Category: Sports

The Coffee County Central High School wrestling team fared well in matches at Smyrna on Tuesday night.  Fielding wrestlers in 8 of the 14 weight classes, Coffee County was unable to get team match wins but did get strong individual performances and several individual wins.

Against Antioch, Coffee County fell in the team match by a score of 54 to 21.  Joseph White(at 138 pounds) and Dustin Duke(113) scored forfeit wins.  Owen Teague(152) scored a pinfall win and Rein Bozich(145) scored a decision win to account for the Raiders points.

Against Smyrna, the Raiders dropped a 60 to 18 decision.  Rein Bozich(138), Owen Teague(152) and Joel Lawrence(170) all scored pinfall wins.  The Raider grapplers will be back on the mat on Saturday as they will compete in the Mt. Juliet Duals at Mt. Juliet High School.  Matches are scheduled to begin at 9 AM.

Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson each had a goal and an assist, leading the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Viktor Arvidsson, Mike Fisher and Kevin Fiala also scored, and Roman Josi had two assists for the Predators.

Pekka Rinne stopped 37 shots, improving to 17-7-2 in his career against the Avalanche. He also finished the month 9-1-2.

Johansen and Watson scored in the first 2:42 of the third period to put Nashville up 5-2. The Predators have won eight of 11.

Mikko Rantanen and Rene Bourque each had a goal and an assist, and Mikhail Grigorenko also scored for Colorado, which is 0-2-1 on a five-game homestand.

Calvin Pickard, starting in place of Semyon Varlamov for the second consecutive game, stopped 28 shots before he was pulled with 1:50 remaining. Pickard is 4-2-1 in seven starts this season.

Arvidsson put Nashville up 2-1 just 7 seconds into the second period. He took an expert pass from P.K. Subban and beat Pickard on the glove side. It tied franchise record for the quickest goal to a start a period, according to the team.

Fiala made it a two-goal advantage 3:04 into second, but Bourque cut it to 3-2 with his eighth of the season.

Fisher put the Predators ahead with 5:08 left in the first. After Colorado turned the puck over in its own zone, the Nashville captain took a pass from Austin Watson and placed it under Pickard’s armpit for his fifth goal of the season.

Rantanen tied it 66 seconds later for Colorado.

NOTES: Nashville LW James Neal (upper-body injury), the team’s leading goal scorer, missed his second consecutive game. He had 10 goals before he was placed on injured reserve Saturday. . D Ryan Ellis and forward Colton Sissons are also on IR with upper-body injuries for the Predators. . Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) missed his sixth straight game. … Varlamov has been cleared to return from a wrist injury but served as Pickard’s backup. . Colorado RW Jarome Iginla appeared in his 1,495th game, tying Phil Housley for 17th on the career list.

The Predators begin a three-game homestand Saturday afternoon against the New Jersey Devils.  Face-off is set for 1 PM and you can hear the game here on Thunder Radio

Pete Weber’s Postgame Report

The Red Raiders and Lady Raiders of Coffee County basketball traveled to McMinnville on Monday night for a battle with their old rivals from Warren County.   Those in attendance saw a pair of great games and when the dust had settled, the Lady Raiders got a 47 to 40 win to improve to 5 and 0.  The Red Raiders took the Pioneers to the final horn before falling 57 to 54 for their first loss of the year.

The Lady Raiders hit 8 of their 10 free throws in the 4^th quarter to hold off a Lady Pioneer rally and capture the hard fought win.  Coffee County led for all but a minute and 21 seconds to earn their fifth victory of the year.  After leading by 5 at the end of the 1^st quarter, Warren County pulled to within 1 at the half and captured the lead on their first possession of the 2^nd half.  Coffee County answered with a huge 3 pointer from Bailey Morgan to retake a lead they would never relinquish.  Warren County cut the Lady Raider lead from 9 points to 3 points in the 4^th quarter, but the Lady Raiders made 7 of 8 free throws in the last 78 seconds to seal the victory.  Abby Morgan led Coffee County in scoring with 15 points including 4 free throws in the 4^th quarter to be named the Crazy Daisies player of the game.  Holli Smithson had 13 points, including a pair of free throws in the last 78 seconds and Bailey Morgan finished with 8.

The Red Raiders saw an early 9 to 4 lead evaporate in the first quarter as Warren County took the lead with 2:16 to go in the opening period.  After being down 8 at the half, the Red Raiders battled back to get within 1 point with 18 seconds left in the game and possession of the ball.  Coffee County could not get a shot to fall down the stretch as they suffered their first loss of the year.  Grant Sadler led the Raiders in scoring with 16 points, including 5 First National Bank 3 pointers in the 2^nd half, to be named the Crazy Daisies player of the game.  Garrett Eldridge added 15 points and Tyrese McGee netted 8.

