ChaunceyGardiner

With a little more ingenuity, you could have found it yourself at the the tennesseean.com Web site: /article/20091008/SPORTS0602/910080337/1/ARCHIVE01 /Army+cadet+from+Hillsboro+finds+relief+on+football+field Just click on the following link: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091 ... ball+field

Down years happen to everybody. Alcoa's record in 2002 was 3-7 with its wins over three winless teams (Harriman, Heritage, and Brainerd). Of course, as long as Gary Rankin remains the coach, a season like that won't likely happen again. 2003 was the first year of the resurgence (2A semifinal loss to Lipscomb). 2004-2008 have been championship years (2004-2005 under John Reid and 2006-2008 under Rankin).

Did Alcoa's Painted Bridge slip into Kingston from Mississippi for the game Friday night? Word on the street is there was an APB sighting.

I won't go quite that far because CAK appears to have its best team in school history and is extremely well coached. CAK is a passing team, and the only two teams Alcoa has played that pass well (Maryville and Scott County) did some damage to the secondary. However, I believe this is one of the best two or three teams in Alcoa football history, too, and in my opinion, it has continued to improve as the season has progressed. The only real letdown in intensity I've noticed all season was in the first half against Loudon, which was understandable coming the week after the Maryville game. One thing I have noticed since Rankin arrived is that his teams are generally extremely focused in the big games (even in the three games they lost to Maryville). With the CAK-Alcoa game likely to be for the district championship, I expect Alcoa to be ready to play and perhaps slip in a few wrinkles on offense they haven't shown all season.

I wouldn't use Milan's offensive statistics against Alcoa as a positive if I were you. Milan didn't manage to get its second first down of the game until midway through the 4th quarter, when the score was already 28-7. And Milan's 7 points at that juncture had come on a blocked quick kick that was returned for a touchdown. Milan did have a good drive at that point that ended in its second touchdown. Part of the reason for Milan's lack of offensive statistics was Alcoa's offensive game plan, which was more conservative than usual in that game. Alcoa so effectively dominated time of possession with its running game that Milan was able to run very few offensive plays. Milan's running game was almost completely shut down until the game was already decided. If memory serves me right, Gilbert had less than 20 rushing yards in the game. Both CAK and Marion County moved the ball much more effectively against Alcoa in the playoffs than Milan did. Milan had a more physically imposing team than either CAK or Marion County. I don't know who would have won a Milan-CAK or Milan-Marion County matchup, but both would have been entertaining games.

That doesn't say too much for Philip Ironsides' coaching. He managed to go 6-6 in 1999 with essentially the same team (one year younger) that went 15-0 in 2000. By the way, SM knew exactly when to leave Sequoyah to go to Alcoa. His 1999 Sequoyah team finished 11-2. The 2000 team went 1-9 and Sequoyah didn't have a winning season again until 2003. He obviously could see what was coming.

Don't go to Murfreesboro on December 4 and 5. You'll find an empty stadium. Try Cookeville.

Somebody may need to cut back a little on the Red Bull.

It's an 'L'......Get it??? If the 'L' stands for Lane, then Lane is vain. And I don't mean Lane G.

^^^^^^

I believe what the Alcoa team and fans were celebrating was a win over "next door neighbor" Maryville more than it was a win over "perennial state champion" Maryville. It was more of a community issue than a championship issue. After losing 8 straight times to a team and its fan base they live and interact with 365 days a year, there was a sense of relief that the team had finally gotten over the hump. The Maryville-Alcoa rivalry existed long before the state playoffs were devised. It has continued to arouse passions on both sides over the years despite the fact that Maryville has won a good percentage of the games during the playoff era and the outcome usually has little or no effect on the playoff fortunes of the two teams. It's my opinion that the rivalry would still arouse passions even if neither Maryville nor Alcoa had ever won a state championship. The fact that both have won boatloads of championships focuses more attention on the game statewide than it would otherwise. In summary, I don't believe the celebration was triggered by Alcoa accomplishing something huge and unthinkable (3 of the past 4 Maryville-Alcoa games were in doubt midway through the 4th quarter, so an Alcoa win over Maryville was not unthinkable). I believe it was just the joy of a big win over your biggest rival after an 8 year wait.

