NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Traye Aric of Portland High School has been named Titans High School Coach of the Week for Week 8. With great special teams and defensive performances, Aric's Portland Panthers defeated the Gallatin Green Wave, 16-13. A late red zone interception with less than two minutes remaining in the game secured the win. The victory marks the first win over Gallatin since 1966. Additionally, the win also places the Panthers in the Class 5A playoffs for the first time in school history.
Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution from the Titans Foundation to the Portland High School football program in Coach Aric'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 Aric will be the team's guest at the Titans season finale versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 30 when the team honors all 2012 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2012 Coach of the Year! Coach Aric 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 on that date.
Also receiving strong consideration in this week's poll were Tony Lambert of Oneida High School, whose team defeated Coalfield 21-14, snapping their 17-game district winning streak and Trenton-Peabody High's Joe Gaddis, whose team defeated Humboldt, 21-14, also snapping a 17-game win streak in league play dating back to 2009.
Now in its 13th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $156,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week and Year winners.
The criteria for selection include the coach's impact on his team, school, community and emphasis on health and safety. 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 recognizes high school coaches who transform, through hard work and dedication, student athletes into the best possible football players, scholars and citizens in their community.
