tbp0137

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether or not you get back up that counts. Success is a journey, not a destination. To the Panther team: only you know how good you can be this season, it's your choice and opportunity to erase the bad taste in you r mouth right now. Make no excuses, never except defeat, and never, never, quit fighting, and good things will happen. Fan/Antwan: It was a bad night with similar situations: turnovers will devastate you, no matter the game or its players...example, check the stats from Tech's game...total yards TTU-332 BGSU-328. Our defense stayed in the redzone all noght long with two blocked punts, a fumble, and a screen that was considered a fumble which led to 24 of 41 first half points. Believe it or not, they kept their starters in (as 1a teams must for ratings) and we held them scoreless and to 86 yds in the second half. We have something to build on, as does Portland in the second half. I guess the growing pains hurt just a little more. As for me, no time for licking wounds, Seneca Wallace and Iowa State await, and I look forward to picking off the Heisman candidate (doesn't hurt to dream?)

Of course not, (trying not to move the ball), but they are not going to do anything to jepordize their chances this week. Also, their center, probably the anchor of the line, was held due to a rib fracture. You know as well as I do that with a new center in their in the wing T things are going to be smooth as silk. I love it that people think we are not going to be productive on offense. I'm not saying they'll be world beaters, but they still hold some spades in their hand. Gallatin looked pretty solid to me, but the only concern would be their ability to line up and run right at people. They didn't do that well against Portland, esp. in the red zone, and since their offense is based around that fact, that needs to be called to attention first and foremost. However, they looked much better than both Hendersonville and Beech. Yet, I would be contradictive if I said that meant everything. Just food for thought.

FootGuy5...I'm curious, what scrimmage did you see b/tn portland and Goodpasture. The one I saw (and I was there) featured to good screens from GP in the morning and two deep balls from Portland in the afternoon. Neither team ran the ball effectively, both played solid agressive defense, unlike last year's meeting where Portland mopped the floor with them. Besides, what do we have to say about scrimmages? I would love for these two to get together in the regular season...by the way, Portland has won 37 straight regular season games...their ranking is justifiable based on that fact alone!

Don Haney hit the nail right on the head!

Mr. Bean...it's quite bold of you to assume that both Trousdale and Smith will be 7-0 going into week eight. Trousdale plays Portland in week 4 and although I'm sure they are the favorite, to come out and start a thread about a game 7 or 8 wks deep into the season might deeply offend some of those that watch closely. Just a word of advice.

Hey guys (and gal), hold all my calls this week, I'm going camping with some gridders. No computers even in the county I don't think so unless someone from Goodpasture has a laptop, I'll be back in a week. And even then if my posts seem few and far b/tn, don't fret, I have to sweat through one more of my own fall camps. I'll muster enough evergy for the good threads. Smith Co. and Cookeville? You're getting too close to my neck of the woods boys~

I'm on my way to teh center of the earth tomorrow. See ya there Panthers!

It's good to see the jacket's got his sting back!

If you've read the threads on the first page so much you decide to go back 32 pages to see if you can start back up on a thread you may have missed. (Even though you've probably read that page many times as well).

A team that I wouldn't say has declined (since they were a quaterfinalist last year) but is so unpredictable would be Springfield. It seems as if when they are on the brink of destruction they have a great season. Last year was pretty indicitive of their last seven years with a record of 6-6. Early 90s though, they were tough to beat year in and out. With the talent in the area I would like to see them come back strong.

I've been in the eastern time zone the last couple of days and I don't think I've adjusted yet, or I'm just horribly bored. By the post you can tell how much sleep I obtained last night. What positions does the new coaching position entail and who is the lucky recipient?

I assume this is an assistant?

For directions to the camp site, go to the middle of nowhere and turn right and you'll be there. Seriously, I'll be there Tim, think you can guess who I am on that day? I'll be the one with bug spray on? Does that narrow it down to 400 or what?

Cookeville is Cookeville, building more restuarants, but still boring as all get out (precisely why I'm on the board so much). The major player in caucasion invasion graduated (which I'm sure you know) but they still have a team. I'm sure their field another this year, probably won't win it, but will for sure have most original name. I hope the aurora with the Tigers fro Nashville continues, and it wouldn't hurt to start some of that with EIU and EKU. We'll see...as for week four, Trousdale Co. is actually a lot closer to Cville than Portland, so I'm sure they'll be there to watch.

Great post Antwan.

