donhaney

How about the naysayers give these young men, their parents, the coaches and the fans at least until say noon on Saturday until you start beating up on them? Great win against a very good team. Congratulations!

Nice post and quite accurate. Lewis County usually has one of these games every year. Over the past few seasons it has been with Camden and we were pretty evenly matched. We are quite at ease with playing for a regional title every year. I understand the excitement in Hickman County as it has been a really long time for you guys to be in this position. We have been experiencing it almost every year since 1989. I sincerely hope that class is displayed by both teams, coaches and fans tonight.

I don't think anyone outside of a doofus is going to be surrpised by Hickman County's performance. You are 7-0, we are 7-0, neither team has been tested. Why would anyone be surprised at this point in the season to see that both teams are very good? Have a good one.

You need to click on the posters name and read all of his posts. Seems like he has an affection for another school, not Lewis County. You shouldn't assume that derogatory comments directed towards Hickman County are eminating from Lewis Countians and the same can be understood on our end. There are a lot of posts coming from different areas of the state concenring this game and I would hope that most Hickman County and Lewis County fans would have a mutual respect... and hold themselves above most of this junk. As for what the greenskyhawk said, I wish I were still a moderator. That was classless, bigoted and beyond bad taste. In my opinion, he should be banished.

I am not the smartest fellow in the room but if these two teams combine for 56 points, I'll chew my cud. I still think it's gonna be a defensive struggle. By the way, if anyone starts a thread about this great matchup that embarks upon an intelligent vein, send me an e-mail or private message. Sifting through the insanity of bragadocious material is too time confining, from both sides. Matter of fact, Coach T should have a forum where sophmoric oratory is outlawed.

Most fans from both schools, especially those removed from attending school, realize that this is going to be a great game between two very evenly matched teams. Most logical fans realize that neither team is going to beat the other by 25 or 30 points. That's just not going to happen. Most of us realize that the two teams both adeptly run the wing-t which means, in my humble opinion, that this might wind up more of a defensive struggle than some would think. I think that each team is better than the other in some areas but neither is heads and shoulders above the other in any area. Hence, I expect an extremely close game. This really doesn't have anything to do with this game in particular but every game in general. When two evenly matched teams are about to play or have just played, why is it almost I always find a post concerning this... It will come down to which team wants it the most or ________won the game because they wanted it more? Can you really tell me that with undefeated seasons on the line, a first place seeding going into the playoffs, a regional championship and bragging rights between two teams just a few minutes apart that one team really doesn't want to win as much as the other......... Bogus! What I suspect is the team that takes care of the football and doesn't turn the ball over.... and the team that wins the kicking game will come away victorious. And let's keep it as sane as possible this week. It's two great teams battling it out in a great rivalry and both teams and fans need to show everyone across the state how much class both programs have.

I noticed in the Tennessean that Sowell didn't play????

Depends.. there was a time that 5-A schools with more than 1500 would have been happy, excited and elated to have beaten Brentwood Academy with their Class-A enrollment.

I would just like to see apples and apples and then everything is fair. It's like I said, or tried to say, if Camden or Huntingdon or Hickman County or any other closed zone public school takes us to the woodshed every eyar then so be it, I'll tip my hat to them. Privates and open-zoned schools have a huge advantage in talent and everyone knows it, even supporters of private schools. They will argue the point and toss out the Nashville Christians and Columbia Academys of the world and so be it. Everybody knows what the problem is but the TSSAA apparently are like the three infamous monkeys... see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.

Of course I have never heard of USJ, JCS or TCA. That would assume intelligence on my part.

It's also why a non scholarship, Division III program isn't playing SEC schools. There is a differance between Slippery Rock and Stanford and there are huge differances between small, rural 2-A schools and big Privates and Open Zoned schools. There isn;t even a debate on the talent level. And yes KS, your idea has much merit. If Camden or Harpeth or Hickman County or Smith County puts a whiiping on Lewis County or vice versa, then at least the two teams knew that they were playing with hometown, homegrown talent. Lewis County and Hohenwald is a great place to live and my position requires that I tout our community daily but, if you have a monster athlete that can choose to spend 4 years here or 4 years where he might be the next Patrick Turner or Golden Tate and play at USC or Notre Dame, well where do you think he's gonna play? There are certainly exceptions but my point has been from the opening of the debate, get the teams that can play week in and week out with the best 5-A teams the heck out of Class 2-A. I don't care if they are private or Open zoned. If they are like Trousdale County then God bless them for their program.

