Code Orange

My former high school, Sullivan South, is in the Tennessee State semifinals for only the 2nd time in it’s history.  The first time was in 1993 when a RB/DB combo player named Jeremy Osborne carried the team to a 12-0 record into that game - the last time Sullivan South finished the regular season undefeated.  Osborne ended up going to Furman, one of the few Division I prospects to come out of this northeast Tennessee high school.

Well, tonight once again South is in the semifinals, though this time they aren’t undefeated - they’re 12-1, having avenged their only loss of the season last week in the quarterfinals against Greeneville 41-21.  This team is also lead by a Division I commit - Curt Phillips - who has been described as Tennessee High School’s Tim Tebow, and is heading off to play at Wisconsin next year.  He’s also a Mr. Football finalist in the state, having scored at least 21 points in every single game this season.  He has 3,788 total yards this season - 1,748 on the ground and 2,040 in the air.  He also has 36 rushing touchdowns and 17 passing touchdowns to 7 interceptions this season (that’s 53 total touchdowns if you don’t feel like doing the math).

However, like in 1993 when they were faced 2-time state champion Cleveland - who ultimately defeated South 28-0 - they play 3-time defending champion Maryville this time.  Maryville is a team who has won 6 of the 7 seven state titles and ride a 58 game winning streak into this game.  Their last loss was in the 2003 state semifinals by a field goal.  Maryville too has a Mr. Football finalist - Brent Burnette -  Maryville’s senior quarterback who is very pass happy - and very good at it hitting 200 of 291 passes this season.  He’s looking at possibly going to UNC, Virginia, and MTSU.

With the biggest threat in the west half of the state (Hillsboro) eliminated last week, the winner of this semifinal should be favored in win the state title next week in Murfreesboro.   However, this game may also determine who will win the Mr. Football award at the back position in Class 4A.

If I can find this game on the radio anywhere online I’ll try to blog it, but prospects seem rather dim on that front (unless I want to pay for it).