Coffee County is back at home on Tuesday night when they take on Fayetteville.  Tip off for the girls’ game is set for 6 PM; Thunder Radio begins live coverage with the Char-El Apartments and Home Rental Pregame Show at 5:50.

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

The Coffee County Middle School basketball teams opened their post-Thanksgiving schedule as they welcomed North Franklin to the CCMS gym on Monday night.  The Lady Raiders had to rally after trailing by as many as 5 points in the first half to capture a 43 to 38 win.  The Red Raiders blew a 17 point halftime lead in a 45 to 44 defeat at the hands of the visiting Gators.

After a sluggish first quarter that saw the Lady Raiders held to 6 points, Coffee County trimmed the Lady Gators 5 point lead to 2 points by the intermission.  In the second half, the Lady Raiders outscored North 12 to 7 in the 3^rd quarter to hold off the upset minded Lady Gators.  Bella Vinson was the leading scorer for Coffee County as she netted 23 points.  Kiya Ferrell added 8 points with all of those coming in the 2^nd half.

The Red Raiders were held to 3 field goals in the 2^nd half as they dropped the conference tilt to North.  After leading 30 to 13 at the intermission, Coffee County saw North outscore the Raiders 19 to 4 in the 3^rd quarter to send the game into the final 6 minutes virtually knotted.  Coffee County was 13 of 22 at the free throw line on the night in the one point loss.  Jaxon Vaughn led the Raiders in scoring with 13 points.  Marshall Haney added 11 points and Kyle Farless finished with 8 points.

Coffee County is back in action on Thursday night when they play host to West Tullahoma.  The girls’ game will tip off at 6 PM at the CCMS Gym.

The Rockets and Lady Rockets of Westwood Middle School were on the road at Lynchburg on Monday night taking on Moore County in a Duck River Valley Conference rematch from October 27th. The Lady Rockets were unable to avoid the season sweep losing 29 to 18. The Rockets were unable to succeed in securing a season sweep as they fell 39 to 32.
A scoreless first quarter for the Lady Rockets set the tone for a cold shooting night for Westwood. 6th grader Anna Johnson had all 4 of Westwood’s first half points as they trailed 11 to 4 at the intermission. A 4th quarter rally came up short as Westwood had fallen into a 12 point hole at the end of 3 quarters. Kasen Holt and Allie Roberts each had 5 points for Westwood as they tied for team high honors. Johnson finished with 4 points.

The Rockets saw Moore County build a 7 point lead at the half as the Blue Raiders held off a 3rd quarter charge to take the win. Westwood played even with Moore County for most of the second half but could not dig out of the first half hole. Brady Nugent led Westwood in scoring with 10 points. John Dobson and Wyatt Nugent each added 6 points in the loss.
Westwood is back at home on Thursday when they play host to Cascade at the Joel Vinson Gym. Thursday night will also be the annual Teddy Bear Toss as fans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to be used by local law enforcement and the Manchester Fire Department as comfort animals for children in times of trouble. The girls’ game will get underway at 6 PM and Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast beginning immediately following the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center Radio-thon on Thursday night. The broadcast will be brought to you as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series.

As the final second ticked off the clock here on Sunday, plenty went through the minds of the Tennessee Titans.

There was excitement, and there was relief.

“What did I think?,’’ linebacker Derrick Morgan said with a smile. “I thought, ‘Thank God.’ I was thanking God for the victory, really. We have been in those positions in the past and come out on the wrong side a lot of times. To finish with a win, that’s all that matters. So it felt good.”

The Titans took care of business here in a 27-21 win over the Chicago Bears.

Yes, they made it more interesting than they would’ve liked, but the end result was positive.

“It was quite a ride,’’ Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. “Every one of these games is like a whitewater (ride). It was quite a ride and we found a way to win. We need some of those games. I’ve been on the other end of a lot of those games here, and we needed one of those games to go our way.”

Now, the Titans get a chance to ease back for a week before things get serious.

Then, things could get very interesting.

With Sunday’s win, the Titans improved to 6-6 and moved into second place in the AFC South behind the Houston Texans, who lost to San Diego on Sunday to drop to 6-5.

The Titans have a bye next Sunday. They’ll return to action on December 11 against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. With a quarter of the season left, the Titans are alive in the hunt for the division title, and a playoff spot.

