Greatest Team Ever

The greatest team ever to play in Tennessee, and possibly in America is not one of the typical state powers.

Maryville, Brentwood Academy, Dobyns-Bennett, Trousdale County, the once-feared Chattanooga Central and Oak Ridge are just a few that come to mind.

Nonetheless, possibly the greatest dynasty is a mystery team once known as Bedford County Training Center.

This was a public school for African Americans in Shelbyville, Tennessee that was open for more than 30 years prior to segregation.

The Fighting Tigers football team carved out a bit of national history with an unbelievable 78-0-4 record from 1943 to 1950.

Nobody is quite sure who the Bedford County Training Center played. But they are positive that the school set a National Federation record that likely will never be broken with 52 consecutive shutouts from 1942 until 1949.

Coach Edward Finley’s team went nine years without giving up a single point. In addition, the Fighting Tigers nine years of undefeated football tops the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association record book.

The school was later renamed Harris High before it merged with Central High in 1967.

The building that once housed the school has been turned into an office complex.

The people of Shelbyville believe the state’s best team played there in the 1940's.

Read more in the Hot Reads section of the 2008 edition of the Tennessee Football magazine now at your favorite bookstore.

OLPH Football: 'A Tradition of Excellence'

EAST RIDGE -- For more than 60 years, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help junior high football program has been a tradition of excellence – recording 336 victories, 21 championships and too many bowl victories to remember since 1948.

In addition, the Rams brought home a National Pop Warner championship from Philadelphia in 1955.

OLPH defeated Valley Stream, N.Y. 13-0 and Fairless, N.Y. 12-0 to claim the title. When the team returned to Chattanooga, a large crowd and a police escort awaited the champions. The players spent the next week with personal appearances on Chattanooga radio and television stations.

The Dearing brothers, Billy and Bucky, coach OLPH today and are proud of the school’s tradition.

“One of the first things we explain to new players is what it means to be a part of OLPH Football,” Bucky said. “We want them to appreciate the history.”Billy Dearing said the school’s tradition refers to the storied past.

“But it also is a continuing goal,” he said. “It’s vital that our young men not be satisfied with mediocrity.”

Billy Dearing began coaching youth football in 1992 and the brothers joined to coach OLPH in 1998. The players refer to them simply as Coach Billy and Coach Bucky.

Barry Courter was on the 1976 OLPH championship team, and his son Carson Courter played on the 2002 champions.

“In both cases it was a good training and proving ground for high school football,” the father said. “Through all six decades, when Notre Dame High School did well, it probably meant OLPH did well in years prior.”

Xan Martin played football at OLPH in 2000-2001 and was team captain his second year. He was the only lineman in school history to be named most valuable player.

“Playing at OLPH always felt like a team,” Martin said. “Billy and Bucky taught us to have fun, not get all stressed out and work together as a team.

“And they always talked about the tradition and wanted the current team to uphold it and carry it on to the next team.”

The Dearing brothers were recognized in 2005 by the East Tennessee Chapter of the College Football Hall of Fame for their contributions to youth football.

In 2006, OLPH Football was honored as the area’s Youth Sports Program of the Year by a Chattanooga television station.

“We ingrain in the boys football fundamentals, which usually results in victories,” Billy Dearing said. “However, more importantly, we want them to learn valuable life lessons like teamwork, discipline, and hard work, which can help pull them through tough times in years to come. On top of that, we want them to enjoy the experience.”

Those who have played and coached at OLPH during the 60 years of the program have contributed to building the tradition of excellence.

In honor of the Rams tradition a custom cover was created for the 2008 OLPH team. The special cover is pictured in the upper lefthand corner of this story.

The SEC Media Days in Hoover again created many storylines that the Southern-Fried football fans can take home or to work for debate.

A little more than 70 of the 850-plus media members who showed up in Alabama took time to vote on which teams would play for the SEC title.

Nonetheless, I have to take time to disagree with the small number who voted Auburn and Florida to win their respective divisions.

Those picks are justifiable.

However, I don’t agree.

I have a hard time wondering how anybody could pick against the LSU Tigers to capture the SEC West again.

I know, the media likes Tommy Tuberville more than Les Miles.

Not only does Miles wear a baseball cap worse than any SEC coach in history, he will never grade high in a course of how to win friends and influence others.

Okay, back to why I originally decided to speak out.

LSU is the best team in the west.

The question in Baton Rouge is who is going to play quarterback. With the abundance of talent the Tigers have it’s obvious that a quarterback who doesn’t make mistakes will be able to lead the charge.
So, why not the defending national champs to win the SEC West?

And yes, Auburn will be the runner-up.

