NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The midpoint of the high school football season is quickly approaching, and the team and individual performances continue to amaze everyone throughout the state.
The Tennessee Titans are continuing their season-long series of fan polls to select the Titans High School Coach of the Week, and Coach Joe Case of West Greene, in Mosheim, has been chosen to receive the Week 4 honor.
The school will receive a $1,000 grant for its program from Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr.
Coach Case's Buffaloes won a close one against Cumberland Gap, 34-32. Holding strong the entire game, West Greene was able to seal the win against the Panthers with a clutch interception during the final drive of the game. It was an important Blue Ridge Conference victory, and Coach Case continues to improve the school program into consistent winners.
"Coach Case is just a hardworking guy, he is committed to the football program and puts in a lot hours," said Steve Tunnell, West Greene Principal. "Before he [Coach Case] came, we kind of had a losing football culture, but Coach has built it to a winning program."
Coach Case will be the team's guest at the Titans' season finale versus the Houston Texans on Dec. 29 when the team honors all 2013 Coach of the Week winners and announces the 2013 Titans High School Coach of the Year! Case is also eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year award. Mr. Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the Titans Coach of the Year winner.
In addition to Case, this week's nominees were Heath Woods of Carter High School in Strawberry Plains, Tony Brunetti of Pear-Cohn School and Tab Vowell of Jackson North Side High School. Coach Case received 36 percent of the votes, winning the by the narrowest margin so far with the new format. Jackson North Side's Coach Vowell came in second, receiving 32 percent of the votes. Coach Vowell and the other two finalists remain eligible to win the honor during the remainder of this season.
Nominees are submitted by sports writers and broadcasters across the state with specific criteria in mind. The specific criteria include: beating a longtime rival, snapping a losing streak, defeating a defending champion, recording an amazing come-from-behind victory, and/or involvement in the local community.
Also considered is a coach's commitment to his players' safety through teaching the fundamentals of the game, proper tackling techniques, concussion management practices and adherence to heat and hydration guidelines.
Now in its 15th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $165,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week and Year winners.
