Articles

2011/01/27 ESPN

State by State Top Players

by Sheldon Shealer, editor

The following list of state-by-state top players from the fall season was compiled by ESPN RISE based on recommendations from coaches and media members, in addition to observations by ESPN RISE soccer editor Sheldon Shealer. Players are listed with high school (city, state), grade in school and college signing/commitment, if available. From the below list, 36 players will be named to the ESPN RISE Fall All-America team. Players from the New England Prep School League are listed as part of an independent state. Schools from the league are not eligible for POWERADE FAB 50 consideration due to the league's use of post-grad players, however, non-P.G. players are eligible to make the ESPN RISE All-America team.

Tennessee

F: Bethany Bunker, St. Agnes Academy (Memphis, Tenn.), Jr.

F: Cailin Harris, Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Jr.

F: Olivia Harrison, Houston (Germantown, Tenn.), Jr.

G: Rose Hull, Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.), Jr.

D: Gracie Irby, Germantown (Germantown, Tenn.), Jr.

M: Kat Nigro, Livingston Academy (Livingston, Tenn.), Sr., North Carolina

D: Ashley Reveiz, Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), Sr.

F: Samantha Turner, Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.), Sr.

F: Chesney White, Franklin (Franklin, Tenn.), Jr.

2010/12/23 The Williamson Herald

The 12 stats of Christmas

by Marcus Stone, Staff Writer

The holiday season is a time of great traditions passed down from generation to generation.

One such tradition in my family – by tradition I mean that we did it once on video camera 15 years ago and say we are going to do it again and never do – is that we sing the 12 days of Christmas on Christmas Eve.

In that same spirit, while also being a way to look back at the year that was 2010 in Williamson County high school sports, here are the “12 stats of Christmas”.

Twelve I really hate to start off this way- it is really lame I know – but 12 was really hard to find. Add one to it and that gives you 13 though. That is the number off times a county football team held their opponent to zero points. Page and Fairview led the way with three each.

Eleven Brentwood Academy would have played for their 11th football state championship if they had held on for seven more seconds and not lost to Ensworth in the Division II-AA semifinal game. Only Alcoa and Maryville have more state championships in football than Brentwood Academy.

Ten Fairview and Brentwood Academy each had 10 wins this football season – the most out of any county team. It was the first time Fairview had reached double-digit wins since the 1990 season.

Nine The number of games Brentwood Academy scored 40 or more points in a football game.

Eight The number of double-digit victories the Brentwood High School girls’ basketball team has had in their first 10 games played this school year.

Seven While plenty of teams throughout all athletic competition have had success this year, seven have won a state championship. Ravenwood and Brentwood each have two with Ravenwood’s coming in girls’ tennis and volleyball. Brentwood won boys’ track and boys’ tennis. Page also won for volleyball. Brentwood Academy won their third baseball championship in a row while Centennial won in cheerleading.

Six Battle Ground Academy quarterback C.J. Beathard had six games in which he threw multiple touchdown passes.

Five Franklin Junior soccer player Chesney White now ranks fifth on the Lady Rebels’ all-time season scoring leaders list after scoring 30 goals this season.

Four Williamson County had four wrestlers win individual state championships in 2010. Blake Thomas and Cameron Croy won for Brentwood while Ravenwood’s David Chege and Brennen Cox from Independence won their schools’ first titles in the sport.

Three The number of new football coaches in the county for the 2010 season. Marty Euverard took over at BGA and led the Wildcats to a 7-6 record and a trip to the Division II-AA semifinal game. Independence had a 4-6 season under Kevin Dyson and the Page Patriots finished 6-5 under Richard Herzog.

Two BGA hired two new basketball coaches in 2010. The Lady Wildcats are now coached by Grover Levy and the boys by Len McKnatt.

One Ravenwood’s Madelyn Hutson was named the Gatorade Tennessee Volleyball Player of the Year, making her the No. 1 volleyball player in the state. Thanks for humoring me in my so-called holiday “tradition”. Enjoy the Christmas season and all of your own family festivities.

2010/12 Rebel Review

Stepping Up For the Team

by Jacob Lindsey

Every sports team needs a captain, someone to lead them and set an example, someone to pump them up and get them motivated. Because they usually have the most experience and know how to lead others, the captain’s role is typically filled by one or several seniors. Being a senior captain is a tall order. The team looks up to you. You are respected, and you play a large role on the team. It also is your last year with the team, and you need to make sure to go out with a bang. Recently we spoke with the fall sports captains to get their take on how it feels going through their last year.

Soccer:

Defenders Catherine Durland and Ciera Thomson, and Midfielder Jamie Kendrick, the only seniors, lead the Lady Rebels soccer team. All three describe the feeling of being a senior as "bittersweet," but they know they have to stay focused and perform their best. Thomson said she needs to "set an example on and off the field," and Kendrick knows she has to "step it up [because of] strong competition." The outlook for the season is very positive though, with the words "going to state" and "winning it" coming from all three captains. When Durland, Kendrick and Thomson are finished they will leave the team in good shape for future seasons. According to Thomson, the juniors are "beasts," and the underclassmen have a lot of talent to showcase. Durland and Kendrick plan on...[duration of article missing from source]

Congratulations to the Lady Rebels Soccer Team

State AAA Tournament Championship Runner-ups

Undefeated Section 3-AAA Substate Tournament Champs

Undefeated District 11-AAA 2010 District Tournament Champs

Undefeated District 11-AAA 2010 Regular Season Champs

Franklin High School is very proud of our Lady Rebel‘s soccer team on a phenomenal season. They ended the season with an amazing 21-5-2 record and were the runners up for the State Championship. The Lady Rebels handily defeated their previous two opponents in the tournament outscoring their opponents 10 goals to 1. Chesney White led the team with 30 goals, 5th best for a single season in FHS history, followed by Jessica Hiskey with 17 goals and a team high 18 assists. The team is looking to have another solid season next year, returning all but three players from their current roster. It will be hard to replace two great defenders in Ciera Thompson and Catherine Durland, as well as senior midfielder Jamie Kendrick. However, the seniors themselves call the rising seniors “beasts,” and are sure they will have a great run. Chesney White is already a force to be reckoned with, and she can only get better from here. With plenty of talent coming up, as well as underclassman skill, the Lady Rebels soccer team is sure to go far into the playoffs again.

