While numerous other area 12th-graders will decide their college football futures Wednesday on national signing day, South Pittsburg’s Jonathan Blevins will learn that day if he has has won a scholarship.
The former Pirates defensive lineman was named one of 30 finalists, from an original nominees list of 396 student-athletes, for the inaugural High School Rudy Awards academic scholarship.
Named for former Notre Dame football player and movie inspiration Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the program honors student-athletes whose courage and commitment inspire others. The organization will announce one winner of a $10,000 scholarship Wednesday, as well as two runners-up receiving $5,000 scholarships.
Blevins was featured in a Times Free Press story last fall that revealed he lived in the Pirates’ press box because he did not want to walk the eight miles to the hotel where he lived with his mother, who he said was a drug addict. He was eventually adopted by South Pittsburg resident Rance Castle and now has a steady home life.
Blevins was nominated for the award by Pirates coach Vic Grider, who said he was sent a Notre Dame jersey autographed by Ruettiger to give to Blevins.
Chargerettes stay No. 2
Although they’ve held the No. 2 spot in the Class AA poll all season, McMinn Central’s girls didn’t move up in the most recent poll after Gibson County was defeated last week.
Obion Central (19-3), which defeated Gibson County, took over the No. 1 spot. Obion and the Chargerettes (21-1) each had seven first-place votes, but Obion finished with eight more points to leap from fourth.
Walker Valley (22-1) remained No. 5 in Class AAA. Tellico Plains (19-2) slid up a spot to No. 8 in Class A. GPS (14-6) stayed at No. 6 and Baylor (11-9) went to No. 11 in Division II after the Lady Red Raiders edged the Bruisers 60-56 last week.
In the boys’ polls, Howard (17-2) moved up to No. 3 in Class AA, courtesy of a Bolivar Central loss, while Grace Academy (14-4) dropped to No. 8 in Class A and Arts & Sciences (16-6) received enough votes to hold down the No. 13 spot.
McCallie (12-3) remained at No. 5 and Baylor (12-6) fell to No. 8 in Division II.
Mason moving on
Gordon Lee senior Rachel Mason has signed scholarship papers to continue her golf career at Young Harris (Ga.) College.
The Lady Trojans have won three Region 6-A championships and finished first, second and third in the state tournament during Mason’s varsity career, with one season to go, and she has three region individual championships and three top-10 state showings.
She told the Walker County Messenger that she “looked at about 20 colleges, but when I went to Young Harris, it just felt right.”
Help for Haiti
When GPS hosts Harpeth Hall in girls’ basketball Friday, all proceeds from gate receipts and concessions will aid the Haiti disaster relief.
The Division II game tips off at 6 p.m., and the GPS parent council will provide a free dinner to fans from both teams, with contributions accepted. There will be a student bake sale in addition to the dinner and regular concessions.