Trojan Fan

Lausanne and Harding play tonight for #1 in the West. Fayette Academy and, I think, USJ are playing for 3rd place. If I'm not mistaken there are 4 from the East/Middle and 4 from the West so all 4 have clinched sub-state games w/ the top 2 hosting and the other 2 travelling eastward. I believe this was only Fayette's 2nd loss of the season though they don't play anywhere near the schedule that Lausanne does. Fayette and Lausanne had a good, competitive game in one semi and Harding cruised easily over USJ in the other. I did notice that Lauren Avant was not in the box score for any of the tournament games for Lausanne so they're winning without her at this point. Anybody know if she's out injured again and will she be back at all?

Will Jamison of ECS just committed to Ole Miss. I suspect he'll be on any number of prospect lists.

Olive Branch loses a tone off this past year's team. Unless they buy...errr, I mean get some more kids from Memphis they really should be down this year.

Best I've seen in the west in DII-A are the same two from last year. Lauren Avant now healthy is rolling for Lausanne but missing the early season due to injury could hold her back. Alex Black at Harding is a fantastic PG who can score on anybody.

The current AD has been an assistant under Veazey and I don't think he had an inordinate amount of say in running the program. I suspect that would stay the same. I don't think he trys to "run" any of the sports from his spot. A good strong HC likely still runs his show, in my opinion. ...though my opinion, admittedly, is worth pretty much nothing.

I wouldn't try to touch East/Middle but I do remember DA being pretty good last year. Sounds like Webb will be awfully good. If memory serves, Jackson Christian had a good year playing DI-A last year. FACS had a good club last year and while Tipton Rosemark had a pretty poor overall record they did OK enough in region to get into the playoffs and had a really good postseason making it to the championship round before losing to SBEC. They kept winning elimination games it seems like. Wish I could tell you more. I really don't know who all brings back a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if ECS was good just based on sheer numbers and school size but they didn't make the playoff in DII-AA last year.

SBEC won DII-A last year and returns all but a handful of innings pitched and all but I think 2-3 position players and those weren't the top guys. They should be the favorites among returning teams. No doubt USJ will be one of the favorites from the west and very possibly THE favorite w/ new schools in the mix.

The original post seems to insinuate that Toney doesn't regularly shoot lights-out. That would not be the case. He's been doing it all year. Nobody in particular seems to stand out on the roster but I've been impressed with the discipline on offense. The kids really seem to know their roles and play within them. Good spacing, good patience, good ball movement. I've been as impressed w/ the way this team is prepared as I have any of the recent St. George's teams. They look really well-coached to me.

I heard the same a week or so ago. My guess is it won't be very long now though I don't think a specific date has been committed to...nor should one be. Be thorough and make the right hire. AGREE.....Any idea on who is in the running for the Job? The only person I have heard mentioned is the current AD at the school. Any thoughts? Not a clue.

I heard the same a week or so ago. My guess is it won't be very long now though I don't think a specific date has been committed to...nor should one be. Be thorough and make the right hire.

The teamwork, game planning, bench coaching, football smarts, talent...just a supreme synergy that worked for this group to produce a fantastic squad. It still amazes me that they lost 9 (yes NINE!) starters on defense from last year. Having watched the SP game, you could just see all those factors in play. Let me tell you this has turned into one of the better South Panola teams of the last few years. They went on a tear after the MUS game and haven't been slowed since. A lot of what MUS did to them on both sides of the ball had an impact on how the SP staff approached the rest of the year and adjustments they made on both offense (some major changes) and a little on defense. If SP wins tonight in their state championship game, I think you could probably say MUS was the real catalyst for them winning their championship. Without having to deal with MUS, I'm not real sure the SP coaches would have been forced to make the changes they needed to make to put them on the fast track to winning state.

