BLUEMOM

There is nothing in the NFHS 2007 Rules book concerning bands. However, the TSSAA does prohibit "artificial noisemakers". My better half (20+ years high school official) says that the QB can inform the referee (white hat) that the band is interfering with their ability to snap the ball. This falls under rule 9-5-1 Noncontact unsportsmanlike conduct in which a team is not allowed to use disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with the offense signals or movements. 15 yard penalty. It can also fall under rule 9-8-1 noncontact unsportsmanlike conduct by nonplayers or 9-9-1 unfair acts which is that a player or nonplayer shall not hinder play with no specific rule coverage. All that said, it is usually not enforced. Referees will usually issue a warning to the coach for the band director to quieten down during live play. Players should also be aware of increased volume from fans if they complain. I agree, it should be a specific rule!

Big thanks to the Friends of Finley and Frank Burke for the wonderful scoreboard! It was magnificent! A really great addition to the atmosphere at the stadium!

After a scoreless first quarter, a McCallie player was injured and had to be taken off the field on a backboard. (He will be ok, thankfully!) This injury seemed to polarize the Tornado and they came back with a vengance. The defense held the Rebels to around 200 total yards. Big problem for Franklin was turnovers, 3 interceptions--1 for a TD.

Thoughts, opinions, predictions?

Unless the head referee held the ball over his/her head and declared the game finished, the officials may still be waiting on the decision of when to finish the game. Did the coaches consult with the officials?

Last week it was QB Keenon Rush, John Brock, Jay Fullam, Jonny Newman, Reggie Poindexter...

Actually, we are a singular Blue Tornado and we still run the option.

My bad! I'm still suffering from lack of sleep from the return trip from KY. It will be a close one! McCallie will win with home field advantage by 3!

McCallie is still very young, but matured quite a bit this past week. I saw FC eventually lost to Wilson Central. Not sure what their strengths/weaknesses are though. It should be a good game!

Sorry didn't mean to whine. For the most part, I really enjoy our experiences at Finley. Great turf, good seats, good tailgating areas etc. But according to local radio, if all goes well the scoreboard should be functional tonight!

Will Finley Stadium ever have a working scoreboard? My family attended last nights opening of the Krystal Kick-off Classic and was disappointed to see that yet again no working scoreboard. During the second game, they finally had a temporary board with no clock and semi-updated scores! The landscaping both in and around the stadium also in need of serious upkeep. Several dead plants and weed overgrowth. Understandable somewhat due to the extreme weather! It is a shame to have such a potentially awesome venue that is let go!

I believe #12 was mostly defensive covering wide receivers. Made some great defensive plays. I'm sorry I don't know their names, no programs with rosters at scrimmages! All in all a very clean scrimmage with few penalties.

Just returned home from scrimmage and can confirm GHSfan. Gallatin looks big and strong and executed well. Standout players noticed from the stands were #9 and #12. While Gallatin has a strong inside running game McCallie looked better and faster around the corners. McCallie is very young at some key skill positions and showed during the goal line portion. Thanks for showing us where we need to work! Gallatin punter is awesome--very strong, with great hang time and distance. A few cars in the parking lot are now sporting dents! Both teams worked their kicking games extensively to start the scrimmage. Good luck to the Green Wave on their quest for Murfreesboro. As always, it has been a pleasure having your team in camp with us. Hopefully, we can continue in the future.

You are more than welcome GWAVE. I can't attend the first part of scrimmage this morning but will attend the second part this evening. I will try to remember to post an update this evening around 10ish. I'm hoping the coaches keep a good eye on the heat and water. At 7am it was already 77 with a predicted high of 96 and heat index of 105. Chattanooga had a 19 year old runner fatality at a local road race Saturday. The heat is very scary. This runner was on track scholarship, very experienced and in shape.

Gallatin has been at McCallie since last Wednesday staying in the dorms and working out on campus. Sevier County is also present. They will stay until Tues/Wed. The new scrimmage restrictions have made fewer inter-squad practices than we have had in the past. Officially, Gallatin/McCallie will scrimmage each other tomorrow. It should be a good match-up! I spoke to some Gallatin players yesterday as they were headed to scrimmage Sevier and they want everyone to know they are ready and good to go!

Gallatin has been very spirited at camp. They are working hard and making improvements! Coaches looked happy after today's scrimmage against Sevier County. Gallatin will scrimmage McCallie on Monday.

Anything is possible with a game that has this much emotion. Baylor does have a good QB and a running back that I have not laid eyes upon yet. McCallie is returning one of the state's best linemen in Mr. Bain along with several other outstanding defensive players. I believe that the blue team will have an answer.

It is a little early for all this. But, in order not to lose, the red team has to score more points than the blue team. Otherwise, they lose!

I wonder if Baylor will be guaranteeing the safety of visitors cars. I've had red "B's" painted on my at Finley in the past! Also wonder what their traffic control plans are? I understand that McCallie will have very limited tickets.

My understanding was that McCallie was willing to play during week 3 but Ooltewah's administration wouldn't ok. So McCallie is now playing a team from S. Carolina.

Hilltopper, I would call the TSSAA directly to get the name of the assigning officer for your local association. In the Chattanooga area, there is an informational meeting for new officials on July 10 at Notre Dame High School. I'm sure the Nashville area should be having something similar. There is an extreme shortage of good officials in our area which contributes to issues on the field. It is hard to get and keep good knowledgeable people when they are threatened and harassed. The money's not that good! Most are just trying to do a good job. My husband is currently on sabbatical after officiating high school football for almost 30 years. Our son was a freshman on varsity last year and dad is choosing to take a few years off to cheer from the stands. From my point of view, after watching prep games with my husband for the first time since I've known him, he needs to be less objective! After all, I'm sure our team didn't mean to commit those fouls and earn those penalties!

Wow, 3 great new players in one year! Wonder how that happened? Mr. Reed was a 6th grader at McCallie, before transferring to Baylor in the 7th.

According to the handbook, there are lot's of ways he could be eligible! Best of luck to the Reed's either way!

The McCallie-Riverdale game last year was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen - high school, college or pro! I believe on any given day a match-up between a strong 5A and a strong DII school would be a toss up.

According to last year's roster, J. Newman is 6'3" and 206#. He played alot of WR and some TE roles last year. He has good hands. He also played more than adequate QB when needed.