By CHAD COOPER | [email protected]
A night Buchanan County will never forget
As I turned onto Eagle Drive last Friday night, I knew Buchanan County was about to experience something special.
Traffic was still pouring onto the campus at 2021 Eagle Drive as families, students, and football fans made their way to the first game in Southern Gap High School history. Even before my wife and I walked into the stadium, I was blown away by how many people had come to witness the start of a new era.
Once we entered the Red Robertson Athletic Complex, we could feel the excitement in the air.
By kickoff, the home stands were packed. Fans lined the beautiful concourse that was horseshoe-shaped above the seating area, while others found places on the hillside overlooking the field. Everywhere you looked, people were wearing black and gold and celebrating the arrival of the Southern Gap Eagles.
Standing there and taking it all in, I felt a little extra proud to be from Buchanan County.
This was more than a football game. It was the first time students from the Council, Grundy, Hurley and Twin Valley communities came together beneath the Friday night lights to represent one high school.
Before the Eagles reached the sideline, Southern Gap’s first game captains walked onto the field. The group showed how much history came together to form this new program.
Senior wide receiver and defensive back Brayden White played his previous three seasons at Twin Valley. Senior Kanan Justice came to Southern Gap after spending three years at Hurley. Senior linebacker and fullback R.J. Rowe previously wore the Grundy uniform, as did Ayden Whited, Southern Gap’s first starting quarterback.
They once represented different schools and communities. On this night, they stood together as Eagles.
The moment was especially emotional for me because Southern Gap head coach Greg Tester is a close friend. I had the privilege of playing one season with Greg in high school and another in college. We were also roommates for a couple of semesters.
Knowing the time, energy and emotion he has invested in this program made it special to watch him lead the Eagles onto the field for the first time.
The coin toss carried even more personal meaning.
My brother, Mark Cooper, the first principal in Southern Gap High School history, was chosen to flip the coin. A thoughtful message about him was read before the toss, recognizing his role in helping guide the school through its historic opening. Senator Todd Pillion was set to be with Cooper during the coin toss but arrived late. He did make an appearance during the second half of the game after a tour of the school by Cooper.
Holston called tails, and the coin landed on tails. The Cavaliers deferred their choice to the second half, and Whited chose to receive.
It couldn’t have been scripted better.
Before kickoff, the crowd erupted as the Eagles ran onto their new turf field. Senior offensive and defensive lineman Henry Brown led the way while carrying the Southern Gap flag.
Mark then delivered a heartfelt message to the crowd that was shown on the stadium’s massive video board. A prayer followed, and the Southern Gap Soaring Eagle Marching Band delivered a beautiful rendition of the national anthem under the direction of drum major Rachel Tackett.
By that point, the night already felt unforgettable. The game had not even started.
Holston attempted to spoil the beginning with an onside kick, but Southern Gap recovered. The Eagles needed only 1 minute, 39 seconds to score the first touchdown in school history.
Junior running back Aidan Baker earned that place in the record book. Freshman running back Carson Blankenship followed with the first 2-point conversion, giving Southern Gap an 8-0 lead. The Eagles never gave it back. Following Baker’s score, athletic director Scotty Bostic and team manager John Lark marked the ball so it can be kept as a piece of history.
Brayden White became the first defensive player to come up with a fumble and freshman Mason Rife the first interception.
Southern Gap defeated Holston 22-6, earning its first football victory in its first game. There will be plenty of time to break down what happened between the lines, but the final score was only one part of what made the evening meaningful.
Seeing more than 40 players on the sideline was just as impressive. So was seeing a dedicated coaching staff working with players who, only months ago, represented four different communities.
And the Voice of the Eagles Rodney Davis was outstanding. I also enjoyed hearing our wonderful cheerleading squad and the student section was awesome.
The facilities and opportunities available to these students are remarkable. The stadium, fieldhouse, turf, video board and other additions will provide Buchanan County athletes with resources that generations before them could only imagine.
The medical care available to the players is another blessing that many people may not realize they have.
Southern Gap’s medical team includes Tim Bane, who has the certifications needed to care for the players, along with Dr. Dylan Campbell, a Grundy native and physician who recently returned to the county. Both were on the sideline Friday night, making sure the athletes were in good hands.
Bane is also putting the finishing touches on a state-of-the-art treatment room that will help Southern Gap athletes receive proper treatment and recover from injuries. I plan to take a closer look at that work in a future article because it is an important part of what the new school is providing.
The football game capped a memorable opening week for Southern Gap.
Earlier in the week, students and families gathered for the first Meet the Eagles event. Southern Gap teacher Megan Wolford deserves plenty of credit for organizing an outstanding celebration that brought the community together and helped build excitement for the new school year.
Buchanan County showed up for Meet the Eagles, and it showed up again for the first football game.
That support makes me optimistic about Southern Gap High School’s future.
The Eagles’ athletes will need that same support throughout the year. Consider adding the date after ‘Tuesday’ (e.g., ‘Tuesday, Aug. 25’) for consistency with the Aug. 31 reference
I hope the same community that filled the football stadium will pack Southern Gap’s beautiful gym and support the volleyball players as they begin writing their own chapter of school history.
The football team will return home this Friday to face Ridgeview in the first Black Diamond Miners Bowl. Come early, wear black and gold and be ready to make some noise.
Friday night showed what can happen when Buchanan County comes together. The stands were full, the community was united, and the Eagles gave everyone a night they’ll remember for years.
Southern Gap football is officially here — and what a beginning it was.
Thanks for joining me In the Locker Room. Until next week, let’s keep celebrating the victories, learning from the defeats, and always standing behind Buchanan County’s athletes.
