Ironman80

- I have read on and on about the tough schedule of Smyrna and weak schedule of Maryville (SEC vs WAC ?). I looked at the regular season schedule and noted this: - Smyrna beat two teams with playoff wins - (Blackman 2 wins and Riverdale 2 wins) for a total of 4 wins. - Maryville beat 5 teams with playoff wins - (West 3 wins, Oak Ridge 3 wins, Bearden 2 wins, Knox Catholic 1 win, and Farragut 1 win) for a total of 10 wins. - Someone explain how Smyrna schedule = SEC and Maryville schedule = WAC? Does this mean anything towards the outcome of the game, not really. Just found the facts odd. - I'm not from Maryville, but from ET with friends from Smyrna's championship teams. No dog in fight, but would have to say Smyrna is the favorite this year and will pick them to win. Since Matyville has 8 starters returning on both offense and defense I will pick them to be back next year(and next, ect..). Smyrna I pick not to be back next year.

According to program in the past ten years before the split D2 teams won 5 and D1 teams won 5. That would be 50%. IF quick count is correct, 18 -18 before the split for current D1 vs. current D2. Yoadrian, if thats the case, would you say that the teams are close to equal at the top, but the individuals titles would be significantley in favor of the D1.

HaveItYourway - - You get on here and bad mouth a player as bad as anyone I've read, then you say you don't like "hating on a kid". Look in the mirror. - You said since" the first (O'laughlin) is a far superior athlete to the other (Gibson)." That's not uplifting, encouraging, or truthful. If that's not hating on a player I don't know what is. Are you kin to the famous Moronocus? - I have said I feel Gibson is better at running back, and I still believe that. Does that mean I'm "hating" on #6?" I have also said I feel #6 is a great athelete, but not a runnung back. How is that hating? I really like #6, and think he was done a great injustice by being thrown to the wolves as a soph. I also believe he could have gotten a scholarship had he played another position. (not many kids his size get recruited to play running back) - Career facts: #3 - 94 carries, 612 yards, 9 TDs (6.5 per carry average) #6 - 138 carries, 688 yards, 4TDs (4.9 per carry average) Sorry to let a few facts get in the way of your opinion. I just disagree with you.

Not that it matters much, but did anyone else notice the prepxtra stats tried to cheat our #6 - James O'laughlin - out of his 18 carry/19 yards of rushing against Webb? - This may hurt him when it comes to end of year awards, EVERY other stat was reported. Why not these? What should be: - His total rushing yards should be 103 for the year (not 84) - His average per game should be 26 yards (not 21) - He should have 46 carries for 103 yards this year (2.2 per carry). Even though the season has gone south, I feel he should get credit for all he is doing! - What do the other Halls fans think about him not getting credit for these 19 yards?

FYI - O'laughlin averaged 17+ touches per game last year (over 170 total with 5 TD's). Look at the win - loss results. To get on on here and say anyone should get 90% of the offense is crazy. - sx123 - O'laughlin was just a Soph last year and went through alot of growing pains. We all know that Gibson was better last year (less than 5 touches per game with 6 TD's), but that was last year. Look for O'laughlin to improve drastically over last year. - Best play in the jamboree was a 12 yard slant to Greshakm. Why not get him 20+ touches per game or 90% of offense? Wait, Bright has looked really good in scrimmages, lets get him 20+ touches or 90% of offense. But what about Fitz and Burton? Not to mention the new Soph Long (who in my opinion is further along at this time than #6 was as a soph last year. - How about this, spread the wealth between O'laughlin, Gibson, Gresham, Bright, Fitzy, Burton, Long, ect. Then maybe we can talk about the TEAM instead of PLAYERS. - Let's get behind the coaches and players. They have worked hard and it appears to be showing. Tough break about Dowdey, but this team has to regroup. - Zach D. , sorry about what happened and know I will be praying for you and your family. I have no doubt you will rebound (with the fine parents you have) and be a success in the game of life, which ultimately is the only game that matters.

cherries - - I went back and changed my original post. I should never had said that about him and apologize. He (Tait) is a fine athelte and has surely gone through alot over the past few years. I've watched him play since 7th grade and truley respect his game. I wish him the best. I've told everyone to look out for him ever since then. - What I got over excited about was this line has been told the were going to be terrible, and the "weak link" of the team. I was excited with their improvement, and let that excitement get the best of me. - RB was the real deal, my two cents was he looked much better than Sensenbaugh of DB. Maybe not fair to Sensenbaugh - he didn't get many carries against us - but Cozart looked a step faster.

