FlyBy

Good stuff from a good school. FlyBy

Drop of the Sun is the Drink of Champions!

Stan, Where do I start? I know this game better than anything else. For years, I have watched Vandy focus on things that they can't control. They try to be this and they try to be that. The one thing that they have never focused on being is being what they are. In order to understand your foe and how you are going to beat him, you must first understand yourself. Vandy has hired ex professional coaches with winning backgrounds and tons of resume crap. What they have never hired is a coach who has proven that he can play on an unequal athletic field and win by playing within his game and by playing smarter football, until now..... Furman faces the exact same situation in 1-AA. How did they fare against the best in the league while Johnson was there? Pretty dang well. I have no doubt that over the coming years, we will see a more fundamentally sound football team. The players will make correct reads and be in the right place. They may get run over, but they'll be in the right place; which brings me to the reason why I'd like to see the Stewarts of the world come and play here. Remember, I am a MBA boy; I'm used to watching smarter kids kick athletically more gifted kids' butts. FlyBy

Go to Vandy Carl; Go to Vandy Carl; Go to Vandy Carl! This is a perfect fit. They needed you yesterday! Great education; Great new Staff; Play quickly and often! Go to Vandy Carl! FlyBy knows!

Swamp, While I hope you are not right, you probably are! However, his loyalty will probably be his undoing. I think he needs to drop the axe on Sanders and Chavis. In thinking that, I am hoping that at least one will be gone.

I agree with all of your points! How many more times will we see toss sweep on 3rd and 4th down with 2 yards or less to gain. We run that play almost everytime in short yardage situations. I remember 2 stuffs from Florida against it; one of which gave them the ball back for the touchdown winning drive two years ago! Phil has to pull the trigger, or he will be the one looking down the wrong end of the barrel.

Hey Guys! Stay focused please! Bullet points x y z

McGavock should be a powerhouse every year. The biggest problem they have had over the years is that the best talent at the school doesn't play football. Get a qualified coach that knows how to motivate and encourage youngsters to compete, and give him the support from the administration he needs to build the program. FlyBy

Gentlemen and Ladies, Here we go...... If you want a solution, then let's look at the problems. It is always best to look at all of the issues before we fly off the cuff with a knee-jerk reaction. I have read a lot of the discussions, and they all have their good points. Let's break it down just like breaking down film. We are going to have to address serious and painful truths about the system if we really want an answer. The answer is not always focused on athletics, but often it is a significant impacting factor. Therefore, let's start with this. Bullet point the issues with the private and public recruiting schools that are causing the feud(not just the obvious ones), and let's bullet point the issues why parents pull their kids out of the public school system whether or not they are recruited. Keep your points in bullet point fashion. Don't start trashing each other yet; let's get it on the table in this manner first. Recruiting Schools- (What is the negative effect of what they do) Some potential issues are: Recruit the talent away from the public programs Sacrifice the values of their schools for athletic gain Sacrifice the student athlete for advancement of the school Take away the supporters of other programs etc.... Public Schools- (Why parents send their kids to private school whether or not they are recruited) Some potential issues for parents are: Quality of coaches Quality of education Lack of organized spiritual influence or faith based education etc.... Please add to both lists over the next few days. The lists may include generalities that are not indicative of the situation at all schools. List away, please! FlyBy

Anyone who watched the game last night has to be extremely upset with the amount of mental mistakes that Tennessee made. What's more is that this has been what we have seen all year long. From personal fouls and illegal formations to wasted time-outs, I have been shocked at how poorly coached these kids have been this year. Even with the injuries, you can at least teach the kids how to line up properly. Sanders and Chavis should be looking over their shoulders. What do you think?

Dingo, Have some humor! What are you referencing in using the word "friend"? FlyBy New Thread Time Happy New Year

Dingo, Content B+ Grammar A Your historical references boosted the content grade, but you continue to be a bit wordy. Your grammar is solid as usual. Let's move on towards a solution.

Just strolling through some boards and saw the NCS reference. I don't know a whole lot about you guys, but I know you've added some great young coaches for football. Keep it up!