2010/11/11 The Williamson Herald

Franklin Soccer Finished Second

by Robert Moore, sportswriter

The Franklin High women’s soccer team, in a repeat of last year, lost their bid for a Tennessee state championship in the finals Saturday to Houston High of Germantown 6-1.

The Lady Rebels (19-5-2) took the lead early with a goal by Chesney White but less than a minute later Houston was awarded a penalty kick which was successful and followed up with another goal less than two minutes later which scoring seemed to deflate the Maroon and White.

“We came ready to play and that was evident in our start with a goal in the 12th minute,” Franklin Coach Jimmy Burchett said. “We had all the momentum but the penalty kick seemed to put our defense in a state of shock and bewilderment.”

The coach of three previous state titles at Franklin said neither he nor his team members saw any action which would lead to a penalty call.

The Lady Mustangs (21-1-2) scored again less than two minutes after the free kick and led 4-1 at the half. They kicked two more scores in the second half for the final total of six points — the most allowed by the Lady Rebels all year.

Franklin defeated Ravenwood 2-1 to win the District 11-AAA tournament, lost to Ravenwood 1-0 in the regional tournament, but defeated Station Camp 4-0 in the sub-state and Knoxville Catholic 4-0 in the state semi-finals.

Ravenwood (14-4-6) defeated Knoxville Bearden 1-0 earlier in the state tournament and lost 1-0 to Houston in the semi-finals.

White’s solo goal in the final game was her 60th career goal. As a senior next year, she will likely be a major force on the Rebel squad.

Ravenwood's 1-0 loss to Houston spoiled the chance for a Middle Tennessee championship game to be played in Chattanooga. Page's Lady Patriots were also shut out by Notre Dame 1-0. In Division II-AA, BGA lost 4-0 to Baylor.

2010/11/08 The Tennessean

Final 2010 - TN High School Girls Varsity Soccer Leaders

Goals Scored:

#04 Chesney White with 30 goals (link)

#12 Jessica HIskey with 17 goals

Assists:

#02 Jessica Hiskey with 18 assists (link)

#12 Lyndie Donegan with 11assists

#20 Morgan Adams with 8 assists

#26 McKenzie Moore with 7 assists

#38 Chesney White with 6 assists

Goalkeeper Saves:

#03 Bethany Taylor with 134 saves (link)

2010/11/07 The Memphis Commercial Appeal

Houston wins second straight soccer state crown

Lady Mustangs' Harrison named MVP after two goals in win over Franklin

by Jamie Lackey

PREP SOCCER

Houston 6, Franklin 1

CHATTANOOGA -- Another athlete might have surrendered to the pain and let a teammate take her place on the soccer field.

Not Houston's Olivia Harrison.

After missing the Lady Mustangs' TSSAA Class AAA state semifinal match on Thursday with what coach David Wolff called a foot fracture, the standout junior returned to the lineup for Saturday afternoon's state final at Girls Preparatory School.

Harrison was named the match MVP after her two goals and an assist sparked Houston to an impressive 6-1 victory over Franklin in a rematch of the 2009 state final, also won by the Lady Mustangs.

"That performance from Olivia Harrison was the gutsiest thing I've ever seen," Wolff said. "I've never seen anything like it from any athlete. That was tough."

Harrison went down in the closing minutes of Houston's quarterfinal win Wednesday and spent much of the next two days applying ice to the injury. When asked how it felt on Saturday, Harrison could only offer "OK," but the pain didn't affect her or the Lady Mustangs against Franklin.

"I knew if I couldn't play, we had plenty of good players who could take my spot," she said. "But I'm really glad I got to be a part of this."

As they did in their state opener, the Lady Mustangs (21-1-2) fell behind early in the final. Franklin (19-4-2) scored on a goal from Chesney White in the 12th minute, but Houston was awarded a penalty kick less than a minute later, and Sammy Laplante connected on the equalizer.

A little more than a minute later, Harrison scored on a ball from Sydney Piper to put her team on top.

"We definitely didn't come out playing our best, but as soon as that goal was scored, we got motivated," Harrison said. "We picked it up right away. Our defense kept us in the game, and we all were able to make the most of our opportunities on offense."

The Lady Mustangs' next two goals came in the span of a minute, as Maddie Wanta scored on a pass from Kelsey Pearce and Harrison connected on a cross from Kayla Thorpe with 1:16 remaining in the first period to put Houston up 4-1 at the half.

Houston maintained its pressure and its tough defense in the second half, and extended its lead in the 45th minute, when Pearce scored on a ball from Harrison. A long shot from Thorpe found the net with 9:10 left to play, punctuating the Lady Mustangs' second straight state championship victory.

"It was unbelievable," Wolff said. "I'm speechless. I've never had a team maximize itself so much. Everybody believed we were a one-person team, and in the semifinals we proved that was not the case. On this field today, we showed that every single person contributes to this team."

2010/11/06 The Chattanoogan

Notre Dame Irish and Franklin Rebels Seek Soccer Title - A Generation Later (1988 Finals parallel)

by William Branton, Sportswriter

A generation ago, a Notre Dame team had little fear, but plenty of talent, poise and the desire to win and upset two-time defending state champion Franklin High School in the 1988 state girls’ soccer final. It was an historic afternoon - Sat. Nov. 5, 1988 at Brentwood - as the Irish handed tradition and talent-rich Franklin - the New York Yankees of girls’ soccer of that era - its first loss (2-1) in the seven-year history of that program.

Today - Nov. 6, 2010 - a resilient Notre Dame team is back in the D-I A/AA championship match at noon at GPS. One with talent, one which finds ways to win and one ready to go after two-time defending state champion Christian Academy of Knoxville. The names on a roster of all-state Irish players, Judy Batts (state tournament MVP), Angie Busch, Lori Jenkins and Kristy Lavender along with sisters, Molly (all-state), Katy and Jennie Firth from 1988 have been replaced by Grace Courter in goal, senior forward Kathryn Healy and junior defender Ashley Henry.

