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.

 

Thank you Mr. Tank. I too think that some of our DB supporters are overly optimistic about our Defense. But you can't lay too much on what you saw in the Bearden films. My view is, after seeing them play all 3 games so far, that the offense was dead dog dead at Bearden for 3 quarters and only livened up moderatly in the 4th quarter. And not because of Bearden either. It was Karns all over again. And our offense was sputtering some too. I will not be surprised to see an entirely different team at your "Ship" tonight. But best offense ever is an absolute stretch. This is the 9th year in a row that I have been watching DB football. Attend most away games too. I have seen at least as good defenses at DB in those years. It is possible that some close relationships might be clouding some folks view of things. And that's okay. I would probably do the same.

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.

 

 

Tank, what is your take? I can't get it online either. Personally, I think the young Cats are a little overmatched, especially in the trenches on both sides. However, with our excellent kicking game and return games. Don't count us out. We could pull the W, hard to do though when your over matched on both fronts.

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.

 

How is the DB kicking game. I think it will be a big factor tonite. The hidden yardage in the return game could be big. OR has had excellent kicking so far, kick offs and field goals. I think we've only punted once, so not sure about that part.

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.

 

for any Wildcat fan who takes the OR news paper ... what does Tank predict?

*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.

 

 

All I know is put up or shut up, Tank's still a newbie in the 'Ridge, and we MIGHT forgive him for going against the hometown team. As for DB, they'll see the 'cats come down the stairs from the field...even if they wait all night. Stevens knows what's at stake and what it means.

 

ORidgeKat, you and your dad better not give any seats away to any DB tribe members before we get there!

 

Skunk's got it right...PRIDE AND RESPECT... :

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.

 

Geez Tank,

 

Just a little ribbing on my part, it was meant as a kinda toungue-in-cheek post!

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.

 

Hit after Hit... Punishing Hit after Punishing Hit!! Tackle for Loss after Tackle for Loss!! Fear!! Fear!! Fear!!

That's how I explain it. Now, Oak Ridge will not walk down those steps, with the Band Playing and their Bleachers rockin', with fear on the offensive side... Not walking down the steps, they won't... But when that Football is placed on the tee and they end up with the Ball, Fear will eventually set in... little by little and then, BAM!! (Bat Man Style), Fear will take over.

It's just not #19 Andrew Pappas, it's what come next or even before... It's Brandon Thompson #42, serious pain train, It's #40 Cody Burnette, will he leave you layin', intercept the pass or sack the QB.. he does it all... then when #8 Aaron Marsh comes in, he is a team leader in overall tackles. Just don't take the DB's for granted, #45 Brandon Lawson and #20 Jo Jo Throp, #9 Coty Sensabagh will make some plays!

DB by 2 scores

 

Good To Great

Roll Tribe Roll

Giddy Up!!

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

 

 

I say they are.. that much better!!

 

One gigantic (and I think the only thing in Oak Ridge's favor)... 1st home Game of the Season for the Wildcats!! That is big after 2 Road games to start the Season and come home to a #1 vs #2 Matchup... It should be a wild scene in the ATOMIC CITY..

 

Good To Great

Roll Tribe Roll

Giddy Up!!

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.

 

Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett is 7-10 (that's what I got) in games played at Oak Ridge, all-time in the Series. Graham Clark is 4-4 in the Atomic City while being Head Coach. Is that the best record for an OR Opponent?

 

DB is going to win this game. DEFENSE DEFENSE.. That's the strength of the Indians and it all starts with the best LB Group in School History. Andrew Pappas, Brandon Thompson, Cody Burnette and Aaron Marsh are going to control the action. I do not expect Oak Ridge to score on a sustained drive.. Qucik Strike Offense.. maybe, score because of a DB turnover in good field position.. maybe. Kick Return, maybe. But no way all of them.

 

DB has the experience, and the talent on Offense to take this game. Bo Burton will show he is a good 5A QB. Coty Sensabugh is going to show, again, why he is one of the most talented WR/DB in East TN. #20 Jo Jo Throp is going to make some plays, a very versitle player, he never comes off the field.

