Westmoreland High senior tailback Brandon Green carries the ball during Friday night’s game.

Westmoreland’s rushing attack was too much for Eagleville.

Westmoreland rushed for 344 yards and five touchdowns to defeat Eagleville, 34-7, in th Region 4-2A clash on Friday night.

Westmoreland improved to 4-3 overall and to 4-1 in the region.

From the start of the game, Westmoreland attacked with its running game. Senior quarterback Bayle Kirk led his team in rushing,with 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Westmoreland senior fullback Dylan Todd had 94 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Hunter Crowson had 81 yards, and senior Brandon Green gained 41 yards. Freshman Tate Sloan rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown.

“That’s what we’ve been expecting this year,” Westmoreland coach Steve Harris said. “We’re senior-dominated on the line. We felt like our offensive line would be a strength this season. Our backs are doing a great job running the ball as well.”

Westmoreland took the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards for its first score, keeping the ball on the ground the entire drive. Todd scored on a 2-yard run.

The kickoff was fumbled by Eagleville, and Westmoreland recovered at Eagleville’s 39 yard line.

Nine rushing plays later, it was 14-0. Todd took it in the end zone from 5 yards out.

Eagleville (3-4, 2-2) had two long drives end with turnovers. After Westmoreland’s second touchdown, Eagleville drove from its 35 to the Westmoreland 14. Eagleville went for it on fourth down but failed to pick it up.

After Westmoreland’s only pass of the game was intercepted by Eagleville’s Tyler Griffin — his fifth of the season — Eagleville drove from midfield to the Westmoreland 18. However, a pass into the end zone was intercepted.

“I thought they played a very good game tonight,” Harris said of his defense. “We were focused, ready to play. We had very few if any missed assignments.

“We were really concerned with their passing game. I felt like we did a good job with their passing game tonight.

Westmoreland plays a non-region game at White House Heritage on Friday.

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W – Dylan Todd 2 run (Houston Wischmeier kick). W – Todd 5 run (Wischmeier kick). W – Bayle Kirk 4 run (Wischmeier kick). W – Tate Sloan 1 run (Wischmeier kick). E – Graham Hatcher 6 pass from Ethan Cobb (Josh Stout kick). W – Kirk 44 run (snap fumbled).

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RUSHING

Westmoreland – Bayle Kirk 6-101, Dylan Todd 16-94, Brandon Green 8-41, Hunter Crowson 9-81, Lukas Carter 1-(-17), Lucas James 2-8, Tate Sloan 3-22, Rainey 2-8, Gregory 2-6.

Eagleville – Parker Stuard 18-62, A.J. Garza 5-25, Cobb 3-(-2).

PASSING

Westmoreland – Bayle Kirk  0-1-1-0.

Eagleville – Ethan Cobb 9-21-2-63.

RECEIVING

Westmoreland – None..

Eagleville – Jacob Acuna 5-35, Caleb Wilkins 1-13, Graham Hatcher 1-6, A.J. Garza 1-3, Parker Stuard 1-4.

White House High senior tight end Logan Trimmer carries the football upfield following a reception during a game earlier this season. Trimmer made three field goals and also had 84 receiving yards in Friday evening’s win at Macon County.

LAFAYETTE The White House High football team claimed its first region win of the season, a 30-15 victory over Macon County on Friday night at Pat Parker Memorial Field.

The Blue Devils were able to slow down what has been a potent offensive attack while senior quarterback Steven Rankin and classmate Logan Trimmer led the White House charge.

Brian Mullins was able to get the Blue Devil offense on the field after the senior cornerback intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop the Tigers on their opening drive.

For the second week in a row, the White House offense started fast as Rankin only needed three plays to get White House on the scoreboard. He found a Luke Hopkins streaking down the middle of the field undefended for a 79-yard touchdown pass.

After the defense forced a quick punt on the next Macon County possession, Rankin only needed four plays to make it 14-0 as he found Trimmer for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Trimmer was the beneficiary of downfield blocking by wideouts Connor Holder and Seth Bumbalough that led him to the end zone.

While Trimmer collected 84 yards through the air, his placekicking was even more impressive. He finished the game with three made field goals on the night, converting from 29, 41 and 45 yards.

“Trimmer had a great game for us tonight,” Blue Devil head coach Jeff Porter said. “He was able to make some field goals, but for the second week in a row, he was able to create a long field for our opponent.”

Trimmer had five touchbacks on the night as well.

White House (4-3 overall, 1-2 in Region 5-4A) also had a 28-yard touchdown run as Preston Long returned to the lineup after leaving the game last week with an injury to give the Blue Devils a commanding 27-7 lead less than three minutes into the second half.

“Tonight was an incredible effort by our kids,” Porter said. “They were focused in all week during practice, and it showed tonight. We were fortunate to get a win and very thankful to have the opportunity to try and climb back in this region race.”

The Blue Devils do not play on Friday and will return to action on Oct. 16 when they host Pearl-Cohn.

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WH – Luke Hopkins 79 pass from Steven Rankin. Logan Trimmer kick WH – Trimmer 31 pass from Rankin. Trimmer kick. MC – Evan Perrigo 22 pass from Seth Carlisle. Ethan Wakefield kick. WH – Trimmer 45 field goal. WH – Preston Long 28 run.Trimmer kick. WH – Trimmer 29 field goal. MC – Carlisle 15 run. Braxton Crawford run.

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RUSHING

White House – Preston Long 17-84, Landon Deming 11-68, Steven Rankin 4-20, Austin Grissom 1-(-7).

Macon County – Matt Austin 17-105, Seth Carlisle 19-91, Braxton Crawford 4-12.

PASSING

White House – Steven Rankin 8-16-162-1.

Macon County – Seth Carlisle 6-12-62-2.

RECEIVING

White House – Logan Trimmer 5-84, Luke Hopkins 2-82, Brian Mullins 1-(-4).

Macon County – Tanner Cleary 3-22, Evan Perrigo 1-22, Matt Austin 1-11, Taylor Carlisle 1-7.

Father Ryan’s Lauren Dorrell spikes the ball during a match at the Mid-Tenn Classic on Saturday.

Father Ryan’s Lauren Dorrell spikes the ball during a match at the Mid-Tenn Classic on Saturday.

MURFREESBORO — It’s the week before the postseason tournaments, but several volleyball teams haven’t been taking it easy.

They’ve competed in the Mid-Tenn Classic on Friday and Saturday, which featured several of the top teams in the state.

Father Ryan took advantage of the opportunity to compete in it. The Irish won the tournament last year, then used that win to propel themselves all the way to the state championship, where they lost to Baylor.

Forty-eight high school and junior varsity teams from around the state went to three different schools in Rutherford County to start the competition Friday.

The Irish didn’t repeat as champions this year, however. Father Ryan (34-7) won all its matches Friday and Saturday morning to make it to the final four, but lost to St. Agnes in the semifinals 25-23, 25-23. Goodpasture also won its matches on Friday and Saturday morning and was in the final four, but it lost to Briarcrest in the semifinals.

Father Ryan coach Jinx Cockerham said that it was a great experience to go up against teams that featured different styles of play.

Father Ryan’s Christi MacCleary serves during a match at the Mid-Tenn Classic on Saturday.

“It helps us because we play a lot of teams we don’t usually play, and we play a lot of different styles,” Cockerham said. “It helps us to get ready for that, as long as we can get away without an injury.”

The Irish have seven seniors who have been a big part of the team’s success.

Father Ryan played back-to-back-to-back best-of-three volleyball matches Friday, then back-to-back-to-back matches Saturday morning. The Irish also had defeated Lipscomb Academy in a match Thursday night.

“We’re tired before, but once we warm up and once we’re on the court, we’re ready to play,” senior Lauren Dorrell said. “Our competitive nature just takes over, and we want to win.”

The seniors want to make the most of their last season.

“Our goal,” Olivia Rolick said, “is to make it back to the state finals, and have a different outcome this year.”

The Division II state golf championships will begin Monday at WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester, and several local teams and individuals are primed to take home state titles.

The boys teams from Father Ryan and MBA and the girls teams from Father Ryan and Ensworth will be competing for team titles in DII-AA.

Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter will try to defend his DII-AA boys state golf title.

The Irish won their first region championship, scoring a 283 to edge McCallie by three strokes. MBA finished with a 298 to earn the last qualifying bid from East/Middle. The girls teams from Ensworth (165) and Father Ryan (170) finished third and fourth, respectively, to earn state berths.

In DII-A, Franklin Road Academy’s girls and boys will make return trips to state after winning East/Middle region titles. The boys team from DCA and the girls teams from BGA and DCA will also compete in the team competition.

