Category: Sports

It was another fast start for the Coffee County Red Raider soccer team on Thursday.  After surrendering an early goal, the Raiders were able to rally back and break a 7 game winless streak.  Coffee County was able to avenge an earlier draw with Lincoln County as they captured a 3 to 1 win in Fayetteville.

The Falcons got on the board first in the 2^nd minute to take an early 1 nil lead.  Briggs Haithcock was able to level the match in the 6^th minute off an assist from Tyler Walker.  Coffee County took the lead in the 12^th minute on an unassisted goal from Paco Barrera to go up 2 to 1.  David Morales gave the Raiders an insurance goal 2 minutes later when he corralled a rebounded shot from Barrera and found the back of the net.

The Red Raiders return to the pitch tonight when they play host to Fayetteville High School for Senior Night.  The Senior Night festivities begin at 6:30 PM with the match to follow at 7.  This will be the final home game of the regular season for Coffee County at the Raider Soccer Field which is at the Raider Academy.

Rashaan Evans became a member of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

And the Alabama linebacker Evans was ecstatic, pumping his fist and smiling as big as the state of Texas after putting on a hat that read “Titan Up.”

It was part of a “roller coaster” day he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

And so will his mother.

“She actually fainted on the red carpet,” Evans said with a smile. “But she’s doing great now. She is a lot better due to the fact I got picked by the Tennessee Titans.”

Evans, selected with the 22nd overall pick of the NFL Draft, was feeling pretty good himself as well.

“When I got that call from Tennessee, that was one of the greatest moments of my life, next to the national championship that I won,” Evans said. “When the Tennessee Titans called me, my heart dropped. It feels amazing, man. I feel like I am on Cloud 9.”

Back in Nashville, the Titans were fired up as well.

The Titans, originally scheduled to pick 25th in the first round, moved up to take Evans at No.22. The cost to move from 25 to 22? The Titans gave up pick No. 125 in fourth round, for pick No. 215 in the sixth.

In Evans, they got a player who was ranked No. 13 overall on NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock’s Top 100 list.

In Evans, they got a tough and rugged inside linebacker who racked up a boatload of tackles while playing for the Crimson Tide.

And they got a player who gives the team a big boost at a position of need.

“They can expect a guy to give his all, to play football the way it is supposed to be played, hard and physical,’” Evans said. “And not only that, help bring the Titans back to the Super Bowl.

“Even though I went 22nd, that doesn’t matter to me. My thing was to be a part of a great team. I am going to work my butt off. The Tennessee Titans, they got a great pick, I promise you that.”

It was a crazy day for Evans, who was decked out in a red suit, a white shirt underneath.

The colors probably reminded Crimson Tide fans of his past, although Evans could hardly wait to get started on his future.

Not long after being selected, Evans took a Facetime call from Titans running back Derrick Henry, his former teammate at Alabama.

He pumped his arms in excitement, and screamed out loud several times, as he rode on a golf cart on the ground floor of AT&T Stadium.

“He actually called it before the draft,” Evans said of Henry. “He said he was very happy. He said he walked past the coach and winked at him, and said, “You’re going to get my guy, right? Can you believe it actually happened? I am just so excited to be a part of such a great organization.”

Evans went through a whirlwind after getting picked.

He gave NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a big hug on stage, when he held up a Titans jersey.

After leaving the stage he took a selfie with Titans season ticket members, then had a family portrait made. He signed a Titans helmet, did a conference call with Nashville media, and then made the rounds on the NFL Draft’s Radio Row.

He made another call back to Nashville, to speak with Titans play-by-play man Mike Keith at the team’s draft party at Nissan Stadium.

Then he talked at a press conference before reporters at the NFL Draft, answering questions about his past, his future, and: “If you were to buy a boat, what would you name it?”

His answer: “I wouldn’t name it Titanic.”

Well done, Rashaan, well done.

It was a heck of a day.

Now, he can hardly wait to see what’s next.

