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Congratulatons Trojans! Great season! You have a lot to be proud of. Coaching staff, you came to Dyersburg following one of the great ones....the expectations were out of sight, and I know the pressure was sky high...but you've done a wonderful job!!!! Seniors, what can I say! You fellows are winners in every since of the word. I look for all you guys to be out there making a positive impact in our world! Good luck! Basketball players, baseball and soccer players, track guys, wear that black and gold proudly! Work just as hard in the classroom, and ENJOY the rest of your senior year!

Congratulations Choctaws! You guys have had one heck of a season and we're extremely proud of you! You have served as a great example of how hardwork, self confidence, and stressing "team" over "self" can bring about wonderul results. The legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden whose teams won more national championships than any in history once said "It's amazing what can be accomplished on a baskeball court when nobody cares who scores." You guys exemplified that priciple on the football field! Take all the things you've learned from this season and continue to apply them to every aspect of your lives and I guarantee you that your futures will indeed be BRIGHT! Again, we're very proud of you guys! Well Done!

Yep, I understand that the upsets happen, and I can't blame him for the pick because it's gonna be anybody's game, and considering how Mitchell has beaten folks like Melrose and CBHS this year, it wouldn't REALLY be an upset at all. What I'm trying to say is I'm kinda glad he went against Dyersburg, so that maybe they can have a little added incentive to go out and play even harder with even more resolve! I still think the Trojans will have the grit and team to go down there and get a win, but we'll only know for sure about 9:30 or so tomorrow night. Yeah, I realize the schools I mentioned are smaller classification schools, and are rated above both Dyersburg and Dyer County in their Dirty Dozen poll. That, in my opinion simply makes there poll appear to be more of a popularity contest than a good measuring device to compare teams. And I realize all those schools have good teams and most have beaten a club or two in larger classfications than them, but I don't believe it makes rational sense to think the better teams in 1A or 2A are better than the ones in 3, 4 or 5A. It just makes the poll lose it's credibility.....just my opinion of course! As far as Camden beating Goodpasture, I'd love to see it, but please don't bet the family fortune on that one because Goodpasture will come in pumped after what almost happened to them last week! But we'll see!

Yeah, I don't think the Jackson reporters like to travel outside Madison County. And I understand that the local Jackson-Madison County area is where the vast majority of their subsribers and readership is, so that's where more of their loyalty should be. But if you can put ink on the Milan's and Westview's and McKenzie's so much why can't you do it for some of the other schools who are having a great year a little more often? In my opinion, until Jarvis Perry went down near the end of the season, CC was without question the Flagship for Northwest Tennessee football in 06. With Perry's bute strength and athletisism, along with the Johnson duo's speed and elusiveness, there may not have been a better 3A team in the state. Not only did the Cavs have the skill people, but also a big and impressive line on both sides of the ball, and an outstanding defense. I couldn't have predicted a winner between them and Lipscomb, but it would have been a great battle. Having Perry out kind of leveled the playing field a little for Covington to pull off the upset, maybe psychologically as much as anything. By the way, how are he and the Johnson kids doing at UTM this year?

I noticed Old Fearless of the JACKSON SUN is picking Mitchell to beat the Trojans Friday night....maybe that will be a motivating factor for DHS, as it may be the first time this year any of the area threads have picked their opponent to win. He IS picking DCHS to beat the Tomcats though. Both will be excellent games but I just have one of those feelings that the locals will come through, which is probably about as scientific of a method as Old Fearless uses to make his picks. It seems like the Jackson paper really leans toward a few schools, who may deserve the recognition, but it seems like Dyersburg and generally everybody except for Crockett County who is northwest or west of Jackson get much ink. Don't get me wrong because I have great respect for what all of those programs have accomplished, but I get the feeling that the only time the Jackson sports writers ever see people like the Choctaws or Trojans is if we're playing a Jackson school, and THAT being when we play them in Jackson. I would love to see Milan or Westview or McKenzie or Trenton Peabody try to tackle either the Trojans or the Choctaws right now, because I frankly believe either of our clubs would beat any of them in impressive fashion. I think all of them were ahead of both our teams in this week's poll, which is a joke. Of course polls and area prognosticators are more about looking at past successes and statistics that are readily available so at best it's all just a semi-educated guess. The only true measuring stick is at the conclusion of each game and ultimately who's left standing in Murfreesboro in just over 3 weeks from now. Go Trojan! Go Choctaws!

Odd you mentioned Beau. I ran into him this afternoon. He seemed to be walking well and was on his way to get physical therapy. According to a couple of very reliable sources he'll be ready to play Friday night, and hopefully at 100 percent by then.

