Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Gavin Clements finished in a tie for 11th place individually and helped CPA finish as the state runner-up last fall.

Lipscomb Academy’s Paul Swindell placed fourth in Class A-AA last fall, and he also helped the Mustangs place fourth in the state as a team.

Trenton Johnson helped Brentwood High win the Class AAA state championship last season.

Hendersonville High junior Bryce Lewis won the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament.

Mariah Smith helped Clarksville High place fifth in Class AAA last fall.

The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) prep golf season begins on Monday, with golfers seeking to conclude their seasons competing for state titles at Manchester’s WillowBrook Golf Club. Here’s some to keep an eye on as the season unfolds …

Christ Presbyterian Academy senior Siarra Stout is the two-time defending Class A-AA state champion.

Boys

Class A-AA

Defending champion: Christian Academy of Knoxville

Top area threats: Christ Presbyterian Academy, Lipscomb Academy

Class AAA

Defending champion: Brentwood

Top area threat: Hendersonville

Division II-Class A

Defending champion: St. George’s

Top area threats: Franklin Road Academy, Donelson Christian Academy

Division II-Class AA

Defending champion: Baylor

Top area threats: Father Ryan, Montgomery Bell Academy

Contenders

Both CPA and Lipscomb Academy graduated just one golfer from last season after placing second and fourth, respectively, in Class A-AA. They’ll be chasing defending Class A-AA state champion CAK, which will be led by University of Alabama commitment and two-time individual state champion Davis Shore. CPA won the 2014 state title, finishing three strokes better than CAK.

Sleepers

Bryce Lewis

Junior Bryce Lewis — who won the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament in June — is Hendersonville’s top returning golfer, tying for 18th place individually and helping the Commandos place third in Class AAA last season.

Brentwood won the state title by one stroke over Farragut last fall but graduated three of its top five golfers, leaving Trenton Johnson and Eli Charron to lead the Bruins.

Senior Nick Wolf placed fourth in Division II-Class AA last season for Father Ryan, which returns four of its top six golfers.

Senior Paul Swindell — a Lipscomb University commitment — placed fourth individually in A-AA last season. The Mustangs return five of their top six golfers.

Franklin Road Academy sophomore Josh Holtschlag placed ninth in Division II-Class A last season, helping the Panthers to claim third place as a team. FRA could contend for the title this season after defending state champion St. George’s graduated four of its top six golfers.

Mt. Juliet senior Cooper Sears — a Vanderbilt University commitment — is looking to return to the Class AAA State Tournament for the first time since 2013.

Mt. Juliet High senior Cooper Sears – a Vanderbilt University commitment – is seeking a return to the state tournament for the first time since 2013.

Girls

Class A-AA

Defending champion: CAK

Top area threat: CPA

Class AAA

Defending champion: Houston

Top area threats: Clarksville, Rossview, Coffee County

Division II-Class A

Defending champion: Battle Ground Academy

Top area threats: FRA, DCA

Division II-Class AA

Defending champion: St. George’s

Top area threats: Father Ryan, Ensworth

Contenders

Led by two-time individual state champion Siarra Stout, a North Carolina-Charlotte commitment, CPA finished just two strokes back of state champion CAK last fall, the program’s second consecutive runner-up finish.

Ashley Gilliam

Coffee County placed fourth in Class AAA but could fare even better this season with the addition of 15-year-old sophomore Ashley Gilliam, a Mississippi State commitment and the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament champion. Gilliam was home-schooled last year but will join her sister — senior Savannah Quick (12th in AAA last season) — and senior Sophie Vinson (tied for 19th).

Franklin County junior Malia Stovall finished in a tie for third place in Class AAA, four strokes back of the state champion (Houston freshman Jayna Choi).

Franklin Road Academy sophomore Angelina Chan is the defending Division II-Class A state champion.

Rossview’s Caroline Caudill finished in a tie for third place at the Class AAA State Golf Tournament last fall.

Sleepers

Rossview’s girls didn’t advance to the state as a team last year, but senior Caroline Caudill (tied for third) and junior Catherine Caudill (ninth) placed among the top 10 individuals in AAA.

Clarksville (fifth in AAA) returns a pair of golfers — seniors Riley Cooper (16th last year and an Austin Peay commitment) and Mariah Smith (tied for 17th and a Tennessee commitment) — who finished among the top 20 in Class AAA.

Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

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Master Teague III of Blackman runs a drill during the Oakland Elite Exposure Camp on June 14 at Oakland High School.

MURFREESBORO — The sounds of pads popping will be heard across the state Monday morning with the first day of fall football practice.

It’s finally football time in Tennessee.

Teams will don full gear for the first time after practicing in shoulder pads and helmets at least three days last week to get acclimated to the heat per Tennessee Secondary School School Athletic Association (TSSAA) policy. And it will be a hot one Monday with temperatures set to reach into the 90s.

Here are four things to watch for on the first day in pads.

Who is in shape?: Players had the month of June and most of July to be ready physically for the first day in pads. However, some will struggle with the combination of the heat and all of the activities. Those are typically some of the first players who find themselves sitting or standing next to the team’s athletic trainer.

Who wants to hit?: The Oklahoma drill is a good one to see who wants to hit. Coaches won’t wait too long to see which players embrace hitting in practice. It helps determine which younger players can possibly contribute on Friday nights.

How much will heat be a factor?: Last week was a hot one. Monday won’t be much cooler. Athletic trainers will have their psychrometers measuring heat index. The TSSAA’s heat policy goes into affect after the heat index reaches 95 degrees, when players are monitored even more closely and take more frequent breaks.

How do the newcomers fit in?: Transfers and sophomores get their first fall practice with the varsity in most situations. Many have had the summer and maybe even the spring to get accustomed to what is expected. However, things are now getting real. The first high school football game is Aug. 18 — less than a month away.

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

First day in pads

At Tennessean.com: Follow coverage of the first full day in pads for high school football teams.

Sheridan Allen is familiar with the color orange, having worn it for Beech High during her high-school softball career.

Volunteer State Community College outfielder Sheirdan Allen – a Beech High product – stole 115 bases in two seasons for the Lady Pioneers.

Next season, she’ll wear a slightly different shade of orange after she committed to the University of Tennessee on Saturday.

Allen will transfer to Knoxville to begin her junior season after playing for two years at Volunteer State Community College, where she led the Lady Pioneers in runs scored, hits, bases on balls and stolen bases in both seasons.

“(Playing for Vol State) has helped me learn hard work does actually pay off,” Allen said, “and it has also helped my skill level to improve tremendously.”

Allen was caught stealing only three times in two years, swiping 56-of-57 bases in her freshman year before stealing 59-of-61 this past season. She scored 48 runs each season and collected 110 hits in two years, in addition to 41 walks. This past season, Allen also led the team in batting average (.396) and on-base percentage (.470).

She received a scholarship offer following Tennessee’s season. Allen said that was other schools that were interested, but “none were set in stone like UT.”

