Moore County High School freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can sign up for the PSAT to be given at the high school on October 14. {File Photo}
EDUCATION NEWS | Staff invites Moore County High School (MCHS) freshmen, sophomores, and junior to register to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 14. The cost is $20 per student.
The PSAT – also known as the Preliminary SAT – gives students a practice run at the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) used by many universities and colleges to determine aptitude for college classes.
Students can only take the PSAT once per year, and many students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. If you earn a high score on the PSAT your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship—$180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year. The PSAT is two hours and 45 minutes long and tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. Unlike the SAT, the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520, according to their website.
MCHS juniors who take the test will compete for the National Merit Scholarship program. Freshmen and sophomores can still take the test and use it as a practice test to assess strengths and weaknesses in advance of the their junior year PSAT.
The number of tests available is limited, according to MCHS officials, and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Test fees should be delivered to Amy Cashion at MCHS. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
FAYETTEVILLE — It will be a battle of TSSAA ranked teams on Friday as the number five Moore County Raiders (4-0, 1-0) travel to face off with the Fayetteville Tigers (3-1, 2-0) in Lincoln County. The Raiders defeated the Forrest Rockets 35-14 last Friday in Chapel Hill while the Tigers beat Mount Pleasant 56-20 at home.
This battle of ranked team should be great game. In fact it’s gotten the attention of Tennessee High School Football Live, which will live stream the game. Click here for that link.
Moore County will need to correct needless penalties and sloppy play to bring their A game to the Tigers. Against the Rockets, Moore County had several key first downs and a touchdown called back for penalties. The Raider offense will also need to establish a ground game. Against Forrest, Moore County put up 248 yards through the air and just 98 on the ground.
Defensively, the Raiders look daunting. Moore County defenders fly to the ball, tackle smart, and hit hard. Many Moore County defenders are first year football players but seasoned athletes. What they lack in experience, they make up for in instinct and athletic ability … especially senior Ryder Morey and junior Will Harder, who combined for 10 tackles against the Rockets.
Moore County will also need to capitalize on any Fayetteville mistakes. The Rockets turned the ball over seven time against Moore County but the Raiders only converted two of those opportunities into points.
Patient Tiger QB and solid offensive line
On the Fayetteville side of the ball, Raider fans will want to keep an eye on junior running back #7 Graham Pace who has rushed for three touchdowns through four games for the Tigers. He leads Fayettevile with 20 total points. Receivers junior #11 Corian Cash and #9 sophomore Isaiah Thomison are the Tigers best hands. Freshman #3 KJ Jackson leads the Tigers in all purpose yards. Tiger QB sophomore #16 Sam Holdmeyer is 24 of 45 for 195 total yards so far this year and his offense line gives him time to find receivers.
On defense, there are several key players including junior #6 Cam Sheridan, sophomore #24 Braxton Wilson, junior #72 Antonio Ibarra, and senior #2 Jayson Pullen. They’ve combined for nearly 100 tackles through four games. Freshman #27 Calvin Hughes is quick off the ball with eight QB sacks this year.
The game will kick off in Fayetteville at 7 p.m. For those who plan to travel, the GPS address is 1800 Wilson Parkway, Fayetteville, TN 37334. If you can’t travel to the game, it will be broadcast live on Raider Country 105.1 and 95.5 FM, on the NFHS Network, or The Lynchburg Times will post live score updates on our Facebook page. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
The MCHS Raiders prepare for their first conference match up this week in Cornersville. The away game kicks off at 7 p.m. {Photo Courtesy of the Moore County Sports Network}
SPORTS — If you’ve been paying attention so far this season, you’ve noticed that new Head Coach Kris White is well on his way to creating a memorable season for his 2020 Raider team. He has managed to lure a host of athletes from other sports to play football. The MCHS roster is now packed with not only returning stars from last year but also starters from the basketball and baseball teams plus a class of freshman talent who won the state middle school championship last year.
Players are excited to play for Coach White and his assistants, TJ Christian, Manny Buchanan, Randy Morey, Wes Black, and Schuvaud Whitaker. In fact, just last week the Raiders added three new players: Noah Blankenship, Will Baker, and Landon Lavergne.
So far this season, MCHS has stacked up two early season non-conference home wins: a 15-0 victory over Cascade and a 41-8 shellacking of Community. On Friday, they travel to Cornersville for their first conference match up against a rival with a winning streak and an eye on the playoff.
The Bulldogs beat Community 36-6 at home on August 21 and glided past Eagleville 35-13 in Cornersville last week.
So what’s the trick to maintaining their winning streak?
The Raider spread offense has played smart, consistent football so far this year but the Bulldogs’ hard-hitting defense isn’t likely to just lay down. The Raiders will need execution on both the rushing and passing side of the offense to keep the Cornersville D on it’s heels.
