randy3116

crap if thats the case then we are going to have to hear him next week. /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

LOL. I'm a M'town fan and even I'm getting tired of all the pregame references to Hurricane warnings or the Trojan nation.

Well how do we think this one will turn out

Well, something will have to break. The Big Red hasn't won on the road yet this year and the Prioneers haven't won at home, either. If I'm not mistaken, this Friday will be Crockett's last home game so there will be some emotion and impetus for the seniors. Add to that, IMO, Crockett's O & D is a bit better than Cocke County's. I'll say Crockett wins by 10 points.

What does the stadium have to do with anything buthome field ! It will come down to who has the defense and the offense and puts everything into action. Don't sell Volunteer short, they have been having good hard practices same

as everyone else..Whose to say some surprises might be in the works.... /ph34r.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":ph34r:" border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" /> ..........this is the spook season and one never knows does one?? GO FALCONS /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

No disrespect meant to Volunteer in my earlier post. I was simply implying that it is only natural that East would prefer to play the Falcons and Greene Devils (Boone, too, for that matter) in Morristown rather than in Church Hill or Greeneville.

I would hardly say that this is a heated rivarly especially considering the teams you are talking about.

I'd say the last time the West/Greeneville series was 'heated' was back in '02.

Trivial notes - The overall series record stands at 22-11-1 in West's favor. Since 1997, the record is 11-3, again, in West's favor. The last time Greeneville defeated West in Greeneville was in 1998 (52-30). The other two wins came in 2000 (38-21, quarterfinal game) and 2004 (34-14).

So Greeneville's win over South holds no weight in determining homefield advantage if they meet again?(in the quarterfinals) If that's the case, South will have homefield through the Semi's as long as they continue winning of course.

Correct. If you go back to 2005, South was the Mountain Lakes champion and the number one seed in the upper bracket. They hosted West in the quarterfinals ultimately losing 48-20. If the Rebels had won that game, they would have hosted Maryville the following week in the semifinal.

It depends on who wins in each conference. If Greeneville and South both win their respective regions then I think Greeneville will have the home field in the quarterfinals since Greeneville beat South earlier in the season. If Tennessee wins then they will have homefield until they are beaten. If Morristown West wins and South wins, then South has homefield until they are beaten.

Thanks to those who replied as to home field in the playoffs. I did some research on TSSAA's site and found the answer to my question. Here is what I found.

For first- and second-round games, the higher seeded team will have home field.

For quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship games, in odd years, the top team in the bracket will have home field. "Top team" does not mean the higher rated or seeded team but rather the team that is in the upper bracket as opposed to the lower one; even if the team in the upper bracket is a lower seed than the team in the lower bracket. This is reversed in even numbered years. In the quarterfinal game, however, if both teams are from the same region, the higher seeded team will be host and have home field advantage for the game.

In this year's quarterfinal game, therefore...

1. if a Mountain Lakes team comes out of the upper bracket and a 5 Rivers team comes out of the lower bracket, the Mountain Lakes team will be host (this happened in 2005 when Sullivan South hosted West);

2. if a 5 Rivers team comes out of the upper bracket and a Mountain Lakes team comes out of the lower bracket, then the 5 Rivers team will be host; or

3. if two 5 Rivers teams come out of both brackets, then the higher seeded team will be host (this happened last year when East beat South in Colonial Heights and West beat Tennessee High; West was the higher seed and hosted East) - the same holds true if two Mountain Lakes teams come out of both brackets.

The winner of this year's quarterfinal game will then host the quarterfinal champion from regions 3 (Knoxville metro area) and 4 (Chattanooga Metro area).

Finally, the winner that comes out of regions 1-4 will be home team for the championship game in Murfreesboro.

Reality? We had guys get hurt and we are still a good football team. As far as the wait til next year thing......Volunteer has been saying that since when? Bandwagonfan!!!

This may be one of the best games in NE TN Friday night. Wthout a doubt, the Canes have the toughest final 3 game schedule in the conference this season. The good thing is that the first two are at Burke-Toney. Good luck, East!!

We had enough rude awakening the last couple of years to last a lifetime thanks...I think its your turn now /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

I'd say 'heartbreaks' more so than 'rude awakenings' since 2001. I'd be interested to hear from Devils fans how this year's team compares to past Greenville teams during the same period. IMO, the '02 squad was the most talented. I've always thought that if that team had been playing in class 3A, they could have gone to Murfreesboro and brought home a championship.

As for an earlier comment, wet conditions seem to favor power running teams which (except for '04 and this year) has always been the signature style for West.