The Irish won late in the state quarters and semis earlier this week as sophomore Erin Freeman and junior Sophie Mullin have their names well-etched in Irish state tourney lore. Freeman found the back of the net in the 107th minute of sudden death to edge top-seeded Christ Presbyterian Academy, 2-1, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, while Mullin bounced one off the right post and in for the semis winner in the 79th minute for a 1-0 triumph against Page. Notre Dame had lost to CPA in September. "I believe by having played in the state finals last year and against CAK has for sure helped make us a better team this season," said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn. CAK (17-4-3) has won three state titles in the past four years (2006-08-09), including a 2-1 defeat of the Irish a year ago, and is ready to position itself as the modern day version of Franklin soccer.

Ironically, Franklin (19-4-2) - winner of 12 state team titles (10 TSSAA, 2 non-TSSAA) since 1984 - goes for No. 13 in the D-I AAA final against nationally-ranked Houston (20-1-2) at 2:30 p.m., also at GPS. Reflecting back on the championship 22 years ago, Jennie Firth Sheridan said, "our coach (Pepe Fernandez) had us focus on what we needed to do and not dwell on the mystique of the powerhouse known across the state as Franklin soccer."

"Many of us on the team had played local youth soccer and travel team soccer (coached by Judy’s dad, Bill Batts) together for a number of years, and that friendship and comraderie that had developed over 10-12 years paid off in the end." To win the state championship - its second girls’ title ever following the 1985 tennis crown - Notre Dame had to, and did, end three undefeated seasons for GPS (region finals), Farragut (semis), Franklin (finals) in successive matches. The Irish was 14-2-1 prior to the region final, and avenged previous losses to GPS and Franklin to take Holy Grail.

The 1988 Final: Franklin (14-0-1) was 93-0-3 in seven years entering the Notre Dame encounter and the program had been featured on ESPN the week prior.

War of Words: "Just before the start of the match, a Franklin player asked one of our younger players "are you prepared to lose?" said coach Fernandez yesterday by phone, in discussing the 1988 final. "And after the match, our player went up to the same Franklin player, showed one finger and said, ‘and now you have one loss’ and then walked away."

Batts, with 96 career goals wearing the green and white, put Notre Dame up 1-0 in the first half, but Franklin quickly tied it for a draw at halftime. The tourney MVP, who would continue her stellar career at the University of the South along with Irish teammate Ann Gilligan, was not finished as she then stung the Franklin defense with a quick goal after intermission, the Irish defense withstood several Franklin attacks and the championship was coming to Chattanooga. "At the end, Franklin pushed 10 players forward in hopes for a tying goal, but we were able to handle everything they threw at us," said Batts (now Judy Batts Hagerty) from her home in Denver. "And Angie was phenomenal for us in goal. Nothing could get past her in the second half."

Interestingly, Franklin then proceeded to win five more straight titles (1989-1993), put up impressive numbers - 75-3-2 in the next 80 matches (1989-1992) - and closed out the first decade of girls’ high school soccer in Tennessee with nine championships and a 182-8-8 win-loss mark.

Today, the name Franklin still permeates through the state record book, which makes what a handful of teenagers from Notre Dame did twentysomething years ago so incredible.

"Talking straight talent, the 1987 Notre Dame team was better," said coach Fernandez who kept the team loose by agreeing to wear a GPS dress at school after the region win and wore his hometown Franklin jacket for motivation prior to the final. "But the 1988 group had something special. The ladies found ways to win."

So while many of the 1988 players are scattered, including Sheridan in Massachusetts, Hagerty and Christy Bowman Helton in Colorado and coach Fernandez at a conference tournament in Atlanta (he is the Maryville men’s and women’s soccer coach and both teams won on Friday), and with memories and heavy hearts for teammate Molly Firth who succumbed to a brain tumor in 2008 - those from a generation ago will be pulling for the current Irish to win a second soccer title. Where Are They Now?: Judy Batts Hagerty lives in Denver, has a Master’s degree in counseling and works in quality control for Century Payments, Inc.; which is listed as the 11th fastest growing small company in the nation … Jennie Firth Sheridan lives in Massachusetts and coaches two of her three children in soccer … Christy Bowman Helton is married to Colorado Rockies baseball player Todd Helton, has two children and is heavily involved with the Helton Foundation.

2010/11/05 The Knoxville News Sentinel

Catholic looks to future after season ends, 4-0 to Franklin in State Semi-Final

by Dave Link freelance contributor

CHATTANOOGA - The dream season came to an end Thursday night for the Catholic High School girls soccer team.

Franklin (19-4-2) moved closer to its first state title since 2003 by beating the Lady Irish 4-0 in a Class AAA state semifinal game at Baylor School.

Catholic (18-4-3) proved it can compete in Class AAA after moving up from Class A/AA before last season.

"I have never been more proud of my team," Catholic sophomore defender Kathryn Culhane said. "We've worked so hard this season to get this far, and it's amazing we got this far. It's great."

The youthful Lady Irish had only four seniors on this year's team. "I feel very good about the future," Catholic coach Mark Leader said. "Most of this team is coming back and we should do fine next year."

Franklin's 10 state titles in are the most by any team. The Lady Rebels will play Germantown Houston on Saturday for the state championship. Houston beat Franklin 3-2 in the 2009 state championship game. Tournament experience was a factor against Catholic. "You can tell we've been here a time or two," Franklin coach Jimmy Burchett said. "Our seniors have been here four straight years, and our juniors three straight years, so they kind of know what to expect and what it's going to take to get to the next game." Franklin had 12 shots on goal to Catholic's two.

The Lady Rebels took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute on Jessica Hiskey's goal off of Chesney White's assist. Franklin had five shots on goal at the half and Catholic none. We weren't getting any shots in the first half," Leader said. "We were struggling to try to get it through and I think the girls were actually very, very nervous, more so than (Wednesday). I think they were just a little bit intimidated about the speed that Franklin had in the middle, so we were playing a little bit too defensive and our offense couldn't get the looks."

Culhane had Catholic's first shot on goal in the 51st minute, but goalie Bethany Taylor made a diving save. About 5 minutes later, Franklin's Mackenzie Moore fired a shot that was blocked by goalie Brianne Zimmerman, but Moore scored on the follow shot for a 2-0 lead. At that point, Leader made a move to try to get some offense going. "We just decided to push everybody up," he said. "We were playing with four forwards. The score was not a problem at that point. Whether you lose by one or four, it makes no difference. We pushed everybody up and took our chances." White scored for a 3-0 lead with 21:17 left and added the fourth goal with 11:05 to go.

