Two former Copper Basin High School football standouts were honored by the school’s new alumni association Friday night prior to the Cougars game against the Chattanooga Prep Seminoles.
Andy Whitener, a 1993 graduate was named the IGA Hometown Proud Legend of the Game and Mike Muse was remembered for his contributions to the same team.
Whitener was a three year starter for the Cougars in both baseball and football. Starting at quarterback in three consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1992, he helped lead the 1992 squad to a number five ranking in the state of Tennessee. The Cougars finished with a 9-3 overall record that included a district championship.
The 1992 district title is one of the schools five all time. On their way to that championship, the Cougars took down powerhouse district foe South Pittsburgh and also beat rival Fannin County.
Whitener’s play during this run in 1992 earned him District 4-A Player of the Year honors. During his three year career starts at quarterback, Whitener set the all-time career passing yardage record at Copper Basin, a record he held for nearly 20 years.
The memory of Muse, also a 1993 graduate, was also honored by the alumni association.
Muse was the Cougars special teams captain in both 1991 and 1992, but impacted the game in a number of ways.
Muse was a Tennessee Sports Writers Class A All-State selection in 1992, helping the Cougars win the District 4-A championship as both a running back and a punter/kicker.
Muse’s versatility placed him on the list as a top 20 point scorer in the greater Chattanooga tri-state area during the 1992 season. Chattanooga News Free Press writer Don Harris wrote after that season that Muse, “theoretically could have made the all-state team at a number of positions.”
Muse excelled at the running back position and averaged nearly 40 yards per punt. He is credited with making one of the most important field goals in Copper Basin history in the first round of the 1992 playoffs against Midway giving the Cougars an 11-8 overtime victory.