Faceoff at 50, Kiffin choppers in — yeah, it’s MLK-Stephenson
Greetings from the pressbox high above the field here at James R. Hallford Stadium. I’ve just come up from the field — a near vertical climb of I’m guessing eight or nine stories — where I got an up-close-and-personal look at one of the best pregame midfield square-offs I’ve witnessed since those Miami-Florida State in the 1990s.
This one was between to of DeKalb County’s finest, the No. 7-ranked Stephenson Jaguars and No. 8-ranked Martin Luther King Lions. Stephenson, in visiting white jerseys warming up on the east end of the field, gathered and bean jumping and taunting on the 45 on their side. The Lions, in their home burgundy, quickly rushed up to their side and began jumping and yelling back. It took every coach, volunteer and referee to keep the two sides at bay.
By the time I got up and settled back at my computer — it is literally standing-room only in this ladder-access edifice — and theywere finishing playing the national anthem. On cue, a red helicopter appeared on the horizon to the west and landed on a soccer field behind Georgia Perimeter College next door. It hovered about 30 yards above the grass for several seconds — clearly to get full effect — before finally touching down gently.
After a long wait for the blades to stop turning, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin emerged wearing a bright orange pullover. You couldn’t miss him.
Yeah, it’s going to be a wild night.
I’ll be here the whole time telling you what’s going on and what the ESPNU cameras might not see. Hang with me, won’t you?
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88 comments Add your comment
SickandTired
October 16th, 2009
5:56 pm
Kiffin is gonna make Mark Richt wish he was back at Florida State. Big Orange.
Georgia: The Wisconsin of the SEC
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
6:03 pm
Early Score: King Fans 1, Stephenson Fans 0
Check back for more…
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:04 pm
Just minutes from kickoff here. . . . couple of sidenotes on the Kiffin landing. First of all their timing was really good. Just 15 or 20 minutes before landing there was a soccer game going on on that field. . . . Upon closer inspection through Curtis Compton’s lens, it was a red helicopter, not an orange one. . . It it’s a big thick orange coat Kiffin is wearing. Clearly he was prepared for the cold. I, in a sports jacket, was not.. . .
We have kickoff. Mack Brown returned to the 32.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:14 pm
Teams exchange punts on opening possessions. A lot of adrenalin right now and these teams are defense dominated anyway. Mack Brown had a nice run breaking tackle on third and long but way short of a first down. . . . Raymond Sanders had a nice one on first down for Stephenson before getting stopped for a loss out of the Wildcat on third-and-four.
Kiffin spent most of pregame shaking hands with MLK coaches. Think he has Florida commitment Mack Brown in his sights?
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:14 pm
Mack Brown’s best work coming as a decoy early. Nice run on a reverse by by No. 17.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
6:24 pm
3:16 Qtr 1: Ball security issues from both teams. King QB has been sacked twice and lost a fumble at the Stephenson 19. First and 10 Jags.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:25 pm
Teams exchange fumbles, first Stephenson fumbles snap deep in own territory; then MLK backs run into each other and cough it up at 19. . . .
So Stephenson takes over. Teams should be getting jitters out about now and start executing a little. We’ll see.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
6:29 pm
King QB = Cameron Myers
Joe
October 16th, 2009
6:31 pm
I thought the game was suppose to be on ESPN I don’t see it on ESPN.
JB
October 16th, 2009
6:33 pm
IF kiffin is pounding his chest about beating THAT Georgia team last week, what’s next, beating up a little girl. Georgia has many more problems at this time……………than say Tennessee. We stink, they are very average. I’ll tell you about the Vols in two weeks after the Bama game. …………………..Will his head FIT in that little helicopter ?
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
6:34 pm
RB Comparison thru 1 quarter
Raymond Sanders, Stephenson: 6 rushes, 45 yards; 1 catch, 19 yards
Mack Brown, ML King, 4 rushes, 24 yards
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:35 pm
Raymond Sanders (Kentucky commit) starting to show his stuff. Just ripped off 26 yard run around right end. Super burst and nice vision. . . . Nice pass there from Jordan Tarver on a roll left to Jonathan Abrams. End of first quarter with jags threatening 1-and-10 at the 14.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:39 pm
Raymond Sanders’ recruiting stock just went up on that run. Seventeen yards, cutting back and forth and breaking initial tackle attempt. REally really quick kid. Dove in end zone. Nice.
