Former44

At McMinn Co. I think this will be a tough/close game. McMinn has scored 29+ in each game, and they are always athletic. I feel sure McMinn will soundly test the Admiral D. I just hope both teams can come away with no injuries. For the Admirals, a very tough region slate resumes the following week with a quality athletic West team.

In my opinion, notwithstanding the penalties, quite possibly the best coached game I have seen at Farragut in some time. I was really impressed with the physical offensive game plan. I enjoyed the offensive “balanceâ€â€¦ left, right, and up the middle. There were even times I thought Johnson and Urevick would have been wide open on the post or post-corner against man coverage, but why risk it? Run it until they stop it! Gen. Neyland would have been proud. The defense adjusted particularly well after the first Catholic drive. The defensive line stemming was very effective. In addition, the linebackers have really turned it up a notch. I would like to see a little more aggressive play, and a little less breaking down at times on the outside, but overall they have improved a great deal in a short time. It was nice to get some varsity reps for the younger players. Now for the bad, Farragut has got to stop squandering scoring opportunities. This game was nowhere near as close as the final score. The penalties cost at least 2 touchdowns, if not more. Farragut has left quite a few quality scoring opportunities on the field this season.

I couldn't agree more with respect to your comment about the clock devouring offense that dominates TOP! I respect your opinion and positive outlook, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree with respect to play calling. In a close game, given the game situation, the play calling permitted Oak Ridge to “hang aroundâ€. I think the kids racked up 500 yards IN SPITE OF poor decisions by the offensive staff. The 500 yards notwithstanding, Farragut was fortunate to win. Don’t forget the missed field goal, the unconverted fourth down, and two other promising drives that stalled. If you go back and watch the replay, you will see that each of these drives stalled due to the coaches getting away from what Farragut does best. All of these could have easily been touchdowns if Farragut simply runs the football. I cited other examples in my previous post. It was clear within a few plays that Farragut was dominating the line of scrimmage. The most effective way to get the ball in the hands of your best athletes is to stick it in their breadbasket. Passes get dropped, tipped, and intercepted. That is something Farragut just doesn’t need at a critical point in the game when they are running the ball so effectively. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against an effective throwing game, especially at opportune moments. An effective running team is particularly dangerous from play-action. In a close game however, I don’t think you get away from what you do best simply for the sake of “surprising†the defense or being “balancedâ€. In this particular game, it absolutely wasn’t necessary and it often resulted in bad down and distance situations. Run it until they stop it! I understand a lot of fans want to be “wide-openâ€. However, that does not fit the current personnel, and it is not what this team does best. I think most people agree that the best coaches are the ones who adapt to their personnel. You referenced Maryville-Alcoa 2009. That is my point exactly. Alcoa did not attempt a single pass, dominated on the ground, and won by 17 points. To me, that demonstrates a coaching staff that thinks of team first and utilizes their personnel to the fullest. Alcoa simply refused to get away from what they do best. I met a former William Blount coach at a game not too long ago. He was very complimentary with respect to the physicality of Farragut football teams. He said he always loved it when Farragut dropped back to pass. For the most part, this offensive staff just frustrates me. I hate to see play calling that puts me in mind of Bearden playoffs 2007 (where the best tailback in the state disappeared from the game in the second half) and Maryville 2009 (where the staff had a three score lead and refused to run DeAndre Purdy, burn the clock, and shorten the game). There are many others that come to mind, but I think those examples speak for themselves. It just seems like… a whole bunch of the same.

Zulliger is a tough kid and an excellent player. Farragut Offensive line was outstanding. Having Doucette back at center made a huge impact. I saw a tremendous improvement in line play from DB game. Farragut's offensive play calling continues to (1) put the offense in less than favorable situations and (2) contribute to the defense spending too much time on the field. Multiple scoring opportunities were squandered due to unnecessary first down pass incompletions which put the offense in bad down in distance. There is no need to be "balanced" when an opponent has demonstrated NO ABILITY WHATSOEVER to stop even a base zone play. For example: 1. After moving the length of the field on the ground just prior to halftime, why call an out route on first down in the red zone? Not only did the incompletion stop the clock, but it put Farragut in bad down and distance unnecessarily. Run the football! Not only is it likely that Farragut scores, but Oak Ridge is left with no time on the clock for an additional possession. Poor play calling. Poor clock management. 2. With the score close, why call three minimally successful delayed screens when you are gaining 5+ yards per carry running the zone read? 3. After Rule scored from the empty-set (virtually untouched) from 12 yards out, which was subsequently called back on a motion penalty, why throw consecutive out routes? The kid just scored untouched a couple of plays before running through the 1 hole! Farragut ended up settling for a field goal. Run the football! I hate to complain because I know it was a win. It is just frustrating because these types of things can easily turn wins into losses. For a while it looked like Farragut was going to, once again, snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I don’t understand why Farragut coaches insist on fixing what isn’t broken.