Girls in both classes will begin teeing off at 8 a.m. while boys in both classes will begin teeing off at 9 a.m. The tournament will conclude on Tuesday.

Defending a title: Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter will attempt to defend his DII-AA individual title. He had to go to a playoff hole to edge MUS’ Goodman Rudolph last season.

DII-AA boys: Father Ryan’s Griffin Bumpus returns after finishing eighth last season. MBA’s Cal Rieke is also a returning top-10 finalist. Brentwood Academy’s Alex Cobb and Jackson Elzinga also qualified. Father Ryan will also be led by Cole Burgdorf, Erik Hamm, Palmer Sadlowski and Nick Wolf. MBA will also be paced by Conner Gray, Josh Morris, Connor Downey and Alex McClellan.

DII-A boys: FRA will be paced by Will Ezell, Will Hunter, Selden Mathews, William Dispayne and Josh Holtschlag. DCA will be led by Braiden Dorfman, Reece Bodiford, Garrett Morris, Austin Russell and Preston LaCoursiere.

DII-AA girls: Ensworth’s Corrine Parish and Caroline Frist will compete for a state title, along with Father Ryan’s Liv Cunningham, Aubrey Frantz and Ella Graham, Harpeth Hall’s Ellie Moore and K.K. Savage and Pope John Paul II’s Ali McCarthy.

DII-A girls: Competing for individual girls titles will be BGA’s Hannah Wright and Rachel Arvizu, FRA’s Angelina Chan, Julianna Garrett and Grayson Dickson and DCA’s Maddie Buckley and Abbey Dickover. USN’s Sarah Manz also qualified as an individual.

Prince Momoodu scores another touchdown for Brentwood Academy during the Ensworth Brentwood Academy as they lead 20-7 at the half .

A look at the top high school football teams in Middle Tennessee, as ranked by The Tennessean:

Franklin Road Academy coach Bill Whittemore.

10. Franklin Road Academy (7-0) — The Panthers notched their seventh straight win and fifth 40-point performance of the season Friday, coasting to a 45-0 win over Ezell-Harding. Last week: NR. This week: vs. Lipscomb. 

Hendersonville coach Bruce Hatfield.

9. Hendersonville (6-1) — The Commandos captured their first shutout of the season against Station Camp, limiting the Bison to just 89 yards in Friday’s 31-0 victory. Last week: NR. This week: Friday vs. Gallatin. 

CPA running back Chip Omer (45) ran for over 200 yards in the Lions’ win over Stratford.

8. CPA (5-1) — The Lions erased a 12-3 halftime deficit Friday against Stratford, eventually coasting to a 34-18 win behind running back Chip Omer’s 206-yard rushing performance. Last week: No. 6. This week: Friday vs. East Nashville. 

Ravenwood’s Connor Jeffries (44) celebrates with Connor Cassin during Friday’s win over McGavock.

7. Ravenwood (5-1) — Senior Connor Jeffries ran for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns while averaging more than 15 yards per carry in the Raptors’ 49-13 win over McGavock. Last week: No. 7. This week: Friday at  Lebanon. 

Centennial Head Coach Brian Rector.

6. Centennial (6-1) — Junior Mondu Sawyers had 166 yards and two rushing scores, and Centennial’s defense limited Clarksville to just 40 yards in Friday’s 42-5 win. Last week: No. 8. This week: Friday at Brentwood. 

Blackman senior running back Taeler Dowdy (3).

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5. Blackman (5-2) — Blaze running back Taeler Dowdy eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in Friday, carrying 26 times for 196 yards and a pair of scores in his team’s 28-14 win over Smyrna. Last week: No. 5. This week: Friday at Siegel.

Independence fans cheer on their team.

4. Independence (6-0) — The Eagles, still without injured senior quarterback Andrew Bunch, strung together their sixth straight win Friday, 27-0 over Stewarts Creek behind Adam Swayze’s 207-yard, three touchdown effort. Last week: No. 4. This week: Friday at Shelbyville. 

Oakland junior Kaleb Oliver.

3. Oakland (5-1) — Junior JaCoby Stevens hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions, and the Patriots blocked three punts, returning all three for scores, in their 48-7 rout of Warren County. Last week: No. 3. This week: Friday vs. Haywood. 

Prince Momoodu scores another touchdown for Brentwood Academy during the Ensworth Brentwood Academy as they lead 20-7 at the half .

2. Brentwood Academy (5-1) — The Eagles reeled off 29-unanswered, second-half points to secure their fourth consecutive win, a 49-7 triumph over Ensworth. Last week: No. 2. This week: Friday vs. MBA.

Montgomery Bell Academy sophomore Gordon Pollack delivers a big hit on Pope John Paul II’s Jalen Cambridge (22) on Friday.

1. Montgomery Bell Academy (7-0) —  Running back Ty Chandler churned out 201 yards and four touchdowns on 17 first-half carries, and the 6-foot, 188-pound junior returned a fumble for a score in the Big Red’s 56-14 win over Pope John Paul II.  Last week: No. 1. This week: Friday at Brentwood Academy.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. 

Father Ryan’s Palmer Sadlowski watches his shot from the 18th fairway.

BGA’s Hannah Wright watches her tee shot on hole No. 18.

Father Ryan’s Erik Hamm studies the green prior to his putt on No. 18.

FRA’s Angelina Chan watches her tee shot on the hole No. 18.

Brentwood Academy’s Jackson Elzinga watches his shot from the 18th fairway.

Father Ryan’s Ella Graham studies the green prior to her putt on hole No. 18.

MBA’s Connor Downey watches his tee shot on hole No. 18.

MBA’s Conner Gray hits a shot from the 18th fairway.

Ensworth’s Caroline Frist watches her tee shot from hole No. 1.

Father Ryan’s Aubrey Frantz watches her tee shot from hole No. 1.

MBA’s Alex McClellan hits a shot from the rough on hole No. 18.

MANCHESTER — Battle Ground Academy’s girls are in first place in the Division II-A team standings, while Franklin Road Academy’s Angelina Chan and Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter are both atop the individual standings after day one of the TSSAA Division II Golf Championships at WillowBrook Golf Club.

In girls Division II-A action, BGA finished at 25-over 169, three strokes ahead of second-place University School of Jackson, while the Franklin Road Academy girls are in third at 174 (+30).

“(Hannah Wright and Rachel Arizu) both playing consistent golf — not a lot of big scores — but they’re playing consistent,” BGA coach Brent Mclay said. “Really this is their third year in state, and that has added to their demeanor on the course. They did really well today, and they’re in a good spot for tomorrow.”

Chan, a freshman, led all Division II-A girls on the first day, shooting 1-over 73.

“Overall it was a pretty good day,” said the 14-year-old Chan, who placed third as an eighth-grader in 2014. “Towards the end I started to lose focus. The weather was great, but I started to get lazy with my swing. After that, especially on the last few holes, I came back, and I was proud of myself for that.”

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FRA’s Angelina Chan enjoys some shade on the 18th fairway.

Donelson Christian Academy’s Maddie Buckley is fifth at 83 (+11) — one stroke ahead of Wright — while Arizu is seventh at 85 (+13).

In girls Division II-AA, St. Agnes shot even 144 — six strokes ahead of second-place Baylor, and 16 better than third-place Girls Preparatory School.

Father Ryan is fourth at 174 (+30), while Ensworth is sixth at 180 (+36).

Ochsenreiter, aiming to defend his 2014 Division II-AA crown, carded a six-under 66 on Monday, and the Indiana commitment currently holds a five-stroke advantage in the individual standings.

Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter watches his tee shot from hole No. 18.

“I started off with a few good birdies,” said Ochsenreiter, who is currently the seventh-ranked junior boy in Tennessee, according to Golfweek. “I bogeyed 12 — I didn’t have a very good lie — but I just wanted to finish that side under par. I unleashed it more on the front side — it’s a little more forgiving — but overall I thought I played pretty well.”

Briarcrest’s Drew Miller and Landon Cottrell, along with Baylor’s Chase Roswall, are all tied for second at 71 (-1), while Baylor senior Oliver Simonsen’s par 72 rounded out the top 5.

MBA’s Evan Spence fired a 1-over 73 — good enough for sixth — while Father Ryan’s Nick Wolf is currently 10th at 3-over 75.

Brentwood boys win first golf title in school history

Father Ryan’s Erik Hamm, Griffin Bumpus and Palmer Sadlowski each shot 4-over 76 for the Irish, who are third in the team standings — six strokes behind first-place Briarcrest.

FRA’s boys are third in the Division II-A team standings at 313 (+40) — 25 strokes off first-place St. George’s — while DCA, led by sophomore Reece Bodiford’s five-over 77, is fourth at 333 (+45).

