Category: Sports

Training camp kicks off on Saturday for the Titans, and the team has made some changes.
Here’s a look at some questions – and answers – to let fans know what to expect.

Where will fans watch practices?
Well, the setup around the practice fields will be different this year. Seven sets of temporary bleachers have been constructed around the fields for better sight lines at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Several of the bleachers will have awnings to provide shade for fans.
In previous years, fans stood along the fence lines. This year, standing along the sideline fence will be discouraged in order to ease traffic flow for fans. There will be ample space in the bleachers to provide seating opportunity for all guests. Two misting areas will be available for fans to cool down.

What about autographs?
Get your Sharpies ready.
The number of players made available each day will be expanded to least 15-20 per day, and each day will include several recognizable players.
The autograph area is moving, however. The new location will be near the offensive line and defensive line work area on the south end of the practice fields. Flags will designate the area and help direct fans to the location.
The list of players signing each day won’t be released ahead of time this year, but each player will be scheduled to sign at least once during training camp.

What are some others things fans should know before coming?
Fans will be allowed to bring purses, diaper bags, and small fanny packs or similar items, but they will be subject to thorough inspection. Signs will be located in the parking areas to remind fans of this policy. Backpacks, large duffle bags and suitcases will not be allowed.

In the interest of public safety, the team is instituting enhanced security measures, which include:
. Fans will go through a metal detector.
. Items not allowed on the grounds include food and beverage, coolers, liquids, umbrellas, chairs and strollers.
. Empty water bottles will be allowed and a filtered, cold water station (free to the public) will be available on the grounds. Drink stands will also be on-site.

Will I need tickets?
No. All the practices are free and open to the public, but there is a maximum capacity.

What about merchandise?
The Titans Locker Room will be on-site.

What’s the deal on parking?
Parking will continue to be limited around the practice facility. Fans can use the designated lots across the street from Saint Thomas Sports Park. Once those are filled, fans will be directed to the Ted Rhodes Park multipurpose fields (720 Mainstream Dr.), where shuttles will bring fans to and from practice. The shuttles will run continuously an hour before practice until an hour after practice. Parking is not permitted in other businesses in the MetroCenter area.

So what’s the “Friday Night Lights” practice all about?
Well, this should be cool: the Friday, Aug. 4th practice will be the first “Friday Night Lights” practice for the franchise, and the practice will take place at Centennial High School in Franklin.
The practice will be from 7:15-9:00 pm. The practice was initially set for Saint Thomas Sports Park, but the location changed.
The Titans will practice at Nissan Stadium the following night.

So, how many practices are open to the public?
This year’s schedule includes 13 open practices, including two morning practices with the Carolina Panthers on August 16-17.

The Titans will kick off training camp on Saturday at 2:40 p.m., the first of four straight days open to fans.
The Titans are scheduled to hold four evening practices, including a 6-8 p.m. practice at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, August 5.

Here’s the entire schedule:
Sat., July 29 (2:40 – 4:30 pm) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Sun., July 30 (2:40 – 4:30 pm) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Mon., July 31 (8:55 – 11:00 am) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Tues., Aug. 1 (8:55 – 11:00 am) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Thurs., Aug. 3 (8:55 – 11:00 am) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Fri., Aug. 4 (7:15 – 9:00 pm) – Centennial High School
Sat., Aug. 5 (6:00 – 8:00 pm) – Practice at Nissan Stadium
Mon., Aug. 7 (6:55 – 9:00 pm) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Wed., Aug. 9 (8:55 – 11:00 am) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Thurs., Aug. 10 (8:55 – 11:00 am) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Mon., Aug. 14 (6:55 – 8:55 pm) – Practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Wed., Aug. 16 (9:15 – 11:30 am) – Practice with Panthers at Saint Thomas Sports Park
Thurs., Aug. 17 (9:15 – 11:30 am) – Practice with Panthers at Saint Thomas Sports Park

The D-backs offense came alive on Wednesday, as it rode standout hitting performances from J.D. Martinez and Ketel Marte to a 10-3 victory over the Braves at Chase Field. With the win, Arizona took two out of three from Atlanta.