This Friday night, for West to win, the Trojan D must be able to effectively shut down Greeneville's offense. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening. The Devils should their 2nd game against West since 2001 and claim the number 1 seed from region 2 going into the playoffs although both will probably share the Five Rivers conference title. I'll leave it to Boone, East, and Volunteer to sort out the 3rd and 4th playoff slots.

Speaking of the playoffs, will someone please update me as to the home field scenario for the quarterfinals. If both number 1 seeds from the Mountain Lakes and 5 Rivers reach the 3rd round, who has home field advantage this year?

A response to my colleague from, I assume, eastern Hamblen County:

""How about games that are played below 70 degrees with a full moon?"" -- Interesting comment.

""The schedules mean nothing."" -- Sorry. I thought when you mentioned schedules that we were supposed to talk about schedules.

"They [West] have 3 losses."" -- Can't argue with you there.

""The hard schedule only matters if you win those games."" -- Not necessarily. Playing "good" teams does provide the means to measure oneself against quality, rather than inferior, competition and the opportunity to identify and correct deficiencies. Whether any deficiencies get corrected is another story.

""This is not vegas."" -- It sure felt like it back in July and August!

""...we shut them down."" -- I'll have to take your word on that.

""They [Canes and Trojans] will decide who is the better team on friday."" -- Agreed.

Here's to an injury-free game and hoping that at the end of the season both Hamblen County schools will be at the top of region 2 class 4A.

A better schedule? The only people they have played that we have not are Catholic and Science Hill and they lost both badly. We played Karns and fulton and went 1-1. We also faced SH in the preseason and was not impressed.

 

A team at 3-2 upsets a team at 2-3? If east wins it will be a win and if west wins it will be a win. There is no upset in play here.

I disagree with the first paragraph. Using Canefan72's line of reasoning, since Cherokee, Crockett, & Jeff are the common opponents, we'll throw those aside for the moment. That leaves the Canes with Karns and Fulton who currently have a combined win/loss record of 5-6 (.454). West is left with Catholic and Sci Hill who have a combined win/loss record of 9-2 (.818). The tougher schedule appears to be in West's column rather than East's.

Back to Cherokee, Crockett, and Jeff: East and West both beat Cherokee by 26 and 21 points, respectively, and lost to Jeff by 12 and 15 by the same. Statistically a wash. The Crockett games, however, are another story. West easily won while the Canes had more than their share of troubles with the Pioneers finally winning by 2 points. Edge here also appears to go to West. Yes, East has a better record and, yes, they won one of their three non-region games while West went winless, but West had the tougher first-half schedule. Enough said.

Moving from the subjective, however, one of the only truths, so far this season, is that neither East nor the Trojans have beaten any program that curently has a winning percentage of over .400. Furthermore, the toughest part of the schedule for both schools has yet to be played; although, East probably has the edge over West in this regard since the Canes have both Volunteer and Greeneville at Burke-Toney. Parity has arrived in region 2 class 4A and the Trailblazers, Greene Devils and Falcons are looming ever larger.

As for the Hamblen County Championship (yes, it's County Championship not City; Morristown gave up its school system years ago), oddly enough, whoever wins Friday night will definitely be in the left-side seat for the region championship but I'm not sure they could be labeled as 'favorite'.

Again, I want to say congrats to the Canes for a great season. I know that there's disappointment right now but there's a lot to look forward to, as well.

Great job by the Trojans after the first two offensive series. It seemed that the momentum switched over to West after the Trojans tied the game at 7-7 and it never changed after that. Defense was outstanding all night long. Offense had another very good night running the ball. The number of fumbles are a concern but is something that can be corrected.

Now it's time to prepare for the Rebbies. With last night's win, this Trojan team became the 2nd team in West history to win 13 games. Can it become the 2nd West team to play 15 games?

So, the team that plays better offense and defense will win? Really?

Yep. Amazing isn't it!?

ROLL TROJANS!

West Region

Fairley Bulldogs (9-3) at Henry County Patriots (8-4)

Last meeting: N/A

The Bulldogs have been on a roll since their last loss to Melrose and I don’t think the Pats defense will be able to put together enough stops.

Pick: Fairley by 8

Mid-state Region

Clarksville Wildcats (9-3) at Hillsboro Burros (12-0)

Last meeting: N/A

The Burros will be the 4th 9-win team (at a minimum) that the Wildcats have faced in as many weeks.

Pick: Hillsboro by 12

Southeast Region

Maryville Rebels (12-0) at Red Bank Lions (12-0)

Last meeting: N/A

Looking at points scored and allowed over this past season, the Lions are statistically superior to the Rebels; however, when you look at games against +.500 teams, the Rebels have performed better.