"I'm very proud of these young ladies," Leader said. "They had a great season in a very, very strong district in a very strong league, and we get to the top four (in state). We just have to be proud of it and move on."

2010/11/05 The Nashville City Paper

Franklin faces familiar foe in quest for 11th state soccer title

With two easy wins so far in the state tournament, Franklin High (19-4-2) guns for its 11th state soccer championship when the Rebels met Houston High (20-1-2) for the crown 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Class AAA final at Chattanooga.

It is a rematch of last year’s final between the two powerhouses in a match Houston won. It was that school’s fourth state title.

Franklin’s 10th and last championship came in 2003.

In Thursdays’ semifinals, Franklin blanked Knox Catholic 4-0. That followed a 6-1 victory in the previous round.

Junior Chesney White broke open a close game with two second-half goals, and goalkeeper Bethany Taylor notched the shutout for Franklin.

Houston ended Ravenwood’s season with a 1-0 victory.

2010/11/05 TNSportsPix.Com

Franklin To Play for State Soccer Title

by Mike Strasinger, Sportswriter

Franklin was the only team from the Middle Tennessee area to survive and advance at the TSSAA Girl’s State Soccer Tournament in Chattanooga. They beat Knoxville Catholic 4-0 to advance to the AAA finals against

Houston who beat Ravenwood 1-0. Frankln will play Houston Saturday at 2:30 at GPS.

In A/AA play Page lost to Notre Dame 1-0 and in DII-AA play BGA fell to Baylor 4-0 and Pope John Paul II lost to St. Agnes 2-1.

2010/11/04 HobnobFranklin.Com Newsletter

Franklin makes state finals, Ravenwood, Page Fall

Franklin blew past Knoxville Catholic, 4-0, Thursday night nd advanced to the championship finals of the TSSAA Class AAA Girls State Soccer Tournament in Chattanooga.

The Rebels will play for the state title Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EDST against Houston of Germantown that blocked an all-Williamson County finals by edging Ravenwood, 1-0, earlier Thursday.

Houston has lost only once this season while posting 20 wins and two draws.

Also in Class A-AA action, Page fell in the semi-finals, 1-0 to Notre Dame.

Jessica Hiskey scored with an assist from Chesney White at 21:48 in the first half for all the scoring Franklin would need due to strong defense against Knox Catholic.

But, Franklin added three goals in the second half with White scoring twice, one unassisted and one with an assist by Lyndie Donegan. Mackenzie Moore also scored unassisted.

Ravenwood finished the year at 15-5-6.

Page concluded at 19-4-2.

FRANKLIN 4, KNOX CATHOLIC 1

SHOTS: Franklin - 32; Knox. Catholic - 12.

SAVES: Franklin - 7 Bethany Taylor; Knox. Catholic - 11 Brianne Zimmerman.

FOULS: Franklin - 9; Knox. Catholic - 5.

CORNER KICKS: Franklin - 2; Knox. Catholic - 4.

GOALS: Franklin - Jessica Hiskey (21:48, Assist - Chesney White); Franklin - Mackenzie Moore (57:05, Morgan Adams); Franklin - Chesney White (58:43, Assist - Lyndie Donegan); Franklin - Chesney White (69:55), Unassisted).

RECORDS: Franklin (19-4-2); Knox. Catholic (18-4-3).

2010/11/04 Chattanooga Times Free Press

Houston, Franklin to Meet Again for Class AAA Crown

by Staff Report

In a rematch of the 2009 Class AAA girls’ soccer title game, Germantown Houston and Franklin will meet in Saturday’s final after wins Thursday night.

The Lady Mustangs (20-1-2) got a second-half goal from Kelsey Pearce and held on for a 1-0 victory over Ravenwood, and Franklin continued on its crash course to the final with a 4-0 shutout of Knoxville Catholic.

Bringing their two-game total to 10 goals, the Lady Rebels (19-4-2) got two goals and an assist from Chesney White. Jessica Hiskey and Mackenzie Moore added goals for Franklin.

2010/11/04 The Daily News Journal

Oakland's soccer season ends in state quarterfinal loss

by David Uchiyama, DNJ Correspondent

--CHATTANOOGA-- Samantha Stolze's jersey couldn't absorb any more moisture after playing soccer for 80 minutes in a steady rain when she tried to dab away tears. They were not tears of happiness for the Oakland senior. The dream season that she and the Lady Patriots experienced in 2010 came to an end Wednesday in a 6-1 loss to Franklin in the quarterfinals of the Class AAA state championship.

"From freshman season to now, I could not imagine having a better group of girls to go to state with," said Stolze, who endured a one-win season as a freshman. "I just wish that we could have gone further." The Lady Patriots were amazed to be playing in the state tournament. The event - from the overnight trip, media attention, and the size of the tournament - had them in a trance. They were bewildered and overwhelmed, amazed and awed at their own accomplishments of a 13-7-1 season during which they reached the state tournament for the first time since 1997. "The seniors, we could even imagine having this opportunity when we were freshmen," Stolze said. "We had one win that year. One."

The significance and the weight of playing in the state's biggest high school tournament handicapped Oakland early on. The moment, more than the elements, left them a step slow and a yard out of place.

"It didn't sink in that we made it here until last Saturday night when I sat at home and thought, 'Holy cow, we made it,'" senior Haley Wright said. "Leading up to (Wednesday), coming down yesterday and staying overnight, made it surreal because we never thought that we would have made it here in a million years when we were freshmen. And it's the same bunch of girls."

But Oakland fell behind 1-0 less than seven minutes into the game. Franklin's Morgan Adams scored off her right foot with a perfect pass from Lyndie Donegan. Oakland seemed to settle down and had a wonderful opportunity to tie the game about three minutes later. But sophomore Layna Rich hurried a shot from inside the 6-yard box. First-half goals from Franklin's Jessica Hiskey and Chesney White had the Lady Patriots in a 3-0 hole with 40 minutes to play. Donegan made it a 4-0 game, but coach Jeff Boynton kept encouraging and coaching his team.

"We played wide-eyed, and in awe, in the first half and we didn't play soccer, and that's inexperience," Boynton said. "It's all new because we've never done a trip like this." Eventually, with 29 minutes to play, the Lady Patriots made their break. They received a free kick from about 20 yards out in the middle of the field following a penalty. Stolze lined up the shot, sailed it over the Franklin wall and under the crossbar setting off a subdued celebration. "I wanted to kill it," Stolze said. "I wanted it so bad because I thought if we got the momentum we could have maybe won. But they're good."