“The feeling is excitement,’’ tight end Delanie Walker said. “At the end of the day, it’s football. No one said it is going to always be pretty. It was a tough-fought game … but we conquered and all I ask for is to get a W.

“Now, this is the fourth quarter (of the season). Ultimately we want to win out, win all four games. That is the mindset we have. But we are going to have to be on point.”

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota led the way again on Sunday. Mariota completed 15-of-23 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and helped the team jump out to a 27-7 lead in the second half.

Mariota has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in eight consecutive games. He’s now third player in franchise history with 25 touchdowns in a season, and the first since Warren Moon did it in 1990. Mariota now has 25 touchdown passes on the season vs. just eight interceptions.

“We are right in the thick of it,’’ Mariota said of the team’s mindset. “Our mentality can’t change. We have to continue to take it one game at a time, and find ways to improve. … You want an opportunity this time of year to get a chance to make a run at a division title and maybe make a run at the playoffs, and that is all you can really ask for.”

The Titans went on a rollercoaster ride here on Sunday.

The Bears jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Barkley to tight end Daniel Brown.

The Titans answered back on their next possession, however, with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with an 11-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry. It was Henry’s second career touchdown, and he picked up a key block from Walker on his way to the end zone.

Walker got into the end zone himself on Tennessee’s next drive. His four-yard touchdown catch from Mariota capped off an eight-play, 64-yard drive and gave the Titans a 14-7 lead with 9:11 left in the second quarter.

The Titans extended their lead to 21-7 late in the second quarter on a beautiful 29-yard touchdown catch by receiver Rishard Matthews, who got behind the defense and caught the ball in flight.

A 19-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Succop made it 24-7 in the third quarter. Succop added a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 27-7 with 13:45 remaining. It looked like the Titans might cruise to a win, but things got bumpy.

After a shaky start on defense, the Titans made some plays that ultimately proved to be game-savers. One of the biggest was an interception by linebacker Wesley Woodyard at the 11-yard line, which halted a Chicago drive in the first half.

In the third quarter, safety Da’Norris Searcy picked off Barkley in the end zone on a third down play.

But the Bears still managed to make things interesting late. Too interesting.

An eight-yard touchdown pass from Barkley to Marquess Wilson made it 27-14 with 8:23 remaining. Barkley then connected with Deonte Thompson for a six-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-21 with 3:06 left.

The Bears ended up driving the field and had in first-and-goal at the Tennessee 7-yard line in the closing moments, but they couldn’t score. A fourth-down pass fell incomplete, and the Titans celebrated.

“Nothing matters right now but the fact we got the win, and we are in the positon we want to be in,’’ Titans rookie safety Kevin Byard said. “It is hard to win in this league, and in the NFL a “W” is a “W.”

Thanksgiving week turned out just fine for the Nashville Predators.

Behind two goals from both Colin Wilson and Ryan Johansen, the Preds defeated the Winnipeg Jets by a 5-1 final on Friday evening to complete a perfect 3-0-0 home stand. The victory gives the Preds points in eight-straight games at home and a 10-7-3 record overall as things continue to come together in the right way for the club.

“I think even early in the season we had some games that were good too, and we just couldn’t score – especially at 5-on-5,” defenseman Roman Josi said. “I think today we got a couple bounces and one or two goals; they kind of bounced for us. We played a really good game, really sold it. [Pekka Rinne] was great again, like he has been all month.”

A Dustin Byfuglien point shot deflected off the stick of the Preds winger and floated its way into the Nashville net at 14:46 of the first period to give the Jets a 1-0 lead, but it wasn’t long before Wilson redeemed himself.

A perfect pass from Mike Fisher went right to the stick of Wilson less than six minutes into the second frame, and the Winnipeg native directed the puck behind Connor Hellebuyck to get his team on the board and start what turned into a three-goal period for his club.

And just for good measure, Wilson added his second of the night in the third period for a 4-1 lead.

“I mean, coach wants us to get tip goals, but that was kind of the wrong way,” Wilson laughed. “It was kind of an unfortunate bounce, but I was happy to get it back.”

“Willy, for me, has been strong all year,” Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s just working really hard; he’s protecting the puck. When the points come, you never know; as long as players are doing the right things and playing hard, usually good things follow, and I think he’s been a guy that’s been pretty consistent all year.”

Wilson’s goaltender wasn’t about to shift the blame for Winnipeg’s only goal, instead finding humor in it all.

