oblong

I think your post is very unfair to this current BA team. To say they have no heart is overly critical. I go to every game and I think they play hard. The talent is there, and it has performed. Everyone cites BA's line as it's strength...they have not been run on all year. There rushing offense is awesome. Just Friday night they had 2 backs each rush for over 100 yards each. BA has suffered because it has no passing attack. Teams can stack the box and dare them to throw it, and unfortunately they can't. Also, they are vulnerable against the pass. MBA was able to throw it, as was Ravenwood, and the result was a close win. Interesting how seasons can come down to 1 or 2 plays per game. Against Ravenwood, BA did not play well...but if they had stopped Gilroy on the crossing pattern that he took all the way to the 7 with virtually no time remaining, they win. MBA, they have it first and goal with 2 minutes to go, and can't score. Against Ryan, Garlington drops a pass (he was wide open) that would have been a game winner... Prattville, they were outmatched. However, they could easily be 9-1, and this thread would not be here. Some seasons just go a certain way. Brandon, it is so easy to sit on the sidelines and be critical (as you did your entire career at BA btw). Also, I understand that your children attend another school, and I'm sure you have a good reason for that; however, I just think your post is inflammatory and uncalled for as the young men who play and the coaches who coach work very hard over at Granny White every day.

I think Ensworth dominates BGA. BGA is so overrated. Their schedule is an absolute joke as a Div II school. Great wins over the likes of Davidson Academy and East Hickman have given the Franklin powerhouse a false sense of greatness. Yes, they beat Ryan in a very close game 7-3 (I think) and also beat a very bad Baylor team on a last second scoring play. Do I need to remind anyone that MBA beat Ryan 45-0, and EHS soundly beat MBA? Common opponents don't mean much I know, but if BGA stays within 21 points it is a "moral victory" for the Wildcats. Here is the results of the season: ri Aug. 22 at East Hickman W 48-20 Fri Aug. 29 Davidson Academy W 35-28 Fri Sep. 5 Father Ryan R W 7-3 Fri Sep. 12 Ezell-Harding W 55-21 Fri Sep. 19 at Briarcrest Christian W 35-21 Fri Sep. 26 at Pope John Paul II R W 56-21 Fri Oct. 10 Baylor R W 24-21 Fri Oct. 17 at Brentwood Academy R L 6-28 Fri Oct. 24 at Knoxville Webb R W 21-13 BGA has a great QB, but they need several years of playing a winning with a stronger schedule to be considered a serious "player" in DII.

never

Fri Aug. 22 at East Hickman W 48-20 (haven't won a game) Fri Aug. 29 Davidson Academy W 35-28 Fri Sep. 5 Father Ryan R W 7-3 Fri Sep. 12 Ezell-Harding W 55-21 (have won one game) Fri Sep. 19 at Briarcrest Christian W 35-21 Fri Sep. 26 at Pope John Paul II R W 56-21 I agree they are better and Johnson is a proven winner, no doubt...but let's not get too excited just yet. The schedule looks pretty weak so far...MBA has played Ravenwood, Moeller, Hillsboro, Antioch, among others. BA has played Independence, Ravenwood, Smyrna, Prattville, AL, Baylor, and McCallie. The top schools play the toughest schedules. BGA's so far is feasting on the weak. However, I do think BGA is a good team.

the fact that 60 yards came on one play doesn't make a difference. Does that mean that IHS's 3 TD's are diminished because they came on long pass plays and not sustained drives? Maybe they were lucky and one of BA's corners tripped or fell down! Take away that one play, and they rushed for 240+ yards...does that qualify as "controlling the line of scrimmage"? Don't have the stats, but if they rushed it for 40 plays that is 6 yards per rushing attempt. All the different scenarios of when they scored, etc. is irrelevant. If IHS had not completed the long pass for the 3rd TD then BA would have been 14 ahead with a minute to go before the last TD...it is a game comprised of 4 12 minute quarters. I certainly get your point! I am responding in the spirit of just healthy debate and not with animosity... I'm just disappointed that BA's win is considered not convincing enough, that they underperformed, etc. Give BA and IHS some credit for both having good teams.

not whining...just stating the obvious, that the post I was responding to said that the best team did not win, blah, blah, blah...never said the IHS coaching staff thought it was a moral victory. They have a great team. You're right, moral victories are losses, and to the poster I responded to, that was my point. The "it is tough" comment was said sarcastically btw. I just want to point out that IHS is a very good team that is going to win a bunch of games this year, and due to that this was a quality win by BA. Two very good teams played, and the best one won. Who's whining? Not this BA fan, happy for the good win. The general theme of this thread is that BA underachieved, etc., and in my book that is an inaccurate statement for both teams. It implies that BA is not as good as advertised and IHS is not as good as they played.

the difference in the game was 300 yds + rushing and putting up 34 points. The punter was good, but only part of the victory. Football is won in the trenches, and it was a team victory with the O line opening holes and controlling the line of scrimmage. The reason for BA not getting to the passer was the 7-8 yard set up in the shot gun and the ability of Heckman to get rid of the ball quickly, and only rushing 4 most of the time. BA was just more powerful and the better team.

