amazedbutwhy

Mmm, you may be correct, but the same can be said with a lot of teams, 1 or 2 good players missing, and it really creates a much different team. Let's definitely not hope for injuries or anything to any of these young guys, and I know neither of us are saying that, but even with you all's numbers, depth can become an issue very quickly if a key cog or two is missing or banged up a little. Thanks for the congrats though. I really think you mean it. Same to you guys, but I thought you all would handle Tully pretty easily. They are much improved though. This is TG, by the way, waited a whole legal year to get back on this thing, but I often read your posts. Hope both our teams can stay healthy and continue to put up "W's". Man, Sat. was one of the most memorable nights in my life, and I know you know what I mean...

Not sure what you mean about the lanscape at Blackman has changed and Turnham hasn't changed with it yet. I do agree, Turnham may be one of the better X's and O's coaches in the city, but he gets a fat "0" in being able to relate to kids and coach those X's and O's. He has had ample time to fix that part of his coaching, and he hasn't. He is not a spring chicken, and if he hasn't fixed that part of his personality as it relates to coaching, get somebody else. He has had plenty of time, and players both past and present, all say the same, he does not relate well. Oh yea, talent, he's had at least 5 starters on other teams in the city not come to the Blackman BB program in the last 3 to 4 years because of him. The word is out and he hasn't fixed it. By the way, I have to say this before somebody tries to get something started, him relating well is to all races, not one or the other.

I THINK TURNHAM HAS LOST THIS TEAM ALREADY. THE KIDS ARE TOO SCARED TO SHOOT, DEFEND OR DO WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN. ALL THEY DO IS WAIT TO GET YANKED OUT THE GAME. THEY HONESTLY HAVE ABOUT 20-30 SUBS A GAME. NO 5 PLAYER GROUPING HAS BEEN ON THE FLOOR TOGETHER FOR LONGER THAN 3-4 MINUTES. NOT EVEN THE STARTING FIVE. TAY SMITH HAD A GREAT FIRST HALF TONIGHT AND BARELY SAW THE COURT IN THE SECOND HALF. JD WHITE WAS SCARED TO SHOOT THE BALL ALL NIGHT AND KEPT LOOKING AT TURNHAM AS THEY ALL DO. THE GUARDS PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE BENCH THAN THE COURT AND MISS WIDE OPEN CUTTERS. THIS GAME IS NOT THAT HARD. I'LL SAY THIS, BLACKMAN HAS THE TALENT TO COMPETE FOR THE DISTRICT. BUT AS TIGHT, SCARED AND CONFUSED AS THIS SQUAD IS NOW.. I DON'T SEE THEM BEATING ANYBODY. SHAMEFUL. What's new? Jerking kids in and out of games without ever allowing a flow is the same reputation Turnham has always had. He reads these posts, so if he's reading, hopefully he'll react. He has more than enough talent to compete this year, but we'll just have to see. Wonder how much longer the Blackman folks will put up with Turnham losing in BB?, especially since they've got the football headed in the right direction. Maybe he doesn't have to have heart trouble to get axed like Wells, not wished on he or Wells, or Strickland dump his boy like a ton of bricks. Doubt the latter, but he'll be working some angle.

Riverdaleman, you don't know me, but I do see and read your posts on here quite often. I wanted to let you know I met 3 of your sons last night at a church function. I talked mostly with the one that will be a sr. at Riverdale this coming year. Just to let you know from parent to parent, you should be proud of him. He is one of the most mannerable and courteous kids I've met in a while. It was very encouraging to have a real conversation with a young person without them seeming to be intimidated or uncomfortable having a conversation with an adult. Cudos to you and your family and good luck to your son in baseball this year.

Credibility in the area for his coaching ability and being able to handle the Blackman head coaching job are two different things. Once again, that credible coaching has not found too many wins over the last couple of years as a head coach. I hear Euverald isn't even interested. Hear he's already aware of the administration horror stories at Blackman. Has this turned into a job that only assistant coaches are interested in just to increase their pay at one of Murfreesboro's newer high schools? If not that, maybe it's just attractive to head coaches that have not established themselves yet, but have been made aware of the talent level possibilities that exist. Would Aric, Rankin, Crawford, etc., or any of the established coaches really consider this a good job? I do agree, if coaches already in head coaching positions want to explore other opportunities, then that shouldn't be an issue. They have every right to quietly pursue them. It could get tricky at their current school, but they do have the right.