Hiskey and White scored later on again for Franklin which advanced to face Knoxville Catholic at 6 p.m. today. "We've never done this before and it sucks that it's an excuse," Boynton said. "That's the God's honest reality."

2010/11/04 The Williamson Herald

Four Schools Look to Maintain County's Reputation as Soccer Power

by Robert Moore, sportswriter

Williamson County is certainly on track to maintain its leadership as top soccer community in Tennessee as the Franklin High Lady Rebels, Ravenwood Lady Raptors, Page Lady Patriots and Battle Ground Academy Lady Wildcats have won berths in the state soccer tournament in Chattanooga this week.

The Franklin High School Lady Rebels (17-4-2) defeated Station Camp 4-0 to send Coach Jimmy Burchett’s powerful team as one of eight teams to compete in the championship tournament.

Junior Chesney White led the scoring against Station Camp with two goals and one assist. Lyndie Donegan and Jessica Hiskey scored one goal each. White now has 59 career goals. Franklin lost in the state finals last year.

Ravenwood (14-4-6), which only opened as a school in 2002, has become a strength in soccer and while tying the Rebels 2-2 earlier in the season, lost to Franklin in the District 11 tournament 2-1 but defeated them on Franklin’s home field in the Region 6 tournament 1-0.

The Lady Raptors, coached by Clay Watson, defeated Henry County 2-0 in the regional finals.

Franklin plays Oakland (13-6-1) of Murfreesboro in the opening round and Ravenwood takes on Bearden of Knoxville (21-1-3).

Page’s Lady Patriots (18-3-2) were to play Dyersburg (16-6) Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 in first-round action.

Battle Ground Academy (9-9) is also in the hunt for a state championship, traveling to Chattanooga to play Baylor (15-0-2) on Thursday at 7 p.m. eastern time. The school is planning a “send off” for the team around noon and all community members are welcomed to come encourage the Wildcats.

A win would advance BGA to the championship round where they would either play Pope John Paul II (15-3-1) or St. Agnes (12-2-2).

2010/11/03 SportsNashville.Net

Ravenwood, Franklin, Page advance at TSSAA Socer Tournament

by Mike Strasinger, Sportswriter

Oakland to play Franklin in state soccer tourney

Oakland will play Franklin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Baylor in the opening round of the TSSAA Class AAA girls soccer state tournament.

Oakland (13-6-1) advanced to the state tournament with a 3-0 win over Cleveland in a Class AAA sectional on Saturday. Franklin (17-4-2) shut out Station Camp 4-0 in its sectional.

Ravenwood (14-4-6) plays Bearden (21-1-3) in the Class AAA tournament opener at 10:30 a.m. Houston (17-1-2) plays Soddy-Daisy (21-0-2) at 1 p.m. Knoxville Catholic (17-3-3) plays Collierville (13-8-1) at 3:30 p.m.

2010/10/31 The Tennessean

Class AAA

2010/10/28 The Williamson Herald

Lady Rebels host regional soccer tourney at Cheek Park

by Robert Moore, sportswriter

The Franklin High School Lady Rebels soccer team moved strongly through the District 11-AAA tournament with wins over Brentwood 1-0 and Ravenwood 2-1 in the Friday night final and host the Regional tournament this week at Cheek Park.

Junior Chesney White led the Rebels with the single goal against Brentwood and joined teammate McKenzie Moore for one goal each in the Ravenwood game. Chesney’s score was her 22nd goal of the season and 56th career wise.

Bethany Taylor, Franklin’s goalie, had 11 saves to preserve the Franklin victory and brought her career total to 133.

Ravenwood controlled the ball early but failed to score in several attempts. Franklin took control in the second period but the second goal seemed to invigorate Ravenwood as they kept the ball in their forward court much of the final several minutes.

The Lady Rebels and Lady Raptors fought to a 2-2 tie earlier in the district seasonal play.

2010/10/23 Williamson Prep Roundup

Franklin’s Lady Rebels remained unbeaten (8-0-1) after nine games. Chesney White lead with 11 goals while Lyndie Donegan has five goals and five assists.

Right behind them are Mackenzie Moore, with five goals and two assists, and Jessica Hiskey, with four goals and nine assists.

Bethany Taylor has saved 47 of 53 shots on goal

2010/10/21 The Tennessean

Franklin Soccer Ends Rival Brentwood's Season

Article by Maurice Patton, Pictures by Jeanne Reasonover

THOMPSON'S STATION -- Franklin advanced into the finals of the District 11-AAA girls soccer tournament by defeating a familiar foe at an unfamiliar time.

The top-seeded Lady Rebels dealt Brentwood a season-ending 1-0 loss in Wednesday's semifinal round and will meet Ravenwood for the championship at 7 p.m. today at Independence.

Junior forward Chesney White scored with less than five minutes remaining, making up for an offsides call just before halftime that negated a goal by Franklin freshman Liza Harbin.

"I was so frustrated," White said of her earlier miscue. "We had been working so hard and we'd finally gotten a break. But I felt like we'd come back."

It was a frustrating night for Franklin (14-3-2), which was unable to convert a half-dozen corner kicks through the game's first 75 minutes.

"I think we got more shots," Franklin Coach Jimmy Burchett said. "I know we got more 'dangerous' shots. We had a couple of 1-on-1 situations that we missed. But that's the kind of game we always play with them.

"With a little luck, we could have had three (goals). But I'll take the one."

Typically, Franklin and Brentwood don't face off until the district finals -- with the loser facing a road trip in regional play -- and possibly in the region finals, with both teams assured a sectional berth. With the Lady Bruins (16-4-1) coming into the semifinals as the No. 4 district seed after defeating fifth-seeded Centennial in a play-in game, the elimination contest between the two teams was a different scenario.

"We don't usually see them in a 'win or go home' setting," White said. "We knew we had to be focused and ready to play."

The loss wrapped up Brentwood Coach Cal Long's first season.

"It's always one of the most fun games of the year," said Long, whose team lost 3-1 to Franklin during the regular season. "It's emotional, for all the right reasons. They battled, just like we did. I felt we had some opportunities. But that's how you want that game to be."

