Dillon Cate throws to a South Doyle Cherokee batter.

The SCHS Baseball Bears defeated the South Doyle Cherokees 7-4 in an AAA District 2 game last night. Dillon Cate only allowed 1 run over 6 innings. Nick Osborne of the Bears was the highlight player of the game with an outstanding fly foul ball grab for a big out and a 3 run homer in his next at bat to put the Bears up 7-1. The Bears with a 5-0 record in the District are the league leaders.

The Bears will play the Cherokees again tonight at 5 PM on the Sevier County home field followed by a second game against Lenoir City.

On Friday night at 5 PM the Bears (12-0) travel to Pigeon Forge to face the Tigers (10-0). This will be the first inter county game between the two teams in several years and will be broadcast live on FM 106.3 ESPN Radio. Jim Moore the Bears home field announcer will be on the call with color analyst T.J. Miller. 

Photos by Bill Bloodworth

The University of Tennessee hosted the Alabama Crimson Tide in an epic battle reminiscent of the disadvantaged David versus the mighty Goliath. Only this time the ending was far different with the underdog, Tennessee, losing to the Crimson Tide 44-13.

   For Coach Derek Dooley the game was of seminal importance as the Vols have now racked up four SEC losses. This disappointing record has some fans calling for Dooley’s ouster.

  UT quarterback Tyler Bray got off to what Dooley termed a “Jumpy start.” Bray finished 13 for 27 for 184 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Bray declined to meet with reporters in the post-game interviews as he has after each game this year.

 "We got whipped by a great football team in just about every phase,'' Dooley said. ''I'm really disappointed we didn't execute a little better on offense. That's probably the thing I was a little surprised at. The quarterback didn't play well. I'm not sure why.''

    Alabama’s defense seemed invincible and the offense proved almost indomitable.

    Alabama’s A.J. McCarron threw for a career-high 306 yards and four touchdowns. The Tide has scored at least 30 points in each of their first seven games, the longest streak to start a season in school history.

    Amari Cooper caught seven passes gaining 162 yards, setting a school record for the most receiving ever by an Alabama freshman. He scored on a 23-yard reception in the first quarter and a 42-yard catch in the third. Cooper also had a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter that was overturned by a penalty.

   T.J. Yeldon ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for his second consecutive game running at least 100 yards.

   ''We just kept grinding and grinding,'' Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. ''We squandered a few opportunities at times, but I think the key to the drill was just keep playing and play the next play. Compete and be relentless in how you do it.''

  Cooper opened the scoring and set the tone for the game when a coverage breakdown by Tennessee allowed him to get all alone in the right corner of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. Yeldon added a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter after C.J. Mosley's diving interception of Bray's wayward pass gave the Tide the ball on the 32-yard-line.

  The Tide continued to dominate throughout the first half giving Alabama a lead of 23-10 at halftime.

   The Vols' best hopes for a second-half comeback were extinguished after they lost the ball on downs after fighting to reach the Alabama 33 early in the third quarter. After Bray threw a third-and-1 incompletion, Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson took a fourth-down snap out of the Vols' ''Beast'' formation but was unable to penetrate the Tide defense and failed to reach the first down.

  Alabama finished the Vols with three consecutive TDs in as many drives. The first came when  McCarron connected with Cooper on a 42-yard touchdown pass that extended the Tide's lead to 30-10 in the third quarter. McCarron threw to Kenny Bell for a 39-yard completion that made it 37-10, Yeldon darted 43 yards to score.

   Tennessee has lost 11 of its last 12 SEC games and is 0-14 against the Top 25 since Dooley took over the program in 2010. Many frustrated fans are losing patience with the coach. This was evidenced by the mass exodus of fans during half time and throughout the second half.  

    Tennessee will square off against South Carolina October 27 in Columbia. Kickoff is 12 p.m.

Cody Rhodes will be among the stars of WWE to square off in Knoxville.

   The white-knuckle intensive bone crushing action of professional wrestling returns to the Knoxville Civic Center and Coliseum when the WWE Supershow takes to the ring on October 14.

    In a summer slam rematch John Cena will square off with Big Show. CM Punk will defend his WWE championship. Kane will take on Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes will face Sin Cara. Diva action is on the undercard and the main event features World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus defending his title against Alberto Del Rio.

  Rhodes is the Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and the son of a wrestling legend, “the American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.

 “Dad is doing great,” Cody Rhodes said in a telephone interview. “He is working behind the scenes now for WWE helping up and coming wrestlers. He is working on development.”

 Recently, the WWE was recognized as the longest running TV series in television history having aired more than 1,000 weekly events.

  “I think that is a testament of the success of the weekly live TV show,” Rhodes said. “We don’t have an off season and that’s not a burden. It allows us to keep it fresh.”

  Rhodes defeated Ezekiel Jackson to win the Intercontinental Championship August 12. In a September 23 bout with Randy Orton, Rhodes sustained a head injury when Orton attached Rhodes and hit him with the time keeper’s bell.

  “It was an accident,” Rhodes said. “I ended up getting 18 staples in the head. Randy and I are good friends. It was unintentional.”

 While Rhodes’s Intercontinental Title will not be on the line October 14, he speculates there may be a Round Robin style tournament featuring himself, Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara and The Miz in coming months. Rhodes has feuded in the past with Big Show.

  Currently, Rhodes is aligned with Damien Sandow in a quest to get a title shot for the WWE tag team championship. Rhodes and Sandow attacked WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Kane on the September 24 episode of Raw and vowed to become the next champions. The team, known as the Rhodes Scholars, was entered in a Tag Team Championship tournament and defeated the Usos to advance.

