hornsby6

What was most impressive? 53 points? Shutout? 16 yards total yards allowed by Oakland defense? Butch Jones sighting watching two of his players (Jack Jones and Kyle Oliver)?

But, then Cookeville would probably be at the bottom of this district OR have a losing record if they played Oakland, Blackman, Riverdale and Smyrna. LaVergne is not that good, but Cookeville is not as good as their record suggests.

I work on the chain gang for Oakland games. I see the hitting "up close and personal." Seen the team from Smyrna that won the state. Have also seen the team from Oakland that won the state. Have not seen two teams hit as hard as these two teams did in their first match. They are not only big, but F A S T! I would guess at least 10 of these boys will be playing on Saturdays on D1 teams (folks, that is a lot of quality players on both teams).

Lot of blather and not much content on game. Oakland's strength is its line. At least three of the players (Jones, Yates, and Barrett) will be playing on Saturdays at the D1 level (UT, Mercer and Mercer). Oakland gets the nod on this one. As for quarterback, Jennings will probably also be playing on Saturdays at the D1 level (Vandy and Ohio State are recruiting him). If he plays to his potential, Blackman gets the nod at QB. However, if he holds the ball like a loaf of bread or throws into coverage like last game, the stability of quarterback at Oakland wins. Both teams have strong running games. Even. Emmanuel Smith of Oakland (plays WR and S) will be playing on Saturdays next year for Vandy. A whole lot of talent on both teams. If someone claims they know who will win this game, they are smoking something. If one teams turns the ball over a few times, they win. Oakland won last meeting 9-6, but had a missed field goal and extra point (but they also lost their kicker). Oakland won, but Blackman has revenge factor. One of the hardest hitting games I have seen. Coaching is even also as both coaches have at least one ring on their finger. Any prediction is like an armpit, everybody has one and many stink. That is why they play the game. Come Friday for what I do predict will be two teams with a lot of talent.

At the first of the game, the two teams will be fairly equal. Smyrna has some foot athletes. After a few series, the Smyrna boys will begin getting tired as many are playing on both sides of the ball. Blackman needs to make it simple, line up and play hard-nosed football and run it directly at Smyrna. May not be pretty but Smyrna will wear down and the initial 3 yard runs will turn into 7 yard runs. Smyrna needs to get a couple of breaks on turnovers to be competitive. I have seen both teams play and predict Blackman 28, Smyrna 7.

Smyrna is a decent team but does not have the depth to play the better teams. On the sidelines of the Oakland/Smyrna game, I saw some very good Smyrna players. By the time of the half, I saw a bunch of tired boys, many of which were playing both ways. By the time of the second half, Smyrna either put in a considerably weaker second string player or played a tired player, neither of which matched well with Oakland as they put it away. Bottom line, Smyrna needs to get some breaks and capitalize on them. Otherwise, Blackman will put the game away before the fourth quarter begins. Blackman 35 - Smyna 14

I agree this is WAY too early to start this thread. Between now and the game, each team has a few weeks to either improve or get injured. For instance, if Blackman lost their QB, Oakland might come in a big favorite. Likewise, remove a few of the Oakland uglies, and a different choice might be made. The more interesting post might be which team has more players that will be playing on Saturdays in the future. I expect a few college discriminating coaches to be watching.

Look at the weather forecast. If it is a rainy, wet field, the game could easily be decided by the "Big Uglies." I have not see a group of bigger or uglier group of linemen than Oakland. More than a few will be playing Saturdays in the future. I expect a slow start, but a team wearing down in the second half when fitness and strength come into play. Oakland 28; Smyrna 7.

Science Hill fans probably will look forward to a LONG drive back. Siegel is an offensive juggernaut. Losing to Blackman and Oakland is not indicative of their playing. A dropped pass on the opening drive could have/should have been a touchdown and a game changer for Siegel. Look what happens when "high powered teams" come to the 'boro. Arlington 3-0 leaves with a 39-0 shellacking. Siegel beats #3 McCallie and Ooltewah in East Tennessee (92 points in those two games alone). Dakota Crane is solid quarterback, Denzel Harding an exceptional runner. Prediction: Siegel 39, SH 21

The interesting part about the article is that Coach A said Coach Rankin saw the drain in talent coming and implied that was the reason he left. Coach Rankin is in his 7th year at Alcoa HS. I seriously doubt he was running through the elementary schools to determine what talent was going to come up that many years down the road. Many years ago Oakland and Riverdale got all of the Murfreesboro talent. Now they are divided into 4 high schools, but despite that Riverdale is still one of the largest schools in the state. Blackman, Oakland, and Siegel are also having to share the same talent in Murfreesboro. Last time I looked, those 3 schools have done pretty well. Talent comes and goes, but good coaching and a program can weather those waves. Sounds more like a preemptive strike to avoid being fired.

