Cactus Jack

Congratulations to Eddie Courtney for a good season, he is a class act from the git go, got to say that first and foremost. He has made this program the best it can be. That being said, I did not see this Farragut team as being as good as the one last year. They don't run the ball as well, Oak Ridge was able to match up better up front in this game, although their secondary gave up a lot of passing yards. The Oak Ridge offense was the best charity that Farragut could find, too many interceptions and drops. Had those not occurred the game might have been close because talent wise, the teams were close to being even, with Oak Ridge having a speed advantage it didn't use well. Farragut will face a Science Hill team that always has good speed and athletes, so watch out Admirals in the first round. IF they get by that, a trip to Kingsport is in the cards, but they could win both of those and face the Owls at Ooltewah in a couple of weeks. They will have trouble with a power team that has speed on the flanks. Oak Ridge Administration must evaluate their entire situation NOW! A 4-6 season should be the final warning shot across the bow. Doing nothing is not an option. There is still enough talent there to be in the playoffs each year and with the new Region schedule more certainly! For the players, decide now you are going to make a comeback for OR Football next year, when the weight room is open, be there! Work hard on off season conditioning and strength training, and work on your grades, so as to make sure not one of you is ineligible for bad grades. Don't worry about the other issues going on, just work on getting better yourselves, as individuals and as a team.

First, congratulations to Coach Andy Shattuck on a great win, one that proves he has turned the corner with this program, which was totally in the ditch when he took over. I wish them well the rest of the year and hopefully in the playoffs...I am afraid Oak Ridge is heading in the other direction, 3 and 7 looks real now, because the teams in front of them are all pretty good starting with McMinn County next week and with Ooltewah and Farragut to finish the season. OR had 8 fumbles in the Clinton game, 2 lost which led directly to two Clinton touchdowns. Procedure penalties, holding, all a part of not being disciplined got one OR touchdown called back and were drive killers. The best effort made by the offense was at the start of the second half, when they went back to the I and ran the ball, something they should have started the game with, had they done that, they might have been in it at the end. The offense was anemic. A good offense would have scored 28-35 points on this Clinton defense. The OR defense played OK, except some secondary confusion, and lost containment on Stone. Credit to the Clinton offense for not turning the ball over, that is where games are won. OR fans will have to sit back and see how the rest of the season turns out for Oak Ridge, but at the end of it, I think it is time for the School Administration to focus on football and where it is going and make a true evaluation of the program and make the necessary changes to move the program forward again. Meanwhile I hope the players and coaches redouble their efforts to win as many of these last five games as possible. The question for the Administration is: Do they want Oak Ridge Football to go down? Maybe they do.....stay tuned!!! PS: If they let it go down, vote against every one of the current School Board Members because I understand they and the Superintendent believe the Oak Ridge Fans expectations are too high...attitude reflects leadership, are they leaders...???

Bradley is not a gimme, they have a good running back, and have shown some improvement. They lost 38-14 to Cleveland last week, but Cleveland should be very good this year. They will be playing Oak Ridge down there, and if Oak Ridge's offense cannot improve in their running game, consistency, and execution, it could be a close game. The defense did OK against Fulton, but has to make sure of its tackling. Thought the younger players, 42, 47 had good games tackling and getting to the football. Also, the kicking game is very good, have good range on feild goals, 40 yds in and the punter is really good. So if this team is to continue to win, it must improve vastly on offense. I think Oak Ridge will win this one, but not by the margins of the previous years against Bradley. Then they will have to have a lights out effort against DB to be in that game. For next year, players need to be in the weight room every day its is open, I see some evidence of lack of strength in some players, some of the big lineman too. This may show up more against better up front teams later in the schedule. They can continue to work on weights through the season and definately need to be more serious about the weight program in the off season to be better in 2009. I was pleased that the effort seemed better against Fulton then in the AC Jamboree and Alcoa scrimmages, in which the team seemed lifeless. This can still be a good team, but they will really have to play at a higher level, get some breaks, improve every week, and not quit. The back part of the schedule, starting with a very good Clinton team, is very tough, with no weeks off, with a possibly state championship team in Farragut last. So, win them one game at a time.