The SEC East is crazy.

Georgia, Florida and Tennessee are all very good and capable of getting on a winning streak.

Tennessee has to have a strong performance from Jonathan Crompton at quarterback.

Of course, Georgia has Matthew Stafford and Florida has "Superman" Tim Tebow at quarterback.

I think Tennessee will beat Georgia or Florida, and the Dogs will get the Gators again. I also believe LSU will beat Florida.

But, I believe Georgia will survive the East and play LSU in a rematch of the Oct. 18 game.

STUMP SAYS:

LSU
Auburn
Miss State
Alabama
Ole Miss
Arkansas


EAST
Georgia
Tennessee
Florida
South Carolina
Kentucky
Vanderbilt

Tebow Inspired Meyer To Take Mission Trip

My friend Ron Bishop, who founded SCORE International, a sports-related mission organization that provides the means for athletes to go abroad and introduce people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, has touched many with his efforts.

This week, at the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, there was more proof that Bishop’s passion for teaching people about Christ was hitting the mark.

Florida football coach Urban Meyer talked about his mission trip to the Dominican Republic with SCORE.

Meyer took his wife and three children along with two other families to visit orphanages and feed the hungry in villages where SCORE is planting churches.

“Probably, the impact of Tim Tebow inspired Meyer to take the trip,” Bishop said.

Meyer told the media gathered at the Wynfrey Hotel Wednesday that Tebow had done a lot of things that opened his eyes.

“It was a life-changing experience,” Meyer said of his trip to the Dominican.

Bishop said that Chris Mayberry, a basketball coach at First Academy in Orlando, gets credit for getting Meyer and his family to take the trip. First Academy is a ministry of the First Baptist Church.

“A year ago, Chris took his boys team on a sports mission trip to the Dominican Republic. One of the players took his dad along,” Bishop said. “That dad happens to be a good friend of Urban Meyer. Thus, the idea of a “family” mission trip was born and three families spent July the 4th week doing mission work.”

Mayberry is a former basketball player at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. who went with Bishop on a SCORE trip to Jamaica to do missions years ago.

Bishop said SCORE International honored the request of Meyer to keep the trip a quiet, low-key event.

However, Bishop said when the Tampa Tribune and the Associated Press ran the story last week, he and his organization were happy to confirm it.

“It is so neat to have a person like Tim Tebow on the national scene,” Bishop said. “Teenagers (and adults) need positive role models and Tebow is one of the best. He went on three mission trips this year, kept a 3.68 GPA, and won the Heisman Trophy. What a kid!”

Nevertheless, Bishop said the biggest impact Tebow might have had on anybody was the spiritual impact he likely had on his coach, Urban Meyer.

Your Mag Is Almost Here

The 2008 edition of Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine is dedicated for those who help make football special across the state.

A tremendous amount of effort goes into making football possible at every level.

The same type effort from many different people has gone into making this magazine the one you want to pick up off the shelves and take home.

The Tennessee Football magazine staff began planning for 2008 when the first edition was rolling on the presses in July of 2007.

The staff took the suggestions from the fans who read the 2007 magazine and from the players and coaches who play the game.

Then it was time to go to work.

Like football teams, injuries can make a difference. This year the Tennessee Football magazine team refused to allow injuries to stop us short of our goal.

Out of necessity, the team learned to play hurt.

One writer broke his leg. However, that allowed him to sit at home and write many of the high school previews.

A photographer broke both of his elbows in a softball game. Thankfully, he had his mishap after he had his picture day with the Vols.

Another photographer broke his arm.

Nevertheless, the Tennessee Football magazine team rallied together and played through pain to present another winning product.

This is the first year of “The Great Divide.” The staff split the state high school teams into East, Southeast, Middle and West Tennessee regions.

Each region is represented with a high school feature story.

In the staff’s travels across the Volunteer State, many stories were told.

In West Tennessee, the Memphis Melrose football team is featured in a story about “Legend of Orange Mound.”

In Middle Tennessee, “Third Time’s Charm” tells of likable David Lipscomb coach Glenn McCadams and how his Mustangs defeated Knoxville Fulton to capture the Tennessee Class 3A state crown after losing to the Falcons the previous two seasons.

The trip to Southeast Tennessee took the staff to South Pittsburg where the town folks claim to have the best cornbread in the world and the “top thoroughbreds” in the state when it comes to high school football players.

It’s hard to argue with the Pirates 15-0 record and a state 1A championship in 2007. But in South Pittsburg, the supporters expect another title this season.

Staff members enjoyed the trip so much that photographer Matt Ledger and writer Scott Herpst couldn’t resist returning to South Pittsburg a week later for the famous “Cornbread Festival. There, the two caught up with Pirates coach Vic Grider sprinkling hot sauce on a skillet of cornbread.

