Former44

I think this Farragut team has the ability to beat anyone in the state. However, at times, I am completely frustrated with the offensive play-calling. At times it seems there is too much focus on being "balanced". Man, I hate that philosophy. I think you have to call plays based on what is best for the team at specific points in the game, especially in big games, and not what it takes to maintain run/pass balance. Anyway, just my opinion. Perez looked very elusive/explosive at RB against LC. I hope there are plans to get him some touches on O. He is a homerun type of player.

Farragut coaches have only themselves to blame for this loss. Up by 10 in a big region game, against a Maryville team that demonstrated no real ability to stop Purty, Farragut continued to pass. Purty was a step away from breaking it virtually every time he touched the ball, including the second half. Right before the second pick he nearly got loose on a 7-yard run. Why not shorten the game and limit your opponent's offensive opportunities by RUNNING THE FOOTBALL? Letting a dangerous team like Maryville hang around is bound to come back and bite you. This game was eerily similar to the '07 playoff loss to Bearden, when Sterling basically disappeared in the second half. He had 10-11 fewer carries against Bearden than either of the two previous playoff wins. The guy was known for eventually breaking a big play, but he couldn't get any touches. Does Courtney/Sweetland want passing stats more than wins?

I liked Bass' speed at LB. He was quick to the ball carrier. I also noticed some changes at O-Line. Are these permanent, or just an experiment?

I can't understand why Chris Bass doesn't get more PT. So far this season, he has clearly had more burst than any back other than Purty. The Catholic game was a perfect example. He also isn't afraid to stick his hat in there to throw a block. I remember a couple of blocks in particular that sprung Purty. No disrepect to Hudson intended, but he doesn't seem 100% to me, and doesn't seem nearly as explosive as Bass.

I almost wish this game was at Heritage. You guys have the most incredible stadium view I have ever seen. Great place to watch a game.

Never said that it wasn't. However, what is truly interesting is how concerned you Choke Ridge Mildcat fans appear to be about the fortunes of Farragut football, especially considering your own team would get rolled up by either Farragut or Riverdale.

Great game between two pretty evenly matched teams. The turnover was the difference. Farragut had one, Riverdale zero. That usually decides a close game. Would love to see a rematch on a dry track. Good luck to both teams the rest of the way.

I agree. This is one of the primary reasons I would get Van Dyne some snaps at QB AND RB. With Browning at QB, a quality passing threat must be respected, but now with TWO homerun hitters in the backfield that must be respected as well. They could break the huddle with Van Dyne at RB, or use shift/motion. Both backs would be dangerous on screens, as well as wheel routes, from that alignment.

Van Dyne has got to get more touches. He is underutilized at key times in the game in my opinion. Not only does he need more snaps at QB, and that includes the first half, but I would like to see a few plays with he and Purdy in the backfield together beside Browning. They could even use motion occasionally to shift him into the backfield. No better way to get the ball in the hands of your best athletes than to hand it off to them. Of course he will still make alot of plays at receiver, but a few from the RB position would challenge defenses even more.

That's good with me, "Gramps". I am comfortable I know the facts. Besides, I guess all that really matters is the present, and that seems to be going pretty well.

District realignment was the reason for that. It had absolutely nothing to do with Farragut refusing to play Oak Ridge. Where do you get your information? Incidentally, I am not as "old" as you think. I do however have family members who have been athletes, coaches, teachers, and administators in Knox county for four generations. As a matter of fact, one family member coached Todd Helton when Oak Ridge was realigned with Central during this same time period you referenced. Farragut NEVER refused to play Oak Ridge.

Farragutless looked great last night. I think they will have a great year. Bounder & I are old school. Farragutless comes from a time when the series stopped. We still wanted to play but someone else took their ball & went home . You are wrong. Farragut was NEVER one of the teams that refused to play Oak Ridge. When that controversy was at it's height, Ken Sparks was at Farragut. It was Farragut who ended OR's consecutive run of state championships by winning the district in 1978 with a victory over OR at Blankenship. The game in 1977 at Farragut could have gone either way. Too bad more than one team from each district couldn't advance back then. A rematch might have been a different story. Either way, at that time, Farragut was Oak Ridge's toughest opposition.

