where's the love?

I will give props to Maryville for the dominance they have had in 4A. They are a force to be reckoned with. They deserve all of the credit for which they have earned. They would contend and beat most 5A schools in the state, but I don't think that they would easily win those gold balls in 5A. I'd love to see them play Dobyns Bennett this year. It would be a heck of a game.

You talking about what could be a great game. This will come down to either field goals and/or turnovers. I'm not expecting much offense from these two teams that have great defenses.

Who would have predicted Oak Ridge missing the playoffs back in August? Looking at the schedules, they have a lot tougher schedule remaining than WB or McMinn. I'm not counting them out until they are eliminated, but without thier QB it doesn't look good.

From your post, I'm positive that you haven't seen DB play this year. I didn't see the Bearden game, but I did see the game last night. Sevier County is a good team. DB has a team of playmakers that 3-4 guys could take it to the house on any play. Don't get me started about thier defense. It's the best defense in the state bar none! I'd love to see a Maryville/DB matchup under the lights on a Friday night, but that won't happen until Maryville comes to play with the big boys in 5A.

It was a great game. My hat goes off to SC and they way the fought hard and deserved to win the game. Unfortunately, we'll probably see them again. I must say that I am so proud of the DB kids who fought hard and didn't give up. Championship teams find ways to pull out close games. Coach Clark, great call on that last offensive play!

I can't argue with that pick. How do you argue against state championships that they both have?

I would dare say that Alcoa turns out as many, if not more D1 prospects than Brentwood or Riverdale does on a yearly basis. Thier student enrollment may be 2A, but I know many 5A schools wouldn't want them on thier schedule.

I definitely think that South will win big, but I was really impressed with the way Betsy moved the ball on DB in the first half. They had a couple of turnovers and the wheels fell off the wagon. If South can score quickly, I think it will get ugly.

Two bad games back to back. Either ya'll are really unlucky or maybe you're just not that good. I'm leaning towards not that good. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, well, it must be a duck!

I grew up un Knoxville and saw many good Central teams. I saw them get beat repeatedly by Oak Ridge when they were in the same region. Last week Tennessee High, which is supposed to have a great team this year, lost to Dobyns Bennett 41-7. Maryville will compete, but thier long line of championships will come to a screeching halt when they move up to the big boys.

Last thing I wish Maryville would stay in 4A because there is little competion at the 5A level in East TN. Are you kidding me? Aside from Maryville, what 4a schools could compete with Oak Ridge, Dobyns Bennett, and Ooltewoh? I would love for Maryville to come to 5a because that would make things so much more interesting in 4a and 5a. It would still be tough to beat Maryville, but all 3 of these schools would compete with Maryville.

Maryville has been the symbol of excellence in high school football in Tennessee. I don't think they are challenged in 4a anymore. I'd love to see them move up and play 5a. They'd still be successful, but they would face tougher competition in 5a teams.

I've been in a bunch of high school stadiums and I have never seen anythning like J Fred Johnson where Dobyns Bennett plays. It's amazing how many people turn out week in and week out to see the Indians play.

All I'm saying is that I think it will be a good game. We see where all that smack talikng got you last week.

If South is terrible and the defending MLC champion, what does that make Tennessee High, which was runnerup? A wise man once said, "To be the man, you have to beat the man."