Oldschool31

That would be nice but there's several games to be played before these two meet later in the year. As in any sport they are the defending district 4 champs and will remain in that seat until someone is able to unseat them. And that will not be an easy task, they have a fine program and are very well coached team. Good luck to all, and I can't wait until high school football kicks off.

Who did the county teams play in their spring scrimmages, and how did they do?

I don't really have a problem with a team with a loosing record making the playoffs, now 2-8 or 1-9 not really fond of that, especially if one of those teams are hosting first round. If I'm not mistaken Livingston Academy won the title a few years ago with a 4-6 regular season record. I just remember back in the mid 70's my team was 6-4, 8-2, 9-1 and 7-3 didn't make the playoffs either year, I sure don't want to see that happen again. Anyway the cream rises to the top in the end so letting a few extra players enjoy the playoff experience, I don't have a problem with it.

OS turned in Cloudland then turned in Clarkrange? why in the world would they turn in other schools when they don't have seating capacity themselves. Does this make sense? Folks I really don't think anybody from OS (at least coaches who actually know about the rule) turned these schools in. Anyway it's really a dumb rule, I've been to a few sub-state games and really, there are larger crowds at district and regional games because there are more than 2 local teams playing. Sub-state games ( at least in our case) teams have to travel a pretty good distance to the game and the visitors usually don't bring large crowds, plus again only 2 teams are playing. Now I'm hearing the TSSAA is giving waivers to schools to host sub-state games when their gym doesn't have have a seating capacity of 1000. What is this? If you ask permission its ok? Do you know the TSSAA has a website the average person can access to log their concerns, I really think it would be more productive to drop them a line, than bashing a school because some folks THINK they turned them in, who knows if enough people express their concern about this situation maybe the TSSAA will re-think these senseless probation's. I sent them an e-mail myself and actually got a response. But you've got to use a little tact, if you get on there bashing them I doubt you will get any results. Oh, by the way the response to my e-mail was " we'll look into it", I didn't think much about it either until I heard about this wavier stuff, who knows.

No, OS can't host a playoff game. Both girls and boys play Midway at Midway. Girls play Friday, and boys play Saturday, not sure of the start times.

Got to agree with danny1odell, the O'Dell kid is something special, saw him in the playoffs against OS, if not for him they wouldn't have made round 2. No disrespect to the other players but he killed us.

Hate to hear this, thoughts and prayers from OS.

You know what would be nice, if schools wouldn't schedule Basketball games on dates of the Football championship games. Last year and now this year my sons and I will miss the games on Friday because of a scheduled basketball game. I know, its basketball season now for the majority of schools now but I think there would be a few more fans come out if the local fans (and in my case parents) had an off night from basketball. How about it T$$AA that would be possibly larger crowds at the championship games if you imposed a no play day for any sport other than the ones playing for a state championship. Sure I could still go, but there's no way I'll miss my kids game of any kind and thats my choice, but we sure would be there if he didn't have a basketball game Friday night.

I just don't get it, we finally have some success in football and we start fighting amongst ourselves. Yes things were not done correctly, was it intentional or not I don't know, only the ones who were involved know this, and I don't thnk they are posting. And this was terrible timming, but there's one thing I know, that a house, team, community, or whatever the case may be, that is divided will fall. So keep it up and it will eventuately drift down to the kids and they will start fighting amongst themselves then we will be back to where we came from (record wise) only against teams we should be competative against. Cause if you think the kids don't read this stuff, you're only kidding yourselves. I know some of you have (senior) kids on this team, and it's not right they won't be able to host a home playoff game, but at least we're still playing. These young men (and coaches) have worked too hard to turn this program around and now's not the time nor is this the place to be airing out our dirty laundry. These young men, and parents too need to focus on whats ahead, and not whats behind us. Especially when there's nothing we can do to reverse the circumstances, we're just beating a dead horse. While some know who I am, to the ones who don't my son is an underclassman, so yes this (loss of revenue) will hurt them in years to come, but I will not do anything thats going to ruin the groundwork these young men have laid this year. Come on, lets move on, let this post die, get on the other post about the game and show your support for the Cats, not all this negative stuff that nothing good will ever come from it.

I kept telling myself not to post and maybe this would die, but it doesn't seem to be going away. Listen, OZ has enough haters without us hating each other. There has been finger pointing and acusations flying around and enough is enough. Yes rules were broken and we are being punished for it, my biggest issue is with the TSSAA, first this stupid 1000 seating capacity for single A schools. second is while we supposedly turned in Cloudland and only their basketball programs were put on probation, that seems like double standard on my part. I know I've heard that we didn't present our case well, but why is how something is presented more important than how they (TSSAA) have handeled the exact infractions before. Does common sense not mean anything, do we have to have laywers to handle everything. Now back to the in-fighting, this is not accomplishing anything. I've seen how things like this can grow and fester and destroy what people care about, their KIDS. I'm not saying this as an outsider either, my child is affected by this also, but my screen name "old"school is because I'm not a spring chicken anymore, and I've seen what this stuff can turn into, and alot of the time it winds up hurting what we are fighting for the most, which in this case is our KIDS. So come on, let it go, quit pointing fingers and get behind these kids, cheer them on. Oh I'm sure some people may wonder why everytime I refer to our KIDS its always in caps. Its because that is the most important subject in this post, but it can be the ones who get hurt the most by all this stuff.

