Ironman80

Everyone seems to think that Halls has to pass "more" to win. With that in mind, consider this: - After 7 ballgames, if you count the yardage we lose on a sack against the passing statistics, we have negative yardage pasing. NEGATIVE YARDAGE!! - In the last two ballgames, INT's gave oppenents easy TD's that made a HUGE inpact on the outcome. - When I have visited practice, the first thing I notice is how little time is spent in "group" on running plays and how much time is spent on passing plays. - The running game is not clicking on all cylinders, and the passing game continues to struugle.When we analyze the risk/benefit, is it better to spend all this time on these pass plays at the expense of missed blocks, fumbles, missed holes, etc. ? - In the two victories, we avg. 3 pass attempts per game. In the 5 losses, we have avg. 12. More pass attempts = a loss. - What am I saying? This offense needs to get better at runnng the ball!! It still can improve, but in order to win we can't continue to have lineman miss blocks, RB's miss blocks and holes, and fumbles/penalties. Our best chance of winning is to get back to running the ball well!! - What about passes? I suggested a long time ago passes on 2nd down, and passes downfield. Eliminate 75% of the passes we practice, identify which plays we can actually get off, and call some "safe" passes. About 7 - 10 passes, with a GOOD running game (not what we've had lately), and we have a chance to win. - Coaches are coaching hard, players ae trying hard. Something is missing. Hopefully we can figure out what to change (no change = 2-6)

I'm going to paraphrase some old maxims of football: 1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win (3 Turnovers = 21 points against Clinton, 1 turnover against Bearden = 7 points) Note - two TO's lead to TD's on the next play, 1 was two plays later 2. Press the kicking game, for here is were the breaks are made -(Bearden 80 yard punt return) - I'm going to ruffle some feathers, but I thought Coach Williams called a pretty dag gum ball game Friday night. As good as Clinton played, without the turnovers we probably win the football game! Offense palyed well. - I saw signs this team is getting better, but also saw some "quit" when things went bad. Saw a fresh #6 in the third quarter, and he didn't disappoint. Keeping him healthy and fresh will pay dividends. My advice to the Halls players, quit crying in your milk and grow up!! It's time to toughen up. Quit pointing at everyone and everything, and turn that finger to yourself. Come out mean and nasty, don't guit, and I believe you can win! - Again, I said I'm going to take Halls in this one. Any one who has read my posts knows this doesn't happen often. I saw some positives against Clinton. Eliminate the turnovers, press the kicking game, and don't give up after the big plays when they happen (Powell will get some!)

Congratulations to Clinton on a nice win (33 - 17) - Three turnovers to none sealed the Red Devils fate. (21 points) - Team speed was the deciding factor. Not close in this area. Two deep bombs hurt us. - Stone is the real deal. Best QB I've seen in a long time. Good luck to the Dragons the rest of the way. - Halls fans - let's not bash the coaches on this one. It's our right to disagree when times are down, but coaches didn't lose this game. Turnovers and team speed were the difference.

I will be there to cheer on the big Red tonight! What I wolud like to see: - Offense not go three and out on the first series. Correct me If I am wrong, but every 1st play we have ran this year is a sweep right (6 or 8 hole?). The last two games we have tried to "trick" this same play(unbalanced, etc.) with disastrous results - BIG loses. We need to gain something on 1st down!! (not and incomplete pass either) - A few passes on 2nd and short (not many on 1st - 3 to 5), and avoid 3rd and long. - A healthy #6 in the 4th quarter. Imagine what a spark he could bring if he rested some throughout the game and was healthy in the 4th! I'm not ready to right this tem off yet. I believe coach J to be one of the best, and hopefully he can right this ship!

ironman80too - - The famous LDLDL has nothing to do with te shotgun. Has to do with getting thru the hole quickly. Watch the games and films. RB's are taught to "loop" back this year. New to this year. One practice drill does not reflect the actual ballgame. #23 does not loop back as much, but that is because he played last year. New backs are getting way back. - Question - when was the last time you had trouble finding out who had the ball. Then think back to last year. The "loop" was created this year, and like yourselve I have spoken to several people in the know. Backs ARE told to loop back, and timing/quickness of offense HAS been changed from day one. Not execution, instruction. - Note - blocking schemes have not changed. Lineman should be taught to stay with blocks longer and the LDLDL might have a chance. As it is they are taught to "flip" and go on. Also, chop or cut, which when you watch the film many defensive palyers get up from and make tackles before the ball gets back to the line of scrimmage.

