Westwood’s Lady Rockets are one win away from a perfect conference season.
Three Lady Rockets scored double-figures and Westwood put a 46-12 beating on Cascade in the semi-finals of the DRVC Tournament Wednesday night in Wartrace. The win advances the Lady Rockets to the championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cascade. WMS will play the winner of Community and Liberty.
In the semi-finals Wednesday night, the Lady Rockets left no doubt. They jumped out to a 27-3 lead by halftime and cruised in the final two periods. Jules Ferrell led the way with 15 points, followed by 13 from Reece Finch and 12 from Audri Patton. Ziya Dillard, Bailey Barsenas and CeCe Burgess pitched in 2 points apiece.
Titans Tannehill named AFC offensive player of the week
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Texans in Week 18.
Tannehill completed 23 of 32 passes for 287 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the team’s 28-25 win. His 138.9 passer rating was the fifth-best of his career in a game with the qualifying minimum of 20 attempts, and his four touchdown passes tied his career high.
Tannehill extended his streak to a career-best 15 consecutive games with at least one passing or rushing touchdown.
This is Tannehill’s third career Offensive Player of the Week award and second with the Titans:
2015: Week 7 (with Miami)
2019: Week 14 (with Tennessee)
2021: Week 18 (with Tennessee)
He joins Marcus Mariota (four-time winner), Steve McNair (four) and Vince Young (two) as Tennessee quarterbacks to earn the honor multiple times.
Tannehill becomes the first former Texas A&M Aggie to win three Offensive Player of the Week award.
In 2021, Tannehill became the only quarterback other than Warren Moon (1989–1991) to record multiple seasons with at least 3,500 passing yards with the franchise. He finished the regular season with 3,734 yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, completing 357 of his 531 passes (89.6 passer rating), and his passing yardage total ranked fourth in franchise history.
After claiming the No.1 seed in the AFC, the Titans return to action in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on January 22-23 at Nissan Stadium against an opponent to be determined.
HEAR THE TITANS IN COFFEE COUNTY EXCLUSIVELY ON THUNDER RADIO – LISTED BY REALTOR CHARLIE GONZALES. 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM.
Predators drop Avalanche in OT Tuesday night
In arguably the most entertaining game of the season, the Predators found a way to prevail once more.
Luke Kunin and Matt Duchene each scored twice – with Duchene’s second serving as the overtime winner – as Nashville defeated the Colorado Avalanche by a 5-4 final on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. The result extends Nashville’s win streak to five games and keeps them atop the Central Division and the Western Conference with 50 points in the standings.
Tanner Jeannot also tallied on the night for his rookie-leading 12th of the season, and goaltender Juuse Saros finished with 40 saves once again to give his club their 24th victory on the campaign.
Jeannot didn’t wait long – just 2:32 into the contest – to snap a shot from the slot past Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper and just barely over the goal line for a 1-0 lead. Then, with 56 seconds to play in the opening frame, Kunin gave Nashville a two-goal lead when he also scored from the slot for his first of the night.
Saros became the third goaltender in franchise history to reach the 20-win mark in 30 appearances or fewer, joining Pekka Rinne in 2014-15 (27 GP) and Tomas Vokoun in 2005-06 (30 GP).
The Predators reached the 50-point mark in 37 games or fewer for the fourth time in franchise history, following 2005-06 (34 GP; 24-7-3, 51 points), 2006-07 (36 GP; 24-9-3, 51 points) and 2014-15 (36 GP; 24-9-3, 51 points).
Tuesday Storyline:
The calendar read Jan. 11, but Tuesday’s back-and-forth affair between two of the best in the West had a bit of a postseason feel nevertheless.
Hours earlier, the Preds were billing the meeting with the Avs as a “measuring-stick game,” a chance to see how they compared to a club many have picked as Stanley Cup favorites. The result was a highly entertaining night of hockey that went the home team’s way, much to the delight of the 17,159 who saw one heck of a showing.