Agreed, I don't mean to be critical of the Independence fan base, but the talk on this thread sounds like Vanderbilt fans with the moral victory they achieved by playing a good game and not getting blown out! BA owned the line of scrimmage, but you would have thought BA pulled an upset with the way the fans have described this game. BA ran it down Indy's throat for over 300 yards! They scored 34 points! Indy's points came on long pass plays without any sustained drives. Independence is very good, and played a great game. But it just sounds like BA is getting no credit for an otherwise very solid start over a quality opponent.

it's tough being BA... they start a QB who was 3rd string until a week ago, who has never taken a snap in a game, and makes the O one dimensional with only 30 yards of passing. They rush for over 300 yards, put up 34 points, don't turn the ball over, and the general consensus is this is a moral victory for Indy. Independence throws it over 40 times, and when you do that you are going to complete some passes. The spread took BA's front 7 out of the pass rush, but they shut the run down. BA is going to be just fine...they are a predominantly a Soph/Jr dominated team, especially in the skill positions, and with experience they have only upside, and they are very good to start with. Independence is a very good team...their QB is excellent, and they are obviously very well coached. They have tremendous school spirit and support. They will do very well this year. They ran off 10 straight victories last year after a slow start and losing their returning starter at QB, and finished #2 in 5A, playing for the state championship. This game ended just like I thought it would, a very hard fought Quality victory for a BA team that must deal with very high expectations and a bulls eye on their back. I think Independence is that good and BA just happens to be better, not mediocre.

it's tough being BA... they start a QB who was 3rd string until a week ago, who has never taken a snap in a game, and makes the O one dimensional with only 30 yards of passing. They rush for over 300 yards, put up 34 points, don't turn the ball over, and the general consensus is this is a moral victory for Indy. Independence throws it over 40 times, and when you do that you are going to complete some passes. The spread took BA's front 7 out of the pass rush, but they shut the run down. BA is going to be just fine...they are a predominantly a Soph/Jr dominated team, especially in the skill positions, and with experience they have only upside, and they are very good to start with. Independence is a very good team...their QB is excellent, and they are obviously very well coached. They have tremendous school spirit and support. They will do very well this year. They ran off 10 straight victories last year after a slow start and losing their returning starter at QB, and finished #2 in 5A, playing for the state championship. This game ended just like I thought it would, a very hard fought Quality victory for a BA team that must deal with very high expectations and a bulls eye on their back. I think Independence is that good and BA just happens to be better, not mediocre.

USA1, I am with you. I have attended 2 scrimmages (DCHS and HHS) and BA is sluggish. There is not much "fire" and intensity. I suspect that they have a leadership void right now on this team. Lots of talent, but not many vocal leaders. Jabari Tuani-McKissack and Mason Graham, for example, were 2 excellent Sr. leaders last year, and the team this year is still young. Most skill players are Soph/Jr's. Also, with the Defensive Coordinator change, it's a totally new scheme, and that means more "thinking" than reacting as they learn where to be and what to do. The Hillsboro scrimmage was a Godsend, in that it forced the team to rally from behind and dig deep. They still "lost" the scrimmage (3 quarters) on a 57 yd field goal, but the rally from behind brought out a lot of fire in this team. I predict a slower start to the year, and IHS will come in jacked up and gunning for BA, so they better have their ankles taped and mouthpieces in! In the end, I predict BA will be just fine, but this team still has some growing to do to live up to it's potential, and my money is on the Eagles! I have a great deal of confidence in Coach Potter.

wouldn't say dominated, most of the first half BA controlled the ball and the scoreboard. Hillsboro scored on a fumble then took the lead in the 3rd quarter. BA came back and scored with 30 sec. to go, went for 2 and went up by 1. Hillsboro kicked a 57 yard fg with no time and "won" a scrimmage. BA didn't play it's starting QB except for part of the first quarter in order to give the 2nd string guy the reps for depth purposes.

could you please site your source? Which child/family? While you have no proof of the "small, slow poor children" you apparently do have proof of the "large, fast poor children". Your comment is so insulting to the young men and women who attend any private school and receive financial aid. Do you realize that each family receiving financial aid must pay a minimum of 20% of the total tuition? As a parent of BA students, my tuition bill this year is $32,000+...while not affluent, we are making sacrifices to pay the tuition because we believe in the school's mission. I site this fact just because I have proof of the numbers...with tuition at 16,000+, the financial aid recipient's (large, fast poor children) parents are still paying at a minimum $3,000-$4,000 per year. I believe that is admirable, considering that they are "poor". You, I'm sure, have proof of wealthy alums paying the additional 20% tuition due, or probably providing free housing and moving expenses for the "large, fast poor children" whose parents can't afford to, while the "small, slow poor children" remain in their small homes, far away from the school, unable to attend.