Congratulations Goose, can't think of a more deserving gentleman. Goose does an excellent job of covering roane co. sports, and while he may get a little excited about county teams, I truly believe it's because he loves what he's doing and also cares about the local teams and kids. And a on a personal note to Goose, thank you for the job you do to make sure ALL county teams get coverage. I have a whole drawer full of articles you've written about teams from OZ that my sons have played on. Again thank you Goose, and congratulations on this award. And catback thanks for bringing this to our attention.

First of all I think it's a stupid rule, I know there has to be a minimum, but how many class A schools have a gym large enough to seat 1000 fans, my guess would be far less than 50%. Second, unless I have been misinformed there are other schools on probation for the same violation, they appealed and only their basketball programs were put on probation. Can anyone tell me why the TSSAA granted one programs appeal and denied ours, for the same exact violation? I sent an e-mail to the TSSAA website asking that question, and didn't get a response. Maybe if several other people from OZ would send them e-mails maybe they would at least answer one person as to why our appeal was denied.

It sure will be good to see the young men play on a dry field. Big game, for both teams, finally getting out of that district both teams have been in these past few years has been good. This is the first time in a while this game means more than just bragging rights. I sure do hope the boy's from OZ come out ready to play, because if not they (seniors) will just have 1 more game left to play, and I don't think that is the way they will want it to end. Again, as I keep posting this could be a special year for the Cats but they have to want it. Because both teams are in the same boat (and it's only a one man boat) it's going to come down to "WHO WANTS IT MORE". Not going to post a score but I believe the Cats will come out with the win. To the Dogs and your faithful, good luck to you, (after Thursday night of course).

I don't usually post on another teams site but having seen OS play both of them if it's alright i'ii give my opinion. Yes Sunbright did put up good numbers against OS last week on a sloppy field against very loose coverage. But I don't think Oneida will be giving them as much space, for sure the best deffense I've seen all year(Oneida). But at the same time don't sell the Sunbright's Qb short, he's a good athelete, and if you give him time he can make you pay. But in my opinion Oneida will be too much for the young men from Sunbright. I believe TL will have a scheme that will keep the Tigers in check, and I know the Tiger's defense can't stop Oneida. No disrespect to the Tigers but you're going against IMO one of the best defensive cord. in east Tenn. and it ain't going to be easy. Good luck to both teams and most importantly hope there's not any injuries.

I heard Sunbright QB Jesse England has been hurt, any truth to this? And whats his status for friday. I hate to hear this about him if its true, he's a good athlete and a really good kid. What about it, anybody know if this is true or not?

I sure hope OZ doesn't think all they have to do is show up and get a win. After the loss friday to Oneida, they need to run the table. Senior's, you will be playing your last regular season games of your high school career these next 3 weeks. If you want to extend your season it's up to you. You guys are the leaders on this team and it's up to you to make sure everyone is ready to play these next games. Make sure you and your team don't take anyone too lightly. Right now you're 5-2 and there is no reason you can't finish the regular season 8-2, "IF" you prepare in practice and bring you're "A" game every week, if that happens you're in the playoffs. I don't know if it's hit you yet, but you're high school football career's are almost over, don't let a lack of respect for your opponents ruin you're senior year, because you don't get any do-overs. GO BOBCATS!!!!

Congrats to the indians, as bad as it pains me to say you all just outplayed us last night. I wish we could have played under better conditions, but thats football. On offense we just couldn't get anything going, on defense, played probably our best game of the season. I don't know if any of the OZ coaches will be reading this or not, but if there is PLEASE scrap that diamond ( four receivers to one side ) formation, because against a good defense like we saw last night it's useless IMO, but who am I to say. To the team get your heads up and get ready to work hard in practice next week, because thats where you get better, on the practice field. We still have a lot of football left, but we can't afford any lackluster performances or we'll be sitting home when the playoff's start. In some of my previous post I've said this team has a chance to be special, and I still believe that. It comes down to how bad do you want it? Another thing, I heard a little grumbling last night, guys, if you're going to accomplish anything in football it's got to be done as a team. And in team I mean as in working TOGETHER and with your coaches. I've seen what grumbling can do to a team and it ain't a pretty site. And I'm not talking just to the players, parents also. If you really want the best for your kids, sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and keep quiet, because if a kid hears his parents complaining about other players or the coaches it can be devestating to the team, and I don't think thats what any of us wants. Now I'm going to get down off my stump and say GO BOBCATS!!!!!