7-0 Stephenson 11:11 2nd quarter
Albert the Alligator
October 16th, 2009
6:42 pm
Mack Brown is Gator Bound Baby, he will be respectful to Kiffin but he is not going to change his mind. “Its good to be a Florida Gator.” There will be no meltdown in Gainesville next year.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:44 pm
MLK needed that bad. Big gain of 17 from QB Cameron Myers on third and 10. . . . Mack Brown follows with seven yards. Lions getting it going.
bamaguy
October 16th, 2009
6:46 pm
Let him showboat now. Alabama is going to clean Little Kiffin’s clock.
chc4
October 16th, 2009
6:47 pm
TN is 3-3 and pounding their chest after a 5-7 year. My how that program has fallen.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:50 pm
Timeout in the action here. MLK faces fourth-and-6 at the 36.Probably gonna go for it since out of FG range.
Really impressed with defenses and athleticism on both sides of the ball.
Shawn Galesburg
October 16th, 2009
6:51 pm
I heard he might be trying to make Hutson Masons game tonight at Lassiter? Any truth? He is having a h…e..c…k.. of a season.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:52 pm
Nice play both sides as Stephenson knocks away pass by jared Boyd
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
6:58 pm
Stephenson is dominating the game now but just turned it over again, this time on first and goal at MLK’s 8. Bad exchange between QB and wingback. . . . Stephenson ball first-and-10 at its own 10 with 2:20 left in half.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
7:00 pm
Total Yards Comparison
Stephenson 141
ML King 53
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:00 pm
Oops, MLK ball I mean. . . out to the 28 now.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:05 pm
Not sure if you’ve notice but Thornton blowing up the middle in there. MLK scheming around it nicely on this drive but now faces second-and-4 at the Stephenson 48 with :04 left in the half. . . Look for Myers to wind up and throw one as far as he can.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:06 pm
Dropped Thornton in coverage there. Incomplete. End of first half. . . .
Stay tuned for some halftime stats, best as I can come up with at least.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:07 pm
Take that back. There was a second left and Myers got sacked. Now end of half . . . 7-0 Stephenson. Jags to receive second-half kickoff.
Mister NFL
October 16th, 2009
7:14 pm
He couldn’t find an orange helicopter? lol I guess Georgia or Bama rented it to him.
It doesn’t matter who Kiffin recruits. He’s not a good coach or more importantly, a leader. He shoots his mouth off and then wonders why his players do the same thing on the sideline during a game. He’s the one setting the example.
Gen Neyland
October 16th, 2009
7:18 pm
CLK is just down for the popcorn, hot chocolate and a Friday night game. If he happens to sway a few, great. If not then at least he got to visit a part of his southern kingdom…
chc4 : and rising like the crust on your daily pizza…
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:19 pm
Some stats and thoughts on first half:
Clearly Raymond Sanders has been the most impressive player so far. Has 75 yards on 14 carries and a 17-yard TD run. Also 33 yards on two receptions. . . .
But I’m impressed with Mack Brown, too. He has 58 of MLK’s 60 yards rushing (on 11 carries) and he’s doing it with two sore hamstrings and behind an overwhelmed O-line. . . .
Mike Thornton blowing up the middle of the MLK offense and getting held a lot. Opposing Guard starting to lock up and fall down and pull Thornton on top of him. Hey, whatever works. . . .
Also, Stephenson QB Jordan Tarver doing well. he’s 4-of-5 for 66 yards.
MLK QB Cameron Myers under tremendous pressure. 2-of-5 for 26 yards.
Nilo Silvan
October 16th, 2009
7:20 pm
Game is on ESPNU. Mister NFL, how do you know he is not a good coach? A little premature on that one, don’t you think?
