SCRAPPY

Dickson County's Grant Allen. He goes about 5'6" and has been the Cougars big-play guy all season. Huge receiving numbers at the 5A level (especially in Dickson's offense) and solid rushing figures along with six interceptions at DB. He is the most exciting player I've seen this season.

200 wins in 20 years. Do the math. Congratulations Coach.

Big Poppa, Not so fast my friend. Antioch is as physical and mean as any I've seen this year. And they've got burners that can hit the corners. I've seen them all up close. Antioch can play with anybody in 6-5A. Dickson appears the best of the bunch right now because they're so danged balanced, but Antioch has the toughest interior defense I've seen.

DCA's Wooden is the best 1A back in the mid-state. Another potential finalist would be Joseph Ruddle at Wayne County.

Patrick Turner at Goodpasture. David Sharp at Lewis County.

I wholeheartedly agree that Lincoln County is the mid-state's best team right now, but I disagree with some poster's contention that all they've got to worry about is Franklin, Dickson and Brentwood. There'll be quite a bit of wood to chop before meeting any teams going into the West bracket and Lincoln Countians should worry about taking care of business on the East side first. I think a probable second round clash with Smyrna will be a test. This is a talented, senior club with a balanced attack. No pushover. The third round probably yields a visit from Riverdale. They've only been to the finals three years running. It's a mine field for anybody in 5A.

I also wish this trend had never started. Smaller, community schools were spit out of Metro during the late '70s and early '80s when we lost Goodlettsville, Cohn, Bellevue, Madison, DuPont, North, Joelton, East and Two Rivers. It killed community pride and damaged all sports in Metro. Nashville's high school sports used to draw huge crowds. No more. Now, we've got monster schools like McGavock and Hunters Lane. Whites Creek's monster school sits nearly half-used. All in the name of progress. Go figure.

Speed alone gives Northwest a shot here - and it's not just one guy. Northwest's got at least four burners. White House is much bigger and stronger in the interior. Big passing game edge to White House as well.

Rebel, get to work and find out if Welch's knee injury is as bad as it looked last night. McCurdy's missed the last two games as well.

CPA looks stronger in the box. I think Pack's too good a coach to let Wooden beat him by himself. If DCA is unable to mix in a valid passing threat, CPA'll win this one.

Brentwood quarterback Thomas Welch went out in the first half of last night's 49-0 win at Kenwood with a knee.

Wouldn't surprise me if Centennial didn't get Dickson tonight. Honestly, I've seen all three of the lead dogs play. There's not that much difference. I think Dickson's the most complete, but they could lose all three of their remaining games.

I'd be surprised if any of the three front-runners get through league play unbeaten.

Northwest Cedric Wilkerson was too much for Mt. Juliet. Kid has great body lean and gets everything out of every run. He's short, but thick. He's as good of a high school back as any I've seen this year - and that includes Antioch's Coker. He's a warrior. Never off the field and one of their best defensive players. Well deserved win by Northwest. 38-36 shootout. Also very impressed by Mt. Juliet junior quarterback Levi Brown. Congrats to all involved with Northwest's program.

Kangaroo, your boys will have ample opportunity to prove their worthiness on Halloween.

There's going to be some pretty strong early playoff clashes when Regions 5-5A and 6-5A get together. Whoever comes out third in the Franklin-Brentwood-Dickson tryst will probably go to Antioch for the opener. That'll be fun. Centennial at Gallatin in another quality opener. I still think Hendersonville's under-rated. They've got a ground game that could control the clock and shorten the game and I don't think they'll be an easy punch-out like last year at Franklin. Hunters Lane's hiding in the woods too. At least I won't have to go far to see some really stout ball. Save me a seat at Antioch for the opener.

Not so fast, my friend...

I think CoachChris undervalues White House just a bit. The loser of the NW-MJ game will be in a world of hurt for the playoffs. White House, Pearl and Stratford will be three playoff teams.

Unleash the beast. It seemed to me Friday night, Lewis County spent most of their offensive time trying to establish everything except Sharp. I know it's the regular season and - a win is a win is a win - but I don't think they can make any noise in the playoffs unless Sharp is allowed a better run-pas mix. I don't think Sharp's any great secret they can hide. Why not bust it out and work on some things now. In my opinion, Lewis County would've beaten Cheatham comfortably if they'd opened the attack and let the big dog run. Instead, they played close to the vest and were sweating out a 14-7 win. It wasn't that close.

Hathaway is 55. To my understanding, Pearl got banged up in the line prior to that slide and they're now healthy. Thompson wouldn't be looking this impressive without the big boys up front. That's Pearl's strength. It's hard to find those little bitty runners behind all that girth up front and the backs can fly.

I've been keeping tabs on BA through their Wednesday night TV replays and, honestly wonder if they're very good. Right now, I'd second the opinion that Franklin is better. Townsend is an electric runner, but his fumbling problem amazes me. This version of the Eagles offers the school's worst passing attack in 30 years. On the replays, they don't appear to play with any emotion and actually look like they're having no fun. Flatt's trademark was always sharp, crisp teams that executed the fundamentals and could slap the 15-yard out on you at any time. This teams drags into and out of the huddle and has completed just 6-of-15 passes in the last two games. Am I off track here or what?

I honestly can not believe what I'm reading. Are you guys really 'calling out' Hathaway? I don't see how providing extra motivation to Pearl's best player can actually help Northwest's cause.

Cowboy, you blabber on. Kenwood and Centennial play Saturday so you need another excuse.

Cowboy, calling Kenwood "a laugher" in the context used is most certainly downing the program. If you are so manly, what time can I expect to meet you at the pass gate? I'll tell the gatekeeper to be on the lookout for the person in the PAGE shirt. OR, are you one of those cowboys who're all hat and no cattle. By the way, when was the last time Page made the state semi-finals?

Cowboy, I was cutting you some slack after you - at least - attempted to explain your disdain for Gregory. Now you get on here and crack on my Kenwood. Dude, it ain't no fun being one of the very smallest 5A schools and having to compete with some of the STATE's top programs. And it looks like some others are about to feel the effects of rezoning - just like Kenwood when Rossview opened up and grabbed most of the athletic pool that had us in the 4A semi-finals in '99. Wait till next year when the Creek Wood rezoning starts to hit Dickson. And it'll happen in Williamson over the next few years too when Ravenwood and the new school open. Kenwood is much improved from last year's 0-10. There is young talent now. They've been competitive in their last four games. Unless you've been to a game or two and know first-hand just what you're talking about, you've got no business running down any program. And that's all you've been doing in this thread. Partner, if you want to judge the Knights' program - and that of Centennial - both of which you speak of like you're an authority, just pony on up to Clarksville Saturday afternoon. The two teams kick off at 1 p.m. If you're man enough, just tell them at the pass gate that you are the COWBOY. I'll get you in and you can walk the sidelines with me. If you want to evaluate the program - here's your chance. If not, just shut up.