MRI done, anyone know results for sure? My guess is that doctors are already convinced torn ACL, just doing MRI to confirm and determine additional damage. Too bad. With Maryville at home and with QB out, the Rebels have to be favorites. Probably would have been a toss up at a neutral site with both teams full strength.

LaVergne Lites don't count. Everybody beats them. While comparing scores are not always valuable, Blackman and Riverdale were clearly better than anyone else in the district. MJ barely beat Oakland. While Oakland beat Siegel, Siegel did not have one of their quarterbacks available and that limited them to a running team. With Stockstill, they are multi-dimensional. MJ would place maybe third in 7AAA.

Forgot, Oakland beating Franklin in 2008. Just another example of the superiority of Rutherford County.

Unfortunately at this time of the season every team has some losses that could affect the game (probably hurt more with the loss of your other quarterback). Oakland lost a 350 pound tackle, Steve Wright, before the season and he would have made a huge difference also. But, got to give Siegel credit. The last few years if they had been hit hard, they would have folded up like my 25 item Swiss Army knife. This year they did not give up (great to see their fans show up also because they stayed home the last few years). Both teams kept going at it until the final horn sounded. Might see these two teams again in the playoffs.

The line was the deciding factor. When it got to OT, Siegel tried to run it and had to settle for a field goal. Oakland's line opened up a hole for a touchdown on the first play. siegel had a good back, but you cannot run well when the offensive line allows the defensive line through. Heck, you and I could gain some yards behind Oakland's line.

Should be an interesting game. This game will be won by the Big Uglies. Both teams appear to have good running attacks (got to give the nod to Oakland with 4 backs accounting for 300+ yards per game which is better than Harding with 130+). But you cannot run if there is no hole. While Siegel passes more (probably because Oakland does not need to), you cannot pass with an opposing jersey on top of yours. Both teams play a lot of players both ways. If it comes to the second string, got to go with Coach White and his weight lifting program at Oakland. Oakland is also at home. With a line that is larger (about 260 at Oakland) and a home field advantage, that should be worth 7 points. Yes, Oakland is back with their world famous dogs. The Oakland announcer gives credit to the other player for a good play, but then again the main reason I listen is to hear the other scores. Where are the Siegel posts?

When are you serving my my crow stew? However, while Oakland won the rushing and passing totals, Blackman won the scoreboard (the only one that counts). Who would have thunk they would have won having lost those two stats. Blackman played a great game? Got to give them credit.

I agree. This group is averaging about 350 yards per game. Before last game, Chesterfield was averaging over 100 yards a game. Swader, Smith, Willis and Wade are each over 50 yards per game. While Mathers and Kimbro have good numbers, the question is the best core, not the best back.

Last few years Siegel has NOT traveled well. Two years ago they did not bring many to Oakland (the weather was a little cold). Same for 4 years ago. That should be one of their largest rivals. Even last year I saw some opposing teams with more fans at Siegel than football fans (you can tell when all of the band parents leave right after halftime and the stands are pretty empty). Personally, I just think there is a little too much apathy (Kenny Nolan would love to beat his brother, so don't blame the administration).

Running Attack - Oakland has more yards per game. I do not understand why this is an advantage to Blackman. I could understand how you could claim this is close to even. I acknowledged that Mathers is a pretty good back. May not be first in the state as you claim, but he is easily in top 5 (Kimbro is clearly faster and has more yards this year). I would still put Oaklands 2, 3, 4 and 5 backs, each with over 50 yards per game EACH, over Blackman's non first team. My point was Blackman with Mathers is good on offense, without him, that may be a different story and you are an injury away. Not clearly in Blackman's favor as you contend. Passing Attack - These stats are pretty close. Oakland has Edwin Locklayer and Bradford Hughes. Seems pretty even to me, how do the stats show they are that much better. Neither passes much. Defense - I guess you agree that Oakland has an advantage. Special Teams - Oakland has had multiple touchdowns on special teams. How many does Blackman have? Has Mathers run any back this year? You graduated a pretty good kicker last year. Both are somewhat unproven. Intangibles - While you say I was wrong, your argument gave another reason to pick Oakland - revenge for Oakland. Strength of schedule seems pretty even. Oakland beat Arlington, an otherwise undefeated team that knocked off #12 White Station, and lost to undefeated Gallatin. Blackman lost to Siegel and beat Independence who was tied for #12. Their other wins were against non 6A teams, while Oakland's other two wins were also not that impressive based upon the teams they were playing. Sure seems pretty even to me. Head coaches both have a state championship ring from District 7. As for predictions, can I use your "mis-predictions" against you? Blackman has not gone undefeated I am ready for a good dog fight. May the true "alpha dog" win.