FRA’s Josh Holtschlag, who shot seven-over 79, is tied for eighth in the individual standings.

Father Ryan’s Nick Wolf hits a tee shot on hole No. 18.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-478-2481 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

AP high school football rankings

The Associated Press’ Top 10 teams in each of Tennessee’s six Division I non-financial aid classifications and in the combined Division II financial aid classification as selected by Tennessee AP-member sportswriters and broadcasters. With first-place votes in parentheses, records through October 5, total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote:

CLASS 6A
School Record Pts Prv
1.Maryville (18) 7-0 180 1
2. Oakland 5-1 158 2
3. Whitehaven 6-1 137 3
4. Ravenwood 5-1 120 4
5. Blackman 5-2 100 7
6. Science Hill 5-1 85 8
7. Cordova 7-0 77 10
8. Dobyns-Bennett 4-2 43 6
9. White Station 4-3 42 5
10. Cookeville 6-1 24 NR
Others receiving 12 or more points: Bradley Central 14.

The Tennessean Midstate Top 10

CLASS 5A
School Record Pts Prv
1. Independence (16) 6-0 177 1
2. Morristown West (1) 6-1 152 2
3. Farragut (1) 6-0 130 3
4. Ooltewah 5-1 109 4
5. Oak Ridge 6-1 101 5
6. Knoxville West 5-1 86 6 
7. Hendersonville 6-1 78 7
8. Henry Co. 6-1 71 8
9. Sevier Co. 5-2 36 9
10. Munford 6-0 35 10
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

Friday night (high)lights

CLASS 4A
School Record Pts Prv
1. Fulton (16) 6-1 168 1
2. Greeneville 5-1 141 2
3. Hardin Co. (1) 6-0 137 3
4. Memphis East 5-1 119 4
5. Marshall Co. 6-1 102 5
6. Stone Memorial 7-0 82 7
7. Knoxville Central 5-1 68 8
8. Lipscomb Acad. 5-1 40 10
9. Chester Co. 5-1 29 T10
10. Ridgeway 4-3 28 6
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

10 high school football stadiums you should visit in Midstate

CLASS 3A
School Record Pts Prv
1. Alcoa (14) 6-1 167 1
2. CAK (2) 7-0 147 2
3. CPA (1) 5-1 136 3
4. Liberty Magnet 7-0 122 4
5. Elizabethton 5-1 101 5
6. East Ridge 7-0 83 8
7. Kingston 6-1 62 10
8. Notre Dame 4-3 32 6
9. South Gibson 6-0 27 NR
10. Sequatchie Co. 5-1 23 7
Others receiving 12 or more points: DeKalb Co. 18.

Midstate duo, BGA girls lead in Division II golf

CLASS 2A
School Record Pts Prv
1.Boyd-Buchanan (16) 6-0 169 1
2. Marion County 6-1 146 2
3. Adamsville 5-1 126 3
4. Hampton (1) 6-0 124 4
5. Sullivan North 6-0 100 5
6. Forrest 6-1 83 6
7. Trezevant 5-2 79 7
8. Waverly 6-1 49 8
9. Austin-East 5-1 40 9
10. Scotts Hill 5-2 6 NR
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

Brentwood boys win first golf title in school history

CLASS 1A
School Record Pts Prv
1. Union City (16) 7-0 169 1
2. Dresden (1) 7-0 154 2
3. Huntingdon 6-1 133 5
4. Nashville Christian 6-1 113 6
5. Wayne Co. 6-0 89 7
6. Columbia Acad. 5-1 66 8
7. Peabody 5-2 64 3
8. Coalfield 6-1 61 4
9. Greenback 4-2 39 10
10. Jo Byrns 6-1 16 NR
Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

DIVISION II
School Record Pts Prv
1. MBA (14) 7-0 166 1
2. Brentwood Acad. (3) 5-1 155 2
3. Baylor 6-1 126 3
4. Christian Brothers 5-1 113 5
5. MUS 5-2 103 6
6. FRA 7-0 63 T9
7. St. George’s 6-1 54 9 
8. BGA 5-1 51 4
9. McCallie 2-4 27 8
10. Ensworth 3-4 24 7
Others receiving 12 or more points: Davidson Acad. 22, Northpoint Christian 16.

All Associated Press members in Tennessee are eligible to participate in the high school football poll. Those who voted for this week’s poll are: The Daily Post-Athenian, Athens; Chattanooga Free Press, Chattanooga; Cleveland Daily Banner, Cleveland; State Gazette, Dyersburg; The Jackson Sun, Jackson; Johnson City Press, Johnson City; The Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville; Marshall County Tribune (Lewisburg); The Tomahawk (Mountain City); The Commercial Appeal, Memphis; Citizen Tribune, Morristown; The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro; The Tennessean (Nashville); The Paris Post-Intelligencer; Union City Daily Messenger, Union City; WVLT, Knoxville; WCMT, Martin; WNWS-FM, Jackson.

Coffee County sophomore quarterback Alontae Taylor has committed to play for Vanderbilt, according to a Twitter message he posted Tuesday.

Vanderbilt logo

Taylor posted the following Tweet Tuesday evening:

“I would like to thank God for everything none of this would be possible without him With tht being said I have decided to Verbal Commit to..”

That tweet was followed by a photo of Taylor superimposed in a Vanderbilt jersey with a Vanderbilt logo embedded in the photo.

The sophomore has received interest from Clemson, North Carolina and Tennessee and has received official offers from Vanderbilt and Troy.

Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 94 prospect in the country in the class of 2018, Taylor has led Coffee County to a 2-5 record this year accumulating more than 300 passing yards while rushing for nine scores and more than 600 yards.

Henry County jumbotron

Gallatin’s Green Wave Stadium

Glencliff’s new bleachers

Henry County

Henry County

Gallatin’s Green Wave Stadium/Calvin Short Field

Whites Creek

Trousdale County

Portland’s Edgar Johnson Stadium.

Taylor Pedersen paints under the bleachers at Stratford High School as Belmont’s day of service happens August 19, 2013 in Nashville, Tenn.

pics from the pit in Lincoln Co.

pics from the pit in Lincoln Co.

View of natatorium from the the football stadium at Ensworth School in Nashville, Tenn., June 26, 2013.

Teams warm up as Montgomery Bell Academy takes on Pearl Cohn to open the high school football season at Montgomery Bell Academy Friday evening August 20, 2010.

Pressbox at the football stadium at Ensworth School in Nashville, Tenn., June 26, 2013.

Football stadium at Ensworth School in Nashville, Tenn., June 26, 2013.

Teams warm up as Montgomery Bell Academy takes on Pearl Cohn to open the high school football season at Montgomery Bell Academy Friday evening August 20, 2010.

Football stadiums are Friday nights’ community gathering spots.

Ensworth fans celebrate a victory over Bentwood Academy in 2013 at Tigers Stadium.

Sometimes, the stadiums even reflect the personality of their communities.

“It’s definitely something for the program to be proud of,” Glencliff assistant coach Lisa Limper said.

Glencliff’s stadium, Leroy Hollis Field at B.H. Thompson Stadium, recently was spiffed up with new stands and press box. Next up, Limper said, are new bathrooms and a concession stand.

“Anything that helps increase the visibility of the program and make it nicer for the guys to play is definitely a plus,” she said.

Some stadiums have a little quirk for which they are known.

Portland’s Memorial Field at Edgar Johnson Stadium is surrounded by active train tracks.

“The most memorable thing for me has got to be the train,” said Corey Brewer, who was part of Portland’s 2000 state champion football team and a 2011 NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks.

“When you’re playing there, there’s always something that happens when the train comes through. Every time we score a touchdown they blow the horn.”

Top high school football games for Week 7

Whites Creek Stadium had a walled tree — just outside the end zone.

“We used to have to run the mile, and I remember the very first time I ran the mile I stopped and stood behind the tree and got a lap down, so I only ran three of the laps,” laughed Shelton Quarles, former Whites Creek Cobra and 2002 Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The tree has been gone since 2011, but perhaps surprisingly, the wall still remains..

“It was something that we always looked forward to being out there,” said Quarles, now director of football operations for the Bucs. “It was a part of the field so it’s unfortunate that they tore the tree down.”

Patriot Stadium at Henry County High features a large, two-tier, air-conditioned press box that extends from one 30-yard line to the other, as well as a Jumbotron that makes visiting teams a bit jealous.

“We have some teams that want to come up here and play because they want their kids to … (experience) the atmosphere and the Jumbotron.” said former player and current Henry County football coach James Counce Jr. “The press box, being as big as it is, everybody has got plenty of room. You can get out of the elements and that kind of stuff.”