The articles by Mr. Smithey were total garbage and seem to paint Oak Ridge as a racist community, which it is definately not. The reported racist phone calls to the coach by a few hotheads do not represent our town's views on race. Our schools have been integrated since 1954 and we have had black coaches and players here that have been a very key ingrediant to the success of all our athletic programs. All the coaches that have coached here have felt the pressure to win and at time people have wanted to make a change and at some times they have. This is not about race, it is about the quality of the program that has been one of the best in Tennessee for the last 50 years, it is about participation, discipline, blocking and tackling, and yes, winning and losing. If these qualities are not in the program, then the change will and should be made based on that, not race. This team is headed for a tough season, unless they pick up the pace during the regular season above what they have shown in scrimmages, the teams on their schedule are all good, even some that haven't been look improved for this year. This is a deciding year for this program, if the results are not good, then I would expect the powers to be in town to make a change.

I wish that the business people in Oak Ridge would heed this request and provide the $$$ to get WATO back on the air, it is regrettable that a town this size does not have a radio station anymore. I would suggest they move the station and new towers to a high point on the ridge, perhaps where the CATV Towers are and move over to FM. The guys that announce the ORHS Football games do a terrific job and we have fans all over East Tennessee that would like to hear the games. You can hear Farragut, Jefferson County and a host of other schools all over East Tennessee since they have FM Stations to broadcast their games.

No sightings or confirmation from the lord of lawns....may just be he is putting out feelers...or speculation like the oil markets to drive the offer up!!!

Z Plan does go into effect in 2009, for 2008 we will play the reverse of the 2007 schedule. Not sure how good some of these teams would be, but based on OR talent that is coming back and the spring: Fulton: Understand they think last years OR win was a fluke and they have been hitting the weights hard since their State Championship in AAA to focus on defeating OR at Blankenship for the home opener. Will be a tougher game for OR then last years, lines could make the difference again. Fulton may get this one unless OR size prevails. Bradley: We travel to face a struggling Bradley program, will be tougher then past years down there, but look for a close OR win Kingsport DB: Indians are improved over last years down year, where they started slow but finished well, RB Chris Sensabaugh ripped the Wildcats for 112 yards in the playoff loss, he will be tough to stop again, this one may go to the Indians Heritage: We had our way with them last year, using passing and speed to easily win at Heritage, this years game should be closer, look for Heritage to try to grind it out, OR is favored here, but not by as much Clinton: The new stadium should be packed for this one as the Dragons will be much improved with Stone and Hazelhurst. They came close at Oak Ridge last year, and this may be the year for them, first Dragon win since 1997. They think so!! McMinn County: From what I am hearing the Cherokees are loaded, and this is the year for them to make a run at the Region crown. Since it is in Athens and they may have the edge in talent this year, looks like a win for McMinn William Blount: Kind of a mystery here, with Coach Meadows taking a year off, and the loss of TJ Walker, who just ran over the Wildcats the last two years. They also lost a lot of seniors from last year, its at WB, so I rate it a tossup, also depends on how injuries are by this time of the year...tossup. Soddy Daisy: New coach for the Trojans, they pushed OR around a lot last year in a 27-3 loss, but being that it is here at Blankenship, the Cats have a slight edge Ooltewah: Oak Ridge probably played its best game of 2007 down there last year, surprising the Owls, Benny Monroe would like to come back up here and return the favor...and he might Farragut: The Admirals took some heavy graduation losses too, including Andre Sterling, but they have some good younger players and have developed their program to a higher level under Eddie Courtney, and the game is at Farragut, might be close, but have to go with Farragut for a 3rd straight win here. Would be a good place to get a win we are not supposed to. Need to win the ones we are supposed to win, all the tossups and one or two we shouldn't win to make the playoffs..... For the 2009 Season, we will have to play Anderson County Clinton Campbell County Halls Central Powell Karns Catholic We would have two games outside the Region, some choices would be Farragut and DB or other opponents depending on how the coaches make the schedule for the non-district games, along. The schedule is easier, but don't underestimate teams such as Clinton, Central, Halls and Catholic. I really like the Z Plan, should help attendance with the high gas...