  “The Supershow features the stars of Raw and Smackdown,” Rhodes said. “This event will feature the best of the best.”

  The event gets underway at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum Box Office, or through Knoxville Tickets. Tickets can be charged by phone at (865) 656-4444 or toll free (877) 995-9961. For more information visit the web Site www.knoxvillecoliseum.com.

Photos by Bill Bloodworth

 Avis Commack (9) of Akron, takes the interception 44 yards to score the first points of the game.

   The University of Tennessee Volunteers rallied in the fourth quarter Saturday to defeat the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium with a final score of 47-26.

   Some sportswriters were expecting the Vols to handily defeat the Zips with a 33 point spread. Apparently, they had underestimated the Zips’ head coach Terry Bowden who utilized cleverly executed tactics that enabled the Zips to keep up with the Vols through the third quarter. Bowden is part of a family dynasty of college football coaches that included his father, Bobby Bowden, who has the most career wins in college football history, and his brother, Tommy Bowden, who coached Clemson. Terry Bowden led the Auburn Tigers to a National Championship in 1993. 

  Akron, a Division I team, was clearly outmanned by the Vols. Despite the logistical advantage of the Vols, the Zips managed to keep the game close throughout the first three quarters, even surpassing the Vols at times, only to let the game slip away in the final quarter.

  Akron was the first to score in the first quarter with a 44-yard interception. The extra point was good making the score 7-0.

  The Vols responded with a 13-play drive that took Tennessee to the Akron 2-yard-line. Tyler Bray passed to A.J. Johnson to score. The extra point by Derrick Brodus tied the score at 7-7.

  The Akron defense slowed Tennessee but failed to stop them. It took the Vols seven plays to cover nine yards to set up a field goal. Brodus kicked from the 37 yard line to pick up a field goal giving Tennessee the lead temporarily 10-7.

   Akron responded with a field goal of their own by Robert Stein from the 45-yard-line with 53 seconds left in the first quarter tying the score at 10-10.   

   Tennessee moved ahead once again in the second quarter with a field goal by Brodus from the 23-yard line giving the Vols the lead once again of 13-10.

   Akron  retaliated and closed the gap once again when Stein kicked a field goal from the 32-yard-line tying the game again at 13-13.

  Tennessee again took the lead with a seven play drive that covered 75 yards that resulted in a 4-yard pass by Bray to Brendan Downs.  The extra point by Brodus was good making the score 20-13. Akron closed the lead by three when Stein kicked a field goal from the 37-yard-line with 5:04 left in the half.       

  The big play of the game was a 70-yard run by Quentin Hines of Akron who ran in a touchdown with 2:14 left in the half. Stein kicked the extra point giving the Zips the lead 23-20.

   The Vols wanted desperately not to end the half with a deficit.  An eight play drive ended with a 70-yard gain but was unable to cross into the end zone. The Vols had to settle for another field goal by Brodus who kicked 22-yards to tie up the game 23-23 going into the half.

   With 6:43 left in the third Tennessee scored when Bray executed a 25-yard pass to Justin Hunter who ran in to score. Brodus kicked the extra point making the score 30-23. With both teams turning up the heat on one another, neither was able to reach the end zone again in the third.

  In the fourth quarter the Zips again cut the deficit by three when Stein kicked in a 37-yard field goal to make the score 30-26.

 Tennessee responded with seven play 53-yard drive but was unable to reach the end zone. Again, Brodus  kicked the ball through the uprights for a 28-yard field goal making the score 33-26.  

  Tennessee finally broke out in 9:02 left in the game with a 19-yard pass from Bray to Hunter. The extra point by Brodus was good giving the Vols the lead of 40-26.

  After the kick off Akron seemed to stall and was unable to make any headway. Following the punt the Vols began a five-play drive that covered 63 yards. Bray completed a 24-yard pass to Jacob Carter who bolted into the end zone. The extra point by Brodus was good making the final score 47-26.      

   The Vols defense shut down the Zips offense preventing Akron from scoring again or making any significant gains.

   "Well, it was a tough game, and I knew it would be,” said Vols head coach Derek Dooley. “They caused a lot of problems with our offense, but the disappointing part was the turnovers early in the game. We spotted them 10 points on turnovers, but I was real proud of the team in the second half. They came out and dominated the second half 24-3. So that's a good step for the team. We ran the ball well. We threw it well.

 "The worst part of the game was the two turnovers and the long run (by Akron). We just screwed it up. We slanted the line and the backers didn't adjust. We were a man free and the secondary couldn't rally to get him down. That was the bad play of the game there, but otherwise, a pretty good game."

  Coach Terry Bowden had words of praise for his team and commented about Tennessee late rally.

“I am awful proud of our young men tonight,” said Akron Coach Terry Bowden. “I am disappointed but I am proud of our players for coming in here and willing to not accept the fact that they were supposed to lose, get a guarantee and go home.

  “Tennessee had too many weapons and too many skilled people. I’ve got to commend Tennessee for paying attention between Florida and Georgia. I know what the SEC is all about.

   "We had five or six things that worked really well. We threw some routes and they half covered them. Then they memorized the things we were doing that really hurt them and made some adjustments each time they went to the bench and gradually started taking them away." 

   Justin Hunter (11) grabs this 19 yard pass from T. Bray to put the Vols up 40 to 26. 

Bray connected with Zach Rogers for a 48-yard gain to the Akron 5.

                                                            Caitlyn Dean

    Tusculum’s Caitlyn Dean has been named the South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Specialist of the Week announced league officials Monday.

 Dean, a 5-5 libero/defensive specialist from Fort Wayne, Ind., averaged 9.12 digs per set to lead the Pioneers to a pair of conference wins last week.

