Courtesy Jackson Sun

(February 2, 2009) Kerry Mallard , the director of sports operations at WBFG-FM 96.5 in Lexington, did not have to look far to find the talent to fill the position Chris Harris vacated to become the voice of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

Mallard tapped into the McKenzie market, and beginning Monday, Matt Swinea and Jim Steele take to the airwaves with "The Pressbox," which takes the 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot (Monday through Thursday) listeners have grown accustomed to when Harris had "The Bottom Line."

"I was surprised the position filled this quickly so soon, but that is the way it worked out," Mallard said."They have a good feel for the area ... and we are going in the right direction with what we started 10 years ago, putting a spotlight on young athletes.

"... Matt and Jim are extremely knowledgeable especially when it comes to high school sports."

But high school sports is not all Swinea and Steele bring to Lexington.

"In this area we have four very competitive colleges in women's basketball. Bethel, Union, Freed-Hardeman and Lambuth are in the (NAIA) top 20, and we want to put more emphasis on the college scene," Swinea said. "We want to talk about West Tennessee sports and activities between the (Mississippi and Tennessee) rivers.

"I'm really excited about it, but it will not change what I do at Bethel."

Most people in the area might recognize Swinea as the sports information director at Bethel College.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Jim and I," Swinea said. "I enjoy working with him, and I look forward to it."

Swinea and Steele have been down this road before.

"Matt and I used to do talk radio in Huntingdon," Steele said. "After Chris (Harris) took the job with the Jaxx, then Kerry (Mallard) called ... There are not a lot of sports talk shows in the area, and we want to find a niche and fill it."

Steele handles the Web sites mckenzierebels.com and pressbox1.com and is the statistician for McKenzie High School.

"It's not my job. I do stats for myself," Steele said. "(McKenzie football) Coach ( Wade ) Comer asked me to call them to (media outlets). Let's just say if I shared my fortune with you, we would both be broke."

Swinea, 40, said Steele will occasionally go solo while he handles his duties for Bethel College, and there will be days he will be a one-man show at the ESPN affiliate.

"We want to structure the show and keep our listeners on topic," Swinea said. "We hope to come in and do as well as Chris (Harris) has done.

"We are excited for Chris. He is a good friend who will get to hone his talents and get exposure with the Diamond Jaxx ... He is living his dream."

Mallard said he believes Swinea and Steele have a perfect blend for the task in front of them.

Steele, 47, has a good idea of what is first up Monday.

"The Super Bowl," Steele said. "Right now, people can call us at (731) 968-9990. That's the one number I know."