I want to make one thing clear....I support this program, I will be at the games, and I want the team to win and be successful. I want these players to experience the success that has been Oak Ridge Football over the years, they are only going to be in the program 4 years at most, and I want them to be able to look back the rest of their lives and take pride in their teams. What I am questioning on here is the Administration's support for football in Oak Ridge and the quality of this program. I am not sure that is their agenda. To the players I can only say, ignore this debate, and get your tails in that weight room and to practice and work hard, and get your grades in shape too. The grades will matter for you the rest of your life. To the coaches I can only say, this must be your best coaching job yet, give the maximum effort.

I think this is the year the program should be evaluated on the following: Participation: Numbers down and it is not all because of track and baseball, and I am concerned at the lack of black players out there, especially at the skill positions of receiver, corner, and running back. Where are these kids? I think there are more in the school that can play and I wish they would. We should have at least 70 varsity and 50 freshman starting on July 26. Off Season Preparation: Is the off season program working hard toward finding people to put a team on the field that can compete on Week 1? Are the players motivated to work out, run and do things on their own to improve their strength and skill in the off season. The weight room is where a lot of games are won and lost months before they are played, there has to be high participation and effort there. Grades: Is the concept of doing well in the classroom being drilled into the players, that for most of them, they will need what they get out of the classroom after football is over for 99 % of them in just a year or two. Are the ones that have grade problems in summer school and trying harder to improve their academic standards? Game Preparation: Is every opponent viewed with respect and as someone that can beat you if you are not prepared, physically, emotionally and by game plan? The Farragut game last year was an example of being beaten both physically, emotionally and by game plan. Yes maybe they would have beat us anyway, but not by 42-7! and it could have been worse.... Evaluation: This year is the year to be evaluated, and if some of the trends downward in the above categories are not reversed. 3-7 is a possibility. The Administration should be evaluating this program this season. The so called off years are how you measure how good your staff is, how they adapt, improve? What direction is the program going? IF it continues to be down, change... Administration: The buck stops with them, although they will be looking for goats if the season goes in the tank, probably the AD and Principal. So, if the season does go in the tank (which I hope it does not), then the Administration needs to step up and make changes, then they really have an agenda of de-emphazing football in Oak Ridge, and they should not be allowed to pick the next coach, should a change be made. Race: Some have made an issue of race in this forum. I only see two colors here, CARDINAL and GRAY, I don't care what color the coach is, he needs to be a caretaker of the great tradition that is Oak Ridge Football, he should be evaluated on his successes and failures on and off the field just like he would in any job. I wanted Coach Stevens to succeed because he is the caretaker of the tradition, not because he was black or white or yellow or brown, but because he is wearing the CARDINAL and GRAY!! Coaches should never be hired or fired because of race, but how well they do their jobs. And yes, it is about wins and losses too, that is why they keep score!!

I am sure that Coach Gaddis and his staff are looking at trying to build depth, and working on areas that they feel need work, that is what coaches do in spring scrimmages. Henry County should be poised to repeat its run this year if it can replace graduating seniors. I wouldn[t want to get my best players hurt in a spring scrimmage either, so its a good time to look at back ups...you never know when you will need them, and they got to be ready to play...I understand Wilson Central may have one of the best 5A teams in Middle Tennessee, they are an up and coming program, and you got to play good teams to get better yourself....Henry County will be fine, if all falls in place, I could get to see them play in the Boro this year....

Lost Old Dad has a point here, in 1986 when Oak Ridge went 4-6 and looked a lot like this team did last week, the gate dollars dropped off so bad that the Athletic Director at that time said he came very close to having to cancel some spring sports due to lack of revenue from football, which pays the way for all. Fortunately, he was able to come up with some funding and the spring sports survived. This Administration may feel that bite this year, unless they are a whole lot better then I think they might be. A lot of us will still go to the games and support the kids, but there are a lot that won't.

