srupley

Where are you getting your information, just curious?

True, unfortunatley for 5A-R1 Jefferson County is down. There are alot of schools in 4A Region 1 and 2, maybe we could convince them to play up...haha. As of today, Sullivan South, Tennessee High, and most definatley Morristown West could compete on the 5A level, in Region 1 atleast, but when it came playoff time I don't know how that would reflect on playoff wins. It's just a problem that for now may be somewhat impossible to fix.

Appreciate it. I can understand why DB would want to schedule William Blount and Oak Ridge. William Blount has given us a game in the playoffs the past few years and are a possible playoff opponent. The rivalry with Oak Ridge goes alot deeper than the South rivarly since the Atomic City and Model City worked together to construct the atomic bomb not to mention that they are possible playoff opponent. Tennessee High I can also understand for the immediate future since they are a team from the Tri-Cities and I think this city to city rivalry is a good idea for bragging rights not to mention year in and year out Tennessee High is a good team. HOWEVER, WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO SCHEDULE ELIZABETHTON AT THIS POINT. I don't wish to take away from the program in Elizabethton but a game with the cyclones will not better the Indians down the stretch. Schedule another 5A team from say Region 2, 3, or 4 but not a weak 4A Region 1. I would keep South over Elizabethton at this rate. On the other hand, with South picking up Boone that will help at the ticket box and since they have met the past two years in the first round of the playoffs it seems logical. Adding Science Hill is also a good move from the Rebels as well as the Hilltoppers. South is a little stiffer competition than Central, Elizabethton, and Cherokee, not taking away from their programs, just stating the consensus. DB playing out of conference opponenets William Blount, Oak Ridge, Tennessee High is fine but the AD needs to look for a heck of a better opponent in Week 0 than Elizabethton. Science Hill picking up Sullivan South, hanging on to Tennessee High and hopefully searching for two other, better, opponents to fill in the remaining gaps would be nice. Lets write e-mails to the AD's. Maybe they'd hear us loud and clear if we were in their proverbial ear (yeah, they might not reply to the e-mail but I would guarantee they would read them). Dobyns Bennett Atheltic Director, Cary Daniels cdaniels@k12k.com Science Hill Athelic Director, Keith Turner turnerk@jcschools.org

Alot of talk going on about Dobyns Bennett needing to beef up their schedule. I totally agree, but Science Hill also needs to be included in this topic. This past season Dobyns Bennett played 4A's Elizabethton, Sullivan South, Tennessee High and 5A Oak Ridge and Science Hill played 4A's Elizabethton, Sullivan Central, Tennessee High and Cherokee. These out of conference opponents are crap games if you want to compete for the 5A state title. Money is not what it is all about, nor is rivalry really worth it come playoff time. Does anybody have any information about the out of conference games for these teams 2007 season?

I know this is a Dobyns Bennett thread, but we should also talk about Science Hill, not only their scheduling (which could be debated as a worse problem than Dobyns Bennett) but also the caliber of their program in relation to the their number of students. Does anybody know Sullivan South's and Science Hill's out of conference opponents as well?

Does anybody know Dobyns Bennetts out of conferences opponents for next year?

Good post. Dobyns Bennett, a traditionally winning program, and up and coming Sullivan South are a testiment to Kingsport football. Not to forget Sullivan North, although with fewer skills players they still give you their best always. Kingsport football is to be respected. Our approach may be wrong, but year in and year out we are succesful. Geography and location may be a deterant to change, money is as well, but Kingsport football is still to be respected. The rest of the state can sing their praises and glories, 4 other #1 seeds lost. A #1 seed (statewide or regionally) does not mean your invinsible, it means you should be in the game the whole game, as we were. Take that into consideration. Go Indians, Go Rebs, Go Raiders.

Ok, thanks.

Just leaving the opportunity to speculate open. Post as you wish.

