Cletus

I expect a closer game than last time. I don't think Young was fully healthy (hip flexor?), and I'm almost positive that was the game Bearden was without its top LB (suspension). The game was nip and tuck at halftime, and in years past, the playoff meetings have typically been tighter than those in the regular season. Also, it sounds as though Farragut's RB, Purty, is dinged up, and it's hard to come to any other conclusion than Bearden is playing its best football of the year. Really looking forward to this one.

I haven't seen the game yet, but even if I agreed with your assessment I can't imagine what in the world motivates an adult to get on a message board and make such direct comments about kids. It's even more unseemly when the team you supposedly support (those other kids you just called "overrated") was defeated by the kids you're taking shots at. Seriously, at some point in your past were you jilted by a gal from Lenoir City? Or, while in Loudon Co., maybe a rough night in the slammer?

Comparing D-B and Ooltewah to Maryville is apples to oranges. Also, I'm a bit confused -- was Maryville not a "giant" when these teams first met?! And, please, don't tell me your perception is nothing more than the A.P. vote. That's like admitting to being deaf, dumb (mute) and blind, while allowing oneself to be led by the deaf, dumb (stupid) and blind. Maryville should win by 30+ points.

A pathetic post by a sad individual . . . exactly what anyone who has seen his earlier "commentary" would expect.

First off, I don't know Coach Monroe personally, but his record speaks for itself -- he's a legendary figure in TN high school sports. If he had stuck with the QB through 3 years, I don't know why he wouldn't stay with him for the last few series. As for trading blank tapes with opposing coaches -- could it have been a mistake? Was this an exchange with Rhea Co.? If so, I can't imagine Coach Monroe feeling he needed to resort to such tactics to gain an upper hand on Rhea this year. I would never say the man is classless, but the last couple of weeks he's been something less than gracious. First, there was the "we were the far better team" comment and reiteration at McMinn. Then following the Farragut loss Coach Monroe states, "it was strictly a lack of execution on our part." I think ihavenofriendzz is correct to some degree about Farragut, and probably every other school, in that their supporters are going to be upset after a loss. From an outsider's perspective, though, Ooltewah is a little different bird. But you have to remember that it's only a few people, not the entire fan base, that tend to make the most noise on these boards. They no more represent the Ooltewah community than the Farragut kid or two (presumably) who gets on here and makes some outrageous comments/prediction. TSSAA needs to look hard at the system that had these teams meeting in the first round.

I didn't see a response to this question a few pages back, and though I don't "follow" the program week in and week out, I'm a little familiar with their recent teams because they were formerly in the same region as Heritage, William Blount, Farragut and Oak Ridge. Their new district (district 5) was weak this year. Nothing Ooltewah can do about that. What they can do is schedule good out of district opponents, which they did in Austin-East, Franklin and Maplewood. Ooltewah is good, period. Their only 1st round losses in recent years were to Bearden in '07 (Bearden was a top seed, Ooltewah was a 4 seed -- and Bearden would advance to the semis) and last night to Farragut which is undoubtedly one of the better teams in the state.

Hey, it was a step in the right direction -- laid the ground work -- and once more hope springs eternal. You gotta love high school football!

If Riemer, the Bearden QB, is healthy, I like the Bulldogs. I think Bearden was playing better down the homestretch than Sevier Co., and last year's score is hard to dismiss.

I hate to say it, but I think McMinn Co. might have too much momentum for Oak Ridge to overcome. Should be a good one in Athens.

Skimming back over the preceding pages it appears to be unanimous in Blount Co -- Farragut will win. I'm not sure how many of those prognosticators have seen Ooltewah's outstanding defense, with or without Smith. I'll be pulling for Farragut, but I don't know... Seems to me in a matchup featuring an explosive offense vs. a dominant defense, the strong defensive team wins more often times than not. Might Ooltewah play back-to-back overtime games?

It could be worse. Apparently no one has bothered to start a thread on Sevier Co. vs. Bearden -- which should be a much more competitive game than D-B at Maryville. Rooting interest (and history) aside, this one's the yawner of 6A games in East TN.

I think Oak Ridge has had a really nice season and stands no worse than a 50/50 chance of advancing past the first round. If the Wildcats do get past McMinn, however, I'd expect Maryville to win by 20+ points in the rematch. I tend to think the "surprise" was how poorly Maryville played in the regular season meeting. I don't want that to sound like I'm taking anything away from Oak Ridge's effort, which was outstanding.

