NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The high school football season is well underway and there have been great games and performances throughout the state.
The Tennessee Titans this week continued a season-long series of fan polls to select the Titans High School Coach of the Week, and coach Orentheus Taylor of Jackson Central Merry (JCM) has been chosen as the Week 3 winner.
The school will receive a $1,000 grant for its program from Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr.
Coach Taylor's Jackson Central Merry Cougars traveled to Henderson and defeated the Chester County Eagles 14-12. Holding a 14-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Cougars were able to fend off an Eagles comeback by preventing a game-tying two-point conversion attempt with 3:15 remaining on the clock. The win marks Jackson Central-Merry's third straight.
"I told Coach Taylor to do the best he can do and coach the game the way he saw fit," said Dr. Michael Booker, JCM Principal. "I am more than pleased with Coach Taylor in the classroom and on the football field."
Coach Taylor 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! Taylor 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 Taylor, this week's nominees were Scott Murray of Hunters Lane in Nashville, Steve Brewer of Sevier County High School and Darren Bowling of Union City High School. Coach Taylor received 52 percent of the votes. Each of the other three finalists is 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 $164,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week and Year winners.
