Trojan Fan

Webb Bell Buckle is playing 8 man football. Aaron Academy Christian Community School Franklin Christian Academy Franklin Classical School HEAT Holloway High Sacred Heart St Andrew- Sewanee WEBB Here's the association web site. Kinda cool. I like it. http://www.mtacsports.org/

Not suggesting they'd want to but was just curious at what a list would look like if all the privates were in the same league and expansion to 3 classifications were done. I drew arbitrary lines to break out the 3 groups and used the enrollment numbers (some doubled due to being all boys) the TSSAA used in the last reclassification. I think it really makes for an entertaining class A (smallest league) and a chance for truly small schools to compete. It's still a stretch w/ the biggest two classes still being too small and some inequities with the biggest schools a good bit bigger than the smallest in a class but this was just for fun anyway. The MTAC grouping (not listed here) playing 8 man football might have some interested in a more scaled back DII-A with the biggest A schools up in class. You might well could split E/M out into just East and just Middle and the playoff qualifiers in AA and AAA would have to be weighted more to that end of the state b/c of all the teams. What do you think, folks? Fire away. I'm sure I missed somebody and included some I shouldn't, too, so certainly please comment. W Christian Brothers High School 1778 E/M Montgomery Bell Academy 1140 W St. Benedict at Auburndale 983 E/M Livingston Academy 922 E/M Father Ryan High School 870 W Memphis University School 828 E/M Baylor School 712 E/M McCallie (not sure how I missed them) E/M Howard School of Academics & Tech. 695 E/M Alvin C. York Institute 694 E/M Pope John Paul II High School 635 E/M Knoxville Catholic High School 624 W Briarcrest Christian School 567 E/M Tyner Academy 553 W Evangelical Christian School 510 E/M Notre Dame High School 507 ---------------------------------------------- E/M Webb School of Knoxville 474 E/M Brentwood Academy 463 E/M Chattanooga Christian School 428 E/M Ensworth High School 427 E/M Christian Academy of Knoxville 408 E/M Battle Ground Academy 392 W St. George's Independent School 372 W Harding Academy 367 W Southern Baptist Educational Center 362 W University School of Jackson 350 E/M Goodpasture Christian School 347 E/M Christ Presbyterian Academy 328 W Jackson Christian School 326 W First Assembly Christian School 309 E/M Donelson Christian Academy 291 E/M Davidson Academy 269 -------------------------------------------------------- W Fayette Academy 262 E/M Ezell-Harding Christian School 262 W Lausanne Collegiate School 252 W Trinity Christian Academy 246 E/M Grace Baptist Academy 241 E/M Franklin Road Academy 239 E/M Silverdale Baptist Academy 236 E/M Friendship Christian School 218 E/M Grace Christian Academy 216 E/M Middle Tennessee Christian School 212 W Tipton-Rosemark Academy 203 E/M Columbia Academy 184 E/M Clarksville Academy 183 W Bishop Byrne High School 179 E/M Nashville Christian School 177 E/M Mt. Juliet Christian Academy 153 E/M King's Academy 144 W Rossville Christian Academy 141 E/M Lancaster Christian Academy 131 W Memphis Catholic High School 130 E/M David Brainerd Christian School 110 E/M Zion Christian Academy 103 W Memphis Academy of Health Sciences 83 E/M Riverside Christian 76

#1 E/M 1-Knoxville Webb Spartans 8-2 (3-0)-bye Hosting #3 E/M 2-Zion Christian Academy Eagles 5-5 (1-2)@ 7 #2 West 1-Southern Baptist Educational Center Trojans 8-2 (3-1) 42 SBEC@ Webb #1 West 2-University School of Jackson Bruins 9-1 (5-0)-bye Hosting #3 West 1-Evangelical Christian School Eagles 7-3 (3-1)@ 29 #2 E/M 2-Franklin Road Academy Panthers 4-6 (2-1) 13 ECS@ USJ ------------------------------------------------------ #1 West 1-Harding Academy Lions 8-2 (3-1)-bye Hosting #3 West 2-Jackson Christian School Eagles 5-5 (3-2)@ 14 #2 E/M 1-Davidson Academy Bears 3-7 (2-1) 28 Davidson@ Harding #1 E/M 2-Donelson Christian Academy Wildcats 8-2 (3-0)-bye Hosting #3 E/M 1-Ezell-Harding Christian School Eagles 4-6 (1-2)@ 0 #2 West 2-St. George’s Independent School Gryphons 7-3 (4-1) 52 St. George's@ DCA

SBEC got permission to do their regular webcast (audio and video) and did for the 1st round game last night vs. Zion....so it's not an impossibility.

