BlueQB12

Did anyone see the article by Coach Tim Daniels(formerly at Loudon,now at Red Bank)? He proposed no spring practice, then doing away with the dead period in the summer. Sounds interesting and a lot different than what we have always known here. He has experienced it both ways, and says the way he proposes is much better. The article is in the Chattanooga paper and also posted on coacht in another area. Check it out and see what you think. Seems like an interesting new approach. I'm not sure which I would prefer at this point. Summer is typically vacation time, and we lose enough family time through the year anyway. My opinion, with a young team, now fits best. what are your thoughts?

As one of the former players priviledged to be present, Thanks to all for the opportunity to honor Tim Leonard! He was a good friend and a good man. Also, it was good to see some faces I haven't seen in a while. Impressive win for the Chiefs, improvement is evident, looking for even better in the near future from a young team. Great job to all!

HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA............!

That's tough. It sounds like the youngsters are growing up a bit. Are there any Friday night(evening) home games left on the schedule? I would really like to see them play, just don't have a lot of free time right now. They play when I am going to work.

How did this finish up? Three games this week, or did I hear wrong?

You've got nothing to worry about from me. Until you decide to reveal yourself, I know nothing.

In our conversation, I told you coach wouldn't be manipulated, and I don't believe he has. I also said they wouldn't be there if they couldn't help, and I still believe that. Like you, I hope coach Black is around for many years. It's not too late,the boys are working hard,and it will show. If I would have any reason against these guys coaching, it would be this. They are in a no-win situation. No matter what it is, there will be folks who believe they influence playing time for their boys. Again, I don't believe coaches Summey or Gregory play that game. There again, I really can't speak for another man, just what I perceive to be true. I really can't see a hindrance to your interest on the team. If you are who I think you are(don't worry,I won't say), he played the majority of every game. I perceive also there is nothing that will change your mind on this issue, so this is it for me. As for girls basketball, if he can help.......? Speaking of coach Black, did that work out for him to be a hired coach this year? I know there was some talk about that, but I have lost track of that subject. Well, almost 2 months till spring practice, just have to be bored till then.

How? What have they done or failed to do that has crippled the program? For the life of me, I can't see what you guys are talking about. Maybe I'm Dum-Dumx2, but I don't understand what they have done that is so wrong. I can look back many times over my coaching experiences and wish I had done this or that differently, but hindsight is 20-20. Every one of us watches UT play and fuss about how stupid that call was, but really, what would we do differently in the same position? Easy to say, if the run failed, they should have passed or vice-versa. As far as I know, even those coaches when they study film can see those same things. Players play, coaches coach, execution wins. At least, that's how my simple mind sees it.

You can go back and read plenty of my previous posts to get it right. I said that coach Summey would not keep them around if he did not feel they could help the team be better. Obviously,he is comfortable with their efforts,so I have to be. I'm not there, he is,and as I have said before, I trust his judgement. Quote me, that's fine, just get it right. If they were adversely affecting the team, yes I would be disappointed. Again, it's not for me to judge, and that's his decision. Just like the school situation, this is what we have, and for the kids I support his decision making. Whether I agree or disagree with him on anything is irrelevant. I just want the kids to be successful(every one of them) the same as my own. I was and still am encouraged by the improvement the team made this past year and I'm looking forward to the coming year. Call it sticking my head in the sand or whatever, that's where I stand. I believe in coach Summey to steer the program in the right direction. Also,these guys you want to talk so bad about were my friends before Sequoyah, and I hope they remain that way long after I'm gone. Speaking of which, I will have to take some backwater. I saw where the school board discussed how large the school would or could get, and the words Vonore High School came up, so this possibility has more merit than I thought or would have believed. I was very surprised 1200 or so would be the limit. In previous conversations, I had been led to believe 2000 was the more realistic number. Also, it is never my intent to insult anyone, so please forgive me if you can. That is the farthest thing from my mind when I post on this thread. I want to see the kids I have helped coach through LL and watched grow up be the best they can be, and that is all. Politics is definitely not my game. GO CHIEFS, BEAT sweetwater!

I agree. This is an idea that would never get off the ground,and has less merit than middle school ball. As I have commented before,Sequoyah is our school,the old days are gone,support what we have now....for the kids sake if nothing else! Say what you want,believe what you will,but get off the dead horse and start supporting these kids or stay home. You guys remind me of those who will never step up to try anything,but always complain about those who at least try. To tell the truth,it has really grown old and stale,and I don't know who you talk to that agrees with you so much,but I appreciate every effort made by EVERY coach to help my son improve in football as well as life. I respect your right to disagree,but these comment about the volunteer coaches need to stop. You have been invited numerous times to sit down and share your vast supply of knowledge with these guys,and you have not responded,so until you decide to grow some and look them in the eye,my suggestion is to just hush. On a better note,all the guys are getting stronger,improving their max lifts,and overall working hard. They seem to have a good work ethic,and that is what it is going to take. We just need to encourage them to work harder,and stay after it. GO CHIEFS!

