kingbrian3

Rlh to answer your question , there were a couple of plays on the South Pittsburg sideline where a Pirate player was ran out of bounds that I thought a flag could have been thrown, but I can't remember the specific numbers. As for me implying that the South Pittsburg coaching staff condones how their players act, I can only go by what I observed and they didn't do anything Friday night. That's why I asked Pirate fans if they condoned that type of behavior. Anyways, South Pittsburg won and was the better team. I just think they should be taught to handle success with a little more class.

You are correct pegleg. Everybody's observation is one sided.

In my opinion, if Union City wants to beat this South Pittsburg team, they better have good linebackers that can stop the fullback dive and trap plays. Mitchell is a very gifted player and he can get to the second level very quick.

Normally, folks like to discuss things after a game. This was and still is a big deal.

Here is my $.02 for what its worth. I attended the game, kept stats on the home sideline and was able to make observations on what happened. The better team won. South Pittsburg's two-headed monster in the backfield of Jujuan Lanford (#6) and Kahlil Mitchell (#28) are as good a pair as you will see in the state. Mitchell was the best athlete on the field. South Pittsburg has great tradition, has great fan support and is the most dominant Class A team in the state. With that said, the Pirates are surely lacking in the discipline column. Numerous times throughout the game, I heard and witnessed South Pittsburg players jawing well after the whistle. By my count, South Pittsburg was flagged five times for personal fouls/unsportsmanlike conduct comapred to three for Coalfield. #60 for South Pittsburg stood out for the Pirates in their biggest game of the season to date, but it was for all the wrong reasons. An obviously athletic and talented lineman, the impression that #60 left on me is one of a selfish and shameful player that would rather talk the talk than walk the walk. His ejection late in the third quarter was justified. His run towards the field when the melee occurred with a little over two minutes was mind-boggling. How could a player that should have been sent to the locker room for the night, been able to get on the field to try and take part in senseless skirmish? There were several players that stepped on the field from the South Pittsburg sideline onto the field when they skirmish happened, but the TSSAA will decide whether to punish or not punish those involved. I do know that Coalfield head coach Keith Henry teaches his players to play hard, play with class and to never give up. I'm sure he is quite disappointed in the actions of a couple of his players for losing their cool. As far as this being a pattern, in my opinion, these are two completely different scenarios. In the 2011 game against Lookout Valley, the LV QB (name escapes me, but I'm thinking many Van Scribner?) was looking for a fight when he started the skirmish and Coalfield didn't keep their composure and paid dearly for their actions by facing the stiffest TSSAA penalty ever handed down for an on the field matter. My main questions for South Pittsburg fans are does your coaching staff allow the Pirate players to carry own with all the extra curricular activities after the whistle and how in the world did #60 have the opportunity to find his way on the field after he had been ejected? Best of luck in the state championship game. You all have a very good team, but it could be a much better and definitely a more respected team if they could learn how to play with class.

Starts at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Wartburg. Wartburg, Oakdale, Sunbright, Oliver Springs, Jellico, Scott County and Cumberland-Gap are expected to compete. Championship game is at 5 p.m.

While I'm on here, just wanted to give a huge pat on the back to J.R. Voyles, who has devoted a lot of time and resources to the Oakdale football program the past few seasons. He has held things together during the last three coaching changes. Voyles is what high school sports are all about. Doing it because you love the game and because you love the kids.

Good post SWC86. I hope for the sake of the kids that he works out and stays with the program at Oakdale. They always have some tough, hard-nosed kids and some athletes but depth is always an issue. I'm supposed to meet Coach Hanlon one day this week and look forward to getting to know him.

Oakdale has hired Jeff Hanlon as their new football coach. He coached at Stone Memorial last season and coached in Florida before that.

I think Coalfield and Wartburg both have a chance to make it to Murfeesboro if they play like they are each capable of playing. Would be sweet to see both Morgan County teams at the state. Who are the top players for Unaka and North Greene. What is the pitching like for both teams?

Look forward to seeing you there Darrell.

Coalfield's Lindsey Fadnek and Midway's Hannah Colyer are two of the best Class A pitchers in the state. Midway is a more experienced team, but this game could go either way. Midway beat Coalfield 1-0 in nine innings a couple of weeks ago, so it could turn out to be a classic.

I know Rockwood has been a regular fixture in the regional championship baseball game. According to the CoachT schedule, the Tigers made it in 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Did they make it any 2002, 2001 or 2000? I know they did in 1999. Pretty impressive streak.

Congratulations to Terry Coker and his Wartburg team and to Jason Wilson and his Coalfield team. Round five will play out at Coalfield Wednesday at 5 p.m. The previous four games were all tight battles and I expect nothing but another classic this time for the Region 2-A Championship. Both teams have represented Morgan County well this season and are playing their best ball when it matters??”post season.

Add Wartburg's Shawn Langley, Quenton Woody and Dougie Nichols, and Coalfield's Michael Lopez to the list. Several other good players in the county.

I have now been informed that Randy Miller will not be back next year.

This ought to be an interesting year for Morgan County football. For the first time since 1988, all four teams will be in the same league (district, region) and that will make each county game huge. I look forward to some exciting games in 2009.

Yeah I guess that ends the suspense for the time being. There is always a lot of talk, rumors and the such towards the end of the school year about coaching positions all around.

Mike Barber has stepped down as basketball coach at Oakdale. Randy Miller is still in charge of the football program.

#2 Hamby, #10 Trout, a playmaker at quarterback, #25 WR Eugene Poole, one of the top DB's in Region 2-AA, #21 Colton Blakney, #1 Drew Jenkins and #13 Rusty Phillips.

Wartburg is led by skill players Travis Hamby, Tyler Trout, Eugene Poole, Drew Jenkins and Colton Blakney on offense. Add Rusty Phillips to that list, he is just a sophomore, but can make plays. The defense is improved and the Bulldogs have pretty good speed with Travis Hamby leading the charge at linebacker. He is #2 and will be seen making plenty of plays on both sides of the ball. I expect to see a pretty good game.

Goose I bet you are right. Fred will have that grill fired up and working hard. As for the Grace Christian Academy guy, quit gettiung on here and rubbing it in. You all won so just move one, you will get yours on down the road.

All of the assistant coaches from Oakdale went through the line and shook hands with the Grace players. No Grace coaches shook hands with the Oakdale coaches. This coming straight from the coaches themselves. Grace Ram and Ram fan, obviously it is upsetting that somebody is calling out the football coaches at Grace for what happened, but it will be o.k.

I have been told that by several people that were there. No handshakes.

You haven't heard me use the private vs. public card. I have just asked a question several times and still can't get an answer on why the GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY coaches scored 3 touchdowns with starters in the final 10 minutes of the game when they were up big to begin with? Can anybody answer this question?