BigDog7

The CBHS goalie was red carded in the game with Knox West today. The two game suspension will be minor when compared to the mandatory meeting with Brother Chris (Principal) on Monday to discuss the incident. At CBHS, THAT is a meeting you do not want to have!! In the words of that great detective Baretta, I can only say "Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time - don't do it . . ."

This is the sixth year I've had a son playing for CBHS (not the same son). I've refereed close to 200 games, and I've watched more than I care to count. I've never seen such a class act and sporting gesture as CAK and Coach G did on that corner kick. What a great lesson for our kids and the fans in the stands. Thank you Coach! It was a hard played game and the main reason we like to come to Knoxville to play. Good competition. The Bearden game was, the CAK game was, and I fully expect the game against West to be the same. It will benefit all the teams to play like this early on. With only two returning starters, we've got some kids getting great varsity experience. Thanks to the Bearden folks for their hospitality in hosting a good tournament in some tough weather conditions. Good luck to all this year. Thks!

Thanks, Big G. Looking forward to seeing your team in Knoxville in a couple of weeks. I'm sure a good match is in store. Always good competition in that part of the state. The highlight of the game was not the score or the players, although it was a good match. It was the idea of having a benefit for LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. Specifically, all the proceeds went to the John Talley Pediatric Neurological Research Fund at LeBonheur. For those that don't know, if you have ever played a match at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, you have John Talley to thank. He was the driver and the visionary behind that facility. Unfortunately, John died of brain cancer a few years ago. What a great way to start the season. There was an opening match at 5:00 between Collierville and White Station. There were probably 1,200 people there for the nightcap. Pep band, cheerleaders, the whole works. The complex donated the stadium and the teams donated the gate. Hats off to Coach Wolff at Houston and Coach Lima at CBHS and particularly the players from both teams. Long after the score is forgotten, the kids at LeBonheur will still be benefiting. I give all these details to encourage coaches in other parts of the state to consider something similar for your communities. There were no losers last night.

Check the article from the Chattanooga paper (Times Free Press) shown on the CoachT home page. It lists all the teams.

Let me set the record straight and then I'll be done with the topic. First, I never said someone threw an intentional elbow to the head. It was a forearm under the chin. Second, I said at the beginning I was not judging intent, only stating what happened. I sincerely appreciate your comments on KFC. I have never said they were a dirty team, and I am not saying that now. They are a very talented team - well skilled, fit, and well coached. So is MFC. That is why the game was such a battle and went to PK's. I have never said the player was a dirty player, and I am not saying so now. He appears to be a very talented kid, just like the rest of his team. I'm not passing judgment on him, or KFC as a team. The players, coach, and parents were all gracious at the awards ceremony. I have no reason to think they are anything but a class organization. What I am saying is the play was what the play was. And, it is the play I am commenting on. I have watched it several times. It was avoidable and not close to the ball. Do I think the intent was to send a player to the hospital, the answer is certainly not! If I had to venture a guess, from my perspective, the intent was to obstruct the goalie from getting back to the goal by cutting in front of him and bumping him. That kind of play happens in soccer all the time. Whatever the intent, the facts are the player caught the keeper under the chin with a forearm and followed through. I don't think it was premeditated. I simply think it was a function of both players being in the place they were at the time it happened and the overall intensity of the match. But, it did happen. And, because it was avoidable and the follow through was deliberate, it was a cheap shot, in my opinion. They do happen, particularly in state finals. Finally, my intent has never been to "start something that is just not true". There is no value in that. If I have offended you or anyone else on this forum, I apologize. As I have tried to say on each post, a sincere congratulations to KFC. It would be great for the state if they win regionals, and I will be pulling for them to do so. I am proud of the MFC team, and I believe they surprised some folks this time around. Two great squads, one great battle.

Your analysis would have the keeper well inside the center circle, which I would be hard pressed to say happened. Second, why would a keeper come to the center circle, fight for the ball, and then turn around and leave the ball? Finally, the keeper is 6'2" or 6'3". For his chin to run into another player's forearm, that player would have to be at least 6'6" or 6'7". While I've only seen KFC this weekend, I don't recall anyone of that stature. However, I certainly respect your perspective from your vantage point. I have video of the game and have reviewed it extensively, so I am comfortable with my view of the incident. Regarding the officiating, I was disappointed at the quality of the crew assigned to a U17 State final. Not necessarily foul recognition - that is part of a match that the players must learn to adjust to. I was disappointed at the lack of control which created safety issues for both sides. I would think the state would have its top crew on that match. Regardless, as I posted earlier, congrats to KFC and good luck at Regionals.

I won't try to judge intent. Keeper comes six or seven yards outside the box to clear a ball in traffic. Ball deflects wide, not long, and the keeper goes to the ground. Keeper is getting to his feet to get back in goal when KFC player runs by and gives him a forearm under the chin as he is getting to his feet. The keeper goes down and is taken to the hospital. The good news is he only had a slight concussion and is okay.

Congrats to KFC and MFC for making the U17 boys finals. Hats off to KFC for winning in PK's (still a terrible way to decide a game!). Hard fought by the two best teams in Tenn, at least on this weekend (for TNFC fans). Thumbs down to KFC player for the cheap shot that sent the MFC goalie to the hospital. Very unsporting and not on the ball. Thumbs up to the MFC backup keeper, who is a field player who never plays keeper, for a gutsy second half, OT, and PK's. Good luck to KFC and TNFC in OK City.

CBHS stats: 25 games; 64 SOG; 13 goals Gotta hand it to Baylor - they played great defense when it counted in the finals.

I am a parent from CBHS and I was standing in the middle of the group at the top filming the game. I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. The person was saying "snap the net". The gentleman you are questioning has a whole bag full of sayings - some conventional and some not so conventional. But, you will NEVER hear him say anything negative toward a player or official. The rest of us may be prone to, but he never has, and I have known him for several years. In fact, he is the first to applaud the effort of opponents, or if they are injured. Regarding the use of profanity, certainly that occurred at a certain point in the game. What you are not aware of is the gentleman who used it's son had just been taken down from behind - at least the second of the match. His son has been severely injured in seasons past on just that type of play. While I am not trying to excuse it, I can certainly understand it as a father. On to the game. Congrats to Baylor on executing an excellent game plan. They took advantage of a mistake and then protected the lead. CBHS had it's opportunities and didn't fiinish. While shots on goal and possession were certainly in the Brothers' favor, the only real stat that counts is the final score. I have known of Jimmy Weekly for a few years. When my son participated in ODP several years ago, Jimmy was his coach. He did not make the final state team, and was only in it for a year. He mentioned to me that Coach Weekly came up to him at this year's tourney, remembered his name, and asked him how he was doing. Certainly a class act. It appears Baylor will be odds on favorites next year, particularly after winning it this year after losing something like 15 Seniors. But, don't count the Brothers out because they are losing 12 Seniors this year. Hey - look what it did for Baylor!

Agreed. Rankings and $4 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

CBHS 3 ECS 0 MUS 3 Briarcrest 2 CBHS v MUS in finals on Thursday - 7 p.m. ECS v Briarcrest for third on Thursday - 5 p.m.

CBHS v. ECS MUS v. Briarcrest Both on Saturday.