 This marks the third time in her career she has earned this honor, after garnering Specialist of the Week accolades twice during her 2010 rookie season.

 Tusculum posted a pair of 3-1 road victories at Catawba and 16^th-ranked Wingate.  The win at Wingate snapped the Bulldogs’ 83-match conference winning streak, while also ending WU’s 59-match regular-season run.

 In the Catawba match, Dean recorded 35 digs and two assists in the SAC opener for both teams.  She followed that with 38 digs, four assists and four service aces against Wingate as the Pioneers defeated a nationally-ranked NCAA Division II team for the first time in program history.

 On the year, the Northrop High School graduate is averaging 6.69 digs per set, which is the best average in the league.

 Tusculum (7-2, 2-0 SAC) will host Carson-Newman on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Pioneers’ home opener of the 2012 season.

Tennessee's defense was unable to stop the Gators' offense from racking up 37 points at Neyland Stadium.

     The University of Tennessee Volunteers fell to the Florida Gators Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Vol fans were hoping Tennessee could break a losing streak against Florida that began in 2005. For the Gators, the winning streak continues.

    Last week the gators played Texas A&M and pulled off a 20-17 victory. But the Gators played a lackluster first half against Texas A&M and came back in the second half to win. During the 2011 season, the Vols were a team that played a powerful first half but fatigued in the second half. During the third quarter of Saturday’s game, it appeared as though Tennessee had fallen into the same pattern. With a team that had a history off falling apart in the second half squaring off against a team that builds momentum in the second half, Gator fans had reason to be optimistic.

  During Saturday’s game, the Vols played a well-executed first half much to the delight of more than 102,000 fans. The Gators were the first to score at 8:02 in the first quarter after a three play drive that took 1:11 off the clock when Trey Burton rushed in for a 14-yard touchdown. The extra point kicked by Caleb Sturgis was good which put the Gators up 7-0.

    The Vols were quick to retaliate with a three-play drive that covered 60 yards and ending with Tyler Bray passing to Cordarrelle Patterson who ran in two yards to score. Michael Palardy kicked the extra point making the score tied. It was the first time since 2004 the Vols scored a touchdown in the first quarter against Florida.

  In the second quarter,  the Vols moved ahead with a 16-play drive that covered 76 yards. Bray passed to Mychael Rivera who ran six yards to score. Palardy’s kick was dead center of the uprights making the core 14-7 for the Vols.

  The Gators were behind but not out. A series of plays brought the Gators to the 1-yard line. But, the Vols defense formed a human shield that proved to be impregnable and held the Gators off. The frustrated Gators had to settle for a field goal in the waning seconds of the half that made the score 14-10 at half-time.

     In the third quarter, Florida picked up another field goal when Sturgis kicked it 25 yards to score. Tennessee responded with a 12-play drive that took A.J Johnson into the end zone. Derrick Broadus missed the extra point putting the score at 20-13.      

   With 3:27 left in the third, the Gators fired back when Burton ran 80 yards for a touchdown making the score 20-19. The extra point kicked by Sturgis tied up the game.

  With 1:49 left in the third quarter, Jeff Driskel passed to Jordan Reed who ran 23 yards to score. Sturgis kicked in another extra point making the score 27-20.

   Florida turned up the heat on the Vols in the fourth quarter when Driskel  passed to Frankie Hammond who ran an impressive 75 yards to score. Sturgis kicked the extra point giving Florida an even more significant lead of 34-20.

  With 6:44 left in the game, Sturgis booted in another field goal to score making the score 37-20. The Gators maintained the lead throughout the waning moments of the game frustrating the Vols efforts to cut the Gators lead and make a comeback.

   “We had a good game going into the third,” said Vols Coach Derek Dooley. “We gave up some good plays and couldn’t recover. We’ve got to learn from this and move on.”

   The Vols were 2-0 going into Saturday’s game and ranked #23. Next week the Vols return to the gridiron at Neyland Stadium against Akron.

   Dooley noted the third quarter meltdown that led to defeat.  

   “We had a lot of mistakes defensively,” said Vols Coach Derek Dooley. “They ran a couple of run plays that gutted us. We hit a bad stretch at a bad time. They did a good job with shifts and formations.”

  Tyler Bray praised the Gators for their performance and acknowledged the Vols’ shortcomings.

  “I give Florida the credit, they did what they needed to do.” Bray said. “We lost a little juice in the end. It was disappointing. We knew it was going to be tough and we let it slip away.”         

  Coach Derek Dooley acknowledged mistakes in defense that led to Tennessee's defeat.

 Tyler Bray and Herman Lathers discuss the missed checks in Saturday's game.

Tennessee defeated Georgia State 51-13 at Neyland Stadium Saturday.   

    The University of Tennessee Volunteers scored their second victory in as many weeks after routing the Georgia State Panthers in a 51-13 route. The loss was the second of the season for the Panthers whose football program is now in its third year.

    “Tennessee’s execution was superb in the passing game,” said GS Coach Bill Curry. “They put us out of the game with their excellence in that regard. They put us on the run with their speed and execution.  

  The stats speak for themselves. UT quarterback Tyler Bray threw for 374 yards in passing compared to 176 by GS.  

   Bray directed the Vols downfield on their first possession.  Rajion Neal scored to give Tennessee a lead. Following a successful kick by Michael Palardy the score stood at 7-0.

  Georgia State retaliated with a drive downfield but was unable to reach the end zone. A field goal put the Panthers on the scoreboard making the score 7-3 at the end of the first quarter

  Bray threw a 19 yard pass to Mychal Rivera who ran in a touchdown. The extra point was kicked by Palardy making the score 14-3.

  The Panthers picked up another field goal in the second quarter making the score 14-6.

