NikeBacksTheFalcons

It hurts to even post this but he is done for the year, broken radius bone from planting his arm so he could try to get a few more yards. Prayers for him would be appreciated as he is in surgery right now.

I never claimed to be a coach football, I just give opinions which is the purpose of a message board, you can take what I say with a grain of salt because I'm just a fan of the game that wants to see this boys win more than anything. I just want to know why everyone is so against playing the boys both ways? Every school we play will do it all season long, because it gives them the best chance to win. Look at North last night the QB was in on almost every tackle, and had the INT before halftime. I know Houston is very athletic and would make a great CB with his speed. Add Jesse to the linebackers, Jordan Lawson to the linebackers, Devin at CB. And with Kory, Sam, and once Robert gets back, Hunter Lawson up front with rotation of Jared Rogers, Peyton Arnold and throw Joe Marsh in the mix at d-line, We have some legit chances to stop anyone in the league. We have given up more points than any team other than Central, when it comes to defense it is never a good thing when the safety is the leading tackler and that happens too much for us. Again just an opinion, not looking to get bashed for throwing it out there. I know you all want to see these boys win as well.

Just like always Volunteer fans attacking other Volunteer fans, instead of creating a united front.

Raiderdad your son played a heck of a game both ways, I hope he goes on to have a great season! I really feel you all having your key players in every snap is what helped lead you all to the victory. If we even played a few players both ways on key 3rd or 4th down calls the game could have been different. Our coaches just have to learn moving forward that may be what it takes, also having plays ready and not getting so many delay of game calls. I want to see these boys get to celebrate victories so let the players play who give them the best chance.

In less than 24 hours hopefully the Falcons will be 1-0 and flying high! You all have worked hard since last fall, make the hard work pay off and make this the best season in Volunteer football history

Thanks for your intrest in my profession, Nike is a great company and has treated me well. I enjoy waking up every day for work and motivating my employees. I want to see the best for Volunteer every year and thus why I still support them. Every coach receives flack, take a look at the DB after they lose in play offs every year, take a look at college message boards and even NFL, It's a part of the job, I wish the best to Coach Rider and hope he inspires the boys each and every week, I have never talked bad about him as a person, as he is a great person and mentor to the boys, as I hear how much they all love him. All I have to say is Go Falcons beat North!

Devin Rogers can definitely catch the ball, and I feel if he did play the slot receiver role he would have huge amounts of yardage and td's and take a lot less of a beating then he does having to break 2 to 3 tackles to get out of the backfield. Peyton Arnold is a big strong kid that would definitely play both ways in my lineup. As for the current players on defense stepping up to the challenge, the secondary is where the main problem is, I would have Sam Barton as a corner, Joe Green the other corner and Devin Rogers as safety. Linebackers I would add Jordan Lawson and Joe Marsh to the linebacker mix. Houston Harris would also see time as a corner on my defense.

I feel with the right play calling and the right people on the field Volunteer can surprise a few teams this season. We have the talent, just need the coaching and intensity that other teams have. If not playing the best players both ways all the time at least play them on key situations on defense to get the stop. I will say if the coaches do call a good game for Volunteer then the falcons will win. Falcons 35 Golden Raiders 21

Nodaddyball that is exactly what we need, is a coach that is full of intensity and fire! I have been driving all the way from Pigeon Forge this will be the 4th year now to watch the Falcons every Friday night, almost every scrimmage and even some summer league 7on7. My heart goes out to these kids each week as they give their all but haven't been coached up properly before each game and during the games. If your coach is quiet and doesn't speak with passion the kids are going to be quiet and not be fired up. Coach Rider all the fans ask is that you and your staff show some passion and let us hear you get these kids fired up, give the players who want to play both ways a chance to do so and I am willing to bet we the team wins a lot more games. I want nothing but the best for these kids.

I would think the opposite as in my opinion winning would put more butts in the stands. Every other team plays their best athletes both ways, at Volunteer we have a couple of kids on defense that should never play even one play. The seniors who have put in so much effort, and time, and they want to play both ways should get the chance. Let the kids leave it all on the field.

Great additions to this topic Jake and BatmanDB!

Couldn't agree more, I know I was one to harp on the previous coach but I would give anything to have Gene Venable coaching this team, at least he could motivate his kids. I never even see Rider or Lark try to fire up any of these boys. After 3 hard seasons Rider has been given another chance but we are seeing the exact same thing him standing with his hands on his knees looking down at the ground hoping for an answer. These kids deserve so much more, they deserve the chance to compete for wins, please if you read this play your best athletes both ways and instead of the defense being out there for 6 to 9 minutes at a time you may get some 3 and out series. We have athletes that have the desire to compete, let them do so!