“The big takeaways out of this game for me, I really liked our mindset to be able to start the game and the preparation, the competitive mindset that we had coming into the game,” Preds Head Coach John Hynes said. “We’re in a situation where they were able to tie it three times in the game, and you talk about the mental toughness and the resiliency and staying with it and understanding that these games, there’s going to be highs and lows, and I just liked our mindset. We just kept playing and doing the right things. These are tough games to be able to play in, and it’s one of the things we’ve talked with our team about is as we continue to move forward is trying to play our best against the best and finding different ways to win and really test ourselves, test our competitiveness, our structure, our mindset against the team like Colorado. And tonight we found a way to win.”
WRESTLING – Coffee County splits Tuesday matches
Coffee County wrestling split home matches on senior night Tuesday – beating Rockvale and falling to Tullahoma.
Tullahoma (TULL) 45.0 Coffee County (COFF) 27.0
145: Joshua Bowland (COFF) over Elijah Coleman (TULL) (Fall 2:53) 152: Jacob Barlow (COFF) over Jerzy Hendrix (TULL) (Dec 6-2) 160: Gavin Prater (COFF) over Jack Damron (TULL) (Fall 1:59) 170: Connor Avans (TULL) over Erik Foster (COFF) (Fall 1:13) 182: Cadan Avans (TULL) over Devin Judge (COFF) (Fall 1:03) 195: Brett Smith (TULL) over Ian Walker (COFF) (Dec 4-3) 220: Kolby McCormick (COFF) over Roark Konyndyk (TULL) (Fall 3:18) 285: Zech Swiger (TULL) over Blayne Myers (COFF) (Dec 4-2) 106: Justin Frank (TULL) over (COFF) (For.) 113: Jacob Morse (TULL) over (COFF) (For.) 120: Isaiah Reid (TULL) over (COFF) (For.) 126: Jeremiah Wardell (COFF) over (TULL) (For.) 132: Beau Banks (TULL) over Gabriel Westbrook (COFF) (Fall 0:00) 138: Caiden Mears (TULL) over Jamie Norris (COFF) (Dec 14-8)
Coffee County (COFF) 42.0 Rockvale (RKV) 37.0
132: Parker Sparks (RKV) over Gabriel Westbrook (COFF) (Fall 3:20) 138: Jamie Norris (COFF) over Logan Saller (RKV) (Fall 0:15) 145: Ian Ramirez (RKV) over Joshua Bowland (COFF) (MD 14-4) 152: Jacob Barlow (COFF) over Aden Clemons (RKV) (Fall 2:20) 160: Gavin Prater (COFF) over Donnie Geeting (RKV) (Fall 3:54) 170: Nazario Flores (COFF) over Jaden Cannon (RKV) (Fall 1:42) 182: Connor Hedges (RKV) over Devin Judge (COFF) (Fall 5:24) 195: Nicholaus Crowell (RKV) over Ian Walker (COFF) (Dec 4-0) 220: Kolby McCormick (COFF) over Makhai Minor (RKV) (Fall 5:59) 285: Blayne Myers (COFF) over Anthony Orellana (RKV) (Fall 0:51) 106: Taiv Molchan (RKV) over (COFF) (For.) 113: Eugene Hattabaugh (RKV) received a bye 120: Orion Humphrey (RKV) over (COFF) (For.) 126: Jeremiah Wardell (COFF) over Jerell Johnson (RKV) (Fall 1:59)
GIRLS RESULTS
Sara Crosslin (Coffee County High School (Girls)) – DNP Amiya Taylor-Hill (Tullahoma (Girls)) over Sara Crosslin (Coffee County High School (Girls)) (Fall 0:29) Sara Crosslin (Coffee County High School (Girls)) over Aubrie Johnson (Tullahoma (Girls)) (Fall 2:34)
Elizabeth Garner (Coffee County High School (Girls)) – DNP Zoe Holly (Tullahoma (Girls)) over Elizabeth Garner (Coffee County High School (Girls)) (Fall 0:43) Bryleigh Holder (Tullahoma (Girls)) over Elizabeth Garner (Coffee County High School (Girls)) (SV-1 7-5)
Lyra Leftwich (Coffee County High School (Girls)) – DNP Lyra Leftwich (Coffee County High School (Girls)) over Kaira Webb (Tullahoma (Girls)) (Fall 1:33) Lyra Leftwich (Coffee County High School (Girls)) over Ariyah Blake (Tullahoma (Girls)) (Fall 0:22)
Jade Lenhart (Coffee County High School (Girls)) – DNP Olivia Hogan (Tullahoma (Girls)) over Jade Lenhart (Coffee County High School (Girls)) (Fall 1:59) Jade Lenhart (Coffee County High School (Girls)) over Emma Brown (Tullahoma (Girls)) (Fall 5:41)
Lady Raiders hit dozen 3-pointers, roll in district opener
Coffee County’s Lady Raiders came out shooting and never let up in their district opener Tuesday.