Congrats to Webb and USJ. I've not seen Webb this year but having heard about the DA/Webb game and DA dominating the lines, then having seen SBEC play DA to OT but get blown literally across the river into Arkansas by ECS early in the season (I can't adequately describe how ugly the 2nd half of that game was in ECS's favor), it was hard to imagine Webb beating ECS. I have to say, I wonder if the wet field at DA as described by Webb and DA fans at that game masked Webb's speed and gave DA a real advantage? No way to really know for sure. I know DA has great lines and that's indisputable. Apparently no one would dispute that Webb has speed to burn especially in DII-A, either. Could the weather and field conditions have affected Webb THAT much at DA? Ahhh, the mysteries of football. Isn't that sort of why we love it? You can never be 100% sure what's going to happen? OK, maybe that's what makes it fun when YOUR team isn't the one taking it on the chin. 4 fantastic DII-A football teams playing two totally different types of games and evidently both were incredibly entertaining. I have to admit that I wasn't rooting for any particular outcome but was hoping for contrasting styles in the championship game w/o a regular season matchup. USJ loves to throw it and Webb uses speed and options it and they haven't played this year. I think that qualifies. DA and ECS would have been great but truly a study in ground games and two big lines pounding it. Can't believe the season is almost over.

That #8 Arrington is just a horse. Having watched him over the years, I can say that he is such a difference maker for DA. He doesn't get the carries but boy does he do the dirty work opening up holes for Williams and now Dixon. He's one heck of a LB, too, but just a bulldozing FB that you don't see at this level too, too often. I don't know what his speed or pass-catching abilities are but I have to think he can play college ball for somebody as a true full back.

Davidson, as everyone knew, was bigger and stronger. SBEC had a great gameplan and really played as well as they could have defending DA's run game. I really don't blame the DA coach for going for 2 in OT to end the game but since DA was just physically better I was shocked he didn't kick the point knowing he'd wear the Trojans down and make a stop at some point...or maybe not. Maybe he just decided it was better to go physical and not risk a goofy kicking mistake. That's such a physical, physical team. Had it gone another quarter DA would have rolled b/c SBEC's lines would have fallen out from exhaustion. They're just too darned good and the back would have eventually broken off a big run. I'm really proud of how SBEC's undersized guys played their hearts out and butts off against a physically superior team. The coaches offensive and defensive game plans were flawless. Both coaches and players did all they could. The game against USJ should be very entertaining. DA's defensive backfield can be had IF you can block their pass rush. Here's the rub. I hate complaining but this was so blatantly egregious I'm amazed the OCK could ignore it in his post. 2:00 minutes to go in the game 14-7 SBEC. Sideline warning by the side judge on SBEC with DA at the SBEC 47. Long pass down the right side. 3 SBEC defenders, 1 receiver, jump ball, tipped away. Back judge does nothing. Side judge comes running up the field and throws a flag. Pass interference. Move it to the 32. Okay. Deep breath. Across the field, I can't see it well but hard to imagine that was PI and the ref that ought to be making the call didn't make it but OK. Such is life. Persevere and play on. Play or two later, I believe. 1:09 to go in the game. Flag from the ref on the SBEC side. 15 yard personal foul SIDELINE WARNING. You got it. He made the warning w/ 2:00 to go in the game. Then a game minute later moves the ball from the 32 to the 17 on a personal foul SIDELINE WARNING. Never in my life have I seen such a thing. Never. Wow...just wow. Bowlegged ref who couldn't run. Not making fun of him just pointing out which one he is if that rings a bell for somebody. The DA TD catch right after that was outstanding...phenomenal acrobatic catch by the DA receiver. The matchup next week s/b outstanding. USJ can be run on. SBEC did pretty well on the ground vs. them running the Notre Dame box. They're still a pretty good defensive team, though. DA ought to be able to run the ball some though USJ is crazy if they don't stack the box and make DA throw if they can. I wish I could see that game. I'm prediciting USJ will have some passing success early forcing DA to be a little more aggressive on offense and it s/b a very, very entertaining game w/ both sides putting up a few points...maybe not a shootout but a good, fun game with some offense from 2 really fine teams. Good luck to both outstanding squads and safe travel to USJ.