I really like the intensity that Tennessee High is bring with their no huddle offense. Boone had a hole to run through anytime they wanted. South's passing game will be good again. Science Hill and DB both looked good. Coach Rider at Volunteer is going to have to change the play calling and personal on defense, he needs to realize that all schools play their key players both ways, you would think after getting another shot he would do what it takes to make changes.

Coach Rider instead of being on the practice field you should have been watching your competition and how they play their best players both ways as South's starting QB intercepted a pass and took it to the house. Play your best players both ways.

Where ya sittin WacoJaco, wanted to stop by and say hello.

It would be great if our coach had half the intensity of his nephew, love how Shawn is vocal and gets after his players and teaches them right there on the spot. Also if we played our best athletes both ways how betsy does we would have a much better chance in every game.

It would be great if our coaches at Volunteer would realize that if they played the best players both ways it could mean a world of difference between 2-8 season that could become a 6-10 season and a playoff appearance. We have 5 players on offense, that need to be on the field when the defense is out playing as they are the most athletic kids on the field. We have seen this in the stands for 3 years now. I have always known the best players see the field in high school.

Long time debate by fans at Volunteer, so I'm trying to see what other schools are doing as it seems like every team that we scrimmage or play against have the best athletes on the field on offense and defense. Some people try to say due to conditioning high school athletes should only play one side of the ball. But I feel that if you want to win games you must play the best players both on offense and defense, as we are talking about 15-17 year old boys that should be in prime condition. What's your thoughts on this? Also what do you think about key players telling their coaches they want to play both ways, and the coaches just ignoring them or telling them no. It seems as if the kids want to win and the coaches want to just be fair and play other kids, this isn't little league where you let everyone play to be equal...

Let's here your thoughts on this matchup

I also do not understand why we don't play all the best players both ways, the only school that I know of in East Tennessee that has the luxury to do this is Maryville. They also have over 2000 students and 11 state championships. To win in high school football it takes putting the very best players on the field on offense and defense even if that means you have 90% of the team playing both ways. I know these boys work hard all year round and its not fair that they have to suffer through all these losses, they have the talent. Coaches just need to realize what works and what doesn't and call the plays that set this team up for success! Nobody can question my loyalty to this team for the scrimmages and games I drive at the very least 1:30 mins to support this school. It would be nice to make the late night Friday ride home happy from a victory.

Tough loss last night for the Falcons. I wish the offense would spread it out more, kinda hard to get much going when you have 8 men in the box on every single play. I also feel you have to play your best players on both sides of the ball at the high school level. If you noticed Betsy had 7 starters playing both ways, in high school this is necessary to win the game. Keep working hard in practice guys and if the right plays are called you will find that victory! Not to go back to last season or to get into an arguement but SeeingthingsoO you must have Rogers confused with another player that was injuried. Rogers had shoulder surgery that ended his season, then ended up with a perforated stomach ucler(Devin was deathly ill, which lead to him losing the 35 pounds) that had in him in the hospital in Knoxville for nearly a month including the last few games of the season. You can even ask Coach Rider on that because he did visit Rogers while in the hospital in Knoxville. No more bashing this team guys, this team win and lose as an entire squad. I saw alot of fight in our team last night, if a few plays happen differently we could have come out with the W!

I hate hearing that Austin has been lost for the year, but the most important thing is getting his knee back to full health, football doesn't matter when you have an injury as bad as his. Is Franklin lost for the season as well, or is there a chance he could make it back for the last few games? It's going to be really tough going against DC with all the starters we have out, also with Arnold being out for the game. I hope we can pull together and come out of this game with a win. It will help boost morale for the boys.

I'm kinda happy with the fact that at the Volunteer concession stand this year we have chik-fil-a sandwiches. And towards the end of the game they go on sale for $1.50 can't beat that. We also do have some burgers that are cooked right on the grill and sold through out the game.

Has anyone got word on how Austin Gray is doing? Also how are some of our other injuried players doing, what is the time table on Franklin being out? Definitely a hard loss last night to be so close and just have it slip away, keep fighting on Falcons and everyone continue to support the team and coaches.

Wow, I didn't realize that we came out of last game with so many injuries. Of course I knew about Franklin and Rogers, Also I have heard that Jordan Lawson Punter/Fullback is done for the season as well, can anyone else confirm that?