 

Good To Great

Roll Tribe Roll

Giddy Up!!

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.)

 

ORCat,

Easy on Tank, let him pick DB, history is on our side, Tank picked Cal to roll all over our Vols!

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!.

 

WaCoJaCo... I had no idea if you did or didn't go to the game... Let's agree to disagree.. as the season goes, it will play out if Bearden is average or not.

 

On to Oak Ridge.. help me out Wildcat fans, you guys have great all-time numbers. What is the actual Win-Loss Record in this Series?

I have it:

OR WINS IN: 1961',62,63,'66,'68,'76,'77,'78,'85,'89,'99 (Twice including Playoffs), '2000,'03 (Playoffs),'04 (Playoffs), '05. *16 Wins

DB WINS IN: 1960,'64,'65,'67,'79,'86,'96,'97 (Twice including Playoffs),'98 (Twice including Playoffs),'99 (Playoffs),'02 (Playoffs), '03,'04. *15 Wins

DB was the first team to defeat Oak Ridge twice in a season.. I don't think anyone else has done it since. I think I have missed a game somewhere, check me please and reply.

 

For sure, since these Teams decided to start playing each other.. This has become the Best Big School Matchup (5A Schools) in East Tennessee. From 1993 (Re-classification) 13 Seasons, one team or the other's season has been ended in the Playoffs by the other, in 7 of those seasons (DB 4 Playoff wins, OR has 3). Graham Clark is 9-7 Coaching in the Series. So, 16 games in the Series in the last 13 Seasons!!

 

How has Oak Ridges Head Coach Stevens doing with the School and Fan Base, now in his second season? He seems like a very sharp young Coach.

Tank Talk... very good article in the Oak Ridger today!! We can't buy coverage like that.

 

Can't wait till Friday Night @ The Ship!!

 

Good To Great

Roll Tribe Roll

Giddy Up!!

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

 

 

Hey Tank, couldn't find any of those SEC books Sat., Bud Ford was holding out on us. I've seen DB play, they are very good, big, tough, experienced. They do have some quickness in the backfield that has been missing. But one thing the Cats have on their side is SPEED. We're very young but we have quick strike, big play speed all over the place. That could help even out all those other factors that favor the Indians.

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.

 

so, who did you vote for?

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.

 

Tank help me out, where'd you get the rankings from, like a website or something? or in the paper.

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.

 

Dang Tank, nice to know your supporting Oak Ridge. I thought OR did a much better job in week 2 and had a lot fewer mistakes. Improvement comes each week. The game at Bradley Central had a lot of outside influences (refs) or it would have been a lot worse. I think the refs called eleven flags on Oak Ridge and only one on Bradely Central, gimme a break.

 

Paul Bingham was a man on a mission last night and he will get better. The players are not yet to 100% effort, but they made great strides from week one to week two. Pick it up OR and give the Tribe all they want and more.

 

ROLL WILDCATS ROLL!

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.

 

i will take DB in this one i just dont think oakridge is as strong as everyone thinks

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?

 

There's not a more deserving candidate out there.

 

Congrats, Dave.

 

When and where will the induction ceremony be held?

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

 

Where is Coony, Borehead,and Orangecrush???

 

Tank, saw the show this morning, looked like you hadn't got much sleep!!

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.

 

It is a waste of eletricity to even play this game. It is not a rivalry nor has it ever been one. The local politicians want to keep it going because of the promity of the schools. You can't have a rivalry when one team has won 5 games in 57 years. Clinton has only one decade (I believe) when they won more than one game against OR and that was the 40's. It would be a much better gate and better game if we played Maryville or McCallie or Baylor or any other winning program.

 

Ole Dad

 

PS. when you talk to Shadduck tell him we still love him.

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.

 

Tank, Chill. These posts were meant for Boream and Dragoon and the other Big Mouthed posters. We all know Shadduck better than you and respect the guy and what he is trying to do. And by the way, the Cats have a long way to go and didn't use the spring and summer very well to be prepared is why.

Ole Dad