BLUEMOM

Great topic! I think we should have a rules question of the week! I say it is a touchback as in high school when the ball enters the end zone it is automatically a touchback. The kick doesn't end with the muff and continued into the endzone. An interception can leave the end zone in high school but not a kick/punt/field goal attempt.

Aw shucks! Ya'll are too kind! Now back to football! We need to find a way to take care of the ball and not commit penalties at crucial times. As blueson said last night on a blue fumble, that was really unfortunate. I think I remember grounding him! If anyone was there and understands the final play, I am confused. FR had a big run for a score, I saw a flag in the endzone. The ref held the ball aloft to signal end game. They picked up flag and left. What was flag for? What did we do that time? On to BA prep. I am stocking in lots of chocolate!

Congrats to the Irish and hope you had a safe and uneventful trip home!

Near perfect football weather! Hope the BGA fans and buses have a safe trip home. BGA QB has a tremendous arm! A week off to keep working then a big welcome to Father Ryan!

I surely do hope that it is the Blue Tornado ahead in the points column when the clock reads 0:00! I also hope that BGA has a safe trip down from Franklin and look forward to a good game tonite! Go Blue!

After a little limited research, here goes... I do not know if it is just the association or a TSSAA mandate for the grading. I would assume that an organization such as the TSSAA would want such an evaluation system in place. I know that all rules and calls/enforcements are open for discussion and that the association strives for uniformity. However, there will be variance between crews as to their tolerance levels for certain infractions - true at all levels, high school, NCAA, NFL. I don't know how to fix that. I did discover that there are approximately 13-15 local associations located across the state with approximately 50 persons who could be "graders" across the state. Locally, the assoc. has attempted in the past to invite open dialogue with coaches by hosting barbeques and such that were free to the coaches. They were not well attended. I do know that open communication is encouraged by Bluehalf's crew and they ask the coaches/ad's if they noticed anything that needed correction and review every flag thrown. I will also commend the Sequatchie coach who attended a local meeting recently to thank the extra ECO for coming that they had requested. The 25 second clock was not functioning but the extra helped work the sides and refused his pay! Hmmmm.... The requests to buy the gear, pay the dues, take the test and give it a whirl are genuine. There is a shortage of officials making it difficult to turn away some who might need it and still get all games covered. Years ago it was 3-5 years to get on the field on a Friday nite as a rookie.... now, it happens much more quickly.

I know in our area (SE TN) every crew is observed at least once during the year by one of the area state supervisors (the association has 2). They are graded and their performances are critiqued. These critiques are then used when evaluating those up for playoff games. At the weekly meetings special situations that have occurred are covered and dissected to see what if anything should have been done differently and how they should be handled going forward. I also know the crew usually does an informal post-mortem immediately following the game.

Congratulations to the Red Raiders on a well played game. They looked like the well oiled football machine I saw in the jamboree. Once again, too many penalties and moving the ball the wrong direction.

Sorry to post twice in a row! For those interested in a little history of the rivalry, the chattanoogan.com has an interesting article today! www.chattanoogan.com

Wow! What a beautiful day outside for some football! How important is ball protection and penalty avoidance? Critical! We shall hope, pray, cross our fingers and toes that we have gotten it out of our system! Our state champion golfers kicked off the winning ways this week and I'm hoping our footbal boys will just continue the roll! Go Big Blue!

Thanks Chattcity and Jon26! I honestly didn't know it was a tiger. I've seen the paw prints on the road into campus but I don't recall any tigers. Most recently they seem to have focused on the old english B and the Red Raiders. I have years worth of different M styles and shades of blue! I have honestly only attended a handful of events on the campus across the river. Less than 10-15. It is always good to learn something new and expand your horizons! Now back to our corners! PS - I have only been a part of the rivalry for the past 7 years in person. I did not start dating my better half until he was already in college and an official. I was raised a public school brat. I started attending games when blueson started at McCallie in 6th!

Wouldn't that be awesome! Non-stop football for 5 days! I'd better pack extra snacks! The last OT (if my memory serves) was a double OT on red campus and ended in Blue's favor. I'd take that! My better bluehalf and I debated a question last night and never reached a consensus. Why do the Red Raiders use a paw print as part of their pagentry? I'm an Auburn grad and used to the multiple personality disorder that football fans have, but neither of us could figure that one out! Thanks!

