mad dawg

Definitely.

Well, since AlcoaDad got my vote for poster of the year last year with his consistenly outstanding game reports, we may have to hire him to cover the "big" games (or maybe gas money and the cost of admission).

Anyone?

wired - I understand what you're saying but the bottom line is: you have to play the other teams in your district. I would hardly call CAK's non-district schedule a bunch of pushovers with the likes of Catholic, Hardin Valley, Webb and Farragut. They are heading to Germantown this weekend for a tournament which should have some quality, as well. Back to the topic - I think this will be close but (as you stated) this being the forth game in as many days (and yes, it is a crazy schedule), Catholic will have some tired legs. 2-1.

Thanks, Sinatraa!!

If anyone has a schedule for the Bearden Tournament this weekend, please post it! Thanks

No question that the CAK - Catholic game will be a fantastic match. CAK has made a huge statement in the pre-season. They have an outstanding side with Ben Holt, Stevie Thompson, Jay Emmert, Ryan Creel, and Jon Ragland, to name a few. The game is at CAK, right?

Knox Catholic is doing well but I'm not sure they've really been challenged yet. It will be interesting to see how they handle the next five days. I do have to say they are 7-0-0. With Tim Baker, Suddy Hutchins, and Ben Sanders up front they're scoring a bunch of goals and with Gabe Svedra, Tanner Hamil and Mark Mishu at the back thier opponents aren't. I believe their goal differential is currently 41-2.

I think there is a lot more parity in the district and maybe the state. More club players is the root reason. Farragut is perhaps younger not less talented? My understanding is the red card was awarded to the assistant Coach C not Wally. Apparently for arguing that the keeper crossed the 18 on a punt. Pretty silly, it happens on occasion not unlike taking liberty (ground) on a throw-in...rarely called if it isn't totally blatant and/or consistent.

AlcoaDad - now you're just showing off. You are already a shoe-in for poster of the year and now you top your last post. Again, thanks for a great writeup. A little pitchy in the middle but the emotion showed through - oops sorry - too much American Idol.... Seriously though, nice summary.

AlocaDad - You get the poster of the year with your game summary - outstanding writeup! Made me wish I had gone to this game.

SG - Thanks for the great write up!!! I'm hoping to make a couple of games this weekend.

I watched a few minutesof the tryouts. Super organized affair, especially since the total numbers were unknown. Any idea when a schedule will be posted? I know FC Chattanooga's first game is home against us.

I heard (pure rumor - no direct source) that they had requested to be moved to a lower bracket because of this being a rebuilding year. To my (very limited) knowledge of the Palmetto Cup - there is no lower bracket - just different flights that ultimately merge. Someone with more knowledge of the PC may know better. Makes sense that they withdrew if the thought was that they wouldn't be competitive. They won't be "down" long.

A couple of thoughts: 1. Great turnout for the tryouts - I've heard anywhere from 110 to 135. 2. Can we get a seperate area/thread (maybe similar to the World Cup)? After all Tennessee now has two teams in the NPSL. 3. Talked to the head coach of FC Chattanooga over the weekend - they know Knoxville had a bunch of quality players show up.

Darlington is a private boarding (and day) school in Rome, Georgia. It was founded (it think) in the early 1900s and is K-12. Think of McCallie or Webb Bell Buckle - very expensive. They attract students from all over the world. They started two "academys" - tennis and soccer several years ago (similar to the IMG model). The soccer academy plays as a club but they also have a standard high school teams. Did I mention very expensive? They host several camps during the summer (ie No 1 Soccer, SoccerPlus, etc).

G - I think you have it exactly right. To expound further, football is allowed 10 regular season games and soccer is allowed 16 regular season matches....

soccerkeeper - I don't know how your comments could be offensive to anyone. With that said, your facts may be correct but I don't understand your point. Prior to HV opening, the students were zoned to go somewhere. Now they go where they are zoned. I don't want to offend anyone either but the bottom line is the successful high schools have significant numbers of club players on their rosters. What is the percentage of club players at Farragut, Bearden, CAK, Catholic, West, etc? I'd say it is close to 100%. It is absurd to think that a HS coach, regardless of his or her qualifications, could work a miracle and take a group of kids that had never played before and make them soccer players in a span of two to three weeks. Again, the success of Farragut, HV's quick rise, CAK, Bearden, West, etc is a tribute to East Tennessee soccer as a whole.

I've had the opportunity to see both these teams three or so times this season. Farragut has three things going for them: talent, depth and more depth. I don't know about a changing of the guard but Hardin Valley's success so quickly speaks volumes about soccer in East Tennessee. HV has talent and takes their underdog status seriously. They give 100% from whistle to whistle. Having a club-level coach doesn't hurt, either.

With (I think) three tournaments going on this weekend, I hope you guys will keep us all up to date with scores and (hopefully) recaps.

With (I think) three tournaments going on this weekend, I hope you guys will keep us all up to date with scores and (hopefully) recaps.

With (I think) three tournaments going on this weekend, I hope you guys will keep us all up to date with scores and (hopefully) recaps.

That is pretty wild (calling it Ballsy is just too easy). I guess since Law 2 states that the ref must inspect the ball(s) prior to play, it would be dissent if a player altered one without approval. Some would also opine that an over inflated ball is dangerous especially for headers.

Thanks, Giggs. Like I mentioned, I wasn't at the game but heard several folks discussing the game.

I wasn't at the game but heard Catholics' keeper handled a pass back? The amazing thing is they have a U16 ODP keeper playing field on their JV??? That's hard to figure....