Will Swantic's high school football career is likely over.
The former North Murray quarterback, who transferred from Southeast Whitfield in the offseason after his father was hired as an assistant coach for the Mountaineers, left the team at halftime of last week's season opener against Rockmart and informed coaches he would not return.
Swantic enrolled at Southeast this week - North Murray doesn't start classes until Tuesday - but he would not be eligible to play for the Raiders unless the GHSA allows a hardship waiver for his transfer status.
"Will just came to me and said, 'Coach, I don't think my heart is in it,'" North Murray coach David Gann said. "He decided he wanted to be back at his home. There are no hard feelings whatsoever, and we're going to support him wherever he goes."
Swantic led Southeast to its first playoff appearance in 29 years as a junior, but decided to go with his father, Scott, to North Murray. Playing on an injured ankle against Rockmart, he struggled with three interceptions early and made the decision to leave the team at halftime. North Murray lost 50-28.
Southeast will apply for a hardship with the GHSA, and while it's unlikely the organization will approve it, the move has the blessings of the North Murray staff.
"Will was put in a tough situation where he wanted to play for his dad, but he also was loyal to his friends and teammates at Southeast," said Gann, who has written a letter to the GHSA supporting Swantic. "I personally hope he's able to play. I hate to see a kid not be able to play his senior season. He's such a good kid, and I hate to see him not play."
McCallie solid at QB
McCallie quarterback JaVaughn Craig is expected to be back in the lineup for tonight's game at Father Ryan in Nashville.
The junior sat out last week's last-second 44-42 loss at Blackman, having suffered a concussion in the previous week's weather/curfew-shortened two-quarter loss to Parkview.
However, McCallie has to be comforted to know that should its college prospect suffer further injury, there is a bona fide alternative in junior Robert Riddle. He threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns while completing 24 of 29 passes with no interceptions against Blackman.
"He did a pretty good job," Blue Tornado coach Ralph Potter said earlier this week. "In most cases, Robert would be starting for us. I think he could be really, really good."
When Riddle went over the 300-yard mark, Potter had to feel a shiver run up his spine. The team has never won a game in which its quarterback passed for more than 300 yards; sure enough, Blackman kicked a field goal in the game's final minutes to spoil McCallie's 15-point charge in the fourth quarter.
Meigs honoring Smith
Meigs County will honor graduate Jeff Smith prior to tonight's home game against Marion County. Tigers coach Jason Fitzgerald said Smith - who went on to the University of Tennessee and played offensive line in the NFL - made a contribution to his old high school program and is worthy of praise from everybody in attendance at the matchup of two top-10 teams.
An anomaly?
Leading 21-6 midway through the third quarter last week, North Jackson suffered a rash of penalties. In the eventual 33-21 loss to Guntersville, the Chiefs were flagged 11 times for 110 yards in 13 plays. Nine of those penalties were on successive plays, and seven of them were holding calls. Guntersville was not called for a single holding penalty in the game.
Austin should return
Like rival McCallie, Baylor had a reserve at quarterback last week, with Bryce Verble filling in for injured Wil Austin, the hero of the Red Raiders' season-opening win against Rhea County. Verble performed quite well in the Red Raiders' lopsided victory over Red Bank.
Both quarterbacks are expected to be available tonight as Baylor opens its region schedule at defending state champion Ensworth.