DBIndian85

Not so fast, my friend....... No repeat by East this year......

Don't feed the troll.......

I agree. This year's DB team hasn't taken anyone for granted. They couldn't afford to. The same effort that was there for the first four games has been there for the the last five. The results have been different as the team has improved and the competition got worse. Everyone knows that Science Hill could be 6-3 or 7-2 right now. I know that the DB players have great respect for the talent at SH and will not be flat based on their record. These kids have played against SH since middle school and know the intensity of the games. It should be a great game!!!

Statistically, Crawford and Crawford are DB's biggest threats, but Sylvester, Templeton, Ring, Throp, Taylor, Morrison, King, and Doran are all capable receivers. Jordan Edwards (DB basketball player) hasn't had many thrown his way, but he is a big target at 6'7" and has good hands. DB's receivers are all good blockers and enable the running game to break off long runs.

64TNChamp, What's the story on why DB and SH didn't play either other in the 60's? Was that after Spurrier played since he won the Heisman in '66? You played for both DB and SH? What was that like?

Not much success on punt returns because the block is always run. If CGC would setup a return, DBHS has the talent to take some to the house...... I can see using the block sometimes, but there have been times this year where DBHS has been penalized for running into or roughing the punter. You can't block every punt. At this point in time, a return game would actually surprise DB's opponents and give them something else to prepare for. I'm a believer that you can reduce your opponents effectiveness, if they have a few more things to prepare for and think about.

Jefferson County continues to improve and will give Bearden and their first round playoff opponent, challenges, but I wouldn't go out on a limb and predict a victory over either. Bearden looks like they will host Ooltewah and could have a good chance to defeat them. DB will either get Oak Ridge or Farragut. Don't know much about Farragut, but they seem to score and give up points. Oak Ridge is not as explosive offensively, but has a great RB. DB and OR were in a dead heat last time and should have gone to OT, if not for choice of the running the option on their own 10 yard line. With the return of Will Clark (#63) to the offensive line, the offense being comfortable running under center instead out of the gun, and finally and probably most importantly, the promotion of Chris Sensabaugh (#32) to the varsity, the Ridgers will see a better DB team, if the rematch occurs. DB finally has some offense to go with a very stout defense.

Does anybody know the tiebreakers that will be used for third and fourth places in Region 1 for the playoffs?

CGC, the assistant coaches, and the players all have long memories regarding the tradition of the DBHS and SHHS series along with things that have been said by the new sheriff in JC and the smack that has been talked in past middle school, frosh, JV, and varsity games. DBHS will be ready regardless of what Smith wants to run or call. There are a number of talented senior and junior boys in addition to #30 (Will Wagner) that stand on the DB sidelines that are able to help in anyway that they are asked, if and when they are asked. Sullivan North HS has two starters that played JV ball at DBHS last year. DBHS defense does work better in the four man front (Indian) with Big Alan Hinson (#55) joining with Daniel Preston (#78) to form a formiddable 1-2 punch in the middle of the field.

Was it the scheme or the call to "block right"? Risk/Reward ratio made that a "bad call"......

Yes, you are exactly right, but DB's lines dominated Bearden's in the first half and it was more neutral in the second half. In OT, Bearden's line may have had a slight advantage. The point is that a good coach will try to develop depth and rotate players to keep his players fresh and to try and wear down the opposing team. Oak Ridge is another quality opponent, perhaps the best that we will face all year (Wm Blount was very good). If the coaching staff doesn't do a better job of subbing as well as play calling, Oak Ridge will dominate the scoreboard. If OR hadn't turned the ball over five times in 2005, they would beaten DB by 40+ points.

DB's fans at home are like country clubbers watching a tennis or polo match. Not sure if it is too many band parents and/or blue haired folks. In addition, the school's administration likes to keep the students under control, so they are not as loud as they'd like to be. In addition, Many years ago, I remember folks making fun of an old guy that used to yell and shake cans filled with rocks because he loved DB football and his sons that played. They thought that he was strange, but perhaps he was the normal one.......

DB's two injured offensive linemen are rounding back into form and may see some playing time this week. One actually played some last week. With an offense that has coughed, sputtered, and stalled, this is certainly encouraging news! I have heard rumors that big #70 (385 lbs) may get an opportunity to play this week. He has good movement coming straight forward and may line up at a short yardage FB.

