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Sheppard to field another strong soccer team at ORHS
editor@oakridgesports.com
don’t count out a sixth trip in the last seven years to the state Class AAA soccer tournament for coach O.J. Sheppard’s Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats this season. In fact, some pundits have Oak Ridge -- which lost 1-0 to Collierville in the 2007 state semifinals -- taking a big dip this season. That’s fine with Sheppard, who has compiled a 213-57-21 record as he begins his 12th season at ORHS. “We always know we’re not gonna get any respect,” said Sheppard. “We’ll let our performance on the field demonstrate to the public where we’re at. “Our expectations are to go to the state for the sixth year out of seven. This is a team that is comprised of experienced players who have been with me two or three years.” Sheppard returns 16 players from last year’s 16-6-3 squad, with graduation claiming the likes of prolific goal-scorer Trenna Howell, Maggie Alexander, Megan Underwood and Jessica Hayes. Howell’s 43 goals last year set a single-season scoring mark for the Lady Wildcats and her 92 career goals ranks No. 2 on the Oak Ridge list. Sheppard said the Lady Wildcats have plenty of capable scorers ready to step in. “Some people can’t do the math,” laughed Sheppard. “If you subtract 43 from 119, you’re still looking at 76 other goals we scored last year. We’ve got 16 kids returning from last year’s team. We’re gonna be able to attack opponents at eight positions and we’ve got speed.” The Lady Wildcats also have three all-state players returning who form the core of this year’s team. Goalkeeper Lauren Fritts, defender Gwen Lawson and forward Rachel Johnson all made all-state as juniors. “Fritts should be one of the top goalkeepers in the state and Rachel set a team record for assists (19) last season. (Johnson) has a nose for the goal and we’re gonna be looking for her to take up a lot of the slack for Trenna.” Lawson will direct what could be a very good defensive unit for the Lady Wildcats, with senior Meghan Hughes, sophomore Maddie Bishop, sophomore Briana Holmes and junior Kathryn Grabenstein in the back. “Gwen has looked good organizing our defense -- we’ll have a good group back there.” Junior Jennifer Lee is another player Sheppard is counting on to up her goal count. “We moved Jennifer up top, taking the spot vacated by Trenna. She has great technique with the ball and can fire it from 30 feet with accuracy with her left or right foot.” Sheppard is looking for a big season from junior midfielder Greta Jochmann, who saw limited playing time last season after transferring from Webb and has reported to preseason camp in outstanding shape. “It’s a big plus having Greta in there (playing) right from the beginning.” Sheppard said Jochmann has the potential to rank with Oak Ridge’s best midfielders ever -- and this group of Lady Wildcats in the midfield may end up being his best collective unit at that position. “Greta has been on fire organizing our midfield in our scrimmages. Our midfield play could be the best in my 12 years. That includes Hailey Nichols, Alexis Franco, Jamie Grigsby and Kaelyn Angelo.” Sheppard said an up-and-coming player is sophomore striker Tania Ayala. As usual, Sheppard said the Lady Wildcats will face brutal competition -- including two-time defending state champs Bearden -- just to get out of Region 2. “Obviously, the favorite coming out of the region again is Bearden. Farragut, Maryville, West and Oak Ridge are gonna compete for that other playoff spot.” 2008 Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats schedule Aug. 26 at Central Aug. 29-31 Katie Hunter Tournament at Oak Ridge Aug. 29 Oak Ridge vs. Darlington (Ga.) Academy Aug. 30 Oak Ridge vs. Beech Aug. 30 Oak Ridge vs. Hendersonville Aug. 31 Oak Ridge vs. Dobyns-Bennett Sept. 4 Powell at Oak Ridge Sept. 6 Greeneville at Oak Ridge Sept. 9 Kingston at Oak Ridge Sept. 12-14 Battle For The Blues in Memphis Oak Ridge vs. Notre Dame Oak Ridge vs. BGA Oak Ridge vs. Collierville Sept. 17 Science Hill at Oak Ridge Sept. 23 Oak Ridge at West Sept. 26 Clinton at Oak Ridge Sept. 30 Oak Ridge at Cookeville Oct. 2 Oak Ridge at Karns Oct. 4 GPS at Oak Ridge Oct. 7 Oak Ridge at Halls Oct. 9 Farragut at Oak Ridge |
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Wildcats struggle in scrimmage at Alcoa
