OBWON

I sat down last night and for the first time read through every post on this thread and have made a disturbing conclusion. While I love the sport of football it seems that for some it has become an idol, a god, their passion and their religion. They even hold their worship services (pep rallies) on the Church of Christ property. God probably loves looking down on that one. Gold balls are your idols and you worship in the shrine of THS. You make your coaching staff into god-like men changing nothings into somebodies. Please keep your zealousness in check. . .just look at how you turned on your own team when they didn't play as well as you would have liked in the rain last week. The young man that feels like a failure because they fell short of a state championship is wrong. Winning a football game is not everything. As you parade your rituals and revelry around Milan Friday night remember this. At the end of the day its just a game.

No one believes Milan will be sleeping. I just feel bad for Westview, Trenton, Milan and/or JCS: that any one of these teams has to play through this line-up again. Whoever advances will be sufficiently spent by the time they get to Goodpasture or Alcoa. Good luck to all! On behalf of JCS fans we are proud to be a part of such a strong region.

I thought alot about those penalties you refer to last night while watching the LSU/Alabama game. LSU was heavily penalized and they probably deserved everyone of them. If you hold it should be called. And, if you hold, of course there will be big gains.

"by the way, will the JCS faithful be clad in black again?" We don't know yet. . . Coaches call the theme for each game. One point about the last time when we referred to a "storm brewing". . . I think Milan fans thought we were bragging about bringing it to Milan when we didn't mean that at all. . . The storm metaphor was that Milan is like a hurricane: strength can be measured, and path can be projected; while JCS is like a tornado. . . more unpredictable and swift to strike unaware. Either case umbrellas are laughable.

Very well put, Metfan. Glad you had the opportunity to say this.

It's incredible how public this thing has been in the past two years. Whether it is posted on CoachT or not, everyone knows the situation and discusses it among circles. When this happened both boys were young. . . sophomores. Coach Marley was dealing with alot of uncertainty at the time and probably acted in a way he regretted, but this wasn't just about a QB position decision. . . he handled the situation very badly. His comments after the game Friday night were an attempt to soften the hard feelings felt by so many, but I couldn't help but feel he knew he had to say something nice and it was the best he could do. Don't get me wrong Marley has had his great moments in coaching and mentoring young men, but for this community most everyone (USJ fan or JCS fan) considers the action regarding Matt as one of Marley's "darkest" moments. As far as Bill. . .Bill is having a great year and Friday night will not diminish his impressive performance this season. Congratulations to him on that! Matt is and will be successful, and maybe more so because of these trials. So, who can say it was a mistake?

Can anyone tell us why USJ's homecoming is so late this year? They could have chosen this Friday's game for their homecoming.

For a moderator you sure do like to split hairs. ha!

And "Black Friday" may become a tradition at JCS (at least once a year) . . . a Black Sea! The JCS fans were GREAT! Reminiscent of some of the play-off games from last year. Must mention how much respect I have for Calvin Shaw and Carl Diffee. They were congratulating their JCS friends after the game. Hats off to you!

Nice analysis. Thanks for your thoughts. I know many TCA fans are putting their hopes in this year's team. If this is TCA's year in 1A, I do pray that no one suffers a season-ending injury this week along with the other fan who prayed for this. That is a critical issue. So, to continue your analysis: the team with the most to lose from injuries: TCA

The back-up QB came in and led an impressive march down the field and scored again with a long pass, so don't think that an injured Matt will shut-down the JCS offense. Matt is a great QB, but there is depth at this position, as with others. Depth of the game will come into play as stated by Reitzfan. JCS has always been a very physical team. They are known for how physical they can be; i.e. they have played well against many teams who have out-sized them.

The point of my statement about being the first (if you reread it) was to say that we hope there are many more state championships for Jackson. What is good for Jackson is good for all of us individually. I'm curious why you are so offended by the statement. Were you part of the Jackson High School program back then? I certainly don't want to take anything away from those teams. I never read a "retraction" from the Sun either. I do know they rephrased their statement to say that this is the first state championship in football since the TSSAA instituted the play-off system. Also, I do know that it is not the first time the Jackson Sun referred to a team attaining the first state championship. In past years when a Jackson area team was playing deep into the playoffs they would refer to whether Jackson would see their first state championship this year or not. My feeling is that under the current TSSAA system of play-offs, to go 35-40 years without a state championship, and then finally you bring one home. . .that is certainly newsworthy. And a great claim for the victor. Sorry, but it is.

Didn't we exhaust this subject last year? OK, from the time they instituted the playoff system . . . . JCS didn't make that claim initially. . . only after it was published in the Jackson Sun.

I rest my case. Child-like behavior (immaturity) and exaggerated bragging (insecurity) are the things at issue with you. Not whether you have a different opinion. A lot of people have a different opinion here on these boards, but they don't act like you act. I'm beginning to think this person isn't a TCA player or fan. . .just someone trying to make TCA look horrible.

