doct

On what basis are you making your claim that MUS should be favored? Of the 2 common opponents, BA ran Olive Branch out of the stadium. I like the fact that folks perceive BA as the underdog, but gosh, of their 2 losses it's not like Baylor and Ensworth won decisively...both teams had a ton of help from BA mistakes, and the games were both nail biters. My money is on BA in this one.

This is a great synopsis. I totally disagree with the lack of heart accusations as well.

Grey, don't think it is BA parents complaining about the earrings. The tone of those posts suggest a fan or fans whonhave a beef with Ricky Bowers as opposed to earrings and long hair...just my opinion.

I hate to insert a BA and EHS post in here but this fan is still sick over the loss. Your comment "as Smyrna and BA have discovered, if EHS holds the ball, they're formidable: let's not call either of those games an upset" is true, I think EHS is an excellent team, but the stats in this morning's paper were tough to read. BA out rushed EHS 209 yards to 105, held them to 10 first downs vs 15 for BA, and BA had 1 penalty for 5 yards. That is normally a winning formula for a team. EHS did have 119 yards passing, but a total of 224 yards of offense is not an overpowering offensive display. BA handed this game to Ensworth with turnovers, and I predict will turn out to be a positive for this BA team, who is hungry. I bet they rally around their QB who had a very tough game, and come out of it stronger. Let's hope so, some very tough games ahead.

Brilliant!

BA has scored 250 points in 5 games. The majority of those have come in the first half (roughly 42 pts per first half). I just don't think BGA can keep pace with that. BA's starting D has given up, I believe, 14 pts this year. What does, or can, BGA do to keep this one close?

You're right, you can't compare scores, so who knows. However, I was at the game, and BA totally dominated from the outset. Our running game shredded OB's D, and OB had no answer for a very aggressive BA defense. If BA can handle success, they will be a very good football team. Lot of ball left to play though.

I think MBA runs away with this one. I don't see it being close. MBA has a terrific defense and is coached as well as any program in the state. Their depth will wear down EHS, MBA's numbers become a real factor in this game. In fact, MBA's 2 wins over Pearl Cohn and MHS are very impressive, and solidify them as Div II's best so far. I say MBA by 21.

55-8 BA

What makes you think the game will be closer? Is Southwind much better? Their best player graduated early (Ballentine) and went to Univ of Memphis, they lost their opener and went 2-8 last year. Would appreciate any insight you may have.

fan6, you are correct, I did a poor job of communicating. Your scrutiny of my post reminds me of a MBA fan/graduate.

48-6 before Kingsbury scored. BA could have won by 100 pts. The bench emptied for BA and Kingsbury played hard throughout, including recovering 3 onside kicks in the 4th quarter. BA's starters.and 2nd team were impressive and dominant. Kingsbury had negative yardage at half. BA did crush Kingsbury, and our youngsters got some valuable game experience. Kingsbury never gave up though, hats off to them.

One could make that assumption from the article. However, with tuition ranging from the mid 17's-low 20's at EHS, BA, and MBA, more families need assistance to get into the school. The tuition range is significantly higher at those schools vs the parochial schools.

regarding BA's coach, what exactly do you mean? Can you give some examples?

Time will tell. BA is short on big linemen but long on speed . QB is also a ? mark since they graduated a 3 yr starter and have a backup who played very little, but who is talented. I believe BA returns 17 starters, so this is their year if it is to be.

out of curiosity, why do fans of BGA feel they should drop down to a lower division in football? What's different about BGA compared to other schools in their division, specifically the other coed schools--BA, Baylor, Ryan, and Ensworth? Where does this mentality come from that they would be better off in the division with Webb and others? I have been around BGA for years, and remember state championships in '60, '66, and great teams in the 70's when BGA played in the top classifications. I think BGA needs to grow a pair.

You are obviously making a reference to the fact that you believe most of Ensworth's team is recruited and on some sort of financial aid. Why else would you even ask the question? I am not an Ensworth fan but respect the school. I don't give a rip where those kids come from as long as they can do the work. I think it is a blessing any family that doesn't have the means can experience an education and environment like the one that EHS can offer. My hat's off to Ensworth for affording the opportunity and to the school and families that generously give to make it possible!

I would caution the MBA faithful to not celebrate this victory too much! It was a very solid win, no doubt---but not a surprise to me at all--and it was just what MBA should have done to a team that has made strides this year, but is still a LONG way from being a factor in Div II.

My impression of the MBA/BGA score and game is not that MBA is "hot", it's that BGA is BAD. MBA did what they should have done to the Wildcats, and should have done the first time. It will always be a mystery to me that BGA beat them, because they are a significantly better team. It will be interesting to me to see how the MBA/EHS #2 shakes out. I expect MBA to play with a lot of emotion and really come after EHS after a very humiliating early season loss. On the other hand, EHS can look at this game as a "gimme" after what took place in the first game and come out flat. However, EHS is too well coached for that and the program has way too much to play for, so I predict a very workmanlike EHS victory, a 14 point margin.

This is one of the most insightful and intelligent posts I've read in some time. Wow, a recruiting reference!

EHS is very well coached, has good athletes, and is not flashy. They do the basics well and just dare you to stop them. The ground attack burns the clock and keeps the ball out of the other team's hands. The comeback vs Smyrna was huge, and of course, Oakland took them to overtime. The other close game was to BA, a 15-9 win. BA was very close to winning that game btw. As a BA fan, I hope we get a chance to play them again, but we have to take care of JPII and Christian Bros first. I expect MBA to get by BGA this time, and face EHS for the 2nd time. However, I don't believe MBA thinks they can beat EHS (after the first game), and if they play again I expect big problems for MBA again, that is if they get by BGA. To summarize, EHS is what their record says they are...9-0 with some quality wins and a very talented team. You beat them by keeping the ball away from them and scoring some points with long, clock burning drives.

this is off Baylor's website Baylor 0 6 0 6 12 Brentwood Academy 14 7 7 0 28 Doesn't really matter though

At least one BA person needs to make a prediction...here's how I see it...common opponents is a place to start. BA beats JPII 42-6 (42-0 at half), McCallie wins 28-10 (their only DII win) BA beats BGA 48-14 (42-7 at half with a TD called back), McCallie loses 17-7 BA beats Baylor (21-7 at half), McCallie loses 24-10 BA beats MBA 26-7 (with a missed FG and 2 missed extra points), McCallie loses 27-24 BA loses to Ryan 35-34 (Ryan scored 14 points off turnovers in a 10 second span, it was 21-7 at half while McCallie loses 17-12 unless BA turns it over and plays a miserable game, they are a 3 TD favorite. My concern is that BA doesn't take McCallie seriously and comes out flat, but I think Coach Potter will prevent that. Go Eagles!