Seldon

No, I didn't ALMOST get it right, I got it COMPLETELY right. The 03 Farragut team won the regular season 3-1 at Bearden, won the District 5-4, lost the regional final 2-1, then beat Bearden in the State finals 3-1. I attended each of those games. I have no idea what you're referring to.

Bearden 02 was very good; Bearden 03 was beaten 3 times by Farragut, including 3-1 in the State finals.

Being very familiar with both the 03 and 04 Farragut teams, most of the people involved with whom I have talked generally agree that, even though the 04 team was Nationally #1, the 03 team was actually a little better. However, the senior 04 class was outstanding. I also think the Houston team that dismantled Bearden in either 00 or 01 was extremely good.

Looked like a clean steal to me.

Actually, that 2003 game was the District final, and it was the most exciting game I have ever seen. But Coach Culbreth said this one was even more exciting, so I'll have to take his word for it since I didn't get to witness it.

I personally enjoyed watching Crouse and Hill shut down opposing offenses.

So what will happen now with the opening of Hardin Valley HS? It should adversely affect Farragut much more than Bearden but it may also be the emergence of another W Knoxville team.

Actually Rigger, the elder Backstrom (Ian) DID letter as both a Freshman and Sophomore and he WAS a heck of a player...he'll also be starting Med school in the Fall.

Then you'd be quessing wrong, uniden. I've been watching Bearden and Farragut (never played for either) since the mid 90s and I believe it is safe to say that, between the two teams, the period between 2001-2004 was and is unparalleled in the total accumulation of talent. Ask either coach and they will tell you the same. It was an abberition and will quite possibly never be seen again. In 2003 alone, there were 10 All Staters between the two. In addition, look at the interest the games drew back then as compared to the last couple of years. There was TV coverage at every game, headlines in the paper, and probably 50% larger crowds. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of talent out there and some darned good soccer, but that 3-4 year period was exceptional.

Less brutal? Definitely. Better soccer? Not sure about that. One thing I have noticed about Beaden and Farragut as compared to 3-5 years ago is that the overall talent level now is not near what it was a few years back. Just goes to show how good the coaching is that both teams are still tops in the State.

Perhaps this explains a lot about the "class" of a particular team, coach, and fans. The first statement is an out and out fabrication. Three years ago Coach Culbreth certainly DID NOT cuss out coach Smelser regarding the start time for the sectional. He requested that Smelser set a time to accomodate FHS graduation and when Smelser refused, Coach C expressed his opinion, but I'll guarentee you he did not use profanity. As for the private ceremonies for track athletes, we are talking about a statewide event that had been scheduled for a year not a single game that was arbitrarily scheduled by a single coach. Too bad he can't tell the difference. As for the rest of coach Smelser's comments, they help explain a lot about what I witnessed first-hand in regard to competing against Science Hill and interacting with their players and fans. Teacher, coach or whatever, his comments revealed a considerable lack of maturity and honesty. The use of excuses, complaints, and unfounded accusations are not qualities I would want from someone who is supposed to be a "leader" and a "molder of young men". Thank goodness my son played at Farragut for a coach with class.

Three years ago the same situation existed; Farragut had lost to Bearden in the Regional finals and had to travel to Science Hill on graduation day. SH changed the time of the game to 11:00 AM to accomodate Farragut's graduating seniors. Farragut proceeded to whip them both on the scoreboard and physically on the field. Maybe Science Hill remembers that outcome and doesn't want a repeat.

That's the style they have played since Turner got there but they don't have the studs up top that they have had in the past.

Two points: I don't believe Farragut "had issues" with the size of the USC field, it was merely an observation on the size as related to the norm for most TN schools. From my experience, the "good" teams with more speed and skill generally prefer a larger field. Secondly, field size for most TN teams is a matter of economics not preference. Most schools are forced to play on their schools' football fields or carve out another plot of land for soccer. Most TSSAA schools' soccer programs simply do not have the financial resources to build and maintain a separate soccer complex of proper dimensions. Sad but true.

Hey ozzie, What is the difference between an excuse and an explanation? Before you rack your brain trying to determine the subtle differences between the two, let me offer that the difference is often in the eye of the beholder. You obviously have some animosity toward Farragut as evidenced by your tone and other posts, thus your "perception" of Coach Wallie's explanation is tainted, to say the least. My guess is you haven't had much success against the Admirals in the past. But hey, you're not alone. I have known Coach Wallie for some time and I can promise you that making excuses is not part of his personna. Having followed Farragut's trek through the Palmetto Cup and being familiar with the talent in that part of South Carolina, I'd say they performed quite well and that the final game score probably WAS an aberration.