dawgbacker

I would normally agree with this post, but I know the kid that stepped down. He has played basketball since he was 5 years old. He has never missed a practice since then except when he broke his arm in practice taking charges. He has always given %110 on and off the court. He has a 3.75 gpa as well, and knows whats important in life. Basketball was his passion, and always wanted to win, but basketball the way they have to practice now days there is no time for a job. Basketball is 6 days a week. Hard to get a job that will hire you for 1 day. He (as well as others) is tired of the lack of discipline, kids quiting numerous times only to be begged to come back. These same kids make fun of the coach behind his back because he begs them back. He will also start these same kids to keep them from quitting. He was one of the ones who never missed a camp or aau game all summer while the other kids layed at home playing video games and having their fun. The type of kids you are talking about is the ones this coach wants on his team. I know all theses young men very well, and some of them are very good kids. I really hate that this happened to them as a team, because they have played togeather for a long time are are close friends. Everything I have said is true, and the coach knows it as well. The young man that stepped down is a role model to everyone that knows him. He always showed his coaches respect and give them everything he had and then some. So that is evidently not what this coach wants. He respects you more if you disrespect him, quit, and lay out of practice. He also knows they are laying out because he will go and try to get them off their xbox to come to games/practice. I just thought this coach/man had some integrity. I know its all about winning, but this method of coaching still isnt getting him any more wins, just look at the harriman trip. Seth we (and your team) will miss you being on the court.

Well dawgs its time to put up or shut up ! You have been prepairing for this time of year all season. Go into this game with intensity and determination. Everyone in Hampton believes you can do it. Dont second guess your instincs, just do what your coaches have instilled in you all year long. Complete Domination Is Your Goal,, Play Every Play Like It May Be Your Last, and you will come out VICTORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its the time of year to get fired up, did they go under the lights tonight? Yes they did . At this point in the season the men need to be getting all the knowledge from the coaches they can. They can rest when their season is over, or jump into basketball and rest after that. This is the time to make your best memories seniors. Friday is coming, dont rush the inevitable men, I expect your best game of the year in this one. Stay focused and go out and dominate.

Im pretty sure Adam is already close to 1400. He had right at 1275 before the Tellico game. This is due to the outstanding blocking from the line. Keep up the good work guys. Keep your eyes on the prize.

I heard the same thing. Im sure that the dawgs are happy about that also. I hope to see a steller night from the whole team.They cant look past cloudland just because of there record. Hampton needs to go into the playoffs at full force with a 9-1 record, not at 8-2.

Hampton seems to be hitting on all 8 cilinders, and it couldnt be at a better time. I know they want this one bad. The line has stepped it up, and the backs are burning it up right now. The defence should be ready for HVs passing game as well. Keep up the good work men.

Hampton needs to come out with alot of intensity, and under control.This game could get out of control with stupid penalties and ejections. Work hard this week guys. I know that this game means alot to you guys, after last years post game activities.

I can read there kid, just calm down and read my post. I am stateing a fact, one man that is a great player can cause more problems sometimes if the rest of the team starts to depend on him to do everything. Case in point Adam Townsend was a great football player for Hampton, and they started depending on him to win the games. When he went down at Cosby on the first play, Hampton had to become a team (quickly) . The coaches had to do some shuffeling around, but it ended up making them a better team all around. They even went to the semis without him twice. Dont get me wrong he was an awsome player, but if everyone would have worked as hard as they did without him, would have worked as hard when he was there, they could have possibly won state. That is what you look for on film, (the goto guy.) Shut him down , and you win. To be a complete , the team needs a leader, and everyone working together for one common goal, The WIN. (I will say it, Hertzog is the best kid on your team.)

As far as this thread goes ,I'm fine with Herzog does the most for his team, the thing I called into question was what one of you're Coaches said ON THIS THREAD. He plainly stated that Herzog was the best return man in the state, and that he was probably the best receiver in 1a. I and many others would strongly disagree. Tennessee is a pretty good size town. My post had nothing to do with Pujo, it had everything to do with the header. You can have your one man (Herzog), and I will take all the wins that Hampton has got as a team. If Herzog was that good by himself why didnt he stop our running back from getting 4 TDs and 240yds on him? I will tell you why, because Taylor had 10 men paveing the way for him. So go ahead and keep your 1 player there bud . He is good, but not that good.

