Middle Tennessee Football

In overtime, Mitchell scored on the second play and went for two (how stupid) and didn't get it! Lipscomb has four plays to get 10 yards... I think they can do that! Only a turnover kills them. And then automatic Lehning for the game winning extra point... deja vu!

Nevermind DL is punting back with 1:24 to play. The best team always wins in overtime.

Milan is really good this year. I'm sorry they have to play Alcoa. Milan wants to win... Alcoa expects to win.

Tied at 25 with ~4 to play. Mitchell is about to punt it back to Lipscomb. I see Lehning kicking a game winner to end it.

You don't mess with Williamson or Rutherford County 5A football... it's an arms race and they are all good and all always looking to get better.

I can't get the web broadcast to work, but I think it is 7-0 DL with 4 to play in the first.

I wanted to pick against the Mustangs at the start of the year, because I didn't think they would be able to replace their backfield. They actually did a great job of that and then Harrison Daniel got hurt. I don't think Saggio is enough of a threat as a ball carrier to make that wing-t truly dangerous.... But I can't see someone beating them for four quarters. It will have to be a mentally strong team. At first, I was leaning toward Mitchell in this game. I think at times Mitchell will look too much for DL, but I have this feeling that it is going to turn out a lot like last year's game. David Lipscomb pulls it out in the 4th quarter.

Oakland in a close one. Their physical style of play and mental toughness will allow them to beat a tough team like Ooltewah on the road.

What about Thomas (now at Marshall Co.),O'Conner (at Giles Co.), Scharsh (at Spring Hill), Herzog (at Page), or White (at Oakland) ?

With Bo Wallace, Tobias Houston, Josh Smith, and three of five on the o-line back... looks good for the Bobcat offense. Also, throw in a healthy Derico Brown to complement Tyler Watson, Cody Davis, and Zach Bailey at receiver... reloaded!

How many seniors did Mitchell lose from last year's team? What positions did they play? And how are the replacements doing? If Mitchell has good answers to these questions, I don't see why Mitchell can't pull off the mild upset.

While David Lipscomb is very good, I am not ready to crown them yet. There are clearly chinks in their armor, but they are small and you have to attack them deliberatly. David Lipscomb's line of scrimmage (offensive and defensive) is not as good as it has been in the past. If you look at game that DL has struggled in over the past few years (Goodpasture, Fulton, Bolivar, Giles). You will see teams that run not throw. You will also see that the teams don't run wide, but rather right at them. Why is this successful? Because DL tends to be undersized up front. Most of the time they are slanting those front three to make up for their lack of size. The problem with beating them is that their linebackers and secondary are very good. It is a requirement that you be 6'3 and 200lbs to be a Mustang linebacker. Evan Webb, Michael Saggio, and Ben Brewer have a ton of experience. If you throw... don't throw it deep. Rogers is lurking back there and Kyle Lehning is good as well. You have to be content with running the ball, running the clock, and a steady intermediate passing game. Offensivley Lipscomb is a machine. Their play execution is outstanding and cannot be prepared for in a week's time. You have to have already been exposed to their system to have any chance of defending them for an entire game (Mitchell should be okay here in that they played them last year and obviously defended them well). But DL also has a couple of chinks on offense. The offensive guards are only around 200lbs so they won't be able to bring much punch once they get to you. They rely on timing and quickness. If Mitchell has a big, fast, front seven it could cause DL problems. Also, DL primary ball carrier is only a sophomore. Although he is good; he is still just a sophomore. Rogers is a threat to go all the way any time he touches the ball, but he can be taken away (Giles proved this last game). Saggio is a great linebacker, but just okay as a runner. Simpson is a talent at quarterback, but the system doesn't call for him to do too much. Lehning is a great second option at receiver, but I wouldn't call Lipscomb's passing game very sophisticated. I had better stop, because I am starting to convince myself that Lipscomb can be easily beat... they can't. You have to take care of the ball and not commit penalties. Also, you have to keep playing your game regardless of how good or bad you are playing. Example: Last year Bolivar came out and blasted DL... for 1 quarter. Then they got all happy with themselves and lost focus... DL came back. Then they quit doing what had given them success and DL blew them out. I don't know much about Mitchell other than they almost beat DL last year. How much did you lose off of that team? What are the strengths of your team this year?

