learningthegame

Coach Hall has a very bright football mind, this should prove to be a good hire.

I just wanted to interject a thought. While I too thought that last nights performance was very troubling as a Gallatin Fan/Alum, I do think that we should be careful to criticize the offensive line for not doing a good job of picking up the blitz packages. Gallatin spent an awful lot of time in an empty set backfield, Hendersonville covered the recievers man to man (5 recievers against 5 dbs). This allowed Hendersonville to bring an unaccounted 6th rusher with which 5 men can not contend. Ironically, the staff didn't seem to adjust wisely at the half and the very aggressive Hendersonville defense continued to exploit that fact. I have personally not been a Coach Lassiter critic, I think he does a lot of things quite well. However, I have seen the Greenies play three times this year, and all three times I have seen a fairly undiscplined team (not indicitive of the usual Robert Lassiter coached team). Also, as those who have coached on competitive levels know, you truly can't know who did or did not execute their assignments until you've broken down the film. However, loafing on and off the field, getting late hit penalities, and not playing hard is something any fan can see. And, sadly, that has been the case with the 2010 Greenwaves.

I think the question could have several answers. If you are counting all 3A teams, 5A & 6A teams, probably third in the midstate, behind Rutherford and Williamson. But, if you isolate only 5A, they may be # 1 in the mid-state. They've certainly done a good job in this year's 5A playoffs. But, there are strong counties in both east and west TN, so it is hard to compare them with the state as a whole.

I wanted to clarify a few comments. For starters I apologize if my comments seemed negative in any way. I an actuality I think that Coach Blade is a heck of a coach. My observation about his defensive approach was in no way intended to be critical. In football there are two types of coaches, the "we'll get good at what we do, keep thinking to a minimum, let the boys play" philosophy. And the other, is "get a hat on a hat", have a play call for every situation. Both have won umpteen championships, and will continue to do so. I do think Coach Moreno is an excellent coach as well. I was just pointing out the players at Hillsboro are learning a new style and it may take a while. But, again I apologize if my comments seemed derogatory.

I would like to comment on the criticism of Coach Moreno and staff. Coach Moreno is great football coach and if given time will have great success. In order for that to happen he will first need to build a staff who understands his system (which has been difficult, due to available teaching slots). Coach Moreno's defensive system is very different from Coach Blade's. Coach Blade's is built on simplicity, which in and of itself is very wise. Coach Moreno's is much more like a collegiate system. Coaches like Coach Blade employ a, "we'll get good at what we do" approach, prefering the players "to play and not think." While systems like Coach Moreno's tend to address a multitude of situations through checks and stunts, which requires a great deal of study and preparation. I remind, Hunters Lane held opponents to 48 regular season points in 2007 (with no D1 signees). Hillsboro lost some very talented players. In addition, they also lost some very quality coaches who worked well together. And, I know this is redundant, but they are playing some premiere teams now that fair pretty well against most anyone they play. Losing is always tough, especially when the previous year had such a story book ending. But hang in there, things will get better. Good luck Burro's and good luck Coach Moreno.

That's not what I meant by defensive affair. No, to answer your question, Oak Ridge did score. But there again, from a coaches perspective the score in a springtime scrimmage is not paramount especially when each team is only allowed 10 plays in which to score. Did the boys execute properly and did they move the ball, the rest can be dealt with over the summer and during the fall. I am not affiliated with either team so I thought I could give a relatively unbiased synopsis of each teams effort. But, if I somehow made either teams offense seem anemic I apologize. I think Oak Ridge is progressing nicely and Wilson Central has pontential as well. It's a long summer neither team will be the same in 3 months and I think they will give their respective opponents fits.

