JDHoss

"Vaporized"...that pretty much summed up that monster hit at the Championship game. I hope Ballard will utilize him in the backfield, particularly after losing big Chaz. I have read a couple of KY sites that Mel was part of Tee Martin's first recruiting class and that an offer had been tendered...one was a message board and the other is this "unofficial site"

http://www.bleedbluekentucky.com/?page_id=2334

Interesting....Aaron's blog has good info from time to time. I do know that UK is very interested (and I heard Ole Miss is as well). It's probably a matter of position. For me, I like guys like Hall who are physical and play every down like the game is on the line. I hope to catch a Greeneville game early this coming season. I saw them 3 times (THS, Fulton & Trezvant) last season and really enjoyed watching them play.

I just read a couple of posts on a Wildcat message board that Jamel Hall has an offer from Kentucky. Is there any truth to this?

I don't know that an actual offer has been extended yet, but UK is very interested. Hall is an intriguing prospect, in part because of what position he will fit at. A little short for the desired height/arm length for your typical DE in the SEC, and maybe a step slow for LB. It will be interesting to see how he works out in the backfield more than part time and at LB, if indeed Ballard plays him there full time.

All I know is that I love watching him play. I saw football games all across the Southeast last year from Virginia to Florida to Mississippi, including a powerful South Panola team, and Hall would have been an impact starter at any of those schools. He's just relentless, and plays at 100 MPH until the whistle blows. I saw Greeneville 3 times, and Hall had a huge impact every time, including the Trezvant game where he vaporized their QB early in the game.

In contrast, I saw Lamar Dawson play once, and came away seriously underwhelmed. I expected a player with his hype and physique to dominate the game. Instead, in a state semi-final game against an undefeated Bell Co. team, you couldn't have picked him out of the lineup if not for his size. He passed the look test with flying colors, but was very sluggish and looked downright confused at times in a game where I expected him to kick #### and not bother taking names. I'm sure that Dawson is much better than that, but it was a disappointing performance.

Has anyone heard if the Falcons will be heading in a different direction and look for a new coach?

I have heard from one person who "might" know, and that is that they will look in a different direction. To be fair to the current coach, or whoever is coaching there, it's an uphill battle considering who they have to compete against. That's not to say the program can't improve, but it will be tough for anyone to break .500 there.

THAT was the state championship game!!!

Agree 100%. Great game last night, and I'd like to say thanks again to the lady from Alcoa who gave us a couple of great seats with their group.

Hey Hoss: those Alcoa fans like to get there early and lay claim to their piece of the concrete. So that you don't step on any toes (or blankets) you're welcome to wander on over to the bleacher side of the field and sit with us friendly CAK folks. The back parking lot is a closer walk, no hills to climb, close to the bathrooms and the band burger tent, and we need some help filling up our side of the field since our school is about 150 students smaller than Alcoa . Also, if you have any medical conditions there will be lots of doctors available.

I might just do that. We just want a good seat. We thought we had a good seat on Fulton's side last week at Greeneville, but it turned out to be behind the Falcon's band.

JD,

I see your standards are not very high.

Ain't but one place to go worth mentioning...

But you got to be here between 11-2.

Where might that be? We won't be there at that time, but might go some other time. BTW, there's a lot to be said for a greasy bar burger, ice cold bottle of Pacifico, and some blues off the juke box @ Brackins. What time would you recommend getting there for a seat?

My wife & I are making this our "game of the week" and driving down from Kingsport. I've seen Alcoa play several times through the years, but never at Alcoa, although I was there for a band festival once around 2001 when my daughter was in the band. What time should we arrive to get a seat? Also, are there any good "local" places to eat besides the usual chains? If not, we may just go on into Murville and get a burger at Brackins or eat at Sullivan's. Looking forward to the trip. I've read & heard a lot about Epperly and the CAK offense, and saw Alcoa against Middlesboro early this season. Good luck to both teams!

Sadly, I dont believe that we can blame schedule or the level of regular season competition for this loss. This one looks like player focus and preparation.

DB football is what it is....big fish, little pond. I have no emotions in this, because I am apt go anywhere to watch on a Friday night. I've been to 6 states so far this year for games. Your comment about focus and preparation is right, but you are wrong about the schedule. Big games against good/great teams during the year will help you immensely with focus & preparation down the road come playoff time. DB would do themselves a big favor by looking to the South Carolina upstate, North Georgia, Roanoke Valley, Charlotte area for games. Bell Co. Ky. would have been a nice test for them this year as well. I realize they play who they have to play (several teams in DB's conference would have trouble competing in Class A) up here, but games with Sevier Co. Clinton, and Farragut won't help you either.

after seeing AE play, I don't think they are a very good football team. They are very, very athletic however and rely on that alone. I think the home field advantage will play in Betsy's favor and they will win this game.

Agreed. I saw the EHS - Sullivan North game, and saw AE play Fulton. Based on those games, I'd give AE an edge talentwise, but I don't think they're particularly well coached. I believe the game will be much closer than last year, but look for EHS to win.

Not disagreeing necessarily, but curious why BC and FBD think this one will be closer than last year. On paper, Alcoa is better than last year, and on paper Elizabethton is not quite as good. Please elaborate.

I believe they're talking about the Betsy - AE game. I also agree it will be closer than last year.

I've seen both teams play this year. Fulton is physically speaking, the best team Greeneville has played this year but I'll go with Greeneville by 20.

I saw him for the 1st time (other than some television clips) last Friday against Maryville and came away impressed. Is anyone recruiting him? I couldn't find him in the Rivals or Scout databases, but I find it hard to believe that someone would't give him a glance. I don't know what level he could play on, but I'm guessing he's a nice Sunbelt, C-USA, etc. prospect. Anyone out there with some insight?