Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and the glorious football treats that dominated the last few days.
Here we go with today's 5-at-10, and remember it's been a while and a lot of heavy meals since the last time we did this, so there you go.
High school football high points
Four area teams will head to football practice this afternoon, and know this - practicing football in December is special. It's a mark of accomplishment, no matter how you slice it.
Three of the area teams - South Pittsburg, Signal Mountain and Baylor - will play for TSSAA state titles this week in Cookeville. Calhoun will play nationally ranked Carver-Columbus at home Friday in a Georgia state semifinal.
College football collage
Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton (2) celebrates with teammate Nick Fairley (90) following a 28-27 win over Alabama in an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)Where do we begin looking back on an amazing weekend of college football? The starting point has to be in Tuscaloosa, where Auburn completed its biggest comeback in school history as Alabama was allowing the biggest comeback in school history in the Tigers' 28-27 Iron Bowl win. It was game filled with big plays - although Nick Fairley's sack, forced fumble and sprawling recovery may be the SEC play of the season - and big momentum swings. But the big thought left after Auburn rallied from a 24-0 hole to improve to 12-0 heading into the SEC title game this week is these Tigers are never out of any game.
But that was far from the only unbelievable moment in a college football weekend filled with them. Try some of these out for size:
- Boise State's dream season turned into a nightmare when Kyle Brotzman brought back memories of Scott Norwood and Ray Finkle ("Laces out. LACES OUT!") by shanking two chip shot field goals late in the Broncos' overtime loss to Nevada. The BCS-busting Broncos now are simply busted.
- Georgia's late-night win over Georgia Tech, and Tennessee's annual November win over Kentucky meant the SEC has 10 bowl teams. Even though each team secured a bowl bid and the Bulldogs thumped the Vols this year, which fan base feels better this morning? You bet it's Vol Nation, who have watched Derek Dooley's team reel off four straight wins with a true freshman quarterback.
- Karma stinks, huh, Lane Kiffin. In a forgettable first season at USC, former UT coach Lane Kiffin watched as Notre Dame beat the Trojans for the first time since 2001. The game was sealed when USC quarterback Mitch Mustain was intercepted by Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, who grew up in, yep you know it, Knoxville.
The pros play, too
Tennessee's Scotty Hopson (32) reacts after a dunk against Ohio State's Jon Diebler (33) and Dallas Lauderdale (52) during the second half of an NCAA Midwest Regional college basketball game Friday, March 26, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)As the Tennessee Titans spin out of control in the AFC, the Atlanta Falcons have become the NFC's top team. With Sunday's impressive win over the Green Bay Packers - and Atlanta's road win at New Orleans earlier this year - the Falcons have a leg up in the race for home-field advantage and that can't be overvalued at this point. Especially considering Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is 19-1 at the Georgia Dome. (We're not math guys here at the 5-at-10, but that's pretty good, right?)
As for the rest of the league, get on YouTube and look for Bills receiver Steve Johnson's crucial drop against the Steelers that cost Buffalo a chance at the win. Then get on YouTube and look for Johnson's thoughtful and respectful interview after the game. Dude stood tall in a disappointing moment, and that deserves kudos.
Pass some holiday hoops
This Tennessee men's basketball team may be better than we at the 5-for-10 thought. Sure there was some returning talent - thanks for showing up and playing like a McDonald's All-America, Scotty Hopson - but the 5-at-10 thought the loss of Wayne Chism was going to take a while to overcome.
Turns out, it took about 30 seconds of actual game time. Ladies and gentleman, enjoy UT freshman Tobias Harris while you can, that guy has some serious skills.
Heads up today
Quick programming note: The TSSAA Mr. Football winners will be announced today, and our prep ace Stephen Hargis is there on the scene and will have the skinny as it happens.
Check back to timesfreepress.com later this afternoon to see if any of our area finalists - Baylor's Jacob Huesman as Division II back of the year, Signal Mountain's Hogan Whitmire as Class 2A back of the year and Signal Mountain's Gervall Morgan as Class 2A lineman of the year - are chosen.