Wednesday link

By Drew Champlin

Published: July 29, 2008

Troy starts practice Wednesday, though with a big chance of rain, I’m not sure how much they will get done.

Here is my feature on Maurice Greer, one of Troy’s newest players. If you know, he overcame testicular cancer.

Greer and I did talk a little football, and some of that didn’t quite make the story. Here’s some additional quotes from the 20-minute interview.

Do you think you can get back to where you were pre-cancer?
“Sometimes, I think about if I’m ever going to be what I used to be. I was in top shape before. I was weighin 210, a weight I was comfortable playing at. I was working toward that, and I know Troy’s the best place for me to do that.“

What kind of running back are you?
“A lot of people like to think that because I’m big now that I’m a power back. I don’t look at it like that. I look at it as an all-purpose back. I’m physical, I’m a good blocking back, I can catch and I can tote it about 20-something times a game. I’m not just a goal line back. I’m pretty much a playmaker.“

How much are you looking forward to practice?
“I’m just looking forward to coming in and contributing. I think coach made the right decision by offering me a scholarship to come here and play for him. It’s an honor.“
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Also, the Wiregrass, especially the Midland City community, was rocked by the sad news of Dale County head football coach Todd Horne’s passing. He was in a wreck with four other coaches. Three are fine, a fourth, Chad McKnight, is still in the hospital so keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I post this because there’s not many more quality people you’ll meet than Horne and McKnight, from my dealings with them. Our sports department took it pretty hard too because we all liked Horne. Horne is also a Troy University graduate, though he didn’t play football.

We covered the situation, as bad as it was, pretty good. Here’s a story on the community’s reaction. Also, Jon Johnson talked with one of Horne’s best friends for a story. and told us how Horne was remembered for more than as a coach.