Gov

I think bald coach is on to something. Maybe the numbers that should be used is the number of athletes who have cleared the ncaa clearing house from each school. Obviously you are going to have a higher percentage of athletes that qualify for D-1 scholarships at private schools than at public schools because of entrance exams, students without learning disabilities, etc. Also I would assume that private schools have a higher percentage of thier student body participating in athletics. To try to compare total population numbers with each other isn't going to give you an honest percentage of who has the most athletes. For instance, no one will deny that Cleveland or Alcoa has some of the best ahletes year in and year out yet they don't always put players in D-1 consistantly. Some don't qualify, loose interest, or as in baseball Juco may be a better route if they are drafted out of high school. Yes, Laz is the greatest at putting in numbers but the variences is this equation are to broad to come to any conclusion.

Well, they have got there hands full, I saw them a few years back when they played madison in the play-offs, and I can tell you one thing is for sure, if they are still running that same offense, you are in for a treat and McCallie is in for a hornets nest. I can't even try to explain it, except that they have two slots positioned between the guard and tackle. Its something that I have never seen before. It seemed like a combination of the old single wing, wing t, and the wing bone with backs used as guards. They trapped and pulled like they were guards, but still ran the speed sweeps with them. You just have to see it to believe it. They never throw the ball.

Travis Creagan is a Sophomore. After his huge victory to seal the win, I was glad to see that he didn't taunt the crowd as a certain Franklin wrestler had done earlier. Seems all Sophomores aren't as mature on the mat as others. Congrats to Travis.

To try to compare any of the Championship teams to each other is futile, although it is fun to try, its all relative. Each team was great in its on time, 88, 89 teams had to probably go through more good teams as there were only three classifications at that time, but the 96 and 04 teams may have had to go through the better teams to win it all. I would like to say the one common thread is Coach Goodwin, he has been a part of all 4 teams. DCA is very lucky to have someone who has weathered the storm many times by those who have had personal vendetas against him and his program. He has never been bitter and has been loyal to DCA even when they have not been loyal to him. Love him or hate him he has been the constant that has produced a winning program throughout the years. Most people on the outside do not realize the things he has had to go through at times. I hope that DCA appriciates what he has meant to their school, not only to its fooball program but overall athletic program.

Top five fields and stadiums in the state, 1. Bradley Central 2. McMinn Co. 3. CPA 4. Lincoln Co. 5. McCallie

It has to be Trousdale vs DCA playoffs, not sure of the year 88 or 89. Trousdale winning inside the five yard line going in to put salt in the wound on the last play of the game. Oh my, fumble on the play, Scooter Edwards picks it up goes 99 yards to score as the horn sounds. DCA wins goes on to win the state. Has to be most heartbreaking loss of any I have ever heard of.

Thats what wrong with high school athletes, we tend to protect them to much, then complain that they are spoiled rotten when they go to college or pros. The high school athlete needs to understand that when you do good things and expect your name in the limelight, you must take responsibility and suffer the consequences when you make mistakes. If we are going to put someones picture in the paper and present him as player of the year, we must also report the bad stories that go along with the good. If Wilkes went crazy, then it should have been headlines in the paper just like it is when he pitches a shutout or gets the game winning hit. If you are man enough to be the hero, you should be man enough to be the goat if that is the case.

They should make a movie and call it Chico and the man, who didn't get the credit. Could be movie of the year.

Add: Kellen Pickel of Bradley Central signed on Monday 4-12-04 with Lee University in Baseball/Basketball.

I don't know who will win, but it will be fun just to watch both coaches on the bench.

I hope that DCA wins, they deserve to get to the state. There was a time when DCA girl's basketball would get beat by thirty points or more. They took it on the chin numerous times against the Ezells and University Schools. Its great that a school like DCA can develope talent like Bodiford who has been there since kindergarden and turns its program around. Its been a long row to hoe, but its good to see that the harvest has been plentiful. Good luck to the lady wildcats.

Thats my point if he would have won no one would be saying a word about this.

It seems to me that Coach Connel actually did Spencer a favor by making him wrestle up in weight class. He won the state having to work harder, and wrestling better competition than he would have done if he had wrestled down. This may actually help him in the summer when he goes back down to wrestle in the lower weight classes. Sounds like Coach Connel may know a little bit more than Spencer's father about how to produce champions. Spencer should feel prouder about this championship than his last one's. As far as the chair throwing, the rationalization given by the father doesn't fly with me. Holding in football is against the rules, but it is up for interpretation every play. Although the hold is legal, if in the interpretation by the official the hand crossed the chin, or there may be choking then it becomes illegal. Its a judgement call at best and just because you see it different doesn't give you the right to display unsportsmanlike behavior.

That is the correct slant, most of the time at small schools, the back-up may be a sophmore or freshman, where as you move up in class it is probably another senior or at least a junior. What everyone needs to realize is that numbers on the sideline doesn't always add up to the players in the program. Lots of 5-A as well as top programs throughout classification have a varsity squad along with J.V. with a seperate freshman team. By providing these programs participation increases. Programs lacking a freshman squad will not get alot of freshman out. In these programs players may not come out for the program untill there sophmore or junior year. There are lots of reasons why programs are not able to provide seperate teams; lack of coaching supplements, financial resorces, or facilities all may be a cause. Once again, motivation for students to participate is based on many factors in thier environment, it transcends public or private issues.

Coach T. can I multiply my posts by 1.8 so I can compete with Baldcoach, Laz, Csense, and Indian.

