volfan911

How many carries did Earnest Williams have? How many yards? What was his average yardage per touch at the time he got hurt?

DB, particularly safety, simply isn't a "need" position for the Vols this year in recruiting. I don't see Earnest playing at any other position in college and UT is LOADED with young WRs. They already have a committment from Jonathan Heffney, an extremely promising cornerback/return specialist, who is in prep school at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. They have a promising true freshman in Corey Campbell and Jarrod Parish, also a true freshman, is showing some promise as well. I think last year UT would have gone after Earnest harder. But he just wasn't considered a "can't-miss" prospect, according to their recruiting needs, by the UT staff from what I've heard. I was sure hoping to see him in Orange and White one day. But he'll do fine at Auburn or Ol' Miss and may see the field sooner than he would at UT.

Well said, EZ.

Beans, I wasn't referring to you when I said that. Sorry for the confusion. Should have stated it better.

beans, That's unfortunate. I wasn't able to hear the game on the radio where I was so I had no idea what happened in the game. "Boo" Ingram had developed into one of my favorite players. He's really been a bright spot on this Cavalier team and a very productive player. I hate that he and Earnest couldn't play for the most part, but as I said ealier, that's just part of the game and excuses shouldn't be made. This Crockett County team has nothing to hang their heads about. They've got some great years ahead of them.

I wasn't aware that Ingram didn't play. Man, that must have been a tough game for the Crockett offense not having Ingram and Williams. But that's football, and people get injured. Congrats to Greenbrier. I wasn't able to make it to the game but, after the class your fans showed last year in Crockett County, if we had to lose I'd rather it be to you guys. Hope we meet again next year. To the Crockett County players...congratulations on a great season! Seniors, your record the past three years is something to be truly proud of. With the talented young players coming up, I'm expecting many more great seasons in the near future. Re: Earnest Williams, he'll be playing in the SEC next year. For whom, nobody's sure yet. He still has to make his test score, if I'm not mistaken, but I believe they're very optimistic that he'll make it. He has legit offers from Auburn, Ol' Miss, and Arkansas - but obviously, he'll need to make his score or he'll likely have to go the JUCO route. Not sure if he could be a partial qualifier or not. But he has the talent to play DB or WR at the upper-level D1 schools. Sounds like you guys have a heckuva player in Herndon. I've yet to see him play but it sounds like your running game will be in great shape next year with him in the backfield judging from the good things I've heard about him. Anyone have his height, weight, stats, and projected college position? Thanks for any info.

westtnvol, is Earnest Williams back in the game or is he out?

Anyone listening to the Crockett/Greenbrier game, I would GREATLY appreciate the updates as my sound on my 'puter isn't working so I can't hear the game. Horrible news re: Earnest. I sure hope it isn't broken.

I can't imagine a group of coaches coming into a program in the shape that Crockett County was at that time, and doing a better job of building it. Coach P.A. Pratt and Coach Andy Brady are great together...sort of a yin/yang deal I've always thought. They counter-balance each other, personality wise. Together they helped turn one of the worst programs in the state - literally - into one of the best in its classification. Are they the best in the state? Who cares? I wouldn't ask for anyone else and I couldn't see anyone doing a better job than what they've done. I'm proud to say I played for them and for Crockett County.

GreenbriarCat, It seems as though Greenbriar's program is on the right path to becoming one of the premier teams in 3A year-in-year-out. Bottom line: they're winning. The longer both programs keep winning, the less fans have to worry about respect. Crockett County has been in the top ten in the state for the past 5 seasons (aside from '99 when we were just outside the top ten - lost in second round to Milan, the state champs that year) and we're just now starting to get state-wide respect. Regardless of whether Greenbriar wins or loses, this is two consecutive third round appearances and people are going to take note. You'll start seeing Greenbriar get more preseason hype and you'll have more players chosen for All Region and All State. I've been witnessing the respect grow each year. Before Coach Pratt came to Crockett County 7 years ago, we were one of the worst programs in the state. Funny how enthusiastic, motivated coaches can breath so much life into a community just by teaching high school kids to win at football. It's sure made the Fall so much more enjoyable here in Crockett County.

GreenBriarCat2, We know Greenbriar is good. However, you sound eerily similar to the Crockett fans' "can you hear me now" tone you address in your post. Most of us here in Alamo know Greenbriar is a very good team and very capable of beating Crockett. Why the need to label it "Crocketts battle cry"? Check my earlier post, I addressed those fans you're speaking of and I agree that it gets annoying when people complain about their team being considered "overrated" by others or that they get little respect. With that said, should you really feel the need to convince us that, "Greeenbriar is GOOD too" in big bold letters? Practice what you preach.

Asmodeus, People have been giving Crockett County plenty of respect the last few years. However, we've still yet to win a state championship and we've only been a big time program for about 5 years now. The respect is there and will only continue to grow as long as Crockett remains a tough team year in and year out. Don't sell your own team short by insinuating on these message boards that nobody respects the Cavaliers. Open your eyes. Know this and appreciate it: people across the state now know of our county and our program because of our recent success. Sit back and enjoy it, many teams can't claim the same level of success while at the same time plenty others can. Be proud and realize that it's not your job to convince others that we have a great team. Let our players and coaches do that on Friday night - it's their job and they've become quite good at it. Good luck to Greenbriar. I'm sure you're team is ready and am looking forward to what should be a hard-fought, close football game.

Great game. Surprise, surprise. There does not seem to be a truly dominating team in 3A this year. The true top 5 or 6 teams are all probably very evenly matched and each team could win on any given night, IMO. Polls are so subjective that people should learn by now that, especially in high school football, they mean absolutely nothing. To be ranked #1 or #2 in the state means squat. All that matters is what happens on Friday night. So is Crockett County overrated? It really doesn't matter. Greenbriar isn't intimidated by Crockett. Crockett isn't intimidated by Greenbriar. Being ranked a couple spots ahead or behind an opponent in a poll doesn't matter one bit to the players. Both teams at this point realize that they win or go home. I'm expecting a hard fought game that could go either way Friday.

