By Steve Williams Jeff Francis resigned as sideline reporter for the Vol Network in 2007 to spend more time with his family. Much of that time has been coaching his sons’ football teams. This season was Francis’ ninth coaching youth football and it was highlighted by his West team of 11 year old players winning […]
By Steve Williams When a punter or placekicker is a team’s most valuable player, that’s usually a tell-tale sign that it hasn’t been a banner season for the team. It could mean there were too many failed third-down conversions, resulting in punting situations instead of first downs. In the case of a placekicker, it could […]
By Steve Williams Are these Fulton Falcons the greatest Knoxville high school football team of all time? Answer: Yes, if. To earn such a great distinction, Fulton must win the state championship. One slip-up, and the Falcons’ argument for “best ever” wouldn’t hold up against five former Knoxville teams that finished undefeated with a state […]
By Steve Williams Just like Tennessee’s football program is trying to end a bowl drought this season, the basketball Vols are aiming to make it back to the NCAA tournament. I’m not going to say Cuonzo Martin is on the hot seat, but it is very important for him to be dancing come March. Another […]
Gibbs High junior to run at Pomona in NHRA finals By Steve Williams California, Here I Come! That’s the feeling around Dylan Kiser’s family these days. Kiser’s outstanding career as a junior drag racer ended quietly in the National Hot Rod Association Division 2 Bracket Finals October 3-6 in Atlanta, but before that weekend was […]
By Steve Williams It’s halftime of the 2013 University of Tennessee football season and the Vols are 3-3. That’s no big surprise. But UT easily could be 5-1 right now and 2-0 in Southeastern Conference. On the other hand, they could be 2-4 overall. Let’s look back. Tennessee began the Butch Jones era against Austin […]
By Steve Williams Another high school football season is almost upon us. Three weeks from now, without fail, the summer temperatures will drop and there will be a nip in the air, just in time for opening kickoffs. Teams have been preparing since the week of July 8, after the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s […]
By Steve Williams A Tiny comment could create a big fuss in November The message on the sign at the Washington Pike Baptist Church was meant for everyone and folks in every walk of life, but I quickly applied it to football when I read it driving by last Monday. After all, the annual SEC […]
By Steve Williams Dennis Troutman’s athletic resume was so impressive this past school year, Austin-East High School changed tradition and named him its overall Athlete of the Year, said athletic director Alvin Armstead. In past years, A-E has selected both male and female athletes of the year. Troutman lettered in five sports, which is almost […]
By Steve Williams It is a special group, made up of talented young athletes. But in many cases, the field of play is not the only place where they shine. The Knoxville Focus today recognizes 35 Athletes of the Year – 18 males and 17 females – from 19 high schools in Knox County. Athletic […]
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