mmac23

If I had to guess, I would say that BA's total yardage (rush, pass, and special teams) was greater than MUS', but the bottom line is defense wins championships. BA had its opportunities, but you have to give MUS' defense credit. They stood firm and from the looks of it (based on their avg/pts against per game) did what they have done all year - kept the opposing team out of the end-zone. From what I read, it's been 14 years since MUS last played in the Clinic Bowl and 19 since its last State Championship. Congratulations!

I disagree with your suggestion. The respect that BA has gained over the years is due to its unwavering belief that BA can not only compete but win against the best. Dropping down in classification is not an option. The only option is continuing to strive to be the best in DII-AAA. It hasn't happened yet, but it will.

Any updates on this game?

Is it raining in Nashville?

I think MUS knows it is expected to win, and they have no reason to believe differently. BA knows that while they've been here before, a "W" is not a guarantee. Some things to consider: 1) Weather - If a steady rain persists, then the weather will be a factor. If the field is just wet and no rain during the game, then I don't see it being an issue. 2) Experience - Emotions are high and can get the best of you. 3) Playmakers - Who will show up and make the play when it counts; both teams have weapons who can change the game in one play. 4) Rush - As I noted previously, the team that rushes for the most yards will win. 5) Turnovers and Field Position - Keys to every game. As for the BA-MUS game, it's hard to think that it would be a blowout. It's happen before at the State but not with these two playing. With as much preparation time as each has been provided, I expect this to be a close game in which the kickers have an impact. I don't know a great deal about any of the other four teams participating in the State prior to the BA-MUS game, but I congratulate all for making it this far.

A common number seems to be 21, and I agree that if a team reaches this total then the chances are that team will walk home with the golden ball. But that number may be as low as 16. I know that seems odd, but it allows for the kicking game to be a factor. The key to this match up is who can run the football. Both defenses are solid, and while BA may be bigger, MUS seems faster. And everybody's knows that defense wins championships.

If that's the case, then Prokell certainly was an impact player against MBA. If I recall correctly, he had 3-4 catches against BA last game. As a side note, from what I hear, Prokell's an even better baseball player.

Hopefully, we can keep this post focused on the BA-MUS game. Besides, the coments, concerns, assumptions re: BA and recruiting are getting old.

TSR7487...I don't recall WesVols making a prediction. I think he was simply providing historical background between the two schools. You are right. The past is the past; unfortunately, you don't respect the former coaches and players who have made this rivalry what it is.

I don't believe MBA was favored last week, and BA should not be favored next week in the Clinic Bowl. I understand how it could be viewed differently as years past would provide for such thought, but until someone proves differently, MUS was the number 2 seed for a reason and won during the regular season, and therefore, should be the favorite next week. On a different note, this rivalry was a heated one back in the late 80s and early 90s. While I do believe the MBA-BA rivalry is greater now and the BA-MUS has lost some its punch, these two teams will be brought up on the history between these two schools. If BA and MUS were not in the same playoff bracket back then, they have met in the Clinic Bowl sooner. Therefore, this is a meeting that has been in the making for a long time, and I don't think it will disappoint.

Congrats to BA! They really played well Friday night. I don't find this "W" a surprise. I still think BA is the most improved team in Division II-AAA, and it would be hard for anyone to argue differently. After losses to CBHS and MCallie early in the season, adjustments were made, and while BA lost to MUS two weeks later, it was very evident that time would allow for consistency and improvement. If I remember correctly, some posts earlier questioned Carlton Flatt's ability to still inspire, adjust, and coach. I compliment Coach Flatt, his staff, and players for staying the course and earning a trip to the State Championship. DII-AAA has provided another exciting season and will be well-represented in Nashville when BA and MUS meet on Nov. 23.

From the sounds of it, this game held true to most everyone's expectations: a great high school playoff football game. Both teams are to be commended for their effort, and it's a shame that only one gets to play in the State Championship. Congratulations to MUS as you earned it!

This is definitely one of the best games across the state to witness tonight. Both teams will come in excited and well-prepared. Pregame factors to consider are 1) Home Field Advantage....while I have read where MUS' support seems to be UP this year, MBA has played in tough atmospheres prior to and was in a similar situation two years ago. I think the biggest home field advantage for MUS is the 2 1/2 hour trip MBA will make later today. 2) Preparation....MUS earned a bye last week, and therefore, should be well-rested and relatively healthy. Not to mention, the extra week of preparation allows for tweeking of schemes, etc. MBA played Baylor last week, and you can't substitute game experience at practice. 3) Field Condition....As much rain as the state has received over the past couple of days, I would have to assume the condition of the field will not be great eventhough MUS is known to have one of the best fields in the city of Memphis. 4) Experience....Both teams have playoff experience, but only MBA has played in the State Championship since the creation of the Super 7. If you weigh the factors above, the scale seems pretty balanced. Therefore, the team that can settle in the quickest, has the fewest number of turnovers, and wins the field position battle will end up victorious. My hat is off to both teams for a fine year, and best of luck!