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:21 pm
Stephenson outgains MLK 141 to 86. . . . Good game. Should probably be 21-0 Jags if not for turnovers.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:28 pm
Lane Kiffin just took off in his helicopter. Somebody on the blog said he was heading to Lassiter to check out Hutson Mason but I don’t know. . . . Spent part of the half talking with UT player Nigel Mitchell-Thornton and Carver-Atlanta coach Chad Allen.
Gen Neyland
October 16th, 2009
7:29 pm
So many prophets, so little minds, er, time…
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:33 pm
TD Stephenson .. . Sanders from a yard out. Fititing since his 29-yard run set it up. . . . That didn’t take long. Less than 2 1/2 minutes into second half, 14-0 Stephenson.
Nilo Silvan
October 16th, 2009
7:36 pm
Know he is going to North Gwinnett for sure. That has been confirmed.
Gridiron Gator
October 16th, 2009
7:36 pm
I’m surprised that chopper could get off the ground with the Big Orange Pumpkin II Orgeron aboard. Where’s a Scud when you need one??
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
7:42 pm
6:34, 3rd quarter: Stephenson QB Jordan Tarver lost his third fumble tonight and set up the King offense at their own 44, two plays after being pinned inside their own 5.
Old Towne Guy
October 16th, 2009
7:46 pm
Woodstock (4-1)-Kennesaw Mountain(1-5) is the game of the week?
No wonder your ratings are down.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
7:49 pm
Stephenson dodges a bullet there. Why in the world the Jags would run a counter, then a pass play with the lead and momentum in the other team’s territory I have no idea. . . . Probably should have been ruled down anyway on the fumble. . . . But MLK hanging tough and not going away. Just jumped offsides on fourth-and-2 and punted back to Jags.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
7:57 pm
Stephenson 14, ML King 0, Start of 4th Quarter
Raymond Sanders, Stephenson: 14 rushes, 127 yards; 2 catches, 33 yards; 2 TDs
Mack Brown, ML King: 16 rushes, 87 yard
Stat of the game: Stephenson sacked King QB Cameron Myers four times.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
8:04 pm
Stephenson 20, King 0 — 10:18 4th quarter: Jordan Tarver hit a wide-open Nathan Benford for a 36-yard touchdown pass. The extra point bounced off the right goal post. It capped an 80-yard drive that included 38 yards rushing from Willie Davis, a Douglass transfer and the younger brother of Cleveland Browns James Davis.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:04 pm
Chip, I agree with the Sanders comment about being the most impressive player tonight thus far, but Brown’s 87 or so yards have been really quiet. Maybe seeing him in person is a little different than watching on TV but through broadcast he hasn’t looked all that impressive tonight.
Nilo Silvan
October 16th, 2009
8:05 pm
Hey, there you are Chip! Nice interview on tv.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:05 pm
….also, where’s the props for the Stephenson D-Line, it seems they’ve been pretty impressive tonight as well.
Nilo Silvan
October 16th, 2009
8:07 pm
Chip, Kiffin and Orgeron flew over to North Gwinnett to watch both CJ Uzomah and Jawuan James.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:11 pm
….okay, let me reiterate….PROPS TO THE D-LINE STEPHENSON
…seems like they want the shut out.
Glennis Curry
October 16th, 2009
8:11 pm
6:14, 4th quarter: King’s Myers goes down for the fifth time, in what might have been the Lions’ last hope. Turnover on downs to Stephenson at the Jaguars 44.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:13 pm
Willie Davis has good field presence! Nice hands.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:14 pm
Hey Glennis>> how many yards rushing does Sanders have??
VolsRLU
October 16th, 2009
8:14 pm
Kiffin is covering a lot of ground in the most efficient way possible. This guy is all business and raising the bar thru the roof! Richt and Herban will be sharing a golf cart in 3 years max. Maybe they can play a foursome with Tubbs and Phat Phil.
Chip Towers
October 16th, 2009
8:15 pm
Just got back from an on-field interview with ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. My first thoughts? Man it’s cold out there. Wind really whipping. . . . 20-0 Stephenson. Probably oughta be 35-zip. . . . Most people felt Jags would dominate up front. Thats defenitely been the case.
Signing off for now and heading back down to field for interviews. Will post a new blog as soon as I can after game. Later.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:20 pm
131 yards rushing for Sanders……nice.