Hope BA's surgery goes perfectly, and I know it will! This game or any game pales in comparison to our children's health and well-being. I didn't realize there were problems during the week the Trojans and the Choctaws played, but it's apparent by your post that some very troubling things must have taken place. For whatever Dyersburg people, whether teenagers or adults who might have been involved I am deeply sorry. In my business I've come to know a lot of folks, who have become close friends over the years. Dozens are big DHS supporters, and probably an equal number support the Choctaws just as enthusiastically. We have done business togther, our kids have played football and basketball against one another, mine at DMS and DHS and many of theirs at the county middle schools and DCHS. We go to church together and socialize with each other. We have talked and debated for countless hours over the years, yet have always pulled for their son or daugher to play well, while ours were competing against them. I can't think of a one of those guys or ladies, whether they're from Dyersburg, Newbern, Trimble, Roellen, Fowlkes, Finley, Lenox or anywhere else in our area that aren't people of high character. Your fine little quarterback and his wonderful family go to the same church my family and I attend in Dyersburg. The Sunday after D.C. beat Dyersburg the youth minister asked the young man to stand up in recognition for his and the Choctaws performance before the service started. The large congregation gave him a very warm applause. As I'm sure you already know they're a great family and dear friends of my wife and me. I guess all I'm saying is please don't look at 1 or 10 or however many base acting people and think they represent our city or county or community as an example of how most of the folks are. For what it's worth I apologize for whatever hurt you've suffered because of whoever these nameless people are, because they've obviously upset you a lot. I think after I finish writing this I'll go back to something a little more uplifting. The games have begun to lose a little of their luster as I look at the big picture and things that are truly important in life! BA's a fine young man and has a bright future ahead of him, that will far exceed whatever he's accomplished in the sports arena so far. I have no doubt about that! Again, best of luck in his surgery, and he'll be in our thoughts and prayers. Good luck Choctaw fans!

Don't get upset with me Choctaw fans as I know how much you relish the underdog role. But you guys deserve and have earned copius respect throughout the whole state, not just west Tennessee....and remember I called the mismatch last week, and it certainly was no contest. I'm picking D.C. by more than a touchdown...say 21-10. Before you scalp me, here's my reasoning.....Almost NOBODY beats the Tomcats in Brownsville when the train comes through. (And it comes through every single night!) You guys did it in impressive style when most of us Dyersburg fans had gone from looking down our nose to looking over our shoulder at you!!!! And you've come on strong ever since. Haywood's defense is tough and physical but they can't hold the Choctaws under 3 TD's at the reservation. The Tomcats also don't have those 2 or 3 speed burners in the backfield and at the wideouts that can break the long one on you 2 or 3 times a game....they're more of a grind it out offense. Dyer County's defense is good and tough and will not give up many points to them! Haywood does have some good athletes, maybe as many as D.C., but the Choctaws simply have the better team....bottom line!!!!! Good luck Choctaws! Go Trojans! Go Choctaws!

Good enough! They'll be coming from Region 5 then. The only Clarksville schools to make the playoffs were Clarksville High and Kenwood, and both are in 5 4A. I heard on the basketball broadcast tonight that DHS is taking 3 chartered bus loads down to Mitchell. Hope we get a big turnout of Black and Gold fans! Looks like a crisp, clear night.....a perfect night for football!!! A win puts us back in the state quarter finals again....let's go Trojan fans...remember it's a 7 oclock start, so we'll need to pull out of here by 5 to make sure we make it by the kickoff!!!!! It's the biggest game of the season.....should be a barnburner and those guys need us cheering them on to victory!!!!!! Go Trojans!!!!!!!

Speaking of officiatiing, remember that none of the officials will be coming out of region 7 or 8, so neither team need worry about biased officiating. I remember back in a particular round ball contest as a young man, where there was tremendous hype among the fans and fierce competitiveness between the two squads; so much so that you could almost cut the tension with a knife throughout the whole gym during warmups. The officials called all the starters together at the center circle prior to the start of the game and explained how they wouldn't be perfect that night, that they would occasionally miss a call, but that we as players were going to miss a few shots too. They said that they were going to be doing their very best to call it fair, and encouraged us to show good sportsmanship! It was obvious that the official got his point across, because it was a very competitive but cleanly played game. Remember that the officials are evaluated each week, and the better ones, just like the better teams, are working the deeper we go in the state playoff games!!! So I think we will see a good crew in Memphis, just like we'll see two good teams. If our Trojans will go out with great heart and desire they will be in good shape. I think we bring back the win in a a somewhat close, and high scoring game! Win and advance!!!! Go Trojans!!!!!

