PackOfWolves

I do. Melrose and Fairley have better overall talent. The difference comes in the execution of their schemes. East is multiple in their offensive attack. This is why I think it is hard to stop them. One week it is the option, next week zone, next week power game, next week wing-T. They posses all of these running attacks. Parker is becoming a more confident passer. He can make all of the throws, plus he is a serious running threat. Defensively, they are solid. They could be better, but the multiple schemes get them through. Coach can adjust well during the course of a game. You never know from week to week what he is going to attack you with defensively. As long as the kids do not make assignment mistakes on this side, the D will be solid. They have a very good staff and the kids believe in the system. They have the biggest and strongest line. This is why I give East the edge over the rest in the region.

We play at the Fairgrounds. They have more fans at our game no matter where we play. The Head Coach has been here since 2006. He is Marcus Wimberly (Memphis East / Miami Hurricane alum; Atlanta Falcons). The thing that worries me about the rematch is that we don't have the same mental breakdowns as the last game and give up big plays. Coach was trying a new defensive scheme and I think it showed. They will be better this time around I'm sure.

About the same. Parker has thrown for over 1000 yards. Not as many touchdowns (11), he had a bumpy start of the season. He is much better now. We are similar in many ways.

Our strength is your strength. We ran right at them. The game ended up being close because we fumbled on 2 presumable scoring drives twice with the QB/RB exchange (deep in their territory). You know momentum is something else in a big game. The score was 30 - 6 at half if I'm not mistaken. We stifled their running game with only four D-linemen rushing (very little blitz), so that helped us vs. the pass.

It is quite funny how everyone thinks that Melrose will beat East. You all are talking as if East has no coaching staff and will not be ready for Melrose to adjust to and try to stop the option. It is like I told you before, East is not an option team. They saw something that worked and kept running it. They have a balanced running attack and have the ability to throw the football. East made mistakes in that game just like Melrose, so to say that the game was won or lost with that one drive is insane. I remember before halftime East drove the ball to the Melrose 6 yardline only to have the center snap the ball while the QB was not ready for it and killed a scoring opportunity. Look, we will see Friday night. Coach was not happy with the performance on 10/31 so you best believe you will see a different team. I think they will be more on the attack this game. You forget that these are the region champs. They can score points in bunches. How many teams scored as many points on these teams as East has? Coach says they had a lot of assignment breakdowns that they will correct (especially on defense). East is the better team and I'm not just saying that to be a homer. They will just prove it on Friday night. As for HC, I hope you all do not think that Fairley will be a cake walk. We saw the strength of Region 7 Friday night. Fairley has good cover guys and will probably stack the box (no FS) to stop your run. I don't think your pass defense is that good, but you have Great pursuit. It will be a close game. Go Region 8!!!

No, East does not get penalized a lot.

On behalf of the East coaching staff, they have always swapped film since they took over in 2006. It was hard at first because of the reputation of the old staff.

He got most of it (and I mean most of it) in the first quarter. Coach made a personel change and changed the defensive front and pretty much held him under control. He is a good back. Downhill runner. You got to hit him and not let him outside. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield. His line is ok, not as good as last year. IMO.

East runs a multiple offense. About 60 - 40 run to pass. They have a power game, finesse game, and an option game. I would agree that the passing game is average. It comes down to the QB decision making in that area. He is pretty good now. There defense is multiple as well. It is a bend, but don't break. They give up yards between the 20's, but tighten up after that.

Trader B I have to disagree. One, it is not strictly an option offense. They do not live or die by the option. This team scored 30 on Fairley, 30 on Melrose, 32 on Kingsbury. Coach is not happy with their execution. So, keep giving Melrose props for nothing and we will just see. I'm sure East feels the same as you do, just in reverse. They will just keep winning. Coach has it on the team's t-shirt...Respect is comming...1 win at a time! Go East! Region 8 - 4A Champions

Excuse me for butting in, but he was deemed eligible for the Fairley game, but afterwards, CBHS pointed out some 20 mile radius rule that would make him ineligible to play. Just going off what I heard, don't know for sure. What I do know, is that he definately was not dressed out for the Fayette Ware game.

The kids seem pretty confident. It is a lot like it was against Fairley. Coach seems to be confident too but he is hard to read. He just says he is waiting on his kids to finish. They did not finish against Fairley. They scored all 30 points in the first half and let them of the hook with two turnovers in Fairley's territory. They did finish against Kingsbury though. Coach says that once they get past the emotional high of the rivalry, the kids will settle in and handle Melrose. He has them of the mindset that they are the #1 team in the region and they have been totaly disrespected by everyone because everyone expects Melrose to win. You know, the whole us against the world thing. "Go in to Orange Mound, on halloween, on their homecoming and take what is yours...the Region Championship". I think they are going in with a chip on their shoulder. So, to answer your question, it has been mental in the past, but I don't think that will be the problem Friday. JMO!

He is not eligible. He did not play. East is preparing to defeat Melrose.

Man, it is hard getting a little respect around here. It seems that everyone thinks Melrose will beat East without a doubt. I'm not complaining, you have to beat the Big Dog to be the Big Dog. So, it will be interesting to see what is said if East does come out on top. Getcha popcorn ready!! /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Heard some Melrose alumni talking about it. They said CBHS brought up some rule that would make him ineligible to play this year.

