Leaderboard

Bruce Lamb helped lead another small town team that had "no chance" to a state championship and raised the gold in the end: the 2005 Livingston Academy Wildcats. Their offensive leader? Wilson Cates, who is an offensive assistant at Clay. Gimme the Bulldogs! Also, you'll be able to rob a bank in Celina Friday. Ain't no way anyone stays home for this one.

This will be a rare instance of me starting a thread on another school. Riverside deserves some attention, and due to the "Tyner ram train blah blah blah" windbags on the blue cross bowl thread, they likely aren't gonna get it unless they win. So in case they don't.. Last 5 seasons, including this year: 52-16 record. A 14-4 playoff record (.778 winning percentage!). 2 quarters, 2 semis, and 1 championship game. They've knocked out Lewis multiple times, Waverly, Mt Pleasant and Huntingdon. Most of the time these guys are traveling to upper seeds, and winning. EIGHTEEN PLAYOFF GAMES IN 5 SEASONS. Their two trips to semis they lost to the eventual state champ- Peabody and Westview. Averaging a 10-3 record over the 5 seasons, and pretty quietly. They just do their thing. I think they deserve some respect. God knows the 2019 and 2021 games almost killed me. But you have to tip your hat when it's due It's due

Haven't we learned our lessons? Yes, on paper, McKenzie has the advantage, but Clay has a lot of what paper can't measure, heart. I know it's cliche, but those kids don't have any quit in them, and that will keep them in the game and possibly give them a chance to win. And, they'll be playing with a rather large chip on their shoulder due to all the predictions. Last year SP had no chance. Three years ago, Fayetteville had no chance. This year, Clay doesn't have a chance. I'm gonna leave it to the boys on the field

good luck Firebirds...Springfield will be pulling for you

Here are the statistics from the last 6 seasons to back up what I said. 2017-22. Pearl Cohn 66-12 85% win percentage with one game remaining Cane Ridge 53-17 76% East Nashville 51-22 70% with one game remaining Hillsboro 30-34 47% Maplewood 28-37 43% McGavock 24-41 37% Stratford 23-45 34% Overton 20-40 33% Hillwood 16-41 28% Hunters Lane 11-48 19% Whites Creek 11-48 19% Antioch 2-55 7% Glencliff 2-55 7% Pretty spot on from what I said. 3 county wide all star teams. Truth hurts.

This very well could be the year that Metro gets the gold ball as EN and PC compete for the rings this weekend. Both teams have a good chance to get wins where in the past, the odds were stacked against them. Alcoa showed they are beatable, and PC seems poised to get over the final hump this season. Love to see both teams win but i think ultimately, only one will get it done. Metro rivals during the regular season, but i am pulling hard for Nashville's public schools this week. Best of luck to both squads.

Clay county is going to DOMINATE McKenzie. McKenzie has been overrated this entire season and played practically no one. Clay has easily had the toughest 1A schedule in the state. I’d be surprised if clay doesn’t run through McKenzie by at least 3 touchdowns

Could have always played up and been in the same classification. You would have played Gallatin and the Wilson Co schools.

You contradict every good poster on here thinking you know all about High School ball and you have no idea who Derric Davis is??

It’s not even close. Last years SP team was one of our 6 best ever according to state title history, but we had a lot better teams not get it done. I don’t know anything about Clay other than what I watched on NFHS network. The 2022 Clay team is a solid little 1A team, but they won’t be any match for your McKenzie boys. The state championship game was two weeks ago at McKenzie.

I know on the TSSAA website it had like your 3rd game at home against Riverdale, if true that should be fun!

i am sure they arent terrible. it will coem down to this. if its a close game late who has more cahones and more experience in these tight situations. players AND staff. i for one cannot wait and may the best team win, and those of you who have followed me know i will give credit to either team and fan base and staff if it is deserved.

