powellbubba

HTV, I have heard they are going to take out the hedges behind the Powell bench. I really hope they don't because it gives the field a nice look. I know they are kind of scraggly looking and overgrown now, but it wouldn't take a lot of work to get them in nice shape. And does anyone know if the bathroom situation is going to be improved. It's quite a hike from the stands to the john, especially when things are interesting in the fourth quarter.

It will be interesting to see how Powell's offense fairs not just without Kier but without Collins, Drummer and the three starters gone from the offensive line. I think putting McPhetridge at TE will be a big help because he's a big kid with good speed. A lot is riding on Hodge, obviously, but Mobley is the other key piece. If he's a 1,000 yard type of runner, defenses will have to key on him and that will take a lot of pressure off the rest of the offense. That would be big with an inexperienced QB and receiving corps, especially early.

Powell played Webb.

You can't read anything into 7-on-7, but I know it's a lot more fun to do well than it is to struggle. Powell made it to the championship at Webb, which was fun, then got hammered, which was not so much fun. I think one thing kids can take away from passing leagues when they do well is some confidence, but you have to have perspective. If I'm Clinton I'm still pretty excited about doing so well against Farragut.

I'm not a big fan of the 3-5 either. Even when you run it well it has some issues, especially when it comes to containment on the outside, and I think its vulnerable to intermediate passes to the tight end and slot receivers. I think the reason a lot of teams run it is they have more linebacker-type players on their rosters than they do 4-3 defensive lineman types.

I really don't know how good Oak Ridge is going to be, but going on past history and their new coach I think they'll be pretty good in this district. After you get past Clinton I don't think there is a clear No. 2 team, but if I had to put money on it I would pick Oak Ridge simply because of their past success. Like I said earlier, it wouldn't surprise if any of the other teams jumped up and had a good year and it wouldn't surprise me if some of the better teams from past years struggled (this is the ultimate I have no clue post).

Thanks for the info. I was listening to sports talk the other day and a caller asked about UT recruiting Stone and somebody said the only knock on him was he wasn't tall enough. I don't know how tall he is but he sure seems to have everything else a quarterback needs in college. Kier Houston had a great arm and Stone's looked even better in last year's Powell/Clinton game.

I may be jumping on the Clinton bandwagon too hard, but I think with Stone and Hazelhurst both healthy they will be hard to stop. I like them to win it, OR to finish second (I know only what I've read here, but I just don't think they will stay down long. They never have.) After that I believe it's a pick 'em. Like so many of the teams Powell is young, so I think the only team you can count out is Hardin Valley because they are the youngest of the bunch. One question about Clinton: Does anyone know if Stone has had any offers and if so from what schools? Thanks.

From what I understand the offensive and defensive coaches were former players at Powell and the players who went supplied their own transportation to Kingsport. However it was handled I don't think Powell, Bearden, Sevier County and the other schools would openly flaunt the rules like that if it was somehow illegal.

Do you have any more details about how the passing league went? I talked to someone (who heard it from someone else) that the sophomore receivers looked pretty good. I think they are Wright and Woods.

Playmakers for Powell should be Hunter Hodge at quarterback, Dashawn Mobley at tailback and Tyler Powell in the slot. Powell is probably the best overall athlete on the team. Mobley is a hard runner with good speed that needs to learn how to hold on to the ball a bit better. Hodge has a good arm and virtually no game experience. With the spread good reads are as important as good throws. A sleeper playmaker could be Darian Logan as a kick/punt returner. He's very fast and illusive and will likely play some tailback as well. On defense look for Hunter Cook and Tony Foster to be good lineman, with Cook at end and Foster at nose. Matt Meade should be a good centerfielder at safety and the linebackers as a group look to be talented and agressive.

Getting back to Rico's original question, I would like to hear some predictions about how folks feel Powell will do this year. In fact, I would like to hear from the Halls, Central, Cinton, etc., people about what they think of their teams. I think it will be a fun year in the district. I will now return to being classless.

If I may interlope on your thread: I think you guys are spot on. Powell is in the same boat Halls is with the potential of a really good season (8-2, 7-3) or one exactly the opposite. I think Halls, Central, Powell, Anderson County, Campbell County and Karns all look fairly even going into the season. I've grown up with Oak Ridge being a powerhouse so I elevate them a bit and Clinton does appear to be loaded, so I think the Dragons are the team to beat. Outside of Clinton because of talent and Oak Ridge because of history and a new coach coming off a state title, I have a hard time picking which teams from this district will make the playoffs. I will now float back down Beaver Creek.

I think its going to be very competitive althought I also think everybody in the district will be chasing Clinton. If Hazelhurst and Stone stay healthy I just don't see them not scoring points by the bushel. After that I really think its going to be a crapshoot which teams make the playoffs. I think you may see a lot of low scoring games in district play because most of the teams lost their "name" players: Halls lost a lot of linemen, Central lost Jamie Wilson, Powell lost Houston and three really good receivers, Anderson and Campbell counties both lost a lot of kids and Oak Ridge could be the cliched sleeping giant with their new coach, etc. I know everybody discounts Karns, but they lost a lot of close games last year and have some pretty good players coming back. After Clinton, I think it's all just a guess who finishes where.

That's a fair question. The line lost three seniors, including one that made the News Sentinel's Prepxtra team and another that was all-region. The two returning starters will both be juniors, but they do have a year of experience starting. The senior-to-be that was a part-time starter last year started two or three games because of injury, but did not play a down in at least three other games. What's making it tough for the line is the loss of two seniors, courtney and driver, that were the dominant players last year. Throw in the fact the Kier Houston could use his legs to get away from pressure and that made last year's line look even better. The converted defense end, who will be a junior, might have taken 10 snaps last year in varsity games and all were on defense. So maybe they aren't real young, but compared to last year's line they are pretty inexperienced.