Prep notes: La Vergne football duo college bound

MURFREESBORO – Coming off its first high school football playoff appearance since 2006, La Vergne’s football program has two seniors committed to college football programs.

Running back RoShea Grays, who rushed for a Rutherford County high 1,767 yards on 251 carries with 19 rushing TDs, committed to Tennessee State recently. Grays, who transferred late last season from Indiana, joins Oakland defensive back Tyler Black as TSU commitments from District 7-AAA.

Grays, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound athlete, is one of eight county football players to commit to a college. Teammate Quin Jernighan has been committed to Western Kentucky throughout the season. Jernighan, who got off to a slow start due to an injury, finished the year with 33 catches for 578 yards. He also had six receiving TDs.

“Both of those guys were big parts of our offense,” La Vergne coach Stanton Stevens said. “You are always looking for that stud receiver and stud running back. And we had both. When you have those kind of kids, you can compete in the county.”

La Vergne finished 6-6, which is more wins than the program has accomplished since going 8-4 in 2006. The Wolverines, who have competed in Class 6A since 2009, will be in Class 5A with Stewarts Creek beginning in 2015.

Bruin bound: Oakland junior midfielder A.B. Hawkins has committed to Belmont’s women’s soccer team. Hawkins scored eight goals and had 13 assists.

Oakland won the District 7-AAA girls soccer regular season and tournament en route to reaching its second consecutive TSSAA Class AAA state tournament.

Coach Jeff Boynton said Hawkins took on a new role this season after the Lady Patriots lost midfielder Briana Sears to graduation.

“Statistically, she had a better year last year, but with us losing Briana Sears, she was vital on how we played in the midfield,” Boynton said. “She had over 20 goals (in 2013). This year we didn’t really have that creative person to pass her the ball. She kind of became that creative player. She was our leader in assists.

“It was a different role for her. But I think it widened her perspective in how she plays. She played wherever we needed her.”

Offered: Smyrna junior defensive back Ikenna Okeke’s first college offer was a big one. Tennessee recently offered a scholarship to the Bulldogs’ two-way starter.

Okeke, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety, finished the season with 62 tackles, five interceptions and recovered two fumbles. He returned one interception for a touchdown.

• D.J. Williams, Okeke’s teammate in the Smyrna backfield, has racked up offers from FCS schools in recent weeks. The Bulldogs’ senior cornerback has picked up offers from Tennessee Tech, Furman and UT-Chattanooga.

Tennessee Tech finished 5-7 this past season in the OVC.

Both Furman and UTC are in the Southern Conference. Furman finished the season 3-9. UTC is 9-3 and headed to the playoffs.

Williams, a 5-10, 170-pound athlete, had 24 tackles, five interceptions and caused a fumble.

• Blackman running back Charlie Davidson recently was offered by Albany, an FCS school competing in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Great Danes finished the season 7-5. Davidson, a 5-10, 200-pound athlete, rushed for 1,652 yards on 200 carries and scored 21 touchdowns.

• TSU recently offered Blackman senior Ronnie Killings. Killings, a 5-11, 180-pound wide receiver, had 25 catches for a team-high 758 yards with eight receiving TDs this season.

LCA volleyball finishes runner-up: Lancaster Christian’s volleyball team finished second in the NACA Division 4 tournament recently for the second straight season. Senior Katie Stanley was named the Defensive MVP for Division 4 and senior Emmy Bibb was named the Offensive MVP for Division 4.

The Lady Knights lost in five games to Grace Christian of Brandon, Florida, falling 15-12 in the fifth game.

Hitting lessons: Stewarts Creek baseball coach Mike Bartlett and Barry Bartlett are offering hitting lessons. Seven-lesson packages as well as individual lessons will be offered.

Call 615-691-0702 for more information or email at bbartlett15@yahoo.com or mbartlett24@yahoo.com.

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.

Rutherford Co. Football Commitments