rickk5561

Man, you either have great eyes or had access to video replay. I thought the assist was from the collective "scrum".

McMinn County beat Ooltewah at home 2-1 tonight for Region 3AAA championship. McMinn hosts 4AAA runner-up on Saturday. Ooltewah travels to 4AAA winner on Saturday. Any news on Region 4AAA championship result tonight between Tullahoma and Siegel?

Having been at the game, Cookeville looked to be the better team Sunday and appeared to want the win more. Cookeville looks to play a fairly aggressive trapping defense which could be susceptible against teams with better speed up top than Bearden. Bearden did not appear to be much of a finesse team - not a whole lot of "passing and catching" going on all over the field (at least the two games I saw). Mostly athleticism, physical play, and long balls. Don't misunderstand, Bearden is a fine team. But, if Bearden is considered to be a "dominant" team in AAA, the overall play in AAA is off from where it was a few years ago. Not to go too far from watching one game, but it appears to me that Region 4 is a much improved region with Cookeville, Siegel, Shelbyville, and, as always, Tullahoma playing pretty good ball.

This is an old argument on this message board but is most certainly a real one. Having the games in Memphis makes no sense-I don't really care to hear your argument. I am certain that a viable solution lies in the Nashville or Murfreesboro area. And for the record, Opperman, it's less than a 5 hour trip to Chattanooga from Memphis. But, remember, it's still another 4 1/2 hours on to Tri-Cities from there. Don't insult your or my intelligence by telling me or anyone else that playing a "state" tournament in Memphis (or even Mississippi) makes good sense for high school sports in Tennessee. Forget facilities or $$$. I am certain adequate facilities and $$$ exist in Middle Tennessee. Geography should be the governing rule in this 400+ mile wide state.

AAA Sectional: Region 3 #1: McMinn County-3 Region 4 #2: Columbia-0

"NO GOAL FOR YOU!" SAYETH THE SOCCER NAZI. (don't freak, sweetwater fans. it's a reference to the soup nazi on seinfeld, ok?)

Chip, Why would you care? You can't count to 2! I'm sure you couldn't make it to Dalton with a road map, Yahoo map, or GPS-much less tell time so you'd know when to be there!

drsanders, Your thoughts on Tullahoma's girls commitment and the community's support through rec, club, and middle school ball is more than commendable and much envied from other non-suburban areas. At least from this fellow rural soccer fan's view. Your thoughts on the Germantown teams that Tullahoma had to play in the semis are right on the money. That Germantown team was close to the best, if not the best, high school team I have seen also. Ashley King from that team is one of UGA's top players now. Aside from the Franklin team of 00 and maybe the Baylor team of 99 or 00 (I think), no teams I have seen the last 2 or 3 years come close. If I can associate your name with "your girls", you have much to be proud of. Both were and, am I right, still excellent players. As I have said time and time again, continued Tullahoma success and commitment. Carry the torch for other "country" schools.

festor, Did you see all of Tullahoma's semi-final games at Finley Stadium in 99, 00, and 01? If not, I don't expect you to understand the crux of my point. If you did, you see your team's abilities through rose-colored glasses. The point is that Region 3/4 AAA soccer is perenially the weakest in the state when compared to the other AAA areas (1/2; 5/6; 7/8) which up to this year were only allowed to send one team to the "final 4". Most of Chattanooga's soccer talent the last few years has been concentrated at the private schools (Baylor, GPS, CCS, Grace, Notre Dame) which are either Division II or A/AA. For whatever reason, the Smyrna/Murfreesboro area has not excelled, but seems to be improving. In the years 99, 00, & 01, Tullahoma's presence in the "final 4" was based on geography, not ability. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking what Tullahoma's program has accomplished-in particular looking at their performance the last 2 years. Again, I believe considering the fact that soccer is, for the most part, a suburban sport, Tullahoma outperforms any other "non-suburban" setting in the state that I know of. I hope Tullahoma's program continues to improve. Congratulations, again, Lady Wildcats!

Congratulations, Tullahoma!

I do want to offer this to the Tullahoma program and supporters. I follow McMinn Co. soccer (Athens area). Therefore, I know how hard it is to develop any kind of competitive soccer program while being away from any major urban or suburban area. The kids that do develop locally feel they have to head off to the "city lights" to get good club team opportunities (that's a separate discussion in its own right). My hat is of to y'all. I believe that Tullahoma has done a remarkable job considering their remoteness to major metro areas. Hands down, the best in the state, in my opinion. Continued success in "off the beaten path areas" is built upon hard work, good organization, a good off-season club team/program, and good coaching. Apparently, y'all have all of these. Yes, I saw last year's final and felt that Tullahoma most deservedly earned the right to play for the title. To be honest, based on what I saw at last year's semis, I am very surprised to see Oak Ridge's success this year. Tullahoma should be very proud of their program and past success(es). Personally, I wish them luck against the "city folks".