We really have been blessed in our little group with some fine coaches who are good Christian men and witnesses to these young men. I'll really miss seeing Coach Veazey on the sidelines, as well. I wonder how long Coach Grannan will keep going at Bishop Byrne, too. Time marches on. Ace, I know there are a lot of seniors this year so it will be a young group next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see the ranks swell again, though. This senior class held down a lot of positions and I think kept a number of kids from coming out this year and it was a smaller squad overall than is typical. No idea what they're looking for or who's being looked at and that's a good thing. I hope they play it close to the vest and keep the process non-political and I don't hear a peep. I believe they're definitely taking applications and are serious about looking outside the school but I guess we'll find out when we find out.

If both teams play to their potential, DA wins...pretty simple. They won handily in the regular season last year, 48-14 (after SBEC scored the first 2 TDs), and then won in the playoffs 37-20. Both games were in Nashville. DA was just too big. SBEC can throw better than the average DII-A team and runs the ball relatively well (1,000 yd rusher this year) and has some pretty diverse options on offense...and DA is still too big. Their ability to get pressure while rushing 4 really hurt the SBEC offense last year. Our QB can run and run well if need be. When you only have to rush 4, though, you usually still have pretty good containment in the secondary. You could look at the DA roster last year and see with only a handful of seniors that DA had a chance to be very, very good this year....and here we are. SBEC actually didn't lose a ton from last year, either, but really didn't get any bigger and DA didn't get any smaller. That's a bunch that just executes, executes, executes. I'm sad that Justin hurt the knee earlier in the year b/c he's a treat to watch. I'm not sad that SBEC won't have to face him but we saw how much that hurt against Webb...not much apparently. Defensively, I imagine SBEC wil have to bring 8 or 9 up and go man on the WRs and hope Arrington gets a 24 hour bug or something and DA goes with a 150 lb lead blocker. You can either play more straight up and give up chunks of yardage or bring the house and hope nobody misses a tackle for a big play. That O-line is just that much bigger than our D-line. Same on the defensive side plus they aren't slow. Not to sound too negative, I wouldn't be going if I didn't think SBEC had a chance. Well, yeah, I probably would anyway. I do think they have a chance but it's going to take a superlative effort from both sides of the ball, special teams, AND some great coaching and some breaks going their way. Starting last week, each week is Butch Veazey's last game at SBEC (along with some assistants) if they lose and I'm sure he'll pull every play he's got out of the playbook and he's got a pretty fun playbook. Did I mention DA was bigger?

Memphis-area capsules from Friday night: D2-A First Assembly 24, Donelson Christian 20: Senior Dane Wilson's 2-yard, fourth-quarter scoring run was the difference for the Crusaders (8-3), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Wilson finished with 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. FACS will take on University School of Jackson in next Friday's quarterfinals. St. George's 57, Riverside Christian 20: St. George's scored 49 first-half points in cruising by Riverside to next week's quarterfinals, where the Gryphons (8-3) will travel to face Knoxville Webb. Senior quarterback Rob Hyde was 3-of-3 passing for 136 yards and two touchdowns. SBEC 42, Zion Christian 19: The Trojans advanced to the quarterfinals behind an offense that produced over 500 yards of total offense. QB Ryan DuBois rushed for 150 yards and passed for 204 to lead the attack. RB Jeremy Carson chipped in 155 yards rushing. SBEC will play at Nashville Davidson Academy on Friday.