Smack talk like this is from someone who is immature and insecure, frankly. I'm glad TCA has a good football team this year. I wish them the best in their class. JCS is the first State Champs in football in Jackson, and I hope (sincerely) to see other area schools enjoy the same incredible experience we had at JCS this past year. Remember, JCS gave God the honor and glory for what happened here, so don't expect us to engage in "luck" discussions about last year. Congratulations to Westview for their success thus far. Now that's an awesome team. p.s. JCS coaching staff and their ability to adjust to any opponent will favor JCS in this match-up.

I'll say one last word on this subject. . . she called the comment "unChristian". It was. Does it mean that this person is condemned to h-. . . NO! Does it mean that she or anyone else has never said "unChristian" things. . . NO! She called a spade, a spade in this case. PERIOD!

Christian means "Christ-like". If your comments would be something Christ would say then you are living up to the name of "Christian". If they aren't, then this mom is right. There lies the test. What would Jesus say?

JCS just put ". . .based on a true story" on the "Facing the Giants" movie title. JCS experienced a miracle this season and they answered the question "what is impossible with God?". . . NOTHING! That doesn't mean they have the formula for asking God to do their bidding. He is God and he chooses when He wants to demonstrate His power in the hearts of men. So, when He does do it in dramatic fashion we just say "Praise God". Seniors, WOW! Rashad, Clay, Greg, Jon, Alex, Cody, Trey, Andrew, Cliff, and Seth. You are our heroes! Don't ever forget how you got here. Matt, God has been good to you. . . 45 yd. punt, touchdown pass. You have been faithful in honoring Him, your family, and yourself. We love you and your family so much. One testimony about our coaches: there were two junior players on the field yesterday who had never played football before this season. That's good coaching. To the rest of the team. . . we will have fun for a long time off of this. Get ready 2007 ! This post has been edited by OBWON: 10 minutes ago

JCS just put ". . .based on a true story" on the "Facing the Giants" movie title. JCS experienced a miracle this season and they answered the question "what is impossible with God?". . . NOTHING! That doesn't mean they have the formula for asking God to do their bidding. He is God and he chooses when He wants to demonstrate His power in the hearts of men. So, when He does do it in dramatic fashion we just say "Praise God". Seniors, WOW! Rashad, Clay, Greg, Jon, Alex, Cody, Trey, Andrew, Cliff, and Seth. You are our heroes! Don't ever forget how you got here. Matt, God has been good to you. . . 45 yd. punt, touchdown pass. You have been faithful in honoring Him, your family, and yourself. We love you and your family so much. One testimony about our coaches: there were two junior players on the field yesterday who had never played football before this season. That's good coaching. To the rest of the team. . . we will have fun for a long time off of this. Get ready 2007 !

"If I know Clay he won`t dwell on it, but the ball belonged to him." If you know Clay then you would know he would not even give it a thought much less 'dwell on it'. Let's not create negative feelings coming off such an inspiring season. However, thanks for your positive comments. I do realize this board is for the airing out of opinions, but I feel equally strong that the statement this team has made this season should be resounded over and over again. . . it is a team of brothers.

VolGen, I have pretty much respected your comments until this one. . . totally uncalled for. You would never hear Clay complain about what you suggest. JCS is about a team, not a collection of individuals. A Band of Brothers. Both QB's are our brothers. Who cares who takes the knee. . . oh, maybe people who's focus is on self. You'll never know the spirit of brotherhood that exists on this team. How could a team with no "Mr. Football" nominees win state? Because they play as a team. God is to be praised above all! ! !

Thank you, Gridiron47, for your support of JCS and your affirmation of the Big God we serve. Congratulations, also, to the TCA Lions on a tremendous season! Let's just keep in mind that God loves us all so much. He loves our kids more than we do. . . is he not going to bless them* even more when they acknowledgement HIM. The Eagles feel so blessed right now to be in the state finals. They are praising God already. He is giving us incredible joy and love for one another right now that months ago I would have said it would have taken a miracle to produce. So, naturally, we are giving him the credit. No other explanation is reasonable to this team or school. Re: weather. . . everyone be safe in your travels to MTSU this Friday. We will all warm it up when we get there.

God can do whatever he wants to do. . .he has performed many signs and wonders in the Bible times. . .can he not do it now? If not, then why do we pray? I have seen healings that couldn't be explained. If kids pray asking God to help them on the football field then I believe he can do that if he chooses. Maybe no one else is asking (because they've been taught God doesn't help in contests like football games, . . .). Just suppose for a minute, what if a group of young men ask collectively that God be glorified in their efforts. . . I'm not going to say God doesn't show up in answer to their prayer. He's God. This is good discussion if for no other reason than to ponder why 4 Christian schools land in the finals of the state championship. If one person reading these posts turns his heart toward God, then just maybe God does work through football.

We all know that USJ self-reported. It serves as a high standard for everyone. I applaud them. But, if MphsTigerfan thinks that athletes don't have to pay tuition he is the one that is wrong, thus my post.

Mphstigerfan, I have read your posts and one theme runs through them all, you are a very bitter person about private schools. Can you not take out your frustrations on the thread for that discussion? Re: your comment. . .remember USJ lost their state title in baseball two years ago because two players' tuition payment was more than 60 days late (the school was being merciful, but TSSAA rules say it has to be timely or else). They were stripped of their title for not paying the tuition on time.