Tennessee is also getting a consistent outfield defender, as Allen committed just five errors in 89 career games while patrolling center field for the Lady Pioneers.

Sheridan Allen

Allen said the opportunity to play for co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly steered her toward Knoxville, and the school’s business program also factored in her decision.

“I have only known (the Weeklys) for a short period, but they are an awesome duo,” Allen said. “They are very welcoming and positive about anything and everything.”

Allen was also the All-Sumner County Softball Player of the Year in 2014. She joins a Volunteer program coming off of its 13th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Tennessee finished 43-16 after a 4-3 loss to Arizona in the Knoxville Regional final.

“It’s an honor to play for such a highly regarded program,” Allen said, “and I am extremely excited to be a part of the team and to help the Lady Vols in any way I can.”

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

TSSAA logo

While Columbia Academy recently announced that it will remain in Division I for the next Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association classification cycle, the remaining seven Midstate Division I private schools aren’t quite ready to announce their plans.

CPA athletic director Mike Ellson

“We’re going to take our time, peel back all of the layers and just see where we stand,” CPA athletic director Mike Ellson said.

“We’re still trying to weigh everything,” added Nashville Christian athletic director and football coach Jeff Brothers said. “We’re all on these fact-finding missions right now.”

CPA, Clarksville Academy, Goodpasture, Grace Christian, Lipscomb Academy, Middle Tennessee Christian and Nashville Christian likely won’t make a final decision until sometime after the TSSAA’s special called meeting on Wednesday, when the association’s 12-member Board of Control will vote on a number of key classification issues.

In addition to deciding whether to continue using an enrollment multiplier for private schools that remain in Division I, the Board will also vote to determine which system the TSSAA will adopt for the 2018-22 cycle.

Lipscomb athletic director and TSSAA Board member Mike Roller

“I guess we’re waiting to see what comes out of the meeting in terms of the number of classes (in Division II),” said TSSAA Board member and Lipscomb athletic director Mike Roller. “I think that’ll be important information, and I hope that it will be helpful for some of us.”

Division II, which is comprised of schools that offer need-based financial aid, consists of two classes based on enrollment size — A and AA — but there is a possibility of a third class being added during Wednesday’s meeting.

“I think we are leaning toward Division II, but we definitely have not made a 100 percent decision,” Grace Christian athletic director and baseball coach Len McKnatt said. “We want to go and hear what they’re thinking — what Division II would look like — and sometime after that meeting, when we’ve had a chance to soak all that in, we’ll make a decision.

“Of course we don’t have a ton of time.”

Nashville Christian athletic director and football coach Jeff Brothers.

Division I private schools have until Oct. 14 to decide whether they will move to Division II for the next classification period.

While the TSSAA Legislative Council voted down a complete public-private split last summer, it later approved five changes to the association’s bylaws, one of which states that any public or private school that has a “financial assistance program” (i.e. student loans or student employment) must compete in Division II.

“The way we’re leaning is that eventually the TSSAA is going to legislate us all out (of Division I),” Brothers said. “Do we want to do it now or do we want to wait until they make it absolutely impossible? It’s darn near impossible now, but it’s just possible enough if anyone wants to stay.”

Other items on Wednesday’s meeting agenda include:

• The board will decide whether it wants the TSSAA staff to set district/region alignments. If so, this process will be done at the board meeting in November.
• The board will decide whether it will require the TSSAA staff to continue re-evaluating member schools’ enrollment figures after the first two years of the four-year cycle.

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

TSSAA classification timeline

• 
  Wednesday: A Board of Control special-called meeting will be held where the board will be asked to vote on a classification plan.
• 
  First week of September: TSSAA will ask for member schools’ enrollments as of the 20th day of school.
• 
  Sept. 16: Deadline for enrollment information to be sent to TSSAA.
• 
  Last week of September: TSSAA will post member school enrollments on its website.
• 
  First week of October: Letter sent to all schools giving them an opportunity to move to Division II.
• 
  Oct. 14: Deadline for schools to move to Division II.
• 
  Oct. 17: Divide schools into Division I and Division II. Apply multiplier, if used, to Division I private schools. Divide schools into the number of classes approved in both Division I and Division II.
• 
  Oct. 18: Send letter to all schools giving them an opportunity to move up in classification.
• 
  November: Set districts and regions for next four years at next Board meeting or state office staff sets districts and regions for next four years and posts on website prior to Board meeting.
• 
  Nov. 17: Board of Control meeting.

Jody Atwood

Jody Atwood didn’t plan to be back on the softball field next spring.

Lebanon High had other ideas.

Four days after Devilette head coach Chris Spurlock resigned, Atwood was named his replacement.

Lebanon athletic director Zach Martin contacted Atwood – who had planned to teach and coach at Lebanon’s Winfree Bryant Middle School during the upcoming school year – shortly after Spurlock’s resignation last Thursday.

“At first, I said no,” Atwood said. “It just wasn’t the right time. The athletic director called back four or five hours later and said ‘have you thought about it anymore?’ It led to me thinking about it and praying about it.

“You have to follow your heart in every decision you make. I did.”

The 39-year-old has spent the last nine years at Friendship Christian School, serving as an assistant football coach and then the head softball coach for the past six seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant baseball coach, assistant varsity football coach and head freshman football coach at Wilson Central High School.

Ingram hired as Friendship softball coach

Atwood led Friendship Christian to Class A sectional appearances in three of his first four seasons and then to the state championship game in Division II-Class A the last two years, winning the 2015 state title and compiling a 161-81-1 mark over that six-year span. Atwood resigned at the conclusion of the 2016 season.

Jody Atwood led Friendship Christian to back-to-back appearances in the Division II-Class A state championship game.

He is a Lebanon High graduate who was an infielder/pitcher for the Cumberland University baseball program, helping the Phoenix to three NAIA appearances during his career (from 1996-99). He also served as a graduate assistant for one year at Cumberland.

“This was having the opportunity to go back to my alma mater,” said Atwood, who will teach history and government classes. “It’s a great school. Mr. (Scott) Walters (the principal) has a great vision for the school. It’s great to have the opportunity to teach and coach there.”

Spurlock left the program after one season to enter the private sector.

Lebanon softball coach Chris Spurlock resigns

“I never dreamed it would happen this quickly,” Atwood said. “It’s been a crazy 48 hours.”

Lebanon improved from 12-16 in 2015 to 25-18-1 this spring. Lebanon placed fourth in District 9-AAA during the regular season and also in the 9-AAA Tournament. The Devilettes have not advanced to the regional tournament since 2007.

Lebanon lost five seniors to graduation.

“This is a chance to build on what Coach Spurlock did,” Atwood said. “Chris did an excellent job. He laid a foundation of what you want in the program. The girls are excited and working hard, and the parents are excited about the direction of the program. It’s definitely on the rise, and Chris is the main reason for that.

“Once reason I decided to (take the job) is because I believe it’s headed in the right direction. The sky is the limit as far as facilities and trying to get the team to that (elite) level year in and year out.”

