jedave30

I'm not saying one kid is the problem. I'm looking at the big picture. I saying it didn't help. That loss was a program loss and a community loss. That's why we're on here. Most of the finger point seems to be headed at Coach Stevens. I do agree that Coach Stevens needs to re-assess his team. My point is; it's easy to sit on the hill, the stands or where ever you may sit and second guess. We see plays as they develop. It's a different story when you're in the trenches. This is an inexperience team, let's give them time to develop. Look at last year, there was a new system put into place and new results. Compare all the coaches before Stevens, when you were in the stands you knew what play the old coaches were about to call. When Stevens took the helm, he had you guessing and that's what offenses should be about. When Stevens took over, he said you will have to be able to pass the ball to beat a team like Riverdale and make it to the State. Should I say more. We need to be patient. Where we really predicted to beat DB considering what we lost versus what they had coming back? The season is still early. If we're playing like this in week 7 or 8, then we have legitimate concerns.

It amazes me that we keep talking about the coaches. Coach Stevens has won a state championship and played for a championship. How many other coaches in the State can say that? Did he win the State with an undiscipline team? Was he ranked number 1 in the state year in and year out with undiscipline teams? I'll also assume that USC lost the national championship last year because they were an undiscipline team. We all agree that the Wildcats are inexperience. What do you expect when one of your experience players put the inexperience players in the hole early (2 fumbles and 2 interceptions (my bad one was better than a punt). Where talking about the guy who SHOULD be the leader. Know one is mentioning that. How can that be blamed on Coach Stevens. He has nothing to do with that. I guess he won the first 2 games because the teams he played were also inexperienced or had bad coaching. Let's go back to week 1. Some of you guys are the same ones talking about how Coach Shaddock in Clinton is a good coach. This man has won 3 or 4 games over the last 3 or 4 years and you say he is a good coach. What did he do to be consider a good coach? When will Coach Stevens get his credit. Once again, we talk about Coach Gaddis should've been the Head Coach. Outside of all his off the field problems, does anyone remember when he went 5-5. What excuses did we have for him? Since he is the almighty Coach everybody was wanting. I played for Coach Gaddis if anyone is questioning me. I was All State 2 years and every other award giving out around the State for 2 years. I was giving a full scholarship. Do the rest of you Monday Morning quarterbacks can say that. What are your credentials?

Is this why Clinton so bad and a whole lot of other teams in the area. Oak Ridge has the richest football tradition for a reason. Saying what you are saying, know wonder it took OR to find a football coach. There aren't many good coaches around. Coach Stevens has a State Title. I think it's fair to assume that he knows what he's doing.

WOW! Please explain, because misinterpretation is a bad thing. Now, if they are going to build a new school, they should a Community College with a football team because I'm sure Oak Ridge have a few players who would've been eligible.

ORNole: Did you read rabid point #2?

I'll like to say Congradulation on a sucessful season. It irks me to continue to hear about Coach Gray vs Coach Stevens. Coach Gray's offense was a run based offense, with an ocassionally roll out passing game. Coach Gray had the same offensive weapons as Coach Stevens but he didn't utilize his personnel. If anyone is doubting the personnel, please tell me who has changed? The only newcomer I see is the Douglas kid. We ask ourselves, would this Douglas kid would've been giving a chances on the old coaching staff considering his background. Past decisions tells me no, but I could be wrong. Last year's team had as much talent, some would argue more, than this year's team with an experience quarterback and they still elected to have a run oriented team. I sat in on a meeting with Coach Stevens at the Oak Ridge Boys Club and he said to beat Riverdale and win a State Championship, you have to know how to pass the ball. Considering he has won a State Championship, if anyone is arguing against that philsophy, I think his thinking was right. The only touchdowns scored last friday were passes. The one great thing he said was "I want to win, I don't care if I like or dislike a kid, but if he can help me win, I will play him". Would the old coaching staff would've used that same theory? Former players, you be the judge!!!!! Back to the staff, Congratulations again and all of us Monday morning quarterbacks lets all get on the bandwagon and bring the gold ball back were it belongs so we can turn our attention to the basketball teams. They will need our support, too.

Even though, as most have said, if Riverdale did shut Oak Ridge down in the second half, the score still would've been Oak Ridge 3 and Riverdale 0. If you do the match, Oak Ridge will still be going down I-40 West on Saturday as planned.