Alivia Reel knocked down a pair of 3-pointers early and her teammates joined the party – Coffee County hit 12 3-pointers as a team to destroy Franklin County 67-30 at Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gymnasium.
Reel set the tone early with Coffee County’s first 8 points. She finished with 14, including a 4-for-4 night behind the 3-point line and was named Thunder Radio Broadcast Stone Fort Mortgage Player of the Game.
Almost everyone else joined in. Freshman Channah Gannon heated up behind the arc and finished with a game-high 17 points – including three 3-pointers. Olivia Vinson hit a pair of 3s to finish with 11 points and Jalie Ruehling knocked down two from deep and finished with 8 points. Chloe Gannon also hit a 3-pointer.
Kiya Ferrell scored 7 and Elli Chumley 5 for the Lady Raiders in the win, which marks their 12th straight to improve to 15-3. They are ranked no. 9 in the first state AP poll of the season.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST REPLAY.
The Lady Raiders play again Friday in Warren County. Tip is set for 6 p.m. for the girls with the boys to follow. If you plan to attend in person, you will need to purchase tickets digitally at gofan.co or by clicking here.
Thunder Radio will be there for the broadcast at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Bryleigh Gray 
Ava McIntosh 
Kaylee Suggs 
Jalie Ruehling (no. 12), coach Joe Pat Cope 
Ava McIntosh 
Kiya Ferrell 
Olivia Vinson 
Olivia Vinson 
Channah Gannon 
Olivia Vinson 
Elli Chumley 
Elli Chumley 
Coach Joe Pat Cope 
Alivia Reel 
Jalie Ruehling 
Chloe Gannon
Turnovers prove costly as Raiders drop district opener
Turnovers and foul trouble hurt the Coffee County Central Red Raiders at home Tuesday night as the Raiders dropped their District 6-4A opener – 65-55 to the Rebels of Franklin County.
Coffee County trailed by 9 at halftime and managed to cut the deficit to 4 on three separate occasions in the second half, including at the end of the third quarter when they trailed 36-32. But they were unable to get any closer and the Rebels were good enough at the free-throw line to keep the lead.
Coffee County turned the ball over 20 times on the night, which helped the Rebels score enough in transition. The Rebels also went to the free throw line 42 times, finishing 26-of-42. The Raiders were 17-of-29 at the line as both teams combined to go to the line 71 times.
Coffee County was led by Aidan Abellana, who battled through cramps to finish with 17 points. He was named the Thunder Radio Broadcast Stone Fort Mortgage Player of the Game.
Connor Shemwell added 13 and Phineas Rollman 10. Rollman, Brady Nugent and Dayne Crosslin all fouled out for the Raiders in the loss.
Shamar Lyons scored a game-high 21 points.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR BROADCAST REPLAY.
The loss drops Coffee County to 9-7 overall and 0-1 in District 6-4A play. The Raiders play again Friday in Warren County. Tip is set for 6 p.m. for the girls with the boys to follow. If you plan to attend in person, you will need to purchase tickets digitally at gofan.co or by clicking here.
Thunder Radio will be there for the broadcast at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Andrew Taylor 
Connor Shemwell 
Aidan Abellana 
Dayne Crosslin 
Brady Nugent
CMS Lady Raiders dominate in home finale; Raiders fall to Warren County
Coffee Middle’s Lady Raiders honored their 8th graders and last year’s TMSAA State Final Four team in style Monday night with a 46-18 drubbing of visiting Warren County.
Natalie Barnes led the way with a 19 point performance, followed by 13 from Ella Arnold. Jaydee Nogodula added 5 and Hayleigh Harris 4. The Lady Raiders dominated from the tip and never trailed. They led 24-9 at halftime and 35-13 after three quarters.
