Carson-Newman University has been following Grundy County's Terrince Bramhall since he was a freshman. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech are recruiting him, and East Tennessee State recruiters have talked with him on several occasions.
"He'll have the opportunity if he wants to play college ball," Grundy coach Nick Bryant said.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bramhall may decide otherwise to concentrate on a degree in electrical engineering.
"I have thought about not playing in college just so I can concentrate on academics and try to get out of college earlier, maybe carry a heavier classload than most," he said.
Bramhall is that type player in which coaches delight.
"I can talk about that kid all day," Bryant said. "He's a good kid and one of our team captains, and after practice he goes over and coaches a peewee team."
Additionally, he preaches occasionally at church on Sunday nights and often helps with Sunday school classes.
"He's also a 4.0 student and student body president. He's not only a favorite on the football team but also among the student body," Bryant added.
Football opponents might not like him so well, although he's likely to command respect, grudging or otherwise.
"He led the area in sacks as a freshman. That was before people knew anything about him," said Bryant, who plans to optimize Bramhall's skills by moving him around on both sides of the ball. "Last year as the season progressed we moved him around. This year he'll play everywhere on defense - linebacker, noseguard, defensive end. On offense he played tackle, and every now and then we'd bump him down to guard. This year he'll come into the backfield and run the ball some, and against some teams we'll play him at tight end and let him catch some balls."
It can be tough remembering all the responsibilities on each play for each position, but Bramhall said teammates have been a big help and he likes the new role.
"It can be tough but I like getting to play a bunch of different positions. It's not the same thing over and over," he said.
- Ward Gossett
GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS
Head coach: Nick Bryant (28-27 overall and here in five years)
Last year: 4-7; lost to Upperman in first round of 3A playoffs
Returning starters (O/D/K): 7/7/2
Control panel: Tackle Terrince Bramhall (6-3, 230, Sr.) is considered the team's leader, and he's a 4.0 student and student body president. QB Houston Mainord (6-1, 170, Jr.) started as a freshman and has come to be a leader by example, and LB Eldon Posey (6-0, 255, Sr.) is a defensive leader and sparkplug.
New producers: Receivers/defensive backs Alex Nunley (5-10, 155, Sr.) and Christian Brown (6-2, 165, Sr.) are stepping up to take key roles in the Yellow Jackets' passing game. Bryant said they'll be called on to do many things, including special teams. "Christian was probably our main target in 7-on-7s. He's tall and lanky but stout for his size. Alex is more of our speedy receiver, but he's also strong too," Bryant said.
Items of interest: Junior QB Houston Mainord is listed as a potential college prospect in football, but the pitcher/shortstop might also have baseball offers. "He looked good in 7-on-7s making his progressions, reading defenses and checking off," Bryant said.
Not only do all five of the Jackets' offensive line starters drive trucks, but each drives a Ford Ranger.
A former all-state player at Grundy County, Bryant took over the program in 2009 and has managed to get the Yellow Jackets into the postseason in each of the past five seasons. The last such streak at the school belonged to a pair of coaches - Ken Colquette and Greg Brewer.
2014 Schedule
(all games at 8 Eastern unless noted)
Aug. 21 - at Marion County
Aug. 29 - Grace Academy
Sept. 5 - Sequatchie County*
Sept. 12 - at Silverdale Baptist, 7:30
Sept. 19 - Signal Mountain*
Sept. 26 - at South Pittsburg
Oct. 3 - at Chattanooga Christian*
Oct. 17 - Bledsoe County*
Oct. 24 - Cumberland County
Oct. 31 - at Notre Dame, 7:30*
- District 7-AA game