Keep full-playoff format, Courtney said about season-altering choices
Coaches weigh in about plans for ’20 season
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Enjoying a lighter moment during annual KFOA Media Day at Three Ridges Golf Club Friday morning, July 10, were Farragut High School senior defensive end Trey Nesbitt, left, and senior linebacker Eli Purcell. They were joined by Eddie Courtney (not pictured), who will begin his 25th season as Admirals football skipper in 2020, speaking about the outlook for this year’s FHS team. - Alan Sloan
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Hardin Valley Academy seniors Braden Schoff, left, a wide receiver, and Michael Spurgeon, a linebacker/wide receiver, speak to a reporter during KFOA Media Day Friday, July 10, at Three Ridges Golf Club. - Alan Sloan
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Morgan Shinlever, left, Bearden High School varsity football head coach, at KFOA Media Day Friday, July 10, at Three Ridges Golf Club with Bulldogs senior Makai Williams, center, running back/defensive back, and BHS senior Christian Spining, linebacker. - Alan Sloan
While TSSAA brass work with state of Tennessee officials connected with Gov. Bill Lee, the goal is seeing if there’s any chance — with safety first and the latest coronavirus pandemic numbers in hand — for a full high school football season.
If not, three Farragut area head coaches whose teams play in Division I Class 6A weighed in on which shortened-season TSSAA option they would prefer (all tentatively set to begin Friday, Sept. 18): a seven-game regular season with a full 32-team playoff format; an eight-game regular season and 16-team playoff (top two teams statewide from each of the eight regions) or a nine-game regular season taking only the eight region champions for the playoffs.
Eddie Courtney, FHS
“Right now I like the one with the seven-game (regular season), with four teams going into the playoffs from each region,” Farragut High School head coach Eddie Courtney said about his 25th season as FHS skipper. “Every day, every year, our goal is to win our region. But if you can’t win your region, qualify for the playoffs.
“There’s more than two teams in our region that deserve to be in the playoffs every year,” he added.
Mike Potter, HVA
“I lean towards the eight (regular season games), taking the top two teams” from each region for the playoffs, said Mike Potter, second-year Hardin Valley Academy head coach. “Part of the reason is it will give you, or at least I think it will give you, an opportunity for at least four home games, which obviously is going to help you financially.
“I like the idea of at least two teams having the opportunity to make the playoffs,” he added.
About a new TSSAA feature promising to fill out more teams’ schedules, Potter said, “If you don’t make the playoffs, you have the opportunity to play a couple more (regular season) games” whenever the playoffs would begin.
Morgan Shinlever, BHS
Trying to keep his team “focused on something that’s not guaranteed,” Morgan Shinlever, Bearden High School head coach, said about his choice, “I guess my preference is which ever system allows us to play the most games.
“I feel with our kids, with the amount of time and work they put in, they should have the opportunity to display their talents and efforts as many times as possible,” he added.