Sounds to me like he is doing a pretty good job of it.He is a junior right? Bet next year the youngins wont be on the special teams again.Surely that mistake wont happen two years in a row. Don't think they were too concerned, it was like a firecracker going off in a war. I have no problem admitting he's a good player, Hampton has more than one kid who has huge numbers and have done alot for the team this season. I'm just not real big on singleing out players, its got to be a team thing. I'll let the media sort all of these awards out at the end of the season. Don't get me wrong ,I think special players deserve special awards. As far as that goes,our QB won player of the week in the whole area for a huge preformance last week.May be one of the most underrated players around. The little running back has a little over 1100 yards, that pretty darn good. But the rest of the team deserves credit for alot of the things these kids do. I just like our TEAM and would like to see them all get a little credit. I don't think we have the best player in the state in any position. Just some good ole hard working country boys. I agree with you Pujo. One man doesn't make a team. I have seen alot of young men want to be the superstar, and end up hurting the team instead of helping it. That type of attitude usually causes resentment from the other players. With this going on, there is no way you can have a playoff ready team. When a team has 11 men that do their jobs on every play, you can see something special. When a team has a running back with over 1100 yards rushing, and a Qb with 21 TDs, they sure didnt do that alone. It was the other 10 men on the field, and their teamates on the sidelines, and a great coach putting them in the right position to succeed. I think Hampton is starting to understand this, and if they go to war together they will do well the rest of the season. Dont play for yourself men play for your TEAM.

Games that are played in such muddy conditions, you expect fumbles, and dropped passes. Its just comes down to which team adapts and over comes the elements. Hampton adapted reasonably well putting up 444 yards of offence to Unakas 148. I believe if had been dry Hampton would have probably had around 600 yards. Our linemen,and backs had a hard time getting traction, and so did Unaka. I just thought the rain would hurt Unaka more than us, but it didnt. Their QB still threw the ball well to my surprize. Our linemen would have dominated Unaka even worse if they could have keep their feet. Unakas coach knew what he was doing keeping the smaller linemen in. They were quicker of the ball than our men, thats what gave us a little more of a problem. Still good game both ways, but Hampton is just the better team this year.

I asked a couple of the football players about why they stopped on the punt, and they said that they heard a wistle blow, and saw the flag. Unaka roughed the kicker, penalties happen. That happens to us all the time, just like everyone else. You cant blame getting beat on the Refs, and the flag wasnt late I was standing right where the ref threw it.( 37 to 8 is all that needs to be said ) maybe next year ?

Good job tonight dawgs . You guys stood your ground very well tonight, even though the field was nothing but a mud hole. I also think our line got a few sacks . I only bring this up because Unaka said their QB wouldnt get touched, (especialy by Hampton) in the paper at the begining of the year . I will say that Unaka has improved vastly since last year though. Good job to Unaka for not quiting. Congratulations to Adam Taylor on breaking 1000 yards tonight. Id say he will get a few more .

I think the weather may hurt Unaka a little. Its hard to throw a wet ball, but I would like to see it dry myself. The dawgs need to work on their pass defence a little.

Now that you mention it, I remember that article. I thought that was a pretty big statement then. I think its even bigger now. Hampton should be chewing at the bits for this one. I would say that Lunsford remembers the artical also, and has reminded the line about it. I say they should take this as a challange, and see if they can capitalize on their over confidence. If hampton gets pressure on them the way they did S East it could be a long night for Unaka. If they dont it could be the other way around, or maybe our defensive backs will have alot of ints. I know they break on the ball pretty well !!!!

