Nashville Panther

Totally agree although MJUB also ranks some teams with very easy schedules too high. (See White House Heritage) Then again that is why we have the playoffs.

It will be very interesting in this district. I think you can break the district down into thirds. The top 3 are HF, CPA and MLK. Then the next group appear to be FRA, Goodpasture, Lipscomb battling for 4-6. Then East Lit, DCA and Ezell. Every game will count. As each of the top 3 will have to win each game against the others. For example a tie by MLK against say FRA puts HF in first. Based on the paper CPA scored first but HF came back with 2 goals.

I think CPA needs to be back in the top 15 or so. I still think MLK has a good team. Those two plus HF need to be consistently in the poll. CPA has been a solid program for years and deserves to be recognized.

UGA is correct. After watching my FRA panthers get beat by HF I went to this one. CPA had a major advantage over MLK in the speed department. The last two goals were simply a CPA midfielder speed dribbling past a defneder and getting a 1 V 1 with the keeper. I actually thought MLK had decent possession but their backline was toasted a few times.

Whats with all of the A-AA teams from West Tenn. in the top 11. When the West Tenn Teams start winning games at the state tourney then they deserve 4 of the top 11. Also, Heritage? I guess it was that big 3-2 win over Harpeth or that tie with Lipscomb that got them ranked. I suppose the 6-1 loss to Mt. Juliet was forgotten. MLK is a top 11 team.

I am in agreement with you soccerdadwc. If anything it should stay as is. Allowing the home-school to have a team but not in playoffs. OR allowing them to try out for their zoned school.

I totally agree. I love MJUHB's rankings even though I often dispute them.

To soccertime. As to putting the Fire into Division II I don't see that happening. The definition of Division II is a school that charges a tuition and has financial aid. Not to sound snippy but the home school team doesn't fit any part of the definition of a Division II team. I think the only logical place for them would be AAA in division 1. As to what district: I suppose there is some sort of headquarters for the MTHSEA. It may not be an actual building but they should have a mailing adderss/ PO box. Whatever location it is that's the district they are in. So if they are 'headquartered' in Nashville then they would be in a district with McGavock/ Overton/ H. LAne. If in Williamson then they would be with Brentwood, Centennial. In Wilson Co they would be with Mt.Juliet etc. It would be very unfair for a school the size of FRA or MTCS or Forrest (300 students) to compete with a home school team that could in theory have up to 1500 eligible players. AAA is the only place if the TSSAA was forced to add a home school team for the playoffs

If the TSSAA was forced to let the home-school team play (through the courts or state govt.) Then they would in my opinion have to go into AAA. There would be no geographic zone thus there are an enormous number of kids who would be eligible, much larger than a A or AA school. Thus, AAA. Then what district do they get placed in? I just don't think you could put a home-school team in. Now allowing home-schoolers to play at individual schools would be easier logistically at a sate level but create more stress on individual teams and coaches. Either way I think its a bad move. I think the best situation is to leave it as is. Have teams like the Fire who can compete with all the schools during the season but no way should they get into the playoffs.

Not a bad idea. Not sure what this means for the Fire. I suppose some of their guys will go and play for their zoned school if it a decent school/ team. Probably couldn't play for private schools or magnets. A concern would be that there are limits on how long some schools can practice during the school day. For instance the coach at a school in metro can't run soccer drills all day while the students are in class. In theory a home-school player could do so. Not sure if there will be increased regulations on teams because of this. I am still opposed to the Home School team playing in the playoffs as there would be unanswerable questions about what district they should be placed in.

Totally agree. The fire have some great players. I also agree that adding the Home School team to the playoffs would be crazy. First off what classification are they? Would have to be AAA as in theory evry home-schooled student in Middle Tenn could be on their squad and there are lots of home-schoolers. Also, what district do they play in? Furthermore, the whole point of home-schooling is that they are operating outside of the system (Government). They would have to sacrifice one of the great benefits of home-schooling - freedom and independence - for some form of regulation.

May want to include McGavock on the poll for AAA. They have been undefeated and have just got back their top scorer. They will have a very good record come tournament time.

