pattonboysdad

and blackman beat indy by like 40

good observations for the Oakland game...but the problem is...this was the Oakland game which was a wet and sloppy game in which it was nearly impossible to throw the ball...our QB can throw...over 1300 yards with 14 td's and only about 5 int's...he is a tad raw but has a rocket arm (why duke and ohio state have offered him at QB) and WR's that can fly...

with the wind...it was way more than a sprinkle! but you did say their special teams were a weakness...but really they may have the best punt return team in the state with 7 TD's...

actually Blackman's punt and kickoff teams have scored 7 touchdowns on returns this year! Both their return guys can run like the wind. on the muffed punts the other night the wind and rain were blowing pretty hard and the field was very slippery. The field goal kicker also slid as he planted his foot to kick because the field was so wet. Oakland's punter also fell down on his first punt after he kicked the ball. Blackman's field goal kicker has hit at least one from 42 or 43...so he is capable for sure...

Congrads to Blackman...they needed a "W" after the thumping by the Stars...Blackman may be down a little this year...but this is still big boy ball in 7AAA!

i actually ran the chains for the Blackman vs Signal Mtn. game where Blackman beat the dog snot out of signal...if there were ever a game where the signal mtn. coaches would act classless...it would be this one! i never heard one cuss word from a coach or player...they coached their guys hard to the very end and at one point...one of their coaches looked at me and smiled and said... "it's hard to stop a train"...this comment is hard to believe after what i experienced and i'm always listening to see what the chatter is!

it's time for a great game this friday night... riverdale vs blackman... and this time MR. MATHERS IS READY TO DRIVE THE TRAIN ALL NIGHT LONG! these are two great teams with great players and great coaches... but the bottom line is the I-TRAIN will not be stopped... Blackman 42 Riverdale 28

riverdaleman, you know if have the inside scoop! and i can tell you with 100% truth that the playbook has been limited but will be unleashed this friday night! You can believe me now or after the game on friday ! i'll look for ya at the game!

congrads...you guys have a very very good football team...most dangerous team in the state...i pity the top level seed you guys may get to play in playoffs...oakland will be good because they are young...but i KNEW this one could be a blowout based on what i saw of the two teams up close...win out so we have a chance at 2nd place...ha!

this is a good question and yet a difficult question...because it has so many layers and complex scenarios in what has happened...etc... and i'm not even saying i'm right here...so this is in my humble opinion...and it would probably be done better in a conversation so all the nuances could be talked about...but...that's impossible big picture...when josh had to start at blackman the last two games of his freshman year and all of his sophomore year...he was NOT ready to start in this district...but he had to because the talent level at blackman was not very good...and you only had about 50 guys out for the team...they went 0-10 in his freshman year...had only 17 on the freshman team...not good...it GRADUALLY improved and so did the wins...5-5 his senior year with a 7-0 loss to state champ oakland... i think THE WORLD of bobby wells...as a person and as a coach...yet he was NEW as a head coach...had little talent...and he was in the midst of not only turning around a very very bad program...but the entire culture of football at blackman...not an easy job...he did take the program for the very bottom of 0-10 to 5-5...in 4 years...hats off to him...and he did so in the midst of what we know now...of having a bad heart...sometimes coaches are appreciated more down the road for what they did with what they had...and i think that is true of bobby...i am THRILLED for him at riverdale...what a god send for Coach A... as you said...Matt was there during 3 of those years...and all that i saw told me this guy could coach...i do know defense...it is what i played at ECU...and i know what they were doing at blackman was sound...i'm just not sure they had the horses to do it with... in comes Shad...who i think he is the best HS coach i have ever been around personally...he's made his mistakes early on...he would tell you that himself...but he came in having done that and been there...he knew exactly what to do...how to get it done...had won 2 gold balls...and exudes confidence and excitement...he breathed life into a program and took it from 5-5 to 10-2 in the first year...he did so with a group of seniors who had some talent...last year we go 11-2 and after the first year of winning...every young man who could walk and chew chewing gume wants to play football now...so last year and this year we have anywhere from 110 to 130 on the varsity alone...with 60 or so on the freshman team...now you have the numbers to get it done every year...and add to that Shad's ability to know when to push...his x and 0's expertise...his ability to get GREAT coaches around him...school and fan support because they are winning...and you have the makings of a great program year in and year out... on a personal level...all three of these men left incredible impacts on my two sons...i've told all of them that on multiple occasions...even after the loss at smyrna...coach matt came up and asked "how are the boys"...wow! Bobby does it everytime is see him...and Jess will never forget shad nor be able to thank him enough for not only the experience of playing on winning teams...but for how shad treated him on and off the field... lastly...to be a really good head coach...i think you need some time...shad got time to grow and develop at smyrna...bobby did not...and i hope matt does...most of us...if we are good at what we do...did not start off good...we got some time and grew into the job...hope this helps!

i actually like him ALOT... i think he does A GREAT JOB... works hard...covers all the games...knows what he is taling about...has started the "chat" for all of us fans to interact with...tweets during a game... i also think he is fair and is willing to discuss anything... we are fortunate to have him in my opinion... i've been around over 7 years...and he is by far the best we have had and go to nashville if you want...it sure ain't better over there...

this one is getting very ugly in the 3rd quarter... i did not think oakland had a chance vs bulldogs... smyrna is a very good and dangerous team... would much rather play riverdale again (with mathers) instead of smyrna

who else but the I-Train Mathers!

with all due respect back at ya OP...i know what i saw...oakland does not have the horses that smyrna has...yall sure may beat em...but i'll be shocked if you do....and i did not even come close to using the x,y,z thing...just comparing two teams i saw up close...one was dominated...one we barely got out alive!