In East Tennessee, writer Marky Billson visited Kingsport to learn of the history of Dobyns-Bennett football.

The Indians have won more games than any team in the state by hitting the 700 mark last season.

John Brice is back again this year writing the University of Tennessee stories you won’t find anywhere else.

Tennessee Titans beat writer Terry McCormick again gets up close with Jeff Fisher and the state’s only professional football team.Meet the 2008 Reebok Phenoms, an all-classification team featuring the best prep offensive and defensive players in Tennessee by position.In addition, learn about the top prep high school football players in the state in the Power 279. And read about your favorite teams and their opponents in profiles of 326 Tennessee teams.Whether you’re a player, coach, fan, parent or business supporter the message is simple, it’s all for you.

For more of the same check daily at www.TennFB.com for everything football in Tennessee.

Stump Martin
Managing Editor
Varsity Sport Media’s Tennessee Football

2008 Magazine In The Final Run

The 2008 Tennessee Football magazine is in the final run before dashing off to the printer.

I’m very excited about this year’s magazine. There’s more stories, more information and an overall better product for those in Tennessee to enjoy.

In the 2008 edition meet the top Tennessee Volunteer players returning and get a close up look at sophomore sensation Eric Berry by reading the cover story.

In addition, check out the in-depth reporting by Tennessee Vols beat writer John Brice as he takes fans behind the scenes for information you will only find in the Tennessee Football magazine.

The NFL section is packed with a preview of the Tennessee Titans as Coach Jeff Fisher attempts to return his team to the playoffs.

Will the return of defensive end Javon Kearse, or the addition of tight end Alge Crumpler make a big difference in the Titans?

Of course, Tennessee Football magazine is the leader in delivering the best prep information and feature stories to the readers.

Find out the best teams in Tennessee in the Top 25 All-classification poll and read about the Top 10 match-ups that you don’t want to miss in 2008.

Don’t miss picking up a copy to read about the Reebok Phenoms, a collection of the elite prep football players in the state.

The 2009 Tennessee signing crop is already growing with players across the state making commitments to SEC and other Division I schools.

The Tennessee Football magazine Power 279 provides information on the best talent the Volunteer State has to offer.

See who from your area is in the top players’ lists and read about your favorite high school in the 2008 previews.

I can’t wait to get the first issue in my hand and I know what’s coming.

I can only imagine your anticipation.

A special thanks to those who have worked with the Tennessee Football magazine staff to make this edition the best ever.

Oops, I almost let the cat out of the bag.

That’s right; the magazine will announce the best back and best lineman to play football in Tennessee and a list of others who were so close.

Adarius Bowman Not Drafted

What went wrong with Adarius Bowman?

The former Notre Dame School star is the best high school wide receiver I've ever seen play.

In fact, he’s one of the top five prep football players I’ve seen on the gridiron.

I deemed him a can’t miss.

He had it all.

Adarius had the size, speed, hands and athletic ability to go along with the most pleasant, yet competitive dispositions I can remember.

Don't take my word for it. Just check out his credentials on his website http://www.bowman12.com/.

In my business, I have dealt with thousands of youngsters. Evaluating those youngsters as people and athletes is what I do best.

Therefore, when I say Adarius Bowman is one the finest I ever dealt with I think I know what I’m talking about.

He had a $million dollar smile and was always polite and mannerly in high school.

When he would visit the Stump On Sports television show he was always a pleasure to work with.

Even those who competed against the former SuperPrep All-America prep player pulled for him to succeed.

Saturday I watched the National Football League Draft and checked my Blackberry all day to see who to drafted Adarius.

Sunday, I followed the same pattern.

Nevertheless, with my wife waiting to go to dinner I waited until the final pick to see if the two-time Tennessee Mr. Football would be selected.

That moment didn’t come.

Adarius Bowman is 6-foot-4 and his playing weight is around 220 pounds.

The USA Today ran a story last fall that ranked Bowman in the top 15 seniors in the nation regardless of position. A test to determine his body fat came back at zero.

NFL analyst projected Adarius as a low first round pick last fall.

I said on the ESPN Radio Show, The Drive, prior to the 2007 NFL Draft that I hoped the Dallas Cowboys would take him this year to team with Terrell Owens.

So, what went wrong?

It could have been the 4.74 seconds 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine back in February.

On the other hand, it could have been what was described by scouts as bad routes or too many dropped passes at the Senior Bowl workouts.

Those factors alone might have dropped Adarius some in the draft. However, not from the 15th best senior in the nation last fall to out of the top 252 this weekend.

