Member of the

Tennessee High School

Press Association

Volume 07

The PawPrint is a publication of the McNairy Central High School Journalism Department. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the administration, faculty or staff.

EDITOR Rachel BurnsREPORTERSHolly HensonAaron FriendWynter Miller

ADVISER Lisa Forsythe

Issue 04August 31, 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS:Sept. 1•College & Career DAy•Balfour Class Rings during lunch•Faculty Mtg 3:05•VB Fayette-Ware (H) 5:00•SOC Lexington (H) 6:00

Sept. 2•HR - Senior Class Mtg•Yearbooks on Sale during lunch•Deadline for Senior Parent Ads 3:00•School Picture Proofs Due•FB Liberty (A) 7:00

Sept. 5•School Dismissed for Labor Day

Sept. 6•GOLF vs Southside (H) 3:30•VB vs Lexington & Milan at Lexington 5:00

Sept. 7•FCA&S Devotional 7:30 am

Sept. 8•GOLF vs Riverside & Scotts Hill (A) 4:00•VB vs Liberty (H) 5:00•GSOC vs Southside (H) 6:00

CAT BITES•Seniors, the deadline to turn in Parent Ads for the yearbook will be FRIDAY, Sept. 2 at 3:00.•McNairy Central Golf Team is selling “McNairy Central Bobcats” license plates for $5. Also selling “Bobcats” umbrellas for $20. Contact: Coach Day 610-2145 or any MCHS Golf Team member.

In sports, players receive most of the glory for the accomplishments of the team. However, it is the coaches that are the masterminds behind the performance of the players. It is important for people to understand why coaches do what they do. This fall there are a few coaches that were willing

to give some insight as to what makes them “tick.” One of those coaches is Jerry Lott, girls’ soccer coach at MCHS. Lott said that their goals are always to compete for the District and Region Championships, and advance to the State Tournament in Chattanooga. He said that what he is looking forward to most this year is working with a new group of players, and teaching players new positions since the team lost seven starters off of last year’s state tournament team. Also, Lott hopes to convey a message of team unity, hard work, and determination that will affect players not only athletically, but also in life. Lott believes that team sports not only teach teamwork, but also social interaction, getting along with others, handling failure and success, goal-setting, discipline, and following directions. Another coach at MCHS is Jim Glover, head football coach. Glover said that seeing his players mature is what he is looking forward to most this season. He said that “It is always amazing to see how the seniors have grown when you compare them to their freshman year.” He also said that he hopes the team is able to accomplish all of the goals they have set for themselves. Glover said that there are three things that they demand

of their players: do right, care about each other, and be diligent. Also, Glover stated, “Athletics are a great venue where character and values can be taught. It is the only place outside of real life circumstances where values and character are tested.” Lastly, Glover said that his father inspired him to play football, and that he has always loved the camaraderie among teammates. Offensive line coach for the MCHS football team Scott Akin is another of these masterminds. Akin said that he cannot wait to get to know all the guys on the team, and he believes that having a good relationship with players is the most important part of any team. His main goal this year is to build a solid foundation of strength, confidence, and character within a core group of linemen. Akin believes that the big guys are the heart beat of the team and not only have the potential for big wins, but to also kick start a winning program for years to come. He believes that love is the greatest message that he can convey to the team. Akin says that players should learn to love their teammates, coaches, and the game of football, and that will carry over into their school work, family relationships, and their entire lifestyle. Upon being asked why he thought sports were important to him, Akin

said, “It is always easier to avoid things that are difficult, or even to quit when it becomes painful. However, life is filled with both peaks and valleys, and sports teach us to dig deep and work through those difficulties. Most importantly, First Corinthians 9:24 tells us ‘don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win.’” Finally, Akin states that he was inspired to coach by former Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry. He said that Landry’s embodiment of class and character left a lasting impression on him. Another assistant football coach is Brandon Alldredge. Alldredge said that he is looking forward to seeing all of the hard work that the team has put into the off-season pay off. He said that he hopes the team can accomplish a winning season and hopefully make a run in the playoffs. He hopes that the players will play hard every snap and every game, and that they will execute their assignments, and if they accomplish these goals, they will be in a good position to win the game. According to Alldredge, sports test a person’s character, and athletics are a good way to see how people react to adverse situations. Alldredge was inspired to coach because of his high school football coach, Larry Ginn. Ginn was a