Ravenwood, the No. 2 seed, gave up a second-half goal by Hali Smith before seniors Sarah Jenner and Jordan Casady scored over a two-minute span and pushed the Lady Raptors past third-seeded tourney host Independence (11-3-4) 2-1.

"We felt good about our chances coming in because our team won't allow itself to lose," Ravenwood Coach Clay Watson said after the win. "We've been resilient."

Franklin and Ravenwood (10-3-6) played to a 2-2 tie during the regular season.

"We've got a lot of offensive stuff to work out," Watson said. "We still haven't played our best game."

2010/10/20 The Brentwood Homepage online paper

Raptors advance to soccer district finals, BHS ends season

By Kelly Gillfilan, Staff Writer

Ravenwood High School and Brentwood High School girls soccer teams played in the district semi-finals last night at Independence High School. First the [Brentwood] Lady Bruins took on Franklin’s Lady Rebels. The first half was scoreless despite aggressive offensive play on both sides of the ball. The second half nearly went scoreless before the Lady Rebels scored with 4:25 left in the match. The Lady Bruins pushed forward and maintained their aggressive play but could not convert the tying goal. [Final score: Franklin (#1 seed) 1-0 over Brentwood (#4 seed)]

In the second semi-final game, Ravenwood took on the Independence Lady Eagles on their home field. This game too had no score at the half. W ith 28 minutes left in the second half, Indy scored off a header from a corner kick. I t took fifteen minutes for the Lady Raptors to respond. With 13 minutes left, Austin Barrett centered the ball to senior Sarah Jenner who found the net to tie. Two minutes later, RHS’ goalie Rose hull launched the ball from goal. Shelby Todd headed the ball over the IHS defense and senior Jordan Casidy finished. This was the go ahead and final goal of the match. [Final Score: Ravenwood (#3 seed) 2-1 over Independence (#2 seed)]

Ravenwood will take on Franklin at Independence Thursday night at 7 p.m. for the district finals.

2010/10/15 The Tennessean

2010/10/03 The Memphis Commercial Appeal

by John Varias, Sportswriter

Rematch of State Title Game, Harrison scores all 3 goals

The state championship game rematch didn't quite live up to its billing. But Olivia Harrison certainly did. Harrison, Houston's star junior and last year's Best of the Preps player of the year, scored all three goals as the host Mustangs beat the Rebels, 3-0, Saturday.

It was a rematch of last year's AAA state title game, also won by Houston, and Harrison said she was glad the result was the same. "It's an important win," she said. "I knew we had to come out hard; we knew they would be tough." It was just another day at the office for Harrison, who scored a pair and assisted on the third in Houston's 3-0 victory over St. Mary's earlier in the week. After Harrison's opener just before halftime had given the Mustangs (10-1-2, ranked second in The Commercial Appeal's top five) a 1-0 lead at the break, she demonstrated the skill that earned her last year's BOP honor. Operating on the right, the right-footed Harrison controlled a pass, then used a deft bit of skill to turn her defender before blasting a well-placed, left-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

From there, it got a little chippy. Franklin defender Catherine Durland received a yellow card for dissent. Rebels coach Jimmy Burchett argued long and loud that Durland was only retaliating after having her foot stamped on, but to no avail. After Harrison's ensuing penalty made it 3-0, Burchett pulled several of his starters, effectively conceding the match. "I only have one comment," he said. "They're good."

Mustangs coach David Wolff was more conciliatory. "We had the advantage; they had a three-hour bus ride this morning to get here," he said. "They were at a huge disadvantage, ... if we play them again, it will be a heck of a lot tougher." Houston also received a strong performance from junior goalkeeper Kelsey Cunningham, who kept her team's sheet clean with a series of spectacular saves. She made a great diving stop to deny Franklin's dangerous Chesney White only seconds before Harrison's opener. Just before halftime, she denied White again from close range. "From the beginning of the season, she has improved immensely," Wolff said. "Her positioning was awesome." Said Harrison, "This (win) definitely gives us a lot more confidence. We were a lot more comfortable, and we played like it."

2010/09/30 Tennessean

Prep Soccer Roundup

Franklin

After 12 games, Franklin’s Lady Rebels have a 9-1-2 mark and have outscored their opponents 42-14, a three-to-one ratio.

Chesney White, Franklin’s leading scorer, has reached the 14-goal mark. Behind her are Jessica Hiskey, with seven goals and 10 assists, and Lyndie Donegan and Mackenzie Moore with five goals each.

2010/09/30 The Williamson Herald

FRANKLIN: Girls soccer rundown

by Robert Moore, sportswriter

Franklin High School Lady Rebels soccer team came back from their first loss of the season, a 1-0 game against Ensworth last week, with two wins and a tie recently.

Last year’s state runner-up defeated rival Battle Ground Academy 7-1 Sept. 23, tied Christ Presbyterian Academy 2-2 Sept. 25, and won at Father Ryan 3-1 Sept. 27 with Chesney White scoring her fifteenth goal of the season at the 19:31 mark in the game. Jessica Hiskey and freshman Josie Deere also scored for Franklin.

2010/09/14 The Brentwood Homepage online paper

BHS, FHS girls soccer teams battle in first of two matches

The Lady Bruins of Brentwood traveled to Cheek Park in Franklin on Saturday, September 11 to take on the Lady Rebels of Franklin High School. In what is generally a battle of two powers in the tough District 11 AAA the Lady Bruins and Lady Rebels left no one disappointed.

The game started with the both teams taking a few minutes to get a sense of how the game would develop. Shortly thereafter, it was an all out offensive assault by the Lady Bruins. However, it was more than half way through the first half that either team would score.

After a foul was called on the Lady Rebels a free kick was awarded to the Lady Bruins. The kick was from approximately 35 yards out in the center of the field. Karli Crosby took the kick and scored with the ball going over the outstretched hands of the goalie. The remainder of the half was noted by quick exchanges and runs between the 18's. The first half ended with score BHS 1 - FHS 0.

The second half started with a new level of intensity as the Lady Rebels came out attacking from the opening whistle. The Lady Bruins defense continued to protect their lead by stopping the attacking Lady Rebels and playing ball control. Within the first 70 minutes of the game the Lady Bruins out shot the Lady Rebels two to one. At approximately the ten minute mark a run made by the Lady Rebels resulted in a score making the score 1 to 1.