“I think the situation is perfect,’” Evans said of the Titans. “It feels amazing. The fact they picked me, and moved up to get me, it makes me feel great. It’s a great team. I love winning and I love being part of a great organization.

“The Titans, they are going to get a hard worker, a guy who is a leader and a guy who is willing to be unselfish and play ball. I am going to do everything I can to make the team better. The Tennessee Titans, they got a great pick, I promise you that.”

The most-anticipated series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, between the Predators and Jets, is set to commence on Friday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville will make their third consecutive appearance in Round Two later this week with Game 1 set for a 7 p.m. (CT) puck drop on Friday night against the Jets. Game 2 will be played on Sunday (at 6 p.m.) before the series shifts north to Winnipeg.

Games 3 and 4 will be held at Bell MTS Place, with the first contest scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. and Game 4 set for 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

In the second round and beyond, all television coverage will be held on the NBC family of networks (primarily on NBCSN) with radio coverage on Thunder Radio. Fox Sports Tennessee, featuring Willy Daunic, Chris Mason, Lyndsay Rowley, Terry Crisp and Kara Hammer, will also televise a postgame show following each game.

Below is a full schedule for the Round Two series (all times CT):

Game 1: Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. – Jets at Predators at Bridgestone Arena

TV coverage: NBCSN; Radio: Thunder Radio

Game 2: Sunday, April 29 at 6 p.m. – Jets at Predators at Bridgestone Arena

TV coverage: NBCSN; Radio: Thunder Radio

Game 3: Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. – Predators at Jets at Bell MTS Place

TV coverage: CNBC; Radio: Thunder Radio(following election coverage)

Game 4: Thursday, May 3 at 8:30 p.m. – Predators at Jets at Bell MTS Place

TV coverage: NBCSN; Radio: Thunder Radio

*Game 5: Saturday, May 5 at TBD – Jets at Predators at Bridgestone Arena

*Game 6: Monday, May 7 at TBD – Predators at Jets at Bell MTS Place

*Game 7: Thursday, May 10 at TBD – Jets at Predators at Bridgestone Arena

*If necessary

For the latest playoff info, visit NashvillePredators.com/playoffs to see details on watch parties, plaza parties, giveaways, postseason news, highlights and a #StandWithUs social media toolkit.

The Nashville Sounds saw their four-run lead after six innings disappear before coming from behind in the 10^th inning to walk-off on the New Orleans Baby Cakes 7-6 Thursday night.

The Sounds got out to a 4-0 lead through six innings while starting pitcher Eric Jokisch turned in his best performance of the season. The southpaw came within one out of recording the Sounds’ third consecutive quality start. He was in line for his first win of the season as he tossed shutout 5 2/3 innings while giving up four hits and striking out six.

The Sounds opened the scoring in the home half of the first inning with a trio of singles. With runners on first and second, Beau Taylor found a hole in the middle of the infield for an RBI base hit.

Nashville added to its lead in the sixth inning. Franklin Barreto legged out a double with a line drive to left center field to lead off the inning. Dustin Fowler hit a wall-scraping home run just inside the right field foul pole to extend the Sounds’ lead to 3-0. Taylor then reached on an error and came around to score on Nick Martini’s base knock.

The lead would not withstand as New Orleans rallied for four runs to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. After struggling to find offense against Jokisch, the Baby Cakes found success against Sounds reliever Jeremy Bleich. Isaac Galloway reached on a base hit to lead off the inning. Eric Campbell then launched a two-run blast beyond the left field fence to cut Nashville’s lead in half. RBI singles from Rafael Ortega and Scott Van Slyke wrapped up the scoring in the frame to bring the Baby Cakes back even.

The Baby Cakes scored two runs in the top of the 10^th inning to put them in prime position for their first road victory of the season but Nashville countered with three runs in the bottom half to secure the victory.

Following an RBI single from Fowler, Josh Phegley laced a triple to left field to tie the game. Steve Lombardozzi came on to pinch run for Phegley. Sheldon Neuse then lifted a fly ball to left field that was deep enough to score Lombardozzi from third and secure the victory for the Sounds.