Reach Craig Harris at crharris@tennessean.com . Follow him on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

Wilson Central

Wilson Central High School will use a leadership-by-committee approach with its softball program during the upcoming season.

Sara Williams has been named the interim head coach, but Shawn Smith will handle the majority of the on-the-field coaching.

“I met the parents a couple of weeks ago, and we talked about how we move forward,” Wilson Central principal Travis Mayfield said. “They wanted to start school knowing who the coach was going to be.

“Wilson Central is a top-tier program. We will attract some quality coaching possibilities. In order to do that, I have to have a little (additional) time (to go through the hiring process).”

Previous head coach Michael Shepard resigned as a teacher in early July following his arrest on statutory rape charges.

Ex-Wilson Central coach posts bond, released from jail

Both Williams and Carmen Gregson – who will also remain with the program – were assistant coaches under Shepherd last season.

Shepard led the program to a 102-37 record over the last three seasons, including its first state championship in 2015. The Lady Wildcats also reached the AAA State Tournament in 2014.

Wilson Central compiled a 27-13 record this spring, finishing as the District 9-AAA Tournament runner-up to Hendersonville before suffering a season-ending loss at Clarksville in the Region 5-AAA Tournament semifinal round.

Smith – a non-faculty coach – started the middle-school baseball program at Lebanon’s Southside Elementary and coached there for six seasons.

“I have known him for a long time,” Mayfield said. “All of the girls already know Shawn. He’s been around baseball and softball together. There’s already a trust established there. Having Carman and Sara back as well, it solidifies the situation and the (program’s) ability to move forward and past this situation.”

Smith has also served as a scout for the Chicago Cubs organization, played and coached at the University of Southern Mississippi, coached travel softball and has given hitting instruction.

“I love coaching,” Smith, 53, said. “I have coached in one form or another since I was 14 years old. I love helping kids, and I like winning. I like the X and Os, and girls are coachable. They do whatever you want and give 110 percent.

“The parents knew me. The kids knew me too. They basically talked me into it.”

Smith’s son, Malone Smith, played baseball at both Wilson Central and Kansas City Kansas Community College. Smith’s other son, Cullen Smith, recently graduated from Wilson Central and will play at East Tennessee State University.

Among the program’s graduation losses were outfielder Taylor Varnar, who had 23 runs scored and 21 runs batted in; first baseman Katie Eakes, a University of North Alabama signee who had a .423 batting average, 16 extra-base hits and 47 RBI; and outfielder Lily Bombard, a Freed-Hardeman University signee who hit .337 and scored 27 runs.

Senior infielder Claire Smith – the daughter of Shawn Smith – and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Kaylee Richetto have verbally committed to play at MTSU.

Wilson Central freshman Kaylee Richetto commits to MTSU

Senior shortstop Brooke Pfefferle has committed to Austin Peay State University. Pfefferle did not play this spring due to a knee injury.

Reach Craig Harris at crharris@tennessean.com . Follow him on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

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Jerry Mathis

Tullahoma athletics director Jerry Mathis believes there will be a change to high school classification when the TSSAA’s Board of Control meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday at its Hermitage office.

What that change is, he’s not exactly sure. But he believes something must be done to “get these schools closer to enrollment.”

“You can’t go and have (schools with) 1,000 kids playing against 2,500,” said Mathis, who is the vice president of the Board of Control. “I think that change will happen, even if it stays three classes.

“We have to get them closer together.”

The new classification will take effect for the 2017-18 school year.

In June, the TSSAA made its Division I recommendations. Now, the Division II committee has made its recommendations. The Board can choose to accept or reject any part of those plans, vote on a different plan or table the issue again.

The TSSAA staff’s DI recommendations were:

• Staying in six classes for Division I football. The TSSAA shared a plan for keeping the largest class with 32 teams and a plan that included splitting them evenly.
• Going to three classes in soccer, splitting the classes evenly by participating schools.
• Keeping volleyball at three classes, but splitting it evenly by participating schools.
• Keeping two classes for cross country, golf, tennis and track and field, splitting them evenly by participating schools.
• Keeping wrestling at two classes and bowling at one class.

The Division II committee’s recommendation include splitting the division into three classes for football, while maintaining two classes by a predetermined enrollment number (450) in all other sports.

“I think the Division II committee is looking at how to grow independent school athletics,” said CPA Headmaster Nate Morrow, whose school currently competes in Division I. “We’ve never been in Division II, so it’s really hard for me to look at it from any perspective other than the outside looking in.”

Mathis said he believes a system adding a Division I classification or multiple classifications to baseball, basketball and softball could work, although he admits it could change the postseason landscape.

“You would do away with districts and district tournaments,” he said. “You’d have regions, super regions and super sectionals.

“But you could lose a lot of money by losing the districts.”

TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress has said previously if more classes are added in Division I the high school association would need to reel back from bringing eight teams to the state tournament to four because of facility logistics.

Hillwood principal and TSSAA Board of Control member Steve Chauncey.

Hillwood Principal and Board of Control member Steve Chauncey said there are many that want a change.

“I do know there are coaches across the state and it feels like the voice is that they’d like to see an increase in the number of (Division I) classifications in basketball, baseball and softball,” Chauncey said. “I really think there will be some strong attention paid to the voices of coaches across the state.

“I think if you look at basketball now, I think there are over 100 schools in each of the three classifications. I think the voice is to give more schools the opportunity to be involved in the state championships, and that could be done by adding more classifications.”

Mathis’ plan for three classes includes dividing three classes by the largest enrollment. If the largest school in the sport had an enrollment number of 2,600, then that would be the largest school in Class AAA. The cutoff for Class AA would be 1,300 and the cutoff for Class A would be 625.

However, not all board members believe change is a necessity.

Longtime board member Tommy Layne, principal at Sequatchie County, said his fellow board members must step away from voting what’s best for their school or their area and vote for what is best for the entire state.

“Sometimes you have to put your feet up on the table and see what is best for the majority of the state of Tennessee,” Layne said. “I’d love to not go into Chattanooga to play ball. It’s going to happen because that’s where we’re located.”

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

TSSAA logo

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There will be nine football state champions in Tennessee beginning in the 2017-18 school year.

The TSSAA’s Board of Control passed adding a third class by a 7-5 vote in Division II starting next school year in anticipation that the division will add more schools due to new rules being implemented next year.

The TSSAA also changed how football will be divided in Division I. Starting in 2017, there will be six evenly divided classes. Currently, Class 6A includes the 32 largest enrollments in the state with the rest of the classes being divided evenly.

However, that was perhaps the biggest news of the day.

An opportunity to expand more classes in other sports in Division I failed when the current three-class system in basketball, baseball and softball was passed.

Also passed for Division I were three classes in volleyball, split by participating schools. Soccer will add a third class starting in 2017-18 school year. It will also be split by participating schools.

Cross Country, track and field, golf and tennis will be in two classes (small and large). Wrestling will remain in two classes (A-AA and AAA). And bowling will remain in one class.

In Division II, wrestling and bowling will remain in one class. All other sports will be in two classes with the classification cutoff being set at 450.

