NASHVILLE, Tenn. – E.K. Slaughter, head football coach of Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tenn., has been named the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week. Having lost seven straight previous contests against the Red Bank Lions, Slaughter's Cleveland Raiders avenged past disappoints by dominating the Class 4A fourth ranked and previously undefeated Lions 41-6.
Through the Titans Foundation, team Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Cleveland High School football program in Coach Slaughter's honor.
"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"
Coach Slaughter will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. New Orleans Saints contest on December 11th when the Titans honor all 2011 Coach of the Week winners. On that date, the Titans will also announce the winner of the 2011 Coach of the Year, who will earn a $2,000 grant for his football program.
Also receiving strong consideration in this week's poll, with outstanding performances, were Matt Williams of Smyrna High School, who defeated Franklin High School in double overtime 20-17 and Caine Ballard of Greenville High School who thrashed Alcoa High School 42-14.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $142,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.
