ilikefootball

Cool..... Have you seen the Pirates play?? I haven't seen the Pirates play, but I'm sure they're pretty good since it's the championship game. However, UC is a well coached, hard nosed football team. Plus my team is in the DII game from West Tennessee and I'm pullin' for all West TN teams. No offense. None taken...just askin'. You watching the game Friday? UC is a quality team. It will be a very good football game No- I'm afraid I won't make the game, but will try to catch it on TV if possible. From what I read, ya'll have a great tradition and I'd like to see a few SP guys go to Tennessee, but on Friday, hope my old team the Tornadoes pull it out. Best of luck to you both and hope for no injuries.

Cool..... Have you seen the Pirates play?? I haven't seen the Pirates play, but I'm sure they're pretty good since it's the championship game. However, UC is a well coached, hard nosed football team. Plus my team is in the DII game from West Tennessee and I'm pullin' for all West TN teams. No offense.

I've seen Union City play. They will win this game and will not be denied. Jackson and all of West Tennessee backs the Tornadoes.

Hmmm.... 3 tds. Wasn't ECS thinking the same thing against Webb?

I attended the game between USJ and TCA a few weeks ago. Washington is very hard to handle, but if there are running backs who play linebacker or at least safeties (meaning matching speed with speed) he can be stopped. He will gain yardage, just not bust multiple long ones for scores. If he can throw the ball to some open receivers, another option has just opened up for TCA. I watched Union City play Obion Central last night on TV. Union City's offense will be hard to defense. USJ played St. George's Friday night and SG's offense (veer/triple option) looked like Union City's. Tough to defense, but can be stretched out allowing linebackers and safeties to make plays. I'm no coach, but if TCA could place a strong nose guard and blow up the initial option for UC to hand off to the first running back, TCA could have a good night. Although, that will be hard with Trent Arnold at center (I got bulldogged by who I assume is his dad years ago). On the other hand, UC seems really adept at stripping the ball for turnovers and also has some good speed as well. I think it will be a close game- UC 32 TCA 27.

I wrote a response and deleted it twice to AAUFan. Not worth a lengthy response as he only wants to sling mud. There is a reason for further discipline- instigation vs reaction.

Jawing is one thing. Throwing punches and at least 4-5 personal fouls to 0-1 is another. Turning to the opposing team's stands with gestures by multiple players is antagonistic. TCA acted like they wanted to fight most of the night and when the game came to a conclusion they continued their actions. It's football and things like this happen unfortunately, but it was not equal fault by both teams. One team was clearly the instigator especially at the end of the game and the other reacted right or wrong. USJ is by no means perfect and should not have reacted the way they did, but the film which has been reviewed multiple times reflects who did what. It's a shame either way, but when you act ugly, own up to it, accept the consequences and go on- remember it's 15-18 yr old kids out there. I hope TCA does well the rest of the season along with the Bruins.

Good accurate post about what transpired. I can't comment about what happened throughout the game as far coaches talking to officials ,etc., but when USJ recovered the onside kick with no time remaining, a TCA player ran past the recovering USJ player lying on the ground and decked another USJ player standing behind him. I think that is what sparked the incident because pushing and shoving ensued. There was alot of frustration out there and I think the officials added to it throughout the game. Did anyone see the photo in the Jackson Sun? TCA quarterback getting tackled by a USJ player and ref throwing a flag- that was indicative of the entire game. The Jackson Sun started the article saying a fight started when the teams were going to shake hands at the end of the game- not true and inaccurate. I think that's a small bit of trying to sensationalize the situation if you can actually do that for a high school football game. In the end, the coaches handled the situation very well and like Reitz, I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few players don't get to play next week. I hope the TSSAA takes into account that the incident occurred at the end of the game when players wouldn't stay on the sidelines anyway as opposed to the middle of the 3rd quarter or something like that. I hope TCA does well the remainder of the season and as a supporter of USJ, I certainly hope the Bruins keep winning.

USJ fan here that says GO BULLDAWGS! Milan is well rounded and should do well against Goodpasture. Hope you make W. TN proud-

Thanks for the response. I didn't get to see the JCS/Huntingdon game so I don't know how JCS defensed the dw. Thanks again.

This is a crazy question, but- is there any type of penaly against a defensive lineman actually tackling the offensive lineman. I mean actually bringing the offensive lineman to the ground. I'm not talking about receivers or running backs so not defensive holding penalties. I ask this to try and minimize the double wing's "wedge effect" shielding the running back from would be tacklers.

Congratulations to Huntingdon. I don't think anyone was expecting a 500 yard performance from Mr. Holder. He was an animal and my hats off to him. I will say that the Huntingdon's gameplan was superb. Lots of traps and short, backfield reverses kept the Bruins guessing. Can't say enough about the Huntingdon line- they pushed all night. Defensively, Huntingdon set to stop the pass and they did- USJ had four interceptions, two of which were deflections off the intended receiver. In addition, Huntingdon was fired up. This is not an excuse, simply an observation- two way players especially the linemen can get worn down against a team like Huntindon who plays ball control football. There were at least 3 if not 4 4th and 1, 2, and 3 yard plays that Holder busted for a 40 or 50 yard touchdown. That, is demoralizing I don't care who you are. As USJ's last game in D-I ends, let me say that I cannot be more proud of the season they had. 9-2 is not a bad way to go out and they really are a great bunch of kids. They need to hold their heads high and remember this season for what it was- a major turnaround. And to the other teams in West Tennessee, especially region 8-AA, it has been an honor and privilege to see the players, fans and coaches put so much enthusiasm, effort and pride into high school football. No matter who represents this bracket, bring back the gold ball to West Tennessee where it belongs!