The Board of Control also approved a change to its 1.8 multiplier. The change allows independent schools to move up more than one class if the multiplier moves them. In the past, independent schools could only be forced to move up one class.

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Tennessee and Texas each begin with the same letter, but as far as high school football goes, that’s where the similarities begin and end.

TSSAA logo

So why, then, did the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association pass a measure that ensures nine state champions in football – one fewer than Texas awards in 11-man football – beginning next season?

Because, according to a board member in Wednesday’s meeting, it was not about championships, but because it was about the ability for kids to compete.

Wait, what? Compete for what? This isn’t the movie “Semi-Pro.” Kids aren’t competing for fourth place, no matter if their generation is receiving participation trophies for 17th place in an 18-team field.

It is about championships. That’s what players compete for, and that’s what the TSSAA makes money on at the end of the year.

Still, nine state champions? Texas has 10, and that state has a fairly superior brand of high-school football.

How long will it be before every team is in a district all by itself, so everyone can have a trophy?

Even though school hasn’t started yet, I’m grading some items (hit or miss) that the TSSAA voted on during Wednesday’s special session:

Hit: even numbers in Division I football classes

The TSSAA did get something right in abolishing the “Super 32” nonsense that is the current configuration of Class 6A. There’s no way that each team should advance to the postseason. You should have to work your way into a playoff spot, not receive one just for existing.

For bigger schools such as Hendersonville and Station Camp, it’s very possible – and one could say likely – that football goes back to Class 6A. The impact for schools such as Westmoreland, White House, Portland – and possibly Beech – remains to be seen. It may be as simple as removing some region opponents and introducing new ones to those teams, or some of them may shift. It’s simply too early to say without this year’s enrollment figures being finalized yet.

“We went to a meeting (Tuesday evening) and I think everywhere we looked, we would be one (class) under (Class 6A),” Portland High athletic director Ginger Lesemann said. “That would take into the consideration all the private schools moving out. I don’t know if they will or if they won’t (leave Division I). They have the choice. What we were shown were all the choices based on all the private schools gone. I don’t know if that will happen.”

There are too many classes in Division I for football. But, again, it’s about those championships, so the six-class system is here to stay.

Miss: Three Division II football classes

Pope John Paul II High will definitely be keeping an eye on those enrollment numbers until October, when independent schools must decide whether they will join Division II or not. In football, Division II-Class AA extends from 266-530 students. PJP II is not far from that 530 line, but the school is on the Class AAA side of that mark. For football, that’s not good, given the program’s recent history since Division II went from three classes to two (no winning seasons since it happened prior to the 2007 season).

PJP II needs to be in Class AA for football, and the numbers suggest it as well. Getting away from some of the current region opponents wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Knights.

Hit: Three even classes in soccer and volleyball

White House boys soccer coach Mark Lamberth said last month that he welcomed a third class in soccer, so the result should be good for the Blue Devils.

A third soccer class – with even numbers across the board – should help Merrol Hyde Magnet as well – as it may take the Chattanooga schools they currently face out of the equation when it comes to region tournament time.

It’s also potential good news for Portland, as the Panthers currently remain in District 9-AAA in all sports except football.

A move down to AA seems possible in at least soccer and volleyball, as those sports will be classified evenly throughout all Division I classes.

With the volleyball program’s recent run of success, the Lady Panthers may not have to go through Williamson County powerhouses anymore to reach the state tournament.

“It’s just when you work, work, work and then you end up playing the eventual state champions for like eight or nine years in a row, it gets frustrating,” Lesemann said. “If it wasn’t Brentwood, it was Ravenwood. That becomes frustrating. We’re at 1,100 (students) and they’re at 1,800 or 1,900. We’re not the same kind of schools that they are.”

Miss: no changes to baseball, basketball and softball

Baseball, basketball and softball each remained the same. There are enough schools in all three sports to support four classes. Any more than that and it’s too much, but four classes seemed like a decent setup.

Lesemann put it best, saying that 46 years with three classifications for basketball is too long to remain with the status quo.

“Somebody at the meeting brought up the fact that we’ve been in three classes since the 1970s,” Lesemann said. “We’re a whole lot different state since the 70s. We’ve grown. Just look at Sumner County and Wilson County. There needs to be something done.”

Something was done about some sports, and others were left alone. Some folks are likely happy, while there’s a decent chance that more won’t be as satisfied with the TSSAA’s votes. Still, until the classes are finalized, there’s going to be more speculation.

So, who else thinks that we’ll be talking about this again in two years?

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

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Oakland’s JaCoby Stevens will announce his college choice on Aug. 8.

The top high school football athlete for the Class of 2017 has set his commitment date.

Oakland senior JaCoby Stevens will announce his college choice on Aug. 8 in the school auditorium.

Stevens, a five-star prospect, is the No. 1 rated athlete in the country by 247Sports. He has listed Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and LSU as his top four choices.

Stevens (6-foot-2, 200) was a Tennessee Titans Class 6A Mr. Football Back finalist in 2015. He caught 32 passes for 806 yards with 11 touchdowns in 2015. He also had 16 carries for 123 yards and three more TDs.

As a safety, Stevens tallied 84 tackles with 8.5 for loss on defense. He had six interceptions, recovered two fumbles and had two defensive scores.

Reach Tom Kreager on Twitter @Kreager.

Brentwood Academy coach Cody White

Two of the top Division II-AA football programs in Tennessee — Brentwood Academy and Ensworth, which have combined to win five of the past six state championships in that class — will consider remaining in that class beginning in 2017, despite a third, bigger class being created by the TSSAA on Wednesday.

Both schools currently have enrollments that would put them in the smaller DII-A, and both opt to play up a class to DII-AA, which features the traditional DII powerhouses. Under the new plan voted on Wednesday, DII-AA would not be the largest class.

Brentwood Academy athletics director and football coach Cody White, who led the Eagles to last year’s state title, was not happy with the TSSAA board of control’s decision to set the enrollment of DII’s highest classification at 531 and higher.

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  Tennessee to have 9 football champions in 2017​

“I think the best thing for our school is to really contemplate the possibility of playing where our (enrollment) is,” White said. “The TSSAA has hamstrung us and made things absolutely ridiculous. …

“I know they made the decision with the thought of us and Ensworth moving up. But if you look at it from a school perspective — the travel, the budget, the scheduling — why wouldn’t you consider it?”

Ensworth athletics director and football coach Ricky Bowers said he would prefer to play in Division II’s largest class. But the decision doesn’t rest solely with him.

Ensworth athletic director and football coach Ricky Bowers

“If it were up to me personally, we’d be playing up, but we’re going to do what’s best for our school,” Bowers said.

In Brentwood Academy’s case, the decision will be left up to Headmaster Curt Masters with input from White and the school’s Board of Trustees.

In 2008, when Ensworth was faced with the decision of playing up a class, Bowers said, it was left up to a vote by school’s student body.

“We may do that again,” he said.

