*HLHS

...Hunters Lane won because they played tougher, smarter, and with more desire. Welcome to the new coaching staff. Coach Campbell has assembled an amazing new staff this season. Coach Hemmontoler, defensive coordinator, Coach Elrod, offensive coordinator, Coach Landrom, Coach Brown, Coach Carver, and I'm glad my old freshman Coach, Casey Smith stayed with my Warriors. After talking to the team after the game last night, they are really proud to have all of you coaching them. Welcome to HL, you sure have made us proud so far.

Hunters Lane may be underrated on this web site; however, reality tells us that Hunters Lane has won at least 8 regular season games every season since 2005. Additionally, the Warriors have not lost to a metro team in over 2 years. The last was to Maplewood in 2007. This loss has been avenged with consecutive dominating and decimating defeats of their neighbors down the way. I graduated in 2007 and am still a proud Warrior. I still keep up with my boys as much as time allows. I am proud that my school still plays tough football and plays with class. I am also glad that I drove in from college to witness the game. Maplewood, on paper, was a prohibitive favorite. They appeared bigger at every position, they were ranked higher, and most fans considered them favorites. I am glad that proper preparation and heart still plays a role in determining the outcome of football games. And hey, what about our new defensive coordinator, Coach Hemmontoler? WOW! Moreno was great, but we may be even better now. Welcome Coach, glad you're a Hunters Lane Warrior!!!

Great effort Warriors! We are proud of you! 2 wins in Williamson County against two quality teams in Brentwood and Franklin. Man, 'bout time we beat Franklin at something....

Congratulations to Coach Anthony Sewell and his Warriors. Very young team (no SR's) who play disciplined, tough basketball. Best of luck against Franklin Thursday night.

Firtst and foremost, congratulations to Gallatin. I attended the game. Hunters Lane appeared to have the upper hand and better team for much of the game. After a HL score made it 20-10, Gallatin had a huge return on the ensuing kickoff. This lead to a score on a pass on 4th and goal from the 1. Gallatin then stopped HL and forced a 3 and out. The momentum shifted, Gallatin began to roll, and my Warriors could not stop Gallatin from that point on out. I must also comment that Gallatin is perhaps the most improved team in the state in the past year. Last season, we defeated Gallatin 35-0. This season, they returned the favor. Surprisingly, the game was won in the trenches for Gallatin. People comment on HL's speed. Those in the know realize their true strength is their linemen. Tonight, Gallatin won the majority of the snaps at the line of scrimmage. Hats off. Gallatin is tough, physical, and determined, just as they have been traditionally. While I'm at it, Warrior09 is not a football player, just a kid that attends HL and by no means represents us. Although I graduated last spring, I still keep up with my boys and know what's going on. Most of the Gallatin faithful are die hard fans who love their team but are sportsmanlike. Coach Lassiter has always appeared to be a man of integrity and his teams reflect that. However, Squash must still be hurting from the severe agony of 2003. Seek therapy. And finally, the positive comments on HL's sportsmanship and character are appreciated. But understand, HL was never unsportsmanlike or lacking of character. What occurred in 2003 was a result of the supreme emotional pain from HL thrashing you and effectively ending your season after the unfortunate situation with the forfeits and McGavock. HL did tonight what it has done ever since Coach Campbell became the head coach: ask the opposing team to hold a group prayer at midfield at the conclusion of the game. Every game. Win or lose. Gallatin was not in the mood to pray with HL in 2003. This lead to some uneasy feelings. HL was upset and embarassed tonight after getting whipped. But they did what was right and remained sportsmanlike and Christian. Gallatin, celebrate tonight and all weekend. You earned it. You just might see the Warriors in round 3.

This game was not as close as the score would indicate. Maplewood benefited from 3 bad calls to keep it close. Maplewood had only 1 first down for the entire game. They had 0 yards the second half. If HL had taken care of the ball better, it would have been a blowout. And, HL took a knee on the Maplewood 1 yard line in the final minutes. Congrats Warriors from the class of '08! Yall still fam!

We (HL) had no turnovers. The games where we struggled, we turned the ball over. Hillwood had several turnovers and they went for it on 4th down in the first quarter on their own 20 and we stopped them. This led to our second touchdown. They also tried a fake punt which failed. Hillwood has improved, though. Especially in sportsmanship.

Has Gallatin EVER been truly "down and out?" Would 7-3 be considered down and out for Gallatin? Gallatin has as good tradition and community support as anyone in the state. This is part of why they seem to always be successful. I just can't see Gallatin not being in the hunt for the region title and advancing in the playoffs. Yes they were upset by Ravenwood last year. Gallatin seems to never be whipped. The only way to beat them is to spread them out and out run them. Having played against both teams last season, Gallatin was much more physical and tough. Ravenwood was athletic and a finesse team. If Gallatin gets the lead, they pound you and it's pretty much over. To beat them you must get the lead and get them out of their comfort level. That's easier said than done. I still say Gallatin was by far the best team we faced in 13 games last season and will probably be the toughest opponent we face this season.

What about the scrimmage at Hunters Lane? Clarksville was limited to only 1 first down against our #1 and #2 defenses.

We have class. It is required to play at HL. Everyone knows who caused that situation, even the Principal at Hillwood apologized to us after the game for the actions of their team. As for Hedersonville, they have a program that does things right and are respected by HL. They are tough but sportsmanlike. And the team that sent us home, Ravenwood. They are athletic and play with intensity and determination. I also remember them being very gracious winners after the game. They acted like they had been there before (and they had). A class program.