Oak Ridge looked fairly strong Friday night. Coach Blade and his assistants are working very hard and it showed. I thought that Wilson Central looked fairly strong as well. No doubt, anyone at the game would have to acknowledge that this scrimmage was a defensive affair, but that is to be expected. Both teams are leanring a new offense, that includes the coaches. The only significant difference being that Coach Blade is installing his system, while Coach Aric has opted to install a system that he himself had to learn. The Oak Ridge defense swarmed the field all night. The line play was outstanding, the effort was fantastic. Of course mistakes were made, but Coach Blade and his staff were giving immediate feedback. I thought the linebackers played hard and seemed comfortable with what they were doing. Overall they looked sharp. The Wilson Central defense was very active. In my opinion they could be one of the stronger units in the mid-State this fall if they continue to progress. As far as the Oak Ridge offense goes, they did well. In a scrimmage of this nature coaches focus on the subtle things. Are the O lineman winning battles at the point of attack? Are they picking up stunts and blitzes? Are running backs taking their steps properly and hitting the holes? Are QB's recognizng coverages? Are they seeing openings in their progressions? If one paid attention to detail Friday night, they would've seen Oak Ridge answering yes to these questions more times than not. In closing, I think both teams could have an exciting season in 2009. For those with high expectations, be patient, Coach Blade is a winner, and so are his teams. But be reasonable in your critiques, the boys and the staff have a lot of work to do before Oak Ridge can bring home another trophy.

Who in the Mid State made significant strides throughout the offseason? Who looked good in their scrimmages and spring games?

Which of the Clarksville teams will provide the greatest competition for Springfield in the upcoming years. And does anyone know what kind offenses they run?

Doing the math, the last time Gallatin played in 9AAA they finished #1 in the State and #16 in the nation. Just saying....... Go Waves

Congratulations Hillsboro!!!! You guys just got a great coach. His work ethic and knowledge, along with his patience in teaching his system, will give the Burros a real shot at another title under its third regime. Coach Moreno will be consistent in discipline, preparation and vision. If he can build a solid staff around him the Burros may be contending again as early as the 09 season. Congratulations Coach!!!!!!!

There's a little girl from Hunters Lane that I heard can fly. Does anyone know who she is?

I think that Dennis Moreno would make a great head coach. Soon someone will realize this and take the first step in winning a state title by hiring him. He is a cerebral coach who is a master at preparing players to win games.

It is obvious to me that some of the people posting on this thread have no idea what they are talking about. For starters Gallatin is a very good football team. They are disciplined, fundamentally sound, very well coached and playing in Sumner County's version of title town. With that said, they have several key questions that will be difficult to answer this Friday night. The first being the dominate style of run defense that Hunters Lane displays on a weekly basis. Yes, Hunters Lane is the more physically gifted team this week. However, Hunters Lane's defense has dominated teams this season that have possessed greater talent than they. The key to Hunters Lane defense is the disciplined, methodical and precision oriented approach with which they plan for every opponent. Coach Dennis Moreno is probably the smartest non head coach in Tennessee, and the defense reflects that. Gallatin's strength this year is their between the tackles running game. They do have a great passer if Matthews is healthy, but their strength is the run. This is the very area people have been unsuccessful in when playing Hunters Lane. Hunters Lane did have problems in the secondary early on but have worked diligently to overcome them. With that said Gallatin will most likely try to exploit that. Coach Lassiter is often criticized but he is a very good football coach as are his assistants, Gallatin will be prepared. But, prepared or not the task is daunting. Hunters Lane is not 7-0 by chance. As far as the Gallatin defense, Nick Williamson is a very passionate, caring, and effective defensive coordinator, but he went to the 3-5-3 for a reason. Gallatin doesn't have the dominate defensive players they have enjoyed in recent years. They are hard working kids, passionate kids but not as dominate as they have been. Hunters Lane is not sexy on offense, but they can line it up and take it at you. All season long they have been well planned for, yet as the games drag on that hard hitting group of linemen and hard running backs just take over a game. Couple that with the improving passing, the sky is the limit for what they can do. So I have to say the slight edge goes to Hunters Lane in that match up. I love Gallatin Greenwave football, green billows roll as they course throughout my veins but you gotta call it like you see it. I would never predict a score, nor would I count out the Greenies. But a farsical prediction like 38 to whatever in favor of the G is silly. It will be a hard fought game, both sides will be prepared and ready to war. But this one looks to be slightly in favor of the Lane. But that's why they play the Game. Good luck to both teams!!!