High school football is such a big deal in some communities that the stadium sits in the middle of town.

“You kind of feel like the field was built right where the courthouse should’ve been,” first-year Trousdale County football coach David Barker said. “I don’t think I’ve ever coached at a place that has a football field smack-dab right in the middle of the town. Even when they built that new school they left their football field down here in the middle of town.”

Most of the time, the stadiums sit quietly,waiting for Friday nights to come alive with cheering fans.

“It’s a special place, and I think what makes it special is the community and the fans,” Counce said.

“You can have the nicest facilities that money can buy, but having the people to come to the games and fill those seats is what makes it special.”

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

The Pit in Lincoln County.

NOTABLE MIDSTATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUMS

MEADOWS-THOMPSON STADIUM (THE PIT)

Location: Fayetteville

Who plays there: Lincoln County Falcons

What’s special: Bowl-like facility with a field dug into the ground, college atmosphere, committed and tight-knit fan base

Quote: “It was kind of a college atmosphere in a high school stadium. It used to be a terrifying place to play for kids coming in there. It’s a neat place to play high school football.” — Kelly Holcomb, 12-year NFL veteran who played on Lincoln County’s 1990 state championship team

CALVIN SHORT FIELD AT GREEN WAVE STADIUM

Location: Gallatin

Who plays there: Gallatin Green Wave

What’s special: Historic, has hosted more than five decades of home games, fans’ proximity to field

Quote: “I think the biggest thing about it is it doesn’t have a track around it. You’re sitting right on top of the field and the fans are really involved in it. On both sides — visitor and the home side — they are sitting there right on top of you.” — Gallatin coaching legend Calvin Short

TIGERS STADIUM

Location: Nashville

Who plays there: Ensworth Tigers

What’s special: Luscious grass, red brick walls, Jumbotron, bleachers as close to field as possible, great view from all angles

Quote: “Our bleachers and our stadium is built up so that every area around the field is a nice viewing area so it has a bit of a bowl feel to it and it also has the minimum requirement from the edge of the field to the bleachers. So you can’t get any closer to the field than at Ensworth.” — Ensworth football coach Ricky Bowers

BUSTER BOGUSKIE FIELD

Location: Nashville

Who plays there: Stratford Spartans

What’s special: Painted bricks and bleachers, wrought-iron orange gates at entrance, intimidating venue around Halloween, soft field, county-football feel

Quote: “It seemed like real county football. They just take a lot pf pride in taking care of the field and painting it. That orange and black stood out. It’s always had one of the nicest fields as far as how it felt. When I got to Stratford I got tackled and I remember talking about how it felt like a carpet out there.” — Stratford alum and current Maplewood football coach Aracentae Broome

MEMORIAL FIELD AT EDGAR JOHNSON STADIUM

Location: Portland

Who plays there: Portland Panthers

What’s special: Active train tracks surrounding field, train blares horn when Panthers score, passionate football community

Quote: “The most memorable thing for me has got to be the train. When you playing there, there’s always something that happens when the train comes through. Every time we score a touchdown they blow the horn.” — Corey Brewer, state-championship-winning wide receiver at Portland and NBA champion

TOMMY OWEN STADIUM

Location: Nashville

Who plays there: Montgomery Bell Academy Big Red

What’s special: First high school field in Tennessee with turf, 117-year football tradition, large brick stadium with plenty of seating

Quote: “I think it was a big thing we kind of started and now a lot of schools are going to it. The biggest thing I think it (helps with) is weather. Unless there’s lightning you can play rain, shine or snow, it doesn’t matter. It’s been a big help because it doesn’t have the wear and tear on it like you would natural grass.” — MBA football coach Marty Euverard

JOHN KERR FIELD

Location: Hartsville

Who plays there: Trousdale County Yellow Jackets

What’s special: Located in the middle of town, footbridge into stadium, large stands, creek surrounding stadium

Quote: “There’s such an aura here that you can hear the water flowing in the creek and walk over the footbridge into the stadium. Then you have the big banners and billboards up celebrating the state championships and successful seasons. It makes it almost an intimidating place to walk into as a player or as a coach.” — first-year Trousdale football coach David Barker

PATRIOT STADIUM

Location: Paris

Who plays there: Henry County Patriots

What’s special: Two-tier, air-conditioned press box that runs 30-yard line to 30-yard line, Jumbotron, fans who get there hours before game time

Quote: “It’s high enough that you get a good view. The press box, being as big as it is, everybody has got plenty of room. You can get out of the elements and that kind of stuff. Having a room and having it be high enough to where you can get a down view on the game going on I think it gives the people a better view to call a game.” — Henry County football alum and current head coach James Counce Jr.

LEROY HOLLIS FIELD AT B.H. THOMPSON STADIUM

Location: Nashville

Who plays there: Glencliff Colts

What’s special: Old field that recently received a facelift with a new press box and bleachers, new bathrooms and concession stand to follow

Quote: “It’s definitely something for the program to be proud of. It was in really bad shape before so I think people tended to stay away, but now we’ve had some really good crowds. It’s much nicer than it was that’s for sure.” — Glencliff football assistant coach Lisa Limper

WHITES CREEK STADIUM

Location: Whites Creek

Who plays there: Whites Creek Cobras

What’s special: Historic field that used to have a tree and brick wall behind one end zone, tree is gone but brick wall remains

Quote: “I think you just knew it was there and you always tried to make sure you avoided it. It was something that we always looked forward to being out there. It was a part of the field so it’s unfortunate that they tore the tree down.” — Whites Creek alum, 12-year NFL veteran and current director of football operations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Shelton Quarles.

Hendersonville High players celebrate after their 2-1 victory over Station Camp on Tuesday.

HENDERSONVILLE Layne Massey volunteered to take the last shot.

It was a good decision for the Hendersonville High senior and her Lady Commando teammates, too.

Massey converted the final shot in the penalty kick shootout to give the host Lady Commandos a 2-1 victory over Station Camp on Tuesday evening at Drakes Creek Park’s Field of Dreams. It also clinched the District 9-AAA regular season title for the Lady Commandos.

Hendersonville (8-4-3 overall, 6-0 in District 9-AAA) prevailed by a 5-3 margin in the shootout after 100 minutes of soccer was insufficient to settle a 1-1 deadlock.

“Me and (classmate) Maddie Kimler said we wanted to take the last two (penalty kicks),” Massey said. “(Hendersonville head coach Russ Plummer) actually put me fourth to begin with and I ended up saying I’d go fifth.”

Massey, and the four Lady Commando shooters preceding her, all connected on their penalty kicks against Station Camp sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Schlarb. Junior Sydney Cason, senior Elizabeth Burns, sophomore Brooke Long and senior Maddie Kimler scored to put Massey in an enviable spot.

“Some of them said ‘hey, I want to take PKs.’ Give them credit for that,” Plummer said. “They stepped up and got the job done.”

Hendersonville High sophomore Brooke Long (left) battles with Station Camp senior Heidy Orellana for a loose ball during the first overtime period on Tuesday evening.

Juniors Megan Brinkley, Lauren Smith and sophomore Ariana Orellana each scored for the Lady Bison (11-4-3, 5-2), who will be the No. 3 seed in the District 9-AAA Tournament that begins Saturday at Hendersonville.

“These girls have never been to PKs,” Station Camp head coach Thomas Morand said. “We practice spot kicks every day. (Hendersonville) hit five and we hit three out of four.

Schlarb made 11 saves for the Lady Bison, while Hendersonville junior Makensie Cotter made some key saves of her own in the second half.

Long scored Hendersonville’s only regulation goal 4:20 into the second half, but the Lady Commandos found themselves fending off Station Camp’s response later on in the half.

Brinkley’s cross found freshman Meagan Lombardi, who headed it past Cotter with 16:51 to play.

“We were just coming to see if we could play with them,” Morand said. “We were going to try and stand up to them and try to keep things in front of us. We knew we’d only get maybe four or five good chances. We’ve come a long way in a short time.”

Massey and her teammates weren’t too happy about giving up the lead.

Station Camp sophomore Carolyn Fitch (left), freshman Michaela Nicholson (8) and sophomore Morgan Appenrott (14) celebrate with freshman Meagan Lombardi following Lombardi’s game-tying goal during second-half action.

“It made us angry and we wanted to come back harder,” Massey said. “We told ourselves that we were going to bring it back up. Obviously it took us a little too long.”

The Lady Commandos will travel to Gallatin on Thursday to conclude the regular season, while the Lady Bison are slated to host Columbia Academy on Thursday.

