University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior defensive lineman Isaiah Mack now has been recognized twice as a Football Championship Subdivision All-American for 2018. Already a first-team selection for The Associated Press, the Southern Conference defensive player of the year was listed Friday on the 27-man Walter Camp Foundation FCS All-America team. Camp, the former Yale University player and coach labeled "the father of American football" for his numerous contributions to the sport, began picking All-Americans in 1889, and the foundation named for him was established in 1967. Mack, who came to UTC from Tunnel Hill, Georgia, and Northwest Whitfield High School, had 8.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for lost yardage and two forced fumbles this season. He is the third Moc to be named to the Walter Camp team, following defensive end Davis Tull in 2012 and 2013 and offensive lineman Corey Levin in 2015.
» Former UTC wide receiver C.J. Board was signed this week to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. He's one of five ex-Mocs currently affiliated with NFL teams. Tae Davis (New York Giants), Keionta Davis (New England Patriots), Levin (Tennessee Titans) and Buster Skrine (New York Jets) are on active rosters. Board, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in civil engineering, started 47 games for UTC and caught 146 passes for 2,032 yards and 10 touchdowns. He made the All-SoCon second team as a receiver in 2014 and as a punt returner in 2015 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after his senior season in 2016. He has spent time on the Titans' and Cleveland Browns' practice squads as well.
Mikayla GillSoftball
» Central High School senior second baseman Mikayla Gill signed scholarship papers Thursday to continue her softball career at Bryan College. She made college visits before deciding to keep playing and really liked the Dayton school, and then Central coach Randy Crawford mentioned her to new Bryan coach Mark Ritchhart. A tryout was set up, and an offer ensued. "She's a really good girl and a really good fit for that program," said Crawford, who's in his second year with the Lady Purple Pounders. "I think the last two years she led our team in hitting, and she's a really good fielder at second base. She's a real bright spot on the team, and even though she's basically quiet, she's starting to take some leadership and be a little more vocal." Gill said that on her visit to Bryan "everyone was so nice and helpful, I felt like I belonged there," and meeting Coach Ritchhart and the players enhanced that feeling. Also, the Christian environment "will help me get closer to God and to the person I need to be," she said.
Basketball
» Karli Combs scored 27 points with seven 3-point baskets as the Bryan women's basketball team improved to 11-1, 9-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, with an 87-56 win Friday at Brenau. Also for the Lady Lions, ranked 17th in NAIA Division II, To'Nesha Allison had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Destiny Kassner scored 11 points, Tristan McClellan had six assists and three steals and Deandra Luna made four steals. Brenau is 5-7, 3-6.
» Despite 31 points and seven rebounds from E.J. Bush, the Bryan men lost 95-86 in an overtime nonconference game at Asbury, dropping the Lions to 6-7 overall and 1-6 away from home. Keaton Dotson scored 17 points and Austin Douglas contributed 14 plus 13 rebounds, while Brandon Thomas had 10 points and matched K.J. Hawkins with eight rebounds. Bryan outglassed Asbury 48-29 but was on the bad end of a 21-10 turnover margin.
» Chattanooga State's men lost 77-71 Friday at Brunswick Community College in Bolivia, North Carolina, and are 6-5 for the season. Play continues today and Sunday in the six-team Brunswick Holiday Classic. The hosts are 10-2.