Sorry - I should have mentioned I was including the opening drive Halls had the night before - Halls drove down to the Irish 10 and stalled, held Catholic and got a pick by #10, then the game got sloppy with lightning and such. Thus, I felt Halls looked really good early Tuesday with the opening 60 yard drive and the first series pick. - My overall view counted this part of the scrimmage also. I would agree that on Wednesday night it looked like catholic had fixed their problems on Offense and drove the ball well early. Halls started out slow on Wednesday thean came on strong - maybe because they were smaller and faster - while the heat wore on the Catholic players. - Overall, pretty even. I think 13-7 first teamers, with most of the night spent on the Catholic side of the field. My main point was did anyone believe that Halls could not only hold their own with Catholic and DB, but truthfully out play both of these squads?? I was in no way demeaning Catholic or DB, as both programs are way ahead of ours right now. However, we did look good (even though it's just a scrimmage) and most people did not expect that this year.

After two scrimmages against traditional power house programs, my two cents: - Two wins is great for this teams confedence!! Not only did we win on score board, we actually controlled both scrimmages. - Defensive speed is MUCH better than last years. DB's and LB's are flying around to the ball all over the field. What looks like big holes are closed quickly. - Dowdy has looked exceptional at QB!! Any doubts about him leading this team has been removed. He is the real deal!! Passing game looks like the best since Julian has taken over. - Young offensive line is getting the job done. Superstar Tait from Catholic was held in place better than expected - Long and Mcfalls did OK with him most of the scrimmage. Proud of Long,who wieghs about 150 pounds less than Tait, for is effort against him!! Great job of coaching this year getting the team prepared!! Team looks organized in all the small areas, which seemed to be a problem last year. Not saying this team will win a state championship, but look for this team to be the surprise team in Konxville this year.

My two cents: - After watching the spring game, #3 (Gibson) still seems to be the real deal. Last years almost ten yards per carry and TD every 7.5 times he touched the ball will set the stage for this years running game. By far the fastest of the running backs. Homerun threat anywhere on the field. - #6 O'Laughlin seems improved (last year 6 yards per carry, TD every 23 times he touched the ball), but still needs to learn how to run north and south instead of east to west. Speaking of north to south runners, how about the white teams #7 Long? He will push O'Laughlin for playing time, seems like a throw back to the hard nosed, turn it upfield runners of the old days. I was impressed with this kid. I thought he and Gibson looked good together, blocking and running. Also liked the white teams fullback, Woods I think. Someone told me the starting front four where all on the red team. If so, these RBs really looked good. - Line will be OK. McFalls has gotten noticiably bigger. This group needs to hit the wieghts hard this summer, or it will be a tough year on this group. I believe they will. - Excited about the pasing league. Timing is crucial for the passing game, which could have been the difference between 4-6 last year or 8-2. Look for Gresham and Bright to have good years at reciever if given a chance. - This years team is much faster and more athletic than last years. Defensive team speed will be much faster, as last years was one of the slowest I've seen. Offense will have to pass more, which will be a good thing. - Overall observation, still too many question marks to make a prediction on next year. Easier schedule should help (no more Bearden, West, Maryville). Wins should come aaginst Hardin Valley, Cambell County, and Karns.( Powell, Central, Sevier County, Webb, and Anderson County are all winnable, but I'd list these as toss ups). Clinton is the toghest challenge, and Oak Ridge should be better than last year. My guess is best case 8-2, worst case 3-7, probably 7-3 or 6-4 and back into the playoffs.

whtatheheck - - You make some really good points. My comment at the "mystery" LB was at uknowme, who claims the PrepXtra LB's were a joke (implying their stats were not as good as others, thus they couldn't be as good). I claimed I thought the players were deserving at that position. - I agree that great players can be on weak teams. But I also believe that QBs and LBs can be great without great stats, simply by leading their teams to greatness. I know I'm old fashioned, but I like the old days when peolple would do their jobs and allow others to make the tackle - not seeking personal glory but team success.

