BurroBall

I agree. HHS, Melrose, and Memphis East are all struggling this year. The 2009 5A State Championship is Henry County's to lose. There won't be much, if any legitimate resistance to that notion from anyone else.

Well, I see you're biased to East TN football...even in the new 6A. We'll see what happens come playoff time. Perhaps you did not read the sentence at the end of the poll. No, I read and comprehended the entirety of your post. My response remains the same.

Well, I see you're biased to East TN football...even in the new 6A. We'll see what happens come playoff time.

I think the Burros might actually be somewhat competitive in this game, but then I thought they would be competitive against everyone this year and never expected them to be blown out by the likes of Maplewood, Whites Creek, Gallatin, and Franklin. However, they managed to pull off the win against Ravenwood and scored 14 against Siegel so.....

It's a good thing for you this is the 21st century....as recently as 150-200 years ago, you would be put in the stocks for an entire day for such things! I always knew that if Aydelott would decide to incorporate his pass plays into his standard playcalling, he would be even more successful than he has been in the past. He has apparently done that this season. Congrats to him and the Riverdale Warriors!

I will say that if the kids are refusing to buy in to the new coaching staff's way of doing things.....that's a problem and is on them. However, Blade had the exact same issue in 2006 (albeit with more talent) with players who revered Aydelott. That being said, the coaches must get the kids to buy into their way of doing things. Blade understood this and got them to do it over time. It is the coaches' responsibility to set the standard and then demand the kids do whatever it takes to meet that standard. However, the coaches must have their standard and stick with that standard. The kids immediately lose trust in the coaches when they drastically change the way of doing things mid-season. They begin to question whether they even know what they're doing.

Well, in my honest opinion, HHS football has fallen back to rock bottom of MNPS. I think HHS-Hillwood would be a very competitive game right now. Also, I wouldn't count on the coaching staff making too many more drastic changes this season.

I don't know if Oak Ridge will pull off the upset or not...especially since Farragut beat them pretty handily, but I will never count out a Blade coached football team...and I bet George Quarles won't either.

I wouldn't have a problem with going outside, as the last time they went outside the program as well despite having many quality assistants applying for the job, but I don't think this coaching staff is ready for the HHS football program. HHS is quickly falling back into being an MNPS also-ran again. I'll be interested to see if HHS makes any legitimate attempts to stop the freefall and get things back in the right direction. Right now, things do appear very bleak for the football program.

I've heard that Aydelott has been throwing the ball this year. If that is the case, I'm not really surprised that they pulled the upset against Oakland. Aydelott runs the Wing-T as good as anyone, but his only flaw has been he NEVER wanted to have to pass, despite having pass plays. In my opinion, it cost him two state championships at HHS. However, if he has finally decided to incorporate that into his offensive philosophy: WATCH OUT!

I think the parity of the old 5A/new 6A is why many people feel like it was/is stronger than the old 4A/new 5A. Maryville, HHS were the ONLY programs in 4A that won the state championship since 2000, and at least one of them was in the championship game every year. Also, the combination of HHS-Maryville and Maryville-Melrose was the 4A State Championship game 6 times in 9 years. In fact, Memphis East, Maplewood, and Morristown West were the only other teams to even make an appearance in the 4A state championship game since 2000. So only 6 different programs even made an appearance in the state championship and only two different programs won the championship in 9 years. Now, compare to 5A for the same time period: Red Bank-Riverdale, Riverdale-Hendersonville, Riverdale-Brentwood, Riverdale-Germantown, Riverdale-Franklin, Oak Ridge-Ravenwood, Smyrna-Ravenwood, Smyrna-Independence, Oakland-Franklin Riverdale appeared was in the championship game 5 years in a row, but only managed two state championships. 7 DIFFERENT programs won the 5A state championship and 11 DIFFERENT programs have made championship game appearances since 2000. Only Smyrna and Riverdale won more than one (two championships each). Only Riverdale (5), Smyrna(2), Franklin (2), and Ravenwood(2) had more than one appearance in the championship game. Additionally, no two teams matched up in the championship game more than once. The only thing was that either Rutherford County or Williamson County had representatives in every championship game and they both had representatives in 5 of the 9 years. However, that being said, I always believed that Maryville-HHS were the best two teams in Murfreesboro in the 4 years they faced off and I would have gladly put either team against any of the 5A representatives.