If Hester comes, you've just given the head coaching job to your assistant principle. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> His only agenda would be to be somebody's yes man. Wells wasn't that and he lost his job. Don't tell me 11-29 lost it either. What other head coach went 5-5 with open heart surgery and lost their job? Hester has not even taken his own team to the playoffs, not saying he isn't a good coach, but come on-give me a break, he's won 5 or 6 games in 2 years. What, he has an exciting offense that scored 2 points against Blackman this year?

Why would BGA play up? Is it to compete at a higher level in other sports other than football? I hear soccer is real big there. Is it a financial decision? I don't know what they would gain financially for playing up, I'm just throwing that out there. I've seen and heard others say they've seen Ensworth, BA, MBA, and BGA in football this year. We all agree that currently BGA doesn't have near the football talent, mostly size, to compete with these football traditional or soon to be traditional powerhouses. I'd say last weeks game with BA tells that story also. Both lines, offensive and defensive, were manhandled by BA.

Can't say much else. Blackman's Win/Loss just doesn't give me a leg to stand on. However, trust me, Blackman's D is in this discussion. I think sometimes this region is so similar to the SEC, it's scary. Auburn, maybe Tennessee, even Miss. State, all have very strong defenses, but their offensive production has been so porous, it makes most think their defenses may be weak. Speaking of offenses, has this spread craze been found out. Probably a whole nother thread, but I just keep seeing these so called spread offenses get shut down or incapable of scoring over 10 or 12 points in a game, if that in some cases. I see it on the high school level and I see it on the college level. Just a thought.

Yep, Blackman's defense belongs in this discussion. It's just hard to believe when you just see the scores each week. They are stout though. The '07 Oakland defense was a carbon copy. Turnovers, penalties, multiple three and outs, etc. just killed the D game in and game out. Only been a year guys, don't forget.... Can't do it, but it's fun to imagine, put Siegel, WC, and maybe even Oakland's '08 offense with this defense, Blackman's, and you have a legitimate state contender. This is in no way belittling Oakland or Smyrna's defense. They are both very, very good. Oakland has a little more offense to put with the great D, and Smyrna has a little less offense, but their kicking game, on most nights kinda helps both their offensive production and certainly keeps their defense in much better field position.

Agreed. His current involvement is more than enough!!! Boy, what would this team do though if they could come up with a crumbful of offensive production. They play so hard, not always smart and disciplined, but they play hard.

I'm assuming it's because he plays so much D. If it's not that, what else could it be?

Funny, the agenda I speak of, oops, you guys have the same one. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Maybe that's why your posts are deleted. Everybody knew and knows what your agenda is all about. He's a lot smoother than you, so he just might get his agenda fulfilled. In order to pin the tail on the donkey, you have to make sure you have the pin in your hand. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> He does, and you didn't. Not meant to be smart, just facts.

Can't disagree with you, but.... this game was lost back in the spring when Blackman didn't hire an offensive coordinator and a qb coach when the Williams guy left. By the way, Smyrna inherited the second worst offense in the region when he went there. You do have some awesome athletes, but so does everyone in this region. So what, that's their problem, Blackman has there own issues. It's sad to watch a bunch of kids play like Blackmans guys play on defense and not get an offensive answer each and every time they come on the field. I do disagree on the qb change in a way. It doesn't matter if Peyton Manning was the qb tonight, the offense that was given these qb's to run was not gonna cut it. Yes, that does include recent past and present qb's. It's not a team discipline issue because if it were you would not see the defense and special teams fly around, hustle and make plays like you do, it's a lack of offensive discipline that a true offensive coordinator instills in that side of the ball. Blackman jumped offsides, what 5, maybe 6 times tonight, that's offensive discipline. Drpped passes, qb's, both I may add, not being able to complete 5-10 yards flat passes with any accuracy, that's offensive discipline. That's not to even mention to unimagionable plays that are called time and time again. It's a total lack of offensive execution and discipline. on and on and on One of the best offensive minds and coach in this city stands on the Blackman sideline each game with his cronnies, but his reputation and total dislike from most players, some parents and other coaches didn't even want his presence on the field as interim head coach when the head coach was sick. Most don't trust his agenda. Whether that's merited or not, I don't know. I do know that there is a lot more wrong over at Blackman than coaching. I do know that the head coach is a good man and a great defensive coach. Heck, that's not a knock on him, Charlie Weis doesn't call ND's defense, it's okay for a coach not to know one side of the ball as strong as they do the other or have the ump to call one side of the ball as well, they just have to know when to allow someone else to do it, and feel good about that decision. Maybe he doesn't, but that's his choice, he's the head coach, I just hope this thing is turned around this year. 1-2 in the region makes palyoff talk very scary. A lot of region mix ups have to occur now for that to be a possibility, but who knows, this region can sometimes be a upset mindfield.

