New rules and regulations was the theme for 2020-21.
With a world adjusting to frequent changes during a global pandemic, the TSSAA sports season were not excused. From limitations of spectators to mask mandates, COVID-19 shock the sports to its core from the pros to the middle school level.
The Millington Star’s foundation of sports coverage is the varsity level. And coming into August it was scary if the football, volleyball and girls’ soccer seasons would take place. Somehow we managed to complete those campaigns.
Basketball and wrestling was a seesaw affair with coronavirus numbers improving. Then the holiday spike hit and there were no cheerleaders allowed in the gym. By the time spring sports ended, things almost looked back to normal.
With that being said, most of my food winners came from March to June. Getting back to normal means eating food while watching sports. During this TSSAA sports calendar, I went from pre-package items to a full plate of grub.
I’m ready to go down memory lane and recognize the best in food for 2021.
Best Foreign Food
Literally the winner this year is a foreign food. During the 2021 Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, The Millington Star’s final day of coverage was a bittersweet reality. Just when sports was rolling and having so much normalcy, it was time to wrap it all up with a bow.
Star intern and my Goddaughter Taliyah Chalmers wanted to have a unique lunch to close out our stay in Middle Tennessee. She didn’t want any McDonald’s (chance to get her beloved BTS meal). Taliyah wanted to try something different. As we headed to the soccer complex to watch the Houston Mustangs play for the championship, we were running out of real estate along Memorial Blvd.
I was the grocery store Publix and said let’s go there to get my protein cookies. It was a few doors down Taliyah spotted Yummy Yum Thai Restaurant. We went inside and eventually made our orders with some help for the waiter.
Our meals were delicious. Too spicy for my palate but I would definitely try Thai food again.
Best Beverage
The most refreshing drink I had during my sports coverage came from Dollar Tree. When heading out to cover the Millington Trojan Football team at Crockett County or making the journey up to Tipton County for a game, I would pop into Dollar Tree to purchase a Hint. Hint Water is an American beverage company based in San Francisco. It is marketed as an alternative to soda and sugar beverages.
When I needed something refreshing but didn’t want to cheat on my diet too bad, Hint was the perfect choice. Cool, crisp taste with no carbonation. And the fruit on the bottle would sneak onto your taste buds.
Creative Genius
Back in May, Millington Trojan standout Adrian “Bug” Dowell hosted a graduation/signing party. He was preparing to take his football talents to Tennessee Prep alongside fellow Trojan graduate Reggie Caldwell.
After photos and his signing of the letter of intent, it was time to eat. One dish that stood out on the table was the Rotel. No stranger to Rotel, I’ve enjoyed the dip with sausage, ground beef and chicken. But this Rotel was looking too smooth.
“Wait, is that green I see floating in the cheese?” I got conformation that it was a spinach Rotel. Healthier and just as delicious! I enjoyed every bite on my chips. More from this outing later.
Best Grill
Most grills took the year off across the landscape of sports. We were just not ready for pull pork, slightly burnt hotdogs or burgers fresh off the grill.
It was rare to smell that enticing smoke in the air throughout 2020-21. Hopefully Best Grill will back flaming in 2021-22.
Special Item
Luckily there were a couple of booster club fund raisers in the Millington area The Millington Star was invited to throughout the year. Trivia nights are a fun way to gather some ducats for your program. Millington Trojan Wrestling and Football have perfected this event.
One of the traditions at a good trivia night is to bring snacks for your table. If you are a teammate of Bruce Marshall, you are in for a treat. I called them “Precious Brownies.” It’s a rich, gooey chocolate cake brownie. The flaky layer on the top just makes the bite more savory. The brownie will make a night of finishing in the middle of the pack worth every bite.
Best Food Moment
Back to Murfreesboro, the one restaurant I must visit before heading back to the Memphis area is Blue Coast Burrito. I make reservations at 1122 Memorial Blvd. and each time they tell me, “Sir we don’t take reservations. Just show up and order.”
For years I’ve enjoyed my pull pork burrito in a spinach wrap. Blue Coast Burrito is a must and if you’re visiting Middle Tennessee, pop in for a meal that will fill you up quickly. Tell them Thomas sent you. They won’t know who that is but the wonderful servers there will at least laugh at the statement.
Get used to terms like Baja Style, Baja Fish and some of the best guacamole in the South.
Chicken and beef stuff in your made-to-order burrito are recommended as well. But the best by far is the pull pork special.
Best Overall
Back to Dowell’s signing part. The spinach Rotel was just the centerpiece to a wonderful spread. Tangy, sweet meatballs were a perfect dance partner on my plate. I used my sweet roll to recover the sauces from my honey gold wings and spicy gold wings. I washed it all down with a delicious homemade fruit punch. The spread was so full of selections that I needed two plate. Along with the hospitality and love in the area for Bug, it was the best overall food moment of the sports year.
