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KWC, That was a thoughtful, intelligent, and passionate response. And I agree with it, provided Whitehaven plays as if they were well-prepared tonight and if the coaching staff manages the game and situations that will arise in a manner that puts the team in the best situations. This is not and should not be a simple "win you stay, lose and you're out situation for Saulsberry". I never said that! For me, it is all about preparedness, managing the game, and putting the kids in the best situations to be successful. All I am saying and have said it this...if Whitehaven is ill-prepared, and the coaches make too many poor decisions, which collectively results in a non-competive loss for Whitehaven, I would replace this coach. And with that said, keep in mind that in some cases, the score and stats alone do not fully indicate whether or not a game was competitive. I have to go now, so I'll try to check back in to finish my thoughts.

The portion that I highlighted is what makes things so frustrating. There isn’t any patience anymore in society. Whitehaven ... under the current head coach has NEVER sustained the consistent level of accomplishments in the past 20-30 years. Go look it up for yourself if you think I'm lying. Two second round exits in successive years and now a quarterfinal appearance ... which in an improvement. Coaches grow and learn just like everybody else. He is by far the best that Whitehaven has had in a LOOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGG time and removing him would be downright STUPID. Just like the Melrose fans ran of Ingram after he lost the Championship game to Maryville 7-6. THAT WAS STUPID TOO! KWC, I may be wrong, but I thought Ingram was released at Melrose because he did not get/have the needed academic/teaching certifications/requirements. As for the coaching situation at Whitehaven, I think Saulsberry should be replaced if Whitehaven loses and plays poorly against White Station. If Whitehaven is competitive and plays well, but just not well enough to win, he should be given more time to continue to improve as a coach, improve his coaching staff, and build the program in its current direction; otherwise if they do not play well and lose, you are doing everyone else, including the kids, a disservice if he remains the coach. In the Whitehaven community and at Whitehaven High School, the only tool that seems to be missing for deep play-off runs from time to time and beating some of the better play-off teams, is coaching. Let's not confuse this current play-off system, which resulted in Whitehaven playing and beating Germantown and Wooddale, as improved play-off performance just yet. This is all about playing to your potential; not underachieving. Whitehaven does not underachieve when it comes to academics, the marching band program, the arts, ACT scores and college preparedness for its kids: Why allow the football program to underachieve, given what the coaches get to work with (abundance of smart middle-class athletic kids and great community support)? They better get it done before Southwind figures it all out.

My picks: Melrose- 28 Mitchell- 18 As Trader B has said, Melrose is a much improved team from early season. I think the most improved thing is the offensive line play, which is allowing us to now see the talents of their fine young quarterback, the skill and sure hands of their recievers, and a solid running game. And though their defense is not as dominate and physically imposing as in past years, it is still better than most and capable of keeping this game/scoring within reach of their offensive. Whitehaven- 14 White Station- 31 Whitehaven's coaches must have their team ready to play solid defense. This means sure tackling, limited penalties, good discipline, and smart controlled aggression. Whitehaven's defensive line must outplay White Stations's offensive line so that the LBs can drop into coverage and/or spy or easily get to the QB. Whitehaven must have solid play in its kicking game and not turn the ball over on offensive. Whitehaven's defense must set the tone for this game, particularly its defensive line. Will Whitehaven coaches take this approach and have their kids ready to execute it is the question? The answer is NO! If NO indeed turns out as being the answer, given the talent, numbers, limited obstacles (as compared with other inner-city schools), and support that this coach has had while at Whitehaven, the Whitehaven fans will want Saulsberry replaced; as based on what I heard in the stands at the Wooddale game. ECS- 34 KW- 24 The better team will win. MUS- 38 Father Ryan- 10 MUS is just on another level.

I agree with KWC in that Whitehaven should not change their offensive scheme at this point in the season. Whitehaven can win a low to moderate scoring game against White Station, with limited turnovers and mistakes on offense and special teams; and solid, physical, and smart defense- think White Station/CBHS. They have the athletes to do so Do they have the coaching I will give my predictions later.

Well, I followed my heart and not my head and decided to go the Whitehaven/Wooddale game. Well, I left the game with a head-ache and sick to my stomach as a result of watching the Whitehaven coaching staff almost coach the game away; only to be saved by a poor call (failed qb sneak up the middle with a tired and small qb, into the heart of Whitehaven's defense) by the Wooddale coaching staff at the end. This Whitehaven coaching staff is still questionable at best, in my opinion! Whitehaven exits next week!