TXDawg (former Gartrell player before Stephenson)
October 16th, 2009
8:23 pm
So the #175 rated RB in ESPNU outshined the #16 rated RB tonight. Guess rankings don’t matter, huh??
Winks
October 16th, 2009
8:24 pm
Dude, what’s up?
Atlanta Jacket
October 16th, 2009
8:29 pm
Did Kiffen have a white limo drive him from the soccer field to the stadium? This guy is one show boater, but I guess it impresses 17 year old kids.
Daaaaaawwwwwgs
October 16th, 2009
8:36 pm
Go kiffin… Stick it to cmr, dawgs are pathetic
KJ
October 16th, 2009
8:37 pm
LOL Voltards. It’s cute that you believe all of Kiffin’s promises. Didn’t he also promise to sing Rocky Top all night long after beating Florida? Yeah, that’s right, you can all go back in your hillbilly caves now.
Phil Fulmer
October 16th, 2009
8:37 pm
Kiffin: can dazzle em with talent, baffle em with B#!! S&!+. The next big Rocky Flop!
Joe
October 16th, 2009
8:44 pm
MLK layed a egg tonight.
Smyrna Man
October 16th, 2009
8:49 pm
KIFFIN SAYS… TO DA CHOPPA!!!!
MB
October 16th, 2009
8:50 pm
What was the final score?
Kiffincomingtoyourtown
October 16th, 2009
8:52 pm
I don’t always agree with his approach (rarely actually), but he is getting the job done very well and is not breaking any rules. People are blowing his words so far out of proportion that it is absurd. People are taking sound bytes from the locker room used to motivate the team (UGA), booster meetings used to gain support (UF quote). I don’t think that there are many coaches in the country that are not guilty of this…Except Richt. You all just keep talking about him because in this day and time, any press is good press. Oh, and thanks ESPN for all of the coverage. It is exciting to be a Vol fan again.
Panola Road's Finest
October 16th, 2009
8:59 pm
Congratulations Stephenson!!!!
You were clearly the better team tonight in ALL aspects of the game. Seeing that you are the Region Champs already, unless you lose to Union Grove, please represent Dekalb in the playoffs.
MLK keeping playing hard. We are proud of you. The season is not over. Remember Tucker getting smashed by Marist last year only to beat them in the finals.
Finally, WAS THAT REALLY LANE KIFFIN IN THE RED CHOPPA?!! We thought it was a medical choppa. Dang man that guy is something else!!!
Joe
October 16th, 2009
9:07 pm
UGA is going to kill Tennessee next year Aaron Murray will be the QB and Eric Berry will be gone from Tennessee. UGA will be back on top of the SEC.
Ohio State
October 16th, 2009
9:08 pm
“I don’t always agree with his approach (rarely actually), but he is getting the job done very well and is not breaking any rules.” – What? How many secondary violations has Kiffin been reported for already?
He is a cheater, and as hated as he is rapidly becoming, he will be ratted out at a cost to the Tennessee athletic program.
mowreck
October 16th, 2009
9:27 pm
Game was on ESPNU
Gridiron Gator
October 16th, 2009
9:48 pm
Did you see a picture of that chopper?? Not exactly Marine One! Where they’d rent that thing from, Toyz R Us?? You couldn’t get me in that thing…
Kevrock
October 16th, 2009
10:17 pm
He flew in to the N.Gwinnett- Northview game landed on baseball field to see Juwuan James and The junior QB C.J. Uzomah
kcvol
October 16th, 2009
10:57 pm
“He is a cheater, and as hated as he is rapidly becoming, he will be ratted out at a cost to the Tennessee athletic program.”
When, where and how? Back it up big guy!
Kevrock
October 16th, 2009
10:58 pm
He flew in at half
Stephenson #1 Fan
October 16th, 2009
11:30 pm
Can we specify some of those stand out defensive players by name just as we do the offensive players? Come on now! I’m talking about Defensive Line and Linebackers.
deb
October 16th, 2009
11:31 pm
Oh please all you crybabies. So sorry Kiffin is turning things around at UT and you’re jealous
Volman!
