The Pat on Sports: Time to Support Owl Football

By: Patrick Pebley

LaFollette Middle School has never been known for its great football tradition. Sure there have been some great players come out of there but as a whole they have not had much success on the gridiron.
Admittedly it isn’t the fault of the players or the coaches. LaFollette has always been the “basketball school” of the county. It also seems like some of the higher ups in the administration were ok with this being what they are known for, though you could now argue they are a “track school” as well.
This year could change all that. The Owls have a new coaching staff, a new attitude, and a number one seed in the TMSAA playoffs.
Of course some people will argue that this is a one-year wonder. But I don’t think it is. They have a coaching staff that seems to be dedicated to improving the program. Steve Rutherford has taken the Owls and added several coaches to his staff, while retaining some others from previous head coach Lonnie Vann’s staff. These guys had their work cut out in the preseason and apparently did the job quite well. Also a new administration at LaFollette led by Robbie Heatherly seems to be very much dedicated to improving their football program.
Now the community and school system need to step up and help out. LaFollette has a good field and field house. Last time I was up there their weight room was pretty decent as well. Their bleachers and press box, on the other hand are horrid. I am glad I will be on the sideline taking pictures.
This team deserves a new stadium and press box. Jacksboro got a new one a few years back thanks to private donations. I don’t see why a company couldn’t help the kids at LaFollette out the same way. I also don’t see why the school board and county commission couldn’t step in and help out. I know we are allegedly in a budget crunch and that sports are not a priority in the budget. I also don’t see why the county commission and school board couldn’t make a personal donation to the cause. I am willing to bet if they took their compensation from their meetings for, let’s say, the next two months and donate it towards a new stadium. I know they don’t make a huge sum but it would be a start and it would show support.
I also want to see the whole community come out and support these kids in the payoffs. I know they will have a good crowd judging from what they brought to Jacksboro for the Egg Bowl and subsequent JV game. I’d like to see some of the Jacksboro crowd go cheer their county rivals on now that they are eliminated. Nobody bleeds the blue and gold anymore than I do and I will be up there wearing a LaFollette football shirt, taking pics, and cheering the Owls on tonight. These kids worked hard to get where they are and deserve the support.

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