I am not a Fulton fan but just another observer of Knox area teams. That said, even if this is not the typical Fulton team, I would be extremely surprised if it does not make the playoffs. Austin East (3A) has beaten Fulton, but I don't see any of the remaining district teams beating them: Pigeon Forge (3A) Gibbs (4A) Gatlinburg-Pittman (3A) Carter (4A) Union County (4A) A 5-1 district record should be plenty good enough to get them in the playoffs. I would guess that sweeping the other 4A teams - Gibbs, Carter, and Union County would be enough even if Fulton happened to lose at home to Gatlinburg-Pittman (possible) or at Pigeon Forge (very unlikely). Fulton handed a good Morristown West team its only loss and has lost to one very good team (Austin East) and a probable state champion (Alcoa). Gibbs best win of the year has been over Claiborne County. It also has lost to 1A Grace Christian. Carter's wins are against Union County (1-2) and Grainger County (1-3). It has already lost to Hardin Valley (in its first year or varsity competition) and CAK (a good 3A team). Gatlinburg-Pittman's schedule in its first three games has been so weak it is hard to determine whether or not it is strong enough win at Fulton. Its best win came over Oneida, a good 2A team. Pigeon Forge and Union County are rebuilding and do not have the talent to compete with Fulton. In summary, it's my opinion that it would take a loss to Gibbs or Carter to keep Fulton out of the playoffs. And again, in my opinion, a loss to either is unlikely.

I agree that, in trying to win this particular game, Fulton probably would have probably been better off leaving an experienced Winters at quarterback and making do at tight end. Far be it from me to second guess a coach who has won three state championships, but moving Winters to tight end and playing inexperienced quarterbacks was his choice, not a requirement. My guess is that he and his staff made the decision at halftime after the second tight end was injured and they were determined to see it through. Unfortunately for Fulton, the possession that ended in the interception started inside its own ten yard line. The inexperienced quarterback was then asked to make a tough pass on third and long, which ended in an easy Alcoa touchdown. In retrospect, running a conservative play followed by a punt might have been a better course of action. Coach Coatney has a history of making quarterback changes during the season, particularly early. It may be his way of evaluating his quarterbacks by throwing them into the fire against top flight opponents. Typically, by the time the regular season ends, Fulton is playing its best football and is ready to compete in the playoffs. The move he made Thursday night may be part of a long term strategy of finding who will be ready come playoff time rather than the best solution for trying to beat Alcoa.

Does this mean you doubt the usually reliable North Knoxville source?

A usually reliable North Knoxville source confirms tonight that late millionaire grocer Cas Walker planned to reenact his wildly successful live burial of stuntman "Digger" O'Dell at a Broadway location just months after the Chapman Highway extravagana (see quote from citizenx). Walker had even gone so far as to dig the second grave at a site just off Broadway now occupied by Bob Black Stadium. However, O'Dell's attorney demanded more money than Cas was willing to pay, and the plan was abandoned. The grave was refilled and had been forgotten until the night of September 10, 2009, when it caused suspension of the Fulton-Alcoa game.

What has happened to the Sweetwater program? I can't ever remember them being blown out two weeks in a row by 42 points.

I et 6 Richy Kreme donuts this weekend. Still good as ever. Blocked 2 more arteries.

Again, I can't say that you are wrong about the 2007 CAK team. That's the beauty of these message boards - there is no definitive answer. CAK had a balanced offense with the usual strong passing game, this time supplemented by the power running of Kolinsky. My main reason for picking Goodpasture over CAK was the Webb-CAK game, won 42-14 by Webb on CAK's home field. The offenses run by Webb and Goodpasture were very similar. I just think Goodpasture was a bad matchup for CAK. If CAK had been matched up with Donelson Christian Academy that year in the finals, I believe CAK would have won. DCA beat Goodpasture head-to-head, but even as region cochampions with a win head-to-head over Goodpasture, DCA was shipped to the east and Goodpasture to the west. I'm not sure why things were done that way, but it is possible the tiebreaker formula used by the TSSAA forced it to happen. So, DCA had a much tougher draw in the semifinals (Alcoa) than did Goodpasture (Trenton Peabody). Alcoa demolished DCA and Goodpasture easily beat Peabody. As the brackets were constructed, with no Alcoa, CAK would have hosted DCA in the semifinals, and probably would have won. That would have set up the finals matchup with Goodpasture. You and I disagree on what would have happened had these two teams played in the finals. If DCA had been sent west and Goodpasture sent east, Alcoa would have beaten Goodpasture in the semifinals, and DCA likely would have beaten Peabody and reached the finals. Still, if there were no Alcoa, CAK would have met Goodpasture in the semifinals with the game at CAK. The home field advantage might have been enough to tip the scales in favor of CAK. Then, CAK would have matched up with DCA in the finals - a winnable game.