October 16th, 2009
11:41 pm
YOU CLOWNS KEEP TALKING BAD ABOUT OUR COACH……
Volman!
October 16th, 2009
11:46 pm
all the while he is taking your recruits…after he kicked your butts..talk about rubbing it in your face!!! I coach kids and can tell you, it will have an effect on these kids. Times and ways of thinking are much …much different than they were 10 years ago or less. This whole generation is about flash!! Look its a bird …its a plane …no its the Kiffincopter and he is leaving with our players….LOL GO VOLS!!!!!!
deb
October 16th, 2009
11:50 pm
That’s right Volman……it’s great to be a Tennessee Vol, I say it’s great to be a Tennessee Vol…GO VOLS!
Clubhouse
October 17th, 2009
12:13 am
UT haters are just blowing everything Kiffin does out of proportion. We all know Atlanta traffic on a Friday night is horrific. Just because he is smart enought to think of a practical way to get to two games he wants to see instead of one, you all are hating. If your coach would have thought of it, you would be praising his intelligence.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 17th, 2009
12:14 am
Chip Tower has gone crazy over Lame Kitten……… when’s the wedding?
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 17th, 2009
12:16 am
Gator’s say the Vols are a bunch of sissies and they will take care of them soon.
Voltom
October 17th, 2009
1:42 am
Hate to tell you Joe, but UGA has never been on top of the SEC. Good luck with that 30 year march back to relevence.
Your crystal football would be where?
DC
October 17th, 2009
2:00 am
Chip thanks for the coverage but please stop it the two sore hamstrings. Stephenson running backs has aches to overcome but don’t tell everyone making excuse. And you say Mack impress you, you must be easily impressed and alone.
Please Stop being a sortie for this guys . This was a big game and big players showed up for it. Come on if Mack would have done half of what Sanders you guys would have at like he saved the world Whats up you scared to say overrated.
Volman
October 17th, 2009
6:35 am
Wow……who took my name? Please change it. What a joke.
Dawgtime
October 17th, 2009
7:30 am
Does the AJC have a school girl crush on Lane Kiffin? Which county fair did Kiffin borrow that helicopter from? He still seems very desperate to me. It’s kind of like fixing up the outside of a house that has a termite infestation. Yes, UT beat UGA. He will have that program on probation within 5 years. UT has a great tradition. It doesn’t need all this silly stuff to market its program. Change Kiffin’s diaper and send in back home in his cheap and corny ride.
tennezz
October 17th, 2009
11:35 pm
Kiffin is here to stay get over it!
DeeDawg
October 18th, 2009
8:34 am
Congratulations to Stephenson as a team and running back Raymond Sanders in particular. I just saw on ESPN’s SportsCenter that Raymond’s spectacular first TD run was the #3 “play of the day”.
TOPPDAWP..UGA
October 18th, 2009
2:04 pm
Have u ever just looked at LAME KIFFIN. He has this look like, I CANT BELIEVE THEY GAVE ME THIS JOB……………… OH WELL ILL SPEND THIER MONEY ON HELOS. DUMASK
Jags
October 18th, 2009
6:20 pm
Well….Well…..Well ……look at those sleeping Lions. O check guys got an reality check thing for sure you know what it is
J…..A…….G……U……A……R…….World. Next time only speak when spoken to.
This is our AAAAA. Please be a hater you know what it do for us.
ILLDOIT
October 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
Congradulations to the D-LINE of Stephenson you guys got it done: # 49 Malcolm Strong #54 Brandon Smith #56 Michael Thornton #57 Doral White #45 Miles Ashmon… D-LINE=1 Mack =0 Oh yeah and those BACKERS #3 Jabari Johnson #22 Franchise West #34 Tyrone Cornelius …These are the Guys you better try to handle … SHUTOUT KINGS(JAGS).
Real football fan
October 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Stephenson fans stop hating on Mack Brown u are mad because he didnt go to stephenson. You know he is the better back if u know any thing about football .The college scouts from all over have told u this already.Just because you won the game it doesnt make a player better than another. Line liitle raymond up the I back field and see what u get.