PowerSet

It looks like they finished 2nd in the district tournament, so maybe the other teams in the district were THAT GOOD. As was already said, all the stats and records in the world dont amount to a hill of beans when it comes tournament time. The team with the best records dont always win championships. The ones who played the best competition and got better usually win. If Rhea Co. wants to go about it in a different way, let them; it looks like its paid off so far this year. Instead of records, worry about winning.

They are taking applications through March 12, but Im not sure they are looking too seriously outside of the program. The team needs consistency right now and they could end up giving the job to a current assistant. If they do go outside the program, the candidate would most likely have to be successful at throwing the ball. A guy running a Power-I or Wing-T wont get the job. Nothing is set in stone at this point, but we should know in the next couple of weeks.

Chris Hill had the opportunity to go to his alma mater in Morrilton, Arkansas and decided to take the job.

Its not that they are losing; they have lost to some very good teams. The concern is the way they are losing. Emotionally, they were never in any of the last 3 games. True, GC, Westview, and CC are good, but the loss of intensity and quickness has nothing to do with the opponent. I think they can beat Brighton, and then give GC a run for their money. They had just better not play like they have the last couple of games. [Edited by PowerSet on 2-26-03 12:30P]

I agree. Obion Co. needs to wake up fast. They could go from 5th in the state to 1 and done in the Region if they aren't careful. I hope they can get it back.

Chester Co is actually in 12AA. If they were in 13AA, that would be a powerhouse!

The CHEERleaders are ok. However, the LOOK-AT-ME-IM-SO-BEAUTIFUL-ISNT-HE-CUTE-HOWS-MY-HAIRleader serves no purpose at a ballgame. Some cheerleaders do a good job. But when the ballgame becomes a beauty review/fashion show, cheerleaders are useless. Im not knocking all cheerleaders; only the ones who dont do anything.

Its an opinion...repeat after me....Its an opinion....Its an opinion...

The Lady Falcons are very athletic. They hustle throughout the game and play well as a group. They are also a young team. Coach Bret Johnson has them playing well together. Whether they are the # 7 team in the state or not, I dont know. I do know that they can surprise anyone on any given night. Wouldn't be surprised to see them win a game or two in the Regional tournament.

Assistant Coach Tony Lester was named INTERIM head coach yesterday. He has been at OCCHS since the 1991 season. HE has the most coaching experience on the staff. The OC Board of Education will be taking applications until March 12. The new coach will be named sometime after that.

Of the staduims I've played and coached in, some of the best are: Union City--Nice fieldhouse and indoor practice facility Brighton----Setup is nice; need visitor locker rooms at the field, not in the gym Obion Co----Field surface is good; indoor 40 yard field is great Crockett Co-Pratt has made Crockett Co's stadium into one of the best in the area Dyer Co-----New school, new field; well built Dyersburg---Bleachers in the side of the hill makes it feel like a bowl game There are other I'm sure I've left out, but this is a start.

I wasn't trying to disrespect you by saying that you would leave receivers uncovered; I'd hope that no sensible coach would do that. I was just saying that if you do run a straight up 4-3 or a 50 front, your DBs are at a disadvantage. Eight people in the box (or even 7) could be disastrous. I also find the most dangerous player on the offense and key him. But I dont compromise my secondary in doing so. My OLBs play what is equalivent to a 4-3 but with the LBs wide to take away the quick slant, and then have flat responsibility. They can still react to a run. They just aren't "in the box." My SS has the RB man, so if it is a run, there is another LB. If its a pass, then he has the RB covered. My corners play deep thirds and break up on the pass. That still leaves a FS to read the QB and react to his move. Some schools have the athletes to play man-to-man for the entire game. In this case, a more basic run defense would be fine, and the DBs could handle the secondary alone. Most rural schools dont have that luxury. A zone has to work. Like I said, I wasnt saying that you would leave someone uncovered, but if you load the box up, somebody could be open. [Edited by PowerSet on 2-19-03 9:37A]

Chester Co is good.....but they have nothing to do with 13AA.

The polls are released tonight. Most of the time they arent available until Tuesday morning. If somebody finds out tonight, maybe they will post them tonight.