Fan: You don't have to worry about that. I enjoy talking with you guys and the fact that you know a little about me. My person just kind of gets in the way at times with other people b/ce they want to talk about (well, you can imagine) instead of just sticking to fball, but seriously, you're fine. To AE: Taking it a game at a time is a great idea, but not something you have to sell with Portland's program, we've done that for a while now. However, I sense a hint of contradiction when you state that you take it a game at a time after saying you feel that AE will come out of the east. But, you are right, you have earned the state championship and will have that title until someone dethrones you at one time or another. I respect the prgm, I'm just offering some advice, coming from experience. It's also hard to swallow based on your continuing line at the bottom of your posts. It's catchy, don't get me wrong, but not something you'll find in any of my posts, even if Portland is fortunate enough to be around in December.

I never knew I was "fronting" in either sense of the meaning. For one, my person is irrelevant to this message board and this post, but I'm not playing secret agent or I wouldn't have "tbp" in my username. The real question is who are you? Because there is much relevance to the fact that you have made some rather bold statements concerning not only Portland but also some other teams from region 4-3A. I'm not going to attempt to address some of the conclusions you draw as to why automatically you think Portland is going to be great again this year. If you really know me then you know how I would love for that to happen and hope that it does. I'm not playing Benedict Arnold here I'm speaking the truth. There is not a single defensive lineman returning from last year, both outside lbs graduated, one ILB, and two were lost from the secondary. There is one returning offensive lineman, the QB graduated, along with the wingback and a fullback. Who is "fronting"? Do I think there are people to step up and take those places? Yes. But it's not as easy as just being penciled in to start. Otherwise there would be no such word as rebuilding. Do I think Portland has a chance to be every bit as successful as the previous years? Yes, but me and you wanting them to be also won't get it done. Are they working hard? Extremely, but there are other teams out there pressing towards the same goal. Again, my statements on this board are based on what I see and from that experience that you talk about (playing experience). Allow me to add as kindly as I can, please do not say anything that would be detremental to the Panthers and their season this fall. Allow others that privilege, just don't respond with the same jargon. And...if you are a member of the current Portland team, get off this message board, or at least refrain from posting. I'm not trying to be harsh with you I just want what is best for the program.

To fanman: I'm torn every Friday that I can't be there to support them. It's bothered me so bad at times when I'm at a hotel 500 miles away I'm still on a cell phone getting play-by-play. And yes, I have been well drilled with the wine and cheese act, but this year I've shot pretty straight. Portland has major holes to fill left by graduation and other circumstances. They should not be the favorite even in the region altough past and tradition seem to swing the ball into that court more often than not. I know we can't sneak up on anyone, but it's fun to try. Keep in mind, though that the Owls can't either. THey impressed too many from region 4 last year. And I agree with Antwan in saying that if that did happen (someone from the east bracket winning) without playing everyone from the west (or visa versa) that would be, well, you said it, silly. To boorelly, no one doubts who the team to beat in this class is (w/the exception of creekbankfan) but Mr. Roadrunners acted as if that trophy gave them an automatic bid to this years, and unless they have new special powers, I can assure him that they don't. However, I understand your comment regarding taking the crown away and all that chivarly stuff. Just keep in mind that most (not all but most) won't have that in mind when they strap it up on Friday nights, but that uncertainty is what makes high school ftball great, is it not?

I agree with what AE Roadrunners says when he says its too early to be saying that kind of thing. But then he turns around and talks about something from the past. Isn't too late to be talking about that sort of thing? You do know the same gold ball doesn't go to the state champion every year. So, in reference to your question, "Where's the gold ball now?" There's one at your place, some at Trousdale, one at Portland, shall I go on? Speaking for Portland though I can assure you that gold ball in our trophy case won't do anything to help us win a single game this year. If yours does, then we want to trade!

Although I cannot give you dates and places (believe me, it would take me two pages for directions to camp NaCome alone) I can tell you that Portland will scrimmage Goodpasture and Clarksville High at camp and after they return will scrimmage at Bowling Green, KY. These should all be great work days for a young team, because the quality of teams the Panthers are scrimmaging is very tough and well disciplined.

I want to give some proper acknowledgement to those teams who have the great surface to play Friday night football on. As a player you know there are significant differences between fresh cut bemuda turf and a cow pasture. If you want to call out the worst field as well, feel free. My shout out goes to Portland b/ce I see the work that goes into it by the coaching staff (some have ground crews, some are kept by coaches) and the result is tremendous. I know they have the same bemuda as the Titans and have played at both places and they're both fast tracks. Also, Trousdale Co. has a plush field as well. Let's hear yours.

I want to echo just1np question. I saw them at a passing tournament and was fairly impressed. What's the fuss?

That would be Portland. If you sit in the visiting stand the train runs directly, and I mean directly behind the stadium...if that's not enough the entire stadium is rigged with train horns, some big enough that they have to be run by generators. It is deafening and could be intimidating. That, or the fact that the are 23-1 in the last three years there and 24-1 in the last five regular seasons.