Stories from Wednesday, February 8, 2017

It was surreal watching Dont’a Hightower kiss the Lombardi Trophy Sunday night after the Lewisburg native’s fourth quarter sack led to a change of momentum and ultimately the fifth Super Bowl title for the New England Patriots, who stormed back from 25 points down to win Super Bowl LI 34-28 in the first-ever overtime finish. Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn’t take long to give the Marshall County High School legend and 2007 Tennessee Titans Class 3A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year credit for coming up with the most important defensive play of the game, saying in a postgame interview with ESPN’s Chris Berman, “The Hightower play was the key play, without that I don’t think we would have had enough possessions or we get it done fast enough.”