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I expect SD to be better this year (with 19 starters returning), but the Cherokees are still very young. Last year's game was extremely sloppy (plus, it's week 0). If not for so many Panther turnovers, that game would have been even worse. I didn't really see much from SD against Bearden in their scoreless tie at the jamboree/glorified scrimmage, but apparently Bearden's starters only played for about 3 plays, according to the News Sentinel. HTV, didn't Powell have 4 or 5 turnovers in last year's game? SD will have to be much improved, because they looked very discombobulated at times during last year's 31-0 drubbing.

Despite a couple of turnovers in the jamboree, Powell held their own against Catholic (much like last year). The Fulton game next week is huge, but South Doyle cannot be overlooked, especially in Week 0. In the end, I think Powell has too much talent on both sides of the ball. Powell wins, 38-7. HTV, have the Panthers avoided the injury bug during practice/scrimmages so far this year?

What's the injury situation for Clinton this week? I've heard that a couple of key players are injured, but I haven't heard just how serious those injuries were. If Clinton's starting QB is out (which it sounds like he is), I have a feeling that Clinton will be running the ball a lot. Halls will also do their fair share of running the football. I don't anticipate a high-scoring game. Despite their injury issues, I think Clinton wins, 20-17.

I've wondered the same thing, but keeping silent is probably the best thing their fans can do. The last couple of seasons, with the lofty expectations Halls had, their threads were filled with a lot of talk, and I think that got the best of them. With so much talent returning at AC, OR, and Powell, plus Clinton and an improved Central squad, I have a very difficult time seeing Halls making the playoffs again this year. This week 0 matchup is a huge measuring stick for both teams. I don't think Halls can afford to lose this game, considering how difficult the front half of their schedule is. Clinton, on the other hand, has a very tough stretch at the end of the season (plus DB in week 1), so this game is just as crucial.

From the Oak Ridge thread: District 3-3A coaches predictions (8 of 9 coaches voting) 1. Oak Ridge 2. Anderson County 3. Powell 4. Clinton (tie) 4. Central (tie) 6. Halls 7. Karns 8. Campbell County 9. Hardin Valley

Yes, I misspoke, that #4 spot is no longer a guaranteed playoff position. I knew that some changes were made to the playoff qualification system, but they just sound ridiculous. Do you guys think that it is time for TSSAA to adopt a computer/power ranking system to determine each qualifier, like many other states already use? Ohio has been doing this for years - the state is broken up into 4 regions (NE, SE, NW, SW) for each classification, and the top 8 ranked teams from each region and classification make the playoffs, based on computer rankings. District play is still involved, but teams with weak schedules are not rewarded in this system, so it encourages a team to play a more difficult non-district schedule.

Halls and Central both strike me as major wild cards. Every time I think that both of these teams are ready to turn the corner, they seem to regress in some way. Halls schedule is brutal (just like last year). Somehow they have to win one of their first 6 games (@ Clinton, @ Sevier Co, @ Powell, Webb, OR, AC), if they are going to have a shot at the playoffs. I think the key game for the Red Devils is the opener against Clinton. I don't see Halls beating Powell, Webb, OR, or AC, but the games against both Clinton and SC (non-district) will be interesting. I think Clinton gets the W, but I wouldn't be shocked if Halls found a way to win. Hard to believe that Halls has only been to the playoffs once in the past 4 seasons. I've been making the same excuse for Central for the past 3-4 years - they are young, and yet, this team has been stagnant over the past few years, and I'm not sure why they haven't improved. They haven't made the playoffs since 2006, and I'm starting to wonder if this is going to be a continued trend for Central. The biggest difference I've seen between Central now versus 5-10 years ago is their defense, or lack thereof (which is the total opposite of Halls troubles - lack of offense). Central seems to have another young team, but until they ratchet up their defensive effort, I don't think they can crack the top 4.

I haven't heard too much regarding district 3AAA yet (it is only July), but I'm curious to get everyone's thoughts and an early look at who the top teams will be. The top 4 from last year (Clinton, OR, AC, Powell) still look like the teams to beat. From what I've seen coming back, there will be a bit of shuffling. OR and AC appear to be the top 2 at this point. Powell returns a lot of starters (I've got them at #3), especially at the skill positions. Clinton lost a lot of star power, but the cupboard isn't bare and they will contend for that coveted #4 spot. I think that Central and Halls will take a step forward and compete with Clinton for the final playoff spot, but I still think that Clinton grabs that #4 spot.

Don't be too hard on dragonfan. He's seen plenty of that on the hardcourt over the years at Clinton, so he might actually know what he is talking about. This is just a very young team, and my hope is that they will improve as the season continues.

I think that is an excellent gesture. It sounds like there will be a great turnout tonight. This is a very tough matchup for the Panthers. As a Powell fan, I hate to play South in the first round, because I would love to see the Rebels win out. I'm hoping for an upset, but I'll be pulling for South to win out if things don't go Powell's way.

The News-Sentinel picked Powell to pull the upset. Hopefully that won't be the kiss of death for the Panthers.

Winner of this one gets the winner of Morristown West/Catholic.

