Randy Cavin
As seen in:
Weakley County Press,
Union City Daily Messenger
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Articles by Randy Cavin
Crucial Time for Corn
By Randy Cavin Press Writer If it is not one thing, it is another, and in fact, it is several others for are farmers. This year has been one most farmers would like to forget. They had a relatively mild winter and then a wet and cool spring, which caused some delays in planting. Then it stayed wet until mid-June.
Grandson brings grandfather’s vintage truck back to life
Before and after … Frank Vincent and grandson Hunter By Randy Cavin Sports Editor Anybody who knows Frank Vincent of Martin is well aware that he used to love to hunt quail. The vehicle Vincent used to get to his favorite hunting spots was a Jeep J10 pickup truck, which he purchased brand new in 1979. Vincent’s trusty pickup truck had seen its share of bumps and bruises over the years until it could go no more.
Charger athletes represent school well in postseason
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor The school year is finally over for Westview and it was some kind of a year for Charger athletics. So much happened with athletics at Westview that it is hard to find the place to begin with for the year in review. Football is the obvious choice as the Chargers became a major threat with their high-octane offense with a new head coach, who left the school to return home in January. There were other coaching changes in both soccer programs, tennis, and softball.
Press names Prep Players of the Year
Weakley County Press Prep Players of the Year (from left) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Tess Darby and Kaleb Dilday (joined by head coach and father Tommy Dilday). By Randy Cavin Sports Editor High school basketball seasons come and go every year for seniors and this past season is one they will never forget. For three of the county’s seniors, it will be a little more memorable as they each picked up some additional hardware before they graduated.
Spendlove takes over Lady Chargers’ soccer program
WHS girls’ socer coach Brandy Spendlove By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Westview will have a different girls’ soccer head coach for the third consecutive year when the team is put together this summer. Brandy Spendlove was announced as the new head coach of the Lady Chargers on Thursday. She replaces Emily Belote Johnson after one season of coaching the Lady Chargers. Johnson took over the program last summer after Seth Coleman stepped down.
Yellowjackets head coach adjusts to new ways
Keylon Thomas and Samuel Thum By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Rolling with the changing times is what Greenfield High School head football coach Don Pitt has done. COVID-19 has forced coaches to become innovative with the way they communicate and train their players away from the field house and weight rooms. Pitt is an old-school style football coach, but even he has adapted and is using today’s technology to keep his players in condition.
Chargers complete first summer drills under Jarod Neal
WHS starting quarterback Ty Simpson By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor The first full week of football workouts are complete, and for new Westview head coach Jarod Neal, it was practically his first official week. Neal was hired near the end of January and he got to work with some of his players in the weight room for a short time before everything got shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was feeling good after seeing his players run agility drills and other workouts last week.
Dresden’s Rachel Childress inks with Lady Wildcats
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor A player who came into her own this past season is now on her way to the next level of her basketball career. Dresden’s Rachel Childress signed with Bethel University on Thursday as she will join a Wildcats team that put together a historical season before the COVID-19 pandemic cut it off. Childress joined the 1,000-point club in the final game of the regular season this year, while she helped to lead the Lady Lions to 88 wins in her four years at Dresden.
Coaches eager to begin offseason workouts
Dresden High School football head coach Wes Johnson By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor When will summer workouts begin for high school sports in the county? That is on the mind of every head coach now that the current school year is ending. Dresden High School football head coach Wes Johnson is hoping it is soon. Union City, Trenton Peabody, and Milan began small-group workouts one week ago. “I have not heard officially, but the rumor is they are going to let us start June 1,” Johnson said.
Years of cooling shade ended after May 3 storm
Jim and Aline Roberts of Sharon with their 139-year-old white oak tree. By Randy Cavin It provided years of cooling shade in the summer and it went through harsh winters with whistling winds from the north. The old white oak tree located on the property of Jim and Aline Roberts in Sharon saw its share of bad weather; however, it saw its final storm on May 3. That severe line of thunderstorms brought down many trees throughout the county.
Big rise in first-time vegetable gardeners
By Randy Cavin Press Reporter With not as much produce reaching supermarkets, people are turning to another Roger Todd of Martin displays cabbage and lettuce he has growing in his vegetable garden. Todd is an experienced gardener and says cabbage and lettuce are two vegetables that are easy to grow for first-time gardeners. method to get fresh vegetables — gardening. Now is the time to get a vegetable garden started; however, many people started their garden a few weeks ago.
Jada Harrison joins Chloe Moore-McNeil, Tess Darby as TSWA All-State selections
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Westview freshman point guard Jada Harrison has officially joined the elite group of players across the state. The Tennessee Sports Writers Association released its All-State selections for each of the three classes in Division I girls’ high school basketball, and the two classes in Division II on Monday. Harrison made the Class AA All-State squad, which puts her among the best players in Tennessee.