six-time state champion and he is a member of the Alabama High School Coaching Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Ginn passed away two years ago. Lastly, Alldredge said that he has always loved winning as a team. Michael Stroup is also a football coach at MCHS. He said that he hopes the team can accomplish a winning season and a trip to the playoffs. Stroup said that he is looking forward to getting the guys to play together, and to play hard. Also, he wants the players to do right, care for one another, and be diligent this season. He believes that sports teach young people to overcome obstacles, and that sports also create a family atmosphere. Stroup participated in football in high school and he enjoyed playing with the guys beside him. Stroup said, “My father had a huge role in me wanting to be a coach. Seeing how he influenced so many people while coaching really inspired me to do what I do.” Finally there is girls volleyball coach, Crystal Slaughter. Slaughter said she is looking forward to having a good year with many wins. She also said, “I hope we can repeat what we did last year as a team and have a successful season. It may be difficult to do so, but I feel if we work hard, respect each other, communicate, and work as a team, we will be

successful.” According to Slaughter, a couple of key points the team will need to be successful are respect and teamwork. She believes sports are important because it allows students to express themselves in other ways than just in the classroom. Also, Slaughter played volleyball at South Side High School when she was younger. She states, “What I enjoyed most about playing was the competitiveness of the game and the friendships that I made.” Slaughter also made sure to note that the MCHS volleyball team defeated South Side twice last year. Lastly, Slaughter said she decided to coach volleyball because of the love she had for the game. Although coaches do not always receive glory for the success of the team, they are the biggest part of the team’s performance. If the players are the heart of the team, then the coaches are the brain. Thus, this fall, before you hype up the players too much, be sure to congratulate the coaches on the wonderful job they have done.

Autumn MastermindsBy Aaron Friend

Football Coaches (l to r) Brandon Alldredge, Scott Akin, Jim Glover, Jake Kiser, Michael Stroupphoto by Lisa Forsythe

Volleyball CoachCrystal Slaughter

Girls SoccerJerry Lott

Girl’s soccer has kicked off once again. If this sea-son is anything like the last, then there will be nothing but success. This year, the Lady Bobcats have two very talented

seniors. They are Sarah Hunter and Ana Whitten. Hunter is a middle striker for the team and has been for four years. As part of her position, she performs kick-offs and plays offense to score goals. She started playing soccer because she had a love for it when she was younger, and she loves the intensity of the game. By playing soccer, she feels she has learned the true value of team-work and effort. After high school, she plans to attend Union University to major in pharmacy. Although she is undecided, she hopes to continue playing soccer while in college. One of

the things she remembers the most from soccer is the injury she sustained last year. “It isn’t one of the greatest memories but definitely the most memo-rable is tearing my ACL. By healing and recover-ing from this injury, it has helped me to never give up on something I really love but work only harder at it,” stated Hunter. Like Hunter, Whitten has played soccer since her freshman year. She plays defense and tries to keep the ball away from the goal by sending it down the field. She became interest-ed in soccer when she was little and has played ever

since. The thing she likes most about soccer is that it allows her to be part of a team and meet new people each year. Also, it teaches her how to play as a team and be a better leader. Af-

ter high school, she plans to go to the University of Tennessee at Martin. While there, she plans to major in accounting and minor in finance. She would like to play soccer in college, but she doesn’t want sports to interfere with her overall college experience. One of her greatest memories while playing soccer includes going to state her junior year. “We may have lost, but we played hard and had a great time while we were there,” commented Whitten.

Lady Cats Kick Off Another SeasonBy: Holly Henson

Sarah Hunter

Ana Whitten