I thought Melrose was playing a home game this weekend. Well these teams made a good decision in choosing to play at Melrose, given the playing surface for them and the neighborhood concessions for the fans . Though this will probably be the better game, I will likely attend the CBHS/BA game, since it is much closer to the house. Where are your predictions BlackHavenSenator?

I am trying to decide between the Whitehaven/Wooddale game and the CBHS/BA game. Where will the Whitehaven/Wooddale game be played? Halle?

My picks: Mitchell- 18 Lawrence County- 21 This will come down to defense, turnovers, and adjustments. In the end, I see Lawrence County prevailing. Melrose- 28 Hardin County- 10 Though Hardin has a better kicking game and better fundamental coaching, Melrose has too much skill, athleticism, play-off experience/success, and attitude! If Hardin County goes into Orange Mound intimidated, they will get blown out. Whitehaven- 23 Wooddale- 18 Whitehaven probably has largest number of kids that are athletic (size, speed, and strength in position), smart, and without serious socio-economic disadvantage, on its roster in all of West Tennessee. They can also make extra points and consistently make FGs from 30 yards in. That should be enough to get by Wooddale; unless, the Whitehaven coaching and offensive scheme (less than average passing game) and preparation proves to be lacking. Kirby-14 White Station- 28 This game will be closer than most expect. But in the end, White Station has better players and will be too prolific on offense to match or contain. ECS- 38 FRA- 10 FRA will be overmatched. Briarcrest- 24 Father Ryan- 30 Father Ryan should win a high-scoring and exciting game at home. MUS- 45 Baylor- 13 Baylor will not be able to stop MUS. Ensworth- 28 MBA- 10 This one will be close for two quarters. CBHS-16 BA- 24 CBHS's offense, particularly at the skilled positions/players (not counting the kicker), proves to be not good enough in a competitive game, but disappointing loss.

Trader B, I attended the Germantown/Whitehaven game also and agree with your assessment. I too also believed that Germantown was overrated; but more than that, I thought Whitehaven would find a way to lose to an inferior team, again. I am glad that I was wrong! The Whitehaven kids played well and the coaches had them prepared and obviously did a good job last night. Whitehaven was bigger, stronger, and faster as a team than Germantown and to my surprise the Whitehaven coaches did not coach away their advantages. I was also happy to see that Whitehaven is able to consistently make PATs and appears to have the realistic chance of kicking and consistently making FGs from 30 yards in; which at the high school level is acceptable. Now the bad news- though they did not need one last night, Whitehaven does not appear to have much of a passing game. Though there could have been one or two, I do not remember seeing any well-executed passing plays. And though they moved the ball and scored points, the offensive really did not seem sharp. With the exception of a few well-executed running plays, many of the yards seemed to be the result of individual effort, coupled with poor tackling and Germantown being physically overmatched. But again, the Whitehaven coaches obviously knew what they needed to do to soundly beat Germantown, and they did. Good coaching! Congratulations!

My picks: LC- 28 Craigmont- 13 Jackson Northside- 20 Mitchell- 27 Melrose- 28 Bartlett- 13 Hardin Co- 14 Ridgeway- 7 Arlington- 23 Independence- 10 Germantown- 28 Whitehaven- 23 Millington- 20 Woodale- 26 Brighton- 24 Kirby- 13 Cordova- 20 White Station- 34

The biggest surprise for me was the Bartlett Craigmont lopsided game and score. What kind of surface was that game played on? The biggest disappointment was Whitehaven's performance. Over the years, this team (not the kids, the coaching/administration) has done the least with the most, in my opinion. It now appears that this is the same one and out of the play-offs Whitehaven team as I have seen in the past. This result, along with the performance in the White Station game, leads me to now believe that CBHS loss to the mud and slop, not to this Whitehaven team when they played. I hope that I am wrong. I hope that the coaching staff is able to put these talented kids in position to make a deep run in the play-offs. These comments are not meant to take anything away from Melrose and their impressive victory. Melrose has a history and tradition of success and is respected throughout the state.

Thanks, MarkH!