Marijuana likely cost Adarius millions of dollars.

He was arrested April 1 in McMinn County where he was charged with possession of the controlled substance.

This was the second time marijuana cast a dark shadow on his athletic career.

As a freshman at North Carolina, Adarius was removed from the football team following a marijuana possession charge.

Somebody will give Adarius an opportunity to play in the NFL. He’s a good kid who made two, too many mistakes.

There’s still a chance that he can be an NFL star.

Adarius has the tools and hard work will get his speed numbers back in line.

His agent was quoted last week as saying that nobody ever ran Adarius down from behind in the Big 12.

It’s time for Adarius Bowman to prove to all the people out there that he’s a champion on and off the field.

I still think I was right about him.

He has it all.

It’s now time to show all of it off.

Honoring One Of The Vol Greats

Those who had the fortune of watching the late Jackie Walker play linebacker for the Tennessee Volunteers in the Southeastern Conference from 1969-1971 will not forget how he played.

Walker had a higher gear that gave him the acceleration to always be around the football.

Coaches today talk about squeezing the green by waiting until the last second to strike on a tackle. Nobody did that any better than Walker.

He struck opposing runners with the quickness of a snake and the impact of a stampeding bull.

There’s some things about Walker I did know from being around the Knoxville scene in the early 1970’s while participating as an athlete at nearby Carson-Newman College.

However, when I read the story printed in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/sports/ncaafootball/18tennessee.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=ncaafootball&pagewanted=all Friday I learned more about him.

I didn’t know that he was the the first African-American football player in the Southeastern Conference to be named an all-American and the first of his race to captain an SEC team.

I learned in the story that he averaged more than 23 tackles a game as a senior at Knoxville Fulton.

However, I did know he was a two-time All-America linebacker for the Vols, and to this day he was one of the most fun-to-watch defensive players I’ve ever seen.

I said recently on my Chattanooga ESPN Radio 1370 show, “The Drive,” that Walker was Leonard Little years before there was a Leonard Little.

And yes, by hanging out with some of the Tennessee football players in some of the Knoxville hot spots of the early 1970s many of us heard that Walker was gay.

Although in that era, the word most used wasn’t gay.

I’m not sure how many of us understood homosexuality at that time.

I was happy to read that Walker would likely be one of the names on the induction list for the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame when it is released tomorrow.

On the gridiron the word great defined his play very well.

Jackie Walker photo courtesy of Tennessee Sports Information

Independence Wins!

ALCOA --- Jeanne McGrath cast the final vote for Independence High School at 11:52 Central Daylight Time this morning to get the ballot in eight minutes before Uncle Sam had to have his tax return.

However, this wasn’t about the taxman.

In a battle to the wire between a pair of Middle Tennessee rivals, Independence High wins the 2008 Tennessee Football magazine cover contest.

The final vote tally revealed Independence High from 1776 Declaration Way, Thompson's Station, Tennessee with 734 votes and Antioch with 359.

Independence would have won the contest even if the many who voted for Independance High, and few who typed in Independent High, were tossed out.

Brentwood Academy, Knox Fulton, Tyner, Bolton, Ooltewah, Union City, Ravenwood, Soddy-Daisy, Silverdale and Howard all received votes to bring the overall total to more than 1200 votes in the contest.

Independence displayed the school spirit that helped ignite the Eagles to a 5-A TSSAA state finals appearance in 2007.

The students of Independence were very impressive cheering for the Eagles in a loss to Smyrna that day at Middle Tennessee State.

The battle between the Bears of Antioch and the Eagles of Independence doesn’t come as a surprise.

The Eagles eliminated the Bears in the TSSAA playoffs 44-12 last November 16.

Independence wins 500 free copies of the 2008 Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine with the Eagles custom cover.

This will make for a great fundraiser and a cool keepsake for the Independence football team.

Way to go Eagles!

Vols Open 2008 At UCLA On ESPN

John Brice of Volsquest.com reports this morning that Tennessee has changed its 2008 football schedule to play UCLA on ESPN during a Monday Night Football time slot on September 1.

The story says that ESPN was in negotiations with Tennessee and other schools to get a premier Labor Day prime-time game.

Volquest.com reports that the game will now be five days before Tennessee was scheduled to visit Los Angeles and 48 hours after it was to open Phil Fulmer's 16th full season against UAB.

Tennessee moved the UAB game to Sept. 13 in Knoxville and Sept. 6 will now be an open date.

UCLA moved the Bruins opening day game with Fresno State to Sept. 27.

UAB moved the home game with Alabama State scheduled for Sept. 13 to Sept. 20.