The D-backs took control of the game in the third with a four-run inning that was highlighted by a stand-up inside-the-park home run from Marte. They padded their lead in the fifth when Paul Goldschmidt smashed his second double of the game, and then scored on a two-run homer by Martinez. In the 8th, Martinez added another homer — a 410-foot, two-run shot — to add to the lead. Arizona ended the game with 8 extra-base hits.
“One of those days we’ve been looking for, for a while,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think offensively we did a number of things. … Nobody had a better day, obviously, than J.D. Martinez.”
In Aaron Blair’s first Major League start of the season, the right-hander surrendered five earned runs on five hits in three innings of work to the team that originally drafted him. Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the first when Brandon Phillips singled and then scored on a Matt Kemp groundout, but it couldn’t keep pace with the D-backs’ bats.
Blair issued five walks, including two straight to begin the four-run third inning. The once highly regarded prospect was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the rotation void created when Jaime Garcia was traded to the Twins. Blair was optioned back to Gwinnett after the game, and there’s a strong possibility Lucas Sims will be called up to fill that spot against the Dodgers next week.
“I couldn’t really locate the fastball when I needed to,” Blair said. “I had the slider and curveball for strikes when I needed it. I just fell behind and when I needed to make a pitch, it just wasn’t there.”
Arizona starter Patrick Corbin went six innings and held the Braves to two runs on seven hits to improve to 8-9 on the year.
Gregor Blanco reached on a single to lead off the game and subsequently stole second. He was then caught in a rundown after being caught in no-man’s land, and attempted to dodge a tag and slid into third base. He was initially called out, but after Lovullo challenged the call, Blanco was ruled safe and awarded a stolen base. He then scored on a sac fly by Jake Lamb to tie the game at 1.
“[Blair] had trouble making some pitches and we screwed up the rundown, which cost him a run,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “So, it just kind of got away from him there.”
After Lamb and Goldschmidt led off the third inning with back-to-back walks, Daniel Descalso sent them both home with a triple off the center field wall that left his bat at 101.3 mph, according to Statcast™. It was Descalso’s third triple of the year. He scored one batter later when Marte roped an inside-the-park homer to cap off a four-run D-backs third inning.
“It was nice,” Descalso said. “Had a chance to win the series today, after losing last night, and to have a happy flight. We scored a lot of runs today and had good at-bats up and down the lineup.”
Blair got a swing-and-miss with 11 of the 26 breaking balls (curveballs and sliders) he threw, but allowed the D-backs to put eight two-seam fastballs in play with an average exit velocity of 95.4 mph. He did not allow more than five two-seamers to be put in play during any of the 15 starts he made for Atlanta last year.
The Braves will resume their road trip when they begin a four-game series against the Phillies Friday at 6:05 p.m CT. Julio Teheran will attempt to extend his recent success and extend his dominance at Citizens Bank Park, where he’s produced a 1.55 ERA over six starts.

The Nashville Sounds plated seven runs in the fifth inning and hung on to dispatch the Las Vegas 51s, 8-7, in front of 6,521 fans at First Tennessee Park Wednesday night.
The Sounds have scored 18 runs on 30 hits in the first two games of the series, and have won 10 consecutive games over the 51s dating back to the 2015 season.
12 batters came to the plate in the fifth for Nashville. Seven reached via hit, one drew a walk, and another was safe on a fielder’s choice and error. Left fielder Kenny Wilson started the frame with a single to left field, and later added a second hit in the inning, a run-scoring knock to cap the scoring.
Las Vegas starter Wilfredo Boscan had allowed only a run-scoring single to Beau Taylor prior to the big fifth inning. Following Wilson’s single to start the outburst, Boscan struck out Franklin Barreto for the first out.
The next eight batters all reached safely against Boscan. Matt Olson tied the game at 2-2 with a run-scoring single that drove in Wilson. Moments later, Olson scored on a wild pitch to give the Sounds the lead for good.
RBI hits from Renato Nunez, Mark Canha, Yairo Munoz and Wilson extended the inning and helped the Sounds build an 8-2 lead through five.
Nashville’s 8-2 lead stayed intact until the ninth when Las Vegas scored five runs and nearly tied the game.
Lefty Felix Doubront got Phillip Evans to bounce out to start the ninth but trouble followed. Brandon Nimmo drew a walk to put a runner on, and it looked like Doubront ended the game when Neil Walker hit a ground ball to third. Instead of starting a 5-4-3 double play, the ball went through legs of Munoz at third and everybody was safe.
Amed Rosario followed with an RBI single to right-center, his fourth hit of the night. With still only one out, Dominic Smith hit a fly ball to center field that was dropped by Chad Pinder. Again, everybody was safe and the Sounds’ lead was down to 8-4.
Kevin Plawecki hit a sacrifice fly and Travis Taijeron and Gavin Cecchini had back-to-back RBI doubles to make it an 8-7 game.
Kyle Finnegan finally locked in the win for Nashville when he got Josh Rodriguez to bounce out to first with the tying run at second.
Jesse Hahn picked up the win for Nashville while Boscan was tagged with the loss.
Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Zach Neal (1-5, 4.10) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Ricky Knapp (4-12, 6.69) for the 51s. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Coffee County Lady Raider volleyball team will host a scrimmage play day on Wednesday at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  Ten teams in all will be in action beginning at 9 AM.  Action will take place on all 3 courts so spectators are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair.

