FlyBy

I saw the BA team of '81 and all of the other BA teams since then. I have also seen the MBA teams of the same era. While there is no way to say definitively which is the greatest, the MBA team of Ingle Martin's Jr year is the best high school team I have ever seen. The boys playing the game now are stronger and faster than the boys from '81, so it's not completely fair to caompare them in that manner. That BA team of '81 was a dominating team as was that MBA team. The MBA boys at Yale to whom you refer could have played at most SEC schools as well.

Are both teams healthy going into tomorrow night? Which team has more pressure going into this game? Which coach has more pressure going into this game? Congratulations to both schools! BA was expected to be here, and I applaud them for taking care of business. You MBA boys have done a great job of righting the ship and learning how to play football as a team. Good Luck to both of you! I am FlyBy

I can handle very significant. Good luck tomorrow night!

Hey Herd, Great call on Litton; they were before my time. From what I have heard they had a great program. It is always good to learn about other programs. I look forward to hearing more about The Wave in those days.

I agree! Still want to see you boys at State!

Hey Roll Red Roll! Great stuff! Do you win @ MUS? If you do, how do you fare the next week? Good Luck!

That's impressive Dan! They are certainly among the elite in this state! Good Luck @ MUS!

Wes, It is a big game because it is the semi-final round, but words and terms such as "monumental" are best reserved for classic rivalries not meetings between teams with multiple losses playing in the best division in football in a down year. Yes, this is still the best division in Tennessee, but let's be realistic, it is not where it has been. You are right about the fan bases; should be a great Friday night in Middle Tennessee! Good Luck

What I mean by mediocre is relative to the quality of ball that is being played at that level this year. Like it or not, these schools are not competing at the same level they were three and four years ago. Then again, only one school was playing at that level, so I may be being a bit too critical. Never the less, it still is not as good. You can't tell me that this division would match up to the same division four years ago. Yes, in general, the boys in DII play better ball and are better coached than those in DI; there are exceptions to that though. You are correct that many of the big DI schools would not fare too well in DII week in and week out; I'll give you that.

Hey Wes, Don't you think "monumental" is a bit much? I have seen both teams this year as well. Neither is what they have been in the past. McCallie is still a bit banged up, but BA is not the beast they were supposed to be this year. Don't get me wrong, BA may be the best of a mediocre division, but I expect McCallie to give them a good game. BA lacks the "pop" that they once had; only a couple of their boys really want to hit people.

Oak Ridge would certainly belong. Who else from the East? What about West Tennessee? Anything of substance on a consistent basis there? Germantown, MUS, Etc...

Riverdale has been a great program for the last 15 years. What did they accomplish before that? Brentwood Academy has been one of the best performers in the last 25 years, but much of that was while they were competing at lower levels. Maryville cetainly has had a consistent quality program through the years. KDB has as well. I thought I would hear a lot more from places like Gallatin, Lincoln County, MBA, and the other schools with solid histories dating back to the 40's and 50's and before. Those type schools seem to have the real tradition. Interesting though

We have a fantastic high school football history in the state of Tennessee. I am curious to see which programs stand out in your minds as the best over all programs in the state. History should factor in as a big part of your argument. I don't want to hear about teams that have emerged on the scene in the last 10 or 15 years. Now we're getting somewhere.... This is what it is all about....tradition. Input from the East and West is greatly appreciated. Being from the midstate, I don't know the legendary names of coaches and programs from the East and West that shaped the landscape of High School Football as we know it today. Around here, it's names like Tommy Owen and Calvin Short that all others try to become. I am familiar with the Potter family in Chattanooga, but tell me more. [Edited by FlyBy on 11-13-02 9:04P]