TankTalk

That's the thing, I just saw one film, so it's hard for me to really sum things up. Oak Ridge has a long way to go to be an excellent football team. The thing about both teams, these players grow up knowing how to win. I think Coach Stevens hit on this during his show. Sometimes, a bad practice, previous games, it doesn't matter when the lights are switched on Friday night. They know how to get it done ... somehow ... they get it done. It can be said for both teams, they have good players, good coaches, good fans and win or lose, this is what high school football is all about. It's about those players that have sacrificed, put in the work, went the extra mile just so they can don the uniform that represents their school, their community and maybe more importantly, their tradition. Every Friday I get excited watching games, today ... it has been elevated.

It could be a special teams kinda thing, but basically I think it's a blueprint football game. Ya know, the team that cuts down on mistakes, has the fewest turnovers and wins the field-position battle wins. I also think someone has to emerge for Oak Ridge. Are Darryl Miller and Jared Stephens 100 percent? If so, they could be factors. No matter what people think, the winner has to win the ground battle. It's not going to be easy, but after watching the DB/Bearden game on film, I think our offense spreads it out better and I think we can actually gain some yards -- enough yards to loosen things up a bit. Who knows though. A punt return, kick return, defensive touchdown, something has to happen to turn the tide. The defenses are fairly even, physically, neither is imposing up front, but are quick. Despite what some think, the linebacker battle is pretty dang close. I like OR's secondary better. The QB battle, I give OR a slight edge because I think Connor is a better runner and throws the ball better, plus I think he has more weapons to work with. I actually like our O line better, the tightends need to have a big game, ala Reed Quillen who has caught the ball much better as of late, getting him down the seam could be huge ... we all know what type athlete he is. Both coaches have a bag of tricks, we know that. Which trick play will work ... who calls the best game, I was not impressed with DB's play calling against Bearden to be honest. We know, X factors like officiating will play a part. Do we get a crew that wants to be part of a big game or a crew that wants to blend. My God, is it game time yet??? By the way, after looking, thinking, asking my wife (she knows more about football that me), I did in fact pick a 20-17 win by Oak Ridge, maybe just based on the first home game, etc. etc. I really have no idea who will win.

Will has had three punts so far my man, averaging 44 yards a kick with two of those inside the 20. On 12 kickoffs, six have been for a touchback. And, if my notes are correct, five of the remaining six were inside the five. And grad, our computer person usually has the site updated a little after noon. He is whacky though, so who knows for sure.

Oh, just stop and buy a paper on your way to the game. I really think the sports department, the huge sports department I get to run does a decent job with our Gameday Preview. Lot of good stuff in there. There were a lot of tough games to pick this week, think my percentage will take a nice hit. My story should be posted online soon, oakridger.com, as well.

*growl* I just finished my story for tomorrow's spread. I only teased to the fact I MAY pick DB ... sheesh. I had to take a few days, look at some numbers, talk to some people, break down a few things, find out about a few potential injury situations, get a feel for the players and coaches, etc. etc. etc. This game may not be as close as some of the "experts" think.

you need to take some medication and calm down. I don't even know who your boys are, nor do I care that you have taken such issue with my statements. But trust me, I have heard worse, it goes hand-in-hand with those willing to offer an opinion, something I have always been willing to do. And I have always offered mine without worrying about being anonymous when I do it. I am done with this conversation, arguing over the internet is about as useful as ... hmmm, nothing clever to come up with, but you get the idea. Good luck to you ... and your boys.

Bah, no need in arguing with the bitter, post edited for kindness. I will say this, however, just because someone doesn't share your opinion, doesn't mean you should attack them. My son is four. And I guarantee you, without a shadow of a doubt, no matter if he is in middle school, high school, reform school, if he posts on a website about lack of playing time, he won't have to worry about the coach. I will give him a parental one-game suspension. Wow, a parent stepping up ... that's a wild concept.

Trust me, I can take and give ribbing as well as anyone. I just take factual ribbing better. I didn't pick Cal, you said I did, I wanted to clear that up.

That does it ... I am on the phone right now with Coach Stevens. There is no way I can allow him to let the little Wildcats take this kind of punishment. The game is off!! We are going to try and schedule someone else ... this is too much.

Guess we will see, I respect your opinion, but I guarantee, they aren't THAT much better.

After watching a little film, the DB linebackers and D line had better get to the QB. I really really like our receivers against the overall secondary of the Indians. I am sure, for those saying how incredible these guys are, they will indeed perform well. But can they carry the load ... is Oak Ridge never going to be able to hook-up through the air? Also, for all I have heard and read about the DB linebackers, does anyone not know about the Oak Ridge linebacker crew? Troy Venable in the middle, remember him? An all-state performer ... surrounded by two of the most athletic outside linebackers in the state in Reed Quillen and Charlie Samuels. You may not know much about them ... yet. I am quite sure the DB linebackers are great, but I find it hard to believe they are THAT much better than the group Oak Ridge will have on the field.

Let's take a hypothetical situation ... Let's say, Bear Bryant is coaching ... it's during his era, yet the internet is available. One of his younger coaches, because Bear wouldn't even care about coming "online" tells him a player has posted, complaining about his playing time. Bear checks it out. Player never sees a down of football. This post really blew me away, sorry.

Pardon me? Fortunately, every prediction I make is either in print or on tape. During my Saturday morning show, I said ... "Tennessee wins 20-17." I can pull up the tape ... sure I have ripped on UT some in the pre-season, but I did pick them to win .. come on, it was Cal ... of the freakin' Pac-10! And as for Friday night, ol Cat has me picking DB already ... can't quite remember doing that, since I do that in Friday's newspaper. I actually look at games with my head, not my heart ... then I usually pick with my heart. Of course, I am 26-2 on the season, including a sterling 14-0 last week (I know I know, the games were easy to pick.)

