WillieTheWildcat

OS91, Super tread poll idea (Knox. Metro). Based on a quick glance I agree with many of your picks. Best of luck to Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs. ~~Go Wildcats- Hixson and Oak Ridge, Steve

Thanks for the scrimmage report Neil! Sounds like the Wildcats are working hard and doing a great job. From what I've read in the Oak Ridger's online articles the OL and DL are the biggest question marks...do you think the OL and DL have made improvement since the start of practice? Also, how is Josh Schneider doing? I used to work with his Mom and I hope he has a great season. Good job again on the scrimmage report and I look forward to reading your thoughts on the upcoming Bearden scrimmage. Best of luck to your kid. ~~Go Wildcats --- Hixson and Oak Ridge, Steve

Thanks for the report on the SD scrimmage! Living in Hixson makes it tough to follow the Wildcats. I certainly hope the Maryville scrimmage will be interesting. Based on what has happened the last several years if OR can just stay close and not get slaughtered then it will be improvement. Thanks again for the scrimmage report and I'll look forward to reading what you have to say after the Maryville scrimmage. ~~Go Wildcats - Hixson and Oak Ridge, Steve

The last East Tennessee team to win the 5A State Title was the Red Bank Lions in 2000. An East Tennessee team, Sevier County, also won the 5A Title in 1999.

Oak Ridge should have a good season but I haven't seen any Oak Ridge fans saying they should be # 1 preseason. In my opinion, the # 6 ranking is exactly where the Wildcats should be preseason. If they really are the best they will prove it on the field and not on CoachT. ~~Go Oak Ridge and Hixson, Steve

PhoneJack, The tread is titled "Best QB Ever in East Tennessee" and Eric Locke played for a team in Middle Tennessee. ~~Steve

Hornet, Thanks for putting the TV games list online. Do you know if these games will be shown in Chattanooga or will there be a seperate set of games shown down here in the Scenic City area? Thanks again. ~~Steve

I've always admired the dedication shown by fans from Oliver Springs. Go Bobcats! Recognition should also be given to those fans of Campbell County who get behind their Cougars even though wins have been few. It is easy to support a winner but there is a special place in Heaven for die-hard fans of schools that are win challenged. The Knoxville News-Sentinel printed an article yesterday in which two Oak Ridge players discuss their feelings on the fans of the Wildcats. I'll just let them tell why I feel Oak Ridge fans are some of the most dedicated: Article from the Knoxville News-Sentinel By BRAD GASKINS <<Football is a community affair in Oak Ridge... Senior safety Adam Black (5-foot-8, 170 pounds) said there's nothing like playing at home on a Friday night. "The experience of walking down the steps with thousands of fans on the hill and in the stands cheering you on (is an) adrenaline rush," Black said. He's not alone. "I love playing football in Oak Ridge," senior halfback Corey Booker (5-8, 185) said. "I don't think there's any other place that I've been to play like Oak Ridge." There are "kids slapping you on your shoulder, everybody is screaming encouragement," Booker said. "It's a good environment for football." >> ~~GO Wildcats (Hixson and Oak Ridge)

Although only a Class 2-AA school, Chattanooga Tyner Academy should be mentioned in the preseason list of the best schools in the Chattanooga area. I'm looking forward to watching them play the McCallie School and Chattanooga Central High School plus their Regional games to see if they really are Tops in 'nooga.

Born an OAK RIDGE Wildcat and will love the Cardinal and Gray till I die but now live in Chattanooga down the road from the home of the HIXSON Wildcats. I teach Second Grade in Chattanooga and my students eventually end up at BRAINERD High so I have support them as well. If I had to pick only one...Oak Ridge is the bomb!

I'll be at the Hixson vs McCallie game.

I like this thread - good idea Starsnbars! Oak Ridge started playing football in 1943 and their all-time record is 508 - 137 - 11 ( 78.3% ). The Wildcats won or were named State Champions 8 times ( 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1991 ). That is a State Title in each of the last five decades not counting the present decade. Named National Champions in 1958. 11 undefeated regular seasons. Longest winning streak is 29 games. Record in the 2000's is 26 - 9 ... 2002 ( 9 - 3 ), 2001 ( 6 - 4 ), 2000 ( 11 - 2 ). Record in the 1990's was 107 - 23. That does not sound like a program that has been "down recently." However, I can see how people who have read the negative remarks about OR on CoachT.com the past year or two could think that. I do not have a crystal ball but I believe Oak Ridge should do just fine this season. Only Brentwood Academy has more State Championships than Oak Ridge. To me Oak Ridge should be ranked among the Top Five all time in Tennessee but I'm biased toward my old hometown team Don't forget the Purple Pounders of Chattanooga Central who have won 6 State Titles. It may have been a long time ago but you can't take titles away nor should they be devalued over time. Info for this message was found on: tssaa.org http://www9.ortn.edu/users/bsaunders/DEFAULT.HTML ~~Go Oak Ridge and Hixson, love them Wildcats

Zoo, Sorry, I can't help you since I haven't been to a girls game in a couple of years but since you said you went to the games held at ORHS, could you please post on how Oak Ridge did? Thanks you.

