JcToPpEr103803

THSVikings2004, I look forward to posting with you and who is it Cap?? among others this week, and I am excited about this game. I love coming to the Castle, even though we haven't fared so well in recent years. As your topic points out, this is indeed a game of redemption for the Toppers. Last season, a few 4th down turnovers that should have been SH field goals, combined with 30 yards in penalties against SH on the last drive, set up Mason Canty to Thomas Turnbull for 39 yds, a TD, broken hearts across Johnson City, and a season ending skid that is surely mathematically impossible to repeat. No one loses like SH did last season in the 2nd half of the year. SH is out to get everyone's minds off of the hail mary miracle TD from TN High, and back to the fact that SH, despite an anemic offense last season, and some terrible play calling, stood toe to toe with TN High for 47:30 last season. This junior dominated SH team is totally different from last season's team. Speed and outside plays are still the basis, but this season, SH has the players to make it work. Isaac Kinley, Wes Forbush, Armando Canepa, Ryan Mitchell, Corey Macpherson, and Daniel Norris will carry the offense. Much of the same on defense, with Kinley, Forbush, and Norris the Topper's starting secondary. These guys are as solid a secondary as most in the region. Senior leadership is key in the linebacking core with Zach Jordan, Jeff Green, Caleb Mancuso, and Obie Patton being key players in the rotation. Will Rentel will anchor the defensive line, and Jordan Alexander has been coming into his own as a backup defensive end. The question: will the SH defense, a bit mediocre against the run, be able to slow Keenan Shepard, Taylor Harmon, Mason Canty, and the TN High offense? Also, will the Topper offense be able to move the ball against a Viking defense that is speedy and athletic every year? TN High's defense, and the Viking home crowd, will keep the Topper offense in check, but several big plays from Isaac Kinley and Wes Forbush, combined with some good special teams play by Corey Macpherson and Ryan Mitchell could be the difference in field position and a few crucial points. I like Brandon MacAuley to settle this low scoring affair with a FG close to the end of the 3rd Qtr. Science Hill: 17 TN High: 13 Picks: 3-1. 3 in a row. Hopefully more of the same this coming Friday in Bristol. Good luck to all.

The Toppers got away with one here. Can't make those mistakes against TN High. They fought and they came up with an ugly one but like everybody says, a W is a W. People say SH is back with this win over SC. I'd like to think that, but I know better. Good job guys, but the only way to cement your status as a region 1-5A contender is to beat TN High in the Castle. The atmosphere, and Coach Stubbs patented run game, should make this a fun one. I can't wait to see it. The competition that South and TN High bring as 4As prepares the Toppers for the region 1-5A schedule. This game is more of a test than SC. TN is going to line up and try to make Shepard into a star, the Topper defense needs to stay low and prevent long gains on the ground. I can't wait for friday in Bristol.

And I mean really, I can't be that off: my picks are 2-1 out of 3 games and picking SH to beat South was little more than wishful thinking. I picked scores of 35-14, and 28-14, for SH to beat Elizabethton and West and I must've known something because if I recall correctly (which I do), in the 4th qtr of both games, SH was ahead for a good while 28-14. They beat both teams 28-21, meaning, I was 2 scores off in the Elizabethton game, and 1 score off in the West game. Really not bad picking if I can say so myself. Also, you can't discredit information that has been proven on the field. The linebackers REALLY have struggled in pass coverage, Isaac and Wes REALLY will have to create a good amount of yards for the offense, and SH REALLY could get killed by this year's SC team if they don't come to play. Plus, I know almost every single kid in uniform, and every single one of the coaches pretty well. Where do YOU get your info???, because YOU haven't made any observations or predictions, you've only tried to downplay mine...

Enlighten me then, friend... I'm just saying what I've seen on the field since I've watched the Toppers play in their 3 games this season, and I might know more than you'd think, seeing as this is the 1st time in 5 years that I have been under a baseball cap instead of a football helmet at Science Hill games..

