I’m from McMinn County. All I can say is ...it must have been a lot different back in the day... it is by no means intimidating today lol. Tiny stadium, Cherokees regularly get smoked by teams from Knoxville or Chattanooga
Yeah ya'll were pretty good when I was coming through here's some info on the guys that played in the late sixties and were inducted into your hall of fame. Note that in 1966-1967 you were 19-3 and beat and beat Bradley County your arch rival 71-6. (info is from website about McMinn Co. Hall of Fame)
* Phil Pierce (1968) - Played at McMinn for three years, 1965-67; Knoxville area player of the year, 1967; All-State 1966-67; sophomore year, 12 TD passes; junior year, 28 TD passes, 2,068 yards passing; senior year, 17 TD passes, 1,571 yards passing; 57 total touchdowns and more than 4,500 total yards passing; also rushed for nine touchdowns; All-American and signed with Tennessee; the first UT quarterback to win at Florida.
* Jacky Clark (1968) - Played three years at McMinn, 1965-67; sophomore year seven touchdown receptions; one rushing; junior year 16 touchdown receptions; senior year 11 touchdown receptions, one interception for touchdown, one punt return touchdown, 10 catches over 50 yards; 37 total touchdowns; All-State, signed with Kentucky and played football at TMI and Jacksonville State.
* Don Jay Toomey (1968) - Played football for five years (since 8th grade); four-year letterman; captain 1967;
McMinn went 19-3 his last two years; twice selected All-East Tennessee, All Tri-County and second team All-State; signed with Vanderbilt over an offer from Tennessee and completed his football career at Samford University; drafted into the military.
One of those 19 wins was the 71-7 victory at Bradley in 1966 that included Phil Pierce, Jacky Clark and Don Jay Toomey. Behind the blocking of Toomey, Pierce threw eight touchdown passes with six going to Clark.