“You know what you’re going to get from him every night,” Pekka Rinne said of Wilson. “He works so hard, he’s protecting the puck; he’s really an important player for us. He’s one of the leader players, so it’s good to see him getting rewarded on the ice, too – scoring a couple big goals. That goal, that’s not his fault. He’s trying to block that and it hits his stick – and then – I don’t know, I’m picking up coins… I wasn’t even upset after the goal, I was kind of laughing.”

Ryan Johansen isn’t sure what it is, but he usually finds himself on the score sheet when the Jets are on the other side of the ice. Johansen tallied two goals and an assist on Friday evening, giving him 16 points in 11 career games against Winnipeg, including a five-game point streak against them.

Perhaps more importantly, Johansen has five points (3g-2a) in his last two games, a figure the centerman and his coach hope is a sign of things to come as the season continues.

“I don’t know, it’s just one of those teams where we have success,” Johansen said.

“It’s good for Ryan to get rewarded tonight with some pucks going into the net.” Laviolette said. “I like it when he shoots the puck, he’s got a terrific shot and tonight you saw him score a couple of really nice goals. We don’t have a lot of 30-goal-scorers, but he’s one of them. The more he gets the puck at the net, the better off we’ll be and the more he’s going to produce.”

The Preds continued their stellar play at Bridgestone Arena, completing a perfect 3-0-0 home stand, collecting their sixth consecutive win at home and their eighth home contest with at least one point.

In fact, Nashville has outscored their opponents, 35-13, at home this season, and their +22 goal differential is second in the NHL behind Montreal (+25). On the contrary, the Preds have allowed just 13 goals at home, the fewest in the NHL. They have allowed two goals or fewer in nine of 10 games.

Nashville’s overall home record sits at 8-1-1, and the ability to collect two points in their own barn is a commodity the Preds would prefer to keep.

“Every single day feels like a playoff atmosphere,” Johansen said. “Monday night, Wednesday night, whatever day it is, the fans come in here and give us such great support. We’ve really been feeding off that and having a good time here at home.”

Prior to Friday’s game, defenseman Matt Carle announced his retirement from the National Hockey League.

“First of all, Matty is a terrific person,” Laviolette said. “I know him and his family, and I think it’s difficult when a player’s career starts to come to an end or starts to come to a close. I was glad that he came here and glad that the opportunity presented itself. I feel bad myself that it didn’t work out, but I spoke to Matty today, it doesn’t take anything away from Matty, it doesn’t take anything away from what I think of him as a person and player and his career. He’s been a terrific pro, and I wish him the best with what he does.”

Forwards Colton Sissons and James Neal left Friday’s game with upper-body injuries and did not return. In addition, defenseman Ryan Ellis missed Friday’s game with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day.

Defenseman Anthony Bitetto returned to the Nashville lineup on Friday – his first game since Opening Night – after missing 18 games with an upper-body injury.

The Predators home-and-home with the Jets concludes on Sunday in Winnipeg, a 12 p.m. (CT) puck drop. Nashville then heads to Colorado to take on the Avalanche on Tuesday.

The Coffee County basketball teams will break for the Thanksgiving holidays with blessings galore, including perfect 4 and 0 records after sweeping Grundy County on Tuesday night.  Playing their 3^rd road game in a row the Lady Raiders held off a hot shooting Lady Jackets team 55 to 45.  The Red Raiders rallied from a 9 point first half deficit to carve out a 46 to 42 win.

Coffee County saw Grundy County drain 11 three point baskets in the girls game that saw lead changes through much of the first 3 quarters.  The Lady Raiders closed out the 3^rd quarter on an 11 to 2 run to build a cushion that Grundy County could not overcome in the 4th quarter.  The Lady Raiders were led in scoring by Aerial Williams who had 11 points to earn the Crazy Daisies player of the game honors.  Abby Morgan and Jenna Garretson each netted 10 points and Alliyah Williams finished with 9 points, including 7 in the 4^th quarter.

After trailing for most of the first half, the Red Raiders closed out the 2^nd quarter on their own 11 to 2 run to take a 2 point lead into the intermission.  Grundy County answered in the 3^rd quarter as they rebuilt a 6 point lead before Coffee County used their pressure defense to outscore the Yellow Jackets 18 to 8 down the stretch for the win.  Coffee County was led in scoring by Garrett Eldridge who finished with 12 points.  Darius Rozier came off the bench to score 10 points to earn the Crazy Daisies player of the game honors.  Grant Sadler finished with 9 points and Tyrese McGee and Stephen Sullivan each added 6.

Coffee County is back on the road on Monday night when they travel to McMinnville to take on Warren County.  The girls’ game will tip off at 6 PM.   Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning with the Char-El Apartments and Home Rental Pregame Show at 5:50

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