Local dairy farmer pours life’s work down the drain
Vincent, like other dairy farmers across the country, had to go through the milk dumping process By Randy Cavin As many people know by now from social media and news outlets, dairy farmers have had to watch their livelihood go to waste. Milk dumping across the country has hit the news recently, which is not a good thing for dairy farmers, as they are pouring their life’s work into wastewater lagoons and ponds. It is all because of the coronavirus.
Extra free time priceless for head coach
Greenfield head football coach Don Pitt and his son, Miller, with the first turkey of the season. By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Greenfield football head coach Don Pitt is not able to do anything with his team, but he is finding other ways to spend his extra free time. Pitt loves football; it is his passion and livelihood. However, the Greenfield head coach also loves to hunt and fish. That is a good way to get outdoors and practice social distancing during these troubling times.
College prospect feels the pressure as junior season nears cancellation
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor This was supposed to be the year for junior athletes who play spring sports as they put their skills in gear for college scouts. COVID-19 changed that, and it is having an impact on one local softball player. Corey Burke, who is a junior pitcher at Gleason was looking forward to showcasing her skills and hoped to have another successful season. “It is rough for Corey,” Lady Bulldogs’ head coach Albert Collins said.
Greenfield teacher sees no slowdown at Kentucky Lake
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor There may be only a couple of things that have some normalcy during the events happening in the state and around the country; it is spring, and the fish do not know anything about the coronavirus. However, there are some negative impacts anglers are experiencing. All the campgrounds in the state parks are closed and some of those campgrounds are adjacent to bodies of water. Then there are some popular resorts that have limited access.
Gleason’s Mike Bennett retires after 38 years
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor He has been a mentor and a friend to many of the students who have walked through the halls of Gleason School and now it has come to an end. Mike Bennett is going to relax and enjoy life as he is retiring after 38 years of teaching and coaching at Gleason.
Dresden head coach looking for answers with current crisis
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor A lot has been said about the impact the COVID-19 outbreak is having on spring sports and basketball tournaments. There is another sport that will be and is suffering major effects from the COVID-19 situation and that is football. Spring is an important time for high school football teams as head coaches will usually begin spring practice with returning players in April. Spring practices may not happen this year if the situation worsens with COVID-19.
Byrd named Press’ Prep Player of the Year
By Randy Cavin Sports Editor There were several excellent senior candidates for the Weakley County Press Prep Player of the Year in football for the 2019 season. However, when it came down it, there was only one obvious choice for the award, and Westview High School senior wide receiver Garrett Byrd was that choice. Byrd only played one season of varsity football but what a season he had for the Chargers.
Harrison’s freebies lift No. 5 Lady Chargers over No. 8 D’burg
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor It was gut-check time for fifth-ranked Westview as the Lady Chargers survived a big matchup with No. 8 ranked Dyersburg. The lead in the District 13AA standings was on the line as Westview earned a 37-31 win over the Lady Trojans. The Lady Chargers, who now own an 18-3 overall record and are 4-0 in the district, saw a 12-point lead after three quarters evaporate to a single bucket with just over a minute left to play.
Patience pays off for Anne Carithers; named to TSWA All-State soccer team
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor It took all of her high school career to do it but Westview’s Anne Carithers finally made the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Soccer Team. The TSWA sent out the All-State list Tuesday morning for a Wednesday release with Carithers’ name on the Class A team as a forward. Carithers has had a great career playing soccer for the Lady Chargers.
Westview’s ‘D’ wakes up offense
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Westview opened the District 13AA schedule at home Friday night with a split against Obion County Central, which could have been a sweep for either school. Last season the Lady Chargers did not play well against the Lady Rebels in the district opener and it cost them their first district loss in 30 regular-season games. It nearly happened once again on Friday as Westview finally woke up in the fourth quarter and beat Obion Central 47-36.
Lady Chargers win Region 7A crown, advance to state for third straight year
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor It is on to Murfreesboro for the third straight year for the Westview girls’ soccer team after the Lady Chargers beat Memphis East 5-0 in the sectionals Sunday afternoon. The Lady Chargers advanced to the sectionals with a 1-0 overtime win Thursday afternoon against McKenzie at Bethel University for the Region 7A championship. Westview will now play Cosby in the quarterfinals in the TSSAA State Tournament on Nov. 6 at 6:30.
Dresden returns to playoffs with Gleason win, SF loss
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Dresden is heading back to the playoffs after a one-year absence after the Lions won 48-13 at Gleason Thursday night. The Lions (3-6; 2-3) entered the game the healthiest they have been all season and it showed as they beat the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. Dresden had 446 yards of offense and 18 first downs while holding the Bulldogs (0-9; 0-5) to 217 and 16 first downs.
Greenfield’s Darby inks with Lady Vols
By Randy Cavin Sports Editor The start of the high school basketball season is one month away and it will be a little less stressful for one area player when it does begin. Greenfield senior forward Tess Darby, a highly-touted Division I prospect, is no longer on the recruiting radar as she made her college commitment Friday afternoon. The school Darby committed to is none other than the University of Tennessee and the Lady Vols.
