Its Time for More TOMMYS

Anyone who has visited The Corner for any extended amount of time knows that each summer I present the TOMMY awards to events, persons or things that get my attention in the world of sports. It is a personal version of ESPN’s Espy awards. This year I had to make a biannual adjustment. I have to present two awards early because of the impact of recent events

I must present a TOMMY to Coach Marc Morris of the Harnett Central Trojans. Coach Morris made what I call the toughest call I have ever seen. He decided to go for two points after a touchdown that would have most likely given him a state championship. 

The more secure one point conversion would have tied the game and sent it to over time. As the coach told a local reporter, the team was three yards away from a state championship.

Fans should go easy on  the coach, he made the right call. He had the opportunity to win the game from three yards out versus the challenge of over time. That would involve scoring from much further out and possibly relying on his defense to stop a powerful Asheville Reynolds squad. 

He went with much higher odds and tried to win on one play. If tailback Jarod Spears managed a few more yards on his run the coach would be a hero, being praised for his courage and forward thinking.

I also must present a TOMMY to the Harnett Central football team in general. Wow! that would be the word to describe this squad. I hope when the sting of the loss wears off they will realize what an accomplishment it is to be the second best team in the state in their division. 

Harnett Central Principal Ken Jernigan said it best. He said “There are no losers tonight.” 

Those with Trojan signs, keep them around. Coach Morris is building more than a state championship team for one year. He has developed a program of winners. He has them coming up from an undefeated junior varsity squad last year. He has more than half his starting team from this year back. Things are good in Trojan land.

And now, we must address the Tiger Woods “situation.” A “What the heck is going on” TOMMY goes out to a situation that seems to be getting weirder as the days continue to progress. 

Weird is the only word I can think of to describe it. Like most people my impression has been changed. My TW hat and shirt may stay hidden for a while. It is a little harder to look at this picture on my desk I took of him in Pinehurst, thinking maybe a girlfriend is in the crowd, perhaps standing next to me.

 I no more believe he is done with golf than I do I can beat him on the links. The game has been bred into him since he was a child. It is admirable he is addressing his family situation first. I hope it works out. When he does return the rest of the tour better watch out. He is going to come out determined to show he can still do it, and he will. 

A final, early, TOMMY, goes out to readers of The Corner each week. Without you I couldn’t do it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.