OldSchoolCharger

Thanks for the info! 

What was up with all the Brainerd penalties? And did they only dress about 20 kids? 

Tyner ... and no one else close.

Working hard on the facilities and starting week 3 of lifting and conditioning. Got a few in credit recovery and a few in summer basketball but the ones there are working hard. Staff has been pleased with the effort... 

1 hour ago, Qwikpainter said:

Well, what I would guess is that when you don’t get an offer to stay somewhere I’m sure that a professional person knows what’s best and moves on...probably my guess

He was offered to stay at Central.... Fact

After both teams got the cobwebs knocked off, it was a fairly even scrimmage. Defense found a few football players who played downhill and put on some good licks. Still working on breaking old habits on offense, but moved the ball when folks blocked the right people and backs hit the right holes. Ones against ones, I thought the Chargers may have had a slight edge. Still a long way to go and still evaluating depth. I hope this bunch will keep working and build on the team concept that Coach Davis and staff is emphasizing.

Right now it is still on somewhere around 4:15ish

I hope the threat of rain Friday doesn't cancel the scrimmage, it would be great to see how this team looks against someone else and get some video to look at. 

Much better today, Coach Davis went back to basics and a lot of review on offense. The kids picked it up and made a good effort. Most of the ones out yesterday were there today. This time of year is tough on practice with all the other activities going on at school and the year winding down. Still looking for the best fit personnel wise. 

Out in shells but still did some hitting and sled work. Coaches are really into it as are the kids, going back to basics. Doing some offense and basic defense intro. Coaches are seeing good effort and attitudes with a willingness to listen and learn. A lot of work to do but like the direction this team is heading. Scrimmage next Friday at Hixson so it will be interesting to see where this team is at with just basically 8 days under a new system. 

Had the Principal out on the field yesterday...... Jeff Gilbert is a blessing too! First time I have ever seen that happen! 

First day of spring practice. Had to go in shorts and tee shirts, waiting on helmets right now. Hope to be in full gear by Wednesday. Kids seemed to be interested and picked up base plays pretty good. Scrimmage at Hixson next Thursday so right now just teaching terminology and learning names. 

Wish he would have at least gone through spring practice and given Coach Davis and staff a chance. His choice alone on this one and one he may regret later. 

1 hour ago, OldCharger said:

Maybe because they don't play ANY sports! 

Basketball has a Freshman that played football for the Knights last year that is an athlete. 

Basketball had a Junior that did not play any other sports and did not start that would make for an excellent football player! He is coming out for football. 

Basketball has a transfer that had to sit out all last year because of the transfer rule that is an athlete. 

Plenty of Freshman and Sophomore basketball boys that would make better football players. 

There are plenty of "farm" kids and FFA kids that focus solely on FFA that would have helped. One of them is 6'5 250lbs, strong and has a mean streak. 

There are PLENTY more examples of this. Why do you think baseball is struggling? They have players that simply aren't playing at all. Some choosing to focus solely on golf. Sport specialization is hurting CHS. Hopefully Derrick fixes that issue. 

 

One of the things Coach Davis told the kids on that first meeting when ask was that he wants kids to play multiple sports if they want. At this level, you got to share athletes to be competitive. I have read a couple reports from orthopedic Dr.s that the "specialization" in sports of the middle and high school age kids actually increases the chance of injury due to the repeated impacts and same motor movements that occur year round. Makes a lot of sense to me, when I grew up in a time that you played whatever sport was in season, we never had the number of joint injuries that kids have now. 

50 minutes ago, Kee4Life said:

Alright, I hate to be “that guy,” and please don’t take this personal.....but for years I’ve always heard the same narrative concerning McMinn Central football - the same old “we have athletes walking the halls, but they don’t play football” statement. And I’m gonna be honest, I really don’t see it right now. I mean the boys basketball team was mediocre at best this year, and the baseball team has only won like 1 game?? And I’ve never heard of the boys soccer team ever being any good. So if there are big time athletes at Central who do not play football, how come these same athletes are not having success in other sports? 

Again, PLEASE don’t take this personal. I have a lot of respect for Central, and I think DD will turn the program around and be successful....But I’m tired of hearing “We have athletes, but they just don’t play football.”  That narrative might have been true a decade ago or even a few years ago, but I don’t think it’s true right now. 