As someone who's most familiar memories of football in West Tennessee are of a time when Covington ruled the gridiron in thier region year in and year out, it's hard to believe I'm hearing predictions of Ripley over Covington in a playoff game. With that said, congratulations to Ripley's staff and players for bringing that program up to big-time status in West Tenn. Good luck against the Chargers.

Craig, you're definately right about that. Coach Pratt and Coach Brady were a Godsend.

just curious. Thanks to anyone with the info.

VolGeneral, you brought up something I had yet to even fully realize - Craig Massey led this team to an undefeated season....as a freshman. Once that kid hits a growth spurt....lookout. With that said, I like the move of putting Mosier back in as the starting QB. I like the athleticism he brings to the position.

Crockett's out-of-region conference is certainly nothing to brag about. But I don't see it hurting their chances in the tournament. If the players hadn't already been there before, I could see your point. But these guys were there when Crockett was in the state and they were there last year when were one game away from the state. They know what it's like to play very good teams. I expect this game to be pretty close. I've yet to see any film on MC (everyone that has that I've spoken with seems to think that MC has a good shot of giving CC a close game), so i've no way of knowing how good they are but I've seen them enough in the past few years to know that they have a heckuva RB in Mario Davis and that they'll be a well-coached, hard-nosed team. Will it be enough? We'll find out tonight. You MC fans on the road have a safe trip here and back.

Craig, You did a great job on the Pike "highlight" video. Got a sneak preview this afternoon. We sure appreciate it.

Crockett lost their starting QB - a very talented and tough kid who was all-region at safety last year - and their backup moved schools. They're having to play a freshman who, although he may be a good QB in the future, is in no way ready to step in and lead this team. That is in no way intended to be a shot at the kid, it's just an honest observation. I haven't seen him in a few months so he might have grown a little. But he was tiny the last time I saw him and I thought he was only going to be an 8th grader this year. I couldn't believe it when someone told me he would be starting for the varsity. I think this will be great for him to get in there and get some experience but it's gonna take some time for him to grow and develop into the QB many think he has the potential to be. With that said, I'm pretty nervous about Crockett's season but I think they have the coaching staff and enough good players at other positions to put themselves in a position to win the reason. But unless their starting QB makes it back, I don't see them making to the state title game.

TeddDavid...LOL!!! I think we should make the Ambulance siren a tradition at our games from now on. It was louder than the dull train horn and the lights were a nice effect as well. But as for taking it to away games....sometimes people need to learn when to leave the "tradition" at home where it belongs. I would like to think that if my own players where on the field hollering and motioning for us to stop doing something that was penalizing them, I'd feel very bad about my behavior. Even with all the childish behavior, that game last year was one of the most entertaining nights I've ever witnessed at Cavalier Stadium - second only to the 2000 win over Southside with the last second TD pass in the corner of the endzone. THAT was the single greatest game I've seen the Cavaliers play. I'm looking forward to another great season this year. CC has the talent to make it back to the state championship game, but as always they'll have to show up every week ready to play and I think they will.

Just wondering how the Cavaliers looked. Did Earnest play much? Much of the Cavaliers' success this year will depend on his play.

sorry jac, I read above where you're going to be attending Harding Academy. However, and I'm not trying to insinuate that you're being dishonest, are you sure you got an invitation to the U.S. Army National All-Star game? There was only 1 player there from Tenn last year if I remember correctly, and that was Gerald Riggs - who was considered among the top 2 RBs in the nation. No disrespect whatsoever, but I doubt they invited those guys you mentioned unless they were serious D1 prospects - if they are D1 prospects and I just haven't heard of them, again I apologize. I just had a hard time believing that they had invited all of you guys and that you would simply turn down their offer. The game was played back in January. Any of you see Jayson Swain's awesome catches? He's gonna be a stud WR that even Pat Washington can't coach down I got a feeling Chris Leak may have a pretty solid career down at UF to say the least. The kid's got skills. I hope he gets smacked around against UT though

From what I understand, the players who make one of the major all american lists are offered invitations first. The remaining spots are filled by some of the lesser known prospects in the country. I've never heard of the invitations costing money. I'm sure it costs to travel and stay somewhere. Pretty dumb if they have an entry fee as I would think they would try to attract the top players in the country to come. I doubt very many, if any, Tennesse players outside Daniel Brooks, Bowman, Chris Russel, Joe Sanders, have been invited to the U.S. Army All-Star game. Last year, every player basically had been offered by Div 1 schools. It's mainly the top players in the country - and Tennessee doesn't have a whole lot of those caliber players, according to the recruiting analysts anyways. Jac, if I remember correctly, you were a soph or junior this year right? They only invite seniors. If I'm mistaken about your age, I apologize. But I thought you had said before that you were younger.

I played for Coach Harrell when he coached the Jackson Eagles 18 year old team a couple years ago. I would have to say that I have never been around a coach who is so truly admired and respected by his players. None of his Northside players that I talked to that summer had anything negative to say about the man. He expects results and does what he can to get his players to perform at their best. He's strict, but he's able to maintain a good relationship with his players. In other words, he's pretty a pretty cool guy to hang around. I enjoyed playing for him that summer. I played against Coach Pavette's Covington teams numerous times throughout my high school career. His teams are always disciplined and went about their business with very little trash talk, if any, and always seemed to come out on top no matter how well my team played against him. He's a winner who instills that same mentality in his players. [Edited by volfan911 on 4-21-03 10:10P]