I don't reckon anyone has stated that Hampton would beat Alcoa, but you say that Alcoa has won 5 straight titles,they sure have and 5 years ago they played Hampton. The score wasn't 70 to 0 and believe it or not, Hampton give them a good game until the second half. This is also the 1st year that Alcoa has beaten Maryville, did it ever cross you're mind that Maryville might not win it all this year, it has mine. Its not even a given that Alcoa will win it all this year. You wouldn't even give em a game. And yeah those two things are pretty much a given. Classification does matter. Why else would you have classes? I love my team too, but come on Pujo. Use some common sense. What he crap , I write a statement on how hard we need to practice, and everyone goes bat _ _ _ _ crazy !!!!There was no where in my post that I said we could beat Alcoa. Certain people on here must be pretty unintelligent, or they just like to start crap. Get back to the topic people Hampton vs Unaka

Yes he is, but I think that our defensive backs will have their hands full if our line doesnt get pressure on the Qb. I agree we have to get pressure, you can't cover receivers all day. We have pretty quality defensive backs and I also think we can get pressure. My guess is they will try to use quick passes and a draw or 2 to slow us down. I would rather be in a Bulldog uniform Friday night. Those maroon ones are going to be a mess. I would say that Lunsford will have the defence ready for whatever Unaka brings to Hampton. I heard that King ran the ball pretty well against their defence.

Yes he is, but I think that our defensive backs will have their hands full if our line doesnt get pressure on the Qb.

Unaka is probably the slowest team in the state. Price, Taylor, and Ward are like grease-lightning. There is no reason to show up to this game bulldogs. It's already in the book. Exactly what do you get out of all the useless sarcasim there RangerCountry . Just trying to get some info on your team, or maybe you really feel that way .

I didnt mean we could even come close to giving Alcoa a game, I meant practice like we are playing that high of a caliber team. It would take a complete moron to even think that. I think thats what it takes to become a complete team is to practice like you want to play.

Is Unakas speed compairable to hampton? I havent seen the Rangers play.

Alcoa? Why Alcoa? Not saying we couldn't give them a run for their money and get a win. I understand what you are saying though, but like pujo stated in some other post, if they would play every down like they mean it and get that lazy streak out of them and get some heart for the game it is un-telling how far they could go and not just this year, the next and the next and so on. Some have this and some are not at that point yet, but they are learning. I don't think they will be overlooking Unaka, Dogs know this is a serious game: both are 3-0 It's for Hampton & Unaka to decide who comes out in the #1 & #2 spot in there Division. Correction: Cosby could still be in the running for 2nd? If the dogs keep there head in the game, because we know what happens if one gets the upper hand in the game and the flags start flying. lol (Rivalry game) i'll say Unaka - 9 Dogs - 42 Go Dogs!!! woof woof Because Alcoa is a dominating team that refuses to lose. Hampton needs to show Unaka why they are ranked 7th in the state. The way they need to do that is to not beat them, but to dominate them in every part of the game.

Hampton needs to come out and practice like they are playing Alcoa this Friday. They dont need to overlook Unaka like Cloudland did. I think cloudland is a better team than them they just shot themselves in the foot. Unaka should not be able to run the ball on Hamptons defence so I look for them to pass on us, but if we put pressure on them like we did Sullivan East I believe their Qb will turn it over. Hamptons ofence hasnt been stopped by anyone this year and I dont think Unaka will either. Hampton 40 Unaka 18

Huge game for the Bulldogs, time for the kids to sell out and preform to their best ability. Had several kids this season not giving their best effort.The ability is their to make a good run in the playoffs. With half hearted effort ,it could be a 1st round exit. Hopefully the best football is yet to come, they haven't played to their ability yet. I agree completely. If they can get all 11 men on the field doing their job every play not every now and then, they will be something to contend with. I think they have the size and power on the line to dominate people, but they seem to be lazy and inconsistent. The backs have the speed to get the job done if the holes are there. That screen the other night was embarrassing, they need to block for at least a couple of seconds for the Qb to get back. Better pass blocking would help too. I have known all these boys for a long time, and I dont think they under stand that this is it for them. Make this your best year men and dont have any regrets.

Our men need to get down to business this week. This game may not be a conference game but it is important for getting them ready for better opponents. East beat johnson county in the stats, but lost the game just like Hampton. This game will be a test of our guys determination. Can they do things correctly or will they keep making the same mistakes. Get it right guys or you will lose this one.