Within the next 40 seconds the Lady Rebels’ Chesney White added a second goal off a well placed cross from the mid-fielder Lyndie Donegan. As the Lady Bruins made a push to tie the score at two the Lady Rebels defense continued to hold. At the two minute mark the Lady Rebels’ Jessica Hiskey added their final score with a shot from the mid field. [Final Score: Franklin 3-1]

"We know that game is always going to be a big one and we are always ready for it," said Bruins head coach Cal Long. "I was proud of how we performed. It’s a tough thing to swallow when we feel that we came out and won a great battle. We will see them again."

For the night the Lady Bruins had 14 shots and the Lady Rebels had seven shots on goal. Brentwood goalie Katie Starr had four saves and Franklin’s goalie, Bethany Taylor, had ten saves.

The Lady Bruins return to action Tuesday, September 14 playing Harpeth Hall at Harpeth Hall starting at 7 p.m.

2010/09/09 The Williamson Herald

Franklin vs. Brentwood headlines this weekend’s soccer lineup

By Marcus Stone, Staff Writer

Believe it or not people of Williamson County, there are other sporting events taking place this weekend that do not involve a football – well, an American football that is.

The Brentwood Lady Bruins soccer team travels to Franklin Saturday for a rematch of last year’s Region 6 final. Franklin won that game 2-1 and advanced as far as the state championship game before losing to Germantown 2-3. Brentwood had beaten them twice before, including a 1-0 win in the District 11-AAA title game.

Franklin returns from their state championship game young in 2010 with only three seniors on the squad. Nine juniors make up the core of the team, yet both goalkeepers are underclassmen.

Both sophomore Bethany Taylor and freshman Jacqueline Lundsford have gotten the job done with limited prior experience. Only Taylor had gotten high-school playing time before this year, unscored on in five games. The underclassman-pair has been success though as their team sits with a 6-0 record heading into the Sept. 11 meeting with the archrival Bruins.

Brentwood’s goalie tandem of Katie Starr and Megan Nugent has not been to shabby either as the team currently stands at 5-0 with a Thursday meeting with Centennial standing in between them and the Lady Rebels. The Lady Bruin defense has been strong to this point, allowing only four goals this regular season.

If you are going to see only one regular-season game, this is the one to see. Game time is 7 p.m. at Franklin.

2010/08/28 The Hendersonville Star

Prep roundup: JPII soccer team falls to Franklin

FRANKLIN – The Pope John Paul II High girls soccer team opened its season with a 3-2 loss at Franklin on Thursday evening.

The Lady Knights trailed 3-1 at halftime.

Junior Cailin Harris scored both goals for PJP II, with freshman Sierra Anglin and sophomore Elizabeth Edwards providing assists.

Lady Knight junior goalkeeper Megan Mihaliak finished with 11 saves.

Junior Chesney White scored two of the goals for Lady Rebels, and classmate Jessica Hiskey scored a goal and provided an assist as well.

2010/08/22 Tennessean

High school girls soccer preview

by Maurice Patton

TOP TEAMS

Franklin. Class AAA runner-up is strong on offense and in goal.

TOP PLAYERS

Chesney White, Franklin, Jr. Leading scorer (21 goals) for Class AAA runner-up.

2010/07/01 Williamson Herald

by Marcus Stone, staff writer

The Soccer Revolution Starts Now

The United States soccer team is no longer in South Africa after being ousted from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in a 2-1 game against Ghana last Saturday in the round of 16.

Despite not making it farther in the tournament, the U.S.’s run will and should be looked at as a great success as 19.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the team’s final game - making it the most watched soccer game in American history. In comparison, last year’s Major League Baseball World Series averaged the same numbers over six, prime-time games.

So a lot of people watched a soccer game in a non-traditional soccer country. How can this be looked at as a win? Well it’s really a simple equation - the more people that watch equals the more people that will play, which in turn will eventually equal a higher quality of competition.

Not sure which mathematical property this follows - it has been a while since my last math course - but the equation should definitely make sense.

If anyone in the area knows about success in soccer it is Franklin girls soccer coach Jimmy Burchett, whose program is the most successful in the state of Tennessee. He believes that higher numbers of youth sign up for soccer following World Cup years.

"I’m sure it will," he said of the World Cup influencing the number of soccer players in the area. "It has every year that it’s come up. It’s always an influx of players starting to play after they see it."

Williamson County, and Tennessee as a whole really, has never had a problem in the numbers or quality of soccer players they produce. This year alone three schools from the state finished as a top 10 boys program in the country - Hendersonville, Centennial, and Farragut - with Brentwood not far behind.

More so than encouraging people to play soccer, the U.S. team’s success in South Africa should get more people to follow the sport.

"I think more and more people are seeing that it’s a good game," Burchett said. "It’s more than just scoring."

The coach said he was unsure if he could see an increase in the number of people that come out to watch his team’s games this fall, but said that definitely more locals would attend a U.S. friendly match if one would return to Nashville’s L.P. Field like there have been in the past.

After being present at the boys Class-AAA state championship game recently and seeing Hendersonville and Centennial play in front of a standing room only crowd, I will go some steps further than Coach Burchett.

Attendance at high school soccer matches will be up this year (I know I’ll be at more). More high-level athletes will chose to play soccer for their school over the next decade than in years past. The sport will grow leaps and bounds over then next 15 years and challenge to be a major sport in this country.

It’s just a hunch really, but if the soccer revolution was ever going to happen - what better time than now?

2010/04/22 Williamson Herald

Franklin High 100th Girls soccer stands strong in record books, on field

by Marcus Stone, Sports Writer

(1982 Franklin Rebel Squad coached by Cecillia Dodd)

How would you define dominance? A quick look at the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s girls soccer record book would make your process much easier.

Franklin High School has their name solidly implanted in said book -- holding every major team record.

The program claims 12 state championships, two of which came as a part of the Tennessee Independent Lady Soccer League before the TSSAA sanctioned girls soccer.

Forming in 1982 as a club team, the school was a powerhouse from the beginning. Their loss in the 1988 state finals was the school’s first, ending a record-unbeaten streak of 96 games that still stands today.

How does it feel to be part of a program with such a rich history?