Congrats to the Mustangs on another victory. Thanksgiving day practices have become the norm for the Mustangs. Big time props to the Bobcats of Giles County! I just didn't see you being able to play as good a game as you did during the regular season and you certainly proved me wrong. I said that there was no way DL would play as poorly on defense as they did the first meeting and they didn't... but Giles County still pushed the mustangs around for the better part of the night. The offensive gameplan and execution was still very good... two touchdowns and a field goal are very respectable against David Lipscomb's defense. Most teams don't put points until the DL subs are in. Giles County's defense had to be the surprise of the night. I thought they would play better but only giving up 10 pts. until that final minute... shocking really. I really did not think Zach Rogers could be taken away the way he was (8 rushes for 14yds and no catches!). The two goalline stands were surprising. Bo's pick was a very athletic play. He proved that he is a talent on defense as well (looked like the best player on the field on this night). Josh Smith had an outstanding night as well on the defensive side of the ball. You still have to give credit to the Mustangs for finding a way. No doubt the missed extra point breathed life back into them. Caleb Simpson was very composed on the last drive (especially considering that Giles was going to take Rogers away). He was aided by a great play by Hoelzer on the sidelline. The touchdown just worked out like a backyard play... great adjustment on the route by Lehning. With the poise of Simpson and the skill of the non-Rogers receivers on the last drive I understood how David Lipscomb was able to win the Vandy 7 on 7 this summer.

Alcoa may very well be the second best team in Tennessee and the second best dynasty for that matter. They have great players and great coaching. Lewis County is not on that level... just like another 100 teams in Tennessee, but that doesn't mean that they are not a very good football team and very good program for that matter.

You got to have more than a few horses in your stable to be able to run with the Mustangs!

I think both of these teams are good and have a real shot at getting to the championship game. I hope Station Camp gets a little revenge and wins the one that really matters!

My first thoughts on this game is that David Lipscomb wins a fairly tough game. Why? 1. Giles County will not be able to sneak up on an unalert Mustang squad. Won't be possible after the way the regular season game went. 2. Giles County had an unbelievable offensive performance last time running the ball and the clock. I don't see that how happens to a DL defense twice by the same team in the same year. 3. The game is at David Lipscomb. No explanation needed. 4. Zach Rogers is healthy. No explanation needed.

Congrats to Page on a fine season! This team has showed a great improvement over the last two years... just as Marshall County and Giles County have done under their new coaches. Most impressed by the Page defense. They make up for their lack of size on the defensive line by playing with desire and getting a bunch of blue helmets to the ball. Congrats to Giles County on the victory! Coach O'Connor has changed the football culture to the point where they expect to win. Unfortunatly for them, they won't be able to sneak up on David Lipscomb this time. The Mustangs will be ready... good luck.

Grimes, Capps, and Wisdom are all capable receivers. Neel needs to be the point guard and distribut the ball... not do it all on his own. Not sure who the weather favors. My first guess would be Giles County because they do go under center sometimes and run some power game right at you. Page does have some power run game right at you but I have never seen any from under center... might be a new wrinkle for this week. I would think the spread offense would not be as good in the rain, but I have also heard people say that the receivers have an advantage on the wet field because they know when they are going to cut.

I am willing to go out on a limb and say that they will be a playoff team next year. I saw the improvement this year... if they continue to work to improve it will be a good season for the Raiders next year.

Page winning would not be a huge upset in my opinion. They have been the most improved team in the region the last two years. If they continue to show that improvement in game 12 this year... they will win this game. My vote for Coach of the Year in the region is Coach Daniels at Page. David Lipscomb, Giles County, and Marshall County were all expected be in the playoffs. The Page staff prepared well to get that team step it up to the next level.

Congratulations to Lexington on the win! Congratulations to Marshall County on another successful year; although I'm surprised your season ended in round one.

Congrats to the Patriots!

Congrats to the Mustangs!

Congrats to both sets of Bobcats! Giles County, congrats on the win.