T.J. Butts and Jarrod Johnson (game 8)

T.J. Butts and Jarrod Johnson weren’t able to help Tennessee Temple get a win at Lookout Valley on Thursday night.

     But each provided their share of moments in a losing cause.

     Butts, a skinny freshman who doubles at wingback and cornerback, rushed for a team-high 85 yards (matching his number) on seven carries. That total included a nifty 60-yard run early in the third quarter which moved the ball inside the Yellow Jackets’ 10-yard line. He also played steady at cornerback although credited with just one tackle.

     Johnson, playing in just his fourth game after joining the team a month ago along with fellow basketball players Jeremy Sexton, James Kemp, Brandon Andrews and Ben Montgomery, totaled 20 yards on two carries. Defensively, the imposing wingback, linebacker, was credited with a team-high nine tackles, including five solos.

     “Both of those guys had good games for us,” Temple football coach Caleb Marcum said. “My plan coming in was to get T.J. and Kendell (Peterson) more carries. I really thought he was going to score on that one (in the third quarter).

     “As for Jarrod, he really stepped it up on defense. He looked determined not to let them run it through him.”

James Kemp (game 7)

James Kemp has practiced basketball hundreds of hours inside Vance Gym in order to show what he’s capable of once Temple tips off the hoops season in November.

     In the meantime, the deceptively-athletic junior is showing that he’s not that bad of a football player, either. In fact, he’s good. Real good.

     Kemp, playing in just his third game after joining the team a few weeks ago, hauled in a team-high five catches for 127 yards in Temple’s 37-19 loss to Franklin Road Academy on Friday night. He also was credited with a team-best seven solos tackles and two fumble recoveries from his safety position, helping him garner Player of the Week honors for Week 7.

     Kemp’s 57-yard reception in the first quarter set up the Crusaders’ first touchdown – an 8-yard run by Jeremy Sexton. And his aggressive play on defense helped the Crusaders stay in the game until the fourth quarter. His performance was even more impressive considering he played the majority of the game with an injured toe that slowed his roll.

Jeremy Sexton (game 6)

It hasn’t taken Jeremy Sexton long to make an impact on Temple’s football team.

     Just one week and few days after joining the team, Sexton played a huge role in Temple’s 24-21 victory at Copper Basin. So huge, in fact, that he earned Player of the Week honors for Week Six.

     Sexton, playing in just his second game, accounted for 113 yards and two touchdowns, picked off a pass and also excelled returning kickoffs to help the Crusaders post their first win of the season.

     Sexton, a wingback/safety, rushed for 63 yards on eight carries, including a 42-yarder and a 3-yard touchdown run. He also caught two passes for 50 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception that proved to be the winning points. He also had four tackles and a pass breakup to go along with his first interception of the season.

     “We felt like we didn’t give Jeremy enough touches against Silverdale,” Temple coach Caleb Marcum said. “We put a lot more responsibility on him this week. . . we gave him a lot more touches running it and catching it. And he stepped up to the challenge. He showed his toughness, too. He took some hard licks, and he got right back up and ran it again.”

Temple Defense (game 5)

Temple coach Caleb Marcum was so pleased with his team’s defense following Friday’s loss to Silverdale Baptist Academy, he opted to give Player of the Week honors to the entire defensive unit instead of dishing out the award to an individual player.

     “They deserve it,” Marcum said.

     Silverdale scored 35 points, but nine of those came as a result of a safety and a kickoff return. Seven more came after Temple fumbled on its own 25-yard line on its opening play. From the middle of the second quarter to the final minute-plus of the game, Temple held Silverdale, which came in averaging 45 points per game, scoreless. The Crusaders also held the Seahawks, who came in averaging 378 rushing yards per game, to 176 yards rushing.

     Defensive stalwarts Mitch Beard and Nathan Rector were credited with 13 tackles apiece. Beard also caused and recovered a fumble. James Kemp, playing in his first game, was credited with eight tackles and one pass breakup. And Jarrod Johnson, who like Kemp was playing in his first game, and Nathan Jackson each was credited with seven tackles.

     “We gave up some plays in the passing game, but I thought we did a real good job against the run, especially when you consider how good Silverdale is at running the football,” Marcum said.

Nathan Rector (game 4)

Nathan Rector is not only one of, if not the toughest player on Temple’s football team, he’s also one of the most versatile.

     In Friday’s 49-0 loss at Grace, Rector played two new positions: Wingback and linebacker. The freshman has already also played wide receiver, running back, fullback, quarterback and safety this season.

     Rector found wingback to his liking, rushing for a team-high 53 yards on 12 carries, including a pair of 10-yard runs. And defensively, he had four tackles – three solos – despite playing through various injuries. For his efforts, Rector has been named the Player of the Week.

    It marks the second time this season Rector has earned this honor. He and Mitch Beard shared the honor in Week 3.

    “Nathan is a heckuva football player,” Temple co-head coach Caleb Marcum said. “Just think what he’s gonna be like in a few years as he matures. He’s one of those guys who will do anything or play anywhere to help his team out. If we had more players play with the heart that Nathan does, we’d have something.”

Mitch Beard & Nathan Rector (game 3)

Mitch Beard and Nathan Rector were far from pleased with Friday night’s outcome. Yet, each turned in valiant efforts in Temple’s 52-0 loss at Whitwell, earning Co-Player of the Week honors for Week 3 in the process.
Beard, a 5-11, 170-pound senior, earned this honor last week after having an outstanding game on defense. This week, he made his mark on offense. Making his first career start at fullback, Beard rushed for 43 yards on 14 carries. Meanwhile, Rector, a 6-2, 175-pound freshman, rushed for 48 yards on 11 carries, including a 32-yarder in the second half.
Rector also had a team-high eight tackles, seven solos. Beard had six tackles, four solos.
“Mitch ran the ball well,” Temple coach Chip Kell said. “He had that one fumble, but other than that I thought he did a great job. He ran hard. I was a little skeptical about putting him back there at first, but I’m glad we did now.
“As for Nathan, he played hard,” Kell continued. “He always does. He took some hard licks out there and he just kept getting up. He’s a tough kid, a true competitor.”