Coffee County will take on Oakland at 9 AM.  They will follow that up with a noon match against LEAD Academy out of Nashville.  The Lady Raiders will close out play with a 3 PM match against former district rival Lawrence County.

LaTanya Collins has been hired as the new head coach of the Motlow State Community College women’s basketball program effective July 17, according to Scott Shasteen, Motlow athletics director.

Collins was recently promoted to associate head coach at Coppin State University in Baltimore, where she spent the previous season as an assistant coach. Despite the promotion at Coppin State, Collins was one of 68 applicants to apply for the open position at Motlow and was selected from a group of seven finalists.

“LaTanya has significant experience coaching on both the high school and the college level,” said Shasteen. “She has displayed a strong ability to recruit and mentor student-athletes throughout her career, and she will be an exciting addition to the winning culture we are building in the Motlow athletics department. The College family, as well as our surrounding communities, will enjoy her enthusiasm and her ability to lead young women towards a better life. That’s what we are about at Motlow; providing opportunities for young people to improve their lives.”

Prior to Collins’ season at Coppin State, she spent two years as an assistant to the head coach/director of student-athlete development at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg from 2014-16.

Before Virginia Tech, she was the head girls basketball coach at Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond, Virginia (2013-14) and Atlee High School in Hanover, Virginia (2011-13). She served as an assistant coach at Radford University in Radford, Virginia, during the 2009-10 season, assisting with recruiting, coaching post and guard players, and supervising camps.

Collins also brings head coaching experience to Motlow. She guided the women’s basketball program at Southern Vermont College in 2005-06, and at St. Augustine’s University in 2006-07. After inheriting a squad at St. Augustine’s that had finished 6-22 the previous season, she helped turn the program around, winning 18 games the next season and recording the second-highest team grade point average in the conference.

She began her coaching career on the high school level at Charles City (Va.) High School in 2000. Previously that year she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia State University in St. Petersburg, Virginia. She earned her master’s degree in 2015 from California University of Pennsylvania.

Collins replaces former Lady Bucks’ head coach Bart Walker, who resigned in April to become head coach at Northwest Florida State College. Motlow finished the 2016-17 season with a 27-6 record, tied for the most wins in school history, and advanced to the national women’s tournament for the first time in program history.

Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at MotlowSports.com for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics on social media at MotlowSports.

Kurt Suzuki hit two of the Braves’ four homers and drove in three runs, lifting the Braves to an 8-3 win over the D-backs on Tuesday night at Chase Field.

