Cactus Jack

Clinton can score with the good skill guys they have, if Josh Keith is healthy and on, he can cause real problems for the Cherokees and the Kees best not get too far behind early. I think the lines both favor McMinn, and Clinton's defense is suspect against the run and that is what McMinn does. Definate edge to McMinn in the kicking game as well....I think it will be McMinn by a score of 21-12.

I watched the East Hamilton vs Rhea County game on YouTube and EH should have won the game. but a disastrous high snap cost them a safety and turned the ball over to Rhea at mid field after the free kick. Rhea didn't throw two passes all night, but they were very effective running the football and used up a lot of time, especailly at the end driving for the go ahead points. EH has some good athletes and is more balanced between run and pass. the running back is pretty good. So, OR needs to be ready to play a ball game Friday night and not let EH hang around and make it close, because they have a very good kicker too.

One thing to remember is don't get in a close game with Farragut and give them the ball last, they always have a good kicker who can hit 50 in and that will beat you....

If OR is not ready they may get a dogfight out for EH. Hope all the walking wounded are back this week. I think those four teams down there are about even, just who wins on the right nights. McMinn is a puzzle, they have a good defense, good lines and a good run game, but zero passing game, Clinton can be a very explosive offense but their defense is very suspect and I suspect their lines are no match for the big chunky Cherokees. If McMinn gets up early and plays the way they did against OR, using the clock, I think they will win.

Having now seen both play, I don't think DB has the depth or team speed to match up for 4 quarters with the Bulldogs, which can play fresh linemen on both sides of the ball. and they have two fast backs that can run and the quarterback is capable of throwing over the top on you. Bearden's defense is suspect to a team that can throw and has speed, but that is not DB. DB absolutely has to run the ball consistently and have long drives and get some kind of score off each one, even field goals and hope Bearden has a post Bradley hangover. It might be close first half, but I think Bearden pulls away in the 3rd quarter and wins by 35-17.

I have heard that within coaching circles, I heard he is out at ETSU and will be back at 825 next season......

I watched on YouTube ESPN Tri Cities and one thing that struck me was there seemed to be a lack of speed on both sides of the ball for DB. It showed on defense as they could not cover receivers at time (and yes the PI that led to the Science Hill TD was bad, maybe should have even been called as an offensive PI on the receiver, but more likely just a no call). On offense, the play calling on the overtime possession I wondered about. Running the quarterback wide on first down? I know it worked for the TD earlier, but the Hilltoppers were ready for that, and then a throw into the end zone and a run on 3rd and goal at the 10? Hilltopper running backs gashed the Indians and chewed up clock too, just lucky with that high snap or Science Hill might have cashed in there and it would have been over. then in the OT, the Hilltoppers easily scored. I also agreed wth the announcers that the Hilltoppers won the battle up front on both sides of the ball. Really feel for the Indians going to Bearden, having seen the Bulldogs live, they don't play linemen both ways and can run and throw the ball.

In 6A, Bradley has to be the favorite after their thumping of Bearden last night, but beware of a rematch later in the playoffs, In 5A, Oak Ridge may get a couple of rounds but depth will hurt them if they take injuries against either West or Powell, so I would say on the East side, the West vs Powell winner vs I don't know much about the West side. I like AC to go a couple of rounds even though they will be 6-4. they lost to Bearden, Science Hill and Powell, they will be tough to handle in the playoffs.

Yes, the Hill has had the Indians number the last few years, even when it looked like the Indians had the game won. I hope DB wins for my long suffering DB friends up there,,,

Compliment the Cougars on doing the best they could do with scheme and play calling, Just didn't have it at all on the defensive side of the ball as Dozier could score about any time he wanted to and they couldn't defend the pass either. Got most of their points after the subs came in for OR, so many that the starters had to come back for a series or two to put it away. OR has a pretty good chance to go a couple of rounds in the playoffs IF they get back a lot of the injured players especially in the secondary, I don't know much about East Hamilton except they are 6-4 and lost a close one to Rhea County last night to finish 4th in the Wing T Region and get sent to OR next week. OR has only played EH once, a loss in a cold first round playoff game in 2013. First round games can be ambushes if not ready, although I expect the Wildcats to get a win and advance to Round 2.

OK at this hour, who is picking DB and who is picking Science Hill. The winner stays home, the loser gets a trip to Bearden,

Sounds like it was a good game. Both teams will go several rounds in the playoffs, maybe see each other again. I feel pretty sure they will wipe out the Upper ET Region in the playoffs next week.

I got to admit I was surprised at the ease that Bradley was able to put Bearden away early and hold the lead and get the win. I wasn't super impressed with them when they played Hardin Valley on TV, but I suspect they were sandbagging a bit and knew they could beat the Hawks easily, Bradley probably learned a lot about Bearden watching the Oak Ridge film. as OR was able to move the ball and score on them, The OR defense simply ran out of gas at the end. I guess Bearden stays at home and plays the Science Hill vs Kingsport DB loser next week.

Dragons just need a win to have momentum going into the playoffs (probably against the McMinn County vs Walker Valley loser on the road. Clinton has the edge in this one athletically, but Heritage isn't bad if they are not turning the ball over, I think the Dragons get this one at Ron Brown.

In the old days in the 80s, Jeff Co, Greeneville and the Morristown schools were part of the old IMAC, and DB, Science Hill, Bristol and the Sullivans etc, were part of the old Big 7. I liked that, seemed like the IMAC often had the upper hand,

I don't really know much about East Hamilton or Rhea, but my guess is that either are better than Campbell County, But the way it looks is that Campbell County will be our #4 and play at the McMinn vs Walker Valley winner. Rhea will come to Oak Ridge and East Hamilton will go to Lenoir City. In the other first round game, Clinton will travel to the loser of the McMinn vs Walker Valley game. That is barring any upsets,

Yep, we are pretty banged up on the back end. Hopefully we will get them back by playoff time. Cougars will no doubt try to throw the ball a lot.

Having seen both play, Bearden live and Bradley on Packervision (win over Hardin Valley) I have to go with Bearden, they have really good lines, a seasoned quarterback and some fast backs. Bradley of course has Boo Carter and the home field, but I think Bearden's depth, where they can keep linemen fresh and none play both ways will tell the tale as it did in their game against Oak Ridge, Bearden 24 Bradley 14.

I don't know a thing about Walker Valley, but I also think that McMinn wins this one and the Championship of the Wing T Region, That would give the Cherokees a home game against the Campbell County Cougars first round...

Science Hill beat a good Anderson County team early in the season and I watched it on TV. AC should have won the game but the Hilltopper athletes made enough plays to stun the Mavs. From what I hear, this is not the most athletic of Indian teams, so while I hope the Indians get a win and avoid a trip to Bearden or Bradley, I have to go with the Hilltoppers 21-14

Farragut rolled to an easy win at Hardin Valley, and they can throw the ball, the main thing is to keep their offense off the field.

Visitors side concessions need wine and cheese next week. But Murvil gets the win over Fox Den

Ok

Hard to tell by these posts that DB won 28-7. If I am right, DB with a win over Science Hill could finish 2nd in Region 1 and have home field the first round of the playoffs against the 3 team of Region 2. A loss might send them to Maryville.

Rumors of Maryville's demise premature. Great win for them tonight, getting tuned in at the right time for the playoffs. WIll probably dispose of the men from Fox Den next week. They could make some noise in the 6A playoffs....