5A is the almost exact same teams that the old 4A was. Also, HHS has played the likes of MBA, and Franklin during the regular season each of the last two years, while scrimmaging the likes of BA, Ensworth, Smyrna, etc. I'd say they are well aware of what "big-boy" football is. I think there are many factors in the terrible season HHS is in the process of having. Some of it has to do with the competition of District 11-AAA and the non-district opponents, but when HHS is getting blown out by the likes of Maplewood and Whites Creek (at home), teams they have dominated for years, something bigger is amiss. I just hope HHS does whatever it takes to get it corrected. I sure don't want to see HHS football become a doormat all over again.

That sounds like the reason to buy Vanderbilt football season tickets for approximately the last 15 years!

I hope you don't think I'm one of those who is jumping off the bandwagon. I still support HHS football thoroughly, but like I have said in prior threads: the HHS football program will likely never experience the kind of success they have had over the last 8-10 years. That was nothing short of SPECIAL! I am glad to have witnessed it, but am disappointed it is now over. I will be interested to see if HHS makes any legitimate attempts to keep their football program afloat after all the hard work to make it so successful or if they will simply let it fall into the abyss. I hope for the former, but I am concerned they may instead employ the latter.

Yep, you nailed it: typical MNPS. That is largely the reason for the low attendance despite the last decade of success. Imagine if somewhere like Gallatin or another small town high school football program in an outlying county had the success HHS has had for the last 8-10 years (2 State Championships, 3 State Runner-Ups)... Also, HHS football has now lost a head coach and 3 assistants from last year's state championship team and drastically changed playbooks, in addition to the seniors lost to graduation. It's a shame this game wasn't played years ago because it would have been much more competitive if it had. I honestly don't know if next year's game at Gallatin will be much better at the rate things are going downhill for HHS. Good luck to the Green Wave the rest of the season!

John Koen Stadium is not the only place like that either unfortunately. Despite all the on the field success, funds are still as low as ever for the HHS football program. Sad thing is if schools in outlying small towns had the kind of success HHS football has had over the last decade, the football program would likely have plenty of people lining up to donate money.

Well, when HHS had FAR more talent and speed than they have now, they couldn't simply out-talent anyone, so I HIGHLY doubt it will be possible now. If this was ever the case, I think all MNPS high schools would have much more success on the gridiron than they do on a regular basis. Therefore, I hope the coaches/players actually figure out some way to make this thing work. Independence and Centennial are definitely still winnable district games, but NOTHING will come easy for the Burros...for any coaches/players who think they can simply show up and out-talent anyone.

I REALLY wish this game had been played years ago. I hope the Burros compete well in this one and hopefully come away with a victory at home and regain their swagger a little bit. Go Burros!

Doesn't anyone read for content? I said HHS football was MNPS's dynasty from 1999-2008 with a record of 48-7 against MNPS opponents. That is all I said. However, there were very few programs in all of TN that were better than HHS on the gridiron from 2001-2008 (2 State Championships and 3 State Runner-Ups in 8 years). Alcoa, Maryville, and Fulton are the ONLY Division I programs in TN that did any better during that time as far as championships. HHS was FAR MORE than "solid" during that time....More like one of the most successful football programs in all of TN, regardless of classification. Only Maryville (6 Championships 1 Runner-Ups), Alcoa (5 Championships 0 Runner-Ups, Fulton (3 Championships 2 Runner-Ups), David Lipscomb (2 Championships 3 Runner-Ups), Bishop Byrne (3 Championships 2 Runner Ups), and BA (1 Championship and 6 Runner-Ups) have played for the State Championship as many or more times during that span than HHS. Also note: of those programs, 3 are private schools, 2 are Division II programs, and 2 of the 3 public schools are at least half the size of HHS in total student population.

He's the HC at Oak Ridge High School.