If you are directing that query to me then I will respond by saying; Goodpasture usually sends kids to Division 1 schools every year. And then plenty more to smaller colleges. Oh some of them even wind up at USC. Speaking only for Lewis County, we have had one at UT Martin, one at Harding University... let me think, still thinking... I believe that is it. Oh and that's over the past 12 years. I don't need a scout and neither do you to see the glaring differance in talent. Next? Good coaches, good facilities and good kids can take you only so far. But please don't tell me that every 2-A school is playing on a level field. Talent wins titles, not coaches and not desire, at least not on this level. By the way, somone championed the cause of Goodpasture already playing up in class. Well whoop dee do! I can remember when Brentwood Academy was winning state championships with a 1-A enrollment in 5-A ball. Reckon that anything to do with the fact that talent just so happened to migrate to their program? I have always given Carlton Flatt credit for one thing. He wanted his gold ball in the optimum competition. Thye earned their respect. You know I just bet I could get nine high school seniors, dress them in Buster Brown clothing and win the local 12 year old Dixie Youth Baseball League every year. A championship is a championship I suppose. Then they could prance down Main Street and boast about their exploits. Yeah Rah Sis Coom Bah!

"Goodpasture has 3, count 'em 3 5A opponants not to mention Lipscomb on thier schedule." So what's your point? Lewis County and Hickman County are 2-A schools. That means they should compete with other 2-A schools, at least that is why classification originally took place. They have 2-A talent. Goodpasture has 4-A talent, they should man up and move up. Goodpasture and CPA beating up 2-A schools is not much of an accomplishment. When you have 4-A talent, you should name your score against 2-A teams.

Ah my friend my friend, thank you! This is the point I have been preaching since the inception of Coach T. You are so correct that Goodpasture and CPA are playing with 4-A talent and Alcoa usually is near 5-A talent. Lewis County has done what they have done with 2-A talent. This is not an excuse, it is a fact. I was talking with a coach from a neighboring school just last week and he was telling me that they had 8 guys with 4.6 speed or better. My thoughts were that if we had THREE players with 4.6 speed or better then maybe we could win it all. I have watched Lewis County football faithfully since 1974. During those 33 years, I can remember maybe 3-4 players who had legitimate sprinters speed. And those were the years that we had legitimate threats to go deep in the playoffs. When a rural 2-A school, whether it is Lewis County, Hickman County, Camden, Smith County, Gatlingbirg Pittman.. etc are playing with 2-A talent against schools who can play toe to toe with 5-A teams, you are always gonna have a problem. Look at Huntingdon and their championship year. What did they have... speed and great talent all over the line. If you are playing with an offensive tackle who is 6'4" and 280 pounds with great talent verus an offensive tackle who is 5'8" and 240 with good talent, who is gonna win out? The point I am making is this: The Lewis County and Hickman Counties of the world have nothing to be ashamed of in not winning any gold balls. They do what they can do with what they have to work with. I haven't seen Hickman County play yet but I do believe they deserve better recognition than what they have received. Should these teams be dogged every week because of their region? No obviously, they should not. I am proud of what our school has accomplished because I know and have seen what we have in the way of talent over the past 30+ years. What we lack in talent, we make up for in heart and desire but most of the time, talent wins out eventually... and that's my take.

The Hohenwald Police Department has absolutely nothing to do with this matter. The event happened in the county, far outside of the jurisdiction of our department. Your description of our town is beyond reprehensible.

Good try Slits.... Lewis County 34 Harpeth 6 actual score. 27-0 in the second quarter.

I am sorry but this is simply not factual. I just watched the film again and unless you think that Moon, Riley, Wright and Sherman playing in the backfield through the whole fourth quarter constitutes the whole starting backfield for Lewis County, then it is simply not correct. In addition, two D-lineman and two linebackers went in with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter. This was the occasion of the first substitutions for LC. More followed on almost each play after that. I can see it with my eyes, right now. I guess the film could have been doctored? Not that it amounts to anything but the truth is the truth and there is the truth.

As i see it, Stewart County may indeed be playing a light schedule thus far but they have done the same for many years and were not able to win. I tip my hat to the team, players, program, coaches and community. After languishing behind for so long, I enjoy seeing excitement for your team and wish you nothing but the best. I hope that this year is the beginning of something special for the school. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Very innovative offense for the time, I will say. Actually way ahead of it's time. Did get caught up in the move up in class which hurt for a long time. Some fine players who never fulfilled their potential.

Interesting and class thread. In my newspaper column this week, I also stated that I felt Fairview was the best 0-4 team in the midstate. I hope that the Panthers aren't taking this one lightly.