Thanks. Glad to hear it.

Has Zack Hannay ever been given a look at LB or DE? He has good size(200),speed, physicality, and it appears he could contribute immediately. Farragut needs depth and fresh legs here. At times they looked a bit winded against DB. It's obvious he isn't going to get many carries at RB behind Purty, Hudson, and Perez.

In high school, give me the three A's over size any day. Atheticism, attitude, and aggression. Huge O-lines are OK, but I would rather have a more athletic bunch. An undersized line is fine with the veer principles in the spread running game. Appy State's line is undersized and they run the spread as well as anyone. Other than Van Dyne, does Farragut have a mobile QB who could run the zone-read to set up play action? Considering the two pick sixes at Ooltewah, an athlete at QB might be a solid depth solution, if a pure passer isn't ready. Personally, I prefer mobility at QB with the spread.

Just out of curiosity, has Chris Bass ever been given a look at OLB? I saw him make a tackle last year, I believe after an INT, and he made a nice form tackle in open field. He seems to have pretty good speed. Wouldn't it better to get his athleticism on the field somewhere? It seems unlikely he will get many carries at RB. It seems Farragut often has depth at RB, which usually equates to a pretty good athlete, languishing on the bench hoping for carries.

I would be really surprised to hear that this is true. Although if the TSSAA permits other school systems to do so, I think the playing field should be leveled for everyone. Anyway, a close friend's son recently wanted to transfer from Bearden to Farragut. He and his son's mother are divorced, and he lives in Farragut. Mike Reynolds told him that his son would have to live with him in the Farragut zone. Since his primary residence is with his mother in Bearden, he would have been ineligible for any sports at Farragut.

I would say this year's Farragut team is far less experienced than last years. They have only one returning starter on the offensive line. They also have to replace four quality football players at linebacker in a 3-5 set. At the same time, they are playing without their starting quarterback. They are also playing without their No. 1 wide receiver, because he is currently playing quarterback. In addition, just as an FYI, Farragut does not have 2000 + students. Farragut was hardest hit by the rezoning plan implemented to populate the new Hardin Valley high school. A few months ago, an article in the Farragut Press-Enterprise indicated that Farragut's enrollment is expected to drop below 1800 students this year.

It is my understanding, based on what Browning was quoted as saying in the News-Sentinel, that he hopes to be ready by the start of the season. I am sure the coaches will keep him away from contact as long as possible. Does anyone know the current status of his rehab?

Right back at ya pal. "Snobby, spoiled rich acting kids" huh? That's what I call showing class. Thanks for solidifying my original point. Good luck to you.

As I alluded to before, it never ceases to amaze me how the ones who refer to Farragut kids as gutless, are the ones in the stands. It's alot easier to be disrespectful from the stands. I'm sure they would have a different perspective if they were on the field. Denigrating other kids, opposition or not, by referring to them as ---gutless is a "lame" (to use your words) means of demonstrating school spirit/pride. I would think fans of a program as tradition rich as Oak Ridge would respect the dedication and sacrifice of any opponent, and I think most do. Obviously, since someone used the "Farragutless" term in a post, there are some who don't. As far as your reference to pouting, and judging by the scores of the last three games, I don't think anyone from Farragut needs to pout. At the same time, win or lose, I would never refer to an Oak Ridge kid giving his all on the field of competition as "---gutless".

I remember how Oak Ridge fans in the stands used to chant "Farragutless". The reason they were in the stands is because they were too "gutless" to get on the field and crack heads themselves. I always thought it was one of the more "classless" antics in an otherwise class rivalry. However, I don't recall hearing it much the last three years. Farragut will talk on the field and make it 4 in-a-row.

I'm assuming Farragut's outstanding starting quarterback, Reese Browning, did not play. Last I heard, he was still in a protective boot while recovering from a broken tibia suffered in the spring. The News-Sentinel reported that he won't be rid of the boot for another 4-6 weeks.

Bearden has more than Devrin Young, although Young is certainly a special talent. They had somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 sophomores last year. They will be deep and talented. With improved QB play, they could be the at the top of the region in my opinion. West will be very good as well. I believe they will surprise more than one team. I also believe West will make the playoffs.

Any scrimmage news?