To Plowboy2 and srupley, AMEN. Read my post from earlier today. Comments from last night's game

And it happened again last night. Many arm tackles or missed tackles in the second half after a brillant first half. Many two way starters in the d-line, linebacking, and secondary corps. One LB (two way player) who played as well as I have ever seen him play in the first half missed three tackles in the second half. He never even touched the ball carrier on the misses. In the second half after dominating the LOS, the DL were making tackles 5-6 yards downfield. Yes, their were exception situations, #66 made a nice second half sack/TFL. #2 saved the Tribe's bacon on numerous occasions last night in the second half. Offensive execution was horrible. Forget the Bearden D and the x's and o's. The coaching staffs inability to get plays called from the sideline was atrocious. How many dropped snaps were there? Why are you running out of the shotgun in short yardage? Dropped passes were down last night, but you can expect one drop from one kid every game or scrimmage. If all fails, throw passes up for grabs. 6-17 and less than one hundred yards passing again for all three games from a no huddle, shotgun offense. Forget the football experts, the band parents were making comments last night about the ridiculous offense. The spin doctor was once again at work this morning in the paper. Perhaps, a little self assesment is in order. 1-2 for the season, and 3 of the last four games have been lost. No more than 14 points have been scored in the losses. Perhaps, it is time to run an offense to fit your personnel's capabilities. #7, #10, #15, #2, #33, and #45 are all at least good ball carriers. Visions of first and goal from the 4 and #19 on the sidelines last year are still haunting...... I feel sorry for many of the boys who have played their hearts out!!!!

Logic says that if your receivers can't hang on to the ball, find some new ones........ There are boys on the team that can catch the ball if given the chance.......

Should be a great game between two schools which have good coaches and who seem to have their kids ready to play. I think that the 0 for the series has to benefit TN High, but home field advantage for East will neutralize this. I believe that that this game could go either way, but it shouldn't be a surprise if East were to win. Ralph Nelson has done a great job of building East's program. At the same time, I love TN High's smash mouth football and believe that their passing game makes them very difficult to defend. Can't wait to hear the outcome!!!

DB scrimmaged both of these teams and I don't put much stock in scrimmages. Both Halls and Central have very good teams, but Central has one incredible running back. I don't know if he is the Wilson kid being described here, but DB has scrimmaged or played Halls, Central, Maryville, TN High, and Wm Blount and he and the back from Wm Blount are the best that I have seen this year. I understand that the RB from Bearden is supposed to be pretty good as well. Good luck to both of your teams this week!

Bearden should win as they are the preseason favorite and deservedly so with the number of returning starters and experienced players. DB struggled to win last year's contest with a senior laden class. DB is still trying to find themselves in an offense that doesn't seem suited for their personnel. Perhaps, the Indians should consider what they did two years ago with an underperforming offense and line up occasionally in the I-formation. #78 could provide effective blocking as a FB as #19 and #42 did last year. Effort is not an issue, but good teams make plays and this offense has yet to make a big play with the exception of #15's long run at Tennessee High. It has struggled to even make the required plays as dropped passes killed whatever chances DB had to defeat Wm Blount. DB's defense has gotten great effort out of #78, #55, and #65 in the defensive line and from #15 and #2 in the secondary, but size remains an issue generally speaking. The verdict is still out on the quality of DB's competition as TN High had a bye week last week and Wm Blount defeated a struggling 0-2 Sevier County team in week 0. Bearden will truly be a true test to the capabilities of the DB coaching staff as DB hasn't defeated a supposedly better team than itself since 2003? when it made an incredible comeback to defeat Oak Ridge at home. At the same time, Bearden's competition in 2007 has come from a 3A school in Carter and a mid-strength at best 4A school, West. While Bearden is 2-0, neither team it has played is the caliber of a tradition laden 5A school on the road. Bearden has never beaten DB and must clear a huge mental burden to do so. In addition, Bearden lost an experienced and great coach in Bill Wilson, who died in April. Bearden has great talent returning and a balanced offensive attack. The defense held touted QB, Jake Ryan, and his West High counterparts to 14 points last week. The first points that they had given up all year. Both teams have motivation to win and I expect a low scoring hard fought game as last year. However, I believe that home field and the experience gained at Wm Blount last week will play to the favor of the Tribe. DB by 3. 17-14.