The start of football season also means the start of the most famous pick board in all of east Tennessee: the SORSN Football Pick Panel. But for the 2012 season, the Pick Panel welcomes a few new faces and says good bye to some familiar ones. For the first time since its inception, the Rose brothers will be absent from the SORSN Pick Panel. They are reportedly going on the karaoke tour circuit as roadies for their nephew Brent Myers, aka Prince Myers. Michael leaves while on top; leaving behind an impressive 7 year win streak on the panel (we think 7 years…like a lot of things on SORSN, it’s just a guess.) When asked about his tenture on the panel, Mike just responded with, “to be the man, you gotta beat the man! Wooooooooo!” We have no idea what he meant by this but we think Mr. Rose should spend less time around the coffee pot in the KUB employee lounge.
The 2012 Pick Panel welcomes Tony Clower and Steven “Fro” Sears to the roster. Tony is a MHS graduate (’86) where he played for Coach Ruffner, later joined Coach Ruffner on the sidelines as an assistant, and once was a sports writer for the Roane County news. Steven “Fro” Sears is a MHS graduate (’01) where he was an All-State linebacker for the Waves. Sears also holds the school record for Most Tackles in a season with 195 (2000 season). Welcome aboard gentlemen. Now, for the first pick of the season:
In last year’s season opener, Lookout Valley dominated the Waves behind their workhorse All-State tailback, Jamal Jones. Unfortunately for the Waves, Jones is still in the backfield for the Yellow Jackets for 2012. The bright side to this year’s matchup is that it’s the Yellow Jackets who have to spend hours on the bus ride up to the Emerald Forest.
The off-season has been good for the Waves. The Green team had a good showing in the Roane County jamboree and the big men up front have another year of experience. That said, there are only 3 seniors on the team, one of which is playing for the first time. But they have some good athletes on the team; and more importantly, guys who want to play, guys who put in the work required to be successful on Friday nights under the lights, and guys who are leading the charge to put honor and integrity back into the football team and the school.
Coach Joe Campbell enters his 2nd season as head coach of his alma mater. Coach Joe looks to be running a 2 QB system with sophomore Mason Woody and junior Shandon Lyle. Lyle brings speed and core athletic ability. Woody is a student of the game and has also tripled in strength over the summer.
Lady and gentlemen, make your pick.
Steven Sears: I never like picking against my Waves, but I’m taking Lookout Valley in this one.
Amber Johnson: There are some high hopes for this year’s young Midway squad; that being said it’s probably gonna take some games under the belts before the jitters and kinks get worked out. I hate to do it in this home opener, but gotta go with Lookout Valley on this one. I will look forward to being wrong.
Tony Clower:
Lookout Valley is coming off an 8-4 season in 2011. After reading some updates from Chattanooga newspapers, it looks as if the Green Wave will have to defend against more of the “pistol offense” being implemented by the Yellow Jackets. I know Coach Campbell and all the MHS coaches did an outstanding job in the weight room this summer and have been working hard in practice for the past couple of weeks. I am expecting to see an opening night win in the Emerald Forest; I’ll take the Green Wave 22-20 over the Yellow Jackets from Lookout Valley.
Kyle Canup:
Well it’s good to be back to football season I believe I can speak for most of us and say we were starting to have withdrawals. Last year I threw all of my votes at the Waves hoping they would pull the most part of them, but it didn’t happen, although they did have a way better year than seasons past and I believe this year should be the same. I know that Coach Joe is putting in many extra hours and is going above and beyond to get this program back to where it should be and with the young and dedicated team he has I believe they will only continue to improve this season and for the future. From what I can tell Lookout Valley has a pretty good team after venturing into the 2nd round of playoffs last year and still have their workhorse of a running back. Whether I’m wrong or right I hope to see an improved Midway team, but I’m taking Lookout Valley in Week 1.
Ralton Emory:
Here we are again with the “Boys of Fall” ready to dawn the pads and get after it. I look forward to the season and the many ups/downs that always happen during the football season.
The Amber Bees from Lookout Valley make the trip up from way down south to take on the mighty Greenwave to start the season off. This one will be a tough battle as I see the Waves making good improvements in strength and skill. They have the ability to win this game, however, traditionally the Green Team does not fair well in first games and with the potent running attack of the Amber Bees, I see this as a loss.
The Amber Bees will control the clock and grind out a win, but if a few breaks fall toward Midway they may pull off the upset.
Amber Bees 28, Midway 17
Barry Narramore:
Is it football time yet? I believe it is. Can’t wait to see the Greenwave get in to action this Friday night. I’ve had a lot going on this summer and haven’t got to see much of the team yet! Gonna miss Michael and Randy on the panel this year. Mike was always good to fire the team up! This week’s game will be about trying to stop the superman speedster from Lookout Valley! But the Greenwaves know this and I expect we’ll get him hemmed in this time. I’m looking for a great start to this season so I’m picking the Waves to start out 1-0 Midway 14 Lookout Valley 0!!!!!!
Barry picking Midway, now there’s a surprise :). Follow the panel of experts all season long on SORSN.com
| Amber Johnson | Barry Narramore | Kyle Canup | Steven Sears | Ralton Emory | Tony Clower | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0: Lookout Valley | LV | Midway | LV | LV | LV | Midway |
| Week 1: @ Whitwell | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway |
| Week 2: @ Pickett Co. | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway |
| Week 3: Bye | ||||||
| Week 4: Greenback | Greenback | Midway | Greenback | Greenback | Greenback | Greenback |
| Week 5: Jellico | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway |
| Week 6: Tellico Plains | Midway | Midway | TP | Midway | TP | Midway |
| Week 7: @ Harriman | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway |
| Week 8: @ Grace Christian | Grace | Midway | Grace | Grace | Grace | Grace |
| Week 9: @ Hancock Co. | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway | Midway |
| Week 10: Rockwood | Midway | Midway | Rockwood | Rockwood | Rockwood | Midway |
| Standings: | 8-2 | 5-5 | 8-2 | 9-1 | 8-2 | 7-3 |