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The "Yutes" Hold the Key to 2015 and Beyond

November 9, 2014
Terry Vaughan

Joe Pesci's breakout role came in the 1992 film "My Cousin Vinny". Pesci was Vinny Gambino, an inexperienced Brooklyn lawyer who found himself in a rural Alabama courtroom representing his young cousin on murder charges.

Needless to say, Vinny had difficulty adjusting to Southern culture.

In perhaps the most memorable scene in the movie, Gambino begins to opine in his thick Brooklyn accent as he argued before Judge Chamberlain Haller, brilliantly played by the late Fred Gwynne.

" Your Honor, it is possible that the two yutes" Gambino stated before being abruptly interrupted by Judge Haller in mid-sentence.

"What was that word...yutes?" the  confused Judge asked. "What is a yute?"

For Tornado fans present Friday night, this question was emphatically answered in the hard fought 36-28 loss to 5A Gainesville Eastside.

There were many instances when a combination of 7 or 8 Freshmen and Sophomores were on the gridiron at the same time, going toe-to-toe with a big and athletic Eastside squad who dressed 23 seniors. The youth movement was springing up everywhere.

Not to be outdone, the 8 Bradford seniors left in all on the field for their final performance at David Hurse Stadium. Guys like Jacob Luke, Don Jeffers, and Drian Jenkins provided a great example to the young pups on how great effort can pay off.

But for 2015 and beyond, a great bunch of "yutes" who did not melt under the spotlight this season leave us a reason to believe. A great assemblage of next year's Seniors will also support them with great leadership.

By the way, nearly 30 years before "My Cousin Vinny" was released, Fred Gwynne became famous for an iconic TV role. The 6'5" actor charmed audiences as Herman Munster on the hit series "The Munsters."

That first episode aired on CBS on September 24, 1964. That same week Tornado fans witnessed an up-and-coming team chock full of promising "yutes". The following year brought the first of back-to-back state championships to Starke. Next season will mark the 50th anniversary of that very first crowning moment.

No, I am not suggesting that the 2015 Tornadoes are ready to compete for a state championship. But at least a frisky passel of "yutes" give us reason to believe that there could be some "Munster" moments to remember in the years ahead.