I spoke with a middle school coach at Rucker Stewart Middle in Gallatin who needs to find another scrimmage in the fall. He had one team cancel and hasn't been able to find another opponent. Rucker is spread option team which might give a team another look in preparing for the season. If any Middle school coaches are interested you can contact Coach Billy Spann at 452-1734. I might add he mentioned distance is not an issue he is willing to travel. Thanks

I spoke with a middle school coach at Rucker Stewart Middle in Gallatin who needs to find another scrimmage in the fall. He had one team cancel and hasn't been able to find another opponent. Rucker is spread option team which might give a team another look in preparing for the season. If any Middle school coaches are interested you can contact Coach Billy Spann at 452-1734. He also stated that distance is not an issue that he is willing to travel. Thanks

Last year the D at Hunters Lane was very good and the offense was pretty good as well. What about the upcoming season and has anyone seen them in Spring practice?

I have heard several people refer to the Wing T as boring. I understand that this is spoken of from a fans perspective, but I think football coaches would agree the Wing T, when run correctly, is beautiful. The two tight double wing is very hard to defend from a schematic stand point. You can't load up a side and you have to play very disciplined football to contend with it.

I recently posted this question on the 5A website under the premise of "Wing-T in 5A football." I did it because I have repeatedly heard people who don't like the Wing-T mention how no 5A football team has ever won the title in a Wing-T system. The topic turned into an insult fest which was not what I wanted to hear. I want to hear coaches who know and believe in the system describe, defend, or even debate their faith in the Wing-T. I would also like to hear the other side of the story, knowledgable and succesful coaches who don't care for the Wing. I have grown to like the Wing-T as I have had to plan on how we would defend it. The kids I coach responded well to the scheme I designed and shut down and out the teams we have played in the Wing. I am realistic however, the teams we play are Middle School kids who are running a limited Wing-T. The books and videos, however, from Denny Creehan, Ted Kempski, Tubby Raymond have shown me a very different Wing T, one in which the pass is as important as the run. I also like the modifications that Bruce Cobleigh has made (he uses west coast principles to aid in his game). My only concerns about the Wing-T are that it is complicated, different from most other offenses (meaning you need to bring kids up in it, as opposed to plugging in athletes), and if you can't pass out of it seems like a loaded box is impossible to deal with. I would like to hear from proponents and opponents of the wing.

I apologize if this has already been discussed in depth. I saw White House scrimmage Gallatin,who looks much improved on offense, and White House looked very strong. They have their traditional line, good runners and receivers, and a QB with an arm and the swagger. Gosh, the whole team plays with great confidence. I have been told that in 2004 and 2005 the White House Middle school team had two unbeaten years of complete dominace and that people have been waiting to see this team. Is White House expected to win their region, could they make a real run for the title?

I have read a few of the back and forth comments about the future potential in Smyrna, and am of the opinion that it is entirely to early to write off Smyrna in any game next year. I have no ties to Smyrna but know a talented team when I see one. I think Smyrna will be a fine team next year. I don't believe another immediate title is in the making for this season, but a gimme game for anyone, no way. The only thing that I think might be a valid point is the void left by two playmakers like Gray and Wilks. Smyrna was not always the dominate team on the field this year but were able to battle back due to the bigs plays this tandum provided. A receiver that savvy and a QB with an arm that strong is a bit unique. But aside from that Smyrna Dawgs are gritty, well coached (from pee wee and up), and now they are used to being on top. In my humble opinion Smyrna will be around for a while, and who knows maybe will win another title real soon.

I was primarily referring to the collegiate level and downward.

With the whole football world falling head over heals for the latest craze the spread offense, which utilizes four and five wide outs at a time, the "most under utilized" player on the field is becoming even more obsolete. Which begs two questions, can these teams survive the long haul and will Tight End defeicient ball teams continue to succeed? In addition the West Coast system that allows a team to quickly exploit the creases in zone coverages is nearly an antiquated notion. I am curious to hear a variety of football minds comment on the previous question as well as hear your thoughts on why we are seeing less of the 3 and 5 step quick strike passing game.

I have recently been part of an ongoing discussion with several coaches about the importance of topics like scheming, keeping it simple, player development, X's and O's verses Jimmy's and Joe's. Each coach is supremely confident in their particular view point, and I am wondering what a larger body of coaches might have to say about the topic.

But what does that mean exactly, what type of kids = what type of defense? Please, I am truly trying to wrap my mind around the various concepts and philosophies.