Itzme, As with most things, the extremists tend to get all of the attention. As you pointed out, I think that to be the case here as well. I appreciate your position on all of this. I look forward to many more positive posts with you. Your son is in the presence of some great men over there. I know everyone of your coaches, and each is a terrific person; the kind of people you want your son to be around! By the way, they are pretty darn good coaches as well! Merry Christmas! FlyBy Stan, I forgot to tell you thanks for the kind words about Coach Owen. I am upset at myself for just now remembering to tell you that! Talk with you soon! FlyBy

Stan, Thanks for the suggestion. I have dropped the 12 bucks, but I do not know how long PP takes to register with CT. I am interested to hear what you have to say about Brad. For the record, it is Coach Owen not Owens...... Look forward to continuing the conversation with you and itzme. Look forward to hearing from you both! FlyBy

Itzme, Couldn't agree with you more. I in no way am responding to messages on this board. As I indicated earlier, I am very close to your program as well. As you vent, so do I. I get very upset (this is not diected at you) with individuals who think that Brentwood Academy students are different than any other students because they attend a "Christian" school. Many of my BA friends don't get it. After the game this year as in years past, they make comments about how they helped us win and how bad they feel for the kids that they didn't win it all...... Like we wouldn't feel bad for our kids had they not won!.... Is it not possible to have a great year and finish second? Make the kids feel special about their efforts and their accomplishments! There is this self-justifying thing that I have a hard time getting over with many, not all, Brentwood Academy people. It is almost as if they can turn the Christianity thing on and off whenever they like. I have a problem with that if it is part of the mission of the school. Brentwood Academy people need to understand that there are Church-going, God-fearing good kids on the other side of the ball as well! I am doing my best to let you know that I respect you and your opinions, but I also do not want to back down from my beliefs on this; because, I know it exists. As I said earlier, I respect your school and its accomplishments, but it is not for me and my family. You said it well that each school has special stregnths, and I agree that that should be where it is left. You and I are probably aquaintances, maybe even friends; so let's just leave it at that! I am not known for holding my tongue; I tend to speak what I see as the truth. Sometimes that gets me in some hot water, but at least people know where they really stand with me! I wish your son and your family a special High School experience. Merry Christmas! FlyBy

Itzme, We should move this to another post perhaps, but here are some thoughts for you. I know your program very well. If you were around here in the late 70's and early eighties, you are Flatt out wrong if you think the players on the field today represent the same group of players then. Change is OK, and in most cases good. Cutting through the BS, here is my issue with your school. Your institution presents itself as a Christian school offering a better athletic experience for its children. People send there kids there for one of two reasons: they like the religious influence or they want them to play football. Yes, Brentwood Academy is capable of providing a solid education as well; however, that is not priority number one. School is school; in my opinion, we send our kids to school for educational purposes. Part of the educational process that I believe is hugely important is athletics. Athletics is the ultimate microcosm of life. It prepares you for every success and failure that you will encounter. Brentwood Academy handles the success pretty well; normally you are very humble in your winning. It is the losing part that you as a school do not know how to handle. Remembering your mission, Brentwood Academy should be most gracious at those critical moments. I'm not saying that losing should not be painful! What I want to make clear is that the school should operate itself in concordance with its mission. I am extremely confident that MBA operates itself in concordance with its mission. You have a fine institution and one of which you should be proud. I have a problem with the decisions that your leadership makes and the results that it has on the kids. I have many, many friends from Brentwood Academy, and I love them dearly! We, however, do not discuss this issue; because, I know it would lead to a heated debate, and it is not worth that.

Not far on the horizon, there looms a potential big problem for Brentwood Academy and schools like them. The face of Brentwood Academy is significantly different than it was fifteen or twenty years ago. Back then, it was made up of primarily northern Williamson County and southern Davidson County kids from pretty wealthy families or up and coming families. Many of those kids now support Brentwood Academy and its continuous efforts to be the best football team in the state. Correct me if I am wrong, but that graduate base is helping fund the school's growth through their gifts and donations. All of this is fine now, but when their kids arrive on the scene and begin competing against the "feeder program" products from Una and Flatrock, what is going to happen? The Bentwood Academy graduate of 1975, who has continued to support the school, will have his kids competing for playing time against the exact groups that he helped support for the sole cause of winning at all costs. What will happen when Coach Flatt tells him that his son is not playing because he has a better qualified player in front of him who has been "recruited" or whatever you want to call it from Una? If Brentwood Academy is not solely focused on winning football championships, which they are not doing by the way, then you tell me why the emphasis is placed on bringing the kids in from Una. Is it for socio-economic diversity? Yeah, right! Furthermore, I guess you want us to believe that they have been and are held to the same academic standard as the non-athletic student. If you want to bring kids in to boost your competitiveness on the field, just admit that that is what you are doing. That is all we ask. Sorry, but I am tired of hearing people try to justify Brentwood Academy's position. It is what it is.