Ouch, NDSoccer88! I will grant that I am biased both in terms of being a fan as well as a past president of the booster club. Unfortunately, I am not an alumni (all boys) but am married to one! So most of opinions and posts are definitely colored blue. Here goes at an attempt to be only slightly biased (this is why I am not a newspaper reporter!) take on this years game. The Blue will have to protect the ball. This has been a challenge this year that I've not seen related to one particular player. It has either been a pic, or a rb fumble or a toss that is off. I'm sure they work on that daily. The offense has become more than one dimensional over the past few games which has been a good sight to see. The new coordinator seems to be settling into the role and mixing it up nicely and finding ways to get some really good playmakers more into the game. The defense has shined at times and at times has broken down. I'm sure they are working and have studied their film and will most definitely be attempting to account for Mr. Huesman. Special teams? What is there to say...too many missed kicks. How important are all special teams units to a team? Vital...affects the whole game plan. Now, will I say B----- this week? Nah. Will I wear red this week? Nah. Will I tailgate with the Tornado Club and enjoy watching the game at Finley with plenty of room? Most definitely. Will I second guess play calls? Probably not...there are much smarter people coaching than I. Will I second guess officials? Definitely...I live with one and he will have to answer for those even though he won't be there to see it. Now, I will always believe that we have a legitimate chance at any game we play. That is why we play the game. So if the team across the river wants to take their victory for granted and as a given, go right ahead and overlook the possibility of ending up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. I will be blue before, during and after! And, if ND stands for Notre Dame, nice having you as a neighbor on Dodds! Go Big Blue!

It's ok Shakin, I can anchor down the blue island just fine! I have faith that the blue gentlemen have been working hard. They've balanced out the offense. I do believe we have a running back who is currently 4th in the city in stats as well as some others who are back from some early dings. They can and will get the job done! In the meantime, I will keep channeling that we are Kentucky thoroughbreds in a race for the winning blue roses! (actual blue roses available overnight from Ecuador...I have the phone # if you need it!)

It's ok KWoodroof. Blue betterhalf says I am as stubborn as a mule and as long as the mule gets to wear blue, paint me one! Ball protection is definitely an issue. The blue must protect their ball. Whoever wins the turnover battle in any game generally wins.

Ah, what a week! Bonfires, pep rallies, flags flying, tailgating. What more could we ask for! As to the game, I don't believe that the team across the river has ever been ahead at the end of the game at Finley Stadium since it was constructed and we moved the game there. So I'm going to say that the team across the river will remain at 0 for Finley. With my blue tinted glasses firmly in place, I'm predicting a close one: McCallie 27 Other visiting team 26 Go Big Blue!

This past Friday the umpire calling the McCallie/MBA game collapsed on the field and was taken to the hospital in the first quarter. We have received reports that he later passed away. He was 48 years old. We would like to take a minute to remember him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. I would also like to commend this particular crew that remained for continuing to call this game to the best of their abilities with one short. They did a good job. As to my own personal officiating connections, my better half is a 30 plus year official and his father was before him. My son while still playing at the college level plans to join when his playing days are done. The most impressive thing I have heard from many zebras is that most remember that the game they are calling that night is the MOST important game in the world to the 2 sets of players and they will do their best to call it right. Do they miss things? Yes... hubby agonizes over that after every game and replays it in his head to see if he would do it different. Most do. I've even heard of an official who has called a coach to apologize for a missed call. Good or needing improvement, just remember they are human. At this level they don't benefit from instant replay, professional chain crews and extra stripes on the field at the next level. I believe most are doing their level best. Join up and give it a try, I know our area is always looking for good candidates! It will cost approx $200 for equipment, 10-20 hours a week for meeting/games, fees.

Thoughts and prayers from the Blue family.

Protecting the football seems to be a recurring theme so far throughout the season. Must be corrected. Thought some of our younger guys stepped up well tonite. The injury report last night was grim. Congrats to MBA. They have rebounded from their own injury report! Will have my flags out ironing them tomorrow and getting ready to mount them on the Jeep!

Awesome game, regardless of the score! Streaming video was terrific. Hope the official recuperates well. Fortunately, I think there is a semi adequate hospital just down the road a piece! Now it is time..... Rivalry week!!!!

Good to hear. Hope the ump does well. My better half returned to officiating this year and moved from head linesman to umpire. Hope he is not hit too much back there! 21-20 MBA at the half. Good, gutsy fake punt. Arghhh!!!!!

Sorry... KWoodroof! Too excited to type! 20-14 McCallie in second.

You are awesome KWoodruff! The video is great! What happened to the official? Go Blue!!!!!!

My senile dementia is kicking in.... McCallie Joseph Ayres UTK

I need one in Nashville and Cookeville! Unfortunately I didn't get to go last night. I listened on scratchy am radio here in Chat-town. Blueson is a redshirt freshman for TTU and their home opener was Thurs nite. I'm having to save my time off requests for TTU dates and work in the Blue around that. If only people didn't get sick and want stuff! Bluedad has returned to officiating ranks and having to support his efforts also. From what I listened to, the game was closer than the score indicated. Should have been 21-14 Ensworth. The Blue did ratchet up the passing game thankfully. Penalties appeared fairly even in the box stats. We have 1 RB recovering from a knee tweak who will hopefully be back next week. Would really like to see the play the officials ruled a non-catch on one of the final drives. The announcers were in total disagreement. Wonder if the coaches would let me see? Looking forward to MBA next week. The Big Red is always hospitable and the campus is lovely! Maybe each school could earn extra $ by renting rooms to visitors!