Pick: Maryville by 6

Northeast Region

Morristown East Hurricanes (9-3) at Morristown West Trojans (12-0)

Last meeting: Sept. 29th: West-45 at East-24

Conventional wisdom says that the nexturf field should benefit East’s speed in the backfield but, similar to Maryville, the Trojans seem to have performed better than the Canes throughout the season against +.500 teams, last week's game at South, notwithstanding.

Pick: Morristown West by 10

would everyone stop sayin their fav. teams and who their biggest games are againest instead of tellin us the real biggest rival

Sorry, boy, but Morristown West and Morristown East are each others biggest rival regardless of the sport. It's just that this quarter-final game intensifies the rivalry even more.

So the big game is at Carson Newman. I heard the visitors bleachers were smaller than the one s at Burke-Toney. East - West fans all sitting on the home side, that would get ugly.

Yeah. The visitors bleachers are only 25 yards long. But, East and West fans were sitting together a few weeks back, too, at Burke-Toney.

Boonie, East has no-one playing both-ways. Morristown West Depth will not

be a factor. I fell it well be really hard for Mo-West to score 38 points on

Morristown East defense now. East defense is a whole lot better than people

think. I hope you come down to the game. Go Canes!

First off, I want to congratulate all East players, coaching staff, parents, and fans for a fantastic win up in Death Valley last week. A job very well done, indeed.

I agree with BIGR that East's defense is playing well and has improved as the season went along. No doubt about it. I need to point out, though, that the same can also be said of the West D. This unit has really come on in the last few weeks.

So, with that said and from my perspective. I think the primary key to winning this game rests solely on the West and East D units (assuming all other things remain equal) and basically boils down to this: Which D will be able to make more stops than the other? If West can contain to a large part the 'Canes speed (a sort of bend but don't break scheme), then it's going to be a long night for East. Likewise, if West cannot effectively establish its running and passing game, then East will enjoy a Thanksgiving Day practice session.

Either way, it's going to be a slobber-knocker!

They share the same home field correct? Is this a way to not let East be comfy in there home stadium?

No. The field has been in terrible shape since before East played Boone 3 weeks ago. Hardly any grass at all between the hash marks. A meeting was supposed to have been held this morning by county officials regarding installing nexturf.

The field aside, Burke-Toney is a great place to play but there is no way that it could hold the crowd for this game. People were standing 5-6 deep around each end zone at the regular season game. It would be a shame if the game were not played at Burke-Tarr.

from Webster's dictionary:

high school rivalry - (from the Latin: preppus educationis combatus) def. - '06 quarter-final game between Morristown West v. Morristown East this Friday night!!!

ROLL TROJANS

Below are the programs in eastern TN that have winning percentages of at least .500. Some schools listed show records since 1999 (those with 80 games total), others since 2001 (those with 60 games total), and still others post-2001. All classes are represented. Schools are listed in descending order according to the win pct. Information is obtained from TSSAA, other websites, and personal databases.

Columns shown are rank, school name, team mascot, class, region, wins, losses, and win pct.