Oakland travels across town to play the Blaze. Let's do some comparisons. Let's first compare offenses. Sorry, but they are not as close as they would seem at first glance. While the Blaze claims to have a strong running attack, I would point out the Patriots are actually averaging more yards per game (they are over 300 yards per game). The Patriots are led by Andre Chesterfield's 100+ yards per game. However, he gets breaks and the next group of Travon Willis, Trey Swader, Fred Wade, and Emmanuel Smith ALL average over 50 yards a game each (that is over 200 yards a game for the second group). Blackman gives the ball generally to one really good running back, Mathers. So, the choice is easy, do you pick a team with potentially one really good running back who could get knocked out of a game with a big hit, or do you go with a team that has FIVE high quality running backs. The passing attacks are even. Oakland's offensive line is another advantage as they average about 260 pounds. I have to pick the team with the Biggest Uglies. Advantage - Oakland. It is the defense when an even more significant advantage can be found. Oakland plays Coach White Defense -- hit them in the mouth, and when they get up, hit them in the mouth again. Bodies are going to be flying all over the field making tackles. Luckily for Oakland it seems that the last two Patton boys have finally graduated. Blackman has only one one returning starter on defense. Oakland's defense has made stops, Blackman simply seems to let the other team score to put their offense back on the field. Blackman sure could not stop Siegel's offense very well. Advantage - Oakland. Special teams - no contest. Multiple Oakland players can take the ball on a punt or kickoff to the endzone. Both teams have rookie kickers. Advantage - Oakland. Intangibles - Both coaches have taken teams to the state championship (but the Blackman coach was not at Blackman). Oakland has a history of winning (Three State Football Championships). The Blaze have a history of feasting on teams that Never Were and not doing as well in the big games. While Blackman may be looking for revenge over the past few years, Oakland is still fuming over last week's loss. Another Advantage - Oakland. Prediction for the Game: Pain for BlackLusterLand, joy on a bus ride back across town to Oakland. 28-10.

LaVerg-lite is winning with mirrors and a schedule that is unbelievably easy. The first game was against LA - Lower Antioch, who could not win a game against the Whoolies cheerleaders. Then they play Wilson Central and lose in rushing yards, passing yards, turnovers and penalties and still win. But then again, Wilson Central, like Antioch has not won a game this year. Oakland has had some growing pains with 50+ graduating the year before, but if you have a line that will weigh about 260, I see a rushing attack that few can stop. 300+ yards rushing a game will give you an example of the game plan. While Hunters Lane was suspect, Arlington has only lost a couple of games in the regular season over the past two years. I predict 400 yards rushing, no passing by Oakland until the rout is on. Oakland by 4 touchdowns.

And, with these teams, I believe that more than 60 combined points will be scored. The referees and chain gang will do a lot of moving.

Not an Arlington fan, but here goes. The quarterback, Drew Reed, passed for over 2000 yards last year. The team averaged over 40 points per game. The finished last year at 8-3 (the year before 10-1). They have a good kicker/punter, Kyle Mitchell, who is supposed to be one of the tops in the state (hope to see him punt a lot, not so much doing anything else but one kickoff during the game). Drew Thomas is a very good tight end. Kramer Hollenback ran for just short of 1000 yards last year. They will be a wide-open team trying to get the ball all over the field. Two defensive tackles return, Brian Bell and Tony Cox. Jazz Mason is a pretty good linebacker getting some looks at the college level. Tavian Lott is a pretty good defensive back. The defense is not their strong point. Their strategy is pretty easy to ascertain -- we can score more points than you can. Their history in the playoff is like an accordion -- they fold under pressure, losing in the first round when they play a good team. Their schedule, however, reminds you a little of the Burning Embers across town, we play anyone (as long as they are terrible). Two years ago, they started 10-0 before losing in the first round of the playoffs. This year they should not start on a streak (unless losing counts as their next game is against Memphis White Station). Arlington fans, pretty accurate???? Prediction, Oakland 28, Arlington 7.