Dingo, You are correct that my family will be OK; however, you miss the reason why will be OK. It's not that I'll send them to private school to be OK; it's because I'll do whatever it takes to make it OK. A part of that process is sending them to private school. I live in Williamson County and could send my children to the finest public schools in the system, but that is not the best that I can give them. Therefore, I am not being the provider that I want to be. Do not be too quick to assume that I come from money; because, that is far from the case! I come from a line of over-achievers; and I too fit that category. You're not the only undersized, slow kid to go and play college ball. I'll not go as far as you and refer to you as "friend", but I am open to exploring this a little deeper. I respect those who believe strongly in their cause which you obviously do. I also respect those who push themselves harder than they push the others around them. Yes, the split is not that big of a deal to me due to the fact that I feel that we are playing the highest level of competition that is available in this state. Yes, I wish we could still play you guys every year, because it has always been an enjoyable series. However, the almighty TSSAA has spoken, and we must live by their rules or go out and establish our own league. There are so many issues to overcome. Some of which you alluded to in your latest essay on Chaucer. Many of our issues revolve around the individual homes in which these kids grow up. I can remember going to Overton-Hillsboro games as a kid and seeing a packed house full of parents, relatives, and supporters of the schools. Now, Overton fails to fill up half of their stadium on any given Friday night. On the whole, the quality of coaching is just not good in the public school system. For every Ron and Maurice, there are ten others who are not qualified to coach at that level. You and I were fortunate to have played for teachers and leaders. Most public school children do not have that chance. Can you and I change that? Most everything associated with or governed by the State strives for nothing more than mediocrity. We as Tennesseans are to blame for that; the majority of the population are blind sheep. It is embarassing! Therefore, I shall send my children to private schools to re-inforce the lessons that my wife and I teach them here at home and that are re-affirmed in the pew on Sunday mornings. It is my responsibility to provide a better life for my children than I have had, and I have had a great one! Can a child thrive in today's public school system and become the greatest scholar and athlete this state has ever seen? Absolutely he can! However, the chance of that happening is greater in a school that demands excellence from all of its students not just the ones who desire it for themselves. By no means am I saying that all private schools provide this for their students. I can promise you that my children will attend Brentwood High way before they ever set foot at Brentwood Academy. Why? Because they will receive a better education by attending Brentwood High. We actually believe and want a lot of the same things; we are just approaching from different angles. Maybe this is a classic Napoleonic pincher movement. We shall see......

Dingo the Great! I do appreciate playing these games, but you are right in that we have strayed far from the original direction in which I wanted this post to go. Priority number one involves the kids and what is best for the kids. A lot of people who post here just like to hear themselves talk and never will contribute anything to High School athletics within the State of Tennessee. I have been involved with high school football programs in this state mainly because of the love and respect that I have for the game and the lessons that it teaches. I want to pass that on to younger generations just as it was passed along to me and my generation. Yes, I am a proponent of private schools for a multitude of reasons that are highly impacted by my own personal experiences. Had you gone to MBA and had I gone to Hillsboro, we would probably still be on opposing sides of the fence. Quite frankly, I don't think you and I would ever get along, and that's ok with me. The issue is this: it's not about you and me; it's about the kids. I had my "career", and you had yours. Our job now is to do what we can do to make sure that today's kids gather their rosebuds while they may, so that they may pass the lessons on down the line. Therefore, I shall gladly offer my views and opinions on the issues of football and baseball at this level. In the spirit of togetherness that you have proposed, shall I suggest that you start a new thread focused on these such issues. As I have stated before, we are way off my original thoughts here............ I wish you and all who post here a blessed Holiday Season! I am FlyBy!