Suzuki’s first homer, a two-run shot in the seventh inning off reliever J.J. Hoover (1-1), broke a 2-2 tie. The veteran catcher added his 10th home run of the season in the eighth. Johan Camargo followed with another homer to give the Braves more insurance.
“It’s always nice helping the team win,” said Suzuki, who has tallied two of his four career multi-homer games this month. “It was a good team win. [Mike] Foltynewicz pitched great, and we had good at-bats up and down the lineup. It was a much-needed win against a good team.”
Foltynewicz (9-5) allowed a pair of runs over six innings, striking out nine. The Braves have won 12 of the past 14 games he has started, including each of the past nine.
“He’s growing up,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Foltynewicz, who has a 2.95 ERA over his past seven starts. “He’s figured some of this out. That’s not to say he’s not going to have a bad outing every now and then. He’s just trusting his stuff. The upside on this kid is really, really good.”
D-backs starter Taijuan Walker took a no-decision, allowing two runs (one earned) in six innings. He also contributed to the offense with his first career homer, a solo shot in the fifth.
“Things kind of unraveled on us in that seventh inning, unfortunately,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “I thought before that we got a very well-pitched game from Taijuan — six strong innings, got nicked up here and there, but for the most part, was executing a great game plan.”
The D-backs tied it at 2 in the sixth when J.D. Martinez beat out an infield single and Chris Owings drove him in with a double. One out later, Brandon Drury was hit by a pitch, and it looked like the D-backs might have a chance to break the game open. However, Foltynewicz concluded an 11-pitch battle against pinch-hitter Ketel Marte with an elusive slider. He ended his 119-pitch night by registering 99 mph twice while recording a threat-ending strikeout of David Peralta.
“It was a good battle [against Marte],” Foltynewicz said. “I left quite a few pitches over the plate, and he just seemed to miss them. He was ready for the fastball most of the time, and then I threw a pretty good slider. I knew it was going to be a strike. I just wanted him to put it in play, and he swung right over it. … It was a very long and stressful inning.”
With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, D-backs reliever Andrew Chafin uncorked a pitch in the dirt that catcher Chris Iannetta blocked nicely. Iannetta tried to catch Sean Rodriguez straying too far off third on the play, but the throw got by Jake Lamb and into left field, allowing two runs to score and giving the Braves a 6-2 lead.
“I think the big moment in this game was the transition from the sixth to the seventh,” Lovullo said. “We made a little bit of noise, looked like we were going to break the game open and their starter, Foltynewicz, stood on his stuff, got through the inning and gave his team a boost. And obviously the breakdown in a couple of areas hurt us in the top of the seventh inning.”
Aaron Blair will take the mound to make his season debut in Wednesday’s series finale, which is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. CT. Blair was a highly regarded prospect when the D-backs traded him after the 2015 season. But after struggling in 15 starts with Atlanta last year, he has spent this season with Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Nashville Sounds launched four home runs and returned home with an emphatic 10-4 win over the Las Vegas 51s in front of 8,187 fans at First Tennessee Park Tuesday night.
Mark Canha drilled a pair of home runs, his 10th and 11th of the season for Nashville to lead the charge. Matt Olson added his 20th of the season and Renato Nunez added to his Minor League lead with his 26th of the year.
It was Olson’s two-run shot in the first that started the barrage. Franklin Barreto started the home half of the frame with a base hit up the middle. Olson followed with a towering blast to right-center off Donovan Hand to give the Sounds a 2-0 lead.
Canha joined the party in the third when he started the inning with his 100th career homer to give the Sounds a 3-0 lead. The offense carried on when Beau Taylor doubled and Yairo Munoz knocked him in with a single. Nunez added a sacrifice fly to cap the three-run inning.
The trouble for Hand continued in the fourth when Nunez drilled an opposite-field solo blast. The shot to right-center made it a 6-0 game. Jaff Decker followed with a double, Chris Carter drew a walk, and Canha drilled a three-run homer to deep left field to give the Sounds a 9-0 lead.
Barreto added an RBI single in the five-run fourth inning that capped the Sounds’ scoring for the night.
It was more than enough run support for right-hander Jharel Cotton. Working on a Major League rehab assignment, Cotton shut out the 51s over six brilliant innings. He allowed only two hits and matched a season-high nine strikeouts.
Cotton allowed a single in the first to Neil Walker, and yielded a double in the third to Phillip Evans. He retired the final 10 batters he faced in his third win of the year with the Sounds.
Las Vegas made noise in the later innings with a single tally in the seventh and three in the eighth to make it a 10-4 game.
Canha’s two-homer game was part of his perfect 5-for-5 night at the plate. In addition to the home runs, he singled in the third, doubled in the sixth, and singled in the eighth. The five-hit game tied a single-game franchise record most recently done by Bruce Maxwell last year.
Four other Sounds had multi-hit games including a 3-for-5 night from Barreto.
Game two of the four-game series is set for Wednesday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Jesse Hahn (0-0, 6.23) starts for Nashville against right-hander Wilfredo Boscan (4-9, 5.07) for Las Vegas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club returns home Tuesday, July 25 to open an eight-game homestand at First Tennessee Park.

