PREP FOOTBALL: THS, South ready to tangle

Tennessee High's Bradley Tallman is ready for tonight's showdown with Sullivan South

By: Tim Hayes | TriCities.com
Published: October 30, 2009

The Tennessee High football juggernaut has been impressive this fall.

The Vikings have answered all their challenges with a high-powered offense, swarming defense and a group of determined seniors.

However, the attack wasn’t always running on all cylinders.

Two months ago during its season-opener at Sullivan East, the Vikings came out lackluster and unimpressive. They were tied with their rivals 7-7 at halftime when THS head coach
Greg Stubbs delivered an emotional speech.

“He yelled at us pretty big,” said Tennessee High fullback/defensive end Bradley Tallman. “He said if we came out in the second half and play the way we did, we [could lose]. I guess we kind of buckled down and said ‘no sir.’”

THS pulled away in the second half for a 39-7 victory over the Patriots and have been rolling along ever since. The 9-0 Vikings will travel to rival Sullivan South (8-1) tonight with the Big Eight Conference championship on the line.

“It’s huge,” Tallman said. “This is a conference championship game. They’re a good team and I think we’ve got a good team … I think if we just don’t make mistakes, we have a chance to win.”

South has won four straight against the Vikings and the schools have become bitter rivals. The Rebels even posted a 21-0 win over THS back in August during the Big Eight Jamboree.

“Our game with South is always toe to toe,” Stubbs said. “It’s a struggle and I’m looking for no different in this one.”

Another tough task for THS will be winning at South’s stadium, known as “Death Valley.” The Rebels have certainly buried the title hopes of opponents in the past, while playing at home.

Two years ago, Tennessee High dropped a 28-21 decision to the Rebels in Kingsport, coughing up a 13-0 lead.

“The other day when Coach Stubbs was breaking down the film with us, he said that Death Valley was really special to them … I know it’s loud and a lot of people come,” said Tallman. “It’s a good atmosphere and fun to play in. I guess it’s their fans, because I think they’re pretty wild over there.”

Tennessee High has been running wild this season. The Vikings have scored at least 26 points in every one of their games and quarterback Taylor Harmon has established several new school passing records.

Meanwhile, 11 different players have scored touchdowns. Tallman, Keenan Shepard, Carlos Howard, Orlando Gammon, Cody Snyder, T.J. Simmons, John Ellis Davis, Matt
Pendleton, Dylan Crockett, Justin Fahn, Michael Fershner and Brandon Downs have all found the end zone at some point this season.

Tallman has been productive on both sides of the ball. He had eight tackles and returned a fumble for a score in last week’s 51-26 beatdown of Daniel Boone. He also caught a TD pass.

“He’s a good one,” Stubbs said. “He can do a lot of things and he does a lot of things for us. It’s always a thrill to coach guys that bring a lot to the game.”

Staying focused is also not a problem for Tallman or his teammates. Especially tonight, when the stakes are extremely high.

“I think we’re playing good together; playing unselfishly,” Tallman said. “We have plenty of weapons and I think we’re using them all effectively.”