BatmanDB

I seen the best of times and the worst of times as a parent with athletes in the Kingsport school system.Two of my boys went to Robinson and then DB.I've never had anything bad to say about Jeff and those guys at Robinson in different sports.There were several coaches at DB in different sports back then as there are now that I liked very well and if turned loose,I thought a couple could have helped the football program much more.

Good story RR.Alcoa is something special,they can step on the field with most teams nomatter who they are.If they were 6A,you would probably see national championships on top of state championships.

First ,there have been a lot of very good athletes come through DB and that's not the problem.Just take last years team that was made up of two middle schools that both beat my Devils when they were in the 8th grade and together couldn't beat the same players last year.That's not an athlete problem.Most years the strongest kids do exactly what those three you wrote about done.Yes it's a cluster and a shame that DB doesn't have what my school has at Greeneville.Simple answer for the strength part,was to hire someone that could train not only football players but all the athletes and they were supposed to do that a couple years ago.The problem with everything at DB, is everyone wants to help their own family and friends but can't see that little Johnny might not be the right person for some jobs.Now as a former parent that seen some coaches had their hands tied and had to do what they were told, including the weight training.I took it on myself to help my kids and they in turn helped several more along the way even when they were no longer playing.No, it wasn't near enough but I'll say this for the 1000th time.If the school isn't going to do it,more parents and kids will have to take it upon themselves.If you don't have the money for a private gym then atleast do some of the things my kids done when they were not weight training.At 12 years old,one of mine done atleast 1000 situps , 700 pushups ,plus ran a hill countless times every week.When I started his weight training program at home,he continued those things on his own time.Now when he got over to DB,we just worked around what training he got there and used DB for warmups and he got his big training in at night and weekends most of the time.So players and dads,thats something to think about going forward along with the training you get at school.

I've heard a few things but not about the meeting.Every player and every parent has to weigh out what is best for them.Db is a great place to get a quality education.No it's not perfect but show me a school that is.When you have a kid playing football or coming up and you see something is a cluster,it's hard not to say what you think.I got a double dose of the way things are done in Kingsport over the years.I had one son that was the strongest on the team and a athlete during the spring of his 9th grade year .He was disrespected and that has to be one of the dumbest things ever by a coach but it is what it is and my son in no way was going to play from that point on but at the same time wasn't going to leave his friends or school.I had another son who loved most of the coaches and was treated with respect and had a great football career at DB.All was good until he was a threat to actually come back and help this weak azz program around the same time.Then he to was disrespected and it is what it is once again.

I'll bring back the colors for this one.Seniors,it's not been the season you wanted but if these are your last two games,how do you want to go out ? Win or lose,you want to look back and say you gave it everything and played every last play as hard as you could.I know as a former Dobyns Bennett dad,one of my most proud moments was when one of my sons played his last game and it was against Maryville.He played his heart out and never hung his head .I'll never forget telling my wife during the game that even though we are getting beat,our son is having a hail of a game. He went out as a warrior and gave 100% until that last second ticked off the clock.Underclassmen,your time will be here before you can turn around,send your senior leaders out as winners and maybe the bunch behind you will do the same in a year or two.Roll Tribe !!

I've seen them leave in games that we're not decided until the very end

On one hand it does but on the other not really.Great player.It will be interesting at the next level,he will adjust I'm sure.Kingsport might need to annex into Virginia ! I remember my youngest playing GC in the 7th at Robinson,I knew they had some athletes over there.

Maryville has only been a problem for DB and SH since 2009 when the tssaa changed to 6 classes for the non private schools and Maryville moved on up from 4a to play the big boys.I didn't think they would do as well but my hats off to the Red Rebels.Even with a new coach,they found a way to get it done this year.I have said for years that the talent is at DB and SH,but there just hasn't been all the parts at the right time.It can be done in this area as the Devils have proven in Greeneville and another bunch of Devils 10 miles away from DB just got done in Virginia high school Basketball.

My old colors for this post.I wish coach Clark all the best in retirement.I've had great times as a football parent and DB fan over the years and there have been times I could spit fire.That's life and time marches on,all the best to coach Clark .

Right now the only change that needs to be made has ZERO to do with sports.You had better believe me that parents are on everyone's azz that has anything to do with the security of our kids at DB.Winning football games means nothing compared to that.

My DB colors for this post , even though I will do it by habit from time to time.I told a friend working for DB on top of the press box that even though I was a Devil and wanted Greeneville to win for so many personal reasons,I just can't pull against those DB boys that I have known for so long.I was so proud of many of those guys making huge plays ,but so mad at the same time about the players that were not with them and the stupid reasons for part of that.That could be huge as the year goes on.A few more strong athletes up front with speed on defense would have gave a great depth for pass rushing and stopping the run this year.A sure no miss D1 player ( 6'5'' 300 plus as a 9th grader}on that offensive line would have made it even bigger and better,plus added depth .The fastest player from this class could have been a deep threat on every play and a game changer on special teams.That all said,anyone that knows a little about the game or has eyes to see with,knows Friday was a game that there just is no excuse for if you are a dB fan,player,whatever.I know this can still be a great year for those boys,but against a DEEP team with a STRENGTH program like DB should have had,there is no room for mistakes and I hope for these young men it goes that way and this isn't 3 straight years of what the football happened and why wasn't it different.

Come on pudding,it's great entertainment and meant to show a little bias towards the Devils.Doesn't really matter about rules and getting everything "correct".Like saying Braveheart got it wrong because Wallace didn't really wear a kilt.Now if BVD was getting paid a nice amount of money for his many hours to put together a vid like this ,I'd expect it to perfect like Batman's spelling.

Now,it's tme for a another DB football parent to step in for the kids on the T because my time has came and gone.Good luck to all those DB players I've watched over the years.Not quitting the T just stepping out of the way.

Great to hear about Bryce going to Nebraska to run track.