I watched a little bit of the scrimmage at Bearden, I did not see all of it..here is what I saw: The defense was average, but there was some good tackling, and they did not allow Bearden to score, but they got to get stronger up front or these tough region teams will be hard to stop. The offense was weak, QBs were having a hard time getting time to throw and the running backs are small and not very fast, the offensive line was leaky, poor on pass protection and run blocking both. I would say # 7 should be the starter, but he needs a stronger supporting cast around him. The lone Bearden TD was an interception thrown by # 11 returned for a score, and later a safety, making the score 9-0 Bearden, what I saw. Bearden definately is not the team they were last year, but you can tell that year had a positive effect on the numbers they had out, around 95 I heard. They had a baseball game and soccer game the same night, so I am not sure who they have from that. They will be a 6-4 or 7-3 team this year, but might be a lot better in 2009. Oak Ridge had several hurt, not dressed, some out for track, and baseball, not sure how many or if they will be of help this fall. This is not a typical Oak Ridge team of the early 2000s, numbers are down, not much speed, not a lot of enthusiam either. They need to really work hard in the weight room in the off season, and work on passing with recievers and QBs working together to improve timing and catching the ball, way too many drops, and find a consistent running back to have a chance to play 500 ball this year. Coaches need to check the hallways and be trying to get out kids that might help, play as many young players as they can. Work hard on the JV and Freshman Programs to try to have better years in 09 and 10. The numbers need to be up at least 20-30 before August. The schedule is tough, this region is tough, so you can't not prepare or you are toast in the fall. This is a crossroads year for Oak Ridge, I hope the coaches and the kids work hard to be better then what they looked like Wednesday. I also strongly suggest that the Administration take a stronger interest in the program and if next year is not good, they need to evaluate the program and make decisions from there, unless this is what they want, which is not Oak Ridge Football. They need to quit sticking their heads in the sand and pay attention, if Oak Ridge Football continues to decline, I would lay as much of it or more at their feet as well as coaches...in closing, I heard one guy say standing along the fence last Wednesday night that "Bearden looked like Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge looked like Bearden" (the way it used to be)...

There may not be any changes made this season in staff, unless some leave to other jobs. The Head Coach will remain. Now, this school board and administration needs to step up and do some things to reinforce the football program, no matter who is coaching. They need to do some work at Blankenship Field, they can spend a huge amount of money on a new arena for basketball, and thats fine, it was needed, but its tough to squeeze a dime out of them for Blankenship, they sit on their tails and let the Boosters Clubs and Quarterback Clubs do all the work and fund raising, which both these clubs have performed admirably, but now, with things the way they are, these clubs are weak and fund raising is virtually impossible, so it is time for them to step up and spend some money on the stadium and the football offices (besides a coat of paint and a few new doors). I am not advocating coaching changes either, but what should tell the tale there are wins and losses, playoff appearances, number of kids getting college football scholarships and keeping kids interested and playing, which means keeping their grades up too. If these things are not met, then I would expect the powers to be to make coaching changes, so lets see what 2008 brings on that. I am not satisfied that the Administration and School Board are doing all they can to ensure the continuing of the tradition of Oak Ridge Football. I don't agree that we do not have the "horses" any more, I just think that the horses need to be shown the way to the football fields. Too many are not playing that could, resources are not being utilized. I think a decent team could be put on the field this year, but it will take a lot of hard work by the coaching staff and players. If this does not happen, then the SB and Administration need to evaluate the program after this season and make changes as necessary. If they don't then it can truly be assumed that they are de-empahizing football in Oak Ridge, which I suspect they are....

I think this is one of the best analysis on Oak Ridge I have seen. The only thing I might add, in all fairness, is that the raw weather in the Championship Game in 2005 hurt the passing game and allowed Ravenwood to concentrate on stopping Spencer, which they did except for the first series. I do wish we had done something more to spread them out and use the speed at receiver that year to take some of the heat off Spencer with short passes or reverses. Also, that big linebacker Ravenwood had was everywhere, he was tough and right there to stop Spencer late in the game on a 4th and short. Ravenwood scored on their first two series and after that our defense did a pretty good job. Their QB was all state and a good runner and short passer, the spread worked well for them. Poor field position really killed us, we had one drive of about 65 yards, but the problem was it started on our own 3 after the wind blew a Ravenwood punt all the way down there on the ground after it landed on the 25, it seemed like we were backed up all night and field position means so much. I saw the same things as the poster above in the scrimmages and games, and while our lines were big, I felt they were soft, especially when they went up against more physical lines like WB, Farragut and Soddy Daisy (even though we won that one, Soddy pushed us around a lot the first half, their linemen made the comment our line was soft). Our best game was against Ooltewah, where I thought we actually played well, executed well, but the Owls were fading at that point in their season and I am not sure about their efforts. I have never seen a game where an Oak Ridge team looked so bad as they did against Farragut, the Admirals had a real good team, but we should have been in the ball game, we never were, and we didn't even stop them on a 3rd and 25. The hangover from that week carried over to Kingsport the next week, end of season.... Like the poster, I really wanted Coach Stevens to succeed, as have all before him have, when he came here. I think that they (whoever holds the keys in School Administration) needs to come forward after Christmas break make a decision, one way or the other. If he is to stay, then say so, publicly, and ask for fan and community support for him as well as stating Administration support for him. If not, then that needs to be also said publicly and a search for a new coach needs to begin immediately. Either way, this will do a lot to give the fans, parents, support clubs an idea of what is to happen in 2008, right now, no one knows, no one gets a straight answer, thus you get so many Oak Ridge Boards on here. If they do not make a statement, one way or another, it will demonstate to me and others the apathy they have for the Football Program. The old saying is, "poop or get off the pot!!"