The District 9-AAA Tournament schedule will be released on Friday. Hendersonville will face eighth-seeded Wilson Central, while Station Camp will face the sixth-seeded team, either Lebanon or Gallatin. Those spots will be determined after Thursday’s matches. Lebanon would be fifth with a win over Wilson Central or a Gallatin loss, with the Lady Wave sixth.

“They’re peaking at the right time,” Morand said. “They’re coming together and they’re fighting. It was fun to watch the girls fight like they did and battle like they did against a great team.”

“It’s going to be more exciting,” Massey said. “Tournament time’s the best time of year.”

Reach Chris Brooks at 615-575-7118 or on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

HENDERSONVILLE Lightning struck more than once on Monday evening, and the Hendersonville High girls soccer team struck on the field as well.

After a first-half onslaught that saw the top-seeded Lady Commandos take a five-goal lead, Hendersonville eliminated fourth-seeded Mt. Juliet with a 7-2 victory in a District 9-AAA Tournament semifinal at Drakes Creek Park’s Field of Dreams.

Hendersonville High seniors Maddie Kimler (14) and Layne Massey (16) celebrate with sophomore Brooke Long after a first-half goal.

The match was stopped for lightning at 7:04 p.m. and delayed for more than 50 minutes before the match was called with more than 37 minutes remaining.

“It’s a little weird, and both teams were all for playing as late as we could,” Hendersonville senior Maddie Kimler said. “But they felt that at the rate we were going, we were going to have to wait until 9 (p.m.). Both teams wanted to play really bad, but a short night was different.”

The Lady Commandos (10-4-3) scored all seven goals in the first half, including two from both Kimler and junior Sydney Cason.

“We knew (Mt. Juliet’s) offside traps,” Kimler said. “That was one of our main focuses, to stay onside as much as possible. Our main attack was to get it past them and make runs on to the ball.”

Sophomore Haley Stevens began the scoring 2:06 into the match, converting a cross from classmate Brooke Long.

Hendersonville High junior Arden Butler makes a pass during first-half action.

Long and junior Whitney Phillips also scored for the Lady Commandos, who clinched their 22nd consecutive appearance in the regional tournament with the victory.

Cason’s second goal capped a sequence of three Lady Commando goals over a span of 2:05.

Lauren Whitmire and Brooklyn Butler scored 90 seconds apart for the Lady Bears, who ended their season with a 10-6 record.

Hendersonville – which captured a 5-1 win at Mt. Juliet on Oct. 1 – will play in the district championship for the 21st time in 22 years, facing the winner of the second semifinal between Station Camp and Beech. That match was postponed from Monday until Tuesday at 7 p.m. due to the inclement weather.

The District 9-AAA Tournament championship match is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Drakes Creek Park.

Reach Chris Brooks at 615-575-7118 or on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

CPA’s Grayson Davis tees off on hole No. 1.

CPA’s Grayson Davis tees off on hole No. 1.

Lipscomb’s Davis Armstrong watches his tee shot on hole No. 10.

Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Siarra Stout shot 2-over 74 on Tuesday.

CPA’s Siarra Stout shot a 2-over 74 on Tuesday.

MANCHESTER — Christ Presbyterian Academy junior Siarra Stout and Lipscomb senior Davis Armstrong both sit atop the individual leaderboards, while the CPA girls lead in the team standings after day one of the TSSAA Class A/AA Golf Championships at WillowBrook Golf Club.

Stout, the reigning Tennessean Girls Golfer of the Year, birdied two of her first three holes Tuesday, making the turn at 2-under. She cooled off a bit on the back stretch but finished at 2-over 74, positioning herself to win a second consecutive state title.

“It’s always helpful when you start out like that,” said Stout, who leads Christian Academy of Knoxville’s Emma Wasson by three strokes. “From there I just kept my composure. I struggled on the back a little bit when the wind picked up, but finished strong at the end by making some big putts.”

Meigs County’s Kaitlyn Sneed shot 6-under 78 — good enough for third — while CAK’s Caroline Cavin, Grainger’s Kristen Ankrom and Hickman County’s Madison Smith are each tied for fourth at 9-over 81.

“It does give me confidence,” Stout said, referring to last year’s championship. “You’ve got to carry yourself with confidence, saying ‘I can do it.’ I have done it.’”

Stout’s teammate, junior Sara Grace Black, finished tied for seventh (10-over), and the Lady Lions lead the team standings by two over CAK. Clarksville Academy is in fourth at 186 (42-over).

Lipscomb’s Davis Armstrong watches his tee shot on hole No. 10.

Armstrong, a Lipscomb University commitment, fired a 2-under 70 to claim a one-stroke lead for the boys.

His teammate, junior Paul Swindell, is tied for second at 1-under 71, along with Sullivan South’s Seth Worley and Gibson County’s Mason Chandler.

“Davis and Paul can compete with anyone,” Lipscomb coach Michael Mays said. “Really I think both of those guys feel like they had a lot of opportunities that they didn’t take advantage of today. … You can either use that or it can be to your detriment, but I think both of those guys, they have the right mentality.

“We’ll talk tonight, but I can almost guarantee that it will help their confidence because they know that they can score here.”

The Mustangs, coming off their fifth consecutive District 10-A/AA championship and a fourth straight Region 5-A/AA title, are fourth in the team standings at 325 (37-over).

Sullivan South’s 17-over 305 was good enough for first place — five strokes ahead of second-place CPA.

Grayson Davis and Gavin Clements each shot 3-over 75 for the Lions, while senior Luke Zieman, who finished third a season ago, carded an 82 (10-over) on Tuesday.

The final rounds for both girls and boys will begin Wednesday morning.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

Syracuse sophomore AJ Long

Syracuse sophomore quarterback and former Friendship Christian standout AJ Long’s collegiate football career has been brought to a premature end, the university announced Tuesday.

Long, who hadn’t appeared in any of the Orange’s five games this season, has been disqualified from participation in football and any other contact sport at Syracuse by team physician Dr. James Tucker — a result of multiple concussions suffered by the 6-foot, 181-pounder since his arrival at Syracuse.

“We appreciate AJ’s hard work and the contributions he’s made to our program,” Syracuse coach Scott Shafer said in a statement. “I look forward to watching him continue to grow both as a student and as a young man. I wish him the best.”

Long, who started five games for the Orange as a freshman in 2014, threw for 935 yards and four touchdowns a season ago, including a career-high 307-yard, two-touchdown performance against North Carolina State.

A Bethlehem, Pa., native, Long, who transferred to Friendship Christian prior to his junior year of high school, led the Commanders to a pair of state championships in 2012 and 2013, garnering Tennessean All-Midstate and Division II-A Mr. Football Back of the Year honors as a senior in 2013.

Merrol Hyde Magnet sophomore Emily Fenton (22) passes to junior Addison Oaks (12) during first-half action.

LAFAYETTE Luck simply wasn’t in the corner of the Merrol Hyde Magnet girls prep soccer team on Tuesday evening.

Instead, fate smiled on Smith County, which handed the Lady Hawks a 1-0 loss in Tuesday evening’s District 8 A-AA Tournament semifinal match at Macon County.

The Lady Owls’ lone goal came with 16:50 to play as Abby Smith converted a cross from Katy Wright on one of the few scoring chances Smith County (14-0) had during the match.

Merrol Hyde Magnet (7-10-1) had three shots hit the post or crossbar during the match, including one from freshman Abbey Miller with 14 minutes remaining.

“It was not for a lack of opportunities, and it was not for a lack of effort,” Merrol Hyde Magnet head coach Jason Bentley said. “I thought the quality of play was there. All the pieces were there. It’s a great game, and it can be a cruel game sometimes.”

Smith County junior goalkeeper Tori Lankford also played a big role, stopping all 10 Lady Hawk shots on goal (including three with diving saves to thwart dangerous chances).

“We did what we needed to do to potentially win this game,” Bentley said. “Hats off to Smith County. They’re undefeated, they came out and played a great game. It’s well-deserved.”

Merrol Hyde Magnet freshman Abbey Miller gains possession during first-half action.

The Lady Hawks lose three seniors to graduation – Molly Anne Arwood, Mary Rose Stinson and Emily Thompson.

“From where we ended up versus where we started, we came a long way,” Bentley said. “We do have a lot of young girls. They got better, and they learned what the high-school game was about. We’re all going to be better off for it.”

Merrol Hyde Magnet advanced to the region tournament in each of the past two seasons.

>> The Lady Hawks advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal round following a weather-shortened, 6-1 victory over visiting Livingston Academy on Monday evening.

Play was halted three minutes into the second half, at which point Livingston Academy conceded the result to end the match.