- Still waiting on someone to comment on why O'laughlin #6 struggles in the 4th quarter (8 yards rushing total after 6 games). It's obvious to me which posters have underclassman, because they all point to something else. - This team has been built around #6 - passes are drawn up to get hm the ball, punt returns, kick returns, and when healthy 80% of the run plays. Everyone talks about 4th quarter collapses, but that only applies when #6 is in. What about S. County?? Same "tired" players made a heck of a rally when #6 was out. Funny that after a timeout, the big play we came out with was a deep pass to #6 at Bearden. Is he the only one the coaches feel can make a play?? I.e. = 4 losses. - This looks like I'm out against #6, but I'm not. I just think to much has been placed on him. Talk about leadership, when everything is built around a SOPH , he has to be the leader. Could it be as simple as getting fresh legs in at RB, throughout the game, so he is not beat up and scared to death by the 4th quarter (again, I've been saying this for a long time). We seem to try everything else. - Untammed - funny how these same seniors all played the same spots last year (both ways) and we were known as a second half team. Now it's their fault we struugle in the 4th. Not a rocket scientist, but wouldn't you check out the new guys before blaming the old ones?

I just watched the Bearden tape. WOW - our RB's have gotten deeper in the backfield than before. - Many times the backs are running backwards when they get the handoff!! (no need for holes, they close before anyone can get there) - The LDLDL has taken hold of the Halls wing T, and it's getting worse. - Expect to see Clinton's defense in our backfield all night. Please, get rid off the LDLDL!! - Do I believe we can change? Yes! (Easy to go back to last years ways) -Do I believe we will change? No. Everyone watch the LDLDL this week - count how many palys lose yardage.

Bugman - - I have no dog in the fight, but have watched both the JV games and Freshman games. If your son (or friend, relative, etc.) is one of the Soph QB's you might be in trouble. The Freshman QB looks like a stud to me. He does what a QB needs to do - put his team in a position to win. I expect to see great things from him and the stud RB they have. - If there is a SOPH QB that runs a 4.6 forty time, we must have the fastest D. lineman in the state. Many times I have seen our DL's run both SOPH QB's down from behind. If they want a chance to play on Friday night, they need to perform better in practice during the week against starters. - I heard Gresham (#10) is still not starting on Offense. Gotta question that. (After Friday night, wonder if he should have played at least one down against West?) - No one has attempted to explain to me why #6's production is non-existant in the 4th quarter (8 yards rushing all year). My theory is he's small and young. Hits take there toll, and by the fourth quarter it's tough. Why not bring him in for a spark, rest him, and let him be strong in the 4th quarter?? Does no one else seem to think that we need better 4th quarter production? (#23 on the other hand seems to step up in the 4th quarter every time) Ironman..too - - I guess imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but I wish you coul've come up with a different screen name. As far as talking to the coaches, are you nuts?? First off, I hope to God they would never listen to me. What do I know about coaching High School football? From reading most posts, others are "less smart" than I am, which is scary. I hope Coach J has better things to do than listen to disgruntled fans. - Do you complain about anything in society? If so, what gives you the right? I have an opinin, and I express it. It's out there for everyone to see. I try not to bad mouth any players, but I do believe some things need to change. - If you go back and read my posts after the DB scrimmage, I tried to warn evryone that this offense was terrible. We have a good SOPH running back, but I'm on record saying we can't win in our region with him. Why? He weighs 140 pounds, benches about 160 and squats about 200. We have several players that can out run him, and he can't execute the blocking assignments. Do I think he has performed well? Absolutely. I think it's not fair to him to get him beat up like we do. He may become very good (depending on how hard he works in the weight room). I also feel this season has been sacrificed because of that. I wish I would have been wrong, but go back and check. I have said this from the start (after DB). IF he continues to play the majority of the time AND his second half production doesn't improve drastically, we will continue to lose in the 4th quarter. Prove me wrong.