#29 Science Hill Hilltoppers @ #2 Ooltewah Owls The Nest Ooltewah, TN 7:00 p.m. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions concerning this first round matchup. Please keep this topic clean and the discourse intelligent.

#24 William Blount Governors @ #1 Dobyns Bennett Indians J. Fred Johnson Stadium Kingsport, TN 7:00 p.m. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions concerning this first round matchup. If you have any questions concerning Dobyns Bennett feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability. Please keep this topic clean and the discourse intelligent.

Not to take anything away from my Kingsport Dobyns Bennett Indians, but unless Coach Clark and the Indian offense decides to show up, William Blount will be in the game til the end. The Science Hill game tonight was a great effort by the Indian defense. Science Hill was bigger and stronger, but nonetheless we held fast. Coach Clark apparently played VERY conservative. Throwing the ball is what is winning games, it is beyond me why we continue to try and grind the ball out up the middle with scat backs. GIVE ME LANE TAYLOR AND HE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE PROMISE LAND UP THE MIDDLE! Justin Sylvester and Marchez Barnes deserve to catch the ball out in the flat and take the option and sweep around the end, but a true fullback needs to run the ball up the middle, not "insert linebacker here". Dobyns Bennett's keys to victory against the Gov's is to do what it does best, throw the ball. Throwing the ball to Coty Sensabaugh, handing the ball off up the middle to Lane Taylor, and optioning the ball with Justin Sylvester/Marchez Barnes on the outside will help lead the Indians to victory. All we ask, as fans, is that you show up guys...this could be the year, reach down deep and find it inside you. See the Walk Hear the Drums Fear the Tribe Bub from Kingsport

Bo has an act for the heroic. He has had a few come from behind wins in his 2 years starting at quarterback. Although mobile, I sometimes wonder if Bo feels pressure. To clarify, Bo is elusive and can scramble away from quick linebackers and d-line, he's good when their in line of sight. However, I do not think Bo can sense pressure well. It'll be interesting to see.

It could just as easily be DB 21 Ooltewah 14, am I right? Let's all just be real...it could just as easily be William Blount v. Sevier Co. playing for the chance to play Riverdale. We #1's seem to have a hard time with going deep into the playoffs. If the NFL has taught us anything, home field advantage in the post season means nothing.

If Knox Farragut passed all over Ooltewah and the way DB has beaten their more challenging opponents is by passing the ball, wouldn't that mean DB has a pretty good chance at beating the Owls. DB would most likely not be able to run the ball against the Owls because we don't run consistently enough. The Owls may have a great front 7, I will concede that point because they are obviously getting it done. However, I ask that you don't overlook DB's linebacker core. I have yet to see any running back of any caliber break it outside. Three starting senior linebackers with another senior substitute looks good to me. They have clogged up holes all year and yes, that means next year we will be lacking so don't bring that point up its obvious and apparent. DB wins by confusing the offense with continual stunts and random blitzs. It's the way we have always made up for lack of size. Most teams can't handle it for a whole game. Like I stated before, allowing an average of 7 points a game is nothing to look over. The Owls on average allow 14 points a game. Saying DB and Ooltewah make it to the 3rd round to play, its a toss up and we'll speculate in a month. DB does seem to have the slight edge because it is a team studded with seniors with experience. Riverdale does appear to be more prone to be beaten than they have been in years. If you can pass, do it and do it well. Coaches need to make sure to score touchdowns instead of field goals. Riverdale will score, it will just depend on how much time a defense can run off the clock before they do and between scores. I don't think it will be a track race with Riverdale, it will boil down to a strong defense having to play a complete game.

