osunut2

This was a really good game, for about 3 quarters. Powell scored on 3 of their first 4 possessions, and Kier Houston really had the offense moving. Anderson County pounded their way to a 20-15 halftime lead, and they did it mostly behind an offensive line that really took advantage of Powell's small size. Both teams struggled to score through most of the 3rd quarter, turning the ball over a few times, but eventually AC put the ball in the endzone (on a long slant pass). The Mavericks were able to blow the game wide open late in the 3rd with another long TD pass, and after that, Powell was playing catchup. The Mavericks looked like a very good team, and they will definitely win more games this year. This was the Powell team that I expected to see from the beginning this year. They have the ability to move the ball, but they were absolutely manhandled while on defense. AC was able to run the ball very easily, and that will be trouble for the rest of the year for the Panthers. I like the way Powell runs their offense, but they have to avoid holding penalties. This is not a team that is going to hit you for a 30 yard play on every drive. This is a true spread offense, where a 10 yard pass play is considered a "big" play. Powell cannot afford to get behind because they don't have a quick strike offense. Good win for the Mavericks, and a very telling loss for Powell. Powell's defense has to toughen up, if they want to make the playoffs.

Yeah I'm gonna try to get there around 7. I tried to get Boyd to go, but his birthday was yesterday, so I figure he's probably celebrating tonight. I'll look for you when I get there.

I've seen a lot of games and drum corps shows up at Sevier Co, but that is one heck of a hill they built the stadium on at Anderson Co.

On a side note, I loved watching games at Anderson County HS, even when Powell wasn't playing them. That stadium is a site!

I agree that Clinton is improved, but keep in mind what happened for the Dragons last week. They hit rock bottom at halftime, and stunned everyone by coming back to win against SD. Emotional hangovers exist even in high school sports, and I think it will have an effect on Clinton (even though it doesn't really matter in this game).

This one will get u-g-l-y. OR by at least 5 TDs.

Again, I don't think anyone can have a really good read on either of these teams, since most of these teams' wins have come against very weak opponents. Powell has always had trouble beating Anderson County, particularly on the road. I want to pick Powell, but I can't, at least not until they beat a team like AC this year. I can still remember sitting through the bitter cold at AC back in '97 when the Mavs won in 4 OTs. That is still one of the best high school games I've ever been to.

Something that I'd love to see as the season moves on is the maturation of Kier Houston. He has really impressed me this year, and even though he had a tough game against Maryville, he is still a game breaker. If he can continue his impressive play, this team will find a way to make it to the playoffs. At this point, spots 2-4 are wide open.

I agree, Powell has definitely surprised a lot of fans this year, myself included. I'm just trying to keep things in perspective, and a win against a team like AC would give the Panthers a big boost for the remaining region games. After the South Doyle game next week, the road is going to get bumpy, and these are 2 wins that the Panthers need badly.

Even though this is a non-region game, this is a big statement game for both teams. Both are 3-1, with their only losses coming against powerhouse teams (Maryville and Fulton). This is more of a measuring stick game than anything else. Anderson County's win over Kingston last week is really the only quality win between these two teams. I'm still not sold on the Panthers, especially since they have yet to beat a playoff-caliber team. I'll take the Mavericks, 24-21.

One other note, I'm not at all surprised that you, pepvol, decided to show up on page 11 of this thread and make a comment like that. You should take 10 minutes out of your "busy" day and read the entire thread, particularly the comments between HTV and williebgovs/govman. I'm pretty sure that the comments that these guys made towards one another were pretty much resolved. There was absolutely no reason to pullout the supposed "high and mighty" card. But then again, I guess it's true what they say - ignorance is bliss.

I see what you are trying to point out, but we all know that if you don't play a near flawless game against Maryville, you have no chance to win, especially for a team like Powell this year. Drega was simply pointing out those mistakes. I think any time a team loses, it is common for fans to look back and say "well if this had gone this way, and this had gone that way, things might have been different." It may not be the best way to make the point, but it's common for fans to break a loss down that way. That's what Maryville does to teams. Powell wasn't going to just walk into that stadium and play exactly the way they did in weeks 1 through 3. Maryville is much too good for that to happen. I'm a big Panther supporter, but I said it all week, Powell had played a weak schedule up to that point, and most Powell fans were happy to see them 3-0 going into that game. Looking past Maryville, this region is still wide open, especially after seeing what happened between Clinton-SD and Halls-West. Powell is still better than I thought they'd be this year, but Maryville proved why they are still #1 in the state and "nationally ranked." This week's game against Anderson County is a huge measuring stick for Powell. Even though it is a non-region game, a win here will really set the tone down the stretch.