Can our (Halls) problems be fixed? Not if everything stays the same!! (definition of ignorance is to do the SAME thing over and over and expect a different result) - Not counting Gibbs, Offense is scoring at about 12 points per game less than last year. Defense is giving up 17 points less per game than last year. Why can everyone execept the main person see the problem is on offense. Let's start a wish list of changes. I'll start off with my top two: 1. GET RID OF THE "LOOP" T. The first change (and for those who don't know, coach Williams changed virtually every play we had, plus added in his new stuff) I would make is fix the loop. Our RB's are taught to loop back behind the line this year. Coach Ward had all the action going quick and forward. Williams has asked the RB's to "loop" back. Thus, many plays this year have lost yardage and when holes are present, backs are too far away to get to them. 2. GIVE THE SR A CHANCE! - We decided to place the season on a SOPH's shoulders. He weighs 145 pounds, and we have to sub when we need a block. #21 has two carries, and #3 can run the ball and block. I said this before the Maryville game, and I'll say it again. We will not win many games relying on this SOPH. He is doing fine, but look at his TD's and 4th quarter production (8 total rushing yards in 6 ballgames). Rest him early, then watch the spark he can add to the team coming off the bench. Then he might be able to help his team in the 4th quarter. Let's hear what the reast of you think. Losses by 3, 4, and 5 points have many fans disappointed. I DONT THINK PASSING ON EVERY DOWN, OR RUNNING ON EVERY DOWN WILL WORK. How about some balance throughout the game. - Clinton would have to be favored right now by at least 17.

Bearden wins 17-12. - Which SOPH did you think was the best, now that you saw them both?? It looks like both teams are putting the year on these young guns shoulders. I was impressed with Young. - Can anyone say they have ever seen an offense as bad Halls?? Now that every player on the field has been taught the Julian system, I expected a little more this year.

I hear more bad news: Here's a list of our starters out for Friday (Not counting Zabouski & Babcock - out for year) #3 - Gibson (CB/RB) - mono #32 - Hodge (MLB) - Torn MCL #45 - Cottrell (TE/OLB) - mono #62 - Leonard (OG/DE) - mono #72 - Bolden (DT) - mono Plus several backups. In summary - 2 starting DL, 2 starting LB's, and a starting CB. OOUCH!! Interseting stat : someone told me our leading rusher (#6) has less than 10 yards TOTAL rushing in the fourth quarter (all games combined). Another Oouch.

WOW!! - I just watched the Bearden - Karns game - Young is awrsome!! - Also, I went back and checked my stats. O'Laughlin's numbers are after 5 games, Young's are after 4. Add the Karns numbers and they aren't close. We haven't played a team with Young's ability. This agme may get UGLY! (see last year)

K21 - I'll give a quick breal down of our offense: - OL is really strong. You'll be amazed at how big a hole they can make (can't seem to gain more than 10 - 15 yards though) - Counting TE, all six palyers see significant time on defense. Thus, by the 4th quarter holes start to vanish (lieman look wore out) - Like you, we start a SOPH at RB. That expalins why between us there will be six losses after Friday night (tough to compete in 4a and 5a with Soph's leading the way) Compare : O'laughlin (Halls) - 52 attempts/372 yards (7.2 avg.) - 99 yard KO return for TD, several beautiful punt returns Young (Bearden) - 66 attempts/412 yards (6.2 avg) - 2 ?? Ko returns for TD, punts ?? Young plays defense, and from what I hear he is pretty good. Our two WR's are not very fast (5.0 and 5.3??). Also, expect to see us throw alot Friday. Young may have a KIL "player of the week" type game if we do. Share some details with us Halls fans about Bearden please.

