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The Firebirds used ball control, defense and a solid running game to defeat Stratford and stay alive in the District 10-AA playoff hunt. After Stratford received the ball first in overtime, Pearl Cohn halted their drive on fourth down. On the next series, fullback Derrell Fitzgerald scored on a 2-yard run to give the Firebirds the victory.
"Coach Brunetti has done an outstanding job building leadership and character not only with our football players but also with the students of Pearl-Cohn," said Pearl-Cohn Principal James Bailey. "He himself leads by example and is active in the kids' lives both on and off the field. He is dedicated to the community and we are lucky to have him."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Pearl Cohn High School football program in Coach Brunetti'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 Brunetti will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. St. Louis Rams contest on December 13th when the team honors all 2009 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2009 Coach of the Year! Coach Brunetti is now eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year award and Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the Titans Coach of the Year winner on that date.
Also receiving strong consideration in this week's poll was Jim Snider of Clarksville High School who led his club to a 14-9 upset victory over previously 5A No.1 ranked Henry County; Obion Co. Central's Shawn Jackson whose team shocked Dyersburg with a 22-20 victory; John Brewster of Oneida High School whose team has reeled off five wins in a row including the latest a 13-0 victory over Oliver Springs; Jeremy Jenkins of Daniel Boone High School who defeated Science Hill 23-0 in a renewal of a city-county rivalry for the first time since 2004.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $124,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," said NFL director of football operations Gene Washington. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."
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.