We beat a team who had a 74 win streak...who else can do that? Someone eventually would have knocked them off. Obviously this year Alcoa would have ended the streak. To me a dynasty is multiple consecutive years of dominance like Maryville and Alcoa. Also a number of teams could have knocked them off.....MBA, Ensworh, MUS, BA, Smyrna, Brentwood, Franklin, and several others from east or west Tn could have given Maryville good games. Now for more important information....congratulations to HHS on being on top for at least a day in the new district. Some things I saw from the game: lots of little mistakes from the burros from penalties to calling a timeout on the first play after halftime. #2 seemed to tweak his ankle near the end and his backup didnt look real comfortable carrying the ball or getting hit which led to a fumble. Third...where is Coach K and when did Baskins come on board? Fourth....the burros still have their swagger yet they are 1-2. There seemed to be a lot of jawing coming from the burros and Ravenwood would just walk back to the huddle. Everytime one burro in particular made a play he had something to say. I like confidence but I dont like all the talk. Let your actions speak for you. Your talk might just come back to bite you in the rear. Again congrats burros. Yep, but it was HHS who completed the task. Btw, sure seems like HHS is becoming more like the rest of MNPS again to me. I REALLY hope that doesn't continue and can be put back on the right track. Sad stuff to see.

Read the post again. MNPS's dynasty with a record of 48-7 against MNPS opponents from 1999-2008. That's what I said. In response to your question, Two State Championships and 3 State-Runner Ups (all to Maryville) in 8 years time. Maryville and Alcoa are the only ones I know of as far as State Championships go that were any better during that time. Of Course, MBA, BA, and MUS did extremely well in Division II also.

Maryville did dominate HHS by winning 3 of 4 State Championship games head to head. What's your point? They earned every single one of them and beat some extremely talented HHS teams. Also, MBA has an all-time record of 39-12-1 against HHS in football. I'd say that's DOMINATION. So back to what I was saying: HHS football has been the dynasty of MNPS football for the last 8-10 years. 48-7 against MNPS opppnents says it all. HHS lost to Maplewood once (2007). Hillwood, Antioch, and Stratford all beat HHS once (in 2004). Pearl-Cohn beat HHS twice (2003 and 2004). Overton's marching band out performed HHS's football team more times from 1999-2008 than their football team did. I suppose you're correct though, Pearl-Cohn has the honor of beating HHS more times since 1999 than any other MNPS program by having a record of 2-3 against them. "Open-zone" status began at HHS in either 2003 or 2004 and yes, it definitely has helped, along with having great academics, but I would say the best talent HHS ever had on one team was before it even gained that status (2001 and 2002 teams). However, now, my understanding is that HHS isn't the only MNPS high school with that status. Two State Championships and Three State Runner-Ups in 8 years is unprecedented in MNPS football. It was a great run while it lasted! It will be tough to likely not see the Burros in the state playoffs this year for the first time since 1996.

First of all, MLK no longer co-ops with HHS because of a parent, who from my understanding, threw a fit over his son and he was in direct conflict with the coaching staff about the whole matter. Ergo, he passed it off as Blade/HHS are mistreating MLK kids and not giving them an opportunity. However, that was never the case under Aydelott or Blade. Also, if this is merely part of a talent "cycle" that everyone goes through...let me know the next time a football program in MNPS dominates the rest for a 9-10 year period like HHS has. No question, it had to do with talent, but there was something else too. I don't pretend to know exactly what it was, but it wasn't something we'll likely see again anytime soon. The last 8-10 years of HHS football have been SPECIAL! I am glad to have witnessed it and on this I'll have to disagree with you: I don't think HHS football will be back around in the kind of manner they have been during the aforementioned time period. What HHS football has been in MNPS recently can only be classified in one word "Dynasty". From 1999-2008 HHS football against MNPS opponents: 48-7 (.873). Also, consider that outside of that abberation of a 2004 season (when Antioch, Stratford, and Hillwood were all having their best season in years and HHS was having their worst), their record against MNPS schools during the same time period was 48-3 (.941).

If you are addressing my comment, it was that not MANY MNPS coaches can teach or believe in anything else. It is the system that has brought many MNPS football programs whatever success they have had, HHS included during Aydelott's tenure. I'm sure every MNPS coach has tried something different at one point or another, but the Wing-T seems to still be the philosophy of many. It's not just in MNPS either. Btw, I am not going to stop supporting HHS football just because of the current state of the program. However, I am saying that the best years of HHS football are most likely now in the past. Feel free to disagree if you wish. I hate it for the current players the most. College scholarship offers that might have been there, could easily become not as high profile or even worse might disappear entirely.