I've been critical (like many UT fans), but: -More bad new(for Halls) : - Starting TE and LB, and DT/DE are out with mono. Chances are they palyed with it on Friday. That's got to effect some plays. Explains alot when you watch the film. - Several other players have it also, which means it is probably spreading. May explain while many players look so tired on the field. Expect for players to play Friday with it and not know. Coaches should make sure kids are subbed for if they look tired (might should do it any way) K21 - I'll share ours if you share yours - (Offense) -TE # 88 Steinke - SR (6'0/195) Repalces two year starter with mono -LT #79 Mcfalls - JR (6'1/205) just getting back from illness (thought was mono) -LG #66 Laddish - SR (5'10/230) Two year starter - C #55 Raby - SR (5'10/225) -RG #62 Leonard - SR (6'4/275) Three year starter -RT #75 Hill - SR (6'4/285) Two year starter - extremley sore ankle (High sprain 2 weeks ago) -WR #2 Johnson/#7 Snoderly - Both SR's - 4 receptions between them this year -RB #23 Waggoner SR (5'10/190) Three year starter - tough as nails -RB # 6 O'Laughlin SOPH (5'10/140) -FB #34 Burton JR (5'10/195) -QB #4 Turner SR (6'1/190) - Two year starter -high ankle sprain(Mville), missed S.County game

Right now Halls Offese has no leadership. You can blame it on the players, coaches, whomever. That won't fix it. On many plays we look like the keystone cops. New to this year: RB - Soph O'Laughlin #6 replaces Kitts WR - SR Johnson #2 replaces Dayton FB - JR Burton #34 replaces Gunter/Kelly C - SR Raby # 55 replaces Plunk OT - JR Mcfalls #79 replaces Blair Co-ordinator - Wiliams replaces Ward RB coach Kilgore replaces Williams You decide were we are missing it, but we are REALLY struggling. No identity, no playmakers, etc. Not counting Gibbs we take what look to be huge gains and get 8 - 10 yards. Last year on these same plays (lesser holes) we took them to the house! I don't see how Halls can play this one close. I believe many have written this year off and hoped some of the younger guys can get better for next year. (It looked that way to me early in the year)

Zcar - - I took up for the lack of a passing due to injury theory early. But like you, I feel it should be much better by now. - I have seen several practices, and more time is spent on pass plays than run plays. What you see on Friday night is what I see when I watch practices. Same Wr's can't catch during practices. You can call a mule a racehorse all you want to, but after 5 games everyone can see they are mules. - Now that we have #37 and #10 healthy (our racehorses), it's sad to see them sitting on the bench. We can't say it's due to injury anymore. Anyone who has seen these two kids (#37 and #10) play sit in amazement as the passing game continues to stink. - As I've said before, we must have no confidence in our Offensive Line at crunch time. I'm sure they feel the coaches have NO CONFIDENCE in them, since both games we decided smash mouth football won't work for us at the end. - Make no mistake, that's not Coach Williams decision. That comes from the head man, Coach J. It's his team, and these new "tricks" reflect his message to the team. Side note - we had three RB's averaging over seven yards per carry, and not one of them touched the ball on the last series in either game (#23's last carry against West was for ten yards, and his last carry against S. county was for 15. I'm still amazed that we didn't let him touch it in cruch time in either game)

K..21 : - That depends if Young has any speed/ cut back ability. Our (Halls) DE's are taught to "pursue to the ball", thus many times when a runner cuts back or runs a reverse we give up TD's. Not our DE's fault, we just don't have anyone in our scheme to "stay at home". - If he has speed and can cut back, we are in for a long night. West's first TD came on that type of play, started right, looked like a five yard loss, cut back and scored. Our backside end (Right End on Defense) cut behind the LB's to the other side, and was actually next to our left CB when the running back cut back. No one in the picture for an easy TD. - The Halls/West score was closer than the actual game. Halls had a 99 yard Kickoff return. West took control of the game right out of the gate.

An interesting Halls statistic: -Last year we averaged 31 pts per game against Maryville, Central, Seveir Co. and West. This year we averaged 16 pts per game. To say our offense has gone way down this year is an understatement.