My picks: Arlington- 21 Millington- 10 Both are solid teams. Arlington has proved to me that they are a very good team; Millington, a good team. Cordova- 24 Bolton- 10 Cordova should prove to be more physical and athletic than Bolton. Craigmont- 28 Bartlett- 0 Same as previous game, but worse. Ridgeway- 20 Kirby- 18 Ridgeway may be better suited for the conditions. Whitehaven- 28 Melrose- 20 Whitehaven has better athletes and more of them this year. They will have a physical advantage. This Melrose team just does not have enough talent on the offensive side of ball to beat this Whitehaven team. Plus, Melrose is undisciplined, has a poor kicking game, and is not a well-coached team. But, if Whitehaven tries to get too fancy on offense and Melrose's defensive shows up big, look for the upset- remember heart and emotion still matter in football and this Melrose team still has plenty of that. With the experience that Whitehaven's coaching staff got from the White Station loss, the CBHS win, and the Mitchell win, they should have their young men well prepared for this game. I'll also take Whitehaven's band in a blow-out. White Station- 28 Mitchell- 22 Mitchell matches up well against White Station, should be a competitive game. In the end, I just see White Station finding a way to get the win. I'll take Mitchell's band by a very slim margin. SBEC- 20 FACS-6 MUS- 37 Briarcrest- 17 This game will not be as close as the score will reflect.

My picks: Millington- 18 Craigmont- 14 The home field advantage for Millington. Germantown- 30 Ridgeway- 20 This game will be closer than my predicted score indicates. Whitehaven- 34 East- 14 Whitehaven should prove to be just too much for East. FACS- 20 St. George's- 26 MUS- 38 CBHS- 13 The problems associated with a wet ball may result in this one being closer than it should be. Given that this game will be played on a nice surface, MUS's offensive scheme, speed, and talent, should prove to be too much for CBHS. CBHS's Jonathon Brown will have to have a huge game, superman-like, on offense (at running back) for CBHS to have a chance in this game. And for that to happen, CBHS will have to have some success in its passing game. Not going to happen Briarcrest- 34 St. Benedict- 10 This one will be similiar to the CBHS/Briarcrest game; but worse for St. Benedict. One last thing- congratulations to Arlington for their win over Craigmont. I am now convinced that Arlington is a good football team.

U honestly believe that Mitchell will hold us to 2 scores... WHY!?!?!?!?!?!? Respect Da Haven No, it will not just be Mitchell holding you to 2 scores. I honestly believe that your execution, scheme, decisions, coupled with a couple of mistakes, will help them to hold you to 2 scores. If I felt that Whitehaven's basic plan was to line up and for the most part make Mitchell stop a physical between-the-tackles running game, I would actually pick Whitehaven in this game. With that said, if you do that, then I pick Whitehaven to win. But, I think that you guys will go more spread than anything; and with Mitchell's speed and athleticsm, combined with the fact that Whitehaven has yet to prove that its offensive scheme really works against a good defense, forms the basis of my pick- Mitchell winning.

I believe you said in part, "contender annually......" While you are in that dictionary, look up annually also. That is the main part of your statement that was far-reaching. I do not think that the coaches at MUS or CBHS would even go that far, even with their advantages, LOL!

I see where you are coming from; but even with the few posts that you have, it appears that you are very emotional, thin-skinned, and seem to over-react to others and reach a tad too far with your views. But, hey, you have the right to do so! I am 95% sure that MUS could beat Hamilton or Westwood by 60 points, if they played this year and wanted to put up that many points. I am 100% sure that Hamilton could not beat MUS this year.

Good post, KWC!

I just had to highlight part of your post. For one, depending on your definition on "contender", I do not agree with that statement; and two, the second part then either contradicts for first part, or simply makes it meaningless. Over the years, I have heard the same thing from folks from many other schools that were very similar to Arlington's current situation. I fall into the category that Trader B described- one that knows that Arlington is a relatively new program, with very limited success, coming off a 1 and 9 season. I have not seen them play this year or last year, and have not payed much attention to them until a game or two prior to the them paying Bolton. Given their history and early schedule/opposition, I am sure that most out there simply did not pay much attention to or think much about the success they have had until a couple of weeks ago. I am quite sure that the kids are great there and the coaches are obviously doing a very good job. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, Arlington has had at minimum, a very good season. For me, there are no intrinsic factors in Arlington's favor at this time, since I have yet to see them this year. So, my views are soley based on their history, record, and what I gather from the games played (opposition, stats, conditions, etc.), unlike when I am picking teams that I have seen play and know more about (speed, strength, execution, players/skill/athleticism, coaching tendencies, etc.)

