You can feel the change
So.
The world we live in is changing.
There’s a new bridge being built over the Clinch River connecting Clinton proper with South Clinton; most of the old Ingle’s shopping center is coming down; and Magnet Mills is probably on it’s last leg.
But those are things you can see with your own eyes, things you can witness change every single day of the week.
We have a headline in this week’s sports section: “NOT DONE YET!”
That is the change you don’t see when you head to Knoxville on 25W.
It’s a change nobody notices until Friday night. It’s a change that’s been building, been coming along gradually and then BOOM — you notice it.
I noticed it first Sept. 28, then on Oct. 12 — Oak Ridge night.
Wait.
I’m getting ahead of myself.
First, there was Scott High School.
That first win, followed by so many losses — even the sturdiest of fans seemed to be losing hope, bringing out that “Wait until next year” chant.
After dropping what everyone and his little brother thought should have been a win at Seymour High School there were so many people saying, “Well, here comes a 1-9 season.”
One person (and I won’t name names) said about the Week 3 open date, “At east it won’t be a loss.”
But I noticed something in Week 4 in the Anderson County game. There was a punch in the nose, but there was no running away.
“Hmmm,” I said to myself.
Because if I would have said to anyone else they would have thought I was patronizing — that I was just trying to be a “good Joe” or whatever.
I still had that feeling — even with losses (and big losses, too) to Knox Central and Powell.
I knew something was brewing and it wasn’t weak coffee.
It felt like everybody’s attention was drawn to the corners of the county. Anderson County High School and it’s great (maybe historical) season unfolding; Oak Ridge’s quest; and even Oliver Springs with a gaudy 8-2 (and well-deserved) record.
But on Sept. 28 something started to happen.
I couldn’t tell you what, or why, or how.
I was in Chattanooga following the Knoxville West score. And that’s what it was — a score. That lone touchdown standing up against repeated assaults from the invaders from the south.
Yes, that lone score finally crumbled, but still … I kept my thoughts to myself.
Then Fulton.
That almost shook my confidence, almost shook my belief, but that was a strange night isnso many respects — ask Dan McWilliams about that night. It was an off night for everybody.
The news from Powell was a mini-burst of happiness for most, but I thought right then … Nah, nobody would believe me.
Oak Ridge made people pay attention though. It made people stand up and take notice, made them think almost along the same lines I was thinking.
There’s no such thing as a good loss. But there is such a thing as character and heart and trust (in your teammates, your coaches, the system you’re in).
The attention was sliding back to the center of the county.
NOT DONE YET!
“They win the next two they’re going to the playoffs,” I said out loud. Yes, I no longer held my thoughts in. I let everyone who asked know exactly how I felt.
“Nah, it won’t happen,” I was told.
Repeatedly.
This team has this and that and the other team has that and this and, well … Nah, it’s a 2-8 season and one’s a forfeit.
Again, not mentioning names.
Then Campbell County fell.
“Well, Campbell County didn’t have this and that. They were short-handed.”
Fish sticks!
Oh, but could they beat Karns? If Karns could be handled …
“Nah, Karns has that and this and another one of those things, and it’ll be a 3-7 season.”
No.
It won’t be.
NOT DONE YET!
I’ve covered a lot of teams in 30-plus years of this. A lot of great teams, a lot of not-so-great teams.
I’ve loved every minute of it.
I’m doubly blessed this season. Anderson County has a really good football team.
A. Really. Really. Good. Team.
Clinton has turned into a really good football team. I don’t mean that in a negative way, I mean no disrespect. But if the Dragon team that has played the last three Fridays had played like that early in the season then I wouldn’t have had to listen to some people make excuses for why Clinton is winning.
That’s the change that is here, the change you can’t see when you drive through our beautiful city.
Not unless you notice the fans — the true fans — with a lighter step.
The Wimp Shoopman and Jim Harris-type guys who practically bleed Orange and Black.
Having played the game a lot (a long time ago) I know that sometimes it just “clicks.” Or you just get so tired of people doubting you. Or you realize, “Hey, I have a good coach here, why don’t I just listen?”
It’s been fun and inspiring to watch our two football teams. They took different paths, had different expectations, but to both of the teams:
NOT DONE YET!