Rule also had to deal with rather poor snaps the entire game when in the spread against Dobyns-Bennet. A couple of them nearly went over his head. It makes it pretty hard to read your keys, not to mention running lanes, when you are having to pick the snap up off the ground. Hopefully, this is something that will be corrected during practice this week. At the same time, I certainly don't blame the kid playing center. I'm sure he is filling in for Doucette while he is injured. I thought the first down speed option call that led to the fumble was a poor call. I like the idea of putting pressure on the C-gap to open up the interior run game, but Farragut had not run that play the entire game. Of course, it may also have been an audible. At any rate, up until that point I saw nothing that led me to believe that the zone plays weren't working. So, why risk a pitch in your own territory on first down? It put the defense right back on the field after getting a critical stop. I agree with respect to creativity. I would be happy just to see a little more of a physical presence in the backfield from time to time. I would love to see Farragut employ a little more of the 2 back set. For example, they could shift #16 Williams from his tight end position into the backfield, and use him as a lead blocker. They could also use him at the slot and send him in motion to set up a trap. I have seen him literally blow people up blocking. They could also use someone who is a more physical running threat in the two back set. I'm not exactly sure who would fill that role. Does anyone know if #45 Farner has any experience carrying the football? He(225 lbs.)looks like he would make an excellent fullback/blocking back type of player. I know he played some TE in the scrimmages.

I forgot to mention that #16 has done some physical blocking at times from TE. Perhaps he could help provide some depth at Nitro as well. He needs to get his pads a little lower, but he could be a physical presence on the defensive front.

It is obvious Farragut has issues with depth. There are only about 65 players listed on the varsity. I have been following Farragut football for a long time, and I never remember a roster with that few players. At the same time, Farragut’s enrollment has dropped steadily since 2007. There is no question that the football program is now fully experiencing the impact of losing so many kids to Hardin Valley, not to mention the four private schools located in West Knoxville. Furthermore, two quality Nitro’s apparently have left the team. That is really unfortunate. Senior Tyler Haynes was experienced and very solid. I truly believe junior Clint Callahan had the potential to be outstanding. Callahan had excellent size, and he was getting tremendous A-gap push at the end of last season. A critical position that could have had a dominating rotation is now woefully thin. However, you have to play with what you have. I have always been of the opinion that Farragut’s Achilles heel is getting players in the right position. Here are just a few suggestions I think might get the defense headed in the right direction: 1. Someone needs to get some snaps at Nitro. It is virtually impossible for one kid, in a three-man front, to take on a double-team every single snap. I would like to see #50 get some snaps at Nitro. He appears to have pretty good size. Maybe they could use someone from the OL to provide some depth for a few reps. 2. The linebackers are very inexperienced, and they could use a little more speed on the outside. I would actually like to see Madison Brown get some snaps at OLB. He is rangy and can cover ground. I also think he could be a big asset in coverage. Furthermore, I would like to see #2 get some reps at OLB. I know he will have to be “coached-upâ€, but he has good athletic ability. I hate to see him lost on the sidelines for half the season like Jordan Freeman was in 2010. 3. I would like to see #6 and #7 get more reps at RCB. Johnson and Fain may also need to play some corner as well. 4. Farragut must get the best players on the field, even if it means playing both ways. The days of playing exclusively one-way are out the door and enrolled at Hardin Valley, Catholic, Webb, and CAK. At any rate, these are just some suggestions based on what I have observed. Incidentally, does anyone know when Doucette will return?

Multiple with split-back veer base. I would employ some double-wing veer as well. I can't deny that I also loved watching Osborne's power-I teams at Nebraska. He also used the double-wing quite a bit.