Ummmm, okay, I'll admit it. I was the joker who voted for the Campbell County Cougars. I did it just for fun At first, I took the poll seriously but could not decide between DB or Jeff. Co, so I went for the silly pick. Put me down with a 1/2 of a vote each for DB and Jeff Co. Of course, if Campbell County does finish first, I'll look like a genius ~~Go Oak Ridge and Hixson --- Love them Wildcats!

Brandon100, Oak Ridge and Brentwood Academy last played against each other in 1986 with BA defeating the Wildcat 14 - 6. The only other meeting between the two teams was in 1985 when OR won 14 - 13. ~~Go Oak Ridge and Hixson --- Love them Wildcats

I thought it would effect Middle School teachers to a much higher degree than Elementary teachers. I've heard there are Middle School teachers trying to move down to Elementary schools in order to avoid the new regulations. Also, which Praxis exam are people having to take, I or II? Thank you.

Oak Ridge and db are set to play each other again during the next two seasons. Of course, after reading all the negative meassages about the Wildcats, I doubt Oak Ridge will be able to stay on the field with the Tribe. Unless they cheat, right? Oh well, best of luck to the Wildcats this season and continue to make all current and past Oak Ridgers proud to be an Oak Ridge Wildcat I'm now officially moved in at our new home in Hixson, TN which means I will also be rooting for the Hixson High Wildcats on Friday nights. Same great nickname but the colors have changed to black and gold. I'll probably still wear my OR cardinal and gray stuff to the games, though. ~~Take care to everybody back in the Ridge Steve PS Now, I'll go read all the garbage being posted on CoachT about the Oak Ridge girls basketball team. People can post what they want but it doesn't make any of it true

Congratulations to Beech and best of luck in the Championship game. It was a great season for the Lady Wildcats that saw many wonderful achievements attained by the team. Thank you for building on the Lady Wildcat tradition. God Bless to the seniors. Keep your heads up and GO Oak Ridge ~~I live in Hixson now but will always be proud of where I'm from

Congratulations to Memphis East and Oak Ridge for playing such an exciting game. I'm extremely happy the Lady Wildcats won 66-64 over a terrific Lady Mustang team. Either team could have won and there were no losers on the court. Be proud East and best of luck to Oak Ridge on Friday

This tread has gone from being positive about an Oak Ridge player to being negative about the Lady Wildcat basketball program. I think we have heard this all before and unless people can actual prove their negative comments then nothing is being served by this tread. Could a monitor please lock this tread? Thank you. Go Oak Ridge and all the players about to go for the Gold Ball no matter what jersey you wear.

Showtime7, Thanks for the information an Holbrook. I also appreciate the fact you are a fan of an Oak Ridge rival (Shelbyville, I think) but always say nice things about the OR players. Best of luck to your favorite team.

The Lady Wildcats defeated Daniel Boone tonight. The OR radio announcer and OR Head Coach Jill Prudden had many nice things to say about the Daniel Boone team and crowd. Good luck at State Lady Wildcats Also, a WOO HOO to the UTC Lady Mocs! ~~Take care from Wildcat County South aka Hixson, TN Steve

Purplepeople, Respect should be shown for both teams, not just the winners. If you feel Oak Ridge does not respect SCHS then that is your opinion but I can tell you that this Oak Ridge fan does respect the SCHS players. [Edited by WillieTheWildcat on 3-7-03 2:38A]

I don't recall any Oak Ridge fans posting hateful messages about Sevier County on CoachT.com. The victory by Sevier County is big because it gives them a home game on Saturday and it gives them a lot of momentum going into that Saturday Sectional contest. Oak Ridge who? I bet Coach Prudden will ask the Lady Wildcats that same question in practice today. I hope the players respond by playing their hearts out Saturday. Good Luck to both Sevier County and Oak Ridge. GO LADY WILDCATS!

Oak Ridge (30-1) just barely defeated Bradley Central tonight 61-53. Bradley was up by 4 with 3 minutes left and it was a one point OR game with 2:10 left to play but the Lady Wildcats closed with a strong effort. Anybody who thinks Oak Ridge is a lock for a fourth state title needs to respect the overall strength of girls basketball in Tennessee. GO LADY WILDCATS, practice hard, hustle hard, play hard, play smart and play with heart. You can reach your goals. Bradley players... you did great tonight!