"Honored is the big word I guess," said current Franklin Head Coach Jimmy Burchett. "Just proud that I’m here and it’s just an honor to be a part of it."

Burchett made a mark on the team long before he was named its coach in 1997. One of his daughters was a member of the inaugural TSSAA championship team in 1986. His twin daughters would follow in the coming years as the team would win seven out of eight championships. The five straight won from 1989 to 1993 is another state record.

Cecilla Dodd started the dominance as the school’s first head coach, leading the team to a 28-0-2 record in her two years. Kala Wiggins had a 14-0 season in 1985 before Gary Shrader took the helm in 1986.

"It was definitely early in the program’s history," Burchett said when asked if dominant is the best word to describe his team. "There weren’t really a lot of schools playing soccer but we were very dominant until the mid-90s."

Burchett said that parity began to take over in that period as more and more schools began to form quality programs.

Nevertheless, the coach put together another stretch of supremacy when he led the Lady Rebels to five consecutive state championship games between 1999 and 2003 in which they won three.

The 2009 season was eventful for all involved at Franklin as the team was the AAA state runner up, AAA sectional champion, and AAA Region 6 champion. Along with those accolades, Burchett earned his 200th career win Sept. 3 against Riverdale.

Franklin ended the season being ranked the No. 5 team in the southeast. They were listed at No. 2 in 2002. The school had made the nation’s top 20 list six times prior, including being the county’s top team in 1987.

Burchett makes it a point for his players to know about the history and tradition that is Lady Rebels soccer as early as interest meetings for seventh and eighth graders and their parents.

"We pass that information on to them just to show them what the tradition is and what it’s going to take to play at our level," he said. "Most of them by the time they get here know something about it."

Quality players are anything but a rarity at Franklin as the Lady Rebels have been honored with at least one All-State player for the past 11 consecutive years while having four players be named All-Americans under Coach Burchett. Four other girls had been given All-American status prior to 2000, two of which were Burchett’s daughters. Jenger was a three-time recipient while Jennifer won it twice.

The program’s success means a lot to Franklin’s athletic program according to Burchett.

"I think it brings recognition to the school and to the community," he said. "It’s a positive recognition in this day and time when there’s a lot of bad things that go on with athletics. I think the reputation that we’ve developed over the years have been very positive for the school and the community."

Williamson County being a hotbed for girls soccer, the machine that is the Franklin program looks to create more history in the near future.

"I think perennially we’re one of the top four or five teams in the state every year," Burchett said. "If that’s dominance then I think that’s probably what it would be."

2010/02/12 Williamson Herald

Franklin High Athletic Hall of Fame to add nine

by Marcus Stone, Sports Writer

Franklin High School will induct nine athletes into its Athletic Hall of Fame in a Feb. 12 ceremony at the school, with representation of athletes from Franklin Training School, the African American high school which served the county before integration.

The inductees will join the 34 athletes already enshrined at Franklin, according to Bobby Langley, himself a member for his basketball prowess.

The Feb. 12 ceremony will be held in the library at Franklin High on Hillsboro Road and is open to the public.

The 2010 Franklin High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are:

• J.B. Chester, baseball, 1946-1949: Three-year starting pitcher. He played on the 1947 team that went undefeated and played in the first state baseball tournament. Chester is considered one of the best pitchers in Williamson County baseball history, Langley said.

• Bobby T. Ladd, baseball, football, basketball, 1946-1949: Three-sport star at Franklin High. He teamed with J.B. Chester to form one of the best pitcher/catcher duos in Franklin High School history. Ladd attended Austin Peay State College on football and baseball scholarships.

• James T. Prince, football, 1946-1948, Franklin Training School: Prince was a great running back who was leading rusher and scorer during his era, Langley said. He was first team All Mid-Tennessee Athletic Association. Prince played two years at Tennessee A & I University.

• William C. Patton, football, 1949-1952, Franklin Training School: Patton played fullback on offense and defensive tackle. Patton played football at Tennessee State University where he was named M.V.P., All Mid-Western and All American in 1955. Patton was head football coach at Franklin Training School from 1959-1961.

• Bob Hardison, football and wrestling coach, 1964-1971:. Hardison started the wrestling program at Franklin High in 1965. He coached Bobby York, a two-time state champion who was inducted into the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

• W. C. Yates, coach: Yates was a very outstanding coach at Franklin High School from the late 1920s to the mid ’40s. He coached several sports, including the 1930 Little Tennessee state championship team that went undefeated. He later became superintendent of Williamson County Schools and also headed the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce.

• Chuck Clarkson, public address announcer, Franklin High School: Clarkson volunteered his time for 21 years as play-by-play announced for the Rebels’ basketball games and also five years as the football announcer. He never received compensation for his efforts.

• Shauna Christianson, soccer, 1986-1987: Christianson led the Lady Rebels to two state champions (1986 and 1987). She was the first girl from Franklin High School soccer to make High School All-American.

• Naomi Fitzgerald, softball, 1993-1995: Fitzgerald was an outstanding pitcher for the Lady Rebels softball team for three years, where she won many awards. She received a scholarship to Baylor University to play softball and had a great collegiate career.

This year’s class will be joining those already enshrined which include Langley and the following athletes:

Mary Clair Langley, basketball; Derrick Turnbow, baseball; Brittney Ezell, basketball; Fred Lane Sr., football; Fred Lane Jr., football; Kevin Anglin, basketball; Karen Booker, basketball; Jason Moore, basketball; Jenger Burchett, soccer; and Jennifer Burchett, soccer.

Inducted in 2006 were: Lynda Wimberly, golf; Joe Daves, basketball coach; Tandy Rice, track; Billy King, football; Robert Inman, track; Tim Sawyer, track; Crawford Alexander, football & basketball; Bobby York, wrestling; Tricia Sisson, soccer; Sue Robinson, basketball; William Ratcliffe, football; Darris McCord; football; Martin Kelton, football; Ken Frost, football; Ned Sullivan, football; Jeff Jordan, wrestling coach; Gary Shrader, soccer coach; Jimmy Burchett, soccer coach; Jerry Brannon, basketball coach; Howard Gamble, football coach; Bill Reynolds, football coach; and Jimmy Gentry, football coach.

The ceremony will begin at 4:15 with a reception for honorees and guests and then the induction will take place at 5 p.m. The honorees will also be introduced at halftime of the boys game.