The grumbling don't come from the kids. It comes from old predjudices of the past in parents and grandparents. Every slight(imagined or real)is brought up time after time. The fact is,as I have stated so many times,Sequoyah is our school now,like it or not! We should always make the best of what we have. I wouldn't trade my days at Vonore High for anything,they were some of the best days of my life,and I dearly loved pulling on that blue-and-white jersey. I don't have to forget that just because we are Sequoyah now. My passion is RED-AND-WHITE now,and I want to see my son and your son be successful! If we want to keep these "hired" coaches,we better be a little more willing to cooperate. My day has passed,it belongs to these kids now,and they deserve our best effort to make it worth their effort. I agree,Sid,I think coach Black would be a great choice to head up a middle school program. But like you said,old bitterness stands in the way. We would do well to learn from our kids,who have no problem getting along.

Middle school football would work,and it would be easy to see if so many minds weren't already closed to the idea. I,too,believe this is the future,and we may as well get on board. I do agree success in high school will increase participation at all levels,and we have to start somewhere. Unfortunately,I am probably the lone voice from Vonore for this,and I don't see it changing. Most of the folks I talked to were already dead-set against it without ever hearing what Coach Summey had to say. I also don't believe we will ever be the force in 3-3a slobber was talking about without this commitment. Well,no use beating a dead horse,move on and do the best we can without it for now. GO CHIEFS!

That's what I'm hearing from just about everyone I talk to. If it is something that can't be done without affecting the LL's in a bad way, I wouldn't be for it either. My impression going in was that the LL's could survive with 3 teams, but I have been told otherwise. There has been too much work put in to step back now. It has taken years,lots of money,and lots of sacrifice from many to put the LL's in the shape they are in now. My suggestion going forward from here would be a coaching seminar with the LL coaches to get the system put in place,at least on the JRS.,maybe to a smaller extent the cutters. I have encountered a lot of opposition wherever I have been to talk about middle school ball,and I don't think this is something we can do without the support of everyone.Unfortunately,we just don't have the numbers to support both. There is another meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. at Countryside if anyone can attend.

Unfortunately, I have to be at work at 5:00 that evening. Just so there is no mistake, I am completely for this, and will be glad to help make it happen any way I can. I know there is a lot that would have to take place just to even field a team, but I do feel the effort would be worth it. Lack of funds, uniforms,practice sight,coaches,scheduling...all these things would hinder,and it is already late getting started. IF this is going to happen,there can be no delays,we must get after it aggressively. I have not had the opportunity to speak with a lot of folks about this, so I only know the feelings of you guys on coacht and that coach Summey really wants to see this happen. One question I have been asked is this....If we have middle school ball,why not elementary ball as well? A lot to consider,a lot of questions that need to be answered.....GOOD LUCK! As far as uniforms,why not combine the other 2 colors of the leagues...black and blue? That would solve the uniform issue anyway until something better could be found. It is a big project that would take all our cooperation,and a lot of people working on this,but I have already seen what can happen with just a few working in the same direction. Well,eat enough for me too,and keep me informed,I'm counting on you warchief,because you and I have discussed this before. GO CHIEFS!

I think that would be a step in the right direction, although middle school would be the best way, I believe it would definitely have an adverse effect on the LL. I agree with Warchief, get the high school winning, that will bleed down into the LL somewhat. I know we have been to coaching clinics at UT the last 3 years, and it has helped position coaching the most, but you have to have the kids number-wise to coach, and they're just not there(at Vonore anyway). If we could get the LL parents to meet the high school coaches and get them enthused....that would help a lot. Keeping these coaches for several years is a priority, so the younger kids see them and want to play for them. The pre-season camp we have had for a few years now would be a great time for them to meet the coaches and spend some time getting to know them. To me,advertising for this needs to start now, even to the point of posters and signs in key points of both towns. I don't know anything else to do, and certainly would love to hear better suggestions, and I will do all I can to increase the involvement from Vonore, whatever it takes! GO CHIEFS!

