GRR: Tennessee
Tennessee will play South Carolina at the ACRC Bowl Series after both teams won semifinals in the SCRC conference Saturday.
USC held off a determined Alabama team 34-27 i a game where the teams continued to trade tries. No. 8 Mike Mahon was outstanding on the day and shared player of the game honors with scrumhalf and goalkicker Brian Keown.
A year ago Alabama shocked everyone in the SCRC playoffs by defeating Tennessee in the semis and making the final.
There, the Tide lost to South Carolina, but the victory was a huge shot in the arm for the program, getting them some more support from the school adminstration and boosting the confidence of the players.
The University of Tennessee scored with three minutes to go to overcome slight favorites South Carolina to clinch the SCRC East.
In a typical tight game between two longtime rivals, Tennessee took an early lead with a penalty kick from Andrew Sayers. South Carolina replies, taking the lead with a try from James Whipper, and Brian Keown’s conversion made it 7-3.
While a variety of conferences kick off this weekend, several prominent college programs are finding a little extra competition outside of the conference structure.
It’s an end of an era for Maryville. Although Saturday’s girls high school state championship was won by a solid cast of players, the influence of a few graduating players cannot be overlooked in the Tennessee power’s legacy of victory.