Patrick Johnson of Notre Dame partially blocks a kick by Tyner's Tylex Stoudemire during the game on August 26, 2016.The first scholarship offer from a Football Bowl Subdivision team for Notre Dame High School's Patrick Johnson came about in part due to some Fighting Irish alumni.
Johnson, a tight end and defensive end, received an offer early this week from Central Michigan. Liberty since has offered him a scholarship.
George Hubbuch was an all-state and All-South tight end for Notre Dame in the early 1960s. His niece Liz, also a Notre Dame alum, is married to Dan Presnell, Central Michigan's director of player development. Hubbuch had initially mentioned Kareem Orr, now at Arizona State, to Presnell, who noticed Johnson while checking out Orr.
"He came down last year and said at that time they'd keep an eye on Patrick and come back," Irish coach Charles Fant said. "They were looking at film and the D-line coach (George Ricumstrict) called me earlier this week. They asked if Patrick could call the head coach (John Bonamego), and that's when they made the offer."
Fant said Johnson fits what the Chippewas were seeking.
"They look for the 6-foot-3, 250-pound type guy that's long enough to play defensive end but athletic enough to drop back in coverage," he said.
Several other FBS schools have been following Johnson, including Appalachian State, Cincinnati and Middle Tennessee State.
"They say they like him, but none of them have pulled the trigger yet," Fant said.
McClure nails 56-yarder
East Hamilton kicker Jake McClure, who has been praised in the past for his punting, booted a school-record 56-yard field goal last week. It was one of three field goals he kicked in the Hurricanes' victory at Cumberland County.
"The game was in hand and we had some (reserves) in and a drive stalled, so we decided to give it a shot so he's done it if a similar situation arises in the future," coach Ted Gatewood said. "I think he has a strong enough leg to go 60, but you have to have all the variables that go with it - perfect snap, perfect hold, perfect spin."
The school's previous best, the coach said, was around 40 yards by either Cameron Carter or Cooper Loftin.
Walker Valley's Mason Oran (24) shoves Soddy-Daisy's Ty Boeck (13) out-of-bounds. The Soddy-Daisy Trojans visited the Walker Valley Mustangs in TSSAA football action on October 6, 2016Trojans' Boeck versatile
Junior Ty Boeck was initially projected to be a tight end who occasionally split out for Soddy-Daisy's offense and a linebacker on defense.
Those projections went out the window, especially when quarterback Justin Cooke was sidelined with an injury.
"I don't know that he's kicked off, but probably the only things he hasn't played are offensive line and water boy," Trojans coach Justin Barnes said.
Since the season opener Boeck has shown up at quarterback, tight end, wideout, linebacker and safety. He also holds on extra points and field goals and serves as the team's punter.
Calhoun answers 'wakeup call'
No one associated with the Calhoun football team will ever suggest the team's 56-0 loss to Cartersville five weeks ago was the best thing that could have happened to a squad trying to find its identity.
The loss, which gained statewide notoriety with Calhoun's history as a state-title contender, was painful to the proud program. However, out of it has come a more focused team that understands reputation gets you only so far.
"Cartersville is one of the best we've ever played, as good or better than those Buford teams," coach Hal Lamb said. "Granted, we didn't play good, but it was a wakeup call for our players and coaches. We have to do some things that maybe we have taken for granted in the past. We had five or six Division I players last year, and while this team has some talent, we have to coach them a bit differently."
Since then the Yellow Jackets have won four consecutive games by a combined margin of 132 points and are again expected to be state threats in Class AAA.