OL out last week as well. Does anyone know if Dockery will play? I guess I also consider starting Bandit out, since he is playing FS. I really hate that Hannay left the team. He may regret it for a long time. Another year in the weight room and he could have been a monster. I'm sure getting moved around all the time can get frustrating, but he was going to be a big contributor.

Evidently you do. The best question would have to be, why?

I hate that for Cody Rule. He was playing solid football. His big-play ability, along with Johnson's, are difficult to replace. I wish them both a complete and speedy recovery. As for King, he has a nice motion. I'm sure the team will get behind him.

Man, I really hate to hear about Hannay. I thought he had a ton of potential on defense, especially being just a Junior. Hopefully, Callahan can continue to improve. He has good size and I thought he got a pretty good push against Maryville, although he didn't appear to get that many reps.

Interesting. Quite a few of those points (including the playoff pick 6) came as a result, direct and indirect, of interceptions. Do you think it would make more sense to fault the defensive coordinator?

Farragut had already come from 14 down once in the game. A great deal of the playbook is still available when only two scores down, including running the football, particularly with Purty’s big play ability (he had only 15 carries). 21 down in the second half limits the playbook considerably, especially with Purty’s ensuing kickoff return TD nullified by penalty. The point of the post was to convey that Farragut should not neglect/abandon the running game as a result of Rule’s injury, not to discuss year-old games. I was merely using a few examples to support my position. I guess I will just have to hope the Farragut viewers will grasp the overall concept of the post better than you did.

I have to confess, losing Rule concerns me. Does Sweetland now have what he truly desires, an immobile statue at QB (read further, no offense intended) to wing it all over the field? If such is the case, I have to comment that I think this would be a tremendous mistake for several reasons. 1) This offensive line must continue moving aggressively forward. This young line is developing into a formidable bunch of drive blockers, and they need to be firing off the ball and wearing down defenses. The last thing I want to see is this physical O-line backpedaling/“catching†to pass block all night. Chasing a bunch of smaller/quicker D-lineman is a good way to wear down your own offensive linemen. 2) This team simply does not have enough depth of talent at WR to consistently “wing it all over the fieldâ€. I believe the passing game must be supported by play action from an effective ground game. 3) Even if King could run effectively, how often can Farragut afford to use him in the run game? In one play, the punter and place-kicker (who puts it in the end zone on virtually every kickoff) could be lost. It’s too risky in my opinion. Personally, I would rather incorporate a little more “Wild Admiral†with Perez and Freeman/Hudson. I believe you have to be able to run the football, especially once you face playoff caliber teams. “Winging it around†doesn’t cut it. Here are a few recent examples of what I mean: 2008 against Ooltewah. We had Browning, Van Dyne, Allen, etc. yet we struggled to even produce a first down (A pretty good O-line that spent way too much time “catching†in my estimation). 2009 against Maryville. We had an experienced Browning, Van Dyne, Allen, etc. We had a 24-10 lead, yet would not commit to running the football in the second half. Although Maryville had demonstrated no real ability to stop Purty, back to back interceptions gave Maryville the short field and the game. 2009 against Ooltewah. We had an experienced Browning, Van Dyne, Allen, etc. yet struggled in the first half with interceptions. We dominated the second half with a physical, often two RB, running attack. 2009 against Maryville (Playoffs). We had an experienced Browning, Van Dyne, Allen, etc. yet once again an interception return for TD turned the tide in a 14-14 game. See a pattern? If you can win the game on the ground, Do it!

It’s unfortunate that it took attrition on such an absolute scale to get Freeman in the backfield. Even when Maryville held him to short gains, they often could not get him to the ground. I wish he had gotten more carries, but I would have also liked to see him leading Rule on a few more plays. I have always thought Freeman could be a devastating blocker, especially in the midline game. Of course, if Rule is out the midline option is impossible without mobility at QB. If Farragut is forced to go with less mobility at QB, I still believe a second RB would bring deception and versatility to the offense. However, if Hudson returns, I suspect Freeman will be relegated to special teams once again.

Does anyone have any details on the injuries to Johnson and Hudson? How is Robbie Leonard doing?

