boneal52

I'm only 20, so my memory wont withstand the test of time, but let's throw out some names of the best players we've seen in the last ten years or so. Maybe 1990's to present, however you like. My guesses will likely all be Middle Tennesse guys seeing as how that's where I'm from, so help me out on the East and West. 1. Alvin Fite tied with John Henderson 2. Eric Locke 3. Troy Fleming

Phillip Bates of Centennial.

Page wont have alot of depth it doesn't seem, but the kids they've got play hard and run decent. Elliot is the real deal it seems. He ran really well in the jamboree and didn't have much help in the passing game, but he's obviously a player. I dont know much about Grundy, but Page wont be a pushover for anyone this year.

Phillip isn't all that big. He's probably 5'10 or 5'11. Weighs (I'd guess) around 190-200. He doesn't have a massive frame, but is pretty muscular and strong as an ox. Plays fast though. I wouldn't dare guess at a 40 time, but he's gotten alot faster with each season. I've seen him in a few live situations this year and at Blackman he had about a 70yd run for a score and at Columbia he took one about 60 yards, and those are pretty fast defenses, so take that with a grain of salt for what its worth.

Nobody is dogging Page here man. They looked good and will have a shot as long as Elliot is healthy.

42-7!!! I guess we made the PAT......but really, I'd like to see who else is voting for the Cougars. I wouldn't have guessed there'd be any more than myself.

faninthestand......The Cougar offense played 3 series or so as a full unit it looked like, with some changes here and there and the rest of the time was rotating subs in. The D played very little before backups starting working in. I dont know Pages program that well, but it looked like the same group of kids was playing the whole time for the most part. Someone correct me on that.

Well, let's see. Andrew57, that was the longest sentance I've seen in a while. Well done. BigDogDaddy, I see your point. Phillip comands, and gets, respect from everyone on the feild, regardless of whose team they're on. But I think the coaches feel like he can get that same leadership across no matter what position he's at. But I do see your point, because I know that its comforting to look in your QB's eyes in crunch time and see a kid hungry to win. I love the comparisons though. He really is a special kid. Bulldog69, you'll see that I gave Page props where I saw fit. Overall, I wasn't incredibly impressed with them and that's just an opinion. Yes they won the jamboree and that's great. Its a great way to kick off the season and get some momentum going in. Do I think that Centennial cares either way? Not one bit. They'll grade the film like usual and improve themselves as individuals and are getting right back to work on the gameplan for Brentwood Academy, like I'm sure they did all of last week as well. Not saying that they overlooked Page, becuase I think they played hard and got after it like usual, but the fact is, this game doesn't count for anything but injuries, and they're playing a tough club next week. I dont have a play by play log of who played which snaps, but if you know the CHS program, you can see that the starters didn't play a whole lot, especially the defense. And what is the big head over at Centennial?

Well for the most part you've hit it on the head. Centennial didn't play the starters too much, and pretty much willed themselves around the feild. Page had a great looking QB and some scrappy players around him. Page should be better than I'd expected this year. Centennial looked about like I'd expected. Not showing anything, and not using their weapons much at all.

Randall Burns is FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST. Wow. That kid was smoking on that TD run.

wildcatfan, why the harshness towards the Cougars? And FHSRebel27, what is the story behind the new name at FHS?

But of course.

FHSRebel27, I'm glad I wont be alone in this one.

Call me crazy, but I had to do it! I can't pick against my team. I know the biggest issue will be the depth factor. The Eagles have more talent at each position than the Cougars and will have fewer guys going both ways. I think Centennial's defensive line will be the key for them as they will have to fend off a brutish offensive line to get to David Holbert. If they can keep a steady rotation and keep guys fresh and giving a nonstop effort, then that is their best scenario. Offensively, they'll have to break a few big plays to get points and feild position I think. Lining up and pounding it down BA's throat is not a realistic goal, but to play mistake free and make the best of your opportunities, is. They'll need the youngster Curtis Steele to use his speed a time or two to get a good gain and hopefully they'll get some positive yards from Phillip Bates and the rest. Also, if Brandon Meegs can get his hands on the ball a few times, that will help loosen up the front 7 of BA.

Rocco Severino to the best of my knowledge........ Bates is always on the feild being utilized, just not always at QB. Believe me, I had a hard time with it at first too, but Taylor Scott has done very well and Bates is very effective at HB and FB. He gets a running start into the defenders instead of hitting them off balance while making reads. It lets him be more free as a runner. Time will tell, but it looks like they can definately be successfull with Taylor Scott running the offense.

A somewhat sloppy scrimmage yesterday in Columbia. Centennial appeared to have them outmanned but only seemed to turn it on when they had to. Opening drive for Centennial was perfect with a steady pace for the first 30 yds or so of running plays and then a Phillip Bates pass to Brandon Meegs covered the last 50. Bates hit him on a nice, tight spiral hitch and Meegs shook the first defender and outran the rest. Columbia answered just as impressively with a steady 30 yards followed by a 50 yard jaunt to the endzone on a sweep. They traded punts a few times and Centennial forced two turnovers before scoring again on a short run up the middle. Columbia had a few nice drives as well but was inconsistent. Some general highlights were...... Phillip Bates and Taylor Scott trading reps at QB and the Cougar offense running equally as smooth both ways. Columbia's backs were very impressive. Very fast and shifty. #30 was the best player on their squad I thought, playing HB and CB. Ran very hard and was a sure tackler. Centennial's offensive line was very physical and has some size to go with it. Its been a while since we've seen big boys in Cougar country. Phillip Bates showed some explosion on a 50-60 yard run up the gut, breaking a few tackles and then sprinting toward the sideline. Sophmore HB Curtis Steele of Centennial played excellent. Some very nice runs with great effort, a nice catch and run covering about 30 yards and a touchdown. Overall, was a decent scrimmage. Hope to hear from some Columbia fans.

In no paticular order... David Lipscomb Brentwood Academy Maryville Hillsboro Jefferson County Germantown Oakland

I wish we still had good marks to give for BigDogDaddy.

I wouldn't worry. Anyone who doubts MBA's football program