4mer... - - Thanks again for the rule clarification. Is that a Knox county rule or just Halls? It's just sad that the whole team had to suffer (more than likely cost us the game) - I was always taught that your best chance to win was to have your best 11 on the field, PERIOD. In a close game like last night, it would have been nice to see that happen. (How do the kids handle knowing we are going to "waste"quarter because of this rule??) - Someone told me today that #10 did not play any offense. Is that true? I know he practiced last week, and caught the ball very well. With his play making ability on offense, it seems like a waste to have him on the sideline. Watching the same WR's drop passes and get no seperation is tough. I think he (#10) is an answer to our prayers, just a shame the coaches didn't know how to get him involved in the game plan. It was nice watching him break up plays and basically take away one side of the field on defense. - I'm tired of hearing people blame #2 for not making his block on the "boot" leg. This was a true "trick" play. As such, no one on our team knew what was happening. The play was called to #6 on a sweep, and everyone was blocking for that. Coach told #4 to keep the ball, thus "trick" everyone. #2 was watching the play to see how it worked. Had he known the ball was coming his way, he would not have been just standing there. He knew on a sweep the other way, he didn't have much impact on the play. Great kid, and played his heart out. He would have tried to make a block, or even went out for a pass had he known. IT IS NOT HIS FAULT. - Our offense is boring and predictable, yet without the "trick" plays being called with the game on the line, we would be 4-1 instead of 2-3. - Finally, devilsden makes an excellent point. After four years our records: 7-4, 5-5, 8-4, 2-3. Overall it's 22-16 (through out Gibbs and L. Citry it drops to 15-16). The question is, what direction is this years team going?? Clinton, Bearden, and even Powell are probably as good as West or better. South Doyle will be tough also. A 3-7 year is looming if we don't make some changes. I expect several close games, just wonder if we will continue to rely on the "trick" plays. Again, is this team getting better or worse??

Thanks 4mer.. - so it is true he (Mcfalls) was out on the critical first series. - That explains why we got off to such a bad start. Did he skip practices, lay out, what was the deal? Seems harsh to punish the team if he was sick thru no fault of his own. - That probably cost us the game - 3 and out took the wind out of our defense. All things considered, that means we would have driven the ball that first series like we did the second (80 yard TD drive). What a huge punishment to the team. (If he was skipping practice, I certainly understand. If he was out because of Doctor orders, wow, what a decision to make).

Diver - I'm sure our coaches noticed the wide split runs, tight split passes and made adjustments accordingly. Consider this: - In the last two years West has averaged 51 points a game against us. Tonight we held them to 22, which drops that three year average to 42 points a game. It looks as if our personel just doesn't matchup well with West on defense. The dive they ran was open all night, and I'm sure we tried everything we could to stop it. - Also, did anyone notice that two of their three TD's came on fourth down?? First Td was a heck of a run!! I know I'm old school, but that's why I don't like my DE's running behind the LB"s downfield to pursue to the ball. In the old days we stayed at home, but I realize that went away along time ago(DE staying at home). - I still think our first quarter set the tone. When West got the first down on a three yard fumble out of bounds, connected on several third down concersion, ate up 8 minutes of offense, then missed a field goal I knew it was important for our Offense to get rolling. Instread we had a three and out, and gave them the ball right back. That's why I can't believe we would start this big of a game, especially after that drive od West's, with a huge contributer like Mcfalls on the sideline. I wonder if he would have helped on that first three and out (next series he came in and we went 80 yards for a TD). - I know, still coulda, shoulda, woulda. Will this team give up on the rest of the year or work to get better. With a little luck this team (Halls) might still make the playoffs. Funnier things have happened. - Since no one seems to voice opinions, I'll ask another question. How many people think this Halls team has gotten better since the Maryville game (first game until now)?