St. George's didn't score against SBEC a couple of weeks ago....no points. This is an improved but not, by any means, spectacular Trojan defense. Looking at the way St. George's ended the season it's hard to imagine them just snapping their fingers and putting it back together. It rarely happens that way though sometimes the repeated reps week after week in practice and games finally kick in. The Harding team I saw was not as good defensively as SGIS but much more dynamic offensively. I really think, and we're not covering new ground in this thread, we're talking about two different St. George's teams. Harding is a better team right now. This just isn't the same team as earlier in the year. Still, though, there is clearly talent there. Frankly, the same can be said for ECS. They were better earlier in the year and have had a relatively rough patch. I could absolutely see both teams start to hit their stride with continued reps and it's probably best for both to be playing this weekend instead of on a bye. They both need those snaps and if they can't beat their first round opponents the second round games aren't worth them looking forward to anyway. I'll say the same for SBEC after a lackluster 2nd half offensively against SGIS and an uninspiring offensive effort vs. FACS last week. If anyone has actually seen both SGIS and Donelson BOTH lately, chime in. Considering the ups and down of SGIS this year and not having seen Donelson at all, I have no clue how that would play out and y'all are braver predictors than me to pick scores b/w the two. This could really be Donelson's year to shine and make a run with a perceived winnable bracket...and more power to them, I say. Makes me no difference but seems like it could be a fun one to watch if St. George's gets it going this weekend and has some offensive success and produces a great quarterfinal matchup. As to who would host b/w Harding and DCA, it looks like it would be Harding. In the handbook, the #1 team in West 1 is the top of the bracket and the #1 team in E/M 2 is the lower and per the handbook "In the semifinal round the higher seeded team in each bracket shall host. If the two teams are the same seed, in odd-numbered years the top team in each bracket shall be the host team. In even-numbered years, the bottom team in each bracket shall be the host team."

The offense hasn't done much the last 6 quarters. Not much imagination. The only passing has been throwing deep and not much imagination in the running game even with man coverage and safeties in the box. Could be getting conservative trying to salt away a win and save up for the playoffs and could be defenses figurIng things out. Combination probably. Another fumble at the opponent one yard line and no evevtual ppints didn't help but make no mistake, they didnt look great. Performance will have to be light years better to beat Webb and they best get off early against Zion. A playoff note. Don't sleep on Harding. Defense is OK and solid but the offense is balanced with multiple playmakers and can do a lot of different things. Yes,, the top half is ridiculously loaded with entertaining matchups/teams. As noted elsewhere the JCS/Davidson matchup doesn't include teams with great records but that can be a really interesting first round matchup and highly entertaining HS playoff game.

I believe these are the matchups based on the TSSAA handbook and the final standings. #1 E/M 1-Knoxville Webb Spartans 8-2 (3-0)-bye Hosting #3 E/M 2-Zion Christian Academy Eagles 5-5 (1-2)@ #2 West 1-Southern Baptist Educational Center Trojans 8-2 (3-1) #1 West 2-University School of Jackson Bruins 9-1 (5-0)-bye Hosting #3 West 1-Evangelical Christian School Eagles 7-3 (3-1)@ #2 E/M 2-Franklin Road Academy Panthers 4-6 (2-1) ------------------------------------------------------ #1 West 1-Harding Academy Lions 8-2 (3-1)-bye Hosting #3 West 2-Jackson Christian School Eagles 5-5 (3-2)@ #2 E/M 1-Davidson Academy Bears 3-7 (2-1) #1 E/M 2-Donelson Christian Academy Wildcats 8-2 (3-0)-bye Hosting #3 E/M 1-Ezell-Harding Christian School Eagles 4-6 (1-2)@ #2 West 2-St. George’s Independent School Gryphons 7-3 (4-1)

Read it again above the listed tiebreakers: If at any point when the following tiebreaking procedures are applied, one team has beaten all the other teams that are tied for a play-off position, that team shall be rated above the others. After any position in the district/region standings has been determined, the tie-breaker procedure shall begin all over again to determine the next position. This procedure shall be repeated to determine all places in the district/region.