They run a wishbone and they run it well. A little more power than speed but they aren't slow. If you don't play strong assignment football against them they will take advantage of every mistake. Ken Netherland is the coach...was a career man at Germantown and retired and went to St. George's. He does an excellent job. Webb rightly should be the favorite in this game but if I was forced to pick an upset in the 4 games next week, I'd pick this one as the most likely. I'm not picking that to happen just saying that would be my most likely pick for one in DII-A if I had to pick one. Multiple on defense...depends on the offense they're facing. Webb's speed will be tough to handle.

St. George's beat FACS by 24 and lost to USJ by 14 SBEC beat FACS by 8 (albeit in a mud pit; hard to judge either team) and lost to USJ by 3 FACS beat Fayette by 8; USJ beat Fayette by 35 Judging by that you'd have to give USJ a solid edge. I'd have also given DCA the edge tonight but FACS is a solid club w/ a salty defense and a very good, quick, and hard-running RB and they obviously got the job done. Give them a puncher's chance against USJ. If they can limit turnovers and create a couple and find a way to frustrate the USJ passing game, they've got a shot. Last year's FACS team had a questionable pass defense and USJ can chunk it and has some big physical receivers. Never got a chance to see FACS defend the pass this year so I don't know if they've improved there or not. I'd watch tape of the SBEC/USJ game. The Trojans had one of their best games of the year, I thought, in that loss from a coaching standpoint. A lot of the right buttons were pushed even though USJ still just had too much and got the win. I'd love to hear a recap of the FACS/DCA game. Congrats Crusaders. Great job going on the road and taking the win! I'm guessing Dane Wilson had a big game?

Ridiculous. Why? What does your overall record have to do with your record vs. teams in your class? I'll answer that for you. Nothing. The only thing that should count is record vs. teams you're competing with for a championship. God forbid MUS had played 7 games against nationally ranked teams and lost all 7 under your thought process. They'd still far and away be the best team in Tennessee and still be undefeated in region play. People make rash absolute comments about stuff like this so often it's just ridiculous. If you want to say they shouldn't get in w/ a league or district record above .500?...then you might...might...have a point.

Apparently it's official now. http://tssaa.org/2009champions/statefoo ... racket.htm I've got the weirdest feeling of deja vu. Maybe it's b/c it's Halloween?

I thought the #2 E/M team would eventually play ECS if they made it past the second round??? That's what I've got listed. ECS and Webb would meet in the semi-finals. So, has anybody seen a final bracket? How hard can it be to finish of DII-A? It just isn't that complicated. Is there something major that I'm missing?

Riverside Christian #6 E/M at St. George's #2 West 2- winner travels to Knoxville Webb #2 E/M Fayette Academy #3 West 2 at Franklin Road Academy #4 E/M- winner travels to ECS #1 West 1 The 2 brackets above meet in the semi-finals. Zion Christian #5 E/M at SBEC #2 West 1- winner travels to Davidson Academy #1 E/M FACS #3 West 1 at Donelson Christian #3 E/M- winner travels to University School of Jackson #1 West 2 The 2 brackets above meet in the semi-finals. Folks, if I've missed any logic here, please jump in and correct it. Davidson did take care of Sewanee, right? There were several scores tonight that would never have been as close or ended w/ these results without the weather and conditions. I'd be willing to bet some money on it....but assuming DA took care of SAS, that's the bracket.

I won't pretend to say I know what will happen on Friday night. Any given Friday and all that. Having said that, the Jackson Christian team I saw was a solid couple of TDs better than the Fayette Academy team I saw not long after and it appears that JCS is playing their best ball right now. So, I guess I'm generally agreeing w/ the previous poster.

Correct, SBEC. Glad you folks had a good experience on your visit and very glad to have y'all, JCS, and Fayette joining us in DII as well as all the new schools in East/Middle. More competition just makes everybody raise the bar...or at least I hope so. You folks have a really fine club and it was enjoyable to get to see them after seeing how well they've played all year based on the scores. I'm really looking forward to seeing the baseball team and Preston Overbey this year. Selfishly, I hope y'all will be making a trip to Southaven for baseball this year.