The Sounds welcome the Las Vegas 51s – the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets – for a four-game series from July 25-28. The second half of the homestand features a four-game set against the Salt Lake Bees – the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from July 29-August 1.

Below is a preview for each game of the homestand:

Tuesday, July 25 vs. Las Vegas – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 3:00 p.m. for pre-game concert area; full ballpark opens at 6:00 p.m.
Pre-game performance by country music stars Michael Ray and Chris Lane at the Guitar Scoreboard Plaza as part of a taping for “CMT Hot 20 Countdown.” Ray begins the show at 4:00 and Lane follows at 5:00.
Tuesday Night Live – Join us for Nash-Vegas Night as we pay tribute to The King – Elvis.

Wednesday, July 26 vs. Las Vegas – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
College Night – University of Tennessee/Nashville Sounds hat giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by First Tennessee.
Seniors (60 and older) receive discounted Corner or Select tickets – subject to availability.

Thursday, July 27 vs. Las Vegas – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Throwback Thursday presented by Budweiser – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda and Budweiser draft beer specials for $2.

Friday, July 28 vs. Las Vegas – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
FOX17 post-game fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security. Enjoy the fireworks with a custom 2005 playlist to commemorate that season’s Nashville Sounds Pacific Coast League Championship.

Saturday, July 29 vs. Salt Lake – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy Saturday at the Park with visits to The Band Box and our family-friendly Fun Zone in the right field corner.
Boy Scouts of America Night at First Tennessee Park. Bring your troop or pack to the game and enjoy discounted tickets. Call a Sounds group sales rep for tickets.

Sunday, July 30 vs. Salt Lake – 6:35 p.m.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
Back to School Night – Gear up for school with a special Sounds Backpack Giveaway presented by First Tennessee to the first 1,000 fans.
Faith and Family Night presented by Trevecca Nazarene University & WAY-FM – Join the Sounds for a night of worship and baseball with player testimony. Aaron Shust performs a pre-game concert at the guitar scoreboard plaza with gates opening for the festivities at 5:00.
As part of Faith and Family Night First Tennessee Park, the Sounds have partnered with Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls and WAY-FM for their summer shoe drive. Boxes will be placed around the ballpark for fans to donate new shoes (sizes youth 1-adult 12).
Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 5:35-5:50. In addition, the Sounds promo team will host the coloring station for children to color baseball posters and sign up for on-field games.
Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas and Tennessee 811- The Sounds extend their military appreciation with special military green jerseys and discounted Corner or General Admission tickets for active and veteran men, women and families – subject to availability.
Booster’s Kids Club Day – Kids Club members are invited to join us for our annual Booster’s Kids Club Day presented by First Tennessee. Members and their families can take advantage of discounted corner seat tickets among other benefits.
Post-Game Kids (ages 12 & under) Run the Bases presented by First Tennessee.

Monday, July 31 vs. Salt Lake – 7:05 p.m.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Buck Showalter Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Middle Tennessee Hyundai Dealers to the first 2,000 fans.

Tuesday, August 1 vs. Salt Lake – 12:05 p.m.

Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday Night Live – Game Show Mania. Join us for an early start as we put a Sounds spin on game shows throughout the afternoon.
The Nashville Sounds have partnered with the following media outlets – Mondays: 96.3 JACKfm, Tuesdays: The Tennessean and NASH-FM 103.3, Wednesdays: 102.5 The Game, Thursdays: iHeartMedia, Fridays: FOX17, and Sundays: WSMV-TV Channel 4.

The 2017 season is the Sounds’ 40th in franchise history and their third as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

The Coffee County Golf team opened up their season, and the 2017/2018 prep sports season on Monday.  The Red Raider linksters welcomed Grundy County to their home course at Willowbrook for an 18 hole match.  Fielding only a boys’ team this year, the Red Raiders captured a win over the visiting Yellow Jackets.

