goosevol

I'm the one that feels that Rockwood has the best chance at beating Sweetwater simply because they return 16 starters from the team that lost on the last play of the game last year at Sweetwater, 38-35. I've never really given the Bobcats much of a chance in that game because they lost so much from last year. I do, however, think RW and OS will be a good game (it always is). Last year both defenses played great and three field goals were all that were scored. I'm not ready to pick a winner (have to put that in the paper) but I'm interested in seeing how each team reacts to a tough loss against a tough opponent.

With AE, Fulton, AC and Loudon on the schedule it will be hard to run the table, but the Jackets are well coached, are physically very strong and they have a great kicking game. They don't have much depth and they don't have as good of athletes that they have had in the past, but they are a good team. I suggest watching Kingston-Anderson County. These teams hate each other.

I think you got it backward. People were saying that Rockwood might be the only team that could beat Sweetwater. I have yet to see anybody say that anyone other than the Wildcats are the favorites in Region 2-AA.

Heading into the season I thought Wartburg could pull the upset. They've got 16 starters back from last year including all their skill people, but they've had some off the field distractions that has affected their play on the field. They haven't been sharp even in their wins. They could make a game of it, but I don't think they're mentally ok right now. Sweetwater 42 Wartburg 21.

I don't think they lost at home in 1997. I went back and looked and the 1997 game was 41-35 Rockwood, but I believe that game was at the Jungle. I'll check it again Monday to be sure. In 2001, OS beat Kingston at home 10-6. In 1992, Harriman won at home 26-20 and Rockwood at home 37-6. [Edited by goosevol on 9-14-02 9:35P]

Didn't know Smith County moved up so talk it up, but I may have been the only person in Roane County to pick Smith County to win. Congrats, but remember to be humble until you whip Trousdale and Portland which you might just do this year. Again congratulations on the win. I don't know if these two teams will continue scheduling each other in the future but these last two years saw some good football from both teams.

I decided to go back in the archives last night and find out. It took an hour, but in Coach King's first season of 1986 the Jackets lost 7-3 to Harriman to open the season and 14-7 to Rockwood. In the mid 90's Rockwood nearly got it done losing 16-12.

I don't see why Smith County thinks they won the Super Bowl. Sure they have a good team, but Class AAA schools shouldn't do too much bragging when they beat a Class AA school. They're supposed to win against smaller schools. Congratulations on the win, but save the bragging for when you win against Trousdale or Portland.

Do you happen to know when the last time Kingston lost a county game at home?

Your right Swamp. Kingston's first TD was a blocked punt in the end zone and it was set up when Gallaher made a fair catch at the 4. Rockwood never had field position in the first half and it cost them. They almost got things turned around but the ref called the running into the kicker (Bad call because he was blocked). Rockwood played great in the second half, but they were always playing catch up which hurt.

I remember back in 1994 (around then) that Oakdale's baseball team went to the state tournament. The KNS never wrote a story about how they did in Chattanooga. They did have a box score, but not even a tidbit of info about the team. I really thought that was bad considering how great a story it was to have a school that small make the final four. Oakdale also had Brad Howard that year who holds the all-time Tennessee high school strikeout record with 700+. I remember going to the game down in Chattanooga and the Chattanooga paper did a feature story on Brad and the Eagles while Knoxville had the box score. Don't get me wrong, I think Mark Burgess has a tough job in trying to keep up with all East Tennessee basically by himself. What the Sentinel should do is give him some help because he has too much to cover.

UT, I usually don't respond to someone blasting somebody, but I don't think it's right for you to blast these kids. I think Josh, Rock and Drew are all good kids who are playing their best. And the last I heard weightlifting helps athletes, especially football players.

I'm going with Smith County (More Experience), Harriman (They match up well), Rockwood (Possibly a special year in the Jungle), Coalfield (Done played but Taft isn't that much), and Wartburg (I wouldn't want to square off with the Dogs after last week. I put the scores in the paper, but I can't remember them off hand. Hey buy a Roane County News to see and maybe I'll get a raise (not likely). In all honesty though, the games in Roane County should all be great and could go either way.