1 Dobyns-Bennett Indians 5A 1 73 7 0.913

1 Maryville Rebels 4A 3 73 7 0.913

3 Morristown West Trojans 4A 2 69 11 0.863

4 Cloudland Highlanders 1A 1 65 15 0.813

4 Knox Central Bobcats 4A 3 65 15 0.813

4 Oak Ridge Wildcats 5A 2 65 15 0.813

7 Tennessee High Vikings 4A 1 64 16 0.800

7 Tyner Academy Rams 2A 3 48 12 0.800

9 Austin-East Roadrunners 3A 2 63 17 0.788

9 McCallie Blue Tornado II 3A 63 17 0.788

11 Fulton Falcons 3A 2 62 18 0.775

11 Knox Catholic Fighting Irish 3A 2 62 18 0.775

13 Polk County Wildcats 3A 3 46 14 0.767

14 Gatlingburg-Pittman Highlanders 2A 1 61 19 0.763

14 Seymour Golden Eagles 3A 1 61 19 0.763

16 Alcoa Tornados 2A 2 60 20 0.750

16 Coalfield Yellow Jackets 1A 2 45 15 0.750

16 South Pittsburgh Pirates 1A 3 45 15 0.750

19 Temple Crusaders 1A 3 26 9 0.743

20 Cleveland Blue Raiders 4A 4 43 17 0.717

20 Ooltewah Owls 5A 2 43 17 0.717

22 South Greene Rebels 2A 1 55 25 0.688

23 Midway Green Wave 1A 2 41 19 0.683

23 Sweetwater Wildcats 2A 2 41 19 0.683

25 Sevier County Smokey Bears 5A 1 53 27 0.663

26 Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers 2A 3 39 21 0.650

26 Cookeville Cavaliers 5A 3 52 28 0.650

26 Meigs County Tigers 3A 3 39 21 0.650

29 Red Bank Lions 4A 4 45 25 0.643

30 Lincoln County Falcons 5A 3 38 22 0.633

30 Oneida Indians 1A 2 38 22 0.633

32 Greenback Cherokees 1A 2 37 23 0.617

33 Anderson County Mavericks 3A 2 49 31 0.613

33 Hampton Bulldogs 1A 1 49 31 0.613

35 East Ridge Pioneers 3A 3 36 24 0.600

35 Elizabethton Cyclones 4A 1 48 32 0.600

35 Farragut Admirals 5A 2 48 32 0.600

35 Greeneville Greene Devils 4A 2 48 32 0.600

35 McMinn County Cherokees 5A 2 36 24 0.600

35 Sullivan North Golden Raiders 4A 1 48 32 0.600

41 Happy Valley Warriors 2A 1 47 33 0.588

41 Loudon Redskins 2A 2 47 33 0.588

43 Marion County Warriors 2A 3 35 25 0.583

44 Livingston Academy Wildcats 3A 2 34 26 0.567

44 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 3A 3 34 26 0.567

44 Rhea County Golden Eagles 4A 4 34 26 0.567

47 Knox Webb Spartans II 2A 45 35 0.563

47 Powell Panthers 4A 3 45 35 0.563

49 Baylor Red Raiders II 3A 33 26 0.559

50 Cherokee Chiefs 4A 2 44 36 0.550

50 Cumberland Gap Panthers 2A 1 22 18 0.550

50 Daniel Boone Trailblazers 4A 2 44 36 0.550

50 Grace Baptist Golden Eagles 1A 3 11 9 0.550

54 Knox Halls Red Devils 4A 3 43 37 0.538

54 William Blount Governors 5A 2 43 37 0.538

56 Soddy Daisy Trojans 5A 2 32 28 0.533

56 Whitwell Tigers 1A 3 32 28 0.533

58 Johnson County Longhorns 4A 1 42 38 0.525

58 Rockwood Tigers 2A 2 42 38 0.525

58 Sullivan South Rebels 4A 1 42 38 0.525

58 Kingston Yellow Jackets 3A 2 32 29 0.525

62 Grundy County Yellow Jackets 3A 3 31 29 0.517

62 Hixson Wildcats 4A 4 31 29 0.517

64 Rutledge Pioneers 3A 1 41 39 0.513

65 Howard Hustlin Tigers 3A 3 30 30 0.500

The time for talking is over. It's game day and round 2 is tonight. Safe trip to the Vikings, their parents, family and all TN High fans as they come to and leave from Burke-Tarr tonight. Can't wait for kickoff!!

GET 'ER DONE, TROJANS

Talk is cheap. It's game day. Safe trip to the 'Canes and all East fans going up to and coming back from Colonial Heights. I'll be at Burke-Tarr tonight but I'll be pulling for both the crimson and the orange.

BRING BACK A WIN, HURRICANES

The Trojan Nation has the utmost repect for the program at Tennessee High. We understand the level of success that the Vikings have year in and year out. Some of us still remember the old Big 7 Conference (Morristown, Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, Elizabethton, & Erwin for you youngsters). TN High was always strong then and is always one of the top teams out of Region 1 now. We know the Trojans will have to bring their "A" game to get by the Vikings. Here's hoping for a great game, a great atmosphere, and a great Friday night.

Good Luck to both teams but I'll be pulling for the Trojans.

Well said!

According to the TSSAA, Friday night will mark the sixth time that two of the premier 4A football programs in east TN have met in the playoffs since 2000. In fact, Tennessee High is the one program that West has faced more times than any other in the playoffs. The Trojans lead the series 4-1 and, excepting the '03 game, not one of the four other games can really be called lop-sided or blow-outs. This Friday should be no different. West 27 Tennessee High 14

ROLL TROJANS

I totally agree. the Canes will beat South by 2 scores, and it will be a showdown in Mo'town..

That's got a nice ring to it, Stush!

SIC 'EM, CANES

ROLL TROJANS

The way it works-- if West wins they will host no matter who wins the other games. If TH and East win, then TH will host. If TH and SS win then SS will host due to their number one seed in region 1.

Correct.

This game will be a close one throughout the whole game. I'm goin for TN High though cause i think they have gotten to the point where they are playing smarter, with more heart, and more determination. If the Vikes reduce their penalties and limit their turnovers, then it should be a close one. Mo West will be ready and might be too confident, but Tn High in return needs to step up and be ready to play to their potential to win the game. I'll go with the Vikes winning 28-21.

The Trojans approach every game confident that they will win. That is different than going in and over-estimating the opponent. Believe me that Tennessee High will not be underestimated by either the coaching staff nor the players. One game, one focus.