whatheheck - - You didn't uderstand what I said. According to stats, South Doyle and Central would have 8 players better than Marvilles BEST player. That's a joke! Maryville's defense was the best we saw. Good defenses are made up of good palyers. The best defensive players we saw played for Maryville. - I can't say that about offense. Both Powell and Clinton had offenses that were really good. Again, good offenses are made up of good players. Kier Houston and Darin Stone were the best QB's I saw. I have no idea how their stats look. - LB is like QB on defense, winning is the top priority and getting everyone in the right position. I do think sacks, TFL's. etc. can be very misleading. Last year we had a player get 3 sacks in two quarters against a weaker opponent (almost 4). Had this kid played the entire ballgame, 7 to 8 sacks wouldn't have been out of the question. Had we played a few more weaker opponents, 20 sacks for the year would have been a real possibilty. - Again, if this "mystery" LB you keep talking about led a GOOD defense to a championship run, let us know who he is. I really have no idea who you are talking about - I might've thought he was a heck of a player. Until then, I have to say I agree with the LB's as I saw them on the PrepXtra.

uknowme- - I have to agree with sx123 - stats are for losers (my opinion). - I'm not sure which region your son plays in, but my son plays in reion 3-4a (for Halls). - We palyed against Maryville, and scored 7 points. We played against Central and scored 23 points, South Doyle and scored 38 points. Thus - Maryville's defense was MUCH better than either, hands down, bare none, no where close. However, according to the stats Central and South Doyle both had 4 players each with more tackles for the year than anyone on Maryville's team. - How can anyone in their right mind think that these two teams had 8 players better than anyone on Maryville's defense? Truth is, we had many 3 and outs against Maryville(not many tackles), as did most teams. That is a sign of a good defensive player, not how many tackles he made. - Cody McCoy made All PrepXtra from Maryville. He was by far the best linebacker in our region! I saw them all. Many - maybe 5-8 had more tackles. That means nothing. Cody sacrificed himself against us, drove himself and our lineman into the ground, and helped cause his TEAM to stop us on many three and outs. He played TEAM defense, didn't worry about stats, and got the job done. That my friend is what defense is about. - By the way, I have no idea who McCoy's family is and would not recognize him if I saw him on the street. I just get tired of this generation of stats. - I can't think of anyone better at LB in the prepxtra area than those listed. Maybe you can enlighten us. Three players played in the clinic bowl - can't argue about those selections (like I said, few points allowed by team defines good defenses, and good defenses are made up of good players). That leaves Cole Lail (over 300 takles in the last two years - showed what he could do on a phenominal defense last season) and Tyler Richardson (team went a few rounds in playoffs). - Like I said, I can only speak for region 3-4a. In our region, they picked the right guy. (I saw them all) No one else was close.

Consider the following: - 13 players made the team - not sure what position Orlando Gordon of Red Bank played - 5 played offense, of which 4 were QB's - Interesting all-state team that has one offensive non-QB (Revis of Rhea County)

Congratulations to the 25 players from across the state to make this select group. - Note that four Prepxtra area players were selected : Daniel Hood - Catholic (DT) Justin Smith - Maryville (DE) Caleb Leonard - Knox Halls (OL) Will Jackson - Farragut (OL) Nice to see these Knoxville area players rewarded in a Middle Tennessee based award.

Congrats to all the Halls seniors on a fine game. Two cents: - Shame on Jr Zach Gibson - on senior night he stole the show ( about 110-120 yards rushing on 7 carries??) JK. On a serious note, does he make our offense go or what? Finally, getting some huge gains on holes that have been there all year. Good game Zach! - Thought he and #23 (Waggoner) showed a great combination - speed and power. (Was this the only game we two 100 yard rushers?) It would have been nice if we could have figured that out - say maybe after the Sevier County game. Good year #23! - Did anyone else notice the WR's lined up and played in a grasshopper type rotation - six guys playing then going to the back of the line? Not sure any other high schols do this, maybe that explains why our leading receiver had five receptions for the year. It seems we feel this is an unimportant position, thus like in hoppers - just try to let guys get on the field. - Also, not trying to sound to negative, but next year if we are going to be succesful, we really need to figure out who the best 11 are, and have them on the field. We can't waste a WR spot on some plays, then wonder why we lose every close game. Next we need to figure out who is the best "gamer" at RB, and who gets the tough yards in the 4th quarter. Finally, passes down the field, not to the sidelines. Pass on downs no one expects (i.e. 2nd and short). It may not work in the short run, but long term it will keep the defenses honest. - Again, thanks to the coaches for evrything they have done. As stated earlier, I believe this program is headed in the right direction. I just feel like we missed out on several small things this year. Nothing that can't be fixed. Next year begins today. - I'll leave you with something my Daddy taught me (and tried to pass on to my son) - "I might lose to someone that is better than me, but I WILL NEVER LOSE to someone that worked harder than me". That applies to both playing and coaching.