The Division II committee, made up of representatives from 11 Division II schools across the state, recommended to the TSSAA on Monday that a third class be added. However, its recommendation stated that the classes be divided evenly. That proposal, though, failed after a split 6-6 vote by the board of control.

“The Division II committee worked very hard to make recommendations that reflected the will of the membership, and the reason they recommended three evenly split classes was that it provided competitive parity, as well as take into account geography,” said Jim McIntyre, Father Ryan headmaster and Division II committee chairman.

Instead, the board voted 7-5 in favor of a proposal to divides the three classes based on a predetermined enrollment size. Class A will be for schools with enrollments up to 230. Class AA will include schools with 231-530 students. And schools with an enrollment of 531 or more will be placed in Class AAA.

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

Hendersonville High School’s Bryce Lewis has committed to play golf at Middle Tennessee State University.

Hendersonville High junior Bryce Lewis won the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament.

Lewis, the 2016 Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays champion, announced his decision via Twitter on Monday afternoon.

“I called Coach (Brennan) Webb and told him I’d love to come play golf for MTSU, and he seemed excited and I’m excited, too,” said Lewis, who was also considering Lipscomb and Vanderbilt. “I was just ready to get it over with and ready to make a decision. I felt like it was best for me and my family.”

Lewis, a two-time TSSAA state tournament qualifier, finished tied for 18th at last year’s state tournament, shooting 2-over 146 at WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester. The Commandos finished tied for third in the team competition a season ago.

“The goal is going to be to win the district, win the region and win the state championship,” Lewis said of this year’s Hendersonville squad. “We lost two seniors last year (Austin Peay signee Austin Lancaster and Tennessee Tech signee Charles Seals), but we’ve got some young kids coming in that have some talent. I think we’ll definitely be contenders in the state tournament.”

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-269-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports . 

Owen Murphy

Independence senior wide receiver Owen Murphy and Hendersonville senior two-way tackle Brandon Dove committed to Austin Peay after participating in the Will Healy Football Camp last weekend.

Independence wide receiver Owen Murphy catches a pass during Monday afternoon’s practice.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Dove made 17 tackles (11 solo), had one quarterback sack and recovered one fumble last season, helping the Commandos to a 10-2 record and a second-place finish in Region 6-5A before suffering a 38-7 loss at eventual state champion Independence in the second round of the playoffs.

Brandon Dove

Murphy caught just two passes last season, playing behind a receiving corps in which the first five receivers were seniors, including Michigan signee Nate Johnson.

Independence finished unbeaten last season, rolling to a 49-14 victory over Sevier County in the 5A state championship game.

“I like how the coaches are young,” the 6-2, 195-pound Murphy said. “The wide receiver coach (Todd Pinkston) is real cool, and the head coach (Healy) is nice. I think I can get good opportunities there.”

Healy is entering his first season as the Governors’ coach. Austin Peay is coming off a winless season and is 1-34 over the past three seasons.

Dove and Murphy join Station Camp’s Hunter Scholato and Brentwood Academy’s Jack McDonald as Austin Peay commitments from the Midstate.

Contributing: Autumn Allison

Reach Craig Harris on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

Gallatin High School, despite its long history, has not had a Hall of Fame for athletics – until now.

The school announced Friday that it is establishing the Hall of Fame to honor outstanding former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams and other contributors to Green Wave sports.

A committee has already been set up to accept nominations and determine members to be inducted on an annual basis.

Beginning on Monday, the school’s website, greenwaveathletics.com, will begin accepting nomination forms. Those forms will be accepted through Oct. 1. The committee will then meet to select the Class of 2017, which will be announced at Gallatin’s final home football game on Oct. 28.

The induction ceremony will take place at a home basketball game in early January, with the exact date to be announced.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @CB_SumnerSports.

Gallatin

NASHVILLE Though the White House High football team is coming off a season where it missed the playoffs for the first time since 1991, head coach Jeff Porter says there is no better time to be a Blue Devil.

With many questions concerning who will step up and claim starting positions for the Blue Devils, Porter still searches for answers as his squad was outscored one touchdown at Lipscomb Academy in each team’s opening scrimmage.

The Mustangs’ first-team offense scored on its only two possessions, while the White House starting offense failed to put up points in three series.

On the fourth possession, junior running back Carter Hunt picked up a 5-yard touchdown run for the Blue Devils.

Each team had 10 plays per possession during the scrimmage.

Knights wrap up busy week with productive scrimmage

Afterward, Porter stated how important it was for players to step up.

“Right now it is a really good time to be a part of our program,” Porter said. “If you want playing time, and are willing to play hard and compete for it, you’ll get it.”

Lipscomb Academy finished last season with an 8-4 record, falling in the second round of the 4A playoffs to eventual state runner up Pearl-Cohn by a 28-17 margin.

White House finished 4-6 last season, missing the playoffs by one game after a 14-6 loss at Maplewood in the final week of the regular season.

Gallatin High School to begin sports Hall of Fame

The Mustangs feature a tough defense led by senior defensive lineman and University of Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier.

White House managed a pair of first-down runs from Hunt and senior running back Preston Long during the opening series, but the offense was stagnant during the team’s next two possessions.

“We’ve got to be ready to play when it’s time, and we struggled with that,” Porter said.

“After tonight, we are wide open, and it’s up to anyone on the team on who wants to claim a spot, as nothing is decided right now.

Sophomore Andrew Nixon started the scrimmage at quarterback for White House, and played the team’s first three series.

Goodlettsville blasts to Little League state title

Nixon completed three passes during his snaps with the first unit.

Senior Hunter Brown, who made a start last season, completed a couple of deep strikes with one going to classmate Connor Holder for 40 yards, and his second on a 25-yard reception by sophomore Will Frazier.

Both quarterbacks committed a turnover.

Long started the contest for White House at running back, while Hunt saw significant action with the first team.

White House’s next scrimmage is next Friday, when the Blue Devils host Smith County at 6 p.m.

“This is one of the most important times of the season for us, as we need to see improvement from one scrimmage to the next,” Porter said.

“We need people to step up, and we need to show improvement going forward each time we’re on the field, and that starts in practice.”

White House

HENDERSONVILLE Those early wake-up calls at the beginning of the week seemed to do wonders for the Pope John Paul II High football team – at least in terms of Friday evening’s scrimmage.

Pope John Paul II High senior C.J. Laws breaks a tackle as classmate Pace Dempsey (1) sets up a block during Friday’s scrimmage against Sycamore.

The Knights opened the preseason portion of their campaign by hosting Sycamore at the Jim Carell Athletic Complex. PJP II’s first-team defense kept the War Eagles out of the end zone in each of three 10-play series, including a session that began inside the Knights’ 20-yard line.

Senior C.J. Laws said it was good to hit somebody wearing a different uniform for a change.

“We can finally unleash our anger on somebody else,” Laws said. “It’s definitely different.”

Gallatin High School to begin sports Hall of Fame
White House searches for answers after first scrimmage

The Knights offense, which returns nearly every starter at a skill position from last season’s squad, found some big plays against Sycamore’s defense.