For Sullivan South, the Rebels must take this one game at a time. Panther fans heard a lot of this same talk 2 years ago when the Panthers traveled down I-75 to face undefeated Red Bank in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions pulled it out late, winning a 30-27 thriller. Red Bank would go on to finish the season 12-1, with their only loss coming to Maryville in the quarterfinals. Powell has had an excellent second half of the season. They really began to turn things around after the loss to Karns in week 5. The Panthers struggled with the fumble bug early on this season (which killed them against Fulton, OR, and Karns), but in recent weeks, they've done an excellent job of holding onto the football. I expect Powell to score some points, but Sullivan South is going to be a difficult team to beat. If the Panthers hold onto the football, this game will be a lot closer than most people think. My prediction: Sullivan South 35 - Powell 20.

No one is crying, and certainly no one is trying to take anything away from Clinton. I debated even bringing this up because I knew some fan would take this the wrong way. The better team won the football game, period. I'm not a fan of either team; however, I was simply stating that I didn't think Clinton dominated the game in every phase. If they had, the final score would have been something like 35-7 or 42-20. Big plays or not, when an opponent outgains the winning team (and the winning team scores with 1:19 to play to seal it), I wouldn't consider that outplaying the other team in every phase of the game. The Colts-Dolphins game from a month ago is a great example.

I agree, Clinton dominated the turnover battle and they won the scoreboard battle (obviously, the most important battle of all). But don't forget, AC outgained Clinton 375-345 in total offense. It's moot now, but to say that Clinton dominated both defensively and offensively just isn't the case. Just look at the stat sheet. Minus the turnovers, this was a very close game, both offensively and defensively.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I watched this game from start to finish. I'm sorry, but neither team outplayed the other. Take away just one of two of those turnovers, and the outcome likely would have gone either way. Give Clinton credit for forcing those turnovers and taking advantage of them. Darian Stone was clearly the player of this game, but I don't know how you can look at the entire 48 minutes and say that Clinton "out played AC in every phase." I just didn't see that. Clinton dominated the turnover battle, and that's about it. It was a great game, and congratulations to the Dragons on an undefeated regular season. I'm anxious to watch Clinton again in a couple of weeks. Whoever the Dragons host next week shouldn't be better than Anderson County, so I hope that Hazelhurst gets another week off before he tries to give it a go in the playoffs. I still don't think that this team can go all the way without Hazelhurst. The Dragons can't have a repeat of what happened to him in the Clinton-Powell game last year (came back too soon from his collarbone injury). It will also be interesting to see how the field at Clinton holds up over the next couple of weeks. I have to imagine that muddy conditions would be detrimental to Clinton's offensive attack in the playoffs.

According to TSSAA's playoff scenarios (from tssaa.org), "If Clinton wins they are a 1st place qualifier; otherwise they are a 2nd place qualifier, unless Oak Ridge wins in which case they are an automatic qualifier." So yes, vacating that win would hurt Clinton's playoff seeding if they lose to AC.

This pretty much lays it out: http://tssaa.org/sports/football/playoffs/classaaa.htm If Clinton wins they are a 1st place qualifier; otherwise they are a 2nd place qualifier, unless Oak Ridge wins in which case they are an automatic qualifier Second or third, it doesn't matter since Oak Ridge is a 6A school. They would still be the second 5A qualifier from district 3. I didn't think it really mattered, just for playoff seeding.

Can someone in the know clear the air - TSSAA announced yesterday that they've vacated Clinton's win over Halls (along with Central's wins over Karns and Hardin Valley). If AC wins this game, would Clinton now finish 3rd in the district (since they'd have one less district win compared to AC and OR)?

TSSAA won't give a win to Halls. Under the current TSSAA bylaws, Clinton's win will simply be vacated, rather than counted as a loss for Clinton. According to Article III, Section 13 of the 2009-10 TSSAA handbook: "In vacating wins [due to use of an ineligible player], each victory is treated as though the game were not played. Opponents still count actual outcomes."

Congratulations Panthers! Great win tonight!

Powell 3 Anderson County 0

Both of these teams control their own destiny. If Powell wins, they are in playoffs. If Central wins, they can earn a playoff berth with a win versus Halls next week. This is a complete wild card game. Central started the season 0-4; in consecutive weeks, the Bobcats thrashed Karns and Hardin Valley, gave Clinton its toughest game thus far, but followed it all up with a stunning loss to Campbell County. With the exception of Powell's blowout loss against Karns, the Panthers have managed to keep themselves in position for a playoff spot. Powell hasn't had trouble scoring points this season, but they have had 3 major problems this season - fumbles, offensive holding penalties, and poor play in the secondary. Central finally found their stride on offense, until their hiccup against Campbell County. It is Senior Night for Central, which will be a factor. What are everyone's thoughts on this game?

Halls should win this game, which will make next week's game versus Central interesting. This week's Powell-Central game is a tossup. Halls will be rooting hard for Central to beat Powell. If Powell wins, they will secure the final automatic playoff spot in the district. However, a Central win over Powell would likely give the Halls-Central winner the final playoff spot.

who does clinton dislike more AC or Powel? we have to dislike AC more cause its one of our two huge in-county rivalry games. but personally theyre neck and neck, hate list is as follows 1. powell/AC, AC def didnt help the hatred by planting their flag on the field i love so much two years ago, 2. OR, 3. west/central. i think that list is probably pretty accurate for most clinton ppl. and for the guy who said "sounds like the pot callin the kettle black" lets remember i played 2 years ago and our team talked some smack but not close to this years team and thats when powell was at their trash talkin peak too. What I was referring to dates back to 1999. I graduated in 2001, and the Dragons were notorious for doing a lot of talking from '99 to '06 (once they joined region 3-4A). Once Clinton decided to actually play football and dump a lot of the trash talk, they actually started winning again. Shocking.