TYner lost to Alcoa. You cant say much about that. Although Alcoa did lose to West which was a very rare non private school loss. Is alcoa down? What we do know is that Marion, Trousdale and Watertown and Meigs are DOWN. Tyner has skated thru a barely better then Region 5 path. Have they truly been tested. We know Riverside has. We also know that if it's a flashy offense versus a slowdown fundamental team- championship games generally favor the latter. We also know that Riverside has been in more 11-8 type final score games than any team in 2A the last half decade. Dont sleep on these Panthers

This is a great post general. 2019 was mine and @RHSPanther15’s senior year, we were freshman when Coach Johnny Frost came in and he and his staff have absolutely changed the culture at Riverside. I got to experience him for 4 years and he and his staff are great coaches and even better people. This successes is as well deserved as it gets.Being able to see the program get better as the seasons go on is amazing. I am needless to say pumped for this state championship game!

Well it is kinda a code word. I do believe saying high poverty, low parental support (sometimes due to multiple jobs or health), or any economic/cultural fact comes off as racist but applies to all races... inner city, mountain poverty, small towns with closes facories, or drought destroyed areas. Even if not a racist statement, it is a widely accepted term( right or wrong) coming from a non woke observor with no dog in the fight

The topic was started by a very disgruntled Maryville fan.

After watching Oakland play these teams the last two weeks at Ray Hughes stadium, I would have to give the edge to Blackman. Offensively they are better than Maryville but the Rebs get the nod over Blackman when it comes to defensive stops. So why don't they schedule each other next year? Tygard I assume wants to get better. He needs to get his schedule as tough as possible if he wants improvement and no better way than a 1 and 1 with Maryville. Fairly evenly matched teams. I'd pay to see it.

Nice code word. Have you seen tyner play this year 2022?? Yep they sure are “undisciplined” not like Forrest or Westmoreland those are true disciplined good football teams

Some do. Others leave me scratching my old bald head. ST, Orngnblk, Cherokee Tom, Pujo, Tradertwo and a few others have some good input. What part of this beautiful state are you from if I’m not being to nosey. If so you can just tell me none of my business. Hear it from my wife all the time so no hard feelings.

Didn't you say the same thing this year?

i am taking west by 3 scores...that was my pick no matter who made it out of the west

That's what I wanted hear. Its time to bring home a Gold Ball!

We're going to prepare this week like no one has ever seen.

Congrats to both teams on great postseason runs. East Nashville had to win at Waverly, at Smith County, and at Covington. Pearl-Cohn had to win at Lexington and at Haywood. Good Luck to both teams next week at the State Championships.

You know me. I lay in the weeds just looking for a chance to pop one and then go back into hiding. Lol.

I would assume so and have confidence in his ability.

Its 21 high schools in this city not all play sports of course but not a lot of loyalty to one school unless u went there. Its been a struggle to get folks to come to the play-off games until last weeks game

Both teams have some big physical boys in the trenches as well.

Never heard of him. But in fairness, I didn't even know Polk County existed until about 3 weeks ago. Are you a "good poster" that I contradicted?

All good points FM. Also wanted to personally congratulate you on last week’s big win. You’re definitely a loyal Mav without the tinted glasses. You’re also one of the top posters on the board and an influencer, at least for me. Best wishes and go Mavs!

HC will definitely miss this senior class but we have some very good young players in the pipeline and I think it will be a good season. I actually expect solid seasons for the next few years. Development at several positions is key but I think the coaches and kids get it done.

Hats off to Page. From being a "playoff-bound and not much else" 4A team to a repeat 5A title game participant. Real real progress. West takes it tho. What a record season. They beat Maryville, Alcoa and defending champ Powell in just over 8 weeks. Unheard of. Immortal.

Haha. Still laughing at that.

Thanks Stacmot. Win or lose I think they have a great football culture in Hardin Country! I really enjoy Friday nights at Jim Carroll stadium!

Anderson County by Fiddy!

After watching the Pearl Cohn-Haywood game, Anderson County will be going home with the gold ball. No disrespect to Pearl Cohn, because that was one of the best football games I've ever watched, but they are going to need to find some defense if they expect to beat Anderson County. But they do have some dudes over there, looking forward to a good game.

You're welcome. Now go win that gold ball!

Those comfortable wins aren’t too comfortable when the big games are played based on previous years.

