2014 Visited for One Last Time

For the past week or so, I've read a lot of lists about the top this and the top that.  Top movies.  Top books.  Most important events.    So I decided to make my own.  It is the New Year after all. 

TOP SPORTS STORY.  The MHS comeback against Ravenwood in the 6A football state championship game.  Down 7-28 at the end of the first period, the Rebels held Ravenwood to 1 yard of total offense in the 2nd period and crawled back into the game.

And then T.D. Blackman (is there a better football name out there?) blocks a kick and then intercepts a pass in the overtime to seal the victory.  Wow.

Alcoa had a truly memorable season and I'm sure would love to play that last game again.  I'm betting that there would be a different outcome. 

And Greenback needs a do-over in their semi-final game.  After beating  Coalfield in the regular season, they couldn't pull it out when it counted most.  For my money, they should have been the 6th local team in the state championship game (along with Maryville, Alcoa, Fulton, Webb, and West). 

OTHER TOP SPORTS STORY.  Richie Koons of MHS returning to the field after suffering a knee injury and coming up HUGE on the defensive line.  I've been on the sidelines of local sports for 33 years and it was the bravest thing I've seen yet.

BEST FOOTBALL COACH-COLLEGE DIVISION.  No disrespect across the river but Mike Rader has done a phenomenal job at Maryville College.  Almost 5,000 people at an early season MC game?  Unheard of.

BEST FOOTBALL COACH-HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION.  Huh-uh.  Ain't goin' there.  GQ is my coach and there's nobody like him.  Gary Rankin has more wins than any coach in Tennessee high school history.  Tim Hammontree has restored a winning attitude at Heritage.  Jason Hicks was a win away from a state championship game.  Justin Ridge's WBHS team was always competing.

BEST COLLEGE PROSPECT-SENIOR DIVISION.  It's hard to argue against Dylan Jackson.  As the playoffs progressed, he got better and better.  But if somebody doesn't offer Jaquez Tyson a scholarship in a hurry, they're going to miss out on a great player.  Same for Bryce Miller.  And Kyle Malik Mitchell.

BEST COLLEGE PROSPECT-JUNIOR DIVISION.  Show me a receiver better than Kelby Brock.  Go ahead.  I dare you.  I didn't think so.  All those guys that he smoked (check with Sevier County, Science Hill, Oakland, and Ravenwood) can tell you how good he is.

TOP PRO ATHLETE.  You're kidding, right?  It has to be Randall Cobb.  He does us all proud.

PLACE TO BE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY.  On a paddleboard on Chilhowee Lake.  Or maybe a canoe.  Or a kayak.  It doesn't matter.  But on the water without a motor.

BEST PLACE TO BIKE.  Allegheny Loop.  The Wall.  Old Walland Highway from Coulter's Bridge to Townsend.  Then back.  River Road from Metcalf Bottoms to the Y.

WILL BE MISSED.  Bill Crisp.  Died from injuries suffered doing something he loved.  He made a difference in education in this community for a very long time.  Dr. Henry Callaway.  A medical pioneer and genuinely nice guy.  He never forgot where he was from. George Williams.  A difference maker.  A true leader.  A gentleman.  And the greatest handshake of all time.  Beverly Woodruff.  Life was tough for Beverly for a long time now but I know she was proud of serving Blount County.

There were more, I know.  All left their mark and all will be remembered in their own way.

Goodbye 2014.  Hello 2015.