Led by Bulldog left-handed QB Jackson Farler the Cornersville offense clicks on several fronts including tight end Eli Welch, who is both big and fast, as well as, Alex Hilliard, who ran for 106 yards against Community. They are helped by a O-line led by Brady Callahan and Cason Warner that does not yield.
Friday night’s game could end up being the battle of the safeties. Cornersville boast two ball hawks protecting it backfield. But Moore County boasts it’s own defensive weapons — the White brothers. Freshman free safety Dawson White and senior strong safety Kaden White have combined for 22 tackles and an interception through two games.
If they can keep the Raiders from being burning by the long pass, the defensive line led by Donavin Pearson (20 total tackles, 10 solo tackles) and Tyler Smith (17 total tackles, 8 solo tackles) can handle the inside run game, hopefully preventing the dynamic Cornersville offense from gaining momentum.
The Raiders played mistake football against Community with zero fumbles and zero interceptions. It’s a trend that will need to continue for the Raiders to come back to Lynchburg with a W on Friday night. Cornersville has won the past three straight match ups.
Coach White says that Cornersville will be returning numerous players including their QB and several defensive players.
“We’ll have to be able to stop the run,” he says. “Based on film through two games, they like to run the ball and do so almost 80 percent of the time,” he said.
Coach White also said that one of the keys to success will be for Moore County’s players not to get rattled by a loud away game.
“They have a DJ who plays music in between plays. It’s loud,” Coach White says. “It’s an awesome game atmosphere but one that can’t serve as a distraction.”
The game kicks off in Cornersville at 7 p.m. If you can’t travel to the game, it will be broadcast live on Raider Country 105.1 and 95.5 FM, on the NFHS Network, or The Lynchburg Times will post live score updates on our Facebook page.
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
The Raiders really wanted to give first year Coach Kris White his first W as the MCHS head coach and the boys in Columbia blue did just that with a shut out win in Lynchburg tonight over the Cascade Champions, 15-0.
With no preseason scrimmages, Raider fans knew the first couple of series might be a little bumpy and they were. Moore County fumbled on the third play from scrimmage to hand Cascade the ball.
The Champions didn’t do much with it — going a quick three and out and handing the ball over to the Raiders on downs.
With Raider QB Kyler Parker in control, Kaden White and Tyler Smith put together a first down before Parker completed a long pass to Brayden Cashion to put the Raiders on the board. Chase Bradford’s first PAT of the season connected to give the Raiders an early 7-0 lead with 6:43 remaining in the first.
Cascade managed a little momentum on the next series before Donavin Pearson got a big third and 10 stop. He forced a fumble but Cascade recovered only to punt on the next play.
On the next Raider series, first game missteps reared their head again. QB Parker put together a couple of long passes to Dawson White to get the Raiders third and goal. Moore County then fumbled the ball at the goal line with 20 seconds left in the first half.
One the next series, the Raiders crowded the end zone as Cascade played deep in their own territory and managed a safety to give them a 9-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Raiders put together a first down effort with run plays by Tyler Smith and Dawson White before Parker hit a wide open Dylan Scruggs for a first down.
On the next play, a tipped pass found its way to Scrugg in the end zone to give the Raiders six more. With 9:59 remaining in the second quarter, the Raiders scored the final points of the night.
At the end of four, the Raiders snagged a home victory and its first W for Coach Kris White. The Raiders played disciplined football and clearly feel comfortable under their new head coach. Though the offensive sputtered in this first outing, the defense showed grit with smart tackles and never giving up on plays.
After the game, Coach White told The Times that he was really happy with the Raiders effort tonight.
“We knew we were gonna make mistakes and some things would be out of our control but the one thing we could control was effort. I felt like they did that,” he said.
The Raiders play at home again next Friday against Community. It will also be Senior Night. Kick off is at 7 p.m. •
Great news MCHS Class of 2020. School officials plan graduation ceremonies for June 19. {File Photo}
MOORE COUNTY — According to Director of School Chad Moorehead, graduation ceremonies for the Moore County High School (MCHS) Class of 2020 are now set for Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m.
At 9 a.m. that morning, there will be a breakfast for senior class members followed immediately by graduation practice. Then at 6 p.m. friends and family members are invited to watch the graduation ceremony at Doug Price Field.
Director Moorehead say the school will not impose a crowd limit but they do ask everyone to socially distance throughout. Both the home and away bleachers will be open to help accommodate this.
“We can not be the social distancing police,” Director Moorehead said in a video statement. “We ask that you do that yourselves and if you are in fear for health reason, please stay home.” •
MOORE COUNTY — This week MCHS joined eight other Tennessee high schools who are now on the hunt for a new head football. Jason Dobbs announced he’s leaving Lynchburg to return Murfreesboro.