Well.... they were memorable! /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

There is no doubt how good the 1995 team was but there is no way to put them heads and shoulders above 79-80 and 81. the talent level there was exceptional. Wade Peery went on to play four years at MTSU. Ken Crowell played at Ut-Martin. Apple Webster might have been one of the alltime greats but tore an ACL in 1980 and still came back as an 1100 yard rusher in 81. Benny Pace still holds almost all the receiving records. 1979 team was 12-1. Most impressive regular season win was 34-0 over David Lipscomb. Playoff wins over Chapel Hill (Forrest) and Fairview. Lost in the semi-finals to Lake County 14-0. The excitement of this first undefeated season will not be duplicated until we play in Murfreesboro. An electricity that I have never seen before or again. 1980 team was 11-1, lost in the quarter finals to Goodpasture 14-12 in Madison. Very well rounded team. Almost impossible to run on. Gave up 553 yards rushing on 331 carries. Now how about 1981? Defense... Started the season with 6 straight shutouts! Marshall County (then a 2-A school to our 1-A) scored in the fourth quarter in Lewisburg for the first points of the season in game 7. Two more shutouts followed before a 49-7 ending against Houston County. Scored 353 points in regular season wile giving up 13! Again lost to Goodpasture in the quarters 16-0. Crowell rushed for over 1700 yards, Webster for over 1100. 2001 team went 12-1 but a big season ending loss to McKenzie in the 3rd round of the playoffs would have to preclude them from consideration, in my opinion. 2002 team had a huge returning cast and the addition of Ellis Dailey at fullback. Went 9-1 in regular season and then easily won revenge over Riverside (the lone regular season loss) 22-0 in second round. Went to McKenzie and lost 16-13 in quarters. No offense to McKenzie but LC was way more talented. Dominated play until the final 90 seconds when McKenzie drove nealry 90 yards seemingly unimpeded. Great talent. The 1995 team: Hard to argue their position but will let everyone decide. Were never seriously tested in regular season, blew thru a 10-0 season. beat Davidson Academy by 25 in round one and Huntingdon by 17 in round two. Lost to Goodpasture 17-14 in quarters. Strong at every position. Best balanced attack ever, no question. Rainey ran for 1204 yards, Donald Sparkman 906.. Wes Duncan threw for 1136 yards, 16 touchdowns and just 4 picks. Jeremy Conners caught 20 balls averaging 31 yards a catch and scored 10 touchdowns. I think they were the best offensive team.. period. But defensively, no where close to the 1979-81 teams. Defense gave up 2245 total yards, over 1100 rushing. So in my most humble opinion, there are four teams that I feel had what it took to win it all. 1979, 1980, 1995 and 2002. Let's go further. I rank the 2002 team's chances at #4. The team had problems defending the passing game. Outside of Dailey and Sharp, there was not much team speed at all. Defensive backs were smallish and if we had made it past Mckenzie, then Memphis Mitchell, it would been very difficult to have contained David Lipscomb's passing game in the finals. I can argue the next three equally. The 1980 team was so very strong on defense. The 14-12 loss to Goodpasture is still burned into my mind. Thye scored on a controversial pass play to win it. They lost ot eventual state champ Lake County the next week 7-3. So obviously, these three teams were very, very close. The 1979 team had incredible heart, momentum and never before seen fan support. They lost 14-0 to Lake County in the semis with several players suffering from an influenza outbreak in Hohenwald. With all things being equal, I think they were as good as Lake County, who lost the championship the next week 13-9 to Alcoa. The 1995 team was just great. If you just look at the scores, Lewis County had Goodpasture on the ropes but came up a field goal short. Comparing the 17-14 los to the semis and finals shows a lot. Goodpasture beat Lipscomb the next week 24-0 and then Meigs County in the title game 30-13. So there's the info and everyone can take your pick. Some great teams, so very close several times. Let's hope the 2007 team captures the same magic and takes it one step further.

I can sell you advertising on our city limit signs... really.

Love these kinds of threads but my duties preclude from me commenting on them right now. Will try and address it this weekend.

Huntingdon's state championship would have little to do with their schedule and everything to do with the fact that they were extremely talented at almost every position. They had everything that you need to win a state title, big strong line play, great skill people, Chris Donald, Boo Weathers.... it's was an alignment of the stars so to say. Now tell me, during that season, was their schedule so demanding that it led them to this title? How many Big time college players have come from Milan? uh huh... it's usually the skill level that leads to gold balls, not schedules. How many college players have come from Goodpasture? How many are playing now? How many "volunteer coaches" are on their staff and their sons are receiving a "LEGAL" scholarship because their dads are coaches? How many of them will wind up at Division 1 schools as well? How many college players has Alcoa produced? How many are being recruited this year? It's all about talent and coaching at the 2-A level and if you got a stud hoss, putting a ton on his back compared to a featherweight does nothing except break down his back. Next?