From what I can tell, this game literally has no effect on playoff seeding. Sounds odd to say but I think it's true. SGIS seems to have #2 in West 2 locked up and SBEC, it appears, must beat FACS to be the #2 seed from West 1. If they lose to FACS they miss the playoffs entirely. Harding's almost assuredly going to end up with a better overall record than SBEC or ECS and win the tiebreaker and get #1. SBEC would have head to head over ECS to get the #2 seed unless there's some nuance I'm missing. Honestly, I hope it's a good game and nobody gets hurt. IF (and you know how ifs are) all favorites win the rest of the way, it looks like SBEC would host Zion w/ the winner going to Webb. ECS traveling to Franklin Road and the winner to USJ. Jackson Christian (or Fayette) traveling to Davidson and the winner on to Harding. Ezell at St. George's and the winner on to face Donelson Christian.

I agree with you guys re: ECS playing CBHS and Briarcrest (really enjoy that rivalry in particular). I'd say the positives, particularly in the long term, outweigh the negatives. Exposure in the media, experience against opponents as good as and likely better than most in your classification. Same for Webb. They'll both be much the saltier for it come playoff time. It was more of a comment about the irony of playing the tough non-division schedule being the ultimate reason they'd lose a tiebreaker. It is going to bite them in that sense at least for this season although I won't be shocked if they put it together and make a big run regardless of the apparently tougher path they'll have to take to win it all. It's not like ECS suddenly turned into a bad team. As westtnman noted, USJ has to be rolling their eyes at how this appears to be playing out. What a "reward"....ECS in the quarterfinals possibly. As a fan, I like to see the cream rise to the top but a little intrigue and uncertainty thrown in does create even more playoff anticipation for sure. Should be fun. Still no guarantees until the last 2 weeks play out (sorry, can't seem to stop repeating that).

Yeah, if SBEC beats FACS you get the 3-way tie in West 1. Assuming things go to form that would leave Harding with the best overall record (likely 8-2) of the 3 and that's the 2nd tiebreaker after head to head which would have been tied 1-1 for all three. Then the tie between SBEC and ECS would be head to head to SBEC. If SBEC were to beat St. George's (non-division game)in addition to FACS (in division) they could tie Harding for overall record but still would lose the HTH tiebreaker anyway. Playing the two DII-AA teams and losing is likely what will cost ECS the #1 seed....besides losing to SBEC, obviously. I think you've got the teams slotted right. You never know what happens. Get a mud bowl type game like happened two years ago in the last regular season game, injuries, suspensions, etc....but it sure looks that way right now.

Comments after week 8? Webb and DA are both 2-0 in E/M 1. The winner of that game gets the bye and the loser hosts first round. Ezell and Riverside play to decide who travels West. Donelson needs to beat Zion to win E/M 2. DCA looks like the favorite in that matchup. Franklin Road, with a win over Zion already, appears to have the #2 slot and first round hosting honors if they take care of Mt. Juliet Christian with Zion Christian either traveling West as the #3 or getting a bye first round with an upset of DCA. Looks like we get all the final division games in 2 weeks; last week of the season.

Kind comments, sir. USJ looks awfully, awfully good to me. Escape is not the word I had in mind after that Bruin win. Mayhall is still running free in the secondary smiling I think. I thought SBEC could win against ECS but I didn't expect a game where they outgained ECS by 100+ yards and would fumble inside the ECS 1 yard line at the end of the first half, come away with no points, and still win. They must keep everybody on the field. Kimberlin missing the Harding game and Alexander Greer missing the USJ and Byrne games did the offensive continuity no favors and hurt on defense, too. They definitely force a defense to make decisions when both are out there. That's life, though. Part of football. Having a complete lineup for the ECS game was key and will be going forward for sure. There's a lot to like about each of the top 5 teams in the West and JCS and FACS can still wreck somebody's season and do some damage before it's all said and done. Looking forward to the stretch run.