Did anyone notice the passing stats verus the run stats? I think OR scored once passing. I think the passing did Clinton some good. I think it would've been different if OR scored a lot passing. Holding back for OR was passing. If they would've continued to run, the score could've been worse. Have anyone taken that into consideration.

I talked to Coach Stevens today and he told me he used the scrimmage to run various plays and formations. Coach Stevens had a 30 play script that he followed. He said if he wanted to continue to run the ball at Maryville he could've easily drove down and scored. You may had noticed that no 2 plays were the same. Scrimmages are for finding your strengths and weaknesses and that's what he used the scrimmage for. Tuesday you will see different play calling. He will use this scrimmage to mirror a game like situation. Something I would like to know, is most people who is criticizing Coach Stevens played football before or are they being a Monday morning quarterback? We must remember that Oak Ridge hasn't won a state championship since 91 and Coach Stevens have won a state championship within the last 5 years. How many coaches in the state have won a championship? Coach Fulmer has won only one national championship at UT and we look at him like he is the best thing since slice bread and he get's to recruit his players.

The only reason Coach Stevens wasn't given a chance because Coach Gray has express his opinion openly that he doesn't won't to coach under Coach Stevens and told the players he wouldn't coach if he isn't chosen as the Head Coach. Let's talk about history. Coach Stevens took over a 1 and 9 program and turned it into one of the top 3A programs in the State. To add to that, Coach Stevens took that program and won a state championship in three years. Let's talk more about history. Coach Stevens has coached at Oak Ridge. He has taught school in Oak Ridge. He played at Oak Ridge and he graduated from Oak Ridge. He also continued to live in OaK Ridge after becoming the Head Coach at Austin East. Why wouldn't a alumni be given a chance. I am a great admirer of Coach Gaddis. I played for Coach Gaddis in the 90's. Coach Gaddis time has passed and now it's time to give Coach Stevens a chance. I don't won't to make this bigger than what it is but if Mississippi State can hired Coach Crum, and Notre Dame can hire Coach Willingham I know Oak Ridge Football is not bigger than one of those programs. Let's give Coach Stevens a chance.

Good response Boorelly!!!!!!!!

Do this means he's turning 17 in November and he is only in the 9th grade? I think he is doing a great job when given a chance. That's what a lot of players on the team need is a chance. Look at Cody Cofer: He goes from trying to win the game in the last few minutes against Anderson County, to not playing at all against Bradley County, to contributing greatly in the Clinton game. There is about 5 or 6 more kids on the team that could contribute greatly if given a chance. This has been my argument since I started my first thread. "Is Oak Ridge playing their best Athletes"

deialways, Do you understand the difference in a game you are suppose to win versus a game that's evenly talented? If you do, then you should understand why nobody are posting threads about a victory you should win. Let me define it for you: A game you are suppose to win the coaches don't have to coach as much versus a game were there is even talent. A game were the talent is even, that's when a coach has to show his knowledge.

I agree....

Boorelly, Does Coach Stevens have his team ready? If you are at the game tonight, I'll give you shout. We ready, we ready, we ready. Hollaaa

What do you mean when you say "inner city" atmosphere? I don't want to jump to conclusions.

I agree.... McKeethan was put in a bad situation but he also didn't help his cause by throwing the fade pass 10 yards to far and 5 yards out of bounds. He was very consistent with his passes out of bounds. He never gave the receivers a chance. In a earlier thread, I had mention why hasn't Cody Cofer been given a chance to quarterback. I said he could make plays and help his team instead of McKeethan. Does anyone agree? The only answer I got was from Matt King. He said Cody couldn't remember the plays. If that's the case, why was Cody quarterbacking when the game meant the most. To me, it looked like the coaches wanted Cody to make a play. They are going to need him to make a play the whole season. You are obviously not an English major either! Not only does your grammar show your ignorance, but so does your willingness to single out one player for a poor performance. These are high school kids, not professionals. They are not paid to play and should not have to be called out in public for their performance. McKeethan did not decide to start himself (note the correct spelling for your next post), nor did he call the plays. The coaching staff placed him in a position to fail, and he did. However, I am sure he gave all he had and will continue to do so. Given your pathetic use of the English language, maybe you should be benched in favor of a second grader writing posts on this site!