Maryville gets a cakewalk to the quarterfinals.

As good as advertised! Good luck to both the Dragons and Wildcats in the playoffs!

Congratulations to the Mountaineers! I think I read or heard back at the beginning of the season that a team goal was to finish no worse than .500. It looked like that one was slip slidin' away before Friday night. Now... who knows? Again, congratulations on a great win that should inspire off-season training as well as other area teams facing a perceived superior opponent.

Not trying to be overly picky here, but Sevier Co. went 12-3 in '99. Maybe (?) you're thinking of Maryville in '00 which lost its first 4 before winning 11 straight. Sevier Co. went 7-3 in the regular season with one of those loses being to DB. DB lost to Sevier Co. in the playoff game later. I think you're referring to '97. In '99 Sevier Co. beat D-B 39-20 in the regular season. They didn't face one another in the playoffs -- D-B was ousted in the 2nd round by Oak Ridge. Sevier Co.'s losses in '99 were to Oak Ridge, Halls and Bradley. This topic interests me because I'm guessing D-B opens the playoffs at Sevier Co. We'll see. Good luck to the Tribe.

Not trying to be overly picky here, but Sevier Co. went 12-3 in '99. Maybe (?) you're thinking of Maryville in '00 which lost its first 4 before winning 11 straight.

Times are tough and money's tight, even in West Knoxville. Catholic could no longer afford to pay Meadows' salary, pay the water bill, pay the radio station to broadcast its games, and pay for the server space/domain name. For the time being, the website is history. However, the administration at Catholic reserves the right to readjust its priorities should things continue in their present state or if further financial belt tightening is needed.

In an unfortunate and freakish malfunction, the sprinkler system took it out.

This William Blount team has faced adversity all season -- and off season -- long. Here's another chance to show what they're made of. If the playoffs are no longer a possibility, treat week 9 and 10 like they're back-to-back opportunities to play for a state title/BCS Championship/Super Bowl. Good luck to both teams!

Unfortunately, I missed this game, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the replay. It was, as expected, an exciting and highly entertaining high school contest. I was impressed, as always, with Maryville's composure and ability to capitalize on opportunities. Farragut is very good too. Hopefully, for his sake and Farragut's, the RB, Purty, isn't too dinged up going forward. Both have a chance to go far in the playoffs, but of course, only 1 can. Congratulations to Maryville on a huge win and to Farragut on a great effort!

Far and away the game of the week in the Knoxville area. I love that this rivalry is providing a matchup of this caliber. Too often in the past the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Oak Ridge should win because of the strength of its lines; Clinton should win because Stone is a tremendous playmaker who can create something out of nothing. Good luck and good health to both teams!

Both teams need this one. West must realize that, as things currently stand, if it wins out, it stands a good chance of making the playoffs as a wildcard. Bearden must realize that with 2 tough games remaining, the wildcard that looks good right now could evaporate. A win over Catholic would actually do the Bulldogs more good than a win over West, but a W over anyone is "wildcard security". Both teams have lost key players to injury. Bearden is more balanced offensively. West needs to avoid penalties and negative plays that take the Rebels out of their offensive comfort zone. The last 3 times these schools have played the result has been a very competitive game -- and a Bearden win. I think West might be due if they realize the season isn't lost and can avoid errors like missing last week's first extra point, which was the difference in the Catholic game. Should be a really good high school game; hoping for a well played, injury free contest. Good luck to both!

At this point I doubt many Catholic supporters would have a problem being subjected to such standards! My thought is that those guys are clowns -- and, no, it's not a sudden revelation. No one has GQ's number. Meadows is 1-5 vs. Quarles, having lost the last 5. The single win came back in 2000 when Maryville lost its first 4 games (including a 28-0 shutout against Heritage) before getting things turned around and, unbelievably, winning a state championship. The only other competitive game the two have coached against one another was in 2007 when William Blount had every bit as much talent as Maryville, but the Rebels won 20-19.

If I'm Coach Meadows, I adopt the Alcoa game plan. Catholic should be able to pound some people, but it seems they're outthinking themselves a bit. If Maryville plays like it did vs. McMinn and Bearden, it stands to be a long night for Catholic.