Junior Paige Clinard scored twice, while Arwood, Miller, junior Addison Oaks and freshman Gracie Gumm also added goals for the Lady Hawks.

Both Miller and eighth-grader Gabby Wakefield provided two assists.

Reach Chris Brooks at 615-575-7118 or on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

Blackman’s Kenzi Vetter, a sophomore, models the headband that all Blackman girls soccer players must wear before getting on the field for either a game or practice, on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, before a game against Smyrna. The headbands are suppose to lessen the chances of receiving a concussion.

Smyrna’s Brenda Cernas (13) and Blackman’s Emily Nash (22) both try to head the ball as Blackman’s Amelia Goodnight (31) watches from behind during the first half Monday at Blackman.

Blackman’s Kenzi Vetter heads the ball during a game against Smyrna. The Blackman soccer team wears Storelli head bands to help reduce the risk of concussions.

MURFREESBORO — Bill Vice had to do something.

The 30-year high school soccer coaching veteran, who has been the boys and girls soccer coach at Blackman since it opened in 2000, listened to the staggering injury numbers over the summer during a soccer convention.

A report from the National Federation of High Schools showed that 24.1 percent of the 227,172 girls soccer injuries reported during the 2013-14 school year were concussions. That was the same percentage of concussions from the 149,278 injuries reported in boys soccer during that same year.

“I wanted to protect the girls,” Vice said. “When I saw (those numbers), it just led me to thinking I had to do something.”

That something was mandate wearing Storelli soccer headbands designed to decrease the forces that come with heading a soccer ball or head-to-head contact. That reduction of force is hoped to reduce the risk of head trauma. However, the bands don’t eliminate the risk of concussions.

“I basically said, ‘Don’t step on the soccer field without them,'” Vice said. “Even in practice, if someone says, ‘I don’t have my head gear.’ I’ll tell them, ‘Good, just sit down.’

“It’s tough. I’ve been in this business a long time. This is my 30th year of coaching high school. It just bothered me, the rise of concussions. Maybe I went to the extreme. I don’t know. I’m just trying to protect my players. If I can prevent one, or stop one, it’s worth it.”

Blackman’s Katelyn Davis, a freshman models the headband that all Blackman girls soccer players must wear before getting on the field for either a game or practice, on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, before a game against Smyrna. The headbands are suppose to lessen the chances of receiving a concussion.

The headbands are black with padding around it for protection. They cost about $65 each. Vice said his booster club helped with purchasing the bands.

TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said mandating headgear for soccer is discussed regularly by the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee.

“They depend on the National Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to make recommendations concerning these issues,” Childress said. “To date the rulebook only states that teams are allowed to wear headgear if they prefer. Data is still inconclusive.”

A protective headband is nothing new to Blackman’s Carly Bowen, who has worn one the past two years due to previous concussions.

“I think it makes us safer,” Bowen said. “It helps. At first we kind of thought it was going to be stupid because we all had them on and no one else did. But I think it’s really helped.

“I think we should start a trend. There is no reason why we shouldn’t. This is safety.”

Central Magnet parent Kevin Miller isn’t sure how much the head bands help. He’s had two daughters Shannon and Kaleigh wear the head band due to concussions. Shannon, a senior, hasn’t worn one for six to eight months. She once did after being concussed as an eighth-grader.

Kaleigh, a sophomore, is wearing a head band.

“It probably wasn’t worthwhile with where they got hit,” Kevin Miller said. “They have never been proven. It’s more psychological. But given the types of impact that they have occurred, it wouldn’t have helped them.

“But something is better than nothing. The majority of (concussions) come from headers where they smash heads. In that case, they are perfectly placed. It’s at least a way of moderating the impact.”

Vice said he is unaware of any other team in the state that wears the headbands. There are players individually who wear the Storeli or similar bands for protection. But he believes those numbers will increase as concussion awareness has become a high priority in recent years.

Florida’s high school association mandated that all girls lacrosse teams wear “soft headgear” beginning this season due to head injuries.

Lora Vetter, whose daughter Kenzi Vetter is a starter for the Lady Blaze, is pleased with Vice’s decision for the team to wear head gear.

“In the beginning I would have not agreed to it, but since they’ve worn them in the games, I’m all for it,” she said. “I think it’s great.

“If it’s an extra precaution, I’m all for it.”

Kenzi Vetter acknowledged she doesn’t love wearing the headbands, but is fine with it if it keeps her on the soccer field.

“If it can keep me from being injured, I’m fine with it,” Kenzie Vetter said. “No one likes being out of soccer for a long time. If it can help prevent concussions then I’m OK with it.

“We still have had (junior varsity) girls that have gotten concussions from being hit in the jaw. You can’t prevent that. But I think it helps give you a better chance of not getting one.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.

Blackman’s Kenzi Vetter, a sophomore, left juggles the soccer ball while wearing a headband that all Blackman girls soccer players must wear before getting on the field for either a game or practice, on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, before a game against Smyrna. The headbands are suppose to lessen the chances of receiving a concussion. Vetter’s teammates (L to R) Katelyn Davis, a freshman, Emily Nash, a junior, Mallory Conlin, a sophomore, and Amelia Goodnight, a junior stand behind Vetter as she juggles the ball and are all wearing the same headband.

WHITE HOUSE The White House High School girls soccer squad has played 20 postseason matches over the last three seasons.

That familiarity didn’t automatically lead to comfort as the Lady Devils opened the District 9 A-AA Tournament with an 8-0 victory over visiting Huntland on Monday evening.

“It’s really nerve-wracking,” midfielder Sidney West – one of the three White House seniors (along with forward Brittney Breedlove and midfielder Kayla Patt) – said. “It’s more (nerves) for a senior. It’s scary that this could be our last game.”

White House High freshman midfielder Shelby Deering steps into a shot amidst pressure from Huntland junior Rebecca Escobar. Deering scored the final goal of the first half on Monday evening.

West’s nerves surfaced once the start of the match grew closer. However, she wasn’t feeling the same on the way to the field.

“We all get real pumped about it,” West said. “On the way here, I was rocking.”

White House High senior midfielder Sidney West gains possession during first-half action on Monday evening.

Those early nerves quickly subsided as Breedlove and sophomore forward Madisson Davis scored goals over the first three minutes, with Davis and freshman midfielder Mazie Burrow providing assists.

“It was good,” West said. “It made me relax. I know that all of us were pretty pumped to see the one on (the scoreboard).”

Freshman midfielder Leanna Nesbitt played a through-ball to Breedlove, resulting in another goal in the ninth minute, and Davis had her shot deflected midway through the half but deposited the rebound into the net.

Sophomore midfielder Madeline Hargrove scored the next two goals, taking advantage of a ball that the Lady Hornets couldn’t clear out of the box. Then, Hargrove poked a ball that Huntland sophomore goalkeeper Caylee McLennon couldn’t control into the net.

White House High sophomore midfielder Madeline Hargrove maneuvers into the box. Hargrove scored two first-half goals in the Lady Devils’ 8-0 victory over visiting Huntland on Monday evening.

Freshman midfielder Shelby Deering scored the seventh and final goal of the half, sending a shot from approximately 25 yards out into the upper portion of the net.

Then, 11 minutes into the second half, Deering played a ball across the box that Nesbitt slipped inside the right post.

The match ended with 18 minutes remaining due to lightning in the area, with Lady Hornet head coach Brian Norwood conceding the outcome at that point.

White House – the No. 1 seed from the 9 A-AA North Division – hasn’t lost in more than a month, since a 6-1 setback to Harpeth Hall on Sept. 8.

White House High freshman defender Haley Moran plays a ball upfield during first-half action on Monday evening.

“We take some things that we need to work on from each game,” Lady Devil head coach Mike Felzien said. “We are doing what we need to do. Hopefully, we’re going to peak at the right time.”

Huntland (9-6-3) was the No. 4 seed from the 9 A-AA South Division, having captured a 2-0 win over Harpeth in its first-round match last Wednesday.

>> White House rolled to a 6-0 victory over Community in Tuesday evening’s semifinal match at White House Heritage High School.

Community – a 7-0 winner over visiting Cheatham County in its quarterfinal on Monday evening – was the No. 2 seed from the 9 A-AA South Division.

The Lady Devils (11-3-3) led 2-0 at halftime and then piled on four goals in the second half.

Nesbitt converted on a penalty kick in the 13th minute, and Davis converted at the 38:47 mark.

The third goal came less than three minutes into the second half, when Burrow provided the assist on Deering’s goal.

Burrow had another assist on sophomore McKenzie Vaughn’s goal midway through the half, and Deering assisted Nesbitt for a conversion in the 75th minute.

