There is absolutely no excuse for officiating mistakes in this day and time when replay from a zillion angles gives the men in stripes every opportunity to make the right call. I'm not talking about the unmade call against Mount Cody for removing his helmet on the field of play against the Volunteers, but rather the call that probably cost Vanderbilt a win against South Carolina when the Gamecock receiver was out of bounds.
Bobby Johnson was more than a little upset but he shows much more restraint than Lane Kiffin.
Granted, Cody and Alabama should have been whistled for the violation but that game was over and a penalty at that time wouldn't have given Tennessee another opportunity for Lincoln to miss again.
Frank Gale's men in orange now have two really close calls against number one teams. What happened against Auburn and UCLA? Has Tennessee improved greatly or have Florida and Alabama been overrated from the start?
I'll give Mr. Gale a call for an unbiased report.
MTSU got back on track as they drilled Western Kentucky and they continue to be the best in the state. Go Raiders.
Though neither team has had a stellar season, both CCHS and Stone have opportunities to advance to the state playoffs with wins on Friday evening.
Stone will be hosting Scott County and the Jets will take on White County.
Good luck to both. I'm not ready for the season to be over just yet.
As I'm writing this the Lady Panthers are competing in the state volleyball tournament and they won their second match after losing the first. Go girls. I was reading about the tournament in the Nashville newspaper and they didn't even mention the Lady Panthers as a contender. Let's prove them wrong. We have already defeated one of the teams that they referred to as a possible winner.
I visited downtown Crossville this week wearing a Vandy shirt and a Titans jacket and everyone I ran into just bowed their head and wished me well. Some even took the time to give me a hug. What's up with that? There's nothing wrong with being a true fan, win or lose. The hugs were nice though.
I guess Bud Adams will get his way this weekend and we will see what Vince Young has learned while sitting on the bench. I'm trying to figure out who the Titans are going to beat. Please don't match Detroit's record of last year.
Come on Philadelphia Phillies! They took a big opening win and hopefully can finish off the Bronx Bombers with the fat wallets. It's been done before.
I haven't mentioned my newfound Michigan friends lately and the reason is that when I bring up football to them they shy away so I can't get any good quotes. One Ohio State fan did comment that their conference just can't compete with the SEC. Duh!
Let's get out and root the Jets and Panthers on to victory on Friday night and on Saturday you take yours and I'll take mine. UT versus Spurrier and South Carolina should be a good game and a Vanderbilt victory over Georgia Tech would turn my entire season around. Regardless, the sun will rise on Sunday.
Keep on smiling and find the good in everything, even a close loss. Have a great week.
GO PANTHERS!!! GO JETS!!! GO USA!!!
(Jim Butler is a Chronicle contributor and his column appears weekly.)
Area Sports
ALL IN THE GAME: SEC officials are catching heat
- Area Sports
-
-
Hook, line and sinker
-
Cole signs with Bryan College
Another Stone Memorial basketball player will be calling Bryan College home for the 2012-'13 school year, as senior Brandon Cole signed scholarship players to play for the Lions and join his former Panther teammate Robert Troino at the Dayton school.
-
Lady Jets softball team closes season with banquet
The Cumberland County High School Lady Jet softball team was honored with a banquet Tuesday night at Mitch's in Lake Tansi.
-
Jet soccer team honored for great season
The Cumberland County High School Jet soccer team was recognized May 22 at their annual banquet, after finishing third in the district and posting a school-record 11 wins. The team finished with an 11-7-1 record, after losing 4-3 to Coffee County in the district tournament.
-
Volleyball tryouts set
Tryouts for the 2012 Cumberland County High School Lady Jet volleyball team will be May 30-June 1 from noon to 2 p.m. in the CCHS gym.
-
Taylor, Green co-champs of Tennessee Senior State Open
Professional Harry Taylor and amateur Danny Green were declared co-champions of the third annual Tennessee Senior State Open presented by the City of Crossville May 21-22 at Stonehenge Golf Club. The 36-hole tournament was shortened to 18, as the second round was canceled due to unplayable course conditions, according to the TPGA.
-
Iles, teammates win AAU Div. I state title
- Diamond Scores
-
McNeely named CCHS wrestling coach
Cumberland County High School didn't have go far to find a wrestling coach for 2012-'13, as former assistant and Phoenix School teacher Wes McNeely will replace retiring coach James Brady.
-
Nelson signs to play tennis at Cumberland
Stone Memorial senior tennis player Dylan Nelson recently signed to play tennis with Cumberland University in Lebanon.
- More Area Sports Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