Last year's finish and comments: 1 Gallatin is the champs until someone beats them. 2 Hunters Lane advanced to Round 3 but lost a lot of play makers. 3 Hendersonville is always tough. 4 Antioch is loaded with talent. 5 Overton was the best team around to miss the playoffs. 6 McGavock missed the playoffs, will they bounce back? 7 Glencliff has players, but lacks discipline. 8 Hillwood needs to return to 4A.

Cheyenne Dowell hit a grand slam vs. McGavock this week to help Hunters Lane win 10-0.

Coach Clay is the new head coach, and Coach Grinderstaff is the assistant. They are really energetic and dedicated, much better than before. We have over 40 wrestlers, home matches, and excitement! We go to tournaments almost every weekend, work harder, and have somebody in every weight class now. Losing Big Corey was tough, but Quinton is getting better for somebody that's never wrestled before. He's a 22o pound heavyweight.

Grinderstaff (Grinder 157) is the assistant wrestling coach at HL. Coach Clay is the head coach.

There is somehting about Ravenwood that is different from other teams we played. Some were more physical or maybe faster or bigger, but Ravenwood are just winners. They are tough, athletic, and fast. They have great support. They never let up at all. They are aggressive on offense and defense. Even when they were ahead of us late, they kept attacking with their passing game. They have a lot of confidence, but are not too cocky. They play hard but didn't trash talk. I think they will win it all again. Best of luck Ravenwood against White Station.

Coach Pigue started the football program at Hunters Lane and still helps us now. He is around a lot, helps our coaches from the pressbox, and all of us respect him. He coached three of our coaches when they were in high school at Stratford-Coach Campbell, Coach Spears, and our defensive coordinator Coach Moreno. They tell us about the type of football program HL has had and will remain. They make sure we know the history of our school and what it means to be a Warrior. Coach Pigue has won more games than any football coach ever in metro.

One other comment. The only regret from last Friday is that one of the best and toughest football players I have ever played with was not allowed to play. Ben Brooks, the only lineman that plays both ways for us, was forced to watch from the sidelines because the doctor wouldn't let him play. He got a stinger in practice Monday and the doctor wouldn't clear him. Ben, you are a true warrior and I am proud you are my teammate. I hope my class is as good at leadership next year as your class was this year. I know we will see you playing college ball next season.

Thanks for the comments on our team being classy. That is expected/demanded from Coach C. I am proud of all of my teammates for playing the game the right way. We gave our best effort. Ravenwood was just too tough with their pass offense. Congratulations to Ravenwood and good luck to you next week in Memphis.

I don't know why. We have gone farther than any team in school history and still we don't get much support. That's OK, our support of each other is all we need. Is that Mr. Dickerson as in Chris' Dad? He is one of our best supporters through good and bad times. And his son is our leading tackler, probably the best player on defense, and hardest hitter on our defense.

As for the support for our team, there is very little. We have less than 10% of the students come to games, maybe 40% of the parents, and not many community members or alumni. Man, we didn't even have a pep rally for either home playoff game. The only people that believe in us and care about us are our coaches. And we truly believe in each other.

The reporter who wrote that story must not have been at the game because Hendersonville had 2 fumbles, Hunters Lane 1. Also HL had a first and goal that was not converted because of a holding call backing us up. Hendersonville played a good game, the reporter needs to print a retraction.

Thanks Mondo. We were very fortunate again. That game could have gone either way, just like 2 weeks ago. I think both of our teams should be proud. We both went from not making the playoffs last year, to winning in the playoffs this season. I think one of the keys for us was the FCA camp at TN Tech. Yall were there too. I know we bonded together well there and yall seem to be very tight and close as well. Congratulations on a great season and again thanks for the comments on our team and coaches.

Again, excuse the other HLHS. He acts like we've never been here before. And you know what, we haven't. However, he is yet to learn that sportsmen give credit where it is due. We were underdogs because we had a bad team last year. No one but us knew how hard we worked all winter, spring, and summer. I assume he's just a little too happy and doesn't know how to direct his happiness. First, it's ignorant to insult Gallatin. They were the best team we played all season. Second, why worry about others predictions and comments. They are just talking, we get to actually play the games. And finally, if you do things right and are successful, others will brag on you. There is never a need to do it yourself. Congratulations to Ravenwood for making it this far. Some people doubted them early also. They are the defending state champs. They have their ring. They are the champs until someone eliminates them. We will try our best Friday night to do just that.

We fought hard, as did Hendersonville. We totally dominated the first half offensively, but only got 13 points. The dropped punt just before the half gave Hendersonville a chance. However, our defense was tough the second half. Hendersonville never really threatened the second half. Offensively, we just ate up clock, punted them in the hole, and held on. Hendersonville should be commended on their effort, toughness, and sportsmanship. They are a classy group. As for Ravenwood, I don't expect anyone to give us a chance. No one has all season. We were picked near the bottom of our region, but finished 2nd. We were considered underdogs against Brentwood, but prevailed. We beat Hendersonville twice in 3 weeks. Now we enter the third round of the playoffs as underdogs yet again. We aren't seeking credit from outsiders, my brothers on the team give me all I need.

Actually, at the end of the game Hunters Lane will do what they have done for several years. They will ask their opponents to be in a group prayer, win or lose. No one from Hunters Lane will taunt or put down their opponent regardless of the outcome.