Dobbs coached the Moore County varsity team for the past four year and led the Raiders to a 22-21 overall record. His Raider teams also made it to the TSSAA Class 1-A playoffs in 2017 and 2018. Last year Moore County finished with a 5-5 overall record and barely missed a playoff opportunity with an ugly season-ending game at Mount Pleasant. {Click here to read our coverage of that game.}
Dobbs is leaving Moore County to join coaching buddy, Oakland Head Coach Kevin Creasy. Dobbs will join Oakland as an assistant coach. Dobbs and Creasy coached together at Trousdale County from 2005-09. Dobbs also coached at Riverdale for six seasons.
When we reached out for comment, Moore County Director of Schools Chad Moorehead said, “We hate that Coach Dobbs is leaving. I have confidence that the high school administration will find a coach that will continue to build on a strong football tradition for our school. I wish Coach Dobbs and his sons well on their football careers. Moore County will be following them closely because once you are a Raider, you are always a Raider.”
According to Director Moorehead, the search for Coach Dobb’s replacement is underway.
According to the website TN High School Football, seven other schools are currently also looking for a head coach: Austin East, Fayette Ware, Sycamore, Whites Creek, The Webb School, West Grene, and Whitwell. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
The new MCHS Gym will soon be ready for PE classes, according to Director of Schools Chad Moorehead. “We’re just waiting on a sprinkler system test and final Fire Marshall approval,” he told the Metro School Board on Monday night. {Photo Provided}
LOCAL NEWS — It’s taken a little longer than anticipated but according to Director of Schools Chad Moorehead, students will soon get to christen the new MCHS Gym.
“We still need to pass a sprinkler system test and get the final Fire Marshall approval,” Director Moorehead said in Monday night Metro School Board meeting. “But we should be able to move our PE classes into the new gym very soon.”
According to Director Moorehead, the gym isn’t yet ready for public functions or assemblies.
“Due to a paving issue, we’re limited to 50 students at a time for the moment,” he said. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
LOCAL NEWS — There is zero evidence that the COVID-19 virus can spread through blood donation or transfusion. Despite that fact, health officials say they are beginning to see a drop off in blood donations due to public fears.
Should an outbreak happen in Tennessee, the last thing hospitals need to worry about is adequate blood supplies for trauma and cancer patients. The good news is that you can help. The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Moore County High School on Wednesday, March 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make an advanced appointment, click here.
MCHS is located at 1502 Lynchburg Highway. For more information, call 800.733.2767 or visit the American Red Cross website. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
LOCAL NEWS — The Moore County High School Raiders (8-14, 1-3) will travel to Hendersonville on Saturday, February 29 to take on Merrol Hyde Magnet School in the first round of the TSSAA Region 4-A Boys Basketball Tournament. If they win, they’ll move on to play the winner of the Fayetteville vs. STEM Prep Academy game on March 3 at Eagleville High School.
Led by Head Coach Heath Hardin, the Raiders finished third in District 8 play. Fayetteville snagged first place with Eagleville edging out Moore County for second. The Raiders defeated Cascade 70-64 in overtime in the consolation game. In District 8 play, Brayden Cashion made the All Season and All District teams. Riley Hollman and Andrew Copeland both made the All Tournament team and Cashion was also named All Season.
The Merrol Hyde Hawks are led by four outstanding shooters: seniors Matthew Sykes and Asher Wolthers, as well as juniors Ethan Hansen and Kolton Garvon, who all tie for their season high scorers. Wolthers manages 68 percent from the field.
For Moore County, one interesting note is that senior Raider Ben Fletcher is currently tied for the Moore County record for most charges. Currently Wade Harder holds that record with 31.
If you plan to go, tip off will be at 7 p.m. The school is located at 128 Township Drive in Hendersonville. You can also watch a live broadcast on the NFHS Network. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
LOCAL NEWS — Fill the gym, is the refrain echoing out of Moore County High School this week as our MCHS Raiderettes prepare to battle it out at home for the first game of the Regional Tournament.
The MCHS Raiderettes pieced together a 18-13 (6-4) record to earn themselves a spot in the TSSAA 2020 Class A East Regional Girls’ Basketball Tournament as one of 32 teams. They enter the tournament ranked #2 in District 8 and face off against STEM Prep Academy in the first round on Friday.
The STEM Chargers are led by top shooters sophomores Andranique Voorhies and Andrian Voorhies, as well as senior Ndidi Morgan.
Two points shy of district top spot
Last week, the Raiderettes lost to Huntland in Franklin County, 56-54, narrowly missing out on the district’s top spot. It was a fierce match up that saw four lead changes in the final two minutes. Lady Hornet Mikaylie Edwards swished a mid-range jumper with 30 second remaining to give Huntland the go-ahead lead.
The Raiderettes will look to season leaders like sophomores Olivia Richards, Erica Clifton, and Chloe Brazier as well as senior Carolyna Driver to keep the season momentum moving. If they win this first game, they’ll take on the winner of the LEAD Academy versus Fayetteville game on Monday, March 2 at Eagleville High School.
Friday night’s tip off is at 7 p.m. and the MCHS Gym will open at 6 p.m. You can also watch a live broadcast on the NFHS Network. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
