Al Capone

SP and SM are two of the better 1A/2A teams in the state this year; Marion is.....average, just as their record indicates. Don't judge MC solely by those two game results. A lot of good teams lost by large margins to both SP and SM this season. If Marion shows up motivated and takes care of the football, FCS could be in for a game. Anything less and FCS coasts on to next week.

I'm not sure 1A football is all that weak, at least when the quarterfinals are reached. Irregardless, most seasons there's not a nickle's worth of difference between the winner of 1A and 2A football, IMO. Now 3A and Alcoa, that's a whole nother beast.

No way I'd apologize before a game has been played but.......your post has some merit. I was told before the season Marion would be fortunate to win a single game this season; they won five and, to everyone's surprise but Troll's, made the playoffs. I know the coaches will do their part in having Marion ready to play Friday night; it's up to the players to perform. Time for the Seniors (and the rest) to decide if this is their last High School football game or not. For them at least, its win or peel off those jerseys and admit its all finished. Personally, given the problems they've faced and overall lack of skill player numbers this year, I'd say the coaches have done an overall respectable job this season. Good luck to Marion. Play with some commitment and ignore all the doubters.

Naw, it was just 22-6, Boyd. No Mercy Rule here......So, how'd you guys do tonight? MC, keep your heads up. That's a respectable effort; far better than most folks on here thought you'd do.

Aw Bull Shucks.......IT WUZ THE COACHES FAULT......just lineum up and run that old 46 on 2 play. Just have your little boys knock some holes through them big boys and let them runners run fast throught them. Then, ever once in awhile, when you gottum set up, throw a long ball and win the game. Simple. You coaches today, you just complicate things by not just running the ball down peoples throats, controlling the clock, and winning games. Least wise, that's what I hear from some folks. Oh lordy, this is gonna get me in a lot of trouble. The Pirates lost to a very good Polk County team tonight; not sure any game plan could have made the outcome anything more or less than what it was. It happens occasionally. Excuses never help.

Agreed.......I've thought that for awhile.

Nope. I believe the SP coaches know full well when they're mercy ruling local regular season teams, that doesn't make the Pirates an unbeatable powerhouse. I don't need a lesson in SP football history; quite sure I've watched more of it take place than you. IF the coaches had tried to "run the ball down peoples (Polks) throats with a steady stream of backs coming in and set up the big running play or pass play" tonight, the score would have been the same, with some of those backs hurt more than likely. Polk was and is that much better than SP tonight. Sometime during this years playoffs these Pirates will face a similiar team to Polk. They better be ready and able to beat a purely physical team or another gold ball won't happen. RE that 2007 Pirate team; loaded with talent, size, speed and LEADERSHIP, everything it takes to win championships. This years team is hardly a shadow of that team. It will be a tough undertaking for these Pirates to win it all this year.

I realize it's a stretch for folks like you to accept but, just possibly, the coaches might have had legit reasons for their game plan for this game. Just sounded to me like the Pirates were soundly beaten on both lines tonight. I'm not a big fan of spread offenses either but, when ran correctly, they give a smaller team with talented skill players a fighting chance against bigger defensive players. Its clear the Pirate coaches didn't think they'd be able to run over Polk.

Man, talk about prophetic.......of course, there are those who will blame this on "bad coaching"; I think you're much closer to describing what happened tonight.

I'm thinking Marion can win this game. Both teams enjoy beating the other. Looks like Marion may have opened its offense up some. Good luck to Marion and Coach Boeck and his staff; a win in this game will go a long way toward stiffling all the haters and luke warm fans out there. There's some Marion backers out there that should simply hang their heads for their behavior this year. To this point, SP fans are showing Marion players more support than some of the long time Marion CoachT supporters have.

Yeah, about that Alcoa thing. I wish more local area teams would schedule that school also while they're on that great run of state championships. They are a fun team to watch......even more so if they aren't beating up on your personal favorite team. But there's a reason Chattanooga area coaches don't schedule them; its the same reason Polk shouldn't either. As far as the SP / Polk game, I really don't know which team will win. Home field probably will help Polk some. If SP doesn't let Polk run out to another hugh first half lead I think they're speed and overall talent will get the Pirates a win. Fall behind early and it'll be a long drive home.

How do you figure that? Lost to four good football teams; likely couldn't realistically be expected to beat either one of them if they played again. Beat Grundy County but it wouldn't have been considered an upset if they had lost that one. Marion is playing about as well as anyone expected. They have a good chance to finish 5-5 and I don't think thats too bad this year. Help is on the way. Every team (SP excepted it looks like) has these years occasionally.

Sad thing is.....it wasn't that close. Did expect those Pirates to win, just not that easily. I left at halftime again so I expect another wrestling match to break out in second half. Not really. I'll catch the second half on the radio. Maybe, just maybe, these Pirates are going to be something special.

Old LL's from Jasper and still pulls for those MC Warriors, whether he'll admit it or not. And he always brings an entourage whereever he goes. Hope he looks me up tonight at this game; doubt seriously he'll be there. Your prediction looks a little strong to me, but not out of the question. I still expect a close first half game with SP pulling away in the third Qtr. Assuming SP is back at full strength tonight they won't stumble against the Bucs.