Josh Kimberlin at SBEC: SBEC has gone from a very wide open balanced attack last year to a very run-oriented spread option this year so pass attempts have dropped off dramatically. Through the ECS game (7 games; he missed the Harding game): 126 carries for 1,048 yards and 15 TDs 8.3 ypc, 149.7 ypg 451 yds passing, 4 TDs passing 1 reception, 94 yds, 1 TD receiving 15 KO returns for 474 yds, 31.6 yds per return, 2 TDs 46 total tackles made ------------------------------------- Lee Mayhall (through 8 games, not including SGIS game) the senior WR at USJ is certainly deserving. 330 yds rushing, 833 receiving, 25 TDs total Brent Rooker (through 8 games) the junior QB at ECS has had a very good season. 1,500 yds passing, 400+ rushing, 18 total TDs Matt Brown (around 500 yds from scrimmage, 9 TDs) the senior WR at Harding has been good though down from last season but I think you can attribute some of that to a more balanced offense at Harding and RB Michael Carr (13 TDs, ~1,000 yds from scrimmage). QB Matt Clemens has thrown for about 1,000 yds and has 15 total TDs. All through 7 games for Harding. Drae Bowles at JCS has over 300 yds rushing, 380+ receiving and 13 total TDs. unapproved website was a big help with stats. Couldn't find many teams in E/M putting stats out there. If I were picking 3 and realize I've not seen or really been exposed to the kids from East/Middle I'd go with: Josh Kimberlin Lee Mayhall Brent Rooker

Eventful night. USJ handles St. George's 31-7 to put a stranglehold on West 2. They'll likely be the #1 seed Nd get a bye. SBEC stunned ECS 24-21 to make Harding the leading candidate to win a 3 way tiebreaker and win West 1 if SBEC beats FACS in two weeks and Harding takes care of business as they'll be favored to the next two weeks. SBEC with a win in two weeks would take the #2 seed and host first round with ECS almost shockingly going on the road as the #3 seed. Still have to play it all out though...and double check my math and the tiebreaker rule in the handbook that has total wIns as the first tiebreaker after head to head

I know SGIS added the new RB during the season. Somebody who has the timelines down give kind of a recap of how their season has gone as far as when the new players were added, the impact on the team, how they've looked against different opponents, etc. Looking at scores and stats, the defense appears to have played exceptionally well in most of the games this season. Not even much in the way of garbage time points allowed. The game against Jackson Christian stands out as a low-scoring game (12-0) against a team that's taken some hits and not performed very well. Otherwise, they appear to have played up to form the rest of the year. The defense may be a bit stingier than USJ's while the USJ offense appears to be a bit more explosive. The only real anomaly I can see from the schedule is that JCS game. Wish I was able to make it to this one. It should be a humdinger b/w two very solid and maybe even really good teams that both have legit shots to be playing in the SCG in a few weeks.

From what I can tell, there will be no #1 overall East/Middle seed this year. With the split to divisions like the West, the playoff seeds are strictly set based on division not region. example- #1 E/M 1, if it's Webb, hosts the winner of #2 West 1 (likely Harding) and #3 E/M 2. The brackets are already set as noted in the PDF link so only the games against the other 3 division teams impact the playoff seeding. http://tssaa.org/Handbook/football.pdf Along those lines, from looking at the standings, based on Davidson's win over Riverside they're in the playoffs already unless Riverside beats Ezell or Webb which seems unlikely based on comparative scores. Not to stir up anything but did DA just lose a lot from last year?..playing a tough schedule? They've been so consistently good year after year. Did St. Andrew's just bow out of DII or specifically the playoff competition part of football? http://tssaa.org/schdir/regionalstandings.cfm