- Nice article in the shopper about the seniors. Many have felt the pain this year, but in the long run most got to be a huge part of last seasons success. At least they will have that to remember. - I hope they (seniors) show us what they are made of Friday night and go out a winner. Maybe they can find something in the tank. - I heard John Babcock (Taylor's father) was in a serious accident this past weekend. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. He has been around the program to help out at any time. From what I hear it will be a hard battle the next few months just to be able to walk again. Please remember him in your prayers also.

Some thoughts as we wait on next week (I wanted to wait, but here goes): - Someone asked earlier if you had a son in the eighth grade, would you let him stay at Halls? - Check my posts and you will see I can be as critical as anyone. However, I can honestly answer that with a h_ _ _ ya!! Consider this: - My son has played for coach Julian and staff. They have mentored my son in football and in life. I'm very PROUD of my son and coach J. He teaches the kids alot more than just ball. He leads by example both on and off the field. Other parents talk about their coaches demeanning kids, cussing kids, and the like. You will not get that from our coaches. My son is a better football player and MAN because of coach J. - Also, we got second in the region last year to the 4-time stae champ Mville. What about this year? We went toe-to-toe with the #1 ranked team.(tied in the 4th quarter) We lost 4 games that went down to the final 2 minutes, and really could've gone our way. I know that is coach talk, but also consider: Our returning QB suffered a high ankle sprain in the 1st game. HUGE impact on the rest of the season. He was one of the fastest kids on team, and was poised to have a great senior year. We are just now starting to see what he can do when healthy.WR's dropped like flies, and every team we played took advantage of that. (At one time, top 5 were out) Mono hit this team like no one will know, at least 4-5 starters tested positive and played through it. Almost wonder how we were able to compete. - Even with all that, we are four SMALL plays (everyone can point to big plays) away from sitting at 7-2 right now. This program is headed in the right direction, we just had one of those "perfect storm" type years. Trust me, this is not the norm. Our coaches are getting this program headed back, we just had a bump this year. - You might say, "but you don't know how good my son is" - well, ask anyone who has a son that has played and we will tell you - Coach J works extremly hard to get our kids scholarships and post season awards. He calls people, sends tapes, and really goes the extra mile. - I have talked to alot of people from other schools, and they are shocked to find out how hard Coach J has worked for my son and others. I'm talking about all-state players and Unapproved Website prospects. This extra work doesn't happen elsewhere very often. - Finally, if you want your son to compete for championships, become a better man, and have plenty of good lifetime memories, he should stay at Halls. If I haven't said so, thanks to the coaches for everything they have done for this group of seniors!! Good luck Halls.

Hope the players (Halls) are up for a tough battle. I expect this one to go down to the wire. So far, Halls has lost any game that is close in the second half. Call it heart, lack of ability, lack of coaching, whatever. Truth is, close in the fourth quarter = loss for Halls. Let's hope that changes, because I expect this one to be close in the fourth quarter.

Someone in the know help me with this: 1.) If West loses to Clinton, Powell, and Central and 2.) Central loses to Powell and Clinton and 3.) Halls wins out - Halls is in the playoffs?? Three way tie for fourth, head to head is even, Halls and Central have a better record than West (West eliminated), then back to head to head, Halls beat Central - Halls advances. Check my math and see if it's right. - Maybe a glimmer of hope??

Ironman80too - - Why do you continue to blame everyone except the OC? It seems like from your posts you are real defensive of any critizism that way, but are quick to point fingers everywhere else. I agree with you saying #6 is no Kitts, but it should be the OC's job to realize a 145 lb SOPH coudn't carry this team. DO NOT BLAME THE PLAYERS!! #6 is just a SOPH, and will be good someday. Don't get on here and tear him down by saying the coaches can't make him ht the right holes or make the right blocks, it is the coaches job to teach him or get him out. - Do I thik it is all the coaches fault?? No way. Do I think this team has more talent than 2-6? NOt sure, but I think the coaches would have to share in the blame. - According to your analogy, Tenneesee should have dropped way down after Peyton left. For some odd reason they didn't. (Could it have been good coaching?) - I think the blame has to be shouldered on everyone (coaches and players). - I actually think the play calling has improved as the year has gone by. Alot of questions about getting the best 11 players on the field - an area the OC will improve on with time. Not sure why certain positons/ combinations were not tinkered with while we were losing. Dogmatic approach to playing certain players regardless of production and outcome. If memory serves me, the same 11 players on offense that started against Maryville started against Powell. - Overall he (OC) has done an OK job, the players have done an OK job, and the rest of the coches have done an OK job. OK in this leaugue = 2-6.