  Tennessee began a nine play drive covering 28 yards to score another touchdown and an extra point making the score 21-6. With 2:10 left in the half Bray passed to Justin Hunter to score. Palardy scored the extra point ending the half at 28-6.

  The Vols scored 13 in the third quarter making the score 41-6. The Vols continued to rack up the yardage and scored 10 in the fourth quarter. The Panthers showed some signs of life late in the fourth scoring their only TD and extra point of the game making the final score 51-13.

   Bray moved into seventh place on Tennessee's all-time passing list and tossed four touchdown passes.  Three of those scoring strikes went to Justin Hunter, who had not scored in almost a year since injuring his knee against Florida a year ago.

     The win makes the Vols 2-0 heading into their SEC opener against Florida next Saturday at Neyland Stadium.  The Gators are also 2-0.

   Curry attributed his team’s lackluster performance to “mistakes.”

   “We had five or six errors on center quarterback. It’s unspeakable to think about.”   

Marlin Lane picks up a 1st down after a 12 yard gain on this pass reception.

Quenshaun Watson heads to the end zone for the Vol's final TD of the game. 

  Tyler Bray completed 28 passes for 374 yards.

NORMAN, Okla. --- Tusculum College’s David Talley and Justin Harvey have been named to the 2011-12 NCAA Division II Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar Team.

Talley and Harvey are two of 52 Division II golfers in the nation to be recognized by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). To be eligible, an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least two full years at the collegiate level, participate in 70 percent of his team’s competitive rounds and have a stroke average under 78.0 and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2. Honorees must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.

Talley, a rising senior from Bristol, Va., currently has 3.75 GPA while majoring in political science. He is also a member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List and the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List.

Talley finished second on the team with his 75.79 stroke average, while recording five top 20 finishes in his nine events. The Virginia High School graduate finished runner-up at the Honda Columbia Classic this past fall and also recorded a fourth place showing at the Tusculum Invitational.

Talley will be entering his final collegiate campaign this fall with a 75.63 career scoring average, which is currently the seventh lowest in school history.

Harvey, a native of Kingsport, Tenn., has a 3.22 GPA while majoring in mathematics and math education. The Dobyns-Bennett alum is also a member of the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

Harvey finished fifth on the team with his 76.58 scoring average, while playing in all nine events for the Pioneers. He accounted for three top 10 performances, including a runner-up performance at the Tusculum Invitational and a third place showing at the Anderson Invitational. He wrapped up his TC playing career with a 76,83 scoring average (13^th in TC history).

Talley and Harvey are the only two representatives from the South Atlantic Conference on his prestigious list. They also become only the sixth and seventh players in program history to earn this honor, joining Tim Dalton (2000-01, 2001-02), Chase Carroll (2007-08, 2008-09), Darren Christie (2008-09), Luke Fullen (2009-10, 2010-11) and Lawson George (2009-10, 2010-11).

The Pioneers recorded a pair of team tournament titles this past season, winning at the Anderson Invitational and the Tusculum Invitational. TC also posted runner-up finishes at the Honda Columbia Classic and the Tusculum Fall Classic.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of 10 colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

It’s the event that heralds the opening of football season in East Tennessee, the 4^th annual Smoky Mountain Kick-Off Jamboree will be held at Sevier County High School on Friday, August 10. The official kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Participating teams will include the Sevier County High School Smoky Bears, the Seymour High School Eagles, the Pigeon Forge High School Tigers and the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Highlanders.

 The Jamboree gives area high school fans an opportunity to watch the teams in action as they prepare for the 2012 season. Cheerleaders will be present to cheer on their teams and sell souvenir programs featuring all teams. Prior to kick-off the four school bands will take the field and collaborate in jointly performing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

 The  Seymour Eagles freshmen will play  Sevier County Smoky Bears freshmen. The  Gatlinburg-Pittman junior varsity will square off against the Seymour junior varsity. The Sevier County junior varsity will take the field against the. Pigeon Forge junior varsity followed by a  halftime skills competition. The  Gatlinburg-Pittman Varsity will play  the Seymour Jr. Varsity followed by the  Sevier County Varsity against the  Pigeon Forge Varisty.

 Admission to the jamboree is $5 per person. Admission for Preschoolers is free. Advanced tickets will be available at all four high schools. All proceeds will help to offset the cost of catastrophic  insurance coverage for athletic programs in the Sevier County School System.

 For more information about the Jamboree call Mike Helton at 865-453-4671.    

 The Blount County Jamboree will be held August 10 at Heritage High School at  7 p.m.  The opening game will pit  Alcoa against William Blount.  Maryville will play Heritage followed by a skills competition between  Heritage and Greenback.

 The Roane County Jamboree will be held  August 10 at Rockwood High School at  7:30 p.m.

 Midway will play Sunbright. Oliver Springs will play Harriman followed by a game between Kingston and Oneida. Rockwood will take the field against Oakdale.

  The Knoxville High School Football Jamboree will be held  Thursday, August  9 at Neyland Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for  6 p.m.

 On the schedule is The King's Academy vs. T.S.D.; Karns vs. Grace Christian; West vs. Carter; Catholic vs. Campbell Co; Webb vs. Fulton. Following the halftime activities Lenoir City will play Austin-East. Central will play Bearden. Farragut will take the field against Powell. Hardin Valley will play Gibbs and South-Doyle will take on Halls.

Football season is just around the corner and you don’t want to miss out on reserving your season tickets for 2012 Tusculum College gridiron campaign.

The 2012 Tusculum Football season tickets are on sale now on campus at Rankin Hall or you may download a season ticket application on the Internet at www.TusculumPioneers.com.

