By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Round Two of The Genuine Article’s look back at the TSSAA sports year that was involved the best in grub.
Food is a vital part of sports and sports coverage. At the games there are normally concessions and at special events/tournaments, there is a hospitality room for specific event goers.
I give thanks to the Heavens above each time my press pass gains me access to those guarded venues. In addition, signing day has become a routine thing at Brighton, Millington, Munford and Tipton-Rosemark Academy with the many wonderful student/athletes we have in the area.
Good schools hire great coaches that pour into wonderful players to create a chance for parents to cook an amazing spread for me.
Below are my categories to showcase the Best in Food ’26. From the special occasions to the signing day surprises, let’s break down the most memorable pieces of grub I enjoyed from August 2025 to May 2026.
Best Foreign Food
Fayette Academy Christmas Classic
Variety is what normally gets the Fayette Academy Christmas Classic on this list year after year. Now only does the school in Fayette County off Highway 64 invite some of the best basketball teams in the Mid-South, they will provide a spread for special guests that ranges from fruit salad to barbecue nachos.
Basics like chocolate chip cookies will be right next to some homemade brownies. I love that you can keep it simple or create an extravagant meal with unique dishes brought by the mothers of the players. Crockpots right next to pressure cookers are a good indicator of a Class A hospitality room.
Best Beverage
Munford Bottle of Waters
Once in a while a creative drink graces a signing event or hospitality room. Most years the need for survival provides the winner of this category.
Back in August I covered the season opener for the Munford Cougars on the gridiron. August is not football weather. Actually that kind of heat is not conducive for any kind of physical activity. I had to endure the 90 degree kickoff temperatures just like the rest of the spectators.
By the grace of school administrators like Principal Dr. Courtney Fee and Athletic Director Mike Huffman, I was given cold bottles of water like the officials. It’s always nice when people think about you.
My first half refreshment and second half survival sips helped me finish the game and get those highlights for West 10 Media.
Creative Genius
Shawn’s Special
Over time some people you work around became like family. My big Asian brother Shawn Matsunaga has been a special part of my football Fridays for more than a decade. We both have Raleigh-Egypt ties and love to make jokes about life during the soccer, softball, baseball or flag football game we are attending.
The California kid with Japanese heritage shared some of his culture with me on multiple occasions. Back in September my daughter and I were treated to a spicy, ginger Japanese rice dish. Savory flavors and the balance of crispy and tender veggies made every bite enjoyable.
I was eyeballing Liyah’s bowl of goodness. She gave me the evil eye back to say, ‘reach over here and lose a finger.’
Best Grill
Trojan 100
Back in August the Millington Trojan Football program celebrated 100 years. The night was wonderful with dozens of former players attending and standing on the field in the stadium they gave their all.
The Black and Gold shined that Saturday night. Of course there was plenty of food. It wouldn’t be a Millington Football special event without a deep spread.
The grill was going with the usuals suspects of hot dogs, burgers and pans of pulled pork. Skipping out on the bread, I had a plate with a baby mountain of pork meat topped with a couple of burger patties. With two juicy hot dogs on the side, I smothered the plate with barbecue sauce and dug in. I managed to save a little room for the variety of side dishes, making it a ‘Great Grill.’
Special Item
Douglas Banana Pudding
A large bowl was escorted into the Brighton Gymnasium Lobby with two security guards. I think the young men were wearing white gloves to handle the treasure.
The master chef behind the dish being placed in the center of the buffet-like spread, Tawana Douglas, gave her final instructions about the spoons.
Spoons?
I was wondering what is underneath the aluminum foil. It was a multilayer banana pudding. The first bite and you knew it was homemade and cooked with love. This was the work of a proud Mama and she wanted to make sure her son Carnell’s special day was highlighted by the dessert. The chunks of strawberries and wedges of fresh bananas coated by the pudding was the perfect dance partner for the wafers.
Best Food Moment
Charles Brown Jr. Signing
I love mothers who seize the day with a special dish or two for a signing day. Can’t leave the dads out of it because they crank up the grill from time to time for the meal.
Chelse and Charles Brown Sr. provided an eye-popping combination of smoked wings and flavor-packed spaghetti dish for their son’s signing day.
Charles Jr. does things big and now I know where he got it from. A gold medalist for Millington Track his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, Charles Jr. knew how to make a statement.
Mom and dad did the same thing with the main courses to go along with plenty of side dishes and treats. They made sure we all had plenty to eat and sent a few people home with leftovers.
Best Overall
Carnell Douglas Jr. Spread
Let’s head back up to Brighton and the Carnell Douglas Spread. The peppered-top sliders stole the day. Those buttery ham sandwiches were a guilty pleasure. The sliders overshadowed the entire table except for the banana pudding. The cheesy spinach dip, chicken wings, cake and other pans had to bow down to the sliders.
Overall the combination of various treats, a mothers love and a standout player going to the next level in football made this the best overall.