You are probably correct in your statement, it is found more in your Div. II than in Div. I. But I still do not see where someone can conclude that private students are more motivated to participate than their public counterparts. I have coached at one of the best private schools in the state as well as some of the best public schools in the state, I can honestly say that participation or number of players on the sideline has little to do with the success of the program. Tyner doesn't have lots of numbers, but seem to be a very competitive program in 2-A while Lipscomb has more numbers and are also competitive. Depth is mostly important as you move up in classification. Your school is a good example, Boyd has competed against higher competition and has been very successful. The difference is Boyd beats East Ridge and Rhea Co. then plays Lookout Valley and Copper Basin. Boyds schedule has a few region breathers while Rhea is facing Red Bank and Cleveland in their region. It takes more depth to compete week after week than it does to have to compete every other week. I really believe that Brentwood Academy had an advantage playing AA during there domination years. Their district schedule at the time gave them a chance to stay healthy for the play-offs and to compete against a couple of good teams during the regular season to prepare for a run at the state title. I think you would have to admit that depth at Rhea Co. may be a little bit better than Boyd. Small private schools may have lots of numbers, but that doesn't mean there is lots of talent in those numbers. Plus some of these small privates dress some of there Eighth graders during a varsity game. I am just not sold that participation is a great factor in success. Just because your chicken house is full of eggs doesn't mean you will have alot of chickens.

Its not motivation that gives the private schools the edge in this department, it is the fact that most private schools require students to participate in athletics or intramurals. If you use the phrase 'required to particpate' instead of 'motivated to participate' I will agree. I think that there is a misconception that participation breeds success, I think that success breeds participation.

If Maryville keeps winning and keeps getting all these athletes to move in, its just a matter of time before all special school districts have a multiplier or even have to participate in division II. They have such an unfair advantage over us regular public schools. What will schools like Oak Ridge, Cleveland, and Maryville do when they are forced to play in a division II, because of all the advantages; facilities, community involvement, above average athletic participation, larger coaching staffs. Where are all the posters who advocate a level playing field. All you Maryville supporters need to learn how to stay low and keep a low profile. You keep tooting your horn, you may find yourself without a band to play for.

I have watched many games between private and public schools, to say that the one school would be more motivated that the other to perform is ridiculas. Cleveland High School won three straight state championships in football with no more than 40 players on the roster, if that many and even defeated Brentwood Academy in one of those. To even suggest that Middleton or Perry Co. players are less motivated would unjustly portray them in a negative manner. I am sure Huntington would take issue with the statement that private schools are more motivated. Parents footing the bill for kids just as often produce lazy, spoiled, unmotivated students.

Starsnbars, you are incorrect, the city recieves a percentage of money on any bond issued by the county because your child attends the city school. Just another advantage of special school districts. These systems get city tax money as well as any bond issued money. They also recieve a percentage of federal money the county receives. So your tax money is well represented at Maryville High School.

I am going to have to disagree with you totally on this issue. To assume that an athlete from a public school has less of a motivation than a private school athlete to become successful is down right ludicrus. As a matter a fact I am going to say that a student athlete at a public school is actually more motivated to be successful. Given the fact that most of these athletes have more to lose if they are not sucessful. An athletic scholarship may be the only avenue in which this athlete can attend college. If the athlete is going to a private school, in most cases this athlete isn't depending solely on there athletic ability to further there education. I would argue that the difference isn't the student athlete's motivation but the lack of resources that are available at their school. Please, don't compare these two schools and tell me the difference is students willingness to sacrifice. Public school athletes may actually sacrifice and often overcome more obstacles than do private school athletes. I am sure that baldcoach or rollredroll may disagree, as I am sure they can give numerous examples of private school athletes overcoming difficult circumstances, but spare me the assumption that on average, private schools athletes are more motivated.

Baldcoach I am going to challenge you on this point, I am a little intimidated by your genious but I shall try to call your hand on this one. First, most private schools that are division I do give finiancial aid but just not directly to an athlete. However there are ways in which a family can receive financial aid. Because most of the schools formentioned are K-12, these families usually have multiple kids attending this school. Therefore, this family can receive financial aid for the sibling not participating in athletics. These schools can also hire parents to work at the school to supplement their income to help offset the costs of the school. I believe that this is a loop hole in the present system that these schools can use to circumvent the rule. I am not saying that this is done at Boyd but I believe that this happens at some institutions. Although these practices may not actually be considered breaking the rule, but I consider them breaking the intent of the rule. Maybe you could shed some light on these issues and spin them so I could have more faith in the system.

I am hoping that the previous quote above is unbiased between privates schools and public schools. Surely you are not suggesting that these problems only exist in public schools. I can't really tell from the post, so I will assume that you are talking about schools in general whether public or private. I can assure you this one fact about students, A turd is a turd no matter how you dress them up. Public schools have no monopoly in this department. All schools face these type problems.

CSense, I am a little disappointed in your comments, I usually have a general respect for your opinion on the boards as you have made excellent points in previous posts. However, to compare band with athletics is a cardinal sin of which I cannot condone. I would think that students that have talent in an artistic field would be just as welcomed to one of the prestigious boarding schools and if the student qualified, would be given the same privilage as any other student. Surely when it comes to parents that have students with talent, whether it be artisticly or athleticly, the opinion of the parent should be taken with a grain of salt. In each example you have given, rollredroll is correct, don't believe everything a parent says.

rollredroll, you have to excuse those parents who live close to Baylor or McCallie, it seems to be a measure of ones athletic ability in the surrounding area if Baylor or McCallie is interested in thier prospective athlete. Some parents even try to use the private card to promote the parents own agenda. Most of the time parents contact these institutions only to find out that it is need based only. Its kind of a notch in the belt for some parents. So please excuse those who exaggerate the truth.