My, my Dingo, are we a little sensitive? By we, I mean all of the personalities that exist inside of your ego. You posted: "So, my fellow thinker, get off your lazy ###### and start looking for a reasonable way for all of us to stay together instead of following the flawed thinking of those in power, who feed only on animosity and dissatisfaction to retain their "high" of influence." Is this supposed to motivate me, anger me, or what? You seem to know me very well. I am definitely lazy; and yes, I do have a rear end. I am FlyBy!

Greetings Your Dingoness! Your mastery of the English language is nothing short of impressive. I am assuming that you are either a Hillsboro, Hillwood, or Overton grad. I haven't read many posts by you, which violates one of my own rules by which I live; but you actually are living proof of one of my main frustrations with public school people. The educational opportunities do exist in the public schools! Look, you certainly don't believe that I am that arrogant to believe that only MBA graduates are capable of being high quality leaders. You said it yourself that you are the reason that you are a success. It was you, not the public school educational process that forged your path to where you are now; however, the public school process was sufficient enough to provide you with the tools that you needed to succeed. You demanded superior results from yourself. 99.9% of students in the public and private sytems do not have that kind of drive, determination, and self motivation. I applaud you for that; flip, I don't think I could have done that! A high quality education provided by qualified teachers exists in the public school system; however, the children must be motivated and dedicated to seeking it out. Therein lies the difference. MBA products have no choice but to graduate with the tools that they need to succeed. If one graduates from "The Hill", he is qualified to succeed at any institution at the next level. Having said that, I am not implying that all MBA products are guaranteed a life full of success. I appreciate your accomplishments, and I wish you continued success. Yes, I was quite sarcastic and accusatory towards you; however, I started this post for the purpose of entertaining thoughts of high profile match-ups between storied programs throughout the Southeast. You are the one that changed the tone of the original post. By the way, football and baseball are the only sports that I know anything about; therefore, that is all I will ever comment about on this board. I know those two sports; outside of that, I can not contribute. Go make some $$$$$$. I am FlyBy!

Dingo, Great stuff! Your name sounds appropriate! By your statement that you "gave us our league" for financial aid schools, I'm assuming that you are the TSSAA. You sound all-powerful atop your perch. Who said our championships didn't mean anything? Do you have someone who wants to come out and play? That's what bothers people like you the most. How do we do it? Our kids are smaller and slower; but we are smarter, more physical, and we have a better understanding of the game. That's what it takes to win championships, not recruiting the best athletes in the land! Even more importantly, our coaches are teaching our kids about life. Nothing is handed to you; you have to work for everything you get! It is amazing that the harder we work, the luckier we seem to get. Before you lump us all into one pot, you may want to investigate just who is on financial aid at each of the schools. MBA's offensive and defensive line (all recruits of course) must have averaged 6'6" and 305 pounds according to the way some of you whine on this site. Oh yeah, that's right, we had kids that were under 200 pounds on the offensive front. One other problem for you involves the fact that every child at MBA must do the work. Unlike other schools in our division, there are no free passes. If you can't make the grade, you do not play. We practice what we preach: Gentleman, Scholar, Athlete. Athlete is mentioned third for a reason. Yeah, I love football and MBA, but educating our leaders of tomorrow is the most important mission of MBA. For us to continue to make our program better, we will look for the best competition that will agree to play us. My hats off to a programs like DB and Lincoln County who aren't afraid to play us which gets me back to the original thought of an all private Super South League. Friday night matchups between McCAllie and Bolles and MBA and Evangel; sounds pretty entertaining to me.

Having played at MBA and attended a college in the Southeast along with individuals from other private schools in the Southeast, I have often wondered how great it would be to have a "Super South" League. It would include the schools in DII AAA, the privates like Woodward and Marist in Atlanta, Evangel in Shreveport, Bolles in Jacksonville, and other prominent programs in the South. I can't remember all of them off hand, but I always thought it would be pretty interesting. Can you imagine the rivalries that would develop then? Food for thought... The bar would be raised yet again!

B100, What are you after here? What agenda are you trying to issue forth?