This is one of the most intriqing matchups of the week. Certainly, Williams and brother being on Wells staff, now being at Smyrna sets the stage, but both teams overall phyche is far more intriqing. For example, both are oozing with talent, Smyrna more, Blackman more, doesn't matter, /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" both groups of young men are questioning themselves-Smyrna=2 ultimate years back to back, but coming in with a 1 and 3 record wondering are we good, are we young, do these coaches know what we need, is this the same ole Blackman???? Blackman=coming in with a 2 and 2 record wondering is this gonna be the same this year, we're better than this record, can we finally get over the hump, I know we can do this, but How???? I think it flat comes down to offensive coaching. Not that I'm a big Murphy fair fan, but he had a real good article in the DNJ on Tues. speaking of high school coaches and the difference they make in games and programs. It'll be interesting to see if one of these staffs can generate enough offense to keep each others defense off balance or on or off the field. There will be fumbles, missed blocks, missed field goals, but this one just comes down to which one of these staffs trust their athletes enough to put them in the correct situation to win. They both have'em, can either of them utilize them?????

I agree totally with you utcgolf. 737373football ought to be ashamed of himself getting on here and spreading false rumors. I enjoy reading all the post on the different forums on Coacht, but for someone to get on here and tell straight out lies is downright awful. 737373football, you are not creditable, and you should be banned from Coacht!!! I witnessed with my own eyes Smyrna at the MBA 7 on 7 tournament on Friday. Jeremiah Bryson participated with Smyrna. Wonder whatelse this guy is saying that is not true. What's this crap about someone whipping Barrett all over the field? If 737373football lied about the Bryson transfer, wonder what else he is lying about?????