Season ticket prices are $100 for chair back seats and $70 for orange capped seats. Reserve your season tickets today!

The Pioneers will host five home games, which includes the Sep. 15 home opener against NCAA Division II Region runner-up North Greenville and the Nov. 3 regular-season home finale against archrival Carson-Newman. Other home opponents include Brevard (Sep. 29 - Homecoming), UNC Pembroke (Oct. 6) and Newberry (Oct. 20).

For more information, contact assistant athletic director Randy Loggins at (423) 636-7300 x-5292 or email at rloggins@tusculum.edu.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. --- Tusculum College quarterback Bo Cordell has been named one of the 117 national nominees for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team  announced officials Tuesday.

 The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation.

 From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams® – one comprising of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The 22 student-athletes named to the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September.

 Cordell, a redshirt junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of 65 players representing the combined group of NCAA FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA. He is also one of only three honorees from the South Atlantic Conference with Carson-Newman’s Kevin Day and Wingate’s Robbie Nallenweg.

 The 6-1, 185-pound signal caller had his 2011 campaign halted in the third game of the season when he suffered a fractured foot against North Greenville.

 Cordell led all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III) in total offensive yards per game, passing yards per game and completions per game in 2010. He was named the 2010 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes the Division II National Player of the Year. He was also named the State College Football Player of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

 He was named the 2010 NCAA II National Statistical Champion for total offensive yards per game (425.45 ypg), passing yards per game (423.36 ypg), completions per game (35.82 cpg) and points responsible for per game (26.00 ppg).

 The 2010 Daktronics and Football Gazette All-Super Region 2 First Team honoree passed for a school and SAC record 4,657 yards, which was third in NCAA II and fifth most for all NCAA divisions. Cordell threw for 38 touchdowns, a new school single-season mark and the 25th most in NCAA II history. He also established school and SAC records with 394 completions (3rd in NCAA II history), 605 pass attempts (3rd in NCAA II history) and 702 total offensive attempts (3rd in NCAA II history). He was also named to the D2Football.com and Football Gazette All-America teams.

 The Indian Hill High School graduate passed for over 400 yards in nine consecutive games in 2010, which is a new TC, SAC and NCAA II record. He was named SAC Offensive Player of the Week four times this year and twice honored as national offensive player of the week by D2football.com and D2 Sports Insider.

 Cordell enters this season as the program's all-time leader in pass completions (778) and second in career passing yards (9,101 - 7th in SAC history), pass attempts (1207), TD passes (64), total offensive yards (9,003 - 7th in SAC history), total offensive attempts (1,407) and .645 career completion percentage (778-of-1207). He owns 12 of the top-18 single-game passing yardage performances in school history, including the top four.

 Off the field, Cordell has been very active within the community including: Tusculum College Mentors Program, Earth Day, Lunch Buddies Program, Boys and Girls Club Youth Football Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Cincinnati Homeless Soup Kitchen, Holston Home for Children, Adopt-a-Highway Program and the Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Council.

 Cordell is a member of the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and is majoring in business. He was also the 2011 recipient of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Outstanding Achievement Award.

 This year marks the program’s 21^st year honoring college football players at all levels of competition, which stand out for their “good works” in the community. Since 1992, selection to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has become the gold standard for off-the-field character and leadership for college football players. The honor is widely considered the sport’s pre-eminent community service award.

 “After looking through the list of nominees for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, we are recognizing some of the best student-athletes in all of college football,” said Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. “These 117 nominees understand the impact each of them has on their schools and communities, and it gives me great pleasure in recognizing their efforts for what they stand for, and what they mean to college football.”

 The 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team voting panel includes: former Good Works Team members Alex Van Pelt (Pittsburgh, 1992 team), Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Grant Irons (Notre Dame, 1999 team), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team); media members Lou Holtz (ESPN), Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Tom O’Toole (USA Today), Andy Staples (SI.com), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); current AFCA President and Harvard University Head Coach Tim Murphy; 1987 AFCA President LaVell Edwards, former head coach at Brigham Young University; and Kathy Mabe, President, West Regions at Allstate.

 In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing.

 Cordell will be looking to become the third Pioneer to earn a spot on the AFCA Good Works Team®. Former All-American linebacker Craig Pritchett (2003) and Academic All-America® placekicker Glen Black (2006) were the previous recipients of this prestigious honor.

 Tusculum will kick off the 2012 campaign on Sept. 1 as the Pioneers travel to Urbana University for a noon kickoff in Urbana, Ohio.

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – After two sub-par seasons on the hardwood the last couple years, veteran Walters State men’s basketball coach Bill Carlyle and assistant
coach Darrian Jones went back to the drawing board before putting together this season’s recruiting class.

When evaluating the returning talent and looking back at past team’s successes,Carlyle felt he needed to get back to a team that more resembled his high octane offense and hard-nosed defensive teams of the past. With this year’s signing class of 14 players, he feels he has a team to do just that.

“When you look back at our teams that were the most successful, we have been able to run the floor on offense and score from anywhere, and we have played tough defense,” Carlyle said. “We kind of got away from that the last couple years and it has hurt us. Now we feel like we are back where we need to be roster wise.”

The talented group coming to Morristown this fall is high on talent but short on size, but Carlyle said that the overall athleticism of the group will make up for the size difference.

“I feel like we have done a really good job in recruiting and are bringing in a group of kids that can really play,” Carlyle said. “We addressed some need areas and have a lot of athletes in this class. We don’t have a lot of size, but we have athleticism, speed and more importantly scorers.”

