Dougherty's Diatribe

Random Thoughts:

As the snow uncharacteristically falls in Middle Tennessee I arrive in a pensive state of mind. I don’t know if it’s the overcast skies, the gently falling flakes of snow building a solid blanket of white or simply my propensity to delay the beginning of my sports talk radio show prep. It’s probably more poetic to blame the calmness that comes from counting flake after flake disappear on the cold white ground. But, the reality is that the thought of beginning to organize a sports talk show causes me to daydream instead of allowing myself to reach a comfortable mental level to allow proper concentration. At any rate, this week’s column is born.

We’ve all had a chance to now digest the hiring of Lane Kiffin and it’s been an interesting process to follow. While taking calls on our radio show, “Overtime” heard nights on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, prior to Lane Kiffin’s opening press conference as Head Vol, I noticed apprehension over the impending announcement that Kiffin would indeed be the man on the Hill. And then comes the press conference. I stood in front of the television as I know many did, watching and wondering how it would all play out. Would he say the right things? Would he acknowledge an amazing history of a proud program? Would he mention his predecessor? What would he say about the current crop of players and would he give any insights as to what kinds of student athletes he might be looking for as he recruits? These were some of the questions that were flying through my head as I watched a 33-year old man take over a program that had only had two coaches during the majority of his life. Over the course of the first few minutes, the people I was watching the press conference with wondered aloud if he was nervous or excited. Talking to people that were there, nerves certainly appeared to be at play early. But shouldn’t that be expected? Would that not simply be an illustration by Kiffin that he understood the significance of the moment and of the job? As the presser went on, Kiffin obviously became more comfortable answering all of the questions that I had come up with. We did a show later that night and listeners overwhelmingly endorsed Kiffin. I concluded that he did indeed win the press conference.

As the Tennessee staff continues to recruit at full speed towards the December dead period, Kiffin has impressed many but has also elected to be brutally honest with several, including two quarterback prospects that many would have brought in to then just find other ways to utilize their services. Honesty is a nice trait in today’s times. Does Lane Kiffin believe that he has what he needs at quarterback with BJ Coleman, Jonathon Crompton and Nick Stevens? Or is he taking a gamble that he can put all of his eggs in one basket and bring home one of the big ’09 QB fish? We’ll have to wait and see.

Another Special Run by a Special Team:

I take my hat off to the Fort Campbell Falcons playing for their second consecutive Class 2-A State Championship Saturday at 11 eastern at Papa John’s Stadium in Louisville. Ft. Campbell takes on Newport Central Catholic, the team they beat to win it all last year. It’s an amazing story that I have been blessed to have been a part of while calling the play by play action for the Falcons this year. I tried to share the amazing story that is the Ft. Campbell Falcons in a column earlier this year and the response was amazing. It’s difficult to utilize brevity while also giving proper description of how truly special these kids, their coaches and the community on post truly is.

Several players on this team and many kids in this school have experienced true tragedy as their parents serve their country. It’s difficult to simply go through high school in an effort to identify the man or woman you have the potential of being. These kids do so in many cases, hoping each day a car doesn’t pull up with soldiers delivering news of the unthinkable. The Lord has blessed these players with an unwavering coaching staff that tries to teach discipline, loyalty and honor; that through everything, if you live life holding those near you up while also allowing yourself to be held up by those near you, mountains can be moved and every battle can be won.

The Falcons have many skill players on offense, many of whom can take it to the house at any given moment. They put a lot of points on the scoreboard. However, in the State Semi-Finals last week, it was the defense that picked things up and enabled Ft. Campbell to chase another State Title. Down 18-14 midway through the third quarter and with Monroe County driving into Falcons territory, star linebacker Josh Carter put every member of his team on his back and made sure that the season would not end on a frigid night in Thompkinsville, KY. Following a defensive penalty that allowed Monroe County further penetration into Ft. Campbell territory, Falcons senior linebacker Josh Carter took an already great individual game to another level. On first down and with the season on the line, Carter blasts through the “A” gap and tackles the ball carrier for a loss of a yard. Same thing on play number two setting up a third and long situation while providing Josh Carter another opportunity to get his defense off of the field. The ball is snapped. Carter shoots the gap and sacks the quarterback for a loss of seven giving his offense the ball back. Ft. Campbell scored touchdowns the next two times they had the football, taking a commanding lead in a hostile environment while sending a special group of kids back to Louisville with a shot at back to back titles. On the night, Josh Carter, playing with his father watching from above, totaled 25 tackles, 4 for a loss and three sacks. Carter will head to Western Kentucky in the Fall but will head to Louisville Saturday. Good luck Falcons!

-Three paragraphs fails to do this team justice. You can hear the game at oldies1480.com Saturday at 10am central, 11am eastern.

Thanks for reading! You can catch Overtime on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville Tuesday from 9p-12a central and Wednesday from 7p-11p central. You can also grab the show on 1045thezone.com.

-Brent Dougherty.