Laws caught two touchdown passes from classmate Ben Brooks – of 34 and 43 yards – and senior Jamaal Thompson broke through for a 45-yard touchdown run on the second 10-play series.

Pope John Paul II High senior tailback Jamaal Thompson cuts outside for yardage during Friday’s scrimmage against Sycamore.

The scrimmage wrapped up PJP II’s first week in full pads, which began at Camp Agape in Benton, Tenn., for three days before the Knights returned home.

“It’s been very, very good,” Laws said. “The main purpose (of the trip) was to bring everybody together. This is the closest team we’ve had in a while.”

Goodlettsville blasts to Little League state title

With most of the weapons at Brooks’ disposal returning from last year’s squad, Laws feels as comfortable as ever about the Knights’ offense.

“We’ve been throwing since freshman year,” Laws said. “I know what he’s going to do and he knows what I’m going to do, so the chemistry is nothing new.”

Pope John Paul II High senior quarterback Ben Brooks cuts away from two Sycamore tacklers during Friday’s scrimmage.

The Knights open the season with a trip to Memphis to face Melrose.

Before that, however, PJP II has three more scrimmages scheduled, including hosting next Friday’s dual scrimmage with Gallatin and West Creek.

The Knights will then host Portland for a practice session on Aug. 9 before traveling to Lebanon on Aug. 12 for their final scrimmage.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @CB_SumnerSports, and on Snapchat @cbrooksgne.

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Columbia Academy senior quarterback Dylan Johnson passed for 2,264 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Columbia Academy

2. Fayetteville

3. Huntland

4. Mt. Pleasant

5. Moore County

6. Grace Christian Academy

7. Summertown

8. Cornersville

9. Richland

TOP RETURNEES

Dylan Johnson, Sr., QB, Columbia Academy; Timmy Riley, Jr., LB, Columbia Academy; Matthew Fox, Sr., OT, Columbia Academy; Austin Holdmeyer, Sr., QB, Fayetteville; Marquice Emmons, Sr., RB/DB, Fayetteville; Brandon Moore, Jr., RB/CB/KR, Fayetteville; D.J. Taylor, Sr., RB, Huntland; Tez Rogers, Sr., FB/LB, Mt. Pleasant; Isaac Holt, Sr., RB/LB, Moore County; Austin Amor, Jr., QB, Grace Christian Academy; Chase Mote, Sr., RB/DB, Summertown; Kolbe McMahon, Jr., RB, Cornersville; Caleb Briggs, Sr., RB, Richland

TOP GAMES 

Columbia Academy at Fayetteville (Sept. 23); Fayetteville at Huntland (Aug. 26); Mt. Pleasant at Huntland (Sept. 16)

REGION TIDBITS

Columbia Academy has won three consecutive district/region titles, compiling a 33-5 record along with back-to-back quarterfinal appearances followed by last season’s semifinal loss at Greenback. … Johnson passed for 2,264 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a junior. … Holdmeyer compiled 1,265 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions last season. … Moore gained 1,676 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season and also intercepted five passes. … Emmons had three interceptions and a team-leading 81 tackles (66 solo). … Taylor is a Wake Forest commitment who rushed for 1,682 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior and also made 50 tackles. … Mote gained 1,000 all-purpose yards and made 132 tackles as a junior; Briggs was a 1,500-yard rusher last season.

SCHEDULES

(2015 record in parentheses, * denotes region game)

D.J. Taylor

Columbia Academy (12-2, 8-0, reached Class 1A state semifinals): Aug. 26 at Franklin Road Academy; *Sept. 2 vs. Moore County; *Sept. 9 vs. Mt. Pleasant; *Sept. 16 at Summertown; *Sept. 23 at Fayetteville; *Sept. 30 at Grace Christian; *Oct. 7 vs. Richland; *Oct. 14 vs. Cornersville; Oct. 21 vs. Whitwell; *Oct. 28 at Huntland

Cornersville (3-7, 3-5): Aug. 19 vs. Mt. Juliet Christian; Aug. 26 at Collinwood; *Sept. 2 at Grace Christian; *Sept. 9 at Moore County; *Sept. 23 at Mt. Pleasant; *Sept. 30 vs. Huntland; *Oct. 7 vs. Summertown; *Oct. 14 at Columbia Academy; *Oct. 21 at Fayetteville; *Oct. 28 at Richland

Fayetteville (9-3, 7-1, reached Class 1A second round): Aug. 19 vs. Franklin Road Academy; *Aug. 26 at Huntland; *Sept. 2 at Mt. Pleasant; Sept. 9 vs. Cascade; *Sept. 16 at Richland; *Sept. 23 vs. Columbia Academy; *Sept. 30 at Moore County; *Oct. 14 vs. Summertown; *Oct. 21 vs. Cornersville; *Oct. 28 at Grace Christian

Grace Christian Academy (3-6, 2-6): Aug. 26 vs. McEwen; *Sept. 2 vs. Cornersville; *Sept. 9 at Summertown; *Sept. 16 at Moore County; *Sept. 23 vs. Richland; *Sept. 30 vs. Columbia Academy; *Oct. 7 at Mt. Pleasant; *Oct. 14 at Huntland; *Oct. 21 vs. Fayetteville

Huntland (6-4, 5-3): Aug. 19 at Forrest; *Aug. 26 vs. Fayetteville; *Sept. 2 vs. Summertown; *Sept. 9 at Richland; *Sept. 16 vs. Mt. Pleasant; Sept. 23 at Lookout Valley; *Sept. 30 at Cornersville; *Oct. 14 at Moore County; *Oct. 21 vs. Grace Christian; *Oct. 28 vs. Columbia Academy

Moore County (6-5, 5-3, reached Class 1A first round): Aug. 19 vs. Cascade; Aug. 26 at Forrest; *Sept. 2 at Columbia Academy; *Sept. 9 at Cornersville; *Sept. 16 vs. Grace Christian; *Sept. 23 at Summertown; *Sept. 30 vs. Fayetteville; *Oct. 14 vs. Huntland; *Oct. 21 vs. Richland; *Oct. 28 at Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant (6-5, 5-3, reached Class 1A first round): Aug. 19 at Wayne County; Aug. 26 vs. Perry County; *Sept. 2 vs. Fayetteville; *Sept. 9 at Columbia Academy; *Sept. 16 at Huntland; *Sept. 23 at Cornersville; *Oct. 7 vs. Grace Christian; *Oct. 14 at Richland; *Oct. 21 at Summertown; *Oct. 28 vs. Moore County

Richland (2-8, 0-8): Aug. 19 vs. Sale Creek; Aug. 26 at Mt. Juliet Christian; *Sept. 9 vs. Huntland; *Sept. 16 vs. Fayetteville; *Sept. 23 at Grace Christian; *Sept. 30 at Summertown; *Oct. 7 at Columbia Academy; *Oct. 14 vs. Mt. Pleasant; *Oct. 21 at Moore County; *Oct. 28 vs. Cornersville

Summertown (2-8, 1-7): Aug. 19 vs. Loretto; Aug 26 at Zion Christian; *Sept. 2 at Huntland; *Sept. 9 vs. Grace Christian; *Sept. 16 vs. Columbia Academy; *Sept. 23 vs. Moore County; *Sept. 30 vs. Richland; *Oct. 7 at Cornersville; *Oct. 14 at Fayetteville; *Oct. 21 at Mt. Pleasant

Beech High junior Michael Barnard verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday.