The West looks a lot like it has in recent years. Please throw in your thoughts, updates, highlight some individual players, make predictions. Love to hear from the East/Middle folks on how you see things playing out w/ the new divisional set up. Looks like the first Friday of division play is in the books now. 1. Evangelical Christian School #1 West 1; 5-1 (2-0)- Their only loss was Friday to AA foe and long time rival Briarcrest. While the Eagles are the best in the West right now that would seem to indicate a decent size margin between AA and the top of A this year. Their victory over USJ earlier in the season has them at the top of the West overall. Their only challenge left in the regular season is West 1 foe SBEC and they’ll be a heavy, heavy favorite in that one. Jr. QB Brent Rooker has thrown and run ECS to the top of the league after an auspicious debut last season and they continue to show a dynamic offense. Look for the Eagles to win West 1, get the bye and roll into the playoffs 9-1. 2. University School of Jackson T#1 West 2; 6-1 (3-0) – Their only loss is the aforementioned 28-33 decision to ECS. They continue to spread it out and throw with seemingly no drop off after losing QB Jake Overbey to graduation. Ryan Garner is hitting on all cylinders for the Bruins. Oct. 14th looms large with a home date vs. St. George’s almost assuredly determining who gets the bye and who has to play and host a 3rd place division team from East/Middle in the 1st round. 3. St. George’s Tie#1 West 2; 6-1 (3-0)- A 14-35 loss to ECS is the only blemish on the Gryphon’s record and they’ve had a couple of transfers become eligible in recent weeks to help power up an already solid squad for new HC Brent Hill. Omar Williams, the new RB, has debuted in style. USJ looks a bit stronger than SGIS but who’s to say how that game will go. 4. Harding Academy #2 West 1; 5-2 (2-1)- The Lions appear to have a 1st round hosting role and 2nd place in West 1 wrapped up with only Bishop Byrne left to play. Impressive wins over SBEC and FACS and an early season loss to ECS have settled that. The Lions have come out and shown a pretty dynamic offense as well with the trio of QB Matt Clemens, WR Matt Brown, and emerging RB Michael Carr making for some pretty entertaining football at the top of the region. It’s taken a couple of years to build back up after the loss of Marlon Brown and an excellent senior class but the Lions are back in the thick of the competition again. 5. Southern Baptist Educational Center #3 West 1; 5-2 (1-1)- The Trojans will likely be playing FACS in the last game of the season for a playoff spot. After a fast start the Trojans have sputtered with competition and the loss of all-everything QB Josh Kimberlin to suspension vs. Harding (the Lions were better anyway) and an injury to senior RB Alexander Greer. They’ll hope to survive the ECS game unscathed and carry some momentum into games against St. George’s and the noted playoff battle with FACS down the stretch. 6. First Assembly Christian School #4 West 1; 4-3 (1-2)- The Crusaders and all purpose threat A.J. Caradonna and RB Denver Hall are coming off a tough loss to Harding that leaves them fighting for their playoff lives. The battle in Southaven vs. SBEC on Oct. 28th should be hard fought like every game between these two clubs. Somebody’s staying home at playoff time. 7. Jackson Christian Tie #3 West 2; 2-5 (1-2)- I know what you’re thinking. A 2-5 team is the 7th best team in the region? Really? Maybe not but that’s what I’m seeing right now. The Eagles have taken some beatings from USJ, ECS, & Harding. Couple that with a hanging tough 0-12 loss to St. George’s and the easing of the schedule the rest of the way and I see them sneaking in as the West 2 #3 seed and heading East for a playoff game. Another season-ending game that has determined playoff teams in recent years is JCS and Fayette Academy and it’s looking like it will again. Don’t miss that one. 8. Fayette Academy Tie #3 West 2; 2-5 (1-2)- The Vikings are down a bit from the last two years but then so is JCS. Perfect situation for a coach with a team that’s down a bit is to have the playoff carrot to dangle in front of them down the stretch. After playing ECS the week before the JCS game that carrot is going to look delicious to teach and coach. The Vikings haven’t slowed anybody but they’ve shown the ability to get off the mat and score a few points and keep fighting. 9. Rossville Christian Tie #3 West 2; 2-4 (1-2)- The Wolves have an outside chance at a playoff spot but a convincing loss to JCS last night put a damper on those. The Oct. 14th match again Fayette Academy gives them a chance to play spoiler against a reasonably close neighborhood rival in a game I suspect they’ll be sky high for. Should be a lot of fun to catch those two squaring off. A win there and hope will bloom anew for a crazy tiebreaker situation. 10. Bishop Byrne #5 West 1; 2-4 (0-2)- Tough year for the Red Knights but made a little brighter with a 30-29 nail-biting win against West foe TRA earlier in the season. 11. Tipton-Rosemark Academy #6 West 2; 0-6 (0-3)- Tough to sugar coat this one. The Rebels will fight hard next week against D1 neighbor Middleton next week to get off the schneid and gear up for better things in 2012. Great facility out there in Rosemark, by the way with the new football, baseball, and softball fields in recent years.