Filling roles at guard will be Dyer County’s Fred Yarbrough and Cedarius Taylor, 
Franklin (TN) County’s Blake Stephens, Franklin (NC) County’s Jeb Brewer, Memphis Sheffield’s Jaquize Harmon, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett’s Tyler Ailshie and Memphis Overton’s Darrius White, who averaged 26.7 points per game to lead the Shelby County area.

“The guards we were able to sign will immediately help us with our production on perimeter shooting and distributing the basketball,” Carlyle said. “We have some scorers, some really good point guards and several guys that can play different positions on the perimeter.”

At forward and post will be Warner Robbins, Ga., native Denard Williams, Tampa product Elgrin Wilson, Gatlinburg-Pittman graduate and Hutchinson Community College transfer Morrease Barber, Hardin Valley’s Tevin Gunn, Lebanon product Cameron High, Jacksonville native Kelvin Key and Tallahassee Godby High graduate Willie Holloway. High was the leading scorer in the Nashville area last season.

“Despite not having the type of size we normally have down low, we have guys that are athletic enough to get up and down the floor,” Carlyle said. “Our goal is to get into more of a transition game with more dribble drives and get away from as many set plays, and the speed and quickness of some of these guys will help us do that.”

The 14 recruits will join returnees Tony Wilkerson, Anthony Sanders, Dedron Pillow, Leland Robinson and Jeff Simpson to form what Carlyle believes could be a contender in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association.

“As always, I’m looking forward to seeing how this team looks on the floor when you put them with the guys that we have returning,” Carlyle said. “I feel like we have a good chance to be competitive in the conference this season, but it’s all going to depend on how well the team gels and comes together. If they can do it quickly, they have a chance to be really good.”
 

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. --- Six Tusculum College women’s golfers have been named to the 2011-2012 National Golf Coaches Association Division II All-American Scholar Team. Selected from Tusculum are Jillian Corum, Alec Cunningham, Katie Doane, Emee Herbert, Sara Howard and Haley Rye.

 Tusculum’s six honorees are the second most in the nation, just one off the pace set by Angelo State University (7).

 Criteria for the NGCA All-America Scholar Team includes having a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50.

 The Pioneers boast an impressive 3.64 team grade point average, which was the second highest of Tusculum’s 14 intercollegiate sports and the best amongst the 10 South Atlantic Conference women’s golf programs.

 Corum, a rising senior from Knoxville, Tenn., competed in 24 rounds for the Pioneers this season and averaged 77.58 strokes per round to rank second on the team, third in the South Atlantic Conference and second-best in program history. She accounted for nine top 20 performances, including six in the top 10. One of those top finishes was her medalist victory at the Agnes McAmis Memorial were she carded a school 36-hole record 141, while claiming her school record fourth individual title.

 Corum, who was named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Division II Women’s At-Large Team, is also ranked in seven Golfstat DII statistical categories including: second in par five scoring (5.00), 14th in subpar strokes per round (2.05), 30th in birdies (43), 40th in score versus par (+5.71), 42nd in scoring average (77.58), 46th in par four scoring (4.41) and 76th in par 3 scoring (3.38).

 The Knoxville, Tenn. native was named to the All-SAC First Team and finished eighth at the SAC Championship to claim All-Tournament honors for a second straight year. Corum is a three-time team Most Valuable Player and has the best career stroke average in school history at 80.38.

 Academically, Corum has a 3.63 cumulative grade-point average as a business administration major at Tusculum.

 Doane, a native of Sevierville, Tenn. (Pigeon Forge HS), returns to the NGCA All-America Scholar Team for a fourth straight year. Doane, who graduated from Tusculum this past May, recorded an 82.46 stroke average which is the 13th-best in school history. She caps an outstanding collegiate career, where she posted an 85.23 average for the ninth lowest in TC history.

 Doane is a four-time member of the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List and Charles Oliver Gray Honors List. She has the highest cumulative GPA on the team at 3.9, including a perfect 4.00 GPA in her final semester, while majoring in business administration.

 Cunningham, a rising sophomore from Knoxville, Tenn. (Catholic HS), is making her inaugural showing on the NGCA All-America Scholar Team. She finished sixth with her 84.4 scoring average in her six events, including a pair of top 30 performances. She tied for 28^th at the Tusculum/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate and 29^th at the Tusculum Fall Classic.

 Cunningham is majoring in journalism with a 3.71 GPA and is a member of the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the TC Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

 Herbert, a rising sophomore from Johns Creek, Ga., is also making her first appearance on the NGCA All-America Scholar Team.

 The Greater Atlanta Christian High School graduate posted the best rookie campaign in school history. She finished ranked in seven individual national categories, including: 25th in stroke average (76.71), 13th in par five scoring (5.08), 19th in par three scoring (3.24), 27th in score versus par (+4.78), 32nd in subpar strokes per round (1.77), 35th in par four scoring (4.37) and 41st in birdies (39).

 Herbert, the 2012 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year, finished in the top 20 in 10 of her 11 events, including eight top-10 performances and four in the top five. The All-SAC First Team selection finished runner-up at the Anderson Invitational and the Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate. She also finished third at the Flagler Fall Slam and the South Atlantic Conference Championship.

 At the NCAA Division II South Regional, Herbert finished in sole possession of ninth place with 74-78-72=224 (+8) as she finished one shot out of a playoff for the final individual spot to advance to the NCAA National Championship. Herbert’s 54-hole score of 224 is the lowest in school history and the third-best by a SAC golfer.

 Earlier this summer, she went 5-0 in her match play events, including a 3 & 1 victory over Rika Park of the University of Miami, to win the 2012 Women’s Southern Amateur in Charlotte, N.C. She also qualified for the round of 64 at the Western Amateur Golf Championship last month.