Art, thanks for the compliment. I have all the series numbers back at the office. I will post them in the morning, unless someone smart like Clary does it for you. Something to remember, the winner of the regular season game has lost in the playoffs, when these two have met in the post-season the last two times. It's a mark of a great program to get better as the season rolls along, which these two traditionally do. I am honestly stumped, should be a good one ... just for the atmosphere, the fan support ... oh yeah, the good football as well!.

As long as Bud keeps those hotdogs coming, I won't complain too much.

Well, I take my voting seriously and have a few rules I live by. If a team is No. 1 and they win, it's hard for me to vote them out of that spot. Especially a convincing win. I will say this, I had the top two teams in the poll, as my top two teams on the ballot. But, like many have stated, who really cares about polls. They mean nothing, just something to chat about.

The AP rankings were released late this afternoon. I am sure papers will have them in the morning. Being an AP voter, they get sent to me, then I will turn around and stick 'em in my sports pages tomorrow morning.

And now it's the No. 1 Indians coming in to take on the No. 2 Wildcats. Those Ap voters felt Oak Ridge didn't score enough against Bradley Central, so DB was able to slide past them in the polls. I actually think that's good for the 'Cats, but who cares what those goofy AP voters do!

Class 5A 1. Kingsport Dobyns Bennett (3) 3-0 2. Oak Ridge (4) 2-0 3. Franklin (2) 3-0 4. Smyrna 3-0 70 5. Ridgeway (1) 3-0 6. Ooltewah (2) 3-0 7. Riverdale 2-1 8. Germantown (1) 2-0 9. Gallatin 2-0 10. Antioch 2-0 Others receiving 12 or more points: Class 4A 1. Maryville (12) 3-0 2. Knoxville Central 3-0 3. Hillsboro 2-0 (tie) Morristown West 3-0 5. Melrose (1) 2-1 6. Red Bank 3-0 7. Cleveland 2-0 8. Jackson Central-Merry 1-1 9. Maplewood 2-0 10. Sullivan South 2-1 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Tennessee 13. Class 3A 1. Knoxville Catholic (7) 3-0 2. Knoxville Fulton (3) 2-0 3. David Lipscomb 2-1 4. Covington (1) 2-0 5. Crockett County (2) 2-0 6. Dyersburg 3-0 7. Jackson South Side 2-0 8. Dyer County 3-0 (tie) Giles County 3-0 10. Fayette Ware 3-0 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Mitchell 15. 12, Notre Dame 12. 12, Knoxville Carter 12. Class 2A 1. Goodpasture (5) 3-0 2. Alcoa (8) 1-1 3. Tyner Academy 2-0 4. CPA 2-0 5. Huntingdon 1-1 6. Loudon 2-0 7. Lewis County 3-0 8. Camden 1-1 9. Milan 1-1 10. Booker T. Washington 3-0 Others receiving 12 or more points: Class A 1. Friendship Christian (8) 3-0 2. South Pittsburg (2) 2-0 3. Jo Byrns (1) 3-0 4. Coalfield (1) 3-0 5. Fayette Academy 3-0 6. Jackson Christian 2-1 7. Hampton 1-1 8. Cosby 3-0 9. Union City 1-1 10. Watertown 2-0 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Temple 15. 12, Unaka 13. 13, Forrest 12. Division II 1. Brentwood Academy (7) 3-0 2. McCallie (3) 2-0 3. MUS (1) 2-1 4. Father Ryan (1) 2-0 5. ECS 3-0 6. MBA 2-1 7. Pope John Paul II (1) 2-1 8. CBHS 2-1 9. Baylor 2-1 10. Knoxville Webb 2-1 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Davidson Academy 14.

Surely you don't doubt my support of Oak Ridge? I just have a duty, as a low-paid sports writer to pick 'em as I see 'em. Of course, it's not Friday, have to attend a few practices, check out the injury information, look at the stats of the DB/Bearden game, as well as other DB opponents, there is no telling what will happen between now and Friday.

Funny you should say that, because the people in Oak Ridge don't think they are as strong as "everyone" thinks. Maybe it's tradition that has them at No. 1, maybe it's process of elimination ... who knows. Do I think they have the capability to be the best team in 5A? Yes. Do I think they are remotely close to that point now? No. This is a big game, only because it shows both teams where they are. DB got a test, Oak Ridge hasn't as of yet, that will certainly be in DB's best interest. Of course, recent history shows us you may want to lose the regular-season game here, because the loser has went on to win when matched up in the playoffs. With the extra game, I think the Indians have an advantage, plus they just have more experienced players. Oak Ridge makes a lot of mistakes, something that will kill them against a disciplined team ... I think we all know coach Clark will have that. It's not Friday, so I can't make a prediction yet, but there could be a U-haul in my driveway when the paper comes out.

David, along with the other five inductees, will be recognized at halftime of the Jefferson County game on the 22nd. There will be a reception afterwards, etc. etc. Wonder if David will just keep broadcasting at halftime, doing some play-by-play as he is honored?

Chicken kept me and Mrs. Tank out too late ... I am too old for that.

Thus my headline in the game preview on Friday. I wish there was more fire in the rivalry, but there isn't. There was for a half, but that was due to some very sloppy play. I agree with you as to why the game will continue. I will tell ShaTTuck you said howdy.

At least I got you to say something positive about someone associated with the Dragon program. But I am as "chill" as it gets, it just gets tiresome to see a million posts that are generally negative to a "neighbor" program. Shadduck ... you know him so well, I am going to tell him you didn't spell his name right!! Now now, just chill, playing around.