District 9-AAA is banding together for future competition in Conference USA.

Beech junior golfer Michael Barnard committed to MTSU on Saturday.

The 16-year-old announced his decision via his Twitter account.

Excited to announce that I have committed to play golf at MTSU. Thanks to everyone who has supported me! #TrueBlue https://t.co/U4L1kl3Bkd

—
Michael Barnard (@m_barn2) July 30, 2016

“I really liked MTSU from the beginning,” said Barnard, who also had an offer from Austin Peay. “I really like the coach (Brennan Webb) a ton. Their golf program is very good. I think we’ll be very good.”

Barnard’s 9-AAA counterpart — Hendersonville junior Bryce Lewis — committed to MTSU on Monday. The close friends paired up for the Tennessee Golf Association’s 46th annual Four-Ball Championship last month, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champions Jack Smith and Ryan Greer.

“It definitely was (a factor),” Barnard said of Lewis’ commitment. “Instead of playing against him, I can play with him and hopefully have the same kind of success (that Hendersonville has enjoyed).”

Michael Barnard

Barnard’s mother, Julie Scott, played at Vanderbilt, while his father, Corey, played at Austin Peay.

This summer, Barnard finished in a four-way tie for 30th place at the Tennessee State Open, finished in a three-way tie for third at the Tennessee Junior Amateur and placed fifth in the Tennessee Junior PGA Championship.

He’s hoping for his first trip to the TSSAA State Tournament this fall, after falling one stroke short last year and two strokes shy as a freshman.

“I really want to make it this year,” Barnard said. “We’ve never had any (male golfer) from Beech make it. I’m confident with where my game is heading. I think I’ll have a chance.”

The Blue Raiders placed fifth at the Conference USA Championship in April.

Reach Craig Harris at crharris@tennessean.com . Follow him on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

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Ashley Gilliam

Tennessee State coach Rod Reed said he always makes sure to tell prospects the number of former Tigers players who are currently in the NFL during the recruiting process.

Chad Clifton

West End Middle’s new concession stand.

Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry is one of 30 former Vols on NFL rosters.

A total of 58 players from area colleges were on NFL rosters when training camps opened this past week.

College coaches like to keep up with the number of former players they have on NFL rosters and use it when recruiting new players.

A total of 30 former University of Tennessee players are currently on NFL rosters.

There are 15 former Vanderbilt players in NFL camps, eight from MTSU and five from Tennessee State.

TSU has more players in NFL camps than any other Ohio Valley Conference team.

Tigers coach Rod Reed also pointed out that former TSU offensive tackle Anthony Morris, who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2015 and remained on the roster until he was injured and then waived, also could sign as a free agent.

“So many kids coming into your program have aspirations of playing at the next level,” Reed said. “They at least want the chance to get there, and with us having the success we’ve had with guys making it to the NFL, it’s a benefit. It’s a good recruiting tool when kids see that they don’t have to necessarily go to UT, or Vandy for that matter, to get an opportunity to play at the next level.”

Football camps for college teams open soon

Most college football teams report for fall camp this week.

Tennessee will be one of the first to get started when the Vols hit the practice field Monday.

Tennessee Tech starts practice on Wednesday followed by Vanderbilt, MTSU, TSU and Cumberland on Thursday.

Austin Peay’s first practice is Saturday.

Former Pearl-Cohn football star promoted in NASCAR

Brandon Thompson, who played football at Pearl-Cohn, was named NASCAR senior director, touring series this past week.

Thompson was a part of NASCAR’s Diversity Internship Program and has spent 10 years with the series. He previously served as racing operations manager.

Thompson played wide receiver and outside linebacker at Pearl-Cohn. His cousin is Ralph Thompson, who was an outstanding safety at Hillwood and went on to play at Georgia in the 1990s.

Rodgers brothers’ relationship called ‘complicated’

Jordan Rodgers

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked about his relationship with his younger brother and former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers on the opening day of preseason camp Tuesday.

Jordan is a contestant on the ABC dating show “The Bachelorette,” who called his relationship with Aaron “complicated.”

When asked whether Aaron was watching him on the show, Jordan said, “I think so, yeah.”

He was wrong. Aaron told reporters Tuesday he hasn’t seen the show.

When Aaron was asked about his relationship with Jordan and the rest of his family, the two-time NFL MVP said he found it inappropriate to discuss family matters publicly.

Aaron did, however, wish Jordan well in the competition.

Former Vandy women’s hoops star to be on morning show

Watch for former Vanderbilt All-America basketball player Chantelle Anderson on the Hallmark morning show “Home & Family” at 9 a.m. Monday.

Anderson, who played in the WNBA (2003-07), was visiting sister Kristin Smith, a regular on the show, last week in Los Angeles during a filming session and was asked to come on for a segment on basketball.

Local golfer makes eagle, qualifies for State Amateur

Adam Johnson

Adam Johnson, operations manager at WNSR 560-AM/95.9-FM, on Monday earned the last qualifying spot for the Tennessee Amateur Golf Championship in dramatic fashion.

Johnson struggled with his putter and ended up in a six-person playoff for the last two spots at Cleveland Country Club.

On the par-4 second playoff hole, Johnson sank his approach shot from 105 yards out for an eagle.

Johnson grew up playing on the Vince Gill Tennessee PGA Tour and has spent time playing on several amateur tours since graduating from Hillwood.

It was his first attempt to qualify for the Tennessee Amateur Championship, which is scheduled for Aug. 9-12 at Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough.

Former pro, college players now coaching high schools

Former Titans linebacker Gerald McRath and former Ezell-Harding and Vanderbilt wide receiver Erik Davis have joined the coaching staff at Hillsboro.

McRath was drafted by the Titans in 2009 and played through the 2012 season. He spent last season on the staff at Berry College in Rome, Ga.

Davis was a three-year starter at Vanderbilt and ended his career with 64 catches, 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Former TSU defensive back Justin Bather from La Vergne has joined the staff at Overton.

Gallatin High School creating athletics hall of fame

Gallatin High School, which has a rich athletic history, is establishing a sports hall of fame.

Nominations will be accepted Monday-Oct. 1, and the inaugural class will be selected by a committee of alumni, current faculty and former coaches.

Nomination forms are available at greenwaveathletics.com.

The 2017 class will be announced Oct. 28 during the final regular-season football game at home against Cane Ridge. The induction ceremony will be at a home basketball game in early January.

Alumni pay for West End Middle concession stand

The West End High Alumni Association raised $7,500 to pay for a new, fully equipped concession stand at the school’s football stadium.