 Herbert has a 3.56 GPA while majoring in psychology and is a member of the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

 Howard returns to the NGCA All-America Scholar Team for a second straight year. The Knoxville, Tenn. rising junior finished 74th in the country in par five scoring (5.36) and 86th in subpar strokes per round (1.23). Howard was fourth on the team with her 81.25 scoring average, which is the eighth lowest ever by a Pioneer. She lowered her two-year stroke average to 81.70 which is currently the second lowest in school history (min. 2,000 strokes).

 Howard has a 3.50 GPA and is a biology major with a minor in chemistry. The South Doyle High School graduate is a member of the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s List.

 Rye, a native of Cumberland City, Tenn., graduated from Tusculum in May with Bachelor’s degree while majoring in elementary education. She is making her second appearance on the NGCA All-America Scholar Team after finishing with a 3.67 GPA, including 4.00 in her last semester. The Montgomery Central High School product finished seventh on the team with an 85.2 scoring average, including a 35^th place finish at the Tusculum Fall Classic. She ends her Tusculum career with an 87.02 stroke average, which is currently 11^th in school history.

 Rye is a member of the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the TC Dean’s List.

Tusculum accounted for over half of the 11 honorees representing the South Atlantic Conference on the NGCA Scholar Team.

 Tusculum enjoyed an outstanding season as the Pioneers finished in the top five in nine of its 11 events, including two tournament victories and the program’s first-ever NCAA II Tournament appearance.

 Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of 10 colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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MORRISTOWN, Tenn. --- The Walters State Community College softball team and golf coach Bill Gardner were recognized for outstanding achievement in the 2011-12 season recently.

The Lady Senators softball team was named a 2011-12 NJCAA All-Academic Team for maintaining a minimum of a combined 3.0 GPA as a team for the scholastic year. Walters State's softball team had the highest GPA of all institutions in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association, and they were joined by
Chattanooga State and Cleveland State as All-Academic Teams.

The Lady Senators, coached by Larry Sauceman, finished the athletic season with a 46-7 record and a runner-up finish in the TCCAA tournament to eventual national champion Chattanooga State.

In golf news, veteran coach Bill Gardner was honored recently by being named the Eaton Golf Pride NJCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year. Gardner took young team and led them to a ranking as high as fourth in the nation this season while winning one tournament against all four-year school competition.

The Senators also finished sixth in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in late May in Plymouth, Ind., rounding out another successful season on the links.

 Tusculum College’s Jenny Grant has been named to the 2011-2012 Capital One Academic All-America® Division II Women’s Cross Country/Track Third Team, as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Grant, a junior from Franklin, Tenn., becomes the third female runner in Tusculum cross country history to garner Academic All-America® distinction, joining Heather Rhoton (1999-2000) and Sarah Alston (2006-2007).

Grant boasts a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Psychology.

Grant proved to be Tusculum’s most consistent competitors on the Pioneer squad in 2011. She finished in the top-30 on two occasions, including a 17th place finish at the Maryville Invitational and 26th at the Guilford College Cross Country Festival. The two-time team most valuable runner followed with her best 5K time of the year at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational with a time of 23:13.3 to finish 49th. She was also TC’s top finisher at the South Atlantic Conference Championship posting a 54th place finish.

She is a member SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, the Dean’s List, Charles Olive Gray Honors List, the Tusculum President’s List and Alpha Chi Honor Society. She is a two-time recipient of the Duffield Award, which honors the Tusculum student-athlete the highest GPA.

In the classroom, she is involved in research with the Psychology Department and presented her findings at the 2012 Southeastern Psychology Association (SEPA) National Conference.

In the community, Grant serves as a peer tutor and is a member of the President’s Society where she serves as a student ambassador, provides campus tours to prospective students and represents students at Presidential board meetings. She also serves as president of the Resident Hall Association and is a member of the TC Track & Field Club.

Other community service activities includes: Voices Against Violence, Psychology Club, International & Multicultural Club, Plaza Towers Retirement Home volunteer, New Hope Cemetery volunteer and the Southeastern Guide Dogs Association, where she has assisted with the raising of a guide dog for those in need.

Within the athletic department, she serves as vice president of the Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Council (PSAAC) and is also on the Tusculum Student Government Judicial Board.

Grant becomes the sixth Tusculum student-athlete to earn Academic All-America® honors this year, joining Cody Coffman (baseball), Jillian Corum (women’s golf), Taylor Rakes (baseball), Ashley Sarmiento (volleyball) and Luis Zamora (men’s tennis).

This is the first year of the expanded Academic All-America® program as CoSIDA moves from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non-Division I) and doubles the number of scholar-athletes honored. The teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.

The Capital One Division II and III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2011-12 DII and DIII Academic All-America® teams program.

Another student from the King’s Academy in Seymour  has won a college scholarship in athletics. Clarence Sandjon is a 5’11” forward from Cameroon, Africa.  She has played one year at TKA where she averages 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2 steals a game.  She shot 40% from the field and 65% from the line.

   Sandjon  signed with Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia  where she will play for the Lady Bears. She plans to study computer programming.

“We were very blessed to have Clarence as a Lady Lion on and off the court for the 2011-12 school year,” said Head Coach  Mark Koss . “Her work ethic, coachability, and unselfishness allowed her to contribute right away.  The triple threat of Clarence, Aubin Fowler, and Cheyenne Tillman had  TSSAA Div. II-A rivals taking notice that The King’s Academy girls were a threat to win on any given night.  It was a privilege to coach Clarence and watch her develop during the season.  We feel that her best playing days are ahead of her and that Truett-McConnell College will be blessed for recruiting a well-rounded student athlete.” 

While her departure from TKA will be bittersweet for Sandjon, she is looking forward to making a contribution to the Lady Bears and her homeland.