That's what makes message boards like this fun. We can all have our opinions and agree to disagree without being disagreeable. Obviously, both Loudon and CAK have excellent programs, or this discussion wouldn't even be happening. I saw some of the great Loudon teams of the '70s play under Chig Ratledge and realize the tradition of Loudon High School football. In fact, I even worked at the Loudon Maremont plant for three years in the late '70s, so I saw several of their games when they were below championship level but still outstanding. CAK is a much newer school but has already established a championship tradition in soccer (forgive me if I left out other championships - I am just more aware of CAK's soccer success). Given that the school just hired Farragut's baseball coach, it is just a matter of time until CAK wins a state championship in baseball, too. Good luck to both in football. Remember that nobody stays on top forever. In 2002, Alcoa went 3-7, with all wins coming against winless opponents. No 2A playoffs that year. Though Alcoa is unlikely to drop to that level again any time soon, there will be times when the talent level is lower. It always happens in schools with smaller enrollment.

I'll have to disagree on the gold balls going to Loudon or CAK. During Alcoa's 5 year championship run, they have played Huntingdon, Goodpasture (3 times), and Milan in the finals. I doubt that the best Loudon or CAK team in the years 2004-2008 could have won a matchup against any of the 5 runnerups (in 2004, it's a moot point because Loudon and CAK were not in Alcoa's classification). Alcoa beat Huntingdon in 2004 only because it was able to score more than the 41 points Huntingdon scored. CAK was in Class A in 2004 and Loudon was 2-8 in Class AAA in 2004. The three years Alcoa beat Goodpasture in the finals, the primary reason was the tremendous difference in speed between the two teams and Alcoa's playmakers (Dustin Lindsey, Joie Fiegler, Logan Love, Rae Sykes, Kyrus Lanxter, Bart Hicks, Chris Shiverdecker, Randall Cobb, Sam Thompson, Troy Hodge, Tyler Robinson, and many others). This list doesn't include Brandon Warren, who missed the 2005 championship game. All three of Goodpasture's teams had excellent size, line play, a large number of interchangeable running backs, and a tough and physical but slow defense. Neither Loudon nor CAK had gamebreakers like Alcoa's in the 2005-2008 time frame. Goodpasture generally won their games by running a few Wing T plays over and over again using always fresh running backs behind that big line and completely wearing down the opponent. Alcoa beat Goodpasture 55-13 in 2005. Alcoa vs CAK in 2005 - 56-7 and 49-14 Alcoa vs Loudon in 2005 - 28-0 and 26-0 Loudon lost only to Alcoa in 2005, but I believe Goodpasture's size and superior depth would have made the difference. Loudon did not have a good enough offense to outscore Goodpasture. CAK would not have been able to physically line up against Goodpasture in 2005. Alcoa beat Goodpasture 31-3 in 2006. A couple of early turnovers gave Alcoa a quick double digit lead, and Goodpasture was never able to overcome the shock. Kyrus Lanxter had an outstanding game. Alcoa vs CAK in 2006 - 42-0 and 50-7 Alcoa vs Loudon in 2006 - 63-14 Loudon was eliminated from the playoffs 38-14 by Sweetwater. No more analysis is needed. Alcoa beat Goodpasture 35-3 in 2007. Randall Cobb gave a preview of the player he would later become at Kentucky. Goodpasture had no answer for him. Alcoa's team played almost a perfect game that night. Alcoa vs CAK in 2007 - 38-21 and 56-21 Alcoa vs Loudon in 2007 - 42-6 CAK beat Loudon twice, 38-21 and 23-0. The 2007 team is probably CAK's best during this stretch and was probably best equipped of any of the 2005-2008 Loudon and CAK teams to win a state championship if Alcoa were not in the way. Still, in the three games they lost, they gave up 42 points to Webb and 38 and 56 to Alcoa. I believe Goodpasture would have turned loose their power running game (as Webb did versus CAK) and greatly limited the number of plays CAK's offense would have had the ball. Alcoa beat Milan 28-14 in 2008. Other than several of Maryville's teams and Fulton's 3A state champions of 2006, Milan of 2008 is the most physically imposing team Alcoa played during their 5 year championship run. Neither CAK nor Loudon would have stood a chance against the combination of size and speed Milan put on the field. Alcoa's defensive effort in the Milan game is one of the best ever produced by an Alcoa team. Alcoa beat CAK twice, 28-7 and 28-14. CAK played very well in both games. However, it was only 7-3 in other games that season, including losses to Boyd Buchanan, Loudon, and Webb. Alcoa beat Loudon twice, 37-0 and 34-0. Included in Loudon's 8-5 record was a loss to Class A Greenback. I can't see either of those teams running the table and beating a true powerhouse Milan team. In summary, only the 2005 Loudon team and the 2007 CAK team were good enough to make a serious run at the championship. Having seen those teams and the Goodpasture teams of 2005 and 2007 teams play in person, I would have picked Goodpasture to beat Loudon in 2005 and Goodpasture to beat CAK in 2007. Of course, all of this is just my opinion. However, I find it very hard to believe the Class AA gold balls would have gone anywhere besides Goodpasture in 2005-2007 and Milan in 2008.