A big problem seems to be participation(or lack of) for both leagues. I wish there was a magic potion to get the kids to come out and play, because I believe there is more than enough talent in both schools to be more than competitive in league play. That said, I don't understand why more kids don't play. My dad never pushed me to play, I wanted to. Of course, Atari was the only video game, and it was boring to me. So far, my son has wanted to play, although sometimes he don't really care for practice. I am concerned about the possibility of burn-out, since he started so young, but that is another matter for another time. Personally, as I have stated before, I believe to be fair to the kids when they get to high school, they need to play middle school football, whether it is together or separate(which separately is obviously not working). Anyway, that's just my opinion. GO CHIEFS!

Big C, welcome aboard. Just so you know my thoughts, at one time I did think it was you, but I talked with a couple of men who knew you a lot better than I and they convinced me to look elsewhere. The only reason I would like to know is I like dealing with people who are straight up, who will look you in the eye and tell you what is on their mind, regardless if it makes you feel good or not. The only dealings I have ever had with you were that way. Again, welcome aboard. Your thoughts will only add to the fun. Now, as far as Vonore goes, they were very young this past year, and I don't know how many will give up their skateboards to play, so it is hard to guess number wise. GO CHIEFS!

Yes,come on,let's do our part(even if red nation won't let us use his c-card). This is a great site with spirited discussions we couldn't have otherwise,and a dollar a month is nothing,so ante up folks! Sign up is easy,so don't miss the fun!

I have pondered quite a bit on a statement Coach Quarles made at the banquet, and I quote,"Leave it better than you found it." Getting on an internet chat board and questioning an award presented to a deserving young man is not accomplishing that. In my opinion,there were probably several to choose from,and I believe there are other deserving young men out there,but even so I could not argue with the choice that was made. J-R goes above and beyond what is required of him on a daily basis,and has been a great help to my own son. I appreciate him and the other terrific young men we are priviledged to have at Sequoyah,and I am proud of him. J-R, if you read these posts,please know this is an attitude not shared by me or many others. Keep setting the example for the younger players,regardless of what anybody has to say. No "Sugar-coating" here,just point blank truth-YOU NEED TO ISSUE AN APOLOGY TO RED NATION AND HIS SON! What you had to say was totally uncalled for,and very much unappreciated. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but leave the personal attacks unsaid,especially in regards to the kids.

Definitely a tough guy! Makes you wonder what he could have done healthy. Myself,I thought he had a great season. Good job on the banquet. Really enjoyed it,coach Quarles was awesome,also very complimentary to coach Summey and the boys. Good challenge to the team and coaches,it's there if you want it bad enough. Sure seems like a long time to spring practice. GO CHIEFS!

I agree. It seemed to me also that every blitzer drifted to the middle,causing them to be blocked or shielded from the running back. I can see that on a pass play,but when a team is running off tackle as well as most did against us,it is way more important to hold your position. Again,I blame our youth and inexperience for this. Recognition and reaction go hand in hand,and we had to little of both. Seeing the play develop in front of you and reacting quickly is a big part experience and instinct. Know the keys. Study film,see if a guard pulls,or the tackle blocks down,or if a back leans before the play starts. A lot of this comes from experience. I,too,believe improved D-line play will help the 'backers,and the defense as a whole.

I thought a lot of the time last year the weaknesses were recognition as much as anything. To play aggressively at linebacker,you've got to realize at the snap what the offense is trying to do to you. Read the keys,then arrive with an attitude. A lot of the time we were content to make the tackle 6-8 yards downfield. Again,strength is a key in the ability to shed blockers. I look for the 'backers to be much improved as they gained needed experience on the field. This could wind up being a strength on the team next year,as several youngsters played quite a bit due to injury.

You're right about that. Probably could count on one hand the number of high schools that have that ability,starting with Alcoa and Smyrna. Both had big,dominant lines. Strength being the key,but knowing how to apply that strength is just as important. I don't believe you can teach too much technique. There is a saying that practice makes perfect,and repetition brings improvement. As these young men get stronger,the technique will be more noticeable,and the offense more successful. Even as young as the linemen were this past year(even you have to agree X-knocker) they were improved over past efforts. Still a ways to go,but they are getting there. It will continue to take harder work than they have ever known to compete and be successful,but I believe they are willing to put in the work and effort,and that will show next year on the field. From my viewpoint,they improved tremendously this past year,and coaching has to receive at least a portion of the credit. Saw John-Ray's car yesterday,again I have to say thank you God for sparing him. Man,that car looks bad.

Thank God! Glad to hear he is alright.

I don't really know how many will try to play in high school from Vonore. Could be as few as 1 or as many as 8,but they will all need to work out hard and get much more aggressive,as well as learning better technique. GO CHIEFS!