Jellico comes to OZ for homecomming 2009. I think there is a class having a reunion this weekend, if I'm not mistaken it's their 50th. So welcome back to some of you who might not have been here in a while. So what are the thoughts of everyone on the game? My prediction OS 42 Jellico 14

May God grant the famliy of this young man his comfort and grace. This is such a tragedy and we send our prayers and sympathy to this family, team, and community. From the team and community of Oliver Springs.

What are your thoughts on this one. I know Midway is well coached and will be a dangerous team this week because of last weeks defeat at the hands of Grace Christian, so OS had better bring their A game or it could be a repeat of game 3 against Grumdy Co. I hope they learned their lesson, but kids and sports you can never tell. No prediction from me just GO CATS!

I don't know what film you are watching but if it is that bad then if I were you it would already be in the mail to the TSSAA. I got a copy of the channel 12 broadcast and sat down and watched it last night, unless they missed alot of the action I don't see what you are saying. Yes OS had a few personal fouls one was from a player that was tackled (while on defense) because he complained of the no call. Another was after a play where the player thought he was being held and retaleated. And yes they did deserve those penalities, the third one I didn't see it from the stands or on the tape. And that is something that has to be addressed, but in the second one I mentioned, during the scuffle there might have been a punch thrown by the Coalfield player. I'm not saying he did but it could have iterpeted as one. I'm sure there was alot going on out there that neither of us know about but 10 personal fouls? I just didn't see it. Let me ask you this, did Coalfield not do anything to deserve any penalities? I just didn't see the difference in the calls that you are saying. You know last year y'all put it on us, not the refs it was y'all, and i'll give you that. I didn't enjoy it but that was the way it was. I just don't understand why when we beat y'all friday night its the refs, 7 personal fouls that should have been called and a bunch of other things, why can't you just give our kids a little credit? They had a hard week of practice and played a pretty good game. Am I saying we did nothing wrong as far as penalities, NO, but neither did you. Am I saying the refs didn't miss some calls against us, NO, but they also missed some calls against y'all. Like I said at the first of my post, if it was as onesided as you say it was then send it to the TSSAA. But I'm telling you, you had better make sure that second personal foul that I mentioned is not on there because they might interpet that as a punch and I don't know how they would deal with that. I know Coalfield is a better team than we saw Friday but it just wasn't their night, sometimes stuff like that happens. Good luck to y'all the rest of the year, you've got a young team that is only going to get better with time, if you keep your heads up and keep working hard.

Footballer 2008 unless Oakdale can beat Coalfield your chances of the playoffs went up in smoke last week.

Just curious, how many single A schools have gym's capable of seating the required 1000 fans as required by the TSSAA to host a sub-state game. And are your sub-state game's your largest crowds of the year? I personally think this is too high of a requirement for single A schools, who's student attendance is less than half of that, for the most of them. While I realize there has to be a minimum, does it need to be that high? This seems to take from the schools that doesn't have the alot of finiancial resources, and give it to those who do. In other words a reverse Robin Hood "take from the poor, and give to the rich", it just doesn't seem right to me. At the school where I attended, (and now my children attend), was recently put on probation for violating this rule. While I can't complain about us being put on probation, (because we did break the rule) I just think that number is too high. Anyway sub-state games aren't even close to being our largest crowds of the year. If I were a betting man I would bet the number of single A schools whose gym can seat 1000 fans would be far less than 50%. Any opinions, or comments?

Not going to make a prediction this week, because I'm too frustated. If there aren't some changes made soon this is going to be a long year. Don't get me wrong Grundy Co. is not that bad of a team, but we sure made them look alot better than they were. First the offence missed out on some scoring opportunities. I'm not going to mention them individually because I don't believe in calling out kids on this board, but we should of had a few more points, but they also had some bright spots. Overall not too bad of a night. Now where the real frustration comes from is the defence. I don't know if it was scheme or a lack of execution, but I suspect both, in short it was awful. Although I know they played two very good teams to start the season, they hadn't scored a single point in either game. And then come in and put 40 on the board against us, please! While we're not on the same level as their two previous opponents, we're not that bad. I don't remember ever seeing more missed tackles in the open field in a game. Or seeing a team run the same play over and over and over all night and we still haven't stopped it. Come on, we're not that bad. I'm not an X's and O's person, but I do know a little about fundamentals and effort, and I think we were lacking both Friday night. If I was a coach (which I'm not) next week would be filled with tackling drills, especially open field tackling and there is where I would start in determining my starters on defence. And I'm not putting it all on the kids, there are some coaches that need to step up also. This is not a post to bash the team or coaches, I'm saying these things as a challenge to you, because we can be alot better than what we have been this year. As I've said in previous post these kids (and coaches) have such an opportunity to be special, I just wish they would see it and seize it. Now I'll get down off my soap box and say to the kids keep your heads up and start Monday, working hard to put this behind you and doing your best to assure it dosen't happen again. I believe you are capable of doing it or I wouldn't be wasting my time with this post. And that goes for the coaches also. So come on guys and do this for you and your teammates first, because you are the one's who put in the hard work. And in the meantime that will make all us old heads who have pulled that Purple and Gold jersey over our heads in the past, stick out our chest and be proud for you.