Chargers inch closer to playoffs
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Westview inched closer to clinching its first playoff appearance since 2015 with a 42-12 win Friday night against visiting Bolivar. The Chargers (5-3; 2-2) can clinch a playoff spot this week, even though they have an open date Friday, with a McNairy Central loss at Milan. The Chargers may have to wait until the final week of the season to see if they make it the playoffs if the Bobcats beat the Bulldogs.
Dresden head coach takes blames for setback against Gibson County
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor First-year Dresden head football coach Wes Johnson discovered that the Lions have a lot of work in front of them after Friday’s scrimmage against Gibson County. The Pioneers outscored the Lions 3-0, which is not bad for the defense, considering it was missing its two starting cornerbacks. The defense did give up some big plays, while the offensive line had problems blocking Gibson County’s front line of defense.
Football begins with middle school jamboree
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor There was one win and one loss for the two county middle schools playing in the McKenzie Middle School Jamboree Saturday evening. Dresden beat West Carroll 18-16 in the first matchup of the day in Nicholas Cobb’s debut as the head coach of the Lions. Martin played Gibson County in the second game with a near identical score as the first one, but with a reversed result as the Chargers lost 16-12 to the Pioneers.
Debuts good for Martin Middle and Westview soccer coaches
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor The Westview and Martin Middle School girls’ soccer teams debuted new head coaches in separate jamborees Saturday. Westview won both of its games at the Dyersburg Jamboree with Emily Belote Johnson as the new head coach. The Lady Chargers beat Covington 2-0 and then got a 5-2 win over Obion Central in their second game.
Chargers wear down UC in first scrimmage
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Any Westview football fan who was at Thursday’s scrimmage against Union City had to be pleased with what they saw — and with the outcome. The Chargers’ hurry-up offense did what head coach Matt McConnell designed it to do — wear down the opposition. The Golden Tornadoes lost their legs to the Chargers, who had a considerable depth advantage. That is not to say the Chargers didn’t get tired.
Football parents to host Charger Shrimp Boil
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor If you like shrimp, grilled chicken, potatoes and corn, then the parents of the Westview High School football players have just the thing for you. The parents are holding the inaugural Westview Shrimp Boil at the American Legion Post 55 in Martin Aug. 15. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased from any parent of a Charger football player. People will need to purchase their ticket as soon as possible because there are not many remaining.
Ben, Emily Johnson packaged as new Westview coaches
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor It is becoming to look like a family affair at Westview High School with the announcement of two new head coaches. Emily Belote Johnson was announced as the new girls’ soccer head coach at Thursday’s Pep and Pack and the Bus event. Westview Booster Club member John Hamrick introduced Johnson to the large crowd of Charger supporters with her new team standing behind her.
Brandy Spendlove takes over MMS girls’ soccer team
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor The love of sports lured Brandy Spendlove to becoming the new girls’ soccer head coach at Martin Middle School. Spendlove replaces Taylor Johnson, who accepted a teaching job at East Elementary School in Humboldt. Spendlove now moves from the Martin Primary School to the middle school, where she will teach sixth-grade English and coach the girls’ soccer team.
Work remains for teams after 7-on-7 tourney
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Weakley County’s three teams in the UT Martin 7-on-7 passing tournament had to take the good and bad. There was plenty of both Saturday at the Martin Soccer Complex. Westview and Dresden made it to the quarterfinals, while Greenfield was eliminated in the first round of the championship bracket.
Dresden track duo earns All-State honors
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor The final chapter of Loral Winn’s high school career is now complete, while a new one is beginning for Paige Mallon. These two Dresden athletes were both named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Division I Small Class Track and Field All-State list. Winn, who will be a freshman at Ole Miss when the Fall semester begins, earned All-State recognition in three categories – 800-meter, 1600-meter, and 3200-meter.
ESPN hires Ryan Leaf as analyst
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf is a good example of how a person can go from the bottom of the barrel into turning his life around for the good of others as well as himself. Leaf went from playing in the Rose Bowl to becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist, the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, all to way to being a drug addict and convicted felon. Now he is going around speaking in big cities and small towns about mental health illness and drug addiction.
Ryan Leaf speaks to UTM audience about his troubled past
By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor There was a time Ryan Leaf had it all and now he is trying to get a bit of it back and give some to others. The 43-year-old Leaf was at Watkins Auditorium on the campus of UT Martin and spoke to several hundred people in attendance Friday afternoon about his short-lived career in the National Football League, his troubles with drug addiction, and legal problems which led to time spent in prison.
Dead Period a time for players, coaches to recharge
Gleason Head Coach Noah Lampkins By Randy Cavin Press Sports Editor Players and coaches from all high school sports in the state are enjoying the time away from each other while they can. High school sports across the state are in the middle of the mandatory two-week stretch called the “Dead Period” by the TSSAA. The Dead Period began June 23 and will end July 6. It will be back to the 50-week cycle of workouts and practice after the final day of the down time.
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