The five-game series continues Friday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander James Naile (3-1, 1.19) starts for Nashville against left-hander Adam Conley (0-3, 13.14) for New Orleans. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• The Sounds improved to 11-9 on the season with tonight’s 7-6 win.
• Nashville improved its First Tennessee Park record to 7-2 on the season.
• Dustin Fowler’s sixth inning home run was just the second home run hit by the Sounds at First Tennessee Park this season.
• The six runs allowed were the most by the Sounds’ bullpen in a game this season.
• Nashville is now 2-1 in extra-inning games this season and has three walk-off wins.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41^st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Wednesday Prep Results
> CHS Track at Home(from Tuesday) – See the story HERE
> CCMS Baseball drubbed South Franklin – 15 to 0 – See the story HERE
> CCMS Boys’ Soccer fell to South Franklin – 3 to 2(PK) – See the story HERE
> WMS Softball drops Cascade – 7 to 1 – See the story HERE
> CHS Softball falls to Tullahoma – 7 to 1 – See the story HERE

Thursday Prep Schedule
> WMS Tennis HOSTS Tullahoma – PPD, makeup is TBD
> CCMS Softball HOSTS Tullahoma – PPD until Friday
> WMS Baseball at MTCS – DRVC Tournament – PPD until Friday
> CHS Baseball HOSTS Forrest (Senior Night) – PPD until Friday
> CHS Softball HOSTS Tullahoma – PPD until Tuesday
> WMS Softball vs. TBD – DRVC Tournament at Lynchburg – PPD, makeup date is TBD
7:00 PM – CHS Boys’ Soccer at Lincoln Co
> CCMS Baseball vs. North Franklin – CTC Tournament at Tullahoma – PPD until Friday

The Westwood Middle School softball team opened DRVC tournament play on Wednesday at Moore County.  The Lady Rockets, who earned the #1 seed in their division, squared off against the Lady Champions of Cascade Middle School.  Westwood led wire to wire as they won 7 to 1.

The Lady Rockets got on the board in the bottom of the 1^st inning as they strung together 2 hits, 3 walks and an error to build a 2 to 0 lead.  After adding a run in the 2^nd, Cascade cut the gap to 3 to 1 in the 3^rd.  Westwood added a run in the 4^th and 3 insurance runs in the 5^th to nab the win.

Haidyn Campbell went the distance for Westwood as she struck out 15 while allowing 2 hits and 1 unearned run.  Emma Kidder led the hitting attack as she was 4 for 4 with 3 RBI.  Campbell added a double, 2 walks and 2 stolen bases.

The Lady Rockets will advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals where they will take on the winner between Fayetteville and Cannon County.  First pitch is set for 7 PM at the Lynchburg City Park.

The Coffee County Middle School baseball team opened up play in the CTC tournament on Wednesday taking on South Franklin.  The Red Raiders jumped on the Trojans in the 1^st inning as they shut out South for the 3^rd time this season.  Coffee Middle claimed a 15 to 0 game shortened to 4 innings via the Mercy Rule.

A double, a walk and a sacrifice fly staked Coffee Middle to a 2 to 0 lead in the first inning.  Coffee County added 5 more in the 5^th inning and closed the game out with an 8 run 4^th inning.  John McKelvey and Aiden Robertson combined to throw a 1 hit shutout.

Jacob Holder had a pair of triples and 3 RBI.  Nolan Jernigan had 2 singles and 3 RBI while McKelvey added a single and a double with 3 runs scored.

The Raiders will now advance to Thursday’s 7:30 PM 2^nd round game at Tullahoma.  Coffee County will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Harris and North Franklin.  That game will take place at Waggoner Park.

The Lady Raider softball team traveled to Tullahoma on Wednesday night to renew their district rivalry with the Lady Cats.  In a game you heard here on Thunder Radio, the Lady Raiders committed 5 errors and gave up 4 unearned runs to the Cats.  Coffee County fell by a final score of 7 to 1.