For rivarlys sake, I hope Oak Ridge is back next year. Being related cities, the Atomic City and Model City hold football as a tradition and it has been the most anticipated game of the early football season in 5A in years past. Let's keep the winning tradition of not only this rivarly alive, but also for each programs sake. Best of luck to Oak Ridge next year. Take it home baby. -Bub, in Kingsport

5A Region 1 is obviously weaker than 5A Region 2. You have to look at the school locations for that. Dobyns Bennett and Science Hill are forced to play out of conference games against inferior opponents because to play other 5A prospective playoff opponents we would have to travel to Knoxville or further a few more times each year than we already do; unfortunatley its not economical and its tough to ask our fan base to travel every week. I would like to see Dobyns Bennett and Science Hill playing more 5A teams, the Elizabethtons, Sullivan Centrals, and Tennessee Highs of 4A won't cut it but I would say that Heritage and Soddy Daisy might play like their on the 4A level. Nonetheless, I do feel most teams in Region 2 are down with the exception of Ooltewah. Attending every Dobyns Bennett game I've seen how DB stacked up against 5A Region 1's #2 and #3. Knox Bearden held us close on our offensive miscues and turnovers. In the end throwing the ball led us to victory. Sevier Co. again held us in check with offensive miscues and turnovers and again in the end passing the ball around led us to victory. Look for us, Dobyns Bennett, to be throwing the ball in the playoffs with a trick play here and there to put us over the top. Home field advantage looms large in early rounds; with the exception of William Blount and Ooltewah years ago who beat us with one player. One thing that can be assured this year, however, is that Dobyns Bennetts defense is dominate. Outscoring our opponents 320-63 and holding our opponents to an average of 7 points a game is stout. DB's trek for a state championship will henge on the creativity of Coach Graham Clark and the Indians offense. If DB can score 3+ touchdowns per game in the first three rounds of the playoffs we might be talking serious contender against Riverdale. However, as you all know, although talented and dominate here at DB...we are king of choking. Personally, being a storied rival of Oak Ridge I feel pitty for Oak Ridge not making the playoffs. What a minute, no I don't, stinks for the Atomic City chaps and I proud to say that Dobyns Bennett opened up the vulnerability of the 'Cats. So to the playoff outlook. I agree with most of you that it will look as follows: First Round: William Blount at Dobyns Bennett Knox Bearden at Knox Farragut Science Hill at Ooltewah McMinn Co. at Sevier Co. Outcomes of round one will most likely be with the #1's and #2's winning, but in a tighter game than expected. I give my tilt to the Sevier Co. Smoky Bears for their potential to be explosive. Destroying pass happy Knox Bearden last week gives testimony to that. McMinn Co. has, however, won 5 straight so look for this to be the match up of the week. Ooltewah should not take Science Hill lightly. Though not exceptionally talented on offense Science Hill's defense can usually keep them in the game for 3 quarters, look for Ooltewah to take it home on the Hill in the 4th. William Blount will give Dobyns Bennett all they want, but I believe its the Indians run defense and key turnovers that will lead them into the second round. Knox Farragut, if they show up should win this game. Knox Bearden however, if allowed to gain momentum will have a chance. Once again though, look for the #1's and #2's winning. Second Round: Knox Farragut at Dobyns Bennett Sevier Co. at Ooltewah Outcomes of round two will be very interesting as well. Depending on which Knox Farragut team shows up will decide how well Dobyns Bennett will play. If given the opportunities via turnovers or lack of momentum look for Dobyns Bennett to systematically win. I pick Dobyns Bennett in this one. The Sevier Co. and Ooltewah match up looks to be a good one. Sevier Co. has an offense that is able to score quickly through the air and on the ground with a consistent and shifty quarterback. Look for Ooltewah to win this one late in the air, but don't underestimate the Smoky Bears they were 30 seconds away from defeating us at J. Fred. Third Round: Dobyns Bennett at Ooltewah The outcome of this game is obviously dependent upon the outcome of the previous weeks. If all works out right this match up should occur, but given the chance other teams might appear here as well. If so, look for this game to be a low scoring affair with Dobyns Bennett possibly winning it through the air. Either way, either team will have their hands full with Riverdale. Best of luck to all, it will be an interesting few weeks. -Bub, from Kingsport