I've got mixed deep emotions about all this. This will be long, so hope you all like reading. This is just a little testimony, as well as a little insight from a parent that has gone through it with 1 son, and is trying to make better decisions with a younger sibling. Fortunately, both my sons have good athletic bloodlines, physically, but more importantly, mentally as well. I was fortunate enough to play in a very well organized, but oftentimes political little league some 30 to 35 years ago. The political part of it will never go away, not then, nor now. As long as it doesn't get downright dirty political, most of us can deal with it. Heck, we do everyday on our jobs, in our families, etc., and we seem to get by. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> I started playing when I was 7 years old. I usually played anywhere from 15 to 18 games a summer, maybe went to a local camp taught by an ex minor leaguer and many other town concerning non son playing parent men. I went through minor league, little league, babe ruth, pretty much like this, always going on to the next sport, football, then basketball, after a usually short baseball all-star stint. I went on to play in high school and be a part of an undefeated high school state champion baseball team. I never played the 40 to 60 games of summer ball, it didn't start then until you were in high school, and as a senior I was fortunate to get a few sniffs from some baseball scouts during our run. They wanted to know my interest, which was not much, I'd been fortunate enough to have a football scholarship already signed, and that's what I had always wanted, so it really was a no brainer in my mind. I guess no point to any of this than to make sure anyone over I guess around 25 years old understands, "Today’s world of youth sports is not the same at all" This should be a no-brainer when we just look at the over coverage of today's athletes, espn, sports talk shows, and yes, even coacht. I do give the internet and just plain ole continued improved technology kudos in some ways, but in other ways, I think, what in the world have we created. Yes, I say we, because I do listen to sports talk shows, look at coacht daily, look at rivals, scout, etc. I have a 15 year old who is a very good athlete. He played baseball from the time he was 6 until he was 12. I pushed him in baseball from an expectation point of view. He had players around him that were more mature in baseball than he was at the time. I could not work him enough to help him catch up. He made the after season travel teams, and even then travel ball only played about 1/3 of what is played today, some 8 or 9 years later. I know I ruined the fun of baseball for my son, and I could not ever get it back. It was not done intentional or with cruelty in any way. I just did not allow him to mature in this sport at a normal child's pace, and it cost me the joy of watching my son learn to love America's pastime like any real Dad would want for his son. He has played football and basketball for that long as well, and really enjoys both, and has been blessed with the ability to play both very well, but more importantly, he truly loves them both. I drove him from baseball, but I knew I had taught him to love football and basketball. Oh, don't we learn from our mistakes!!!!!!!! Now, I know an 8 year old travel baseball team that has played over 60 games this spring and summer. My seven year old son has played over 40 baseball games a year, in league play and travel since he was 5 years old. By the way, by today's standard, this is about average to a little above. He is now seven, and has gotten his 40 in already this summer between league and some travel. He does not play fall ball, nor do his mom or myself really have much interest in mentioning it too much. Yes, he wants to play, but this is football time, if he desires, and basketball time, which he enjoys quite a bit. He's seven, and in the big scheme of things, it doesn't matter. Most of his 6U-State runner up travel team teammates from last year played fall play last fall, and I was kinda concerned that they would get way ahead of my son from playing fall ball. Nope, it took him a few weeks this spring to get his swing and fielding down, but after some work, he was right back to his ole self, and one of the better seven year olds in his age group. Now, he can run circles around his older brother in baseball at this age, but more importantly, he loves baseball. As a Dad, I've seen him come up to bat and make the last out, I've seen him drive in runs to help win games, and make plays in the field to do the same. The ride home from the park is usually the same though, not much talk about the game, and a lot of concern as to if McDonald's is still open, can we get an ice cream cone, etc. He's seven, and in the big scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. Old Raider, there's so much more to say, but I've been on here a while now. If I could give you some solid advice from my experiences, it would be: 1. Get with quality coaches, preferably someone who does not have a child on the team. If that cannot be accomplished, then make sure the head coach has great character and concern for others. If not he'll fail your son and you before the season is over. You don’t' want to go through this. 2. If you coach your son, make sure you know your stuff. If you don't, sit down, and get him with someone who does. 3. If you coach your son, assuming you know your stuff, do most of your instruction at home with him. Spend your time at practice helping other kids as much as possible. If he likes playing at home like your post suggests, this shouldn't be too difficult. Make sure he understands what you are doing, but this will go a long way in keeping some god harmony amongst the other players parents. You may need it at some point in the season. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> 4. Set an honest minimum number of games you feel will work for a 6 year old. 20, 30, 40, I don't know, but don't let anyone dictate whatever that number is you set. You know your son; make sure everything about this experience fits him, his personality, his habits, likes, dislikes, etc. That may mean your personality, your likes and dislikes, etc. Remember, he's only 6. 5. Make sure you rarely ask your son to go throw, go hit, play catch, etc. Believe me, if he loves it like you say he does, he'll ask you. My Dad taught me this one after he saw me screw up my oldest son. He asked me, how many times did he ask me to go throw? I don't ever remember him asking me, but I do remember my father, myself and my brother playing, throwing, or hitting all the time when we were young. This one will get you if you do it right. It's amazing. 6. I've had good experiences; I've had bad experiences with this travel ball. I have friends who have their SEVEN year ole son in counseling from these experiences. I've seen sister in laws almost come to blows after a game over something that had nothing to do with ball, I've seen sponsors who seemingly never pay for anything, ask parents for $650 to play for the summer, then want a fund raiser car wash to get money for the team, and the $1000 the car wash makes seems to disappear. Believe me, if it gets to that, go to the camps the guy suggested, work really hard at home, play with your local youth baseball program, and tell your 6 year old how doggone much you love him if he asks "Can he play travel ball?"

Thank you.

Does anybody know when he pitches again? I've never seen him pitch, and would like to check him out?

Watched the two kids from Marshall County, Blaise Spencer and Hunter Osborne, play last night in the Smyrna Xmas tournament. I've watched high school basketball for 30 years, and I've seen every Friday at the state tournament for the last 25 years. I have never in my life seen two kids shoot the basketball like these two can shoot it. They do play AA, so please forgive me, but I just had to let someone know. These guys are unbelievable. Marshall County is ranked about 9th or so, and the way these guys shoot it, they can stay in most any ballgame. Some of the fans were talking that they didn't shoot it as well last night as they can or have in other games. As a team, their overall defense is a little to be desired, IMO, but they do get a lot of steals and deflections just from being athletic and long. Once again, shooting the basketball, IMO opinion again, is a lost art. Most teams here in Murfreesboro-7AAA, have 1, if any, real good shooters. I mean, someone that can go 10 for 12 from the 3 point range each night. Heck, most coaches won't let 1 player take that many three's in two games in this area, let alone jacking up that many in 1 game from 2 or three different players. Most AAA coaches in this area depend on their defense, layups, sets, and or athleticism to get them wins. Again, nobody in Murfreesboro or the surrounding area has anyone that can shoot with these guys. I'm headed over to the Riverdale tournament today to see if I can find anyone close, Hopefully, see some more good bb too. Once again, thiis group can shoot with anybody I've ever seen. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed, again. Nice post. be careful though, didn't realize you have two sons playing. Looks like you'll have to be the objective parent shortly. Saw one of them when Blackman played Smyrna, but haven't seen the other one. Keep the info coming. Good reading material about Blackman. You're about the only one that regularly writes on here about them. Good luck to you guys.