editor@oakridgesports.com ALCOA--The only certainty you can glean from Tuesday’s Alcoa-Oak Ridge football scrimmage is the Tornadoes appear to be more than capable of winning a fifth-consecutive state Class AA championship this fall. From the Oak Ridge camp, questions abound after the way coach Gary Rankin’s Tornadoes handled the Wildcats with ease during the game-type scrimmage. Alcoa’s first team put three touchdowns on the board in the 15-minute first quarter and then added one more in the second stanza while holding Oak Ridge out of the end zone. The Tornadoes -- who scored on their first three possessions -- piled up 160 yards to Oak Ridge’s 7 in the first quarter. Tailback Jaron Toney ripped off a 31-yard run on the first play for Alcoa to set the tone for the scrimmage. Chase James, taking over for all-state quarterback Randall Cobb, looked all the part as he had a hand in all four Alcoa touchdowns. James -- who was 5 of 7 passing for 111 yards -- hit tight end Tyler Robinson on a 7-yard scoring pass and added TD tosses of 29 and 11 yards to Sam Thompson. He capped the scoring with an 8-yard scamper in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Oak Ridge could generate little offense against the stout Alcoa defense. Oak Ridge’s long plays of the day were a 28-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Clark to wideout Jakari McClanahan and a 26-yard dash by tailback Demarcus Rogers. The last half of the scrimmage was devoted to backups and junior varsity action. Oak Ridge has its last tune-up of the preseason Friday night at the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge Jamboree at Anderson County High School. The Wildcats will play the final quarter of the eight-team jamboree against Anderson County starting at 9:30 p.m. Oak Ridge statistical leaders vs. Alcoa: Rushing--Demarcus Rogers 4-28, Jarrell Williams 2-12, Tyler Clark 3 (-28). Receiving--Jakari McClanahan 2-33, Steven Bedford 1-13, Tucker Trent 1-12. Passing--Tyler Clark 4-12-1 58, |
Wildcats take firm first step against Maryville, but still much work to be done
editor@oakridgesports.com
Maryville was the first step of August for the Oak Ridge High School Wildcats. A first step, albeit a good one. Coach Stanton Stevens’ Wildcats more than held their own against the four-time defending Class 4-A state champion Rebels, who take a 60-game winning streak into their Aug. 22 season opener at Halls. Oak Ridge and Maryville basically battled to a one-touchdown-apiece draw in the first hour of the scrimmage. Wildcat backups scored two late touchdowns as Oak Ridge finished ahead on the scoreboard 21-6. “We’ve got a long way to go,” said Stevens. “It looked like a first scrimmage -- nothing too great and nothing too bad. I’m happy overall because we held our own. Maryville is once again going to be one of the better teams in the state and hopefully we will too.” Highlights for the Wildcats -- who open the season Aug. 29 at home against Fulton -- included: With starting senior tailback Demarcus Rogers (ankle strain) sidelined, Oak Ridge took a look at several inexperienced running backs. Senior Jarrell Williams (5-6, 165 pounds) started and got the most work, rushing 11 times for 27 yards. Tae Harris (5-10, 155 soph.), LeMichael Gipson (5-9, 151 jr.), Dee Shannon (6-0, 173 soph.) and Zach Witherspoon (5-9, 170 jr.) all had their moments for the Wildcats. After Maryville got on the board first via a 35-yard pass from Aaron Chamberlain to Zane Winders, Harris plowed over from 1 yard to even the count. Shannon -- who delivered a couple of punishing blows to defenders on runs -- later scored on a 9-yard dash. Gipson capped the scrimmage with a 40-yard dash on the final play of the Ben Martin Track practice field workout. Witherspoon had a nice 51-yard run late for the ’Cats. Stevens said he was encouraged by some of the running sans Rogers. “Dee Shannon looked good and Gipson could end up being the No. 2 guy (behind Rogers).” At quarterback, seniors Tyler Clark (6-2, 188) and David Irby (6-2, 270) got all the work. Save for a nice 12-yard catch by Jakari McClanahan (6-4, 197 sr.) there were few highlights in the passing game for the Wildcats. Senior Rapheal Coffey (6-1, 189), the Wildcats’ top receiver, played sparingly. Defensively, Oak Ridge gave up ground grudgingly against the Rebels, who used six quarterbacks during the scrimmage. Maryville coach George Quarles said Philip Juhlin looked like the early favorite to replace Brent Burnette, who graduated after throwing 39 touchdown passes last season. “Philip looked really good at quarterback -- he looked like he belonged.” On tap: Next up for Oak Ridge is a Friday trip to Cookeville for a multi-team scrimmage. The Wildcats scrimmage at Alcoa on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Oak Ridge will once again take part in the Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge Jamboree Aug. 15 at Anderson County High School. The Wildcats will take on Anderson County at 9:30 p.m. in the last of five one-quarter scrimmages. |
| Oak Ridge back Tae Harris turns upfield against Maryville during Friday's scrimmage. -- Photo by Donnell Field |
| Oak Ridge quarterback David Irby floats a pass toward a receiver against the Rebels. -- Photo by Donnell Field |