheduled for April 29
The United Way of Obion County will be hosting a four-person golf scramble on April 29 at the Goodyear Wingfoot Golf Course.
Entry fee is $200 per team and the cost to sponsor is $100.
A discounted price of $250 is available for those wishing to enter a team and sponsor, as well.
The scramble is set to begin at 1 p.m.
For more information, contact Kurt Baggett at 225-9216 or Tommy Gurley at 335-1618. Read More ...
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Miller is best answer to Red Devil hoops equation
Principal Adam Stephens believes Wes Miller is a perfect fit for South Fulton High School.
And for more reasons than one.
“Coach Miller has a strong passion for the game of basketball and is eager to be a coach, teacher, and mentor for the young men participating in our school’s program,” said Stephens, who tabbed the 29-year-old Miller from a list of more than two dozen applicants to fill the Red Devil boys’ basketball vacancy.
Miller spent the past three seasons as the head coach at Brighton, part of a four-year tenure at the Tipton County school in all. The Cardinals, predominantly made up of freshmen and sophomores — according to Miller — went 11-14 this past year. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
OC's Fussell an All-Stater again
Another month, another honor for Chassidy Fussell.
Named Most Valuable Player of rugged District 13AA in February, and winner of the prestigious Miss Basketball Award in March, Fussell was chosen today as a repeat All-Stater by members of the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.
The honor is simply the latest in a long list of accolades for Fussell — arguably the most-decorated female player ever at Obion County Central High School. Read More ...
By MIKE HUTCHENS, Messenger Sports Editor |
Grand Sherwood HR, Haley’s gem fruitless as UC, Devilettes fall
Two standout performances went for naught on Thursday.
Union City second baseman Branson Sherwood smacked his second grand slam of the season, but it turned out to be just a foot note in the grand picture of his team’s 12-11 defeat to Westview.
Meanwhile, South Fulton softball ace Haley McKinney tossed all 11 innings, but her efforts were also fruitless in the Devilettes’ 2-1 defeat to Halls.
In Thursday’s other baseball game, South Fulton downed Gleason 5-3.
Softball action on Thursday also had Obion Central on the wrong end of an 8-3 defeat to Milan. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 9
Briefly
OC boys’ soccer team
claims 1st-ever win
The Obion Central boys’ soccer team got its first-ever victory on Thursday — a 10-1 romp over Ripley.
Central (1-4-1) scored its first goal about four minutes into the game and never trailed.
Juan Mora had a hat trick — three scores — for the Rebels, while Martin Reyna, Eric Torres, Tanner Noles, Will McBride, Eddy Gonzalez and Brent Flowers all accounted for one goal. Read More ...
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Home runs soar out as Lions, Bulldogs split
Home runs were abundant as the Dresden Lions and Gleason Bulldogs split a pair of games on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
In Monday’s action at Wilson Park in Dresden, the host Lions smashed a pair of homers, while the Bulldogs belted one over the fence. Despite the dinger tally in Dresden’s favor, it was Gleason picking up the 13-9 victory.
On Tuesday in Tater Town, the Lions made sure to take advantage of their four home runs, outscoring Gleason 23-12. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
WHS netters splitWHS netters split
The Westview tennis team was on both ends of a season sweep this week.
On Monday, the Lady Chargers (4-5) fell for the second time this season to the Milan Lady Bulldogs, but bounced back on Tuesday to notch their second win over the Obion County Central Lady Rebels. Read More ...
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Charger line-up shake-up provides better effort
Westview first-year skipper Chad Levister knew he had to shake things up after a gut-wrenching 23-2 loss at Milan on Monday. And his plan almost led to a victory in Martin against those same Bulldogs the next afternoon. Behind a lineup of mostly underclassmen, the Chargers battled until the final out, falling 3-2 in a strong pitchers’ duel between Milan’s Christian Coleman and Westview’s Adam Garner. Read More ...
Joey Guest – Special to the Weakley County Press |
National spotlight to shine on local MMA pro Underwood
By KENNETH COKER
Messenger Sports Reporter
Obion Central graduate Zach Underwood is preparing for the fight of his life.
The local professional mixed martial arts fighter is set to be on the preliminary card of the CBS telecast “Strikeforce: Nashville” on April 17 at the Bridgestone Arena.
Published in The Messenger 4.8.10 Read More ...
Kenneth Coker, Messenger Sports Reporter |
Briefly
Union City softball
leaving Fla. winners
The Union City softball team finished with its head above water and a 3-2 record at the Beach Blast in Fort Walton, Beach, Fla.
Published in The Messenger 4.8.10 Read More ...
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McKinney stamp delivers SF a win over Lady Rebels
South Fulton’s 2-1 softball victory over Obion Central Tuesday had Haley McKinney’s name all over it.
McKinney fanned six and drove in both the Devilettes’ runs in helping SF to its sixth straight victory and 11th overall in 13 games.
South Fulton is unbeaten this spring against teams from Tennessee, its only losses to Kentucky entries Livingston Central and Lone Oak in a weekend tournament earlier in the year.
Obion Central fell to 11-6 with the hard-luck loss.
In the only other game involving a local team from Tuesday, Union City fell for the second time in three games in the Beach Bash in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., dropping an 8-4 decision to Corbin (Ky.) Read More ...
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OC falls victim to D’burg pace
Obion Central kept up with highly-touted Dyersburg for an inning.
The Rebels trailed 3-2 after one frame against the Trojans on Tuesday, but ultimately couldn’t keep up the pace in a 17-4 defeat.
Dyersburg scored in every inning of the game at Troy, which was shortened to five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
In other area action, Union City drubbed Bradford for the second consecutive day with an 18-4 rout on the road and South Fulton fell 11-5 at Halls. Read More ...
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Messenger Sports Briefs for April 7
Briefly
Westview bests OC
in makeup tennis
Westview bested the Obion Central girls 5-1 on Tuesday in a makeup tennis match.
Rebecca Bloodworth and Marissa Howard combined for the only local victory — a 6-2 doubles decision over Alexis Beverly and Dylan Brown.
Meanwhile, Lady Rebel Marissa Howard came the closest to an individual triumph during her 9-7 defeat to W’view’s Cara Burnham.
Otherwise, top OC girl Kacee Sanders was blanked (8-0) by Chloe Nance and Lindsay Castellaw felt the sting of an 8-3 loss to Melissa Barroch. Read More ...
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McMillin’s shutout keys DHS win over Gleason
Senior Courtney McMillin pitched the Dresden Lady Lions to a 15-0 shutout win in four innings over the visiting Gleason Lady Bulldogs last Thursday at Wilson Park in Dresden.
The DHS right-hander gave up just one hit in earning the mound victory. She walked only one batter while striking out four Lady Bulldogs. Read More ...
Stephanie Sturgis - Weakley County Press Sports Editor |
Greenfield tennis blanks Bulldogs
For the second time this season, the Greenfield Lady Yellowjackets tennis team blanked its District 13 A-AA foe, the Milan Lady Bulldogs, by a 7-0 margin.
The Greenfield girls shut out Milan last Thursday after earning the initial 7-0 win on March 30.
The win improved Greenfield to 9-0 Read More ...
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Westview softball splits four games in Classic
Against tough competition in the Riverdale Classic, the Westview Lady Chargers softball team split four games on Friday and Saturday.
The Lady Chargers earned a 5-2 win over Heritage and a 7-3 victory over Forrest on Friday, before dropping a 2-0 decision to Grove City (Ohio) and a 5-0 loss to Goodpasture on Saturday afternoon. Read More ...
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