This one could come down to Science Hill's linebackers vs Zac Flynn and Patrick Miller. The SH secondary is playing well, but the linebackers have struggled in pass coverage and crossing routes have been easy money for their opponents. If this trend continues, it could be an ugly night for SH if Patrick Miller is as good as advertised. If the linebackers can start covering consistently well, SH could take this one on the legs of Isaac Kinley and Wes Forbush. Armando Canepa and Ryan Mitchell will get the carries, but Forbush has been Kinley's most consistent target this season. SH is a junior dominated team with not as many seniors as they've had in the past. This is a test for the young guys. They have to step up. They looked stoppy in the win over Elizabethton, and almost gave the Cyclones the game. Against West, they had a much better overall game and played with energy and they were physical for the whole game. If they play like they did against the Cyclones, SC could run away with this one like SH did last year. If they play like they came to play in the West game, this could be a defining moment in their season and program. Things could get interesting when they resumed the conference schedule after a date at Tennessee High...

Is Zac Flynn mobile? Whenever SH had good coverage, SC QBs have traditionally tucked and ran fairly well over the last few years. What was that kid that gave us fits for the last couple years? I might be wrong but I want to say Watson. Dont know the 1st name

Science Hill has 6'6 returning starter at WR, #1, Larry Smith. OLB #86 Zach Jordan will most likely see time at slot. He is 6'4. #2 Tomas Hill last season graduated. Starting tailback Armando Canepa is #2 now. Caleb Mancuso may also be asked to play slot and he is about 6'3. #6 last season, Ashlon Adams 6'5, transferred to Dobyn-Bennett and is wearing #25 for the Indians. #7 Wes Forbush is 6'2. Corey Macpherson #8 is more of a shorter, shiftier guy with above average speed. Seems like he never gets tired either. Your other look would come from this seasons #6 Greyson Janeway, but he was injured against West, and as far as I know he is not playing. What position does Patrick play? What do the SC WRs and DBs look like? They are usually a talented group for you guys. Man those Feezels have been there awhile. There was one every year I played.

Friday you'll see a few different looks. I learned last season that Coach Smith loves to put in new sets and packages every week, whether or not he uses them in that game. Coach Smith, ever since the South debacle last season, has been playing everyone both ways. Key players you'll see: Isaac Kinley #5 will be taking snaps at QB and playing FS. Left handed and mobile, a head hunter in the secondary. #7 Wes Forbush will play WR and CB. He is about 6'2 and 170-180. He's got 2 picks on the year. #8 Corey Macpherson will play WR, KR, and take some snaps at CB after gettting a crucial INT that changed the West game. #4 Daniel Norris will start at CB though and Corey will come in when Coach Overbay sees fit. Daniel could take some snaps at QB, but his snap count has steadily decreased since the South game. Look for him to throw when in the game. #23 Ryan Mitchell and #2 Armando Canepa will share the workload at RB and Armando will also play stud. Look for Ryan to get looks on KR too. The defense will have #86 Zach Jordan, #51 Jeff Green, and #45 Logan Honeycutt at linebacker. These guys love to hit, but Zach is the more finesse and speed guy in that group. He has an eye for the ball and soft hands in coverage. Michael Sholes #21 and Obie Patton #40 could also see some time, mixing in and out with the first team linebackers and playing special teams. Josh Lewis #33 I think, is the smallest nosetackle alive. I played corner and had a slight size advantage over him, but he makes it up with heart and hustle. Will Rentel #58 and Jordan Alexander #42 will be ends. #77 Zach Collie will also be a key defensive lineman. #15 Brandon MacAuley will kick, and based on what I've seen from the stands, will pick up where he left off last season, nailing 100% of his kicks last season in addition to being one of the leading tacklers on the kickoff team. He's about 5'11 140 but he loves to hit when he gets the chance. Prayers for #6 Greyson Janeway, a young receiver who was poised to step up this season. He had a few catches in the all 3 games, but he was injured against West in the 1st half and spent the rest of the game on crutches. He is a good kid, a hard worker, and I hope for a speedy recovery.

What does Sevier County have on the field? In terms of returning starters or new players that will make an impact on the field what is there to expect?

You think so? What does Sevier County have this year? I haven't seen them this year.

