OnThePitch... does that mean if MoWest wins you will identify yourself? You and Dins always provide excellent feedback and analysis of games from around the area, and entire state for that matter, why not reveal who you are so we can all know who the brains of the soccer community really is? What is your playing and coaching background? Did you play locally, coach nationally... what is your resume? Same goes for Dins, if you're reading!
On another note... I saw parts of the the Bearden/West, Maryville/TN High, OR/Farragut games. Great early season soccer. I would rank them the following way: 1-Maryville, 2-Bearden, 3-Farragut, 4-OR, 5-West, 6-TN High. Although MHS played a weaker opponent, they are the best at this stage of the season. Traveling to West TN so early in the season will help them, and based on what I saw, they are the front runner to win the title from East TN. In years past, Maryville couldn't win the big game, but with a new coach with new energy and system in place, Maryille will be the last East TN team standing. One Maryville parent told me that the school, players, and parents have a renewed excitement this year for the season. Early season warning: watch out for the Rebels! That said, MoWest might surprise me this weekend and I hope to see a new team rise to the top!
Also... there is some talk on this thread about coaching ability vs. player talent. I submit that West Knoxville typically has the better talent than in other parts of Knoxville, so you would think that anyone could coach them to championships. Not so! The coaching ability is obvious when both Turner and Culbreth have returned trophies to both schools. The parent support is also phenomenal at both. Don't forget that although the parents don't hire the coach initially, we do have the ability to pressure the AD's to retain/replace the coaches if we feel like our kids are not receiving the highest quality of mentoring, coaching, and discipline. My point is, where talent and coaching is absolutely #1 and #2 in the hierarchy of success, the parents at both schools drive a degree of the championship model as well. I commend Bearden, Farragut, CAK, Catholic, West, Maryville, and Webb on their consistency to produce winning seasons and playoff success year after year. Show me a championship team, and I'll show you a program with talent, great coach, and tremendous parent involvement.
I look forward to the season, and as a parent with years of soccer background in both girls and boys seasons, it's exciting to witness the enthusiasm throughout Knoxville and East TN. Now that mine are graduated, I hope to be entertained in the stands of schools from around the area. My best to all!