Chattanooga Mocs celebrate outright title, playoff spot

By Stephen Hargis November 9, 2014 3 min read

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Super What? Bat-Who? Adaptations of fringe comics, graphic novels abound on the small screen

Mike Colter stars as the indestructible Luke Cage in "Jessica Jones." Although he largely plays asuppporting role in "Jessica Jones," a show focused on Cage, a Marvel Comics superhero, will premiere on Netflix on Sept. 30.

Griffin Newman, left, as accountant Arthur Everest, and Peter Serafinowicz as The Tick, star in the Amazon pilot of "The Tick." The new program on Amazon Video is the second time a live-action show has been based on the comic character, and it also was an animated show from 1994-96.

Joseph Gilgun, left, as the vampire Cassidy, and Dominic Cooper as Texas preacher Jesse Custer star in AMC's adaptation of the comic book

Dominic Cooper stars as clergyman Jesse Custer — who inadvertently has been given heavenly power — in AMC's adaptation of the comic book

Andrew Lincoln fends off shambling zombie hordes as Rick Grimes in an episode of AMC's

Andrew Lincoln, left, as Rick Grimes, and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, stand ready to fend off the undead in AMC's

Melanie Scrofano unloads as the heroine in an episode of SyFy's

A demonically possessed child confronts Patrick Fugit as Kyle Barnes in an episode of the Cinemax series "Outcast." The show is based on a series of comics written by "The Walking Dead" co-creator Robert Kirkman that focus on a man who seeks to solve the mystery of the demonic possessions that have plagued the people around him throughout his life.

Charlie Cox isn't in as much danger as he appears to be as the blind-but-tough-as-nails superhero Daredevil in the Netflix show of the same name. It's based on a Marvel Comics series and is one of four New York City-based superheroes who've had shows created about them by Netflix as part of a partnership with Marvel.

Charlie Cox stars as the blind-but-tough-as-nails superhero Daredevil in the Netflix show of the same name based on a Marvel Comics series. It's based on a Marvel Comics series and is one of four New York City-based superheroes who've had shows created about them by Netflix as part of a partnership with Marvel.

Jon Bernthal stars as Marvel Comics character Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in an episode of the Netflix series "Daredevil." Although he plays a supporting role in "Daredevil," the Punisher, a troubled war hero-turned-vigilante, will be spun off into his own series.

Krysten Ritter stars as the hard-drinking, troubled superheroine in "Jessica Jones," one of four shows created exclusively for Netflix.

Taharin Tyson picked up a large blue and gold flag with the Chattanooga logo and trotted a complete circle around Finley Stadium, his long dreadlocks bouncing with each step.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior fullback stopped along the way to high-five fans, wave the flag and hug teammates. After completing his personal victory lap, Tyson stood near midfield, wiped his brow with a gloved hand and surveyed the celebratory scene nearby.

Having just helped the Mocs to a 31-13 win over Wofford on Saturday afternoon, Tyson let out a relieved sigh. The win assured the Mocs of their first FCS playoff berth in 30 years and, coupled with Western Carolina’s loss to Samford, assured them their first outright Southern Conference championship since 1984.

UTC players pose for a photo after the Mocs’ 31-13 win over the Wofford Terriers on Saturday at Finley Stadium. The win nets the Mocs the SoCon championship and a spot in the playoffs.

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“I’ve never been more proud of a team, man,” said Tyson, who helped bring a championship attitude from perennial power Alcoa High School, where he won four state titles. “We wanted to take the decision away from anybody else and take care of business on our own. That’s what we set out to do, ever since the way last year ended. We left no doubt.”

Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.