As far as Beau's injury, the way I understand it, it's more of a soreness and discomfort rather than something that playing could cause further complications. I know, back in the dark ages, when I competed and you did, whatever the sport, when there was a big game it was always the mentality to fight through the pain, when there was no "tommorrow," but unless you can be effective it's not always the best decision. And you're right, Ellis and Cunningham are more than capable of handling the fullback slot, and I'm sure there's also someone ready to step up at linebacker. When we look back to when Tyler had the sprained ankle and missed a couple of important games, and a couple of other players had "dings" along the way, the coaching staff always errored on the side best for the young men! Coach Bowling and staff won't play him if he's not ready to go, we can rest assured, but I think from all indications he'll be ready! I expect we'll see him out there causing havoc to the opponents like we have all year long! And I'm with you about the defense in the second half against Trezevant. Trezevant's ground game was non-existent and we gradually got the passing game under control with some very key plays by the DBacks and Linebackers and good rushes by the Defensive line! Go Trojans! and Go Choctaws!

It's my understanding that Beau has a sprained knee and is getting daily physical therapy.....likely to play Friday against Mitchell, but not a sure thing. Having him pound up the middle for 7 or 8 yards vertually every time he carries it make Taylor, Caldwell and Parker even more dangerous. Moving Beau to fullback is one of the most brilliant moves I've seen in a long, long time! To be so big and strong at 6'1 and 235 pounds, it's amazing how fluid and agile this young man is. Anyone who saw him Friday night against Trezevant had to be impressed with not only the obvious power, but the ability to find the holes and ability to cut-back at just the right time producing extra yardage on several occasions. He looked like he'd been playing the position for years, instead of two weeks!!!! During Coach Counce's era DHS obviously used more of the compact fullbacks (5-8 to 5-10, 185 to 190 pounders) with a low center of gravity and quickness stressed more than power. And we obviously have a couple of those guys in Ellis and Cunningham that give us that type FB as needed! But it's really nice to see a big "bruiser" in our backfield pounding on our opponents linebackers and dbacks, as we've had to face at least a dozen of them over the years that have given our defensive front and linebackers a fit! Don't know about anyone else, but I for one am even more excited about the offense than I've been all season. I also want to mention that even though the Trojans have had a tough time with passing teams I saw some adjustments in the 2nd half against Trezevant that are encouraging, including a more effective pass rush, and more single coverage from up on the line of scrimmage. With Caldwell back Friday night for the Mitchell game, we should be able to do a lot more man coverage on their speed guys and maybe make it a little tougher on Torey to get completions....Good luck Trojans...Let's get ready for a real shootout Friday night in Memphis.....Be there Trojan Supporters!!!!!! Let's fill the stands and make it like a home game for our guys!!!! Don't forget about the 7 oclock start time in all playoff games!!!!!Go Trojans!!!!

TOUCHE!!!!!!!! We both have big, fast, athletic clubs facing us this week! I look for an offensive shootout at Mitchell, and a physical slugfest with Haywood at D.C...two potentially great games!!!!!

If you look at how the Trojans, Crockett and Covington have fared against them in recent years, along with the teams from 6A that have faced them, you can probably understand my being a little skeptical that they are THAT vulnerable! But you saw them and I hope you're right. I certainly agree with you that both the Trojans and Choctaws are capable of beating them but I still look at DL as the "measuring stick" to see just how good our region is! I appreciate you sharing your insight after having personally seen them play this year. Good luck to your Choctaws Friday night against the Tomcats! Let's just keep winning and moving on!

First of all I just wanted to say how saddened I am about your son's unfortunate injury. He is the type of young man that exemplifies what's great about Dyer County's football team this season! Heart, courage, desire, hard work, toughness and confidence all rolled together in one person. Although I know he'll be sorely missed, I also believe that after he wades through the disconcertment of not being out on the field with his teammates, he'll continue to be an intregal part of this team as it continues to pursue even greater goals that most wouldn't have dared to imagine, even a few months ago. His support and encouragement from the sidelines can be key to the Choctaws continuing on in this dream! I would also like to salute YOU for continuing to come back on this sometimes ridiculous forum and encourage the Choctaw players and supporters, even after the devasting injury Friday night, that I'm certain was bitterly disappointing for you, personally. You're truly a perfect example for the kids and parents alike. I think we've all learned a valuable lesson from you through this adversity that transcends football and sports in general, and I for one would just like to thank you for it! Our prayers go out to B.A. and you and your family that his recovery will be speedy and that the injured area will turn out to be stronger than it ever was before. He indeeds has a bright future in front of him! Best of luck and Go Choctaws!