August 17, 2001

Coaching legend ponders retirement, but still enjoys game

By JAMIE COMBS
Sports Editor

   In a compact-disc, stereo-surround world, Hampton head football coach J.C. Campbell remains more old-fashioned than an eight-track player in a 1972 Chevrolet pickup.
   Campbell simply doesn't tinker with success.

Hampton head coach J.C. campbell will look to players such as fullback Jeremy Hall (81) and tackle Harry Page (77), both seniors, to help the Bulldogs regain their winning edge.

Don't look for Highlanders to slow down

By TRAVIS BROWN
STAR Staff

   The Cloudland Highlanders have quite a few things going for them this upcoming football season. For starters they are moving down to 1A, which will provide a slightly softer schedule.

The Cloudland Highlanders

ETSU searches for new leader

By MATT HILL
STAR Staff

   JOHNSON CITY-- If Regis Philbin wants to trick somebody out of a million dollars, he could ask one of his contestants who's going to be the starting quarterback at East Tennessee State.

Right: Fifth year senior quarterback Matt Wilhjelm hopes that his time has arrived. Photo by Dave Boyd

Defensive skills, weight room should help HV

By JEFF BIRCHFIELD
STAR Staff

   Taking a page from the NFL Champion Baltimore Ravens, the 2001 Happy Valley Warriors are built on a strong defense, aided by dedication in the weight room.

The Happy Valley Warriors

Hampton anticipates marked improvement

The Hampton Bulldogs

Youthful Rangers hope to grow up fast

By DALLAS COOK
STAR Staff

   The Unaka Rangers will use this year as a rebuilding year but will not sacrifice this season due to inexperience on the field.
   With just five players that have experience under their belts returning from last year's 3-7 team, Coach Mickey Taylor will have to do some serious strategizing in hopes of a successful season.

The Unaka Rangers

'Horns set to meet new challenges head on

By MATT HILL
STAR Staff

   MOUNTAIN CITY -- With the Johnson County Longhorns losing nine offensive starters from last year, there are some big shoes to fill.
   But Longhorn head coach Mike Atwood thinks his squad will be like a pair of Nike tennis shoes. They'll just do it.

The Johnson County Longhorns

Cyclones look primed to defend conference crown
  
By ALLEN LaMOUNTAIN
Assistant Sports Editor

   Coming off a 7-5 season -- with a playoff win, and a conference title in the mix -- would be considered a smashing success at most schools. Elizabethton High School is not just any school however, particularly when it comes to football.

The Elizabethton Cyclones

Tusculum enters season with higher expectations

By MATT HILL
STAR Staff

   TUSCULUM -- The cover of the Tusculum media guide reads "Air Raid 2001, Reload."
   And with Pioneer quarterback Caleb Slover throwing bombs, the operation should be a success.

National title aspirations for SoCon's big three

By MATT HILL
STAR Staff

  The Big three in the automobile business are Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.
   The Big three in the Southern Conference all have connections to cars. Georgia Southern, Furman and Appalachian State look like they're driving toward the national championship.

Rebs picked as Watauga's best

By JEFF BIRCHFIELD
STAR Staff

   As one rival coach put it, South Greene is "The Cream of the Crop".
   Coming off the 2000 season where they boasted a league record of 7-1 with their only blemish a 30-14 loss to Cloudland in the nine-team Watauga Conference, the Rebels are the unanimous favorite among league coaches to win this year's five-team conference.