Final score West 22, Halls 19. - Halls had the ball first down on West's 30, after a 50 yard drive and came up with a "magic" boot leg on first down, incomplete pass on second down, and a pass interception on third down. West runs the clock down, takes a saftey. Halls misses a LONG field goal as time expires. - West scores the go ahead TD after Halls elects to punt on fourth and less than a yard. A few plays later, West goes ahead with about seven minutes to play. Halls drives from its twenty to Wests 30 with about three minutes to play (very much like the Seveir County game). At crunch time Halls abandons it's strength - same result. - A sound frustrated because I am, maybe #23 was hurt at the end of both games. Obviously the coaches know more than I do, and I'm sure they felt we couldn't have just pounded it in on both games. I trust that at crunch time, our best bet to win this year is to air it out. Two games, two exact same situations, two exact sane outcomes.

West wins another tough game with Halls. Cong. to West!! My two cents - - Tone was set on Halls first possesion. Three and out came back tp bite us. Someone told me we didn't have Big Ben in on that series. If so, that is sad. - Did anyone else see this game was similar to Seveir Co?? #23 carries his team, looks like he has the heart of a lion, gaining 5, 6 yards every play. THEN once he carries his team to a hope of victory, here comes the"magic" play to save the day. Same script, same results. - Does anyone else think it would have been nice to see him (#23) touch the ball (either game) on our last series?? Just for fun, I wonder what would have happened in either game if we would have given him a try on first down, second down, or third down?? - I thought West coaches did an excellent job of staying with what works. Simple, wide split dives, until it is stopped. Their coaches showed a lot of maturity by keeping it simple (we never did stop the dive all night). West showed tonight that6 it is a simple game. - O'Laughlin had a great game. Without his KO return, this game isn't close. - Again, this game was won early. West had the ball for about 15 of the first 16 minutes. Our offense needed a drive to start with, and came up with a three and out. Interesting play on first down(-7), hadn't seen that one before.

I got to see the end of practice tonight. My two cents: Good News: - Gresham (#10) was practicing. He looks better with a cast on than most of our WR's do without one. He is a special talent, maybe the best athelete on the team(his speed doesn't hurt either). I hate to think about what kind of season this would have been like had he been healthy all year. - Turner (#4) continues to look better (healthier). Make no mistake, as he goes this team goes. He is the leader. He made some nice throws tonight (some were dropped). Hopefully as #10 plays more, we will see the return of some big plays. Bad news: - #79 (McFalls) is still out. This is having a huge impact on the OL. (Defense has several lineman to step up, but OL is thin). If I counted right, three new "positions" are involved with his injury (players are needed to move around). Don't expect to see the domination upfront that we have seen in the previous games. (my hear is that he is out for Friday) - #75 (Big Stevo) appears to have an ankle problem. He is one of the few "can't do without" players. Watching him try to run sprints at the end of practice made ME hurt (couldn't figure out why he didn't just sit them out and try to get it well, it was obvious he was in A LOT of pain) Overall, I can't get a feel for this game. Even with all the injuries at WR and DB, I felt pretty good about our chances in a close one. Now with Big Ben out and Stevo injured, I worry about our ability to come out and run the ball consistently. Thus, I will wait until later in the week to make a prediction. Not sure how much the coaches can get Gresham involved in the game plan with only one week of practice - I believe he could be the deciding factor. (Two TD's in two scrimmages, 60 yard TD reception last year, 3 INT's with one returned for a TD, and one kickoff return for 70 yards) - I will step out on a limb (again) and predict that it won't be 45-0 at half like last time. (I did pick Halls to win last week)

The last time Halls came to West everyone was talking the same as this year - i.e. it should be a close game. - REALITY HIT, and West was ahead 45-0 by the half. Halls didn't know what hit them. I hope Halls remembers that!! - I also liked the improved passing game. Fewer attempts, more production. Turner looked sharp. Getting him healthy will be an important part to this teams success. - Gresham (#10) gives us the treat of a deep ball, even with a cast on. Most observers felt he was our best chance for a big play after Dayton left. Two TD's in first two scrimmages (while playing with a broken thumb) showed what he brings to this team. - I like seeing many RB's getting the ball. I think each one brings something to the table. All RB"s looked good. - O'line had what I thought was their worst outing. Big Ben being out hurt. Let's hope he can play on Friday. - This game is huge !! Expect a dogfight from both sides. Last years game was the most exciting high school game I have ever watched.