Rockwood also has a transfer from Oak Ridge named Ellery Harvest. I haven't seen him play, but people have told me that he is a special player and can jump out of the gym. I guess we'll see, but if he's as good as the hype, the Tigers should be the top team in District 4A and one of the best in East Tennessee.

OS 91 mentioned special teams and they will be key. Conrad need to get his kickoffs in the end zone because Smith County's Shawn Ward has great speed. Last year, he returned a kick for six against the Bobcats and I think he took one the distance last week against Jackson County. OS's Whalen should have a good game also. He threw for 128 yards last year and he is a year better now.

I talked with some people from OS and some Kingston about this thread and some pointed me toward who you were probably talking about in the thread. It looks like I jumped the gun and didn't think clearly. I just didn't want anybody thinking I was talking about their kids/school/city or anything like that.

I don't know who will win the game, but the Tigers rushed for 315 yards in the first half alone vs. Wartburg. That sounds like a team that has it together. I just think it's going to be a close game that can go either way. Kingston's mystique means nothing this year because I think Rockwood believes that it's the better team. That being said, Kingston didn't achieve their status as the best team in Roane County by losing close games to anybody. Everybody just go to the game Friday and watch a good one.

I reaaly don't think home field means that much in a game like this. Rockwood doesn't have to travel more than 15 minutes and there will be a packed house that will be divided 50-50 between Rockwood fans and Kingston fans. Most years Kingston wins big county games because they have a mental advantage over their opponent, but I don't know if the Tigers are intimidated this year because they expect to win this game this year and in years past I feel they have hoped to win it.

OSHS, I mean no disrespect to the Bobcats, but I just don't feel at this time that OS is as good as they were last year and that's because they are replacing eight starters on both sides of the ball. Last year I picked OS second in the preseason and that would have come true if not for some bad calls against Sweetwater. Again I mean no disrespect. It's just that last year OS, Wartburg and Rockwood tied for third in Region 2-AA and Rockwood and Wartburg return at least seven starters on each side of the ball. By week 10 I might favor OS over Wartburg, but as of today I like Wartburg better, even with their big loss at Rockwood. I also base a lot of my opinion right now in that OS hasn't been tested. Lenoir City isn't as good as last year and Harriman, well enough said. I personally wish all the county teams the best of luck and I'd like to see OS and Rockwood finish 1-2 with the winner of the week four game being the champ.

I believe its 1.) Sweetwater, 2.) Rockwood, 3.) Wartburg, 4.) Oliver Springs, 5.) Alcoa and 6.) Harriman. I really thought Rockwood and Wartburg would be a great game, but the Tigers dominated and they could easily beat Sweetwater. Remember the Wildcats beat the Tigers last year 38-35 on the last play of the game and Rockwood had 2-3 starters out. I think OS will get their first test of the season Friday night against Smith County because Lenoir City is down this year from last year and we all know about Harriman's problems. The Devils haven't scored in three years against OS or Kingston. [Edited by goosevol on 9-7-02 3:01P]

I've felt that Rockwood and Wartburg were the two teams in the region that could beat Sweetwater. Now I don't know about the Bulldogs. Yes OS could beat Sweetwater, but for the Wildcats they should beat everybody unless the Tigers get 'em. Now if OS beats RW and the Tigers beat Sweetwater then we're in for a mess. I personally don't think Alcoa will make the playoffs this year.

Looks like the Region Championship game will be played week 6 in the Jungle when the Wildcats visit Rockwood. Tonight the Tigers blasted Wartburg 38-6. In the first half alone, they rushed for 315 yards and added 40 passing in building a 32-0 lead.

I'll take AC, Coalfield, Sweetwater and OS

I really don't see either offense putting up many points because both defenses are so fast. Whoever makes the least mistakes wins this game. Wartburg will throw more and when they do throw look for it to go deep. That's where Preston can make them pay, but when they do connect it'll be for good yardage. This game has all the makings of a good one.

Yes and he has a strong leg.