Congratulations to Powell! Typical Halls - Powell game. A few comments: - The better team won tonight. Not to say Halls couldn't have won, but Powell was the better team tonight. Take away Powell's fumbled punt, and # 3's seventy - plus yard run and this game isn't close. (not to mention many dropped passes that were wide open) - It was odd to see this game come down to field position. Halls just could not turn the field over in the fourth quarter. Powell's punter get's my nod for player of the game (besides the obvious Houston). Two punts downed on the one yard line was the difference in my opinion. - Good news - I think we found out who our next Kitts is going to be!! Did you see the speed on Gibson's run?? What an asset he will be next year. Look for he him to shine next year if he gets some carries!! - That is probably the most frustrating part of the season, not having a back with his speed on the field (no knock on Waggoner, he plays his heart out. Tough break on the fumble, many thought he was down. I thought it was a fumble.) - Time for the boys to stink it up, go out with some wins. The next two games will not be easy!

Zcar - - Excellent point about McGill!! I felt, like you. his abilities wer what this team needed. I've said so early. I wish we could go back and see what it wouldv'e been like withtwo seniors in the backfield to start the season. More holes hit, more blocks made, more toughness in the fourth quarter. I talk to felt this year was used to build for the future (that's the answer I get when I ask about McGill). - I asked someone "close" to the coaching staff (not a coach) about why we continue to try to get wide ("jet") vs. last year' inside the ends ("buck"). The answer I got startled me! Without hesitation he said we "didn't have the speed at runningback last year that we do this year". I must be an idiot because I don't think our new running back looks to be near the same speed as Kitts (I know, most of you think I'm an idiot anyway) - Interesting stats in the PrepXtra: - Out of the leading 100 taclers this year, Halls has none. That also compares our 7 games tp most teams 6. Again, NONE in the top 100! - Out of the leading 100 receivers, NONE from Halls (Again 7 games vs 6). Again I mention, our top two (based om downs played have palyed all year) - Out of the top 100 rushers, we have 2 (O'laughlin #24, Waggoner #31) - but remember, total yards for 7 games vs 6. (Kitts was # 3 last year) - I don't think we can fuss to much about the coaching when we don't have any of the top 100 players on defense and receiver on our team. Not one of the top 100!! Ouch!

- Babcock is back and looks to be in good shape, along with Gresham's cast being removed on Monday. -However, neither will start. #7 (Snoderly) nailed down that job early in the season. Look to see Gresham and Babcock play some, but most of the sanps go to #7 and #2 (the same guys who have been there all year) - #37 Bright has been healthy for some time now also. The only player not back with this team is Zabouski, but we knew he was out for the season. - In summary, passing game is at full strenghth. No more excuses, but like I said, the main guys at WR have been playing for the whole year (Don't expect to see Babcock, Gresham, and Bright playing many snaps. Not sure we need any changes here)

Halls fact: - Last year Dayton (7) and Kitts (16) combined for 23 TDs in 10 games. - This year the team has 15 TD's total. Question - can we as a team score as many TD's as Dayton and Kitts did by themselves?? BTGOG - - My point was not that to succeed a offense can't throw the ball, not even the Wing - T. My point is that THIS YEAR, when we throw the ball, bad things happen. I mentioned 7-10 passes, with a really good running game. Any more than that and we are in trouble. - Side note - Don't write Central off yet. They may be better than you think - ie) Farragut, Cookville, and Maryville are pretty good football teams.

Powell beat Anderson County, Anderson County beat Clinton, Clinton beat Halls. Things look tough for the good guys. Questions: - How is Powell's team speed? How many "big" plays have their offense had this year (over 50 yards)? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Halls has zero. - How does Powell look in the turnover ratio? Again, not to good for Halls. Penalties?? - I think these will be critical areas. Could someone close to the Powell program help us out? Technical question - Why have we shifted from the old "buck" play (sweep) to the "jet" play?? My understanding is that the "buck" had a lineman in front, RB turns up inside the end (quick). The "jet" tries to outrun people to the sideline, no lineman to lead. Maybe someone who konws more than I can explain. Just wonder if we are really trying to get outside more this year?? (Not near the speed this year compared to other teams we play) - I hear the coaches are working really hard, and the players are buying into more "team" concept. That's good to hear. As always, go Halls! I believe the Red Devils will pull out the big upset, maybe even shock the world!