Simmons Superlatives - Best Newcomer

Where I write and how you get my content can change, but doing ‘Best of the Best’ lists at the end of the year will not. I’ve been doing them since 2010 and don’t plan on changing that anytime soon. If anything, the Main Street Journal gives me a chance to expand my categories and lists once again.

So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Over the next week, I’ll be handing out the Simmons Superlatives for the best newcomers, best seniors, best under-the-radar-athletes, best athlete, best coach, best team and best moments of the 2024-25 season. These will be for high school athletes and high school teams in Warren County, so just keep that in mind if you find yourself wondering why county basketball, WCMS or the great Van Buren County Eaglettes aren’t mentioned.

Just to be clear: These are MY choices in those categories. I don’t run these by co-workers, owners, coaches, athletes or sponsors. These are solely my choices because my name is on them, so if you don’t agree, you can let me know.

With that, we’ll start with the Best Newcomers from the 2024-25 season. Traditionally, this has been the ‘Best Freshman,’ category, but I tweaked it because sometimes there aren’t enough impact freshmen to make a top 5. Also, there are times kids don’t really make their varsity debuts until their sophomore years or – in the case of one baseball kid this year – they transfer into Warren County as a junior.

Let’s get to the list!

Burgess Galligan, WCHS wrestling

Sometimes choices are really tough when handing out ‘Simmons Superlatives.’ Sometimes they aren’t.

Galligan made this a pretty easy choice. By winning a region championship and qualifying for state in his freshman year, Galligan has started laying the groundwork for what could be one of the best careers in Pioneer wrestling history.

The youngster was a menace at 113 pounds, rolling through the region tournament, placing second at sectionals and ultimately getting valuable experience at the state tournament (he was 1-2 in matches in Williamson County in February).

Galligan finished his freshman season with 41 wins and has plenty of room to grow in the future. He’ll have help too.

In practice, Galligan has the fortune of going up against 106-pound medalist Jakoby Odineal and 120-pound state qualifier Jaylan Clayton the next two seasons.

Erik Hernandez, WCHS soccer

It took a region champ and state qualifier to hold off Hernandez from the top spot in this category. Hernandez wasn’t just one of the top freshmen at WCHS this year; He was the top freshman in District 9-3A.

Hernandez helped the Pioneers soar to a top-two spot in the district and post a 10-win season by leading the team in goals as a newcomer. Hernandez notched a team-best 15 goals this year, quickly emerging as the team’s go-to scorer despite being one of the youngest players on the team.

Hernandez and the Pioneers have a bright future ahead. Warren County will need to replace some key starters next spring, but reinforcements seem to be on the way as the WCMS boys team won the Central Tennessee Conference last month.

Huck Damon, WCHS wrestling and football

Damon made his biggest impact as a freshman on the wrestling mat. He was a sectional qualifier at 145 pounds and won the District 7AA freshman of the year award.

In the fall, Damon also was one of the rare freshmen who got some playing time under coach Matt Turner. Turner spent years being cautious with playing freshman on Friday nights, but Damon got in a few games and got carries, a big reward for being a start in freshman and JV games throughout the season.

Damon is likely to be a huge building block for both programs going forward.

Sam Robinson, WCHS baseball

Did I cheat a little bit by adding a junior to this list? Maybe. Do I care? Nope.

Robinson transferred to Warren County from Siegel before the start of this season and instantly made an impact behind the plate. Robinson was the team’s starting catcher most of the year (platooning some with senior Woogs Bryan).

Robinson was also one of the team’s top bats, ranking among team leaders in hits, RBIs and extra-base hits. He should be a major piece in the heart of coach Phillip King’s order next year.

Isaac Smith, WCHS baseball, basketball and football

There were some nights this spring where Smith – even as a freshman – looked like one of the most polished hitters on the Pioneers. His swings were limited on varsity, but he proved to be a spark in a few games, including a three-hit performance against Whitwell.

Smith is a multi-sport athlete who could see his role increase on the gridiron and hardwood in the future.