Farragut must also negate Young's big-play ability in the return game. Kickoffs need to reach the endzone. Ponce really frustrated him last year. Hopefully, King can do so as well. At the same time, the offense needs to convert and stay on the field. Young is just as dangerous returning punts. I thought Hannay looked pretty good at nose against Heritage. He adds some quickness, along with pretty good size. I still am not a big fan of the three man front. My uncle, who was a very succesful high school and Div.III coach, always said "I don't like the three man front on the high school level. I can't stand being a gap under every play." I tend to agree with him, although I do believe it can be quite useful in certain situations.

Thanks for info on Perez. His speed will be needed. I think a key for Farragut will be to hit Young hard and often. I look for Young to get more than 16 carries Friday night.

Does anyone know why Perez did not play against Heritage, and if he will be available for Bearden?

What is the deal with Fain? I have to wonder why he isn't utilized more, particularly on defense. He appears capable of providing help in the secondary. His additional 25 lbs sure would have helped in run support against Riverdale, and his height and wheels seem conducive to corner. I have even wondered if the coaches have ever considered moving Johnson to corner, and then using Fain at Free. Freeman puzzles me the most. I watched him literally de-cleat TWO Riverdale kids on kickoff coverage. Why isn't this kid on the field more? If not offense(Although I still think he would make an excellent blocking back, he does tend to run with his head down), what about defense? I guess the DE experiment failed, but what about LB? His size and physicality would certainly have been welcome at backer I would think, especially against Riverdale's perimeter run game. This is just the kind of guy I would want taking on a fullback lead or shooting a gap on the blitz. I know one can't learn LB overnight. I guess my question would have to be, why hasn't this kid been developed to get him on the field? I remember thinking, as far back as spring, that he sure looked like an outstanding DE or LB prospect. I don't see these kids at practice everyday, and I'm sure some kids may be deficient in certain areas. It just seems to me that Farragut talent could be better utilized.

Interesting idea. I would certainly get the ball to Rule and Johnson in the run game, but I like the idea of a back with some ability to block in the backfield as well. This is especially important to lead on the midline option which has been so effective, and of course to pass protect. I like the King idea, but what do you think about risking both your punter and kicker? He looks awfully good at both for a Soph. and he will most assuredly get better. Is there anyone waiting in the wings to handle those duties in the event of an injury? I definitely agree with you that any such change would have to occur next year. King throws a nice ball from what I have seen. As a matter of fact, he actually ran the zone/read keeper effectively on a couple of occasions in scrimmages. He isn't Rule, but he appeared quite serviceable as a runner. At the same time, Rule has gotten better each week. If he continues to improve, behind a line that is young and bound to get stronger, I don't see the coaches changing. In addition, I would prefer to stay with a run first mentality until I had more big play threats at WR. Play-action from an effective run game sure helps to freeze/hold those LB's and DB's when it's time to throw. At any rate, I think you covered the most important point. You have to get the best players on the field at the right positions.

The offense was productive. I really enjoyed seeing the speed option. Rule used a great ball fake on one to convert a big third down. At the same time, I have to respect how Riverdale executes offensively. They disprove all this bunk one hears about "you have to be balanced and you can't run against 8 in the box". I agree with regards to the defense. However, I have to wonder if all of the 2 TE sets on offense didn't contibute, at least a small portion, to wearing down the defense. Harper was on the field WAY TOO MANY snaps(offense,defense,special teams). He was visibly GASSED. As important as he is to stopping the run, that can't help the defense. I still think a second back is a viable solution, but I have almost given up hope the coaches will use one. If you're going to use a second TE, which will drag a defender inside anyway, why not occasionally consider a back instead? They could still go unbalanced with one TE. Furthermore, the back would be able to build a head of steam from the backfield, and you could rest a key defender.

I want to see Farragut succeed. I try to initiate constructive dialogue with other posters, while also suggesting alternatives I believe will help Farragut succeed. You allvolfan, on the other hand, whine, bellyache, and seldom post anything but insignificant anti-Farragut negativity. One poster, who frequently offers insightful and substantial commentary, even questioned you multiple times on another thread as to which team held your allegiance. As much as it pains me to write, I don’t believe Farragut will be successful against the upper tier teams with this current offensive philosophy. That is the point of my original post in the thread! Apparently, that concept is just way over your head. You evidently can’t even handle basic arithmetic. (11 defenders - 2 corners on “spread†wideouts - 2 intermediate/deep safeties = 7 in the box) So, whine on little man. I am done with you.

A field you undoubtedly never stepped foot on, but then maybe you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.