meritage

I see you've researched it thoroughly. I hate to introduce some facts but feel compelled to do so. BA plays multiple out of state games every year. For example, 3 out of state games last yr and 3 in the 2016 schedule including Trinity, Olive Branch and a team from Dallas, TX. Yeah i know its tough though having BA known as bottom feeders and getting "dogsnotted" to boot!!

That BA was extremely talented and played with a 1st yr coach. 9 srs went on to play college football and that does not include guys like sanders and barnett. Cody has told me more than once he wished he could have had that team one more yr. They did not run the same offense that is installed today. Every skill starter on that team except the QB ultimately either won an individual or team relay sprint c-ship in the spring. Every single DII AA sprint ch-ship was won by BA - all football players with at least 1-2 records set that still remain and their times were not only the best in DII AA but also the entire state in most events. More speed on that team than any i've seen at BA. OL was the weakness. Ensworth was a powerhouse that yr but so were a few other DII AA teams

Agree Wes - very pleased for Cody and the team. He and his coaching staff have done a great job this yr. Talent alone won't get there - also requires strong coaching and some breaks. We've lost out on one or so of those in yrs like 2010 and 2012. A great game to watch that's for sure.MBA was there every step - tough to see someone lose this one but glad to see BA bring one home.

Appreciate your response. I don't want to get into any argument on a msg board. i agree with you on some of your points for sure. I have seen though a number of comments this yr about BA coaching, and i don't think they were always fair. Of course it comes with the territory as they say. I could certainly add some "frustrating games" to your list that's for sure (2010 playoffs ensworth, 2012 MUS playoffs, etc) but i think they were always a result of everyone involved. BA always has talent, some very good talent, and i'll say in some instances it actually hasn't always made for the best in regards to teamwork (in our experience). This group seems to be playing as a team and that goes a long long way. In the end, i'm sure both of us just want to see a c-ship ball for once at BA.

I've refrained this season from commenting on your consistent criticism of BA coaching when they don't perform to your liking but nothing when they win. There was a pretty significant lack of execution last night, and i think a little of "we have this game won". All on coaching? Hardly. The fact is the LBs are undersized esp without Max and McCallie focused on stopping BAs big guy on the DL, and no one else stepped up. They gashed the front 7 a lot last night. We must have watched diff games. There are times when your players get outplayed as BA's did at least the 2nd 1/2 and you hold on to win, and you count your blessings. That was BA last night. I think Cody (who is a good friend by the way) and gang have done a good job this yr - i see a better functioning coaching unit - albeit DII AA is not what it has been "corporately" in past yrs. You have a great chance to win the c-ship and these young man are a good team. Should they win, it will be the players and coaches executing 110%. No team in DII AA is so talented that they can win on talent alone. I hope you win it but like any c-ship, likely some luck, solid playing but also some struggles.

Well not to veer off topic but titans mgmt probably realized they'd better start showing highlights from other games to entertain fans even if they are HS as the titans sure don't have any. What a pitiful franchise. Place looked 1/2 empty on TV. If they are not careful, this franchise will end up having to leave here. they are losing the fanbase

Well a long way yet to go obvously in DII this season. I guess we'll have to see if they can get by that reputation this yr. No doubt BA has a challenging sched incl the OCC games. The hope is this staff has them peak at the right time. We'll see

I won't argue with you about some of the play calling but Triinity totally controlled our OL the entire night. We could not run ball outside of scrambles by JO. That's not all playing calling. They were quicker and certainly more determined in the trenches than BA. And likewise, once the defense wore down the same was true on the defensive side with the 4Q being owned by trinity. Lots of hype about the BA OL - was not there last night. And BA does not have the speed they have had in yrs past - yes Cam certainly does but in fall of 2012 for ex, multiple breakaway guys. BA won every single state sprint c-ship that year, not only setting a record in 1-2 of the them, but also having the best times in any classification across the state in almost all of them and also having top times in a couple vs states across the country. Every one of those guys was a BA football skill position guy (and if i recall correctly ramsey only ran in one of those events by the way). Receivers last night were not getting themselves open other than johnson. Anyway I agree there was some suspect playcalling but trinity came to play. Talent is there but both ends, coaches and players need to step it up and not take for granted, "wow we are talented".

for those of us who knew Mickey, our hearts are breaking tonite. He lost his father 2 yrs ago and now his mother has to endure this pain. He was at our home on occasions and he is a wonderful young man. I have 5 HS/college age kids and i can't help thinking what if this were me. Our youngest was friends with mickey when he was at BA. I don't know God's plan in this but i hope his mom can find some way to see that plan although right now i can only imagine the pain she is going thru. This family needs all of our prayers. Hug your kids tight tonite. You never know what will happen tomorrow. Puts football and any sport in perspective. Small compared to the enormity of this

I just hope that means Coach Etter's wife is also gone. Whew, nice lady but does not stop talking to/cheering the baylor players the entire game. I mean she doesn't take a breath for 7 innings.

My point remains - playing a sched like the schools in DII AA play is unlike any other in the state or many other states for that matter. the level of play is superlative.

I'm not going to argue about the level of talent on any of the top DII AA schools. It's top notch across the board. sitting here watching the M-ville/O-land game and one word come to mind - SLOW. Does not compare to the top DII AA games. Can you imagine if these schools had to play in successive wks (or "almost" successive wks) - EHS, BA, MUS, McCallie, MBA, Baylor, and on and on, plus the out of state powerhouses that the top DII AA teams play? Middle of the pack would be the best they could do if that. It's evidenced by their refusal to play the teams i just mentioned as they know the eventual result, and I know for fact those turn downs have occurred. two yrs ago, BA had 8 kids go to play with DI schools - 8!!!! - many other schools have similar "resumes". Having lived in other states and having a son who played with kids like jabrill peppers, i can tell you DII AA football here is some of the best you will see anywhere. I was in texas last wk with my BA pullover on and was stopped by someone who commented about BA and DII AA football. Happened in VA a month ago. Yes MUS is good, but so are the other schools I mentioned. I laugh at the rankings by the Tennessean, USA today etc. - the folks ranking have no clue about the various "levels:" of football in this state. Whomever wins DII AA is the best team in the state.

You are likely correct but toughest division/conference in the state and its not close - multiple teams could win it. some of these top DII AA teams have been playing top out of state (and nationally ranked) pgms from the Midwest and mid south for yrs. that any other pgm in TN is rated higher than any of the top ones in DII AA is pretty funny. this is TN football at its finest. Look at the commits. Fri nite will put on display maybe the 2 best teams in the state. will be a great matchup

What I'd like to see is Maryville and Fulton playing a sched that teams like BA, Ensworth, MBA, McCallie, etc play. That would be interesting to say the least.

Interesting data points. I sure agree with you on the "parity" and the fact that there are no easy games in the division. Week after week after week you need to bring your A game. Toughest scheds in the state and its not close. As we always said to our boys and daughter when they were (and one still is) playing various sports at BA, the playoffs are the deal. Anyone can indeed win it this yr esp if someone finds a way to play just a little defense. Not a good yr for a punter to show off their skills for college scouts - pretty boring for them. Some great games ahead.