sleeper3773

I see the region regaining it's strength next year that it has had in the past but was absent this season. And once again one team will make the trip to the Boro to play in the week 15 game, aka the state championship.

Indy did come from a weak region this year and there are probably a handful of other 5a schools that could or could have "beaten them." However this debate if you call it regarding the supremacy of east Tennessee 5a football is somewhat silly. They do not play at the level of what region 4 and every other year region 6 play at. And this is evident in the last decade of state championship games. However you have to give credit where credit is due and that is Independence did make the state championship game regardless of the outcome.

I agree that the east bracket was much stronger this year. There were probably 4-6 teams on the eastern side of the bracket that would have beaten Independence. Although in a normal year where region 6 is not in a down year, the west and east sides of the bracket are fairly even. Region 6, unarguably the best region in the west side of the bracket (arguably the best region in the state) was in a down year and could not produce a team to compete with the east team. Region 6 should be back to normal dominance next year if not the year following. Although they still put someone in the state championship game and that is impressive.

Not sure if I follow you on overcoming the adversity part. Please explain, because I know that you are not referring to loosing Gilligan and having Eubanks take over or having Gilligan's recruit (QB) quit school, which was great for the team, school, and every one involved. One thing is for certain if either of the two were still here then Independence would have ended their season along time ago. And that is a FACT!

The award was a joke before Wilkes won it

This is in the making for one great game, however far from one of the best ever or an "all-time classic in 5a." The caliber of teams in it this year don't match up with ones of past years even if they do match up with the number of Division 1 recruits as in previous years. This is not taking anything away from the two teams that have worked hard to get here. I have seen both of these teams play on several occasions. One thing is for certain is both teams have their share of "studs" who can flat out play the game of football. Independence must find away to slow down the aerial attack between Smyrna's Gray and their UT commit. I don't think the freshman running back will be much of an issue due to the fact that they have played teams throughout the playoffs with similar style running backs (although they did not stop them all they did come away with the win). Smyrna must be able to stop the strong running back Indy has by the last name of Pettigrew. They must also be able to defend against the screen pass which Independence seems to run effectively very often. Both teams have solid defenses and that is where I believe the game will be won (assuming Indy doesn't kick off to Mr.Tennessee on kickoffs....Ravenwood). I would also like to commend Jason Eubanks on what he has accomplished as a first year head high school football coach.

That reminds me of a QB a couple of years ago by the name of TC Jennings. Not saying one is better than the other because they both are great. I agree that Smyrna has had a tougher road in getting here than Independence, due mainly to the fact that region 5 provides no competition to the best team in region 6 year in and year out (ex. Gallatin and Antioch this year). I will say that east Tennessee football in 5a is somewhat of a joke and west Tennessee football always seems to have a worthy team of making it to the championship game but cannot get past the region 6 opponent for whatever reason. So middle Tennessee does have the best overall talent out of the three sections of the state, including this year which is a down year in high school football at the 5a level by my account and many others. No prediction on the game due to the fact that im batting .250 in the post season but could be a good one but could also be a little lopsided if the Tennessee commitment is not contained.

Well I will be the first to admit that I was wrong about Independence. Congratulations and way to represent the region once again in the state championship game.

Is the QB from last season (2006) playing college ball anywhere. He was one heck of a player, but unfortunately he couldn't play all 22 positions on both sides of the ball.

I agree with everything you said:5a football is weak this yearAntioch and Gallatin were horribleevery year there is a pretender from the west in 5aFranklin was very young this yearExcept: Centennial would be 13-0 over there and Independence is going to win tomorrow. 5a football was weak this year but even more so was region 6 that was weak this year.

It's funny how arguably the best players in the state are not on either roster: Sonny Gray, Chris Jordan, Preston Bailey, Ben Bartholomew, Curt Phillips. And I heard Sonny declined his invitation to play in it but still the fact is he and many others are not there.

It's a shame that one teams season will come to an end Friday night. I think Scott Pettigrew will have a solid game and Ryan Consiglio will have a typical game which by my standards is an outstanding performance at his linebacker position. The under sized offensive line for Independence will have their hands full as will the Eagles front eight on defense with the likes of Travis Simpson and Eric Knowlton in the backfield for Millington. However after watching this team play a little bit it kind of reminds me of Overton from last season with a better defense (I am not comparing them to when Overton and Independence matched up in the Sonic Bowl, just the team itself). Typically I would go with the region 6 team in a matchup such as this one regardless of their records, however due to a down year in region 6 I am going to have to go with the region 7 team.

We will see come Friday night. ***and it's regarding not "reguarding"***

I'm sticking with my prediction that I've had all season and that is a team from region 6 will NOT be in the state championship game this season. The region was just too weak this year. I see Millington with the win by 14+ points.

Don't compare TC and Heckman together. I think you just brought disgrace to what TC did at Ravenwood. I would like to see how Heckman would have fanned out playing 05....no take that back!

It just shows how bad region 5 is. Don't quote me on this but region 5 battles out region 3 for being the worst in the state.

That's ridiculous if they turn people away or stop selling tickets. Those bleachers only hold a few thousand people(educated guess: 4000). I'll tell you what the williamson county adm. office or TDOT or whoever needs to do, is make another entrance to that school. That's insane only having one entrance, but I guess that discussion is for another time.

I hope Independence realizes that the team that they are about to face isn't on the same playing field as their last opponents: the JV squad from Gallatin and the sub par team that hails from Antioch. But they have come ready to play thus far in the playoffs so there shouldnt be any reason that should change this Friday. I think the Eagles defense will have their work cut out for them with the running game Franklin brings to the table. It will be interesting to see how they respond. I don't know who is going to step uo for the Eagles on offense but not everybody is going to come away smelling like roses with amazing stats, as in previous games. My prediction will come later on in the week...

What ever happened to Tavares Jefferson (not sure on the spelling). He was one heck of an athlete. Did he move? or was it an injury?

Agreed 110%. Smith is by far the better passer and Heckman is the better runner. Not much of an arguement or debate there.

I agree 100%! Amen and amen to that. I guess McAdoo and co. were ready to hit the hardwood and make that run to state in basketball, which I do believe will happen.

Losing "the QB" was to Indy's advantage. There is no way you all would be where you are now with him at QB. And that is a fact! But I agree Eubanks is one heck of a coach and deserves credit for what HE has done.

Now in no way am I standing up for fhsfan, but I think the same can be said about some of Independence's wins such as NE, Columbia, Memphis East, and Gallatin (playoffs or no playoffs). All of those are gimmies too.

I would revise that statement. But that's just me and a couple of other thousand people.

I hope all of this "hype" and media craze doesn't distract the Eagles today. I have a feeling that the key seniors involved in tonights game will not be distracted by all of this, however I have to wonder about the younger players participating in tonight's contest. And on a side note: I do not have the numbers in front of me but I was kind of disappointed to see attendance at the Gallatin game last week was not more than it was (that's not saying it was bad, just not meeting the casual observer's expectations of such a monumental game). Afterall it was Independence's first playoff game.