It was 8th grade night for CMS. The win improved the Lady Raiders to 16-2 overall and 10-1 in conference play. The school also chose this night to bring back and honor last year’s Lady Raiders – the CTC Champions who went on to reach the TMSAA Final Four (photo below).
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO! CLICK HERE TO CATCH THE AUDIO REPLAY.
Raider boys – 19, Warren County 41
Turnovers were costly for the Raider boys Monday, as CMS gave it away 17 times in a 41-19 loss.
The Raiders made a strong run late in the first half to cut a 22-2 deficit to 24-12 at halftime. But the Raiders were completely shut out in the third quarter and Warren county pulled away for the win.
The Raiders drop to 4-12 with the loss. Briar Summers scored 5 points for the Raiders to lead the way off the bench.
Both teams will play at Harris on Thursday to close the regular season. Tip at 6 p.m..
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE BOYS REPLAY.
BASKETBALL: Lady Raiders crack AP top 10
The first state Associated Press Girls Basketball poll of the season is out and the Coffee County Central Lady Raiders find themselves in the top 10.
The Lady Raiders and their 13-3 record are placed 9th in Tennessee by the AP voters. Meanwhile, district rival Warren County also cracked the top 10 at no. 10.
Blackman leads the poll at no. 1. Two of Coffee County’s 3 losses came to Blackman – by 9 points and 1 point, respectively.
The Lady Raiders will host Franklin County at 6 p.m. Tuesday in their District 6-4A opener. They will travel to Warren County at 6 p.m. Friday. Both games will be broadcast on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, thunder1320.com and Manchester Go App.
Tickets for Franklin County will be available at the gate. If you plan to attend the game at Warren County, you will need to purchase tickets digitally through gofan.co or by clicking here.
Judge signs wrestling scholarship
Coffee County Central senior wrestler Devin Judge now has a home for college.
In front of friends, family and teammates Monday, Judge signed his letter of intent to wrestle at Bluefield State in West Virginia.
“I love wrestling, it’s really my passion,” said Judge.
Judge selected Bluefield State after multiple conversations with colleges that were facilitated through a recruiting service.
“I settled on Bluefield … it was kind of personal for me,” explained Judge. “I feel like I can become a better man there.”
Judge will major in Industrial Engineering.
“Big thank you to coach (Roger) Barlow, coach Randall (Jennings) and my teammates and my parents,” said Judge.
Titans lock up no. 1 seed with Sunday win over Texans
AFC South champs. ✅
No.1 seed in the AFC. ✅.
Now, it’s on to the playoffs for the Tennessee Titans, who took care of business with a 28-25 win over the Texans here on Sunday before a crowd dominated by Titans fans at NRG Stadium.
The tone after the game: Celebrate, but not too much.
“You celebrate a win,” Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan said. “(And) we accomplished in the season what we wanted to accomplish. However it looked, we did it. Finishing as the No. 1 seed, it’s awesome. But it’s for real now.
“We have to clean up a bunch of stuff and get ready to play some ball in two weeks.”
The win gave the franchise its first 12-win season for the first time since 2008, when those Titans went 13-3.
The win also gave the 12-5 Titans a 5-1 division record for the second straight year.
Most importantly, the win gave the Titans the No.1 seed in the AFC – and a first-round playoff bye.
“We took care of business and put ourselves in a good position,” Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “That’s all it is: A good position. We have to go out and play our best football here in the coming weeks. That’s what great teams do. That’s what the team that ultimately wins the whole thing will do, is play their best football and win games in January into February.”
While other teams open playoff action next weekend, the Titans will have the weekend off.
They’ll play the weekend of January 22-23 at Nissan Stadium vs an opponent to be determined.
“We are a No.1 seed, and these things don’t happen that often,” Titans safety Kevin Byard said. “It’s very significant. We’ve got guys in the locker room that’s never been a No. 1 seed, and been in the league 10-plus years. So we definitely have to relish in this moment, and understand that this is big time.
“… It’s going to be great to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, because the way our Titans fans traveled today, I would definitely expect them to be packing out Nissan Stadium for the next playoff game, the Divisional Round.”