Thanks. We will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok- Thanks. USJ likes to run. Good luck to both teams.

Please give a little info on Huntingdon's fullbacks/tailbacks- super fast, big, both?

I don't know that much about Huntingdon this year. I do know in the past they have regularly fielded very good teams and I am sure this year will be no exception. Very good coaching, excellent tradition and an excited fanbase usually translates into good football teams year in and year out. I hope USJ can pull out another one and as usual two way depth will be a factor in a tight game at the end. However, the Bruins have always found a way to win and this is a determined bunch. Good luck to both teams and hope no injuries occur.

USJ had a couple of interceptions that Trenton quickly turned into points. Trenton players were fired up and played with a lot of heart and determination. The game was close through most if not all of the 3rd quarter and the score does not indicate how hard fought it really was. Trenton has some tailbacks and lineman that are a load, fast and determined. And by the way, great half-time show by the Trenton band. Best band I've seen in a long time and like Union City used to, some of the football players played in the band at half-time! I'm happy to get out of there with a win and good luck to Peabody next year- Congrats to USJ!

I'm concerned about Gibson County's speedy backs. I understand there are at least two if not three that are super fast. Wasn't the Westview-Gibson Co. score pretty high? Since, no rain and the field is fairly dry, I pick USJ by 7-10. However, you never know because last week was very physical for the kids- however, they are a very resilient bunch. Good luck to both teams and hopefully no injuries.

JCS and USJ played a great game Friday night. The kids were hitting hard and helped each other up on more than one occasion. I don't understand how JCS has lost as many games this year with that team- has to be bad luck and probably some key injuries, but they are really good. I think USJ was a little off of their game. Jake ran draws more than any game this season that I can remember. Probably had to do with JCS' defense more than anything. I guess their middle linebacker took away the middle pass. Again, depth came into play- we just don't rotate much and a physical game like Friday can come back to haunt you in the 4th quarter. Congrats to both teams and hope everyone makes it to the playoffs!

I have not seen JCS this year, but I understand they are a very good team with size, speed and multiple skill players. I know they will be fired up for USJ, but in the end, I think the Bruins take 'em by a touchdown. Again, depth will be a key factor and if JCS has several players to rotate in, USJ will be hard pressed to maintain defensive pressure in the 4th quarter. However, if Jake is really on, I don't think USJ can be stopped consistently. The pass will open the run. As always, turnovers will play a huge role. Good luck to both teams, hope no injuries occur and may the best team come out on top!

I wonder how long it will take for the privates to leave TSSAA and start their own league- Since this comes down to money anyway, why give the TSSAA a cut of anything? I predict after 4 years, the privates will have a new league, flush with cash and TSSAA will want them back. Not every public school has a following like Alcoa, Milan, etc. especially very small public schools or large metropolitan schools with very little football following.

Bubble screen is the same as a run for USJ

I know for a fact this has happened because I played football against a player one year and then with him the next year and the move was only for football. It has been years ago. I know USJ has not had the teams in the last 2-3 years they had in the past and this coincided with their move to 2A which produced less than favorable results. However, I am firmly convinced playing larger schools places you in an unfair situation purely because of numbers/depth. Friday night's game is a perfect example. Milan has tremendous athletes and so does USJ. I think they might have swapped touchdowns all night. But, in the end, a couple of bad series for USJ equaled no points and the defensive/offensive lines could not stop Milan especially when they used up the last 5 minutes of the clock. Again, I'm not saying that any team could have prevented Milan from using up the clock, just those guys were obviously spent. From seeing Harding's team, I think we will fair pretty well in future years and would suspect that each DII team will have 1-2 superstars like Brown we have to face, but overall we should do well. I hate to say this because I'm a Tennessee fan, but I think private schools in W TN are like Vanderbilt in the SEC. They will always play you tough and give everything they have and a few years beat you, but in the end the upper tier teams in our region will win due to size/program, etc. DII gives us the opportunity to play schools similarly situated.

I didn't mean to offend anyone and if I did so, I certainly apologize. I never mentioned a specific incident, only insinuated like the poster did. Why can he do it, but no one else can? At any rate, can't we just get along?

I guess Tennessee has everyone's respect right now because they won the national championship 10 years ago. It's about right now, this year, these players. You're not the end all of high school football. Neither is USJ. Just trying to comment on last night's game and the great players that played- not delve back into years of issues- it's like your "clean football" comment. You just can't leave it alone. I'm now going to leave it alone and congratulate you and your team on a great game, but like you I will continue to support/defend my team as well.