Approximately two minutes later, Davis produced an unassisted goal to cap the scoring.

It was the seventh shutout for White House, which advanced to face White House Heritage (an 8-0 winner over Forrest in Tuesday evening’s other semifinal) in Thursday evening’s championship match. The cross-town rivals played to a 4-4 tie on Sept. 29.

“We need to continue to utilize each other and not try to take it on our own,” Felzien said. “We don’t have that particular all-star to go to all the time. This team has a number of (quality) people on defense and up top. We need each other.”

West added, “We are going to have to be committed. We’ll have to have a lot of teamwork and talk. We have to come together as a team and have unity.”

Reach Craig Harris at 615-575-7138 or on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

HENDERSONVILLE The Beech High School volleyball program is rapidly building tradition.

After winning the program’s first regional title a year ago, the Lady Buccaneers repeated the feat on Tuesday evening, capturing a 27-29, 25-21, 30-28, 25-21 victory over visiting Portland in the Region 5-AAA Tournament championship match.

“It’s great,” Beech senior outside hitter Riley Sperlich said. “Coming from my freshman year when we weren’t good at all, it’s great seeing how we could build off of last year and try to duplicate it if not go further.”

Beech High senior outside hitter Riley Sperlich swings into a set during the second game.

The two programs have met eight times over the last two seasons, with the Lady Panthers winning the District 9-AAA Tournament last season before the Lady Bucs won the region. Portland won the 9-AAA regular-season title this year, but Beech has responded with a five-game victory in last Thursday’s 9-AAA Tournament final and then with Tuesday’s win.

“The seniors set a very good example last year,” Sperlich said. “We were so close. We wanted to do the same thing (this year).

“Saidee (McDaniel, the team’s only other senior) has been the best senior partner. She motivates me after her injury last year. She motivates me to want to go play for her.”

Beech High junior Calista Foster swings into a jump-serve during the first game.

The previous seven meetings between the foes lasted five games.

“I was surprised,” Sperlich said of the shorter match on Tuesday. “I knew we could do it. We just had to find the heart to play for each other and play for ourselves.”

The Lady Panthers (31-8) squandered a 16-11 lead in the first game on Tuesday and a 23-19 advantage in game three.

“We served to win in the first game, and we served to win in the third game,” Portland head coach Rob Lesemann said. “We just couldn’t close them out. It could have been 3-0.

“They played unbelievable defense. They refused to let the ball hit the floor. They played awesome, and we didn’t. We got caught looking at times. They believed they were going to win. We had some doubt.”

Lady Buccaneer first-year head coach Grant Harford added, “I’ve worked with them all season to take each game – each match – one point at a time. No matter what the score is, no matter if you’re up, no matter if you’re down, don’t worry about the end outcome. It’s just one point at a time.”

Portland High sophomore Rachel Jennings sets a pass during the second game of Tuesday evening’s championship match.

After losing the lead in game one, Portland senior Abby Akins produced a kill to save a game point. Then, a kill by junior Alexia Dorris wiped off another game point for Beech before freshman Marlayna Bullington had a kill and Akins produced a service winner to close it out.

“We knew we weren’t playing to the best of our ability in the first game,” Sperlich said. “I think we realized how well we could do if we played to the best of our ability.”

The Lady Buccaneers (38-9) never trailed in game two, but the Lady Panthers led for most of game three.

However, blocks by Sperlich and sophomore Elizabeth Epley helped Beech to a 24-23 lead, but Akins responded again with a kill and then a block.

Beech sophomore setter Chloee McDaniel erased that game point with a toss into the open court, and classmate Kailey Clark blocked a Portland hit to wipe away another game point.

Beech High sophomore Chloee McDaniel passes a serve during the first game.

Chloee McDaniel had two kills late in that game, the latter of which preceded a Lady Panther hitting error that ended the third game.

“It’s nerve-wracking when we get in our binds when we are so close with them,” Sperlich said. “Those are the most exciting points. We know we are working hard toward that same goal that we want to win.

“It’s very mentally and physically exhausting at the same time. We have to come together and push through every single point to have the right outcome we want.”

Beech High junior Calista Foster swings into a jump-serve during the first game.

Saidee McDaniel served up the first five points of the fourth game, and the Lady Bucs never trailed.

A block by Portland senior Sydney Minnis pulled her squad to within 22-19, but Beech closed out the match moments later.

“That was one of our best defensive efforts,” Harford said. “After playing Portland three times, I’ve learned their hitter tendencies, and I’ve moved my defense to where I’m pretty positive that their hitters will hit the ball. Beyond that, it was just the willingness to not lose any point.

“(Winning the region) says everything about the girls and how hard they’ve worked since day one of the preseason. They have just done an excellent job of just being resilient … of being aggressive … of staying up … just fighting, fighting for every single point.”

Sperlich was named the region’s most valuable player and was joined on the all-tournament team by two teammates – Chloee McDaniel and junior libero Vernoica Gutierrez – along with Akins, Portland junior setter Bailey Thornton, Springfield’s Holly Bilyeu and West Creek’s Mercedes Nicholson.

Beech High junior Taylor Bever elevates to hit a set during game two.

The Lady Panthers fell to 3-13 in regional championship matches, having won region title in 1996, 2003 and 2013.

“We thought we’d win tonight,” Lesemann said. “We’re not happy with the way we played, but Beech had a whole lot to do with that. Their effort was better than our’s.”

The loss forced Portland to travel for its Class AAA sectional on Thursday, facing defending state champion Brentwood (which rolled to a 25-14, 25-6, 25-18 win over Franklin in the Region 6-AAA final on Tuesday evening). Beech earned a home sectional against Franklin.

>> Both teams rolled to semifinal victories, with the Lady Panthers claiming a 25-16, 25-15, 26-24 win over District 10-AAA Tournament champion West Creek on Tuesday afternoon and the Lady Buccaneers producing a 25-8, 25-19, 25-15 win over Springfield earlier on Tuesday evening.

Both of those matches lasted less than an hour.

Reach Craig Harris at 615-575-7138 or on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

HENDERSONVILLE The Station Camp High girls soccer team knocked off second-seeded Beech, 3-0, in the District 9-AAA Tournament semifinals on Tuesday night at Drakes Creek Park’s Field of Dreams.

With the win, the Lady Bison earned the opportunity to slay another giant by facing top-seeded Hendersonville in the district championship match on Thursday evening.

“We’ll have to make the most of our chances,” Station Camp Coach Thomas Morand said of the championship match. “Russ (Plummer, the Hendersonville head coach) has got a great team.”

Station Camp High junior Megan Brinkley battles with Beech sophomore Natalie Lankster for possession. Brinkley scored a goal and provided an assist during the Lady Bison’s 3-0 victory in Tuesday evening’s District 9-AAA Tournament semifinal match.

In their regular-season match-up, Station Camp and Hendersonville battled to a 1-1 tie before Hendersonville won on penalty kicks.

“We have to play our butts off,” Lady Bison senior captain Ashlyn Parker said.

Station Camp junior forward Megan Brinkley – who had a goal and an assist – added, “I’ve actually played with a lot of them. We know how good they are. We have a lot of respect for them.”

The win over Beech secured a spot in the Region 5-AAA Tournament for Station Camp, which entered the tournament seeded third. The Lady Bison will face either District 10-AAA Tournament champion Clarksville or runner-up Henry County, depending on the outcome of Thursday’s contest against Hendersonville.

Beech High senior Kendon Curtis (39) maintains possession amidst pressure from Station Camp freshman Carolyn Fitch.

Parker said that already qualifying for the region tournament takes some of the pressure off for the district championship game.

“But you still want to win,” Parker said.

Coming into the semifinal match against Beech, it was win or go home.

“We wanted to make sure we possessed the ball on their half of the field,” Parker said.

In the first half, the Lady Bison did exactly that and took the lead 15 minutes into the match when freshman defender Macy Carter collected a loose ball in front of the net after a corner kick and buried a shot in the back of the net.

Beech High senior Ana-Carlin Krueger passes to a teammate as Station Camp freshman Morgan Appenrott pressures.

“We talked about execution, and we talked about being hungry in the box,” Morand said. “Tonight, we executed.

“We moved the ball really well. We played a great first half.”

That was the only goal of the first half.

“We just told the girls to settle down,” Beech head coach Tim Guinn said.

The Lady Bucs played better in the second half and had several chances to score but couldn’t convert.

“We just didn’t get good looks,” Guinn said. “They play good defense. We knew they had gotten better (since their regular-season match-up that Beech won 1-0).”

Guinn had his team press forward to try to produce the tying goal, but Station Camp was able to counter. Brinkley collected a loose ball to the left of the net and fired a shot into the far side to give the Lady Bison a 2-0 lead with 11:39 left in the game.

