As Americans gather this week to enjoy family, football, a Thursday feast and give prayers of thanks to the Lord for our freedom and many blessings, the UTC football team also has much for which to be thankful.
While all other Southern Conference teams have concluded their seasons, the UTC players and coaches are thankful to be back on the practice field this afternoon in preparation for a home NCAA playoff game Dec.6 at Finley Stadium.
Happy Birthday: Five Mocs not only are celebrating a Southern Conference title, but also celebrate birthdays this week.
Chris Mayes (Sr.
OL) celebrates his 23rd birthday today, Riley Davis (So. WR) is 21 Wednesday, Tanner Dillard (Fr., long snapper) turns 19 Friday, Taylor Reynolds (RS Fr., DL) turns 20 Saturday and Tony Zaffore (Fr. DL) is 19 Sunday.
* Chris Mayes (Murfreesboro Riverdale HS)… has started 12 straight games at right guard for the Mocs and part of an offensive line which has allowed only three quarterback sacks in the last five games.
* Riley Davis (Creekview HS in Atlanta) has played in six games and has made one unassisted tackle.
* Tanner Dillard is a true freshman from Walker Valley HS.
* Taylor Reynolds is a redshirt freshman from McAdory HS (McCalla, Ala.) and has played in 12 games with six tackles and one fumble recovery.
* Tony Zaffore is also a true freshman and was a four-sport letter winner at Station Camp HS in Gallatin, Tenn.
December Birthdays
A Dec. 6 home playoff win by the Mocs and two more teammates – C.J. Board and Jeremiah Hay – have birthdays Dec. 12 the day before the NCAA quarterfinals … a win in the quarters and D.J Prather turns 20 (Dec. 19) the day before the NCAA semis … and place kicker Henrique Ribeiro would love to still be practicing extra points and field goals hen he celebrates his 21st birthday Dec. 26 and have a ticket to Frisco, Texas in his stocking for the national title game Jan. 10.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net