The simple definition is a male cat. I’m surprised you did not know that! In a football sense, the definition of a Tomcat differs very little from that of a Tiger, Hornet, Bulldog, Firebird, Maverick, etc… A Tomcat (just like a Firebird) is an athlete who possesses confidence, strength, agility, endurance, intelligence, adaptability, motivation… Need I go on? As you should know, a mascot (such as a Tomcat or Firebird) gives a team a sense of identity and character. The mascot usually exemplifies the traits I mentioned above. As the story goes, Haywood was originally known as the “Cats.” In 1920, there were several players on the team with the last name Thomas, so "Tomcats" began as the name "Thomas Cats." I hope that satisfies your curiosity. In anticipation of your next question or comment, girls’ teams at Haywood are known as “Lady Tomcats,” or "Lady Cats." Good luck to your Firebirds this weekend.

Let the young coach have time to work, went in on a tough situation, give him time to work.

I was watching that game for an hour before the Maryville game and the lineup card looked like they return half the starting lineup.

anybody got scores from this past Fridays Semi-final paired gainst them Booger Pickins Booger just sayin

That's exactly what Red Bank did to them in the first half. AC turned the ball over on downs inside the 5. Red Bank went 96 yards on a pass. AC shut them out second half and scored 29 unanswered points. I'm not saying they'll do that to PC. Only saying they've been there before and didn't panic or lose composure.

True with Haywood that was shoot out. Almost like who every has the ball last wins. Mavs have been there in the past but new defensive coach has eliminated that and made some pretty big adjustments. Still believe AC has been tested and are pretty smart now. Last week the Mud was something we really never had to deal with and UTC should be perfect turf for AC. They took UT 7X7 and ranked Nationally in 7X7 and yet it's just 7X7 but that is actually just one piece to the AC skill set.

Congrats to Decatur Riverside for avenging two earlier losses. Clearly the Panthers have earned their way to the Championship game with solid play on both sides of the ball. Total scores for both teams in the 14 games - Riverside has outscored the Rams 540-538. Tyner has been stingier on the defensive side allowing only 100 points while Riverside has given up 274. It is hard to know who has played the tougher schedule though I think it is clear that Riverside hasn't played anyone near as good as Alcoa who gave the Rams their only loss. Many people feel that both 1A and 2A football is better in West TN than it is in the East. It is very likely Riverside will be the best 2A team Tyner has seen this year - possibly by a lot. Likewise, I doubt Riverside has played a team as athletic as Tyner. Can Tyner's defense contain the combination of a tough nosed running back in #25 and an athletic QB in #11? It appears that Riverside has more of a passing threat than most of the playoff teams Tyner has played so far along with a strong ground attack. Will Riverside be able to slow down what has been a lethal combination of Ram playmakers on the outside - #3, #11, #6 (and others) and a solid ground game with #10 carrying the load for the Rams? QB #9 has mostly had time all year to find and hit the open receivers but Riverside looks to have a really solid d line and pass rush. Turnovers often tell the tale as well as how good of a defensive and offensive game plan the coaching staffs can put together. The Rams are loaded with Seniors who have been extremely focused and have stayed confident without getting cocky and overlooking their competition. I am really excited about the opportunity Tyner has in front of them and like their chances to pull out a victory. Go Rams!!!

Metro have the most undisciplined players in the state, metro coaches these days aren’t very good, metro coaches can’t win big games, metro football isn’t good anymore, metro will not win a gold ball no time soon, etc etc etc. Now look at metro with 2 teams playing for a state championship this week. EN and PC have some great coaches and players and having did an amazing job this season. PC lost their first 2 games and everybody counted them out. EN lost their last 2 games and everybody counted them out as well. Now look at them both playing for a gold ball Friday and Saturday.

Not disagreeing with most of that, however I would say player develop (technique, not being “soft”, etc.) falls on the staff. Beech doesn’t have a huge line by any means, however they have a great offensive line coach and a great workout program. They are taught a system at both Beech and Oakland. They become better football players over four years. They develop camaraderie in the programs. That isn’t talent. That’s coaching and culture. I would argue that Gallatin hasn’t had any of that in a number of years.

And I guarantee we won’t lose to Tyner.

I was there. It WAS fun to watch. My tougher team today in Cocke County. First good test for our guys.