Sadly teams that aren't invited to 'big tournaments' in Knoxville or Williamson County can suffer from lack of attention. The beauty is that LaVergne is a strong team and will get to play in the playoffs and can show everyone what they can do.

Usually, I have complaints about the A-AA ratings but I think you have it right on. I still think WH-Heritage is rated too high. Watch out for MLK. They have some very strong players. One I believe is on the Regional ODP team heading to Mexico.

It seems more and more common for tournaments to be cancelled due to bad weather. I do not disagree at all with the decisions to cancel as its not worth destroying a field or having guys get injured. However, its much easier for teams to reschedule one match. Because of this I am wondering if teams just playing their 16 alloted games is going to be more common. List of recent casualties USN tournament 08 Bison Cup 08 and possibly 09 Independence tournament 09 I am sure there are more. Any thoughts?

I can't imagine that anyone would think that Station Camp is in a bad spot because they lost by 1 to NOTRE DAME!!! Also, to dismiss Portland for winning a soccer game 1-0 is pretty ridiculous. While I can appreciate the enthusiasm from DeKalb. The facts are that Station Camp and White House are very good teams playing tough competition. It doesn't matter what time of the season it is Station Camp is very strong.

I totally agree with you.

I saw that Independence was rated very high in AAA. Then I saw a score of Independence 1 Page 0. Then I saw the score Fairview 3 Page 1. Then I saw Fairview play in person and couldn't imagine that this team posted a similar victory over a team of a similar margin as the #1 AAA team in the state. This led me to believe that either the results of all three games were off OR that Independence was overrated. Upon hearing that Centennial beat IHS by 2 I am thinking that IHS was totally overrated. That being said congrats to Centennial for the big win

Once again big disputes with A-AA. First off, I have always thought that West Tennessee is always overrated. The West Tennessee regions make up 25% of the state yet makes 6 of the top 20 and 2 of the top 5?? Until west Tenn. starts winning more in Murfreesboro then I think East and Middle Tenn. should get the higher ranks. Second. Speaking of Middle Tennessee White-House Heritage?? They made a decent run in 2008 in a very, very down year in Middle Tenn. A-AA soccer this year they have played nobody, oh except Lipscomb (8th place in District 9 A-AA in 08) and tied. CPA needs to be ranked higher, even though it hurts me to write that. No respect for Hume-Fogg. They played two close 0-1 games at #7 Station Camp and #13 LaVErgne, yet aren't even ranked. Also, what about Fairview who is off to a good start by beating Page who has played many close state ranked teams very closely. Now my FRA Panthers aren't off to a great start but some of the teams on the list are not top 20. I AM STILL GLAD YOU MAKE THIS POST AND RANKS. I think this site gives us all a chance to talk some soccer.

Just wondering if people in Middle Tenn. or any other part of the state was going to cancel due to the cold/ snow

You forgot College visits!! This is a problem that hits just about every team (especially smaller schools where the number of boys is limited). Spring semester of Senior year is a time of lack of focus as well. If you have good Senior leadership there is nothing better. Bad or absent senior leadership can sink a team. I think you as a coach need to look at 1- Plan ahead. Its not always possible but if you have competent people at your school that lead the other activities you might be able to find out when the Spring concert or prom is and try and avoid big games that week. 2- Establish a policy. What are the consequences for missing practice and for what reason. IE missing because you have detention versus being forced to go to a band concert 3- Try not to let it ruin things for the other guys. Not quite sure how to do number 3 but it is probably the key to it all.

I noticed in the paper that Bedell was GK for Hillwood. He is very solid. HF has had trouble getting goals overall.

My Predictions Ravenwood 5 Hillsboro 0 Franklin 2 Fire 1 Centennial 1 LaVergene 1 Brentwood 3 Clarksville 1 Centennial 4 Hillsboro 0 Indy 6 Hillwood 1 Brentwood 4 Shelbyville 1 Then again I could be completely wrong. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!

Thanks for the rankings. Mostly I agree. Two problems with A-AA. 1- Harpeth?? They got drilled by Hillwood. Hillwood!!! 2- Station Camp needs to be much higher.

I haven't seen them play but based on scrimmage results Dickson County needs to be in the discussion. Victories over Siegel and Brentwood Academy plus a very strong results last year should get them at least in the top 20.