Around The State ...

Gavin Hardin

The Jackson Sun, one of the top newspapers in the state for prep coverage, reported this week that Huntingdon head football coach Mike Mansfield and his defensive coordinator Jimmy Pritchard are retiring.

Mansfield has been the head coach of the Mustangs since 1991 and Pritchard took over the defense in 1991. Eric Swenson has been hired to replace Mansfield.

Swenson comes to Huntingdon from Hickman County in Middle Tennessee. His team was 11-2 in 2007 and lost to Goodpasture in the state semifinals.

He was offensive coordinator at Huntingdon from 1996-2004.

Mansfield leaves the Mustangs with a 151-62 record and a 2003 Class 2A state championship.

His teams made 14 state playoff appearances and were 8-4 in 2007.

Swenson's team was 11-2 this season at Hickman County, losing to Goodpasture in the state quarterfinals.

Humbolt tight end Elijah Epperson (6-4, 247) told Arkansas Bobby Petrino during a recruiting trip to watch him play basketball this week that he would be a Razorback next fall.

Epperson, who has been timed at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was originally offered an Arkansas scholarship by former coach Houston Nutt.He selected Arkansas over Ole Miss.

Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine’s top-rated preseason player, Gavin Hardin (Jackson Central-Merry) is visiting Miami this weekend.

The 6-4, 235-pound linebacker originally made a soft commitment to Ole Miss.

Trenton Peabody superstar Kendal Harper (QB/DB) has committed to UT-Martin.

The Naval Academy has landed a pair of Middle Tennessee standouts.

Demetrous Garrett, a 5-foot-8 receiver from Hillsboro, and Riverdale offensive lineman David Sumrall have both committed to play for new Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Garrett caught 34 passes for 482 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007.