EHSParent

Since I hold Mr. Woodroof in high esteem (I really do), I will state my football view that this will be a close game. Ensworth has gotten more banged up since the early game against MBA, yet I am certain MBA has also. BUT, MBA has overcome the adversity of losing their startiing quarterback, and still has athletes who can make plays. Lassing has taking on a heavy load and been up to it. Fletcher is great kicker, and EHS doesn't really have much of a kicking game. Ensworth may well have to throw the ball more, and I would think that MBA is the better passing team, if it comes down to that. Darkwa should be well rested with essentially three weeks off. I think this is high scoring with over 60 points scored bythe two teams. EHS ought to win, but not by more than a touchdown.

Well, I have only read maybe 5 posts here, and I am reminded why I don't look at this crap more often. Pettiness, abrasiveness, ignorance, and sometimes even racism reign here occassionally. Sad.

I was writing what the student said about the student body makeup of Ensworth. And I am pleased to hear that Mt. Pleasnt feels they have lost a good young man . . . because the nature of what I was reading sounded more like people were sad about losing a good athlete. As for "where was Ensworth" when he couldn't play as a kid because he was too big . . . huh? You think Ensworth should have sent someone down to talk to a kid in middle school? What should EHS have done? I'm just happy that he's happy . . . or at least states that he is.

I hope we can put this to rest soon. What is it that makes people so mad about these things? No one forced this kid to go to Ensworth. He wasn't hauled away from Mt. Pleasant kicking and screaming. He left because he and his dad wanted him to do so. He states that he is happier, that there are more African-American kids there, that the facilities are better, that he is getting a lot of close academic attention, and that the athletic coaching is good. This is not to slight Mr. Pleasant, it is just what he and his dad report. So why are people mad? If I read the replies here correctly, and all the inferences, it is because a really good athlete was lost to Mt. Pleasant. That's it. For some of these people, this young man was just a big dude who could play ball for Mt. Pleasant. There has been far too little "I'm really happy for this kid that he had this chance, and took it. I wish him well." And yes, there a whole lot of kids who come from far distances to Ensworth, kids who aren't 6' 6", who aren't athletes. They fit in well, too, and some of them get scholarships, and some of the friends and parents they "left behind" are actually proud of them and happy for them.

Yes, a fine young man it seems. I want to weigh in early on this to maybe pre-empt (not start) the recruiting debate that always seems to surround this young man. Over the last year, Antonio has said he went to Ensworth for academics and wasn't recruited; his parents have said that; the admissons people have said that; and the coach has said that. TSSAA has recieved no complaint. Let's wish Anotnio well academically, socially, and athletically.

This may be very close. If I am correct, Father Ryran beat Ensworth 2 years ago, and it came down to the last play last year in an EHS victory. Ensworth 27 Frather Ryan 21

I think all this is well meaning, and the writers here seem to respect this young man. I DO think we are getting a little off base when we are trying to guess his ACT scores ,etc. My daughter just graduated from EHS and knew Orleans to be a humble, introspective, well-spoken guy. She was just home from college for the Homecoming game v. BA and said as much about him after the game. He also runs track and does so as much to help the team as out of love for the sport (my take, anyway). As for his football prowess, I know he is pretty darn fast, and brings an absolute load to the would-be tacklers (just stand on the sidelines and watch him hit). I hope one of the big schools gives him an oppoprtunity, if he wants it.

Having watched the webcast of the McCallie-Ensworth game, my biggest concern is -talented as Ensworth is-they can't help but get tired late in the game. They jusy don't have enough bodies with only 210 males in the high school. Too many guys have to go both ways. Smyrna is tough, has a good defense, and will have many more fresh players to sub. I think this may be very close, or a loss for EHS, as much as I love 'em.

I attended the game and it appeared that both teams went deep on their benches, substituting very freely (and I don't just mean at the end of the game). Ensworth probably had 8 or 9 girls who played 10 minutes or more each. They just had more shot makers yesterday. They also did a good job of breaking the press.

I remember seeing Victor (?) Caro from BA play on TV earlier in the year, and thought he was a real stud. Very tough and fast. He proved it again against Ensworth. He and the quarterback, Nelson (?) were most impressive to me. Nelson just handled a wet ball so well all night. BA's line was as tough as advertised, but EHS still averaged about 8-9 yards a rush. And EHS stepped up the line play the second half. I think injuries for Ensworth played a factor, with T. Jefferson being hobbled from the beginning on a bad ankle, and Orleans being out for a quarter os so. But what the heck . . .either team could have won and deserved it. If Jefferson had three more inches on his last run, I think Ensworth would have scored and won. But . . . a lot of ifs and maybes. BA was tough and maybe played their best game of the season. Good luck to them against what must be a very good MUS team.