“I looked up and saw an opening and shot it,” Brinkley said.

Station Camp iced the game by producing a third goal with 1:46 left in the game when freshman Michaela Nicholson took a pass from Brinkley in front of the net and scored.

Beech High senior goalkeeper Allie Guinn leaps to gain possession in front of sophomore teammate Sierra Robinson (12) and Station Camp junior McKenzie Polk.

It was the 10th shutout for the Lady Bison, who haven’t lost over their last nine matches (a stretch that includes eight wins and one tie). The team’s last setback was the 1-0 setback to the Lady Buccaneers on Sept. 15.

The loss ended Beech’s season with a 13-5 record.

Station Camp improved to 14-3-4 on the year.

“We’ve gotten better every year,” Brinkley – a three-year starter – said. “We work really hard. We focus on all the little things.”

Brinkley said that Station Camp will enter the district championship match with the same mindset it had against Beech.

“(We want to) just play our hardest … play our best,” Brinkley said.

Portland High senior quarterback Ethan Brummett has rushed for 504 yards and nine touchdowns this season and has also passed for 464 yards and four more scores.

The Portland High School football program has made just one playoff appearance over the previous nine seasons.

Portland could take a significant step toward returning to the postseason with a win over visiting Maplewood on Friday evening at Edgar Johnson Stadium.

It’s the first meeting between the two programs.

There currently is a separation in Region 5-4A, with region unbeatens Pearl-Cohn and Springfield playing in week 10 in a game that will determine the regional championship.

Maplewood (1-6 overall, 0-3 in 5-4A) is the only team without a league win in 5-4A, but a Maplewood win this evening could further cloud the playoff picture in the six-team region. Portland, White House and Macon County all enter Friday with a 1-2 mark in region play. Those three teams are battling for the region’s final two playoff spots, with Pearl-Cohn and Springfield having already secured postseason spots, though Maplewood could climb back into the postseason mix by winning its final two league contests.

Both Maplewood and Portland are coming off bye weeks, having last played on Oct. 2. Maplewood had one of its better performances, albeit in a losing effort, as it suffered a 28-14 loss to visiting Pearl-Cohn. Portland suffered a 45-14 setback at Springfield.

Maplewood has lost five consecutive games, though it was also competitive in the first of those five losses (a 34-27 setback to Springfield in a game played at Vanderbilt Stadium). Maplewood’s lone win came on Aug. 28, a 26-8 victory over East Nashville.

Maplewood produced just 182 yards in the loss to Pearl-Cohn, scoring on a 40-yard touchdown pass from former Knox Doss Middle and Hunter Middle School standout Bobo Hodges to former Station Camp High standout Bo Hodges – a junior – and on a 90-yard interception return by junior Deshawn Johnson.

Bobo Hodges leads the team in rushing yards (256 yards on 51 carries), and the freshman has completed 20 of 50 passes for 250 yards.

Portland (3-4, 1-2) is hoping to have junior tailback Emmanuel Johnson back in action on Friday. Emmanuel Johnson – who has rushed for 426 yards and five touchdowns this season while averaging better than 8 yards per carry – missed the Springfield game due to a concussion.

The Panthers couldn’t slow the Yellow Jackets, allowing 439 total yards.

Portland has given up 39.5 points per game in its four losses.

It’s the first of three consecutive home games for the Panthers to conclude the regular season, ending with a clash against Macon County that will have significant playoff implications.

Portland’s last playoff berth came in 2012, when the program was in Class 5A.

Kickoff for Friday’s game is slated for 7 p.m.

Pearl-Cohn (3-4 overall, 3-0 in Region 5-4A) at White House (4-3, 1-2)

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m at Dewey H. Whitson Stadium

Last game: The Firebirds captured a 28-14 victory at Maplewood on Oct. 2. The Blue Devils claimed a 30-15 victory at Macon County on Oct. 2.

Last meeting between the two programs: Pearl-Cohn captured a 79-36 victory over visiting White House in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A playoffs last season.

Neither team played last Friday, giving the injury-riddled Blue Devils an opportunity to heal.

White House has lost three players – senior tailback/linebacker Trey Hyde, senior offensive lineman Lukas Hodges and senior tailback Josh Flynn – to season-ending injuries.

Senior quarterback Steven Rankin, senior wide receiver/defensive back Luke Hopkins, senior offensive lineman Brennan Harshaw, junior defensive end Danny Stoutt and junior offensive lineman Austin Hoffman have all returned to action after being sidelined earlier this season, as have senior wide receiver/defensive back Brian Mullins and senior tailback/defensive back Tanner Jordan (both of whom are playing with casts).

Junior tailback Ronald Honeycutt, senior defensive back Ricky Townsend and sophomore defensive lineman Josh Dailey remain sidelined.

Following a three-game losing streak, the Blue Devils have won back-to-back games.

White House would move considerably closer to clinching a playoff berth with a win over the region-leading Firebirds.

Pearl-Cohn has won all three of its region games but has dropped all four of its non-region contests. However, those non-region games have come against teams with a combined record of 25-5.

Senior quarterback Jimmy Ferrell, senior wide receiver Rontavious Groves and junior tailback Ke’juan Vaughn lead the Firebird offense, which is averaging more than 34 points per game.

Vaughn has rushed for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns on 109 carries this season, including 174 yards on 19 carries in Pearl-Cohn’s win at Maplewood two weeks ago. He has rushed for 100 yards or more five times this season.

Ferrell has passed for 1,289 yards and seven touchdowns, and Groves – who has numerous scholarship offers – has 15 receptions for 286 yards, after compiling 893 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.

All nine previous meetings between the two programs have been since 2003, with the Firebirds winning five of those. Pearl-Cohn has won all three playoff games between the two programs, but the Blue Devils are 4-2 in the regular-season affairs.

Baylor (6-1 overall, 2-1 in the Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region) at Pope John Paul II (2-5, 0-4)

Kickoff at 7 p.m. at the Jim Carell Athletic Complex

Last game: The Red Raiders claimed a 38-14 win over visiting McCallie on Oct. 2. The Knights suffered a 56-14 loss at Montgomery Bell Academy on Oct. 2.

Last meeting between the two teams: Baylor captured a 38-7 victory at Pope John Paul II last season.

PJP II will wrap up the home portion of its regular-season schedule on Friday with a visit from Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region foe Baylor.

The Red Raiders have defeated the Knights in all nine of the programs’ prior meetings by an average of 28.3 points per game (a combined margin of 304-100 in those contests).

PJP II suffered a 56-14 loss at Montgomery Bell Academy two weeks ago, extending its region losing streak to 19 games.

The Knights managed only 186 yards of total offense in the defeat, though junior quarterback Ben Brooks was efficient. The junior completing 15 of 23 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Baylor has won its last two games, including a 38-14 victory against visiting McCallie two weeks ago. Red Raider quarterback Wil Austin rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in the victory.

The Red Raiders’ lone blemish this season came in a 42-30 loss to visiting Brentwood Academy on Sept. 18. Four of Baylor’s six victories have been by a margin of 24 points or more.

Baylor averages more than 38 points per game and has scored at least 27 points in every contest this season.

PJP II will finish the regular season with two games on the road, at McCallie and at South Warren (Ky.), before playing a Division II-Class AA playoff game that will likely be on the road as well.

Volleyball on indoor volleyball court, elevated view

BRENTWOOD The Pope John Paul II High volleyball team ended its season with a three-game loss at Brentwood Academy in the first round of the Division II-Class AA state playoffs on Tuesday evening.

The Lady Knights fell by a 25-20, 25-17, 25-22 margin.

PJP II was the No. 6 seed from the Division II-Class AA East/Middle Region, while the Lady Eagles were the No. 5 seeds. Brentwood Academy advanced to play a quarterfinal match at Briarcrest Christian School for a berth in the four-team Division II-Class AA State Tournament.

The Lady Knights suffered a five-game loss to visiting Brentwood Academy on Sept. 15 and then captured a four-game win when the two teams met at Brentwood Academy on Oct. 1.
On Tuesday, PJP II senior Madison Farris and junior Alayna Maslinski finished with six kills each, while seniors Macy Hanson and Callie Ryan collected a team-high 12 digs each. Senior Emily Galluzzi had seven digs.
Maslinski paced the Lady Knights (27-15) with 11 assists, while classmate Savannah Brown finished with 10. 
Maslinski also served two aces in the match.
The Lady Knights lose seven seniors to graduation – Galluzzi, Brown, Hanson, Ryan, Madison Farris, Catherine Bagwell, and Windee Johnson.