NEWPORT-There were so many stories, so many games, matches, coaching moves and shows covered in the year 2009. But no story was bigger than that of the Cocke County High School golf team.

There was plenty of talent on this squad, both boys and girls. But, the youth factor was the big question mark for head coach Blake Briggs. There wasn't a senior among them, which makes their feat even more remarkable.

The Cocke County Big Red qualified for the TSSAA State Tournament as a team for the first time in school history, and with no seniors. Zach Briggs, Chase Atkins, Jacob Quinton, Jacob Norris and Kurt Brooks were carrying the Cocke County Fighting Cocks into the State Tournament for the very first time. And then there were Lexi Clevenger and Cassidy Gibson, the ladies' contingent from Cocke County who had qualified for the State Tournament as individuals.

The State Tournament proved to be a tough row to hoe. After a disappointing first day, the Cocke County squad settled down, and began to play their game. For the Big Red, Briggs finished with a two-day total of 156, followed by Atkins on 159, Quinton on 166, Brooks on 172 and Norris on 176. For the Lady Red, Gibson finished with a two-day total of 161 while Clevenger finished with a 170.

"You play on this level, and you make some decisions that you really shouldn't make," said coach Briggs. "You're playing against the best, and you want to do well. But in this sport, when you make bad decisions, it will cost you two strokes, and that's huge here."

But, remember, no seniors on this squad.

"We learned a lot here," said coach Briggs. "We were young, but that doesn't mean we should have been much better. I'm proud of these kids, for what they've accomplished. We got it done when it counted to get here, but it just wasn't our time. That's just the way the game is sometimes."

In the Inter Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament, the Big Red finished third, and the Lady Red second. In the District Tournament, the Big Red finished third again, and the Lady Red second again. Then, at the all-important Region Tournament, the Big Red come through with a huge victory over golfing stalwarts Jefferson County, Morristown West, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, Science Hill and Tennessee High.

"We sucked it up and got the job done," said coach Briggs. "That's what you need when the time comes, and we did that. Lexi and Cassidy did that on the ladies' side. We got it done and we qualified for State. That's what it's all about."

"I think we've learned some lessons at the State Tournament," said coach Briggs. "We know what it's all about now. If we can get back here next year, I think things will be different."

"I'll tell you this," said the Big Red's Jacob Quinton, "I'm looking at that leader board and thinking we're eighth best in the state. I don't think that's all that bad."

Eighth best out of 114 teams that started the season hoping to make it to the State Tournament. No sir, that's not bad at all.

"We're young," said coach Briggs. "No seniors. So, no excuses next year. If the kids continue to work, we're going to be alright."