Gocart

A couple of observations about the Class A tournament: The weather forecast looks promising - warm, sunny, with low chances of rain all week. I guess that favors everyone, including TSSAA. Also, many of the names in the brackets look familiar. State tournament experience is huge, and it looks like several have been there recently. Good luck to every team, every player, every coach, and every parent. It's going to be a fun week. Finally, GO JCS EAGLES. Bring it home.

Good Luck, Rockwood. JCS Eagles head to the 'Boro today. Be safe, sleep well, and play hard. Bring home a championship, guys.

As always, our friends from McKenzie were classy and a pleasure to host. Good people up that way.

Senior Patrick Taggart was outstanding on the mound for JCS. Jaxman, is that the biggest crowd ever at a JCS baseball game?

2seam, Chandler started about half the time last year as an 8th grader on a team that played in the 1A state finals, DH'd when he did not start, and played in every game in the state tournament, including the finals. This kid is for real. He has the physical tools (guessing 6'00", 180) but more than that he has the mental toughness that great players have. He knows how to win and he'll find a way to deliver when winning time comes. I don't know how anyone determines who the best freshman in the state is, but don't dismiss Noah Chandler as a kid who's getting a chance because he plays for a small school. You'll be hearing his name a lot for the next few years.

How much is yearly tuition for open-zoned public school?

Congrats to McKenzie on a fine season. You should be proud - West Tennessee is proud of you.

Congrats to Milan on a great season. Peabody, you've beaten the best around. Now go get that gold ball.....

Both teams seem to be playing their best football now at the end of the season. Milans D has not given up a point in the post season, but that Peabody offense can score in a hurry. Good luck to both teams.

Congrats to FCS on a fine season.

Not as many as I thought - 7 or 8 boys this year at our place. 1-2 girls.

Congrats to Milan. Bring it home, dawgs.

Exactly

Burnout of athletes may not be the only issue, but it is a huge issue. Successful programs in Tennessee High School athletics all have high expectations in the off season. It's the nature of the beast. Yeah, kids may be different now than 20 years ago, but so are the expectations we place on them. Recent changes to the TSSAA calendar are intended to address this issue, but the bottom line is that coaches and parents who want to work their kids year round will find a way. TSSAA nor anyone else can legislate good judgement. Another twist makes this an even greater issue. The smaller the school, the greater the need to have your good athletes playing 3 sports (fall, winter, and spring). This gives those three-sport athletes virtually no off-season, EVER, especially summer. Summer for three-sport athletes tends to become a nightmare of practices, camps, and weight training. I don't know the answer. Quality programs are great, and kids grow from being a part of great programs. It's just too easy for ALL OF US to let it get out of balance. Coaches have to win, parents want their kids to be the best they can be, administrators love to see quality, but someone has to be the bad guy and say "No More." I don't know who I feel worse for, the kids trapped in the cycle of success, or those who never get to play on a quality program....

I saw some of the guys at church this morning and got to visit a little. Disappointed but realistic best describes their state of mind. The conversation ended with who we want to go watch Friday night. Good luck to all the local teams still in it, especially Milan and TCA. Bring home some gold and be sure to glorify God while you're doing it.

The only time I've ever seen a TSSAA official in that capacity is at the Finals in Murphreesboro. I've never seen or heard of TSSAA monitoring gates or field access during the first round of the playoffs. Where was this, and why was TSSAA doing what they charge the host school with doing? All these facts do not add up.

I'm hoping to be at Milan.

TCA wins this one.

Without having seen Huntingdon play, I hesitate to compare. I can say, however, that Milan is playing very well right now and appears to be firing on all cylinders. Whoever plays them is gonna have their hands full. This will be a great game to watch. I predict Milan advances to the third round.

Thanks to the Milan posters for all the kind words and for the great hospitality during our two trips to Johnnie Hale Stadium this year. The Dawgs are rolling right now - I'm predicting a deep run for you even though you've got a tough row to hoe each week from here on out. Good Luck to you! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Eagles, you guys never quit. I've never been prouder than I am today to wear that JCS Blue and be a part of this program. Hold your heads high and take pride in what you've accomplished.

To Volsken, Jaxman, MetFan and some other CoachT posters who are also parents of JCS football players, I have to say this. The legacy that your sons have left for other JCS teams to follow is priceless. They have set the bar high, not only with wins and championships, but in the way we go about our business. They have been a blessing. I'll say it again - I'm so grateful for the leadership that these guys have shown, not only to their teammates, but to us, the folks in the bleachers. We've seen boys become men through the past couple of seasons, and we're all better for it.

Great season, Eagles. I'm proud of you. Seniors, you've left a mark on our program that will not be forgotten, and I'm grateful to you. Milan Bulldogs, congratulations on the win tonight, and good luck next week against Huntingdon. I may have to slip up there to see that one.

I guess that would depend on what your hopes and dreams are.....

Good Luck to MP tonight, 88. And congrats to both Milan and Mount Pleasant for being nominated this year for the AF Bridges Award, the TSSAA Award for character, sportsmanship, and integrity. That says a lot about your programs and your leadership. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Thanks, dude. Good luck tonight.