datoppers

That's what I want to know!!!!! One more question, Wasn't Sevier Co. ranked in the state?????? This is good for Topper football to jumpstart what I hope to be a winning program. From the 10th grade to the 8th the talent is there. The 8th is loaded with talent and not to brag but is also undefeated. Above all I believe the close games have meshed us into a team. This is a Junior laden team so next year expectations will be high. I believe the topper players and nation is falling in love with football. Winning breeds the love that is need to draw the masses. Good game Toppers and just remember, HARD WORK & DEDICATION, HEART. Play by my signature.

I have ties to both programs and I wish the cyclones the best, but the hill will take this one. As far as the rivalry, all the talk only goes so far and then they have to play the game. IMO for the cyclones to have a chance it will hinge on the play of the QB (MY COUSIN) RYAN THOMAS and the defense. I've watched most of these young men grow up in the cyclone program and coach Witten really has the opertunity to make this year and next year special. One thing about it unlike Johnson City, Elizabethton is a football town. Win, lose or draw the fans love the cyclones. Now that my boys are in the topper program I would love to see that same commitment to football as well. Topper Nation just hold on because we have some classes coming through, that is if everyone stays in the program, we will be fine. My son plays on the 8th grade team and I tell you those boys are a team first. They played Tuesday and beat Sevier 36-7, and just remember the name WILL ADAMS. WILL is the RB of the 8th grade team and IMO he is the next best thing. SCIENCE HILL 38 ELIZABETHTON 17

Well i'm glad that there is some coaching at the Hill that can light a fire under the players. With the speed and size coach smith has coming from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade we should be in good shape if they stay in the program.

I have a kid in the program and IMO in order for the Toppers to become a winning football program it's going to take a commitment from the players and coaches and everybody involved. The attitude of SHHS is we are just playing football until basketball or baseball or some other sport comes around has got to go. As I say in my signature you have got to love the game in general in order to make a winning program. I love the game and I tell my boys to apply hard work and dedication to the way they work out and the way they practice and play. But I just don't feel that at SHHS about the football program. I'll say SH -28 SS -20

I have a kid in the program and IMO in order for the Toppers to become a winning football program it's going to take a commitment from the players and coaches and everybody involved. The attitude of SHHS is we are just playing football until basketball or baseball or some other sport comes around has got to go. As I say in my signature you have got to love the game in general in order to make a winning program. I love the game and I tell my boys to apply hard work and dedication to the way they work out and the way they practice and play. But I just don't feel that at SHHS about the football program. I'll say SH -28 SS -20

Any word on how the scrmmiage went against Daniel Boone?

That same Betsy QB should be the starter this year also

Thanks for the info hilltopfan

Does anyone know when spring training will begin

I agree with ya ucfpunter in the fact that the parents play a large part in the discipline problems. Discipline begins at home. To me the kids are the ones that have to want to win first and as a whole. What we have is mostly parents wanting to win more than the kids. Players today at the Hill and in general don't want to put the hard work and effort in it takes to turn around a program. As for Bulldog69 the bottom line is we support coach smith and I don't care what say about smith getting any credit in indy he will get credit anyway. When Tony Dungy left Tampa and Grudion came in and won a Super Bowl the next year he did it with Tony's work. And the same goes for coach smith. He had to have some kind of imprint on that team. Topper Nation just hold on a change is coming!!!! As for Coach Smith and the topper players Coach, Play, and live by my signature!!!! Oh one more thing, this my boys moto "IF WE PRACITCE LIKE CHAMPIONS WE WILL PLAY LIKE CHAMPIONS

I totally agree that the 2008 football season starts now!!! My boy has already started his offseason workout, catching 100 balls a day and doing various drills accompanied with weight lifting. There are a lot of good drills on www.nike.com/gridiron. We have to practice like champions. Come on Toppers lets GO TO WORK FOR 2008!!!! /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" /> /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" /> /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" /> /mad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad.gif" /> Like I always say live and play by my signature.

Coach Woody Hayes once said a coach without a system is a loser. If you read the article in tricitiessports Coach Smith said he didn't come to the hill to run the ball. He has a run and gun system, which I believe if given time will work. Independence is doing well in what would have been his 4th season there. If we can get over the high expectations, some of which he brought on hisself. With the talent coming,he'll have plenty of recievers and scat backs and maybe a qb or 2 to fit his system. We just have to be patient. Oh by the way I for one Like the Gilligan Hat. I have one and i'm wearing it right now. One thing though, he is going to have to put his foot down on the boys bucking up at coaches. If my boy were to do that he would be off the team. My kids still say yes/no sir. I guess I'm just old fashion at 32yrs old. There's a fine line between being a friend and a father/coach.

At this point, Smith is simply building for the future. His JV team finished 5-1, his freshmen 6-3, his eighth grade 7-2 and his seventh grade 7-1 says tricitiessports.com. THE FUTURE STARTS FOR THE HILL ON FRIDAY NIGHT. LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD. Potental is the abilty of anything to become something. My assestment of this years football team is a bunch of players with a lot of potental that never played as a team. We have one more game to show NET what that THE HILLTOPPERS are made of. Let's start something on friday at J. Fred Johnson. Good luck and just read and play by the signature.

Reading these last couple of post everyone seems to agree with the fact that hard work and dedication in the off season is how we will build players who are physical come next August. Just read my signature , you have to play and live by it. LT said the best players are made in the offseason. That's was a great and accurate post only1bigg. I agree with you topvol that Mr. bigg seems to be maybe a coach of some sort and can really help dads help the players. History made a comment in his post about Little Johnny and playing time and I agree. I'm not a Dad that has tunnel vision, but a lot of dads have tunnel vision. A LOT OF PLAYERS AND DADS WANT BIG TIME RESULTS WHEN ONLY A HANDFUL OF KIDS ARE WILLIING TO PUT IN THE TIME TO GET THOSE RESULTS. My oldest son is a 7th grader who played at ITMS this season. He was back-up RB and started at CB/S. The kid starting RB was awsome and way better, more physical than my boy. My kid didn't need to start RB, he was not the better player. I told my son playstation is not going to make you a better player, only hard work and dedication. Like Mr. bigg said concerning dvd's on bettering yourself at a certain position the tools are out there. We work out with the ladder drills, cone drills, the sled, and the speed parachute. You can find position drills at Nikegridiron. So Mr. bigg, what else can we do as DADs to help grow these young men into better players???