“The King’s Academy is like my second family.  I met so many awesome people here and awesome teachers who care about students,” Sandjon said. “I met many friends from different countries.  TKA has helped me to grow up academically, spiritually, and emotionally.”

  “I want to major in computer sciences and then go back to my country and to contribute to its development.”

“I am feeling confident about my decision to become a Lady Bear.  I know it is a safe place and I feel like I will grow as a person there.”

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – For the second straight day, the Walters State golf team turned in a score higher than the previous round at the NJCAA National Tournament at Swan Lake Resort. And for the second straight day, the Senators moved up the leaderboard.

The fourth ranked Senators will enter Friday’s final round with a top five position within reach after firing a third round score of 312 to end the day at 919 (55-over par) and in solo sixth place with 18 holes to play.

South Mountain made a strong move to secure a national title by building a 22-shot lead going into the final round. The Cougars stand at 876 (12-over), resting second place Tyler (898). John A. Logan is third at 899, followed by Southeast Nebraska (900), Mississippi Gulf Coast (904), Walters State (919), Black Hawk (921), Kirkwood (921), Mott (922) and Columbus State (924) in the top 10 of the 19-team event.

Jack Gillespie fired a third round 74 after a pair of 76s to move into All-American contention, as he is tied for 17th at 226 (10-over par). Zach Briggs shot a second consecutive 79 to end the day tied for 46th at 231 after an opening 73. Matthew Chambers is a shot behind in a tie for 52nd at 232 (75-76-81), while Rafael Jackson is tied for 71st at 235 (79-75-81). Chase Atkins is tied for 86th at 238 (77-83-78).

Jimmy Kozikowski of South Mountain and Ryan Mulvany of Tyler are tied for the individual lead at 215 (1-under par).

The Senators are scheduled to begin their final round at 11:48 a.m. Friday, as they will be paired with Southeast Nebraska and Mississippi Gulf Coast.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Tusculum College’s Emee Herbert has advanced to the championship match of the 97th annual Women’s Southern Amateur Golf Championship, held this week at Myers Park Country Club.

     Herbert, a native of Johns Creek, Ga., won her quarterfinal and semifinal matches on Thursday and will face Rika Park of the University of Miami on Friday at 8 a.m. in a 36-hole match to decide one of the prestigious amateur titles in the region.

 Herbert opened the day with 3 & 2 win over Kathryn Fowler of the University of Mississippi in Thursday’s morning match. Herbert followed with a 2 up victory over Maia Schechter of the University of North Carolina in the afternoon semifinal to punch her ticket for Friday’s showdown with Park.

     Park is a rising sophomore on the Miami golf team where she qualified as an individual competitor at the NCAA Central Regional

     Herbert got to the Round of 16 at the Southern Amateur with her 3 & 2 win over Mary Beth Ramsay on Tuesday to start the match play portion of the championship. Herbert carded a 76 on Monday in the qualifying portion of the event to advance to the championship flight. The tournament field began with 86 participants competing to make the top 32 and continue play for the elusive championship. Last year, Calle Nielson of the University of Virginia took home the trophy.

     Herbert just completed an outstanding rookie season at Tusculum, where she carded the lowest stroke average in Tusculum single-season history. Her 76.71 scoring average was the second lowest in the South Atlantic Conference this year.

     The 2012 SAC Freshman of the Year finished in the top 20 in 10 of her 11 events, including eight top-10 performances and four in the top five. The All-SAC First Team selection finished runner-up at the Anderson Invitational and the Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate. She also finished third at the Flagler Fall Slam and the South Atlantic Conference Championship.

      At the NCAA Division II South Regional in Pace, Fla. earlier this month, Herbert finished in sole possession of ninth place with 74-78-72=224 (+8) as she finished one shot out of a playoff for the final individual spot to advance to the NCAA National Championship. Herbert’s 54-hole score of 224 is the lowest in school history and the third-best by a South Atlantic Conference golfer.

      Herbert is also an outstanding student-athlete as she is majoring in Psychology and is a member of the Tusculum Athletic Director’s Honor and the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Hannah Johnson recently signed to play soccer for Wesleyan College. (Seated) -  Pamela Johnson, Hannah Johnson, and Raymond Johnson. (Standing) –School Director Steve Sharp, Sarah Johnson, Coach Paul Mobley, Athletic Director Dan Kirkpatrick.

 Hannah Johnson, a student of The King's Academy, was recently signed to play soccer at Tennessee Wesleyan College Lady Bulldogs. In her four year career at TKA, Hannah racked up an impressive career total of 46 goals 32 assists and 162 shots in 55 games played.

   During her freshman and sophomore years Hannah won Best Defense Award. She went on to win the Playmaker Award in her junior and senior yaers as well as Best Offense and MVP.

   “Hannah is extremely hard to get by 1 on 1," said Coach Paul Mobley. "On the defensive end of the field. She can dribble by just about anyone. Has a great eye for the whole field and makes very accurate and well timed passes. She is also a great finisher. She is one of the most versatile, fun to watch, amazingly talented players I have ever had the privileged to coach.”

    Leaving the school will be bittersweet for Johnson having been a student at the school since the 3rd grade. 

   “ I feel great about attending TWC. I definitely feel like its where I need to be, and where God is calling me to be,“ Johnson said. “I have been at The King’s Academy since 3^rd grade so I have grown up here. I believe TKA has made me the person I am today being able to hear about Christ has made me a different and better person. “

 “I look forward to playing soccer at TWC and being a Lady Bulldog. I plan on majoring in nursing and minor in Spanish, and hopefully one day I will be able to move to Guatemala, and serve the Lord through nursing.”