Craigmont- 26 Arlington- 17 Going into the Bolton game I predicted that Arlington would lose most of its remaining games. I thought that they would go 1-3; winning one against either Bolton or Cordova, then losing to Craigmont and Millington. Well, I was wrong. But this game and the Millington game, assuming two Ls, will prove if I was at least in the ballpark. Craigmont is the better team and should win a close game. Germantown- 30 Wooddale-20 Though I feel that Wooddale is a little better athletically, I just think that they will not be disciplined enough to contain Germantown's triple-option running game and Sir Gregory. Germantown also has a fair to decent-for-the-high-school-level kicking game. Kirby- 14 Collierville- 17 This one is sort of like the Germantown/Wooddale game, but will be much closer because Collierville is down this year while Kirby is up, comparatively speaking. Whitehaven- 14 Mitchell- 26 I wish that this one was being played on a better field so that the athleticism could fully be displayed an appreciated. Even with that, my pick would be the same; I just would feel better about it. ECS- 35 FACS- 17 This game will not be close. Briarcrest- 10 CBHS- 27 Offensively, CBHS is solid but not prolific. They will probably end up making this a closer game than my prediction indicates. But in the end, CBHS will prove to be too big and strong for Briarcrest.

Millington- 29 Bolton- 17 Millington is a big strong team that is now starting to play well. They will eventually wear Bolton down; likely sooner than later. Cordova- 22 Arlington- 17 I stand by my earlier prediction concerning Arlington. Wooddale- 26 Ridgeway- 23 Wooddale should score enough points and have enough defense to win a close and exciting game. White Station- 28 Melrose- 23 Though I am picking White Station, this one has upset written all over it. Though this is the weakest Melrose team that I have seen in years, they still have a winning attitude; know how to compete against supposedly better teams, and even win some; and, still have the ability to play big time defense at times. Melrose actually matches up well against White Station. This game will prove if White Station learned how to handle a team that intends to play extremely physical (ex. CBHS strategy). Mitchell- 31 East- 18 All other things being about equal, Mitchell simply has better players and more of them. CBHS- 27 ECS- 24 Though I am not picking ECS, I actually like their chances. ECS has to throw the ball and mix in the run every now and then to beat this much bigger and stronger CBHS team. If this game is very close in the 4th quarter (7 points or less), ECS will win. If ECS cannot handle CBHS's size and strength, this one could somewhat resemble the CBHS/White Station game.

Well, most of my picks worked out. I am most happy about my Craigmont pick; got it right. At this point in the season, they are a little better than Briarcrest and would beat them 7 or so times if they played 10 times (given the same conditions). Though a couple of the other games did not go as I expected, none were surprising. Arlington edged out Bolton; either team could have won. I still predict that Arlington will lose more games than they win going forward. Millington finally proved that they are a good team by beating a decent Cordova team rather easily. Millington should do well going forward.

As I sit here reading these posts on my lunch break, I just knew that guys like Trader B and KWC, would eat some lunch also; lunch being Millingtonfan2007. We all are just having a fun debate, and picking games, all based on some sort of logic (performance, records, players, scheme, coaching, weather, etc.). It is completely illogical to say that CBHS is not a good team, given its current record and performance. Based on what I see in CBHS, they are probably 2 to 4 fast and athletic skill/secondary players away from being a great team. Though Millington may not be a bad team, and in the end may be in fact be a good team, as of now one can say that Millington is not a good team based on some degree of logic.

Oops! Wrong topic.

My predictions: MUS- 38 White Station- 20 Hopefully WS's coach accepts the ball if they win the toss. One would think that that would be a given if you have a prolific offense and the weather conditions are at least decent. Him not doing so against CBHS was a very poor decision; and would be even worse in this game (provided the weather is good). Arlington- 24 Bolton- 28 Arlington will lose most of its remaining games. I predict that it will start with this one. Craigmont- 26 Briarcrest- 24 The combination of it being mid-season (not early), athleticism, and confidence, for Craigmont, should be enough to overcome Briarcrest's kicking game and home field advantage. Millington- 20 Cordova- 24 Millington's offensive scheme mainly works when they have very good athletes to run it, combined with opponents being physically overmatched and/or undisciplined. This should be a very close game. East- 20 Melrose- 26 Both have poor kicking games. East may be a little better offensively, while Melrose may be more than a little better defensively. On that basis, I pick Melrose. But, as I said before the season started, this is the worst team that Melrose has fielded in years.