Hey, reccos, lighten up your crowing about your team Tullahoma. It seems you were offended and you shouldn't have been. Tullahoma's stats are based on weak competition and weak region. I have seen Tullahoma play the last 4 years at Finley. Only once (last year) did they look like a team that "deserved" to be there. Sorry, Tullahoma fans. I think your days are numbered at Finley. Prove me wrong.

K, so you're saying that Red Bank is going to "take someone out" at the McMinn game? Last time I checked, McMinn's girls don't (and haven't) worn tutus. My post was purely a statement of fact, not opinion or accusation. K, for the record, I didn't point fingers at Red Bank, your hot head assumed I did. By the way, there is a difference between physical and dirty soccer. I've seen both and subscribe to the former. Hope you don't get hurt, K. Remember, if you play dirty, get up from that tackle from behind with a smile on your face, K, or you're just blowing smoke.

"For the record", flipper: Last 4 years: McMinn-3 Red Bank-1 Last 4 years: McMinn had 3 players (2 were team MVP's) in three different matches "decommissioned" (2 knees and 1 ankle) for region final in Red Bank game. A pattern? Y'all tell me. I dunno?

I suspect that Baylor could name the score during pre-game warmups. Not much of a match here.

Doctn, Good points. Personally, I have never been a big Parlow fan but must admit that lately her talents have grown on me. She had always appeared to me to be a big slow girl that is good with her head only. But if you pay attention, she has excellent "close-in" possession skills and passes well off her feet from just about every conceivable position. She also has those "go go gadget legs" that seem to go way out there to steal balls and deflect passes. (Dumont like-you'll know what I'm saying, doctn). I thought that having her up front with Wambach and having Hamm to play to them both was unstoppable. I personally don't think the game ever "evened out" after Parlow left. It appeared that the US became more aggressive in getting the ball forward and had success in getting the ball in good position to score all night long. I was disappointed in Hamm in the second half. She had numerous opportunites on the right side and in the right corner but didn't seem to consistently attack the defense or get good balls/crosses into the middle in front of the goal (I must admit that the German goalie had a lot to do with that-she had an amazing game!). If she is truly the "best in the world", she should have stepped up and got it done. They made mention last night of Parlow not being a "90-minute player". What's your take on that? Do you think she has a stamina problem? I haven't noticed that being a problem or issue with Parlow. Taking time to second guess the coach, why was Bivens starting? I thought Pearce had that right back position sewed up. It seems that it would have been nice to also get McMillan in the game late (yes, I know she's been hurt but she has a real nose for the goal and is great on set pieces). As a side comment, I was disappointed with Foudie throughout the tournament. She wasn't involved in possessing, passing, set pieces, scoring, or anything. Am I stupid for saying this because I know she has been a stalwart on this team for many years. Lilly seemed to be much more active. Am I missing something. Did the other teams avoid her on purpose. ???? I like your idea of putting Milbrett in as an outside mid as an offensive weapon. Final comment. I dread hearing about how "if Brandy Chastain had played, we would have won". I AM NOT A CHASTAIN FAN!!! I personally think she's been one of the weakest links on the US team for years. If she would have played, maybe she would have scored another "own goal" like she did in 1999 (by the way, I never heard ANY mention of this when they were speaking of the 3-2 US victory over Germany in the 1999 World Cup). They treat Brandy like something special which in my opinion she is not.

Futbol, I don't know that I would say that Germany "dominated". You must have seen only the final score to render an opinion. Remember, that's my opinion. The USA team "dominated" offensive pressure in the second half but I think that it was because Germany went to a defensive posture pretty early in the second half but was prepared to strike with counters-and that they did superbly. They had girls up top that won balls and were willing to attack the defense. In the first half, I would still have to give the edge for "domination" to the USA. The great thing about soccer is that it's not about domination, it's about putting the ball in the net. The USA was disappointing the entire tournament with putting balls in the net-outside of set pieces and "head" superiority. Few of what I'd call "conventional" goals were scored by the USA. Oh well, there's alway 4 years from now.

I follow McMinn Co. but know for a fact that Jessie is tough as nails!!!!! I really enjoy watching her play.

That's it, Doc! Psychologically manipulating the fans! What do you want? A riot.

I meant to say region "2", not region "1", as "above the rest" regions. D-B has "good" program but always loses out to region 2 (farragut, bearden, oak ridge).

. . . . . . or insiders!

Weak region and even weaker district for Blackmon. Weak competition at Katie Hunter Tourney. Tullahoma will be tops in region. Regions 3, 4, & 7 combine to be weakest regions in state. Regions 1, 6, & 8 are "above" whoever comes out of 3 or 4. My opinion.

Tell it to the coach, davinci. The game's won in midfield. I don't think the owls have the talent from one end to the other to match up against better than "good" teams. Owls have two girls that can take it and score from midfield against most any team. Seems like the right move to me. Just my opinion.

You're a smart one, doctn. I predicted such or similar. When it counts, huh?

Nah, I think just Farragut (East) for AAA. Bearden does not look strong early but could change (always a good program).