First, let me state the obvious. IMO, SHHS is playing a lot better this season than last. They had the same record at this point last season (2-1), but had not been tested like they have this year. South is South. They'll be tough for SH to open against every year. Elizabethton and Morristown West though, we blew them out last year. This year, we beat them in much closer matchups. I feel like having to dogfight against early opponents in the schedule will help our boys down the stretch in matchups against TN High, Jeff Co, and Bearden. These are teams who we usually struggle with because of their dependence on the run and our reluctance to stop it. Well, I'm seeing a whole different team this season. Last night, the guys had 2 mean stops to keep West at bay. Yes the Trojans tailback had over 150 yds, but it's not fantasy football so the stats don't matter if you lose. There has been a tremendous youth movement up on the hill. The Toppers graduated 22 seniors last season and that left room for alot of young men to step up and get some key playing time. I've seen consistent efforts from Corey Macpherson and Wes Forbush namely as juniors who even stepped up as sophomores last season. They both played WR and DB last night and each had multiple catches and Corey had a pick on defense. My prayers are with Greyson Janeway, who was injured last night during the win. I know Grey personally, and with his competitive drive and as hard as he works, I hated seeing him on crutches. He's a good young man on and off the field. Ryan Mitchell has given the offense a boost in the backfield during his sophomore campaign and most Topper insiders are drooling over his potential. Might I add, I've also noticed that many of the guys who simply played special teams last season have taken more starring roles and have been playing well. Obie Patton has always had the ability, but seeing him play on the defense more this year is great because he is a hardworker and just had to wait his turn behind departed seniors Aaron Trent, Corey Hamilton, and Rodney Smith. The question? They were 3-1 and living it up and tanked last season. Can they consistently sustain game winning efforts? Will the team be up to winning the tough games and the close ones? They can't blow everybody out. I'd like to hear some thoughts, especially from people whose teams are on our schedule.

Dadshhs, do you have a son who will be on the field tomorrow night? I was just curious because I graduated in 08 after playing for SH since my freshman year. What is his number? I might know him.

I can tell you why he's not playing offense, but I played defense with him before I graduated, and he has the ability to atleast spell some of the starting guys maybe during the 2nd and 3rd qtrs. 1) Moses shared carries with Solomon and Armando last season, with Solomon, of course, getting the bulk of the carries. 2) Solomon graduated, Armando stuck around in the backfield, Kinley was given the reigns on offense as a run 1st QB, and Mitchell came into his own as a solid backup for Armando who can take it the distance everytime. 3) In the Topper backfield of 3 separate backs, 1 graduated, while 2 more were added. 4) 3-1= 2. 2+2= 4. 5) Moses= I love the kid to death, but he is simply the odd man out with Kinley and Mitchell stepping in and Armando already in possession of the starting job. There just aren't enough carries to get everyone active. Why isn't he playing defense? IDK, but there is probably something there that we don't know. Not saying he got in trouble or anything, but maybe somebody just stepped in and did a better job IDK. I'd play him on defense atleast 15-20 plays a night if it were up to me but it's not so IDK.

Thanks for coming on and making a pick with a good description and argument behind it instead of just coming on and bashing a person's pick. That is the difference between having a mature conversation and pre game analysis and just hatin on somebodie's pick like some MW ppl have. I think that MW will come in and play well, but in the end, it will be the play of Isaac that bails the Toppers out. I'm not saying he is unstoppable, but he consistently puts up good numbers at any position he plays and he plays to win. This being his senior year, and playing a position that he is unfamiliar with, that says alot. The Trojans will play well and 28-14 will be closer than the score indicates. I've been wrong before, but that's my pick and I'm sticking with it. People can make as much out of it as they want, but its my pick. People pick the games for fun and root for their team. There are only 3 teams that i would sincerely pick to beat SH: Tennessee High, Knox Bearden, and Dobyns-Bennett. Trojans think that they will come in and beat SH at home while Toppers think that they will give MW a tough game and win. These opinions are biased on both sides and mean nothing until kickoff.