Well, for goodness sakes Roy, what do you want to know about MC. You're the last Coacht poster that needs kept in the dark about any Tennessee team. Let's see, it don't really matter about who the MC passer is, cause if they're having to throw the ball much they're losing. For the record, his name is Shadrick (I think). He's small, but has the heart of a real Warrior. MC is a running team and just don't have enough "hole knockers" this year to consistantly move the ball. Same goes for their defense; just allow too many holes to be knocked through their line and the defensive backs don't always come up quick enough to fill them holes. In other words, MC this year is kinda like trying to make a double nut, fruit flavored, chocolat syrup covered, cherry on top Sundae with only vanilla ice cream as the ingredients. But that's alright. As long as those kids keep playing, fans outta just realize and accept every year ain't a winning season. Just keep buying those books Roy, the MC creeks rising. They'll be listed soon enough.........if that's what the coach feels best for the boys. But why do I get the feeling you already knew all that, and likely much more besides? Nothing personal Roy, your posts just crack me up. But come on outta the closet and proclaim.....I'm a MC fan.......Go ahead, it ain't hard. Personally, I don't mind vanilla once in awhile. Go Warriors.....keep the doubters quiet for another week.

I sure hope the MARION Fans who still lurk around these boards appreciate the support their Warriors are getting from Troll and OP. Really sad when a program has to rely on competition to mention the team. I think Coach Boeck and staff will find eleven players to show some heart and get another win Friday night. Good luck Warriors.

Close game in first half; SP pulls away in second half, likely 14 to 21 point win. HOWEVER, LSU 16 TENN 14,by an answered prayer. Ye jest never know.

The last time Jasper played SP, Jasper won.

OP & MT you two railbirds shouldn't be too quick to discount Marion County as a future opponent. Wouldn't venture to propose a reason (stolen SS's, stud service, changing of the tide's, whatever) but that Warrior program is just down, not out. Boeck is long term, feed program is in good hands, just give it a year or two and the ship will be righted. Just wish it could happen before Friday night. Now, I'm not going along with lottery odds that OP left them with but the Warriors are facing some mighty long odds of getting a W this week. So Go Warriors...maintain respectability and, if the opportunity presents itself, surprise the state with a W.

Before the moderators close this thread Al will chime in one time to drop this observation. IT WUZ THE CENTRAL COACHES THAT CAUSED THIS. Me and my Central buddy railbirded around the Central 35 yd line while reminising about yesteryear baseball games. View was geat and not so crowded. When three of the first five Central offensive plays resulting in turnovers and SP points, boy howdy did those Central players start to catch it from the sideline. Talk about coming off the field and not looking the coach in the eye. You'd athought there was something real interesting going on down Bridgeport the way those Central players were staring down toward there. It just got more intense as the first half progressed. I suppose all that gnawing just finally built up and boiled over after Al departed. Especially sorry to hear the Hutchins kid was ejected. Hope that was just a momentary laspe of good judgement on his part. Al had just started to admire that kid.

Troll, for someone I dismissed out of hand last week, you've just made the "Coacht Worth Repeating" club. Al says thanks for the support and on Signal going far in the post season this year.

Signal Mountain will eke out a hard fought win next Friday. Al finds himself in something of a conundrum of sorts these days regarding that Marion team. Ironically, it was a post from a long time MC Warrior supporter last week that placed me here. This young MC team does deserve support; just not sure if they need the added pressure that comes from being talked up on Coacht.com each week. This years Warriors are a low tide team; Coach and staff are likely getting about all the team has to give. Plenty of average talent; short on stars and leaders. No disrespect intended. Al will say this. Some of these igcognito MC fans better realize that brick facade provided by coacht screen names is oftentimes made of opaque glass bricks, not those solid red clay type they's thinking they're hiding behind. I never had much respect for people that just won't stand up and say what they think. Them shadowy figures lurking behind some of these names are starting to look and sound awful famaliar. So keep your chin up Marion; give your best and let the fans do the rest.

SP - 24 Central - 0 Half time First five plays for Central resulted in minimal yards gained, one fumble and two interceptions. Central Intercepted SP and immediately threw their 2nd pic. to #47 for SP; great defensive tackle for loss and no showboat attitude. Simply helped the Central player up and trotted on back to the defensive huddle. Old Al admires that type play. Millard looked good again the first half. Good pass moving to his left on long third down play. Shoulders squared up nice, ball back, completion for first down. Later a long TD, thing of beauty. Good timing between him and receiver. Receiver wasn't open when pass was launched, was when ball got there. Pretty. Left at halftime. Central wasn't as big as I thought. Crowd was sparse for Central, barely less so for SP, at least in the stands. Excitment level for this game was so low you could cut the yawn factor with a knife. SP defense looked ready for Central running game. Gang tackling all over the field. Left at half time.

Orangehammer, you are correct. This topic is about a possible future matchup between two strong football teams located close to one another. I'd rate both programs bout even for the past several years; annual games would/could have been real revenue generators for both teams. Will not happen for many years, if ever, for reasons better left unspoken. If Vic has an opening to schedule either NJ or that other nontopic team discussed anytime soon, either matchup will attract major attention.