In defense of 3Pointer- The subject of the post said Obion 58-Westview 54. That would be in Thursday night's district semi-final game. If that were to happen, then Westview would take 3rd place in the district, and thus be in Gibson Co.'s bracket in the region tourney. Then, after first round wins by both GC and MW, they would meet in the region semis with the winner going on to the finals and the loser going home. Hope this clears things up. As for whether I agree with it or not, I dont know. Both OC and Westview have the ability to win, but it will be a fight. Good luck to both teams. [Edited by PowerSet on 2-18-03 2:26P]

AC/DC Are You Ready Everyone in West Tennessee that has played Obion Co Central in the last 15 years would have to admit that "Jump" by Van Halen gets the adrenaline pumping. Usually got the Rebels going, too.

Different coverages can succesfully defend the spread formations. The key to the whole equation is pressure up front. If your d-line and ends can hurry the QB, you can have success against the offense. Stunting the MLB in B or C gap can be effective, but dangerous if the offense checks to a running play (and the MLB is unlucky enough to go the other way). The best package I've used is a 4-1 scheme. 2 ends, 2 tackles, 1 MLB in the box. This is usually sufficient to stop the run, IF the MLB can read and avoid geting blocked. The OLBs are wide to take away the quick slant, but basically play flats. CBs play 5-7 yards off the outside receiver and have deep third responsibility. SS (or nickel CB) has RB or extra WR MAN. This helps with run support if the RB stays in the backfield, and also allows for adjustment to motion. This leaves the FS in center field to take deep middle. There are wrinkles in the system for WR motion and OLB & CB blitzes. Again, it all revolves on pressure up front.

Some of the best in West Tennessee(outside of Memphis---not disrespecting them, just dont know much about 'em): Michael Alford---------- South FultonEarnest Williams-------- Crockett Co.Rod Smith--------------- Milan Cody Cook--------------- McKenzie Kenneth Fouse----------- Union City Terrance Bell----------- Huntingdon I think that all will be Seniors except for Cody Cook who will be a Junior. Not a bad group of runners!

Actually, having played against them 3 times this year, they dont really have star players. KC Vanatta (daughter of UTM women's co-coaches Gary & Kim Vanatta) is a deadly shooter, and the Owens girl is athletic, but for the most part, they play really well as a team. Each girl knows her role and does it. Thats hard to find in today's society. Since they are part of a McMillan team, they are very fundamentally sound, and that is the reason for their success. These girls will be good (maybe great) for Westview, but playing team ball has gotten them to where they are. Congratulations to the Lady Panthers! [Edited by PowerSet on 2-17-03 2:23P]

If they can't walk the walk, they have to talk the talk.......

The quarterback has to be the most important. He has to begin every play with the snap. A quarterback that constantly messes up on the snap is worthless. But so is the fastest tailback in the world if the qb cannot get him the ball. If I was asked who needed to be the most athletic, then it would probably be the tailback (unless the offense is a spread set or option oriented). The tailback is very important, but a fundamentally sound qb would have to be more important. I usually dont ask my quarterbacks to win the game; I ask them not to lose it.

My former high school plays Memphis schools at least once a year, sometimes twice. The main problem with playing Memphis teams is the travel aspect. When it takes two hours to get there on a bus, three hours to play the games, and two hours to get back, it would be very late. If it werent for that, Im sure many teams would play Memphis schools. Good competition only makes you better. [Edited by PowerSet on 2-14-03 2:58P]

Thats a good point. They should be able to be aware of the setting while still calling the game consistently. Good luck on the remainder of your season.

As a coach, I agree that many refs are not "up to speed." IO have had more than my fair share in football and basketball who needed to go "one-on-one" with a rule book. I have also been fortunate enough to have had some good ones. I feel that it is not a ref's job to keep up with how much time is on the clock. Whether its in the first minute or the last, their focus should be on the game. To be fair to both teams, he shouldn't know the score, either. I know they do notice these things, but in all fairness, shouldn't. The only exceptions would be a case of the final seconds in a very close ballgame when a whistle could blow and the clock lose time. Then, perhaps the refs should be able to see the correct time on the clock. If the refs are watching the clock, how can they call fouls? Then, if the refs are calling fouls, they should be consistent from start to finish. If its a foul in the first quarter, it is in the fourth quarter. This would eliminate the "I was cutting you a break by not calling that foul" from the refs. I realize that this is all in a dream world, but I just wanted to throw that out there. Hope I didnt offend anyone, b/c that wansn't my intention.