This could definitely be the game. Armando is a talented young guy with a bright future. Playing alongside him last season, I personally experienced his hard work ethic and will to succeed. Getting him his carries should be a top priority for Coach Smith. Armando has enough speed and vision to make the finesse play, but at the same time his low center of gravity combined with hard offseason lifting has given him the ability to simply run over people. He is a threat to bust the long gain and is a workhorse for the offense. Hopefully he'll show up and @@@@ up some good numbers while leading his team to a win. (28-14)

First, based on my playing experience there, SH never gets a call at home. Usually the most inaccurate measurements and penalties go against the Toppers at home and some of the worst penalties are missed with refs seemingly standing right in front of the play. (See last years ugly hold by the RT on the back side of the play that would end up deciding the TN High- SH game last year). Second, SH has steadily improved since last season. Though they lost to South, they played their hearts out and kept it close (21-19), for a good portion of the second half. This is a different SH team, the attitude and mentality that they were said to lack last season has reappeared. The Toppers played a dogfight at Elizabethton and held on for a wild victory and have the bye week to prepare for MW. MW will bring a talented team to JC, and could pull out the victory, but IMO, they will not for these reasons: 1) Kinley. 5 played well in the loss to South and well in the win over the Cyclones. Playing both ways has not seemed to be a problem for Isaac, as Norris comes in and takes some snaps to give him a rest. This offense lives and dies on the play of Kinley, Canepa, Jordan, and Forbush. Macpherson and Janeway will get touches, but what Isaac does at the QB position will be key to deciding the game. 2) The Topper defense, so far this season, has been a bit shaky against the run. Look for the practices leading up to the MW game to emphasize physicality, nastiness, and having the whole team pursue the football wherever it goes. They've faced two of the area's top running backs in Taylor Fletcher and Cody Forbes, and have had mixed results. Fletcher had 196 yds and Forbes broke a few long plays against them. They will be ready to defend and will play with a swagger once they gain some confidence. 3) My player who will have to step up: Larry Smith, #1 for the Toppers. Look for Daniel Norris, when in the game, to find a way to get the ball to Larry, who is a 6'6 wide out. Not much speed, but he can catch, move laterally, and is hard to take down. He always wins jump ball situations. 4) Kicker Brandon MacAuley is expected to be back and that should be a boost to the SH special teams with relief kicker Jay Lauderback having a rough outing against Elizabethton. Hopefully Coach Smith will manage this game correctly. To sum it all up, Kinley and Forbush will play well and hook up on offense, while providing energy in the defensive secondary. This game will be wild and unconventional, but i'm sticking by my pick: SH-28 MW-14 on account of that it is a home game and SH should carry some momentum from the hard fought win against Elizabethton. Good luck to all, and pray for protection of everyone on the field or in the stands. I look forward to a good game and hopefully a Topper victory.

Thank you, Its about time another JC person got on board and started talking some sense

Yeah 28-14. Thats my pick, take it or leave it. They only win by 2 TDs instead of shutting them out and winning by 3 TDs, like last year..

Last year's game at Burke-Toney saw Science Hill win a shutout 21-0. This was a very misleading score. West hung around long enough to keep the Toppers holding their breath throughout most of the 2nd half. Isaac Kinley had a fantastic game with lengthy punt and interception returns. Javan Joslin also had an athletic interception to help decide the game. West is an athletic team, and based on last season, maybe slightly more athletic than Elizabethton. Science Hill is going to have to wake up for this one or an upset could be in the making. Junior receiver Wes Forbush is coming into his own as the Toppers #1 wideout and accepted the challenge last week against Elizabethton. Look for Forbush, Mitchell, Canepa, Janeway, and Macpherson to touch the ball, along with of course: Isaac Kinley. On the defensive side, look for the secondary to play well, as Forbush has 2 picks in 2 games, Kinley is a long standing athletic veteran at safety, and Daniel Norris has the skill to play opposite Forbush at a corner. Jeff Green and Logan Honeycutt will handle most of the tackles in the box, but if West can get the ball outside, pursuit tackles have been a problem for SH. Kicker Brandon MacAuley, 100% on FGs and PATs last season, returns from a groin injury this week, and the Toppers take this one 28-14.

The FTBMAN went to college and had to find a new screen name: JcToPpEr103803. Science Hill played well against South, but the running game was the main factor in the South win. EHS destroyed Happy Valley, BUT, my little sister could call the plays and still destroy HV. Heck, GILLIGANS play calling could destroy HV. Regardless this game will be a tale of speed. Kinley, Mitchell, Macpherson, vs: Carr, Fuqua, and Thomas. I'll take the bigger school in a 35-14 victory. It will be 28-7 going into the 4th, and both teams score final TDs in mop up duty.