Central finished the season this year with around 35 kids dressed from 4 classes. Coach Davis had 60 show up when he ask to meet the kids, and that was just 3 classes. Nothing personal taken.... just making a point. Same thing happened when Brandon Derrick was hired, Central's team numbers increased by about 20 during that time too. Time will tell...

Spring practice targeted to start next Monday the 29th. Coach D working on getting enough equipment right now since he had 60 sign info sheets so far. A little short of helmets right now for that many. Next big step is get the booster club cranked up like it was back a few years ago as there is several items that need to be replaced and upgraded. 

Come on up, everyone is welcome here! It is going to be a fun year.... Coach D and crew are really making things sparkle around the field house. They want to give the kids something to take pride in.... sound familiar?  

10 hours ago, boothman said:

I think Hunter Raby, Jason Jenkins, and Caleb Norwood will also be joining the staff. 

This is correct. 

6 hours ago, ValleyTroll said:

This has been a big hit to my love for high school football. I wish the best for Coach Davis for all he did for Polk but I can’t cheer for MC. I am confused about how he is bringing in his own staff. I think most of the coaches on his staff at Polk, besides his dad, are still at Polk or are out of coaching. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Who is he bringing in that wasn’t already at MC?

Right now counting his Dad, there are about 5 of his volunteer coaches saying they will help. No school staff coaches coming from PCHS. 

Coach Vestal is missing a great opportunity to learn from 2 of the best coaches in east Tenn. Derrick Davis is one of the best defensive minds and Larry Davis is one of the best in the wing T offense. 

I think it is not so much disappointed with coach Davis, more disappointed Coach Vestal didn't get it. I sure hope folks will understand what a great hire this is and encourage kids to give him a chance. He met with the Central kids this morning and I heard a large turnout showed up. Several of the kids were seen talking up Coach Davis. I heard Coach Davis say he was going to reach out to Coach Vestal and see if he wanted to stay, if he doesn't.... it will be his choice to walk away. 

Coach D has a plan, definitely wants to work with the new middle school program and the youth program. It is going to be a fun ride if he can get the kids to buy in to his program. He is a proven winner and always had his kids prepared both mentally and physically to play hard the entire game. 

Well said ValleyTroll and Blaster. You folks are spot on about the situation. 

On 9/21/2018 at 10:37 AM, HasBeenHero said:

I did a history assignment on this, I believe it was called the Mulkey Miracle. I think the players name was Mulkey.

Jimmy Mulkey was his name and a lineman at that. My dad was one of the coaches for Etowah. There has always been a big rivalry with Meigs. I played in the early years at Central and I felt it was a bigger rivalry game than McMinn due to the games always were very competitive along with basketball too. 

20 hours ago, visorman said:

Central could be a solid program, but it is going to take someone with tons of energy, dedication, and ties to the community.  The other factor to success is going to be whether Englewood and Etowah can bury the old rivalry lines and join recreation programs so Central can create a dominate feeder program.  The county is not going to develop any middle schools throughout the county because that cost money and it would break up the small community feel that everyone likes for some strange reason.  I witnessed a few of the recreation practices over the years in both communities and they need to consolidate so the kids can have a solid practice environment.  Quit playing "daddy" ball and teach the youth how to play "football."  There is too much pride in the adults and it is killing the youth in those communities along with H.S. programs.  So if Central wants to win in football, it can be done but it is going to take a few things to make it happen:

1)  Must have a Head Coach dedicated to the kids and the program - can't take a vacation during football season and leave it with the assistant coaches.  You're the head man, lead for goodness sake!!! You lead the kids, I promise you that they will follow!!!  

2)  Set goals and expectations for the off-season and during the season.  Have a plan to achieve those goals.  It is called "work" and "organization," and you have to have it if you want to be successful, because "success" only comes before the word "work" in the dictionary.

3) The two communities have to swallow their pride and put these kids together in order to field a solid feeder program.  The H.S. coaches have to provide direction on what they want these kids to know when they get to H.S.  

4)  The communities need to take a look in the mirror each morning and ask, "Is average okay for my kid?"  Get out and support the kids, support the programs, and demand changes if the actions are not being taken to maximize the potential in the classroom and on the playing field.  There are some really good folks that bust their butts for those kids everyday and they are some who are just drawing a paycheck.  It should always be about the kids!!! 

It is just an opinion from an outsider looking in, and we all know what they say about opinions!!! 

Absolutely nailed it...This formula has been proven over and over around McMinn County, just not developed here.