Randall is a constant for Jackets
Calhoun senior gives 100 percent to three sports
The athletic seasons may change but there has been one constant for the Calhoun Yellow Jackets over the last few years -- Ryan Randall.
The senior multisport standout seems to always be in the middle of the action whether it’s on the field, court or diamond, and his hustle and heart is what stands out the most to his coaches, teammates and the fans.
Randall is currently a contributor on the Calhoun basketball team that is getting ready for the Class AAA State Tournament after winning their fifth straight region title last weekend with a victory over rival Sonoraville in the finals. He has played important minutes this season both as a starter and reserve and is one of the Jackets’ top shutdown defenders.
This past Fall, Randall was a playmaking safety for the Calhoun football team, which won their 16th straight region title and advanced to the Class AAA Elite Eight. He had a lot to do with their success with 67 tackles, five interceptions and a defensive touchdown as well as making some big plays on offense as a wide receiver.
His efforts on the football field and in the classroom has led to a scholarship to play at Carson-Newman for the next few years.
Once basketball is complete, Randall will shift his full attention to baseball where he uses his speed and instincts to make a big impact as a starting outfielder and on the basepaths. Last season, he started for much of the second half of the season and helped the Jackets to an Elite Eight appearance.
Recently, the Calhoun Times caught up with Randall to discuss the current basketball season and winning another region title, his expectations for himself and the team in baseball this Spring, his memories of his final prep football season, the influence his coaches have had on him, how excited he is to continue his athletic and academic career at Carson-Newman and several other subjects. Here’s what he had to say:
CT:
What are your expectations going to into the state tournament this weekend? How far can this team go?
As long as we’re playing hard on the defensive side of the ball, there’s no question in my mind that we can make another run at this thing. I think we’ve just got to take one game at a time and not look ahead to the next round. We’ve just got to focus on that one team in front of us.
RANDALL: CT:
What was it like to be part of a fifth straight region title? Winning it in
RANDALL:
front of this community, five in a row...it’s like the start of when the football program got to the high level its at. It’s the expectation now to win a region championship just like the football program. I think that’s a big deal, and I think it was even a bigger deal that it was against our crosstown rival.
CT:
How excited are you about your senior baseball season and what do you expect from the team and yourself this Spring?
RANDALL:
I think we can make another run deep into the playoffs like we did last year. We’re getting a lot of people back. We only lost a couple of seniors. For myself, I just want to go out there and be more vocal...be more of a vocal leader this year.
CT:
Reflecting on your final football season this past Fall, how do you remember it and do you look back on it as a positive?