Govolsknox

Dobyns Bennett has a great atmosphere, but the visitor's stands are too small, and just plain scary. Coming from an Oak Ridge fan, I love to come to a DB vs. OR game. The atmosphere is electric whether played at Oak Ridge or Dobyns Bennett. But due to the visitors stands being portable, shaky, and too small to accomodate a team that travels well I would give a definite edge to Oak Ridge's Blankenship. The visitors side at Oak Ridge is large enough to handle most any team's following. The setting of being kind of down in a bowl is striking. The smoke, railroad crossing signal, and watching the Wildcats come down the steps with all of the Oak Ridge kids hitting them on the shoulder pads as they come down are great traditions and add to the atmosphere. Most of the current Oak Ridge players stood at those steps and hit former Oak Ridge Wildcats on the shoulder pads as they took the field, dreaming that one day they too would be a Wildcat. The booster club has done a great job with the walk of fame and tailgate area up top. And don't forget when you're looking at total number of fans, that there is an enormous area on the "hill" and other areas that accomodate people. Some of the largest crowds in TN football history have been in Blankenship at Oak Ridge. Would Nick Orlando please report to the press box?

Prediction: The DB fans have me convinced that DB will not score alot of points but will play better on offense this week, and will have a very tough defense. DB will play their best game of the year to date. WB and Bearden may have surprised them a little, but they will expect a tough game with OR and come in ready to play. Add in the bad weather predicted and OR's 2 top linemen apparently not playing and that sounds like a low scoring game to me. I predict (maybe it's hope) Oak Ridge has enough to squeak by. OR 17 DB 14

According to WBIR PrepXtra, CAK's Joseph Bennett after 3 games, 51 total tackles (33 solo, 18 assists,) and is number one on their board. He has 6 sacks. Maybe not the top LB in the state, but has to be near the top. Very fast, and can really hit.

Oak Ridge may think it is "their year to smash the tribe and exorcise the demons?" What series are you talking about? DB vs. OR is a great rivalry and Oak Ridge will have to play their best to win, of that I am convinced. But as far as Oak Ridge having doubts that they can hang with DB after one quarter, I don't think so. Have you been to the OR vs. DB games over the last few years? DB has had some great teams and won their share. Oak Ridge has also had some great teams and won their share. It's not like DB has had OR's number. DB may score 50 points tomorrow night and blow OR out, but if it happens I don't think it will be due to OR being intimidated by DB. Here's hoping for a great game tomorrow with no serious injuries, and a pleasant ride home from Kingsport!

oakridgesports.com is showing the probable starting lineup to include Stewart and Carson. This was posted 7:30 Wednesday night. Generally I have found the line up to be accurate even when there were reports in the Oak Ridger saying that certain players were doubtful due to injury (i.e. Coffey, Rodgers, Kirkpatrick a couple of weeks ago.) How sure are we that Stewart and Carson are suspended and won't play against DB?

You guys have a great program and are a class act. Your fans travel well to support their team. Good luck the rest of the season.

Thanks for the corrections. No program handy and I wasn't sure of player names' spelling... I attended all of the preseason scrimmages (Maryville, Alcoa, and the multi team in Cookeville) but was unable to attend the Bradley game. Did Irby look any more in sync with the receivers? Having not seen the 7 on 7 competition I have been really surprised that Irby is not clicking. He obviously has tremendous talent if he can get better control. Do you think Irby is in a slump, or what is your take on it? Clark's "package" appears to be more ball control oriented and quite effective. Reminds me more of OR's high percentage passing game of the past. Daniels Mullholland (TE # 43 I believe) is a tough, sure handed end that is not afraid to go over the middle, and should be a factor with both QB's. Tank, did Kirkpatrick(FB / LB) look like he is back at full capacity or still recovering, and what is your take on Irby?

From a previous poster: "OR has several offensive weapons, if you concentrate on Jared Stephens #5 (which is by itself no easy task), then Kevin Summers #4 will take it to you. " Just a friendly correction on key player numbers: Kevin Sommers (FB / LB) is #44. Demarcus Rodgers (WR / DB / KR) is #4. Both are outstanding players. #4 Rodgers was hurt much of preseason but last year as a soph was one of the most dynamic players we've seen at Oak Ridge. If he is fully healed up he is a tremendous talent and threat. Also, #2 Raphael Coffey (WR / DB) is extremely talented. Both have good speed and are about as good of a receiving twosome as we've had in some time. The question in my mind is if the OR QB's can get the ball to them effectively. Oak Ridge won the 7 on 7 passing league and got to go to California to the Nationals, so at first glance you would think no problem. But accuracy has been more of an issue than I would have thought. Oak Ridge has a big (240+ pound) Junior quarterback with a big arm but it appears that he and the receivers have been a little out of sync. They also have another QB (Clark #7)that is not as gifted in arm strength but is athletic and has been effective. If OR is able to get their passing game going, it may pose issues for DB's defense. But I believe if OR is not able to pose a passing threat, it could spell trouble for OR fans. DB is going to be much more effective stopping #5 Stephens than Fulton or Bradley were in my opinion. If Oak Ridge wants to be able to beat the good teams in 5A, they will have to avoid being one dimensional. I know many of the DB fans are frustrated right now, but I fully expect DB to bounce back and give Oak Ridge all they can handle. This game has a way of bringing out the best in both teams! Can some of the DB fans give us some names, numbers, and details about key players for DB?

That would be great! I have season tickets, but other things are keeping me out of the stands right now... Go Wildcats! By the way David, you are a class act. We are lucky to have had you for all of these years!

DCCATVOICE, Do you know if prepradio has the ability to download archives afterward? I won't be able to go or listen at game time and I live outside the ridge so rebroadcast isn't an option. Thanks in advance!

It's always hard to know how things will go in a game with 2 good teams. Turnovers could make all the difference. If the same CAK team shows up that handled Powell 4A in the jamboree (I know, just a jamboree...) Controlled the Boyd team, and destroyed the Cherokee 4A team it is going to be really interesting to watch. I don't believe Loudon will have seen a CAK team that executes like this team has so far. But... this would not be the time for CAK to have an off night. If Loudon is forced to commit to stop the pass, which I think is likely, they will have their hands full with CAK's backs.

I think the Arnett kid will do great, but we were talking about freshmen in this case. The Epperly kid (no connection whatsoever to any of them) was a fantastic middle school quarterback last year. Of course, he'll have to grow and work hard in the weightroom but I'll make a prediction that when the time comes you will have a top notch quarterback to run the offense out of this year's freshman class. You'll also have a top notch tailback in Pinkstaff out of next years freshman class. Lot's of other talent upcoming as well, but these are two very easy picks. If you haven't gotten a chance to check out the MS program, I think you would be quite impressed.

It was well publicized that CSS was covering the Oak Ridge vs. Fulton game last Friday. I set my recorder and it was a different game! Anyone know what happened?