Coach T: I think most fans in Oak Ridge are frustrated with the past two seasons, and they are "venting" on here because we have a School Board, Superintendent and School Administration right now who are not listening to their concerns about the program, even when asked or confronted about it directly. I know there have been many phone calls, e-mails and direct visits to these people from fans and parents expressing genuine concerns about the direction of the program to the Superintendent on down and so far they have been met with a stubborn silence, if not an outright defensive stance. As far as the coach goes, personally, I like Coach Stevens and I hoped that he would succeed when he was hired, and I think the powers to be are doing him a disservice now by not giving him some goals and expectations if he is indeed to stay or making a change ASAP if that is what is needed to get this program back on track. However, right now they have taken a head in the sand approach to the Football Program and are hoping as the season fades, that so will the fan discontent. I urge all the fans, parents and others on here to take a hard look at the School Board, Superintendent and School Administration and use the power of the vote to remove the School Board at the next election and elect a group that is not only friendly to football but will make the changes at the top needed to restore Oak Ridge Schools in the right direction, because not only is football sliding, but academics as well, among other issues that have recently come about. If that is done, then we will see a halt in the slide.

There will be no change in Football Coach or Football Program at Oak Ridge for 2008....Administration does not even have it on their radar screen, football is just background noise to them right now......

Bounder is right, doubt anything will happen, nobody is in the loop with this administration, and if asked directly, they just point at someone else and say "its their call" and round and round and round and it seems as if they have forgotten football now and focusing on basketball (the new arena is nice, but don't forget football!!). I hope someone will step up somewhere and lead Oak Ridge Football back to where it was in 2004. 2008 will be a very tough season unless off season weight work, classroom work and a good spring practice where it can be decided on replacement of some good seniors we lost can be ironed out. Inaction will lead to disaster!!

Good Luck to Coach Gaddis, Coach Younger, and the rest of that fine staff and the Patriots, you guys have a good team, hope to see you in the Boro in two weeks. I remember Maplewood from '75, then too they were huge, and had sprinter Preston Brown, but a gutty bunch of Oak Ridge Wildcats chopped them up 46-22. Hopefully Henry Co can do the same, and challenge the Maryville 4-A monopoly. (Enjoy it Maryville, you go to 5-A in another year and while you will still win there, it won't be as easy.

Having seem both teams play live, I would have to go with Farragut. One, they are playing at Farragut. Two, Sterling is a much stronger runner then DB has seen this year, he breaks tackles and has good vision, his line blocks well, they don't pancake people, they just wall them off long enough for Sterling to get through, he hits the hole well and you got to watch him cutting back, DBs linebackers must tackle. Don't stack 8 in the box trying to stop him, because Farragut's receivers run good routes and catch the ball, and Martland (QB) is accurate, even when flushed from the pocket. Farragut's defense is good, but can be scored on, for DB to win, they need to get outside on the corners and turn Sensabaugh loose out there, block it, also, short passes and patience against their defense will pay off. DBs defense will be the best Farragut has faced since William Blount, they must contain Sterling, get pressure in passing situations and cover well. Kicking game about even, Coaching good and about even, maybe Graham will have a trick or to for Eddie Courtney, who is more conventional...With all that said, unless the Admirals turn it over, which they have not been doing, I would say Farragut 24 Kingsport 14.