MBA at MUS and BA at McCallie.....Both are repeats from regular season games with a chance to play for the golden ball! It doesn't get much better than that!

As evenly matched as most (not all) of the teams in DII-AAA were this year, it's difficult to beat anyone twice in one season. While we did see MBA victorious over Baylor, BA proved this point with a win over CBHS. McCallie won during the regular season and seems to have played more consistently than BA throughout the year. As I have noted in earlier posts, I feel that BA is the most improved team since the start of the season. Two things to consider: 1) Do you vote against Carlton Flatt and 2) How much of an advantage is home field. McCallie wants to prove it deserved the #1 seeding, and BA wants to show despite the ups-and-downs during the regular season that they are still one of the top two teams in this division. It's an elementary statement, but the winner of this game will be whoever executes the best and holds onto the football.

If you're a Baylor fan, you're disappointed but proud of how hard your team played. If you're an MBA fan, you're thankful to move on. Besides more points, what more could you ask for in a DII-AAA quarterfinal playoff game? Either match up next week would have been nice to see, but MBA versus MUS has become one of the better out-of-town rivalry games. Next week's game could just as easily be called the State Championship if these two teams were seeded differently.

Besides talent and being healthy, two things you would like to see going into the playoffs are your team peeking at the right time and consistency. MBA has definitely shown consistency throughout the year while Baylor as noted in previous posts has not. MBA is coming off a strong win to take them into the playoffs while Baylor took care of FRHS. Both teams played a hard fought game during the regular season, and the potential is there for a similar game tomorrow night.

I understand that CBHS is getting healthier, but I also think that BA is the most improved team in the league since the start of the season. Eventhough CBHS beat BA earlier in the season, I think it would still be considered an upset if they did it again.

As noted, Baylor has shown they can beat the likes of MUS and potentially MBA, but they will have to step it up and play more consistent if they wish to make a run at the State Championship. As for McCallie, they have shown the ablity to beat both of its potential semifinal opponents.

It is difficult to beat anybody in this league twice in one season. Case in point, MBA-BA in 2003, MBA-MUS in 2002. We've seen this year that the occasional unexpected can happen. Therefore, all six teams must be taken seriously. BA should have no problem being prepared for CBHS due to its regular season loss in Memphis. With CBHS limping into the playoffs and BA much improved along with playing at home, BA should advance to play McCallie the following week. As for MBA, it would be easy for them to overlook Baylor. While they beat their city rival last Friday, the game MBA is looking ahead to is MUS. But as noted, the unexpected can happen, for example, Baylor's upset of MUS. McCallie and MUS earned their #1 and #2 seeds, but it's hard not to pick MBA-BA in the finals based on years past. A surprise final is possible, but ony if upsets occur next week. Otherwise, BA, MBA, MUS, and McCallie are all capable of making it to the State Championship.

I don't think too many people expected this game to be as close as it was. Sloppy play, mishandled snaps, etc. can be used as excuses, but its part of the game, and rivalry games have a tendency to bring both the best and worste out of a team. Hats off to CBHS. The QB adversity along with other key injuries make for a difficult year. However, they have battled through their adversity, and I compliment their coaches and players. As well, MUS is to be commended. Their performance during the regular season has been solid despite their loss at Baylor, and they have earned a well deserved bye next week.

Great rivalry that seems to meet everyone's expectations year and year out. As we have seen is years past these two certainly could meet up again the the State Finals. While both have to play an extra game due to seeding, MBA may have drew the more difficult road with MUS looming in the distance.

Congrats to McCallie! This game could have easily been a let down game with their playoff seeding previously determined. Great job by their staff and players of staying focused and picking up a quality win outside of their division.

The way the standings finished presents some interesting match ups. I have a great deal of respect for both CBHS and Baylor; however, with all the injuries and lack of offensive production, CBHS will have a tough time winning over BA. Not to mention, BA is the most improved team from the start of the season until now. As for Baylor, anything could happen as best seen by their win over MUS, but MBA has set a standard in this division, and it understands that step one invovles taking care of business next Friday. If this holds true, the semis (MBA at MUS and BA at McCallie) will represent two repeat match ups from the regular season and should make for two exceptional high school football games. I don't know if this could have been said earlier in the year, but I think all four of these teams could beat one another on any given night. BA and MBA will have the revenge factor on their side, but McCallie would like to return to the State, and MUS would like to make its first trip since the establishment of DII-AAA.

A rivalry game sparks a great deal of emotion, and a win for either will have a impact on moral and playoff seeding. CBHS certainly has not finished as strong as it started, but a win over MUS would erase their struggles the past 2-3 weeks and give them a much needed boost in preparation for BA. MUS has performed well to date and still has a chance to finish as the two seed in the DII-AAA playoffs, allowing for a bye in the quarterfinals and a home game versus MBA. Both teams are aware of the significance of this game, and CBHS would like to play the role of "spoiler." However, rivalry game and playoff seeding MAY give MUS the advantage.