Coffee County’s top 6 golfers all outshot Grundy County’s top scorer as the Red Raiders rolled to a 309 to 424 victory.  Leading the charge for the Raiders was junior Austin Farris who shot a two under par score of 70.  Samuel Prater completed the course in 77 strokes.  Josh Perry got around in 80 strokes while Reid Lawrence rounded out the top 4 with an 82.  Additionally, Matthew Hale carded an 86 and Chase Hancock carded a 98.

Grundy County was led by Grant Dees with a 103.  A.J. Tannebaum shot a 106, Kollin Cooper scored a 107 and Trey Hampton shot a 112.

Coffee County will be back in action on Tuesday, August 1^st when they travel to Cookeville for a match.  Tee time is set for 1 PM.

As the fall sports season gets ready to crank up, Thunder Radio sports concludes our series of previews for the fall prep sports season.  For the last 11 days, we have shown the spotlight on each of the 12 different local prep teams which will compete this fall.  Today, we look at the Coffee County Central High School Red Raider football team.

The Red Raiders donned the pads on Monday morning for their first day of full contact work.  Battling heat and contact restrictions, Coach Ryan Sulkowski begins his 4^th season at the helm of the Red Raider program.  “It was a little sluggish for a Monday, but overall I was pleased with the work of the 1^st and 2^nd groups” said Sulkowski when asked about the first day.   Coach Sulkowski is pleased with the spring and summer workouts and feels that this year’s team is ahead of schedule when compared to his previous teams especially in leadership.  “Not to take away from previous senior classes, but this year’s seniors are coaching the kids (and holding them accountable)” said Sulkowski.  “Physically speaking and athletically, this is our best group in 4 years.”

You can’t begin any discussion of Coffee County without mentioning UT commitment and senior Alontae Taylor.  Taylor is expected to begin the season at the wide receiver position, a position he is projected to play at the college level.  “Obviously Colton Prater(Sr.) is doing a good job for us at the quarterback position” said Sulkowski but he quickly added that Taylor will line up at a variety of positions to year to get more touches and to serve as a decoy as well.

In the backfield, Sulkowski called out the performance of junior running back Byron Sullivan who is “running hard.”  Senior Zach Vaughn has practiced well at the wide receiver position and will complement Taylor’s presence on the outside.  Up front, Sulkowski was pleased with Tyler Luttrell(Soph) who appears to have nailed down the center position.  Sulkowski said that he “likes the competition” amongst the other linemen as he considers their knowledge of the system as the best he has seen in his time at CHS.

Sulkowski and his staff are attempting to platoon this season and limit the number of players having to play on offense and defense  when possible.  On defense, a pair of seniors lead a strong linebacking corp as Cameron West and Deaaron Rozier have shined all summer.  “They are running to the ball and their football acumen and athleticism are special” said Sulkowski.  He went on to add that the defensive secondary is strong anchored by senior cornerback Keishaun Creel and sophomore cornerback Claudius Williams.  He called out their knowledge of the defensive concepts and the ability to run “the system” as well as communicate and work as a team.

One additional benefit of platooning is the opportunity to work more with the freshmen and sophomores.  The underclassmen are getting quality preparation and practice experience.  Sulkowski was effusive in his praise for many of his younger players, especially freshmen who have stepped up this summer.  Sulkowski praised the work of freshmen Bryce Damstra(OL/DL), C.J. Anderson(WR) and Matthew Pittman(QB) for their progress thus far.    “I want our kids to continue to show up and be ready to work hard every day” added Sulkowski.

The Red Raiders open the season on August 18^th when they travel to Winchester to take on Franklin County in a non-region game.  The first home game for the Red Raiders is August 25^th when Tullahoma visits Carden-Jarrell Field for the Coffee Pot Game.  As always, Thunder Radio is the exclusive home of each and every Red Raider football game with Lucky Knott and Dustin Murray on the call.  Additionally, the Ryan Sulkowski Show returns to Thunder Radio again this fall airing at 6 PM on Wednesday nights.