BA scored 6 TD's and Dickson Co. added one at the very end of the game. BA's offense kept in on the ground for the most part. Dickson never got anything going against BA's D.

MBA, MUS, McCallie, CBHS--all boys BA, Ensworth, McCallie, Ryan--coed for football purposes, this makes a big difference...could actually assume all boys schools have double the enrollment. BA has around 750 students in grades 6-12. Probably have a little over 400 students in grades 9-12. MBA is close to that in totals, maybe a tad bit higher.

It might be worth noting that BA didn't actually put the TSSAA through "all that". BA initially sued and won, but the TSSAA continued to appeal to a higher court. The case reached the Supreme Court once before, and again BA prevailed, and the case was sent back to lower courts before reaching it's final conclusion earlier this year. The entire case is ridiculous, but I applaud BA for sticking to its principles and not caving in. The BA supporters still do not believe that their actions were wrong or in violation of TSSAA rules, and the school feels they were being treated unfairly and with a double standard. Sending letters to students (who had signed enrollment contracts, paid a non refundable deposit) informing them about Spring practice was the infraction. Wow, seems pretty silly to me, especially in light of the fact that it is permissible for those students to participate in Spring practice per the TSSAA! BA's mistake per the TSSAA was having C. Flatt mail a letter, which the school thought was certainly within their rights. It comes down to interpretation, and both sides see it their way. BA should not be characterized as the bad guy in this case...the TSSAA drug it on, and is fortunate to have won. They won the war, but only the final battle, which is the one that counts!

none of the attorneys are BA grads; however, Lee Barfield's daughter attended the school. The school has placed money in reserves for years to cover fees. Since BA was the plaintiff, insurance will not cover fees.

Agreed, there are way too many typos/mispellings in his posts for this guy to be an MBA student.

I couldn't agree more with you! I am a parent of 2 @ the school, an alum, and will say this...I could not be happier with the school...in my book it is money well spent ($32,000+ a year...yes, believe it or not, my children are not on scholarship). BA was founded as a school to offer a broader educational experience for a wide array of students from different social and economic backgrounds. My children are developing in ways (spiritually) which are more important than any championship. It's just this simple, those with no connection to the school will never grasp the intangibles that make this school special. It's not "better" than others, all the top schools are unique in their own ways, but BA has been super successful for years due to a unique blend of philosophy and leadership. I am not one for pointing fingers and being "politically correct", but let's face it...the ridiculous statements made by those that criticize BA for their poor academics are making those statements solely on the fact that BA has many prominent black students who are successful athletically, plain and simple. All these children ultimately graduate and move on to college, and come from wonderful families. It is insulting to these students and parents to imply anything else. While I can not offer proof as to the underlying cynicism regarding BA's academics, I can offer this man's opinion.

Well said 32

soccerpro1, if you are going to poke fun at another school's academic standards, at least use spell check to be sure ensure your post is without typos...tallent?

I have heard Coach Potter speak several times on the reasons he came to BA. Coach is a very strong Christian and he feels like God called him to the school. His relationship with BA dates back to 1991 when he interviewed for the Head Coaching position at BA for the first time. At that time, Coach Flatt was considering stepping down, but obviously decided to stay put. He and Coach Flatt have remained close over the years...also, Coach Potter's wife teaches at BA too, and it was important to their family that not only could they coach/teach together, but their children could attend the same school. He struggled with the decision, but apparently seems very happy, and we are happy to have him! Also, Coach Potter's wife has an uncle who was Asst. Headmaster at BA for many years, so their connections to the school are much more extensive than I realized. It is understandable why folks in Chattanooga would question this move after the Potter legacy at McCallie, but I thought sharing this information would shed some additional light on his move. As far as his desire to take the program to another level, I for one am all for that!

BA was predominately starting underclassmen last year. They lose (I think) 3-4 offensive starters and 2-3 defensive starters. The team dressed 47 freshmen btw. Of the returnees, there are 2 top DI prospects (McHaney and Bullard) with offers from everybody, and 3 others (Dabney, Caruthers, and J. Martin) that may be D1 also. They lost C. Jordan, but return Josh Tate, who is excellent. If the QB grows into the offense (Soph last year), I think they will just be awesome.

I don't think Pack leaving is that big of deal...maybe he just relishes the chance to call the shots again. He is taking on a very prominent administrative position at FRA, and motivated guys love the opportunity to turn a program around. I would just leave it at that. I think you are attempting to create a controversy. Speaking of a team putting it's reputation on the line...take note of one of BA's opponents next year... USA Today 2007 #2 ranked Prattville