Well East fielded good teams in that time. They just have not beat Melrose for whatever reason. 2005, they went 9 - 1 with the lone loss to Melrose (inadvertent whistle helped but a loss all the same). Wimberly took over in 2006. I think it was a difference in philosophies on and off the field that contributed to the drop last couple of years along with a severe talent drop off. The groundwork started in 2006. It takes a couple of years to change the culture of any orginization. This team is mostly made up of guys that started playing at East when Wimberly took over. The team GPA is up to about 2.6 - 2.7. You can't play unless you have at least a 2.0. 90% of the seniors are qualified and it looks like 100% of the juniors will be qualified before next year. They have a new weight room (didn't have an operating weight room when he took over), new uniforms, new attitude. He is an East High alum, so it means a lot to him. He says he is trying to build a winning program where recruiters know that his guys are qualified. He tells them, "I don't want you scoring touchdowns in the name of East High and you can't qualify to attend someone's university." He was an honor student himself and teaches engineering classes. So, academics are a top priority. Check out their website: www.memphiseast.com. Some of this is spelled out on there. I think they will be good for years to come. He has said that he attributes the weight room and instilling his four principles to be the two biggest reasons for the turnaround.

therealgame The team is very confident. They realize they are the underdog, but they like it that way. They know this is their chance to prove to everyone how good they really are. The head coach is a former Hurricane and you can see his swagger starting to spill over to the team. East has not beat Melrose since '99. The team says this is the year that the tide turns. They feel they can go far into the playoffs. The scary part is that the staff thinks they will be alot better next year. We will see! The new running back will not be able to play this season from what I've heard. Don't know the details, but I do not believe that he dressed out for the last game.

therealgame East had some injuries to a couple of their startng linemen that game and two weeks prior. They tried out a new center and was experimenting with the offense. The offense didn't play very well needless to say, but they got the win. On top of that, East discovered some decent back-ups at various positions which will help for the long haul. They were 100% healthy for Kingsbury and one of their top skill guys was healthy enough for the first time to play the last game. I do not believe that Kingsbury will have a problem with Raleigh Egypt.

I think they will. We have not beaten Melrose since 1999. The East O-line is BIG and coming into their own. The line just took over the Kingsbury game. The Commercial Appeal stats were not accurate. On unapproved website, East accumulated over 400 yards of offense. Defensively, they have gotten better. Hunters yardage was a result of a new defensive look. Once they settled in, he was slowed considerably. They are healthy and this bye week helps. They have all their linemen and one of their top skill guys has come back. He had a pick vs. Kingsbury. It should be a classic, but if the HOGS come to play, I think East will come out on top as long as the D does not give up too many big plays. I also believe that we will beat whoever we play in the first round. As for HC, our line is fairly big and strong as well. It will come down to conditioning and depth. I don't think that HC has been in a real fight yet like the region 8 teams. I believe that each region 8 team poses a different problem to the opposition. East - power running game/multiple front defense. Melrose - really good passing game/fast defense. Fairley - finesse and speed/solid defense. If HC makes it to the fourth round, then I will say that they are battle tested to win state. None of the region 8 teams will be an easy win.

Hey, now it's getting exciting. I can't wait for week 10 and beyond. Playoff time is here!!

Red Warrior It will come down to the defenses. Your comment above maybe true, but East's passing game is probably better than Melrose's running game. Not sure, we will see. The X-factor is special teams. It could come down to this phase of the game.

Not so fast my friends. It is not a guarantee that Melrose will beat East. Remember, East beat Fairley. East scored 30 by half time and should have scored two other times but had 2 unforced turnovers (QB - RB exchange). They handled Kingsbury with relative ease, Fairley struggled. Raleigh Egypt was close, but two of their best linemen were out (1 played a half) and Coach Wimberly was experimenting with his offense, albeit almost cost them. White Station was a let down game that I think the kids learned a lot from. No excuses, just saying that you should wait and see what happens on the 31st. I wouldn't just give it to Melrose just yet. Maybe I am a homer. Only time will tell. Region 8 is very strong this year. HC will have a tough time getting past the top 3. All three tout good QB's and skill guys. HC may have to play 2 out of those three. Anything can happen, but I can assure you it will not be a cake walk through any of these 3 teams. I can't wait!!

Depends on the East/Kingsbury game. If East wins and Fairley wins, then East is in driver's seat (East 3-0 beat Fairely 2-1). East would have to beat Melrose though. A loss will create a 3 way tie.

He did not get surplussed. He is still alive and kicking at East High.

All of that aside, THIS East team is better than you think. There were a lot of different variables that went into the callapse of last season. Apparently, they look to be corrected. East went to Maplewood and played well. Should have won. Beat Wooddale soundly. The scary part is, there are not many seniors on this team that contribute. So, there is a lot of upside and I expect East to come back to where it was in the next few years. They are slowly and quietly building a foundation for a really good program. At times, you must take a few steps backwards before you can go forward. This Fairley game will tell the story on where this team is right now. I agree with kwc, it looks as though East is one of the top three based off the first two games. Only time (and these next two games) will tell.