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Sports writers vote MTCS punter Harris to All-State team
By ROGER GARFIELD
rgarfield@dnj.com

It could have been coined a "breakout" year for MTCS punter Sammie Harris.

Considering it was his first-ever season as a football player, though, perhaps "surprisingly sensational" is more fitting.

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Harris averaged 38.2 yards per punt for the Cougars in 2007, and for his efforts, he was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State football team.

"He was a big benefit to us as far as his kicking and his consistency," said Eddie Bassham, who resigned as MTCS coach after the season. "We knew from the first day we saw him that he had good leg strength, and that came from soccer."

Harris, a senior, had to give up travel soccer to play football this season, a sacrifice he wishes he would have made sooner.

"I wish I would've played last year and the year before that," Harris said.

When he first made the decision to play football, he worked with former soccer teammate and current Austin Peay kicker Chip Rhome, a prep standout at Blackman.

"I couldn't even get the ball to spiral, which he taught me over the summer," Harris said.

Some quick learner. Harris, who punted the ball 30 times for 1,145 total yards (including a season-long of 60), said he surprised himself on the gridiron. And with college on the horizon, Harris said he may want to continue playing football.

"I think I could be better at that than I am at soccer," he said.

— Roger Garfield, 615-278-5168

Congratulations Sammie!! We are proud of you!!