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from knoxnews.com
William Blount shows promise in jamboree
The 2005 season reflects potential and promise for a William Blount breakout year.
After the Governors defeated the Seymour Eagles 14-0 in one quarter of play at the Maryville Orthopaedic Clinic football jamboree, the reflection returned was even more hopeful.
The Governors have weathered some tough, losing seasons in the past, including a 3-7 mark last year. And the group of seniors returning are calloused but focused.
Two of those seniors are tailbacks Brad Walker and Ronald Osborne.
"Two great athletes," William Blount head coach Scott Meadows said. "They really are. They've improved every year and worked hard. Obviously, they have great speed, but they've taken up the senior leadership this year."
In 2004, William Blount looked good on paper, returning some depth but lost its first seven games. Osborne and Walker put up impressive numbers throughout the season and the Governors finished on a positive note, winning their last three games.
"We don't talk about the seven games (lost)," Meadows said. "We talk about building on the last three games (won). That's what we focused on in the offseason. I couldn't be more proud of the way these guys have worked."
Always working together are Walker and Osborne, who speak of each other as brothers, using the word "and" to connect them so.
"Me and Walker, we've been friends since we were little," Osborne said. "We take stuff more seriously than everybody else. We work harder. Me and Brad (Walker) act like we're not seniors on the team; everybody's equal.
"Everybody's in the same class; we're all on one team together at the same time."
With Meadows bringing some stability to the program, the players are excited.
"Me and Walker have been through everything together," he said. We've been through four different coaches. We finally have a coach we can trust."
That trust showed last season when Walker rushed for 1,051 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns and Osborne finished with 576 yards and six scores.
Both are capable of huge game-production, as seen in Osborne's 198-yard performance against Knoxville Central last year and Walker's 230 yards against Farragut. However, team unity is this season's mantra.
"The difference (between last season and this season) is that we were holding hands before this game," Walker said. "And coach told us we'll be the best team if we can keep that bond with each other and not let anyone break it."
If that bond solidifies throughout the forthcoming 10-game season, Osborne believes something special - in Murfreesboro - may await.
"People say I'm fooling myself, but we're probably going to state," Osborne said. "Because, as seniors, we're not taking anything else."
Alcoa 14, Sevier County 0: Alcoa High School, the Class 2A defending state champions, brandished their big guns Friday night.
Tennessee-commitment Dustin Lindsey ran the ball eight times for 70 yards and scored on runs of 2 and 8 yards. Chris Shiverdecker, a junior transfer from Jefferson County High School, rushed for 29 yards on three carries.
Florida State commitment Brandon Warren caught a pass for 26 yards. Highly touted quarterback Joei Fiegler passed for 36 yards, completing 2 of 4 attempts.
William Blount 13, Seymour 0: Senior tailback Brad Walker scampered for a 16-yard touchdown and fellow senior Ronald Osborne added a 63-yard scoring run to give the Governors the win. Osborne rushed for 84 yards on only two carries. Walker added 73 yards on five carries.
Gatlinburg-Pittman 7, William Blount 0: Quarterback Jake Reagan found an open Rollie File on a 9-yard touchdown pass as G-P got the win. The Highlanders played ball-control, using 11 plays and covering 70 yards to put up the only score.
Heritage 7, Greenback 0: Cody Lindsey scored from four yards out with 2:35 remaining to give Heritage the win. Lindsey also kicked the point after.
Maryville 7, Pigeon Forge 0: Running back Ryan Tallent scored on a 45-yard run with 11:45 remaining, the ensuing play after quarterback Derek Hunt was injured.
William Blount shows promise in jamboree
The 2005 season reflects potential and promise for a William Blount breakout year.
After the Governors defeated the Seymour Eagles 14-0 in one quarter of play at the Maryville Orthopaedic Clinic football jamboree, the reflection returned was even more hopeful.
The Governors have weathered some tough, losing seasons in the past, including a 3-7 mark last year. And the group of seniors returning are calloused but focused.
Two of those seniors are tailbacks Brad Walker and Ronald Osborne.
"Two great athletes," William Blount head coach Scott Meadows said. "They really are. They've improved every year and worked hard. Obviously, they have great speed, but they've taken up the senior leadership this year."
In 2004, William Blount looked good on paper, returning some depth but lost its first seven games. Osborne and Walker put up impressive numbers throughout the season and the Governors finished on a positive note, winning their last three games.
"We don't talk about the seven games (lost)," Meadows said. "We talk about building on the last three games (won). That's what we focused on in the offseason. I couldn't be more proud of the way these guys have worked."
Always working together are Walker and Osborne, who speak of each other as brothers, using the word "and" to connect them so.
"Me and Walker, we've been friends since we were little," Osborne said. "We take stuff more seriously than everybody else. We work harder. Me and Brad (Walker) act like we're not seniors on the team; everybody's equal.
"Everybody's in the same class; we're all on one team together at the same time."
With Meadows bringing some stability to the program, the players are excited.
"Me and Walker have been through everything together," he said. We've been through four different coaches. We finally have a coach we can trust."
That trust showed last season when Walker rushed for 1,051 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns and Osborne finished with 576 yards and six scores.
Both are capable of huge game-production, as seen in Osborne's 198-yard performance against Knoxville Central last year and Walker's 230 yards against Farragut. However, team unity is this season's mantra.
"The difference (between last season and this season) is that we were holding hands before this game," Walker said. "And coach told us we'll be the best team if we can keep that bond with each other and not let anyone break it."
If that bond solidifies throughout the forthcoming 10-game season, Osborne believes something special - in Murfreesboro - may await.
"People say I'm fooling myself, but we're probably going to state," Osborne said. "Because, as seniors, we're not taking anything else."
Alcoa 14, Sevier County 0: Alcoa High School, the Class 2A defending state champions, brandished their big guns Friday night.
Tennessee-commitment Dustin Lindsey ran the ball eight times for 70 yards and scored on runs of 2 and 8 yards. Chris Shiverdecker, a junior transfer from Jefferson County High School, rushed for 29 yards on three carries.
Florida State commitment Brandon Warren caught a pass for 26 yards. Highly touted quarterback Joei Fiegler passed for 36 yards, completing 2 of 4 attempts.
William Blount 13, Seymour 0: Senior tailback Brad Walker scampered for a 16-yard touchdown and fellow senior Ronald Osborne added a 63-yard scoring run to give the Governors the win. Osborne rushed for 84 yards on only two carries. Walker added 73 yards on five carries.
Gatlinburg-Pittman 7, William Blount 0: Quarterback Jake Reagan found an open Rollie File on a 9-yard touchdown pass as G-P got the win. The Highlanders played ball-control, using 11 plays and covering 70 yards to put up the only score.
Heritage 7, Greenback 0: Cody Lindsey scored from four yards out with 2:35 remaining to give Heritage the win. Lindsey also kicked the point after.
Maryville 7, Pigeon Forge 0: Running back Ryan Tallent scored on a 45-yard run with 11:45 remaining, the ensuing play after quarterback Derek Hunt was injured.