This is always my favorite game and favorite opponent. DB has always been a class act and I have always enjoyed the rivalry because both programs respect each other and it is very competitive. The winner will certainly have to go to Farragut next week as I don't think Jefferson County has rebuilt enough to slow down Sterling and the Admirals. Oak Ridge was not prepared for the game last week against the Admirals and it showed, DB really had to play hard to dispose of old rival Science Hill. For this game, Kingsport has a great defense and their offense will be better if Sensabaugh plays, so look for a higher scoring game in than the first one. After last week, I am not sure if we will see the Oak Ridge team that looked so good at Ooltewah or the flat, poor tackling team that was AWOL against Farragut. I think it is too close to call, but the winner will have to be a lot better next week.

See, OR Administration....its time to put some $$$$$ into Blankenship. Visitors dressing rooms, concession stands and bathrooms need to be constructed on the vistors side, topped by new bleachers, tearing down the old bathroom and concession stand, making room for visiting buses to unload on that side of the field (you might avoid some post game problems like at the Clinton game last week if it was configured that way)...with the visitors side being done, the home locker rooms could be expanded to allow the whole team and coaches to actually all get inside at halftime. We now have a fabulous new basketball arena, its time to work on this facility and quit relying on the Boosters Club and Quarterback Clubs to do and pay for alll the improvements, these are too big for them to handle...also replace that faded out scoreboard, and relocate more to the center of the north end of the field...also, field turf is coming to a lot of high school stadiums, I understand Dobyns-Bennett will be getting it at the end of the current season and Morristown has already got it...and I think the grass was a little high to help it survive the heat and drought, and both teams had to play on it....

As I understand it, this was a very serious reprimand, not just a wrist slap. It certainly puts Coach Stevens in a corner now. I also understand he understands his mistakes and acknowledges them. So, now lets support him and lets finish this season by actions on the field, this team is pretty good and if they will retain concentration, and not be distracted, they can go a long way, 15-0 sounds nice.

Talked to a McMinn guy today and this team is extremely talented, at quarterback, in the lines (benching 300 plus) and they have good active linebackers. They will be very physical and have played in two, tough overtime games the last two weeks. They will be much better then any team that Oak Ridge has played so far, including Kingsport, so the Wildcats will have to have a first class effort Friday night and eliminate silly, concentration loss mistakes like they had against Clinton. They cannot have the penalties and errors against this McMinn County team. Look for a repeat of last years game at Athens, it will be close and maybe even go to overtime....too close to call....

Clinton played a good ball game Friday night, gave good effort and was in the game, they are certainly better then the past several years, at least they were on this night. BUT, can they keep up this good play, starting with Halls this week, they have a chance to finish 2nd in the 2-4A Region to Maryville, but they can't suffer post Oak Ridge letdown, the Oak Ridge game is a rivalry game, but it does not count as a Region win or loss for Clinton. The real story will be told as far as Clinton's program improving is if they can win the rest of their games this year. Oak Ridge did not play especailly well and it was good that some players decided to step up those last three minutes and rescue the Wildcats. BUT, they now face one of the toughest Regions in the State in 2-5A, starting Friday night with a very tough, athletic and physical McMinn County team, their level of play will have to be considerably better then the penalty ridden, misfiring effort against Clinton to win this game and all of the following games. That being said, it is now time to move on....and let the after game controversy be settled by the administrators of each school after a through research of the facts, not the hearsay or rumors of each side, then and only then can a fair settlement be reached between the two schools. There were errors on both sides, it takes two to fight, so mutual apologies and reconciliation are in order or it might be time to cancel the series as they did when it reached a rough point in 1957.

William Blount was impressive in their win at Sevier County, they are physical and may have an edge there. Both teams have excellent coaches. Rumor is DB is down, we shall see, I am sure that Graham Clark has something ready to go, you learn a lot between week 0 and week 1, I think WB will win, but look for DB to stay in the game and could win late if they get a break, kicking game could be the difference too, with probably the edge to DB there...this is a good game for DB, instead of playing one of those many Sullivan schools, it will toughen them for the Region and beyond, they seem to be suceptible to first round losses because of that Regions overall weakness. I think they will be there at the end, Bearden has to go to Kingsport and Sevier County is young....however in this one I say WB by 7.