oldbones

Noticed a lot of discussion here about Cookeville's field so I wanted to give a little background that you may not be aware of. The current Cookeville High School was built on an old airport site. During the construction process the old asphalt runway was never removed, dirt was just filled in on top of it. What this means is that the football field and much of the baseball outfield have asphalt just a few feet under the grass preventing it from draining properly. As a result it takes a long time to dry out. It also makes it difficult to maintain a good stand of grass. The coaches do the best job they can with what they have to deal with. The good news is that I saw the field last night and it is much dryer than it was for the Bradley game and footing should not be a big factor for either team. Unfortunately it is going to be cold but not much any of us can do about that. This is a huge game for both teams as it's not only a playoff game but a rematch of a great game last year. Best wishes for a clean, injury free game to both teams.

So what's your projection?

Judging by your screen name, I guess such a comment is to be expected but there is a big difference between making too many key mistakes and laying down. Cookeville was just simply outplayed by a better team but they didn't quit.

I agree Mt. Juliet was the better team and if both teams had played their best game they still would have come out on top. However, if Cookeville had not made the mistakes it made early in the game the score would not have been so lopsided.

Just to clarify, the question was referring specifically to Signal Mountain HS. I think even the folks defending SM really know deep down that if this kid were not an excellent football player it is highly unlikely (not saying impossible)that he would be attending school there.

Are there any fat, slow, uncoordinated kids getting "hardship" status?

I remember two years ago when we played at Tech and if were'nt for some big special teams plays by Cookeville, the game could have gone either way. Hopefully WC will get fired up about what used to be a big district game and rivalry and rise to the occasion. Nobody likes a lopsided game.

I couldn't agree more. Our school does not practice full speed, all the way to the ground tackling. We hit and wrap up and that's it. Coach's philosophy is that by the time they get to the high school level they should know how to tackle. Problem is many of them don't. The kids that played rec league and middle school ball at least got the fundamentals and can tackle better. Unfortunately there are a lot good athletes that don't play football until their freshmen year and they never get a chance to learn the basics. Also the kids that can tackle need to continually work on the fundamentals to avoid picking up bad habits. The skill of tackling is defintely on the downhill slide in HS football and many kids have no idea what a form tackle is!

You're maybe right unless Riverdale plays like they did the first half against Siegel. If they do, the Cavs could get the win.

Game time is at 7:00.

I really thought this one would be closer then it was. The first couple of series WC looked very strong then it was just like that team disappeared and another team that couldn't really do much took their place. I know there is some really good athletes on the team so what seems to be the problem down there?

I agree it was a great game. The Jets are clearly an improved team and your QB is a tough and shifty runner. The field position that special teams gave up certainly was a big part of the game. As a CCHS graduate from way back that has lived in Cookeville for many years now, it's good to see the Jets turning things around. Good luck the rest of the season.

Well said!!

Looks to me like UCfootball was just giving his opinion but if you want to rely on the comments of others to fire up your team, have at it!

It will be closer than it has been in recent years but think the Cavs will get the win. Think the margin will be 14 points or less.

I agree! Think it will be us or you guys. Hopefully the weather will be a little better for this year's game!

Cookeville should be pretty solid this year as we have several starters from last year returning. The QB spot is a bit of a question mark as we have a junior and a senior competing for that spot. Niether had much time at that position last year. Our best prospect is RB Daylyn Martin, he had a big year last year and shoud be even better this last year.

Looks like this has turned into a WC thread but that's ok because it sounds like you guys have a lot to be excited about this year. Just one comment, with all this talk about Cody and your skill players, don't overlook special teams because if you were at the Cookeville game last year you know that is where we beat you. I expect the new staff will have addressed that and it should be a heck of a game this year.

Yes, that's the name I couldn't remember. He was a beast last year as a junior, he'll really be impressive this year! Based on what I saw, I'm not surprised he's getting all the offers and won the combine. Kids like that play on a whole different level and are pretty few and far between. Good luck to you all this season.

You're right Nitro you take away the long kick return we had and the fumbled punt return we ran in and that game could have gone either way. We hear your new coach and staff has everybody fired up down there. Looking forward to playing you, it should be quite a game and hopefully the weather conditions will be better! I can't remember his number but you guys had a big kid on the line last year that played with a lot of intensity and was really quick for his size. Did he graduate and if so is he going to play anywhere?

I see some threads on here about other teams in our district. Anyone have any thoughts on the Cavalier's for this year? We have a very good running back returning and a some starters from last year on the line and in the secondary.

This will be my last post on the subject but I could not let the above post go with out responding. Your wife is right about one thing, one our of players did not shake the first CC players hand and that was very poor sportmanship on his part. After that point your wife's version looses touch with reality. The gentlemen who made the remark noticed that our player had not shaken hands and yelled F--k you #___ (called the kid's number) at that point another player on our team who happens to be black and was standing behind the kid who was yelled at, turned and looked at the guy who had yelled. At this point this fellow yells "F--k you too ya monkey" and proceeds to yell monkey again. This is not hear-say I heard it and saw him yell(I looked when I heard the first yelling). I did not see the part about our kid not shaking hands but some of our players told me that did happen and as I said that was poor sportsmanship on his part. None us in Cookeville judge CC fans by the actions of that one man but that one man has a definite problem so making excuses for him does not help anyone. I do agree with you that kids should not be permitted to harass other team's players from outside the fence. I know this happens at Cookeville as it does at some other schools and is very poor sportmanship and should not be tolerated. I'm not sure who was yelling at your players last night but the boys that came over to your side after the game were not looking for your players but the "gentlemen" who made the monkey remarks. As far as not letting your team exit out on our side, emotions were running way too high at that point for your boys to walk out right through our players. I'm sure you can understand why this would not have been a good idea at the time.

I do agree with your comments on Tromo. His comments are worthless and malicious. He would be far better served (we all would) if he remained silent. I also agree that it was a great game with both teams battling to the end. However, I strongly disagree with your comments on the "grandfather". He did attempt to hide. In fact, he moved behind the crowd and denied that he had said anything. I witnessed this personally. As petty and low as Tromo's comments are, you can in no way compare someone dogging a kid's baseball abilities to someone making derogatory comments targeted at a kid's racial heritage. If you really believe they are equal then you are just as twisted as the "grandfather" is!!

First of all let me say that us Cookevillians do not judge all CC fans by one individual. I have several long-time friends from Manchester. However, I do believe that the decent people of Coffee County should steps to insure that the skum-bag is banned from future CC athletic events forever. Secondly, we have been told by some folks from CC that the lowlife who yelled the disgusting remark (more than once) is a Coffee County Commissioner. Could someone from Coffee County please confirm if that is true or not ?

This is getting a little silly. Let's wait until kids at least make it into high school before we start comparing them. I suspect there's an 8th grader out there who's already a legend is his dad's mind....... Good luck to his high school coach!!