The West has been in divisions the last couple of years with ECS,Byrne,FACS,SBEC,& Harding in West 1 with St. George's,USJ,JCS,TRA,Rossville Christian, and Fayette Academy in West 2. I see this year the East is down to 8 teams and has split into divisions. Anybody know what the driver for that was?...and anyone care to handicap the 2 divisions? Davidson KWebb Ezell Riverside ------------------- Donelson Franklin Road Zion Mt. Juliet

Losing 18 starters (and the offensive coordinator) has finally caught up to SP if the Hoover game is a good indicator...and I think it is. The defense is starting 4 10th grade defensive backs and the drop off at tailback has been pretty big. Still a good bit of talent there but those who griped about SP's QB play last year and why the little, unathletic kid was getting most of the snaps there except for the wildcat plays are now strangely quiet. The kid playing QB is not a QB...just that simple really. Good athlete. Not a QB. MUS is far too well coached on defense not to take major advantage of SP's offensive issues. The offensive line is still big and still talented. I expect they'll try some running game changes this week but I don't think it will be enough. I suspect it will be a grinding game but if MUS can avoid turnovers in the passing game, protect the QB reasonably well, and finish a couple of drives with TDs, I think the Owls take this one in a close game.

Folks, nothing more than a troll post just trying to get a rise out of you. It's worth a chuckle and moving right on. It does seem a bit early for the troll posts, though. Football is in the air.

Having seen a lot of Bishop Byrne/SBEC games over the years in several sports it feels like the book is closing on an era in our little piece of heaven in DII-A. He and Coach Veazey leaving at SBEC a year ago after long tenures ends a piece of a rivalry that was always fun and hard fought. His girls basketball team's state run and championship over a great (in any class) Lausanne team was extra special as well. The division has grown and, in my estimation, improved leaving behind the significance of the rivalry and BB has had a few down years lately but many of us remember the fine job you did there. You'll be missed by this fan, coach. Congratulations and God bless you. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jun/18/bishop-byrne-coach-retiring/

What the heck.. I'll copy and paste. Anybody know anything about Sam Pearson? ----------------------------- Brad Kimberlin has always wanted to be a head football coach, now his dream has come true as he was named the head football coach at Southern Baptist Educational Center on Friday. Kimberlin who also serves as the Athletic Director at SBEC replaces David Carter who led the Trojans to a 6-6 record and a Division II-A playoff appearance in his only season as head coach. Carter left SBEC to become the defensive coordinator at St. George’s in February, when he was hired at SBEC last season he replaced Butch Veazey who left SBEC to go to Lewisburg, Mississippi after serving 20 years at SBEC. Besides hiring Kimberlin, SBEC also announced the hiring of offensive coordinator Sam Pearson who brings over 20 years head coaching experience to the table. Kimberlin is now in his second stint at SBEC as he was an assistant football coach from 1990 to 1993 before heading into the private securities business until 2003. He returned to SBEC in 2003 when the Trojans won their only state title in Division II-A and he became Athletic Director for the Trojans in 2005. “I loved my first stint at SBEC and jumped at the chance to come back,†Kimberlin said. “I’ve always wanted to be a head coach and this is a dream come true.†SBEC has made the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons and Kimberlin believes that that success will make it easier for him to adjust to the head coaching job after being both offensive and defensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the small Southaven, Mississippi private school. “Since we do have some success and the program is stable that will make for an easier transition for me,†Kimberlin said. Kimberlin will also have two sons suiting up for him this season as senior Josh will be the Trojans starting quarterback and junior Grant will be a wide receiver for SBEC.

FYI- Brad Kimberlin Apparently, the Nashville Examiner can have a link on the front page but not in a post. It replaces the start of the link with "unapproved website". Go to the front page of coachT for the story. Sorry.

Heard a rumor this morning that a somewhat wealthier competitor undergoing coaching changes made an offer he couldn't refuse financially to be an assistant...good move for his family all around. If so, then a big congrats to him. Actually, even if not, congrats to anybody making a move they really feel led to make. He did a super job with the kids this past year and really left some nice pieces (and attitudes) in place especially at the skill positions for the next coach. SBEC was really fortunate to have Coach Veazey in place for so long it was easy to feel insulated from the marketplace when it came to football...but it happens. Good luck Coach Carter. Great job, coach. Normally I'd not feel good about passing on an unconfirmed rumor but there just isn't anything sinister to report and apparently it's not a secret at all.