What a huge win for Clinton. I was shocked to see this team come back after being down 34-7 early in the 3rd. That's the kind of win that builds a lot of character.

With that reasoning, you are basically saying that a team like the University of Tennessee or Georgia doesn't deserve to be on TV this year, but a team like Florida or USC does. That makes zero sense willie. How do you judge whether or not one high school team gets to be covered nationally over another? About the only way you can do that is by looking at records, which is what they've done here. Of course Powell isn't as good as Maryville, but they are undefeated. It doesn't matter that they've played an awful schedule, they still deserve a chance to play in the spotlight, even if no one gives them a chance. I don't care if Powell is 3-0 or 0-3, it's an honor to get a chance like that. I think that most fans of any school would be privileged to get that chance. Maryville is nationally ranked, but there is absolutely no way for us to know if they are really worthy of that ranking. This is not a cheap shot at the Rebels or their fans at all; I'm singling you out willie. Maryville has earned their win streak and they have been the best team in Tennessee for many years in the past decade, and that is one heck of an accomplishment. However, how can you sit there and honestly say that they are the only one's who deserve the TV attention? I guess you better call up CSS and WMAK and tell them to cancel their schedules and just travel to Maryville every week. While we're at it, let's just get a TV contract with them and you can be their road manager. That's what NBC does with Notre Dame, and we all know how people feel about them. Good grief...

I see what you mean ruse?, but just to clarify, I simply stated that Powell can make the playoffs. Obviously, the question is will they. It's still way too early to tell what's going to happen. Central struggled early, as did West (both lost to 3 of the best 5A teams in the state). Both of those teams should continue to get better each week, and I expect them to fight for 2nd in the region. The jury is still out on both Powell and Halls. Neither team has won a significant game yet, but I'd say in a few weeks, we should know just where these teams are headed this November. Willie, the reason the whole "national attention" bit was brought up was because this is the USA Today prep game of the week.

Guys, I'm a Powell grad, and I always pull for the Panthers, but you need to read through this entire thread. We have already resolved all of the Coach Lowe stuff, so let's not get into that again. I have a lot of confidence in this Powell team, but please don't jump on here and make those kinds of statements that make us look like a bunch of morons. Powell has a talented team, much more talented than anyone gave them credit for before the season, and I am starting to feel that this team can make the playoffs. I have no problem with being confident, but until Powell beats a team that is going to the playoffs (I doubt CC, LC, and Karns will) and until someone stuns Maryville, no one can seriously pick the Rebels to lose.

The reason teams used to 'fear' Halls was not only due to that toughness, but due to the fact that they had a lot more talent then. I don't mean any disrespect, but Halls hasn't had that same type of talent since the early-mid 90s. Demographics have played a big role in that. When I was in middle school then, Halls was the place to be, especially if you were living in north Knox County. Now, that mentality has certainly changed. I'm not saying that Halls is suddenly a dump now, it's just that the other north Knox communities have blossomed since then. Now instead of the talent being concentrated at one or two schools, it has fanned out across that end of the county.

I like SD in this game. The Cherokees are a much improved team, and I would be surprised if the Dragons won this one. Still waiting for Clinton to beat someone other than Campbell County, etc. 27-14 Cherokees.

Whew, well I'm relieved. Thank you so much for clearing that up. Since you are such an expert on the subject, riddle me this. Hidden among the sarcasm is a serious question. Enlighten the rest of us on your so-called knowledge of Matt Lowe JACK. How many NCAA coaches 'respect' Urban Meyer or Steve Spurrier or Lloyd Carr (three 'class' guys)? I'm not trying to get nasty, I'd just be curious to know how you know him so well, Mr. 3000.

We all knew that West would get it going at some point, and it sure looks like they are off and running now. I'll pick West, 35-21.

Clinton won 32-13. The game was played at Clinton.

I agree, they haven't played a playoff caliber team yet, and this will be a big wakeup call. In reality, the game against Anderson County (a week after Maryville) might be more telling, because it pits 2 teams that are on a very similar playing level right now. With the exception of playing Maryville next Friday, I would say that the Anderson County game in week 5 is the next toughest opponent the Panthers will have seen to that point.

I follow Powell pretty closely, and I just don't think the Panthers have much of a chance in this game. Their defense has been stellar so far, giving up just 9 points in 3 games, but Maryville is just too big and too talented all around for Powell to have much of a chance. I'll pick Maryville 42-14. Is the link for the game on USA Today's website?

Another great defensive effort as Powell wins 23-9.

14-2 Jeff County