Having read so many comments about recruiting on this site, it appears pretty clear that some writers seem to think any communication or contact from a coach is illegal. It is not. The TSSAA Handbook talks about "undue influence". A coach telling your kid that they are good, and he (or she) would love to have the kid play at his/her school is natural. AND undertand, please, that these private schools must advertise, have open houses, and football camps, etc. to get the word our about their school. They have no automatic geographical area to draw from, as do public schools. So, in a way, they recruit all the time. The question is . . . is it undue influence. What do you expect a football coach to do, when he sees a big kid at his camp, who is strong, and can run fast? Say, "Gee I'd love to have that kid come here, I bet he can do Calculus in his head! I can tell from how he calls for the ball that he'd be a great debater." No, a football coach sees a football player. Then, if the kid and parents have an interest, the academic stuff comes in, and -yes- sometimes tests are given before admission. I am so tired of naievety (I don't know if I spelled that right), and self rightousness of some people here when they talk about recruiting. Invariably, it has nothing to do with whther the school is right for the kid, whether the kid is happy, accepted and learning. It's all about "We lost our player." Talk about selfish! Is someone putting a hammerlock on these kids and their parents forcing them to go to schools like Ensworth? No, they do it because they see an opportunity.

Here we go again. This kid's life was ripped open a month or so ago on this site. stink it up, shut up, get on with it. He's happy at school, the other kids like him. And I presum he's getting a darn good educatiuon, just as he wood at Mt. Pleasant, no doubt. Move along mTptiger.

I agree. BA is probably tougher than their record indicates, and they are physical. If they can slow down Ensworth's rushing attack . . . and considerring that EHS has given up some yards and points defensively recently . . . could be very challenging.

Agreed. It seems that rackjackback34 has a chip on his/her shoulder. I am an Ensworth parent, and I have posted on this site numerous times. I love the school and the kids, and am surely somewhat biased. That's part of the beauty of this site . . . talking up your school and your kids . . . and trying to be open to others. But all of my posts are meant to be evenhanded. I like MBA, and the EHS victory was a big deal. Undertstand, and please be patient, this is new school still trying to establish traditions, and they beat a powerhouse in MBA, in a great game . . . and a school that has twice the number of young men available. It was a big deal. Beleive me, rackjackback34 . . . if you want to challenge people's biases, read some of the other posts on this site. There's much more grist for your mill.

Move on is right! I found the comment about 7 in a row to be entirely appropriate. It gave me some information about the team. There was no embellishment, no "we totally dominated our opponents." It was just fine with me.

I love Ensworth, and at times it seems they can score at will . . . but something tells me this will be relatively close. Like 35-28 EHS. Ensworth has a difficult remaining schedule.

Somtimes KWoodroof is one of the few sane drops in a sea of madness. Everytime Ensworth gets metioned here, someone wants to pick up the "private schools recruit athletes" crusade. Give it a rest folks, or call up Ronnie Carter at TSSAA and present your proof. To the game . . . No ,EHS has not been tested and their blowouts could have been much worse (at least the first three in which they had about 47 at the half in each game) had they not played their second string the second halves. Ensworth knows this will be a test and is lookig forward to it. They understand they hace had a weak schedule, and have somehting to prove. They are definitley not looking past a greatly impoved McCallie team. Depth WILL be an issue for EHS, especially with some key injuries (which most teams have, of course). They do have good overall team speed and are a little bigger than last year across the front. Tavares Jefferson (QB) has been working on his passing game in all four games and has become much more comfortable. He is also a major threat in the running game. I think Ensworth can certainly win, but I don't see a blowout, and I don't see 50+ points.

It will be tough playing Baylor and Notre Dame Saturday, but it is agreed that tough competition will help the team grow up quickly. Ensworth is missing their all-state soccer and basketball player, Emily Perkins, out with a foot injury . . . but others have picked up the slack the last few scrimmages (victories over Dickson, CPA, and Franklin Road Academy).

I don'y know if it is the "toughest" schedule, but I looked at Ensworth's scedule, and they play 9 of the top 10 teams according to The Tennessean's mid-state poll. And 16 of the top 25 from all categories in the CoachT poll, including Baylor, Franklin, Brentwood, Franklin Road Academy (scrimmage), Siegel, BGA, Notre dame, Father Ryan, Ravenwood, Centennial. I can't imaging a schedule much more demanding.

Ensworth beat Franklin Road Academy 3-2 last night in a scrimmage. Lost of good teams around the area.

Perhaps you are doing yourself a disservice by posting on this site. You come off as an underinformed, bitter, man who seems to have lost compassion and reason. You are throwing a lot of "dirt" against the wall, and hoping some sticks. Why not try something informative and productive? I ask again, as I did in a previous post: Do you have any idea of the number of kids -FROM ALL PARTS OF THE CITY AND REGION, FROM A VARIETY OF RACES, AND MANY OF WHOM ARE FINE ATHLETES- who want to come to Ensworth, BA, MBA, and others, but who are not accepted? How many have to take academic proficiency tests prior to admission? Who's parent seek out these schools because they think they might be safer, have better facilities, smaller class sizes, etc? No, I didn't think you knew any of this stuff. You just want to vent. Even if it has no basis in fact and puts some kid's family's life history out there for everyone to comment upon. You strike me a fairly small man. Time for this string to end maybe??