High School Cheerleaders Defy Ban of Prayer

By: Jimbo Brown

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Tennessee sent out letter last year banning school lead prayer over the pa system before the start of sporting events. Up until September no one really reaction to the ban. That changed the first week of this years football season, the Oneida and Watertown high school cheerleaders joined hands when the announcer signaled for a moment of silence. They began to recite the Lords prayer. Shortly after the crowd joined in and the prayer was heard a crossed the stadium. Faith has played a strong presence in their community and going hand to hand with Friday Night Lights. They were executed this perfectly because they dodged legal trouble. 

When this was brought to my attention I felt that the ACLU was hurting the students and communities across Tennessee. I remember reciting the Lords Prayer before and after games ever since I started playing sports. It gave the team assurance that when things go wrong we had extra spiritual help. On the other hand, you have to consider the people who are big on religion and how uncomfortable they will feel during the prayer over the PA System. I believe if the teams will do this privately by themselves then its okay. Even the bible states that prayer should be conducted in private. Matthew 6:6, But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. This bible verse made me changed my mind on this topic. How do you feel?

Will Muschamp: The Destruction of Greatness

By: Jimbo Brown

Will Larry Muschamp the head coach of the GREAT University of Florida was chosen as the successor to the GREAT Urban Meyer in 2011. Over three years Muschamp as the Head Coach he lead the Gators to a 25-19 record. Once his dream job, has become a nightmare for the head coach. The record can be very misleading because most of his success came while majority of the starters on his team wasn’t his recruits. The performance on the field has led gator alumni and fans to urge for Muschamp to be fired. 

I was skeptical of him being hired in the first place because he doesn’t develop the players as a head coach should. You would tailor your team to the strengths of your players. Tyler Murphy and Jacoby Brissett are prime examples.

Murphy and Brissett, who both started for UF  has seen time playing a support role to the best worst quarterback in our history, Jeff Driskel. Tyler Murphy transferred to Boston College after completing his senior year with the Gators. Brissett on the other hand decided to transfer after his sophomore season to North Carolina State, where he sat out the entire 2013. These two didn’t succeed during their time at UF because they didn’t fit into the scheme of the offense. They are dual-threat QB’s that need to have the option to pass or run.

Muschamp was persistent with running the pro-style. Even Driskel is lack-luster in the offense due to the frequent change of offensive coordinators. As talented as the Gators are, the production level hasn’t met the expectations of the great teams in the past. The Gator Nation wish for Muschamp to be fired and a new coach is brought in to build with Treon Harris. 

Every Saturday has been a Nightmare at Ben Hill Griffin with Muschamp playing the role of Freddy Cougar. 

Treon Harris: Scandal or Conspiracy?

By: Jimbo Brown

Treon Harris the lone Gator out of the talented Harris family, lead UF to a 10-9 win against their rival on Rocky Top. Treon Harris, younger brother of Tim Harris Jr. and Brandon Harris: both UM standouts. Treon is arguably the best out of the three brothers leading his high school football to two state championships. Saturday, October 4th Treon brought life to the Gators offense, that hasn’t looked to good this season with Jeff Driskel at the reigns. 

Just like #1 Alabama losing to #10 Ole Miss this past weekend, Treon Harris chances this season have gone down the drain. Early Sunday morning, an accuser claimed Harris forced his way into her dorm room and sexually assaulted her. Lynden Trail says, “He and others will support Harris, not just because he plays football but because it’s not in his character." Based on the evidence so far, the case is pretty shaky and is based on a lot of “He said, She said” information. I will access the situation more once the investigation plays out. For now I will discuss the real possibility of Treon Harris being a starting quarterback at UF, another highly talented black UF quarterback ostracized and will this trend every change.

I highly doubt UF would make Treon their starting quarterback without giving Driskel another shot. Over the past couple of years Driskel was unsuccessful at returning UF to the limelight. Treon has a strong case over Driskel in the limited time we seen him play. My opinion is that race would have played a large part in this situation. After Chris Leak (who didn’t have the norm black appearance) all other black quarterbacks at UF was casted out either by transfer or criminal allegations: Cam Newton and Jacoby Brissett. 

If the accusations against Treon turns out to be false this would look like a conspiracy to oust another black QB from the program. Cam Newton “Stolen Laptop” situation was skeptical and this case gives me that same feeling. UF can’t afford to lose another highly-talented QB because Newton ended up to be a Heisman/National Championship winner in the same season with a mediocre Auburn Tigers. When will this cycle stop?

Before this scandal, I believed that the cycle would have stopped with Treon Harris. I made this assessment based off his high character and maturity that others before him may not have possessed. He is the kid you want the ball with 2 minutes left in Death Valley and he’s down 6 points. He has that “It” factor that a starting  quarterback needs to have to win in NCAA football.