Jimmy Burchett, head girls soccer coach at Franklin High School for the last 18 years, was let go at the end of the 2014 season, and he can’t figure out why — The Tennessean
Enjoy this week’s edition of Around the Horn, where we bring you the best prep and youth content from around the country thanks to our friends at other Gannett properties.
More proof that strange things can happen in the postseason: Ocean Township (N.J.) High proves under-.500 teams can flourish in playoffs ASBURY PARK PRESS
Hard to argue with this logic: Grandfather of Nixa (Mo.) High player knocked out cold says ambulances should be required at games SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER
Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic High stunned that Knoxville Webb cancels rivalry game WBIR
This is one good kid: Three-sport standout Brandon Childress of Baldwin (Mich.) High is also class Salutatorian and volunteers at soup kitchen in spare time WZZM
Looking for top early season hoops competition? Check out Greenville, S.C. GREENVILLE ONLINE
Columbus (Ind.) East High RB Markell Jones closing in on state rushing record INDIANAPOLIS STAR
Injury that ends season but isn’t catastrophic evokes sadness and relief, just ask Tempe (Ariz.) Marcos de Niza High WR Luke Nguyen ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Like many others, Mesa (Ariz.) Desert Ridge High proves adage that defense wins championships ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Terrific story: Indiana youth football coach, 48, staves off cancer long enough to win title INDIANAPOLIS STAR
Similarly terrific, heartwarming tale: Football gives life to Fort Collins (Colo.) High line coach with cancer FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN
Can’t blame him: Franklin (Tenn.) High girls’ soccer coach and 2013 National Coach of the Year Jimmy Burchett upset after being released after 18 seasons, 4 state titles NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN
Longtime Le Roy (N.Y.) High football coach Brian Moran leaves legacy of hard work and dedication ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE
Heck of an accomplishment for a soccer team from very varied backgrounds in Missouri KSDK
Holmes Township (Ohio) Wynford High football team continues roll that began 15 years ago BUCYRUS TELEGRAPH FORUM
Another good story for the oncoming holiday season: Greenville (S.C.) St. Joseph Catholic High coach Joe Hyland integrates life lessons amid football schemes GREENVILLE ONLINE
Looking for an impact freshman? Here’s one from upstate New York ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE
Police investigating fire set on synthetic football field near Detroit DETROIT FREE-PRESS