After a scoreless first 3 ½ innings, Tullahoma got on the board with 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the 4^th.  Coffee County cut the deficit to 3 to 1 in the 6^th after Lauren Tomberlin led off the inning with a single and her courtesy runner Alexcia Barnes scored on a groundout.  But another pair of errors by the Lady Raiders in the bottom of the 6^th helped Tullahoma add 4 more runs for the win.

Tomberlin finished with a single and a double as she was named the Crazy Daisies player of the game.  Keri Munn added a pair of singles while Shelby Scrivnor had a single and the lone RBI for the Raiders.

Coffee County will play host to Tullahoma on Thursday night at Terry Floyd Field, weather permitting.  First pitch is set for 6 PM and Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast.  Live coverage begins with the pregame show at 5:45.

Download the broadcast at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/

The Coffee County CHS track team hosted White County and Warren County in an abbreviated meet on Tuesday. Weather limited the number of events and participants. In spite of poor weather, Coffee County posted a multitude of strong performances.
In the girls’ competition, Coffee County got a 1st place finish in the 4x100M relay and the 4x800M relay. The Lady Raiders also finished in 2nd place in the 4x200M relay.
Top individual finishers for the Lady Raiders were:
Jaden Campbell – 1st, Long Jump; 1st, 800M; 1st, 1600M;
Laura Bogard – 1st, 100M; 3rd, 100M;
Macy Tabor – 1st, 400M; 1st, High Jump;
Emily St. John – 2nd, 400M; 2nd, 1600M;
Keisheal Norton – 2nd, Shot Put; 3rd, Discus;
Faith Floyd – 2nd, Discus;
Sarah Pearson – 3rd, Shot Put; 3rd, High Jump;
Emma Singleton – 3rd, 400M;
Nayeli Cano – 3rd, 800M;
Trava Brown – 3rd, Long Jump;

In the boys’ competition, Coffee County got a 1st place finish in the 4x800M relay. The Red Raiders also finished in 2nd place in the 4x200M relay and 3rd in the 4x100M relay.
Top individual finishers for the Red Raiders were:
Trace Bryant – 1st, High Jump; 2nd, 110M Hurdles; 2nd, Shot Put;
Raven Weber – 1st, 110M Hurdles;
Johnny Dulin – 1st, Long Jump;
Jalen Cummings – 1st, Shot Put;
Leo Penne – 1st, 800M; 2nd, 1600M;
Neil Slone – 2nd, 800M; 3rd, 1600M;
Dakota Wright – 2nd, 200M;
Eli Norton – 2nd, Discus;
Kelvin Verge – 2nd, Long Jump;
Tyler Luttrell – 3rd, Shot Put; 3rd, Discus;
Dillon Helms – 3rd, 110M Hurdles; 3rd, High Jump;
Gage DeMarree – 3rd, 400M; 3rd, Long Jump;
John Warren – 3rd, 200M;

Coffee County will return home on Thursday, May 3rd for their final home meet of the year. That meet will be Senior Night. Field events are scheduled to begin at 4 PM.

Coffee County Middle School soccer team entered Wednesday’s CTC opening round soccer game looking to advance to the semifinal round.  A win over South Franklin for the Raiders would give Coffee County a berth in Saturday’s semifinals for the 2^nd year in a row.  Despite late goals in each half, the Raiders’ season came to an end as they fell in the penalty kick round by a final score 3 to 2.

Trailing 1 nil with a minute left in the 1^st half, Javier Rodriquez knotted the game on a goal just before the half.  After the Trojans drilled home a goal in the 47^th minute, Rodriquez found the back of the net with 2 minutes left in regulation to tie the match at full time.

The teams went straight to a penalty kick shootout.  The Trojans were able to hit their first 4 PK’s while Coffee County was only able to make 2.  With the win in penalty kicks, South advances to the semifinals by a final score of 3 to 2.