Seems like we agree on several pieces of this puzzle. You seem to like the coaches over there a lot. I notice you always speak highly of the staff and all, even on other posts. Seems like they are working at it. Looks like the fridge is fishing a little. I'm sure Shephard was the back up QB. Never saw him in a game, so I can't say one way or the other on that one. I had my opinions on some of the things I saw, but only on what I saw. Wallace definitely was the athlete that needed the ball in his hands in the offense Blackman was running. My point from the first post was and still is, running this offense with Wallace did not produce playoff results. If there were someone better, surely he would have been in there. It just looked as if Blackman had enough athletes to spread it around a little more, and I'm not sure the way the spread was ran there made defenses really have to worry.

You are correct, execution is the key. I just see way too many times that this isn't the case, and I kinda understand why some teams in our area just line up and say, here we come, stop me!!!!!! It's just so much simpler, and that's certainly not knocking any offense or anyone who runs those type of offenses. They too take just what we both agree on, and that's plain ole execution. Not to mention, keeping your defense out of trouble and bad field position. Saw both Siegel and Brentwood this year. Just can't agree with ya on their talent being equal. Can't remember if they played or not, but I thought Siegel had a little more talent overall. I thought Siegel had as much overall talent as anybody in the region. May have underachieved to be honest about it. By the way, Brentwood runs the spread also. It was about like Blackman when I saw them, execution wise. Using two2 QB's, a SR. and a Soph., both looking very confused most of the time, although fairly good looking athletes. I agree again on the not making the big turnover, come on McNair, and just leading the team, but I saw most, if not all of the teams in the 4-5A region this year. Everybody has talent, I'm not sure there's a hairline difference from the bottom of the region to the top. Yea, some are younger, some bigger, some smaller, and oh yea, everybody for the most part "hit and play defense". I just think the offensive scheme and mindset is the difference. Whether that's execution, whether that's offensive coaching, which I haven't even mentioned, or whether it's youth, one thing is for sure, Blackman cannot and will not get over that hump, unless offense is addressed. All the other off season stuff go without saying, I.E.-workouts, grades, transfers, etc.

Pattonboysdad, see you on here a lot talking about Blackman. Saw them enough this year to wonder what will they do on offense next year without Wallace to bail them out of plays. He truly is a great athlete, but I don't see how he wasn't banged up all year from the amount of carries he had coming from the QB position. The offense was mostly Wallace left, Wallace right from what I saw and read most of the year. Although 4-5A is definitely the best region in the state IMO, kinda makes one wonder about these Tebow minusless spread offenses these high school guys are trying to run. Both Lavergne and Blackman are sitting at home during the playoffs with their spread O's. I used to think the wing t, and even the I were boring and or predictable, but if the spread O's I've seen lately are any indication of a true spread offense, then give me the wing t or I.

Not a LA Vergne fan bud (82cat), just a football fan. I enjoy watching the many great atheletes from this region. I don't care if they beat Hillwood or possumtrot, all I know is, they have 4 or 5 very talented high school atheletes at the receiver position. They, IMO, will be tough on any secondary in this region. Period.... Once again, just a football fan. Who are the region favorites? I hope Smyrna and Riverdale are the region favorites. Would they not be the logical choices? They should be, and I don't think I've seen where any other school has been picked to win it. Have you??? If someone else does, that'll be great as well. That'll make an even stronger argument for this being one of the toughest regions.

Played several people anyway, not just 2nd half, but all throughout game. I've heard Shadowens tries to get his teams to peak at the right time, and although there is not a true science to doing it, I feel he is trying to get these early wins, but get as many people ready as possible for the rugged 4-5A schedule and playoffs. When some of the bigger named players come out, there seems to be an unknown replacement that fills in just fine.