West End is now a middle school.

The concession stand has a freezer, popcorn machine, nacho stand, warming bins, microwave and beverage cooler.

The alumni association also grills hamburgers and hot dogs for every home game.

Titans broadcaster Keith to speak at Martin Methodist 
luncheon

Voice of the Titans Mike Keith will be the guest speaker Wednesday at the Martin Methodist Athletic Department monthly luncheon.

The luncheon ($5) is open to the public. It begins at noon at Hickory House Restaurant in Pulaski.

Keith is entering his 19th season as the Titans’ director of broadcasting.

Fox set to stream NHL games

Fox Sports Regional Networks will begin streaming local NHL telecasts including Predators games this season. Games will be available on Fox Sports GO to customers of participating pay-TV providers.

“We see in-market streaming as a valuable extension of the customers’ pay-TV subscription,” said Jeff Krolik, president of Fox Sports Regional Networks.

Fox Sports GO, the live streaming platform, is available for iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire tablets and Fire phones, select Windows devices, and online at FOXSportsGO.com.

Local racing champion Sisco dies

David Sisco

Retired Winston Cup driver David Sisco, who won the 1969 Late Model Premier Division championship at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, died Monday. He was 79.

Sisco, a resident of Bon Aqua, had 31 top-10 finishes and six top-fives during his seven-year NASCAR career (1971-77).

Sisco’s mother, Irene Sisco, was killed on Aug. 8, 1977, after being hit by a pickup truck in the infield of the Talladega 500 while David was racing.

Irene, who was 69, was wearing a radio headset and did not hear the truck before it hit her.

Schooldays ​winner claims AJGA tourney win in Ohio 

Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays champion Ashley Gilliam won her first American Junior Golf Association tournament last week by claiming the Memorial Junior in Ashville, Ohio.

Gilliam, a sophomore at Coffee County, shot a 1-over-par 217 at Cooks Creek Golf Club.

The field featured golfers from nine states and four countries.

Gilliam is now exempt for all AJGA tournaments for the next two seasons.

Gilliam already is committed to play for Mississippi State.

Former Vol inducted into Packers Hall of Fame

Chad Clifton, a member of Tennessee’s 1999 national championship team who went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL, was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame last week.

Clifton, a left tackle, spent his career protecting Brett Favre after earning a starting spot in his rookie season.

He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and 2010.

Ex-Belmont golfer wins first tournament as a pro

Former Belmont golfer Ashton Van Horne, a Kentucky native, won his first tournament as a pro by winning the Kentucky State Open on Thursday at the University of Louisville Golf Club.

Van Horne was the 2015-16 Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Year.

It was just Van Horne’s second tournament as a pro. After shooting a 2-over-par 74 in the first round on Tuesday, Van Horne recovered by shooting a 6-under 66 in the second and third rounds to finish tied with Daniel Iceman at 10-under.

Van Horn won on the second playoff hole with a par.

Motlow will be first junior college in state to offer soccer

Motlow State Community College will add women’s soccer to its athletic programs in fall 2017.

It will be the first new scholarship sport the school has added in more than 20 years. Motlow added women’s softball in the 1990s.

Motlow will become the first junior college in Tennessee to offer either men’s or women’s soccer.

Lipscomb volleyball star back after playing for national team

Kayla Ostrom

Lipscomb’s Kayla Ostrom played for the U.S. Collegiate Volleyball National Team earlier this summer.

Ostrom, a setter, was fortunate the tournament was played in Indianapolis, which is only about an hour-and-a-half from her hometown of Lafayette, Ind.

She helped the red team finish second.

After the tournament, Ostrom gave one of her jerseys to Lipscomb coach Brandon Rosenthal and the other to her parents.

Ostrom has led Lipscomb to back-to-back Atlantic-Sun regular-season championships and NCAA Tournament berths.

If you have an item for Midstate Chatter, contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

SPORTS ON NASHVILLE TV

Top-five local ratings for sporting events on television for July 18-24.
1. NASCAR: Brickyard 400, 5.0 rating
2. UFC: Fight Night (July 23), 2.7 rating
3. PGA: Canadian Open (final round), 2.6 rating
4. PGA: Canadian Open (third round),2.3 rating
5. NASCAR: Xfinity Indianapolis 250, 1.9 rating
Each rating point is equal to 9,902 Nashville homes.
Source: WTVF-5 programming & research director Mark Binda

Riverdale assistant football coach William Henry (center) was able to coach a week of training camp with the Washington Redskins.

Riverdale assistant football coach William Henry has always had aspirations of coaching in the NFL.

Thanks to two years of persistence, he got to experience that for a week.

As part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program, Henry spent the last week coaching at the Washington Redskins fall camp. He joined the team last Tuesday and was slated to return to Murfreesboro Monday evening.

“I thought I would be more of a fly on the wall, just learning what they do,” said Henry, who joined Riverdale’s staff this season after three years at Siegel. “I didn’t think I would be doing as much as I did.”

Henry, a former Riverdale standout and 1997 grad, spent two years sending letters to each NFL team inquiring about the opportunity for a coaching internship. Those letters paid off when the Seattle Seahawks informed him of the Walsh program, started by the legendary San Francisco 49ers coach in 1989.

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“I sent 264 letters in two years,” Henry said. “I sent to owners, presidents, general managers and coaches. I heard back from teams, but there wasn’t a lot of interest, but there was a whole lot of positive feedback.”

After he applied for the program, the Buccaneers also showed interest. He was a finalist for the Seahawks and Bucs but then the break came when the Redskins informed him they were offering him one of the four spots they had.

“Paul Kelly (Director of Football Operations) told me that he spoke to (President) Bruce Allen and had liked everything he read and loved my resume,” said Henry, who was also selected for the program by the Jets but chose Washington because they reached out to him first. “They had 250 applicants for the final two spots. I was No. 3.”

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Henry will coach defensive backs at Riverdale, but running backs and wide receivers were the two spots open for the Redskins. He chose running backs and was paired with Washington RBs coach Randy Jordan.

“The second day he had me working with second- and third-team backs,” Henry said. “I got a little nervous, but the guys were great. I didn’t know what to expect, but after plays, the guys would ask me, ‘Hey coach, did I make the right cut,’ or, ‘Did i read the block.'”

Henry also spent a bulk of the week watching and breaking down film with the Redskins coaches. His typical day began at 5 a.m. and didn’t end until after midnight.

“I would get back to my room about 11-11:30, then I would study,” he said.

The 37-year old Henry, who has also coached at Memphis Kirby, Munford and spent a number of years on Gary Rankin’s staff at Alcoa, said it’s hard to “quantify” how much better a coach the week spent with the Redskins will make him. But it certainly solidified his quest to someday coach at the sport’s highest level.

“Anything you ever do, you learn from it,” he said. “It makes you better, and this will help make me a whole lot better. As far as future aspirations, I would like to be on this level. After being here, I know I can do it. Maybe not tomorrow, but someday I can do it.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I made some good connections.”

Reach Cecil Joyce at 278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.