I agree.. The game is faster and the players are bigger, but the guys who was starting as Freshmen and JV are not playing now. Are you telling me that the backup players for the Freshman and JV developed faster than the starters. Tell me what have your starting quarterback done to this point. Eliminate the DUMP off passes to Corey. Sine you are a player, you tell me who's the better quarterback. It's not wise to post your name and number, because now you have to produce unless you don't get into games. If that is the case, I'll hold me opinion.

One of my closet friend is the head coach at Austin East. He took over a 1-9 team and won the state championship in 3 years. Ask him what was his approach..... He had less talent than what Oak Ridge has!!! I'm not going to name a starting line up for you. If you know talent then you can evaluate the team yourself. Obviously you don't. This isn't about Coach Lussier as a man, it's about Coach Lussier as a coach. You still haven't told me why you don't hear about those guys who started on Freshman and JV. The guys who had an underfeated season. I do agree with you about breaking a rule. If you break a rule, I do believe you should be punished. The guys who broke rules didn't even play last year. Yes, they were going to go out this year but they couldn't get their act together. Those guys didn't have anything to do with the previous underfeated seasons. Those guys could have helped a lot this year if they would have gotten in trouble. That's something we'll never know. Sorry to end this so quickly, but I have to go or else I will be breaking my employer rules.

There is no one a bigger fan of the Coach than I am. I played for Coach Lussier and my condientials speak for themselves. My point is Oak Ridge does have more than 1 talented player but they are not getting a chance to play. If you are going to limited the other talented players and use what you think who can get it done for you, why not go to the I formation. Corey Booker is the only talented running back that he is playing right now. I agree.. The talent has dropped off at Oak Ridge. Why is that? If you attend football games, do you experience excitement on Friday nights like you did 3 to 10+ years ago? Look around the stadium, the attendance is down. What's the reason for that? No excitement!!!! Why, because their's no one making plays or even coming close to making plays. Why, because the play makers are on the side line not getting a chance to make plays.

How many good running backs do they have? I bet you it's more than 1. Point proven!!!!

Who said anything about the officers of the booster's club? I was talking about the booster club in general. Tell me why aren't these kids who started on the Freshman and JV playing now? Don't just name me 1 or 2 players. Then you will prove my point. You tell me that you gone underfeated for 2 years and now all of sudden you have become a 5 and 5 team. That doesn't make sense to me. Are you telling me that Cody Cofer is not good enough to be the backup quarterback if not the starter? He can make plays. Tell me who is second string quarterback? Listen to his name as you say it. Cody at receiver will not cut it if you don't have someone to throw him the ball. Please reply!!!!!

You had mentioned Concord De LaSalle and Cleveland running the Wing-T formation. Yes, I did consider the Wing-T to be a good formation in the middle to late 80's. What has that offense done for them lately? Now days, defense are a lot smarter. Back then, that was a formation that was hard to figure out. Now since time has prgress, defenses have learned how to stop it. You can't run a Wing-T with one good running back and it's showing. Yes that one running back may get his yards, but what about the other running backs. One man can't be you.

This year was the first year that I have gotten a chance to see Oak Ridge play in the pre season. I saw the Maryville and Oak Ridge scrimmage. That game almost made me sick. When I looked across the field, I could clearly see that Maryville had more confidence. I will stop short of saying better talent. When I looked on the field, there was probably 2 or 3 good players on either side of the ball for Oak Ridge. I know this can't be the best they have to offer. Are we trying to satify the boosters? If you look over the last 3 to 4 years, Oak Ridge Freshmen and JV teams have went underfeated. What happen to those players? Are they not developing like the surrounding teams? If this the case, we need to look at our coaches. When I look through the program, I see names I never had heard of. Where did they come from all of sudden? Someone please help. Going back to the Maryville's scrimmage, I saw 2 bright spots: 1) Corey Booker 2) the punter. I did see a couple of players who wanted to make some plays but wasn't given the opportunity. Personally, I think that Wing-T offense stinks. That offense is to predictable. There is 1 good running back in that system and you know where he is about to go. If he's lined up right, he's going to go left and vise versa. Who can't figure that out. The quarterback looked real bad. That doesn't help a Wing-T offense because other teams know you are not going to pass. Teams will stack 8 men on the line and say beat us. That Maryville scrimmage should have been a lesson learned. They came out in multiple sets and took it to Oak Ridge on the home turf. They were never predictable!!! Let's get back to Oak Ridge Football. Put Booker in the I-formation and give him the ball 20+ times, I'll guarantee you'll get results. Former Wildcat