Extreme Makeover

New uniforms reflect return to old-school approach at Heritage

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Heritage coach Tim Hammontree discusses the new helmets and uniforms the Mountaineers will wear this fall on Monday. Photo by Jolanda Jansma

He was the other team’s defensive coordinator in one of the biggest games in Heritage history.

Many regard the 1985 Mountaineers as one of the best teams, if not the best, the school has ever fielded, Heritage finishing 11-2 that season and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.

Tim Hammontree remembers that playoff game. The new coach of the Mountaineers remembers Rhea County had an All-American high school quarterback, future Tennessee Vol Andy Kelly, directing the offense. He also remembers, in his capacity as the Eagles’ then-defensive coordinator, how tough it was to stop Heritage that night.