No. 1 C.J. Taylor being named a finalist for Mr. Football is a big deal. C.J. expressed his appreciation, “This is for Warren County. I am blessed. I’m just trying to make history.”  

Warren County has not had a football player previously nominated for Mr. Football in the 36 years the TSSAA has given the award.

No. 2 C.J. Taylor’s head coach also commented on C.J. being selected as a Mr. Football Finalist. Matt Turner said, “I’m very excited for C.J., very excited for him and his teammates. C.J.’s and Squad 52’s accomplishments will be discussed for a long time. Very exciting time in Pioneer history.” 

No. 3 According to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire in rural areas, especially in counties that have not had a mask madate.

Locally, the District 1 elementary school tournament has been significantly impacted. In the boys bracket, undefeated Irving College, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, was eliminated last week by COVID-19. On Monday, Boyd Christian’s boys were eliminated by COVID-19. 

Several players are missing from various teams because of COVID-related quarantine. It is very challenging to keep up with all the elementary, middle, and high school basketball games impacted by COVID-19.

No. 4 Teams across the state have been eliminated by COVID-19. The strangest COVID-19 elimination took place last Friday night at Dobyns Bennett in Kingsport. Its playoff opponent, McMinn County, showed up with a player who had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. 

The county health department in Kingsport shut down the game before it started. The TSSAA decided on Monday that Dobyns Bennett advances and plays Maryville tonight in the quarterfinals.  

No. 5 Here is a heartwarming story in Buffalo that is worth remembering. Buffalo’s quarterback, Josh Allen, No. 17, learned on Saturday night, Nov. 7, that his 80-year-old grandmother had passed away. He played the next day at home against Seattle. Allen matched a career best 415 passing yards against Seattle, and threw for three touchdowns in a 44-34 victory.

After fans learned of Allen’s loss, they started making donations to Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital, a cause the Bill’s quarterback has supported. Many fans donated $17 in honor of the quarterback. 

The hospital even created a $17 donation button. 

When the amount reached $483,000, Josh Allen kicked in a $17,000 donation. The fund has now raised over $600,000 in memory of Josh Allen’s grandmother.

No. 6 Who is not loving Dolly Parton right now for donating $1 million to help develop a vaccine? 

No. 7 Kaden Jordan and C.J. Taylor are going to be participating in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on Dec. 14. Stay tuned for more details.