Firebirds Burn Panthers, Gain Momentum Going Into the Playoffs
Vaughn Brothers combine for four touchdowns in the victory
By McKinley Young Jr.
Correspondent WTNTribune Radio Sports
Nashville, TN- Two powerhouse programs over the last six years, renewed their rivalry as the Maplewood Panthers (4-6 Overall, 3-2 Metro, District 2-3) traveled across town to play the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds (8-2, 5-1, 4-1) in the WTNTribune Radio Sports Metro High School Game of the Week. The contest was everything the fans could want, as both teams battled to the end in another classic game. The Firebirds defense stepped up when they had to to defeat the Panthers 35-20. Firebirds linebacker Koreyon Jordan was all over the field as he led his team recording 17 tackles and three sacks shutting Maplewood’s offense out for the of the second half.
The Panthers got on the board first as freshman quarterback Raymond Mitchell hit Antwon Edmonson on a 41 yard pass for a touchdown pass to take the lead 6-0. The next possession the
Firebirds drove down the field and Pearl-Cohn’s running back Ke’Juan Vaughn scored from 15 yards out and the Firebirds took the lead 7-6. Then the Panthers came back and drove down the field taking 5:43 off the clock, and capping the drive off with a Juantarius Bryant four yard run to make the score 12-7. After that it was pretty much all Firebirds.
“They hit us in the mouth early and we had to make adjustments on the fly,” stated Firebirds defensive coordinator Tommy Wilson. “I am happy how our kids responded. Shutting them out in the second half was a great thing. We hope this propels us in the playoffs.”
In the second quarter the Firebird offense came alive, as All-State running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn scored twice, including an 82 yard run, where he showed his vision and speed to push the Firebirds lead to 21-12 at the half. Maplewood drove the ball all the way to the Firebird one yard line but their drive stalled right before halftime.
Pearl-Cohn’s Koreyon Jordan led his team with 17 tackles and three key sacks
In the second half, the Firebirds defense starting dominating the line of scrimmage. Jordan with his teammates including defensive back Cameron Watkins who added 10 tackles and an interception turned up the heat and slowed Maplewood down. Ke’Shawn Vaughn added another touchdown run. Firebird quarterback Jimmy Ferrell threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Rontavious Groves to lead 35-12 in the fourth quarter.
Maplewood then made it interesting as defensive back Daronta Nelson recovered a fumble and raced 65 yards to pay dirt to make it 35-20. On the ensuring Firebird drive, the defense forced a three and out. Nelson then got a hand on the punt giving the Panthers great field position, but the Firebirds were able to keep them out of the end zone.
“We played bad technique and let them get a great push up front, but we settled down and found ways to force their hand,” said Jordan about the Panthers offense. We made the right adjustments and was able to get the win. We want to be ready for the playoffs so this was a good measuring stick.”
Ke’Shawn Vaughn ended his night with 18 carries for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He along with Jordan and Watkins were named WTNTribune Radio Sports Players of the Game. The Firebirds will host Greenbrier in the Class 4A State Playoffs tomorrow. The game was the final one the season for Maplewood which means they will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Metro Football Playoff Matchups
Class 3A Lipscomb @ East Nashville
Class 4A Greenbrier @ Pearl-Cohn
Class 5A Kenwood @ Hillsboro
Class 6A McGavock @ Overton
Cane Ridge @ Blackmon
Wallace Media Group Travel to Indiana to Broadcast Columbia State Games
By Staff Writer
Wallace Media Group
Vincennes, IN. – This past weekend, three members of the Wallace Media Group (WMG) traveled to Vincennes, Indiana to broadcast two basketball games for the Columbia State Community College (CSCC) Men’s Basketball Team. WMG Chief Executive Officer Scott Wallace, Chief Operating Officer Harriet Vaughan-Wallace and Sports Correspondent McKinley Young Jr. spent two days with the team in Indiana. Not only did they broadcast both games on www.wtntribuneradio.com, Wallace handled the task of stat taking for the team.
Columbia State guard T.J. Dunans is the number one player in the nation in junior college. Dunans has committed to Auburn Unversity
CSCC is ranked fourth in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and they split both games defeating Olney (IL.) Central Community College 70-64 and losing to the number one NJCAA team Vincennes University 90-76. Despite the disappointment, the extended exposure was a plus for CSCC and WMG.
“We are happy about the Wallace Media Group being here with us,” said Head Coach Brian “Penny” Collins. “Some of our fans can’t make trips like this so having us on radio helps them be able to follow us. Then having Scott doing electronic stats has given us an added edge. I am now able to make the appropriate halftime adjustments based on the numbers.”
Scott Wallace interviewing Columbia State Head Coach Brian Collins
WMG is working on signing with the school to handle radio broadcasts, stat taking, public address announcing among other things for the athletic department at CSCC. The trip was a goodwill effort to show the administration some of the things they can offer the school.
Wallace Media Group’s Scott Wallace is scoring and doing the public address announcing for Columbia State Women’s and Men’s basketball
“The sky is the limit as to how we can help build this program,” said Wallace. “Columbia State has a great tradition in all sports so it is a pleasure to work with them. We love working with Coach Collins. It is no secret that he is one of the top young coaches in the country. The team seems to like having their own traveling media group with them. We want to build on this and make it official. Right now I personally was hired to handle sports information tasks. Heck, since I have to be there we might as well fill any other holes that may show up.”
WMG’s McKinley Young Jr. with Columbia State point guard Justin Pride. Pride has already committed to Cal State-Bakersfield
Charger Bolts:
- The Lady Chargers won their opening game 80-76. Sophomore guard Lamarra Gordon led the team with 30 points. Freshmen Alexis Lang and Porche Hannah added 20 and 16 points respectively.
- Lang (Whites Creek) and Hannah (Pearl-Cohn) are both products of Metro Public Schools. On the men’s side Jamontae Davis (Hillsboro) played in Metro. Head Coach Brian Collins ( played at Whites Creek) and assistant coaches Ricky Collins (Metro Hall of Fame Coach) and Brandon Lockridge (assistant at Martin Luther King) also have Metro ties.
Wallace Media Group’s newest member Anastasia Williams will handle sideline reporting and story writing
Columbia State guard T.J. Comer has hit 15 three point shots in three games
Scoreboard at Vincennes University