Actually, I have lots of respect for the CAK football program, particularly in the way it plays against Alcoa. In the Alcoa-CAK games of the past few years, CAK has performed better than many of the higher ranked teams Alcoa has played in semifinal and championship games. Plus, the games have been cleanly played, without the nastiness you often see in other longtime district rivalries. I get the feeling sometimes, though, that if CAK played with the same focus against some of the other teams on its schedule as it does against Alcoa, its won-loss record might be better. The intent of my post was to point out to AHS2010 a possible reason you succinctly answered "No" to the original question. I certainly wasn't trying to avoid discussing Alcoa-CAK games of the past. I didn't think they were relevant to the discussion of whether or not Loudon should get respect. If you want to discuss Alcoa-CAK, please start a separate thread on that topic. I'm sure it will get some reaction.

Not necessarily. Beware of putting too much stock in one game out of a potentially 15 game season. Remember the 2006 Maryville team many thought to be the best in any classification after the state playoffs. Its first playoff game with Brainerd ended 30-26. Brainerd was 4-6 going in to the game and had lost 77-8 to Red Bank earlier in the season. That game would have been meaningful if Brainerd had been able to pull it out and eliminate Maryville from the playoffs, but otherwise, it is pretty much meaningless. One game does not define the whole season. We'll have to wait until the playoffs are over to make an educated guess about the relative strengths of the teams in the various classifications. That said, lest you think I'm a wild eyed apologist for this year's Alcoa team, see this excerpt from one of my earlier posts.

Steve, you must not know much about high school football. Loudon gave Alcoa a great game. The Redskins have a very strong team. Loudon has been one of Alcoa's toughest games over the years and the 2 teams will probably meet again come November... Note to AHS2010: You're talking to a CAK fan possibly still bitter about losing to Loudon in 2008. Loudon plays at CAK on September 18. Should be a good matchup again this year.

Richy Kreme has been the place to go for three generations of overweight Blount Countians. It is located in Eagleton Village right across Broadway from the Eagleton Little League complex and as far as I know, has been in that location since it opened in 1948. See http://www.yelp.com/biz/richy-kreme-donuts-maryville. People who have eaten Richy Kreme and Krispy Kreme brands swear by Richy Kreme. According to Wikipedia, the first shop using the name Krispy Kreme was opened on Charlotte Pike in Nashville in 1933. Its recipes had been bought from Joseph LeBeouf, a Lake Charles, Louisiana gentleman who later ran a doughnut shop in Paducah, Kentucky. So, the Krispy Kreme name preceded Richy Kreme by at least 15 years. I would assume Krispy Kreme has never sued Richy Kreme for use of a similar name. Richy Kreme also used to have an attached drive-in restaurant, where they served the usual hamburgers, etc. I remember their Shrimp Basket, which included fried shrimp, french fries, a large soft drink, and a doughnut for one low price.

Yes, we are aware of Sheila Frost, Marcus Haislip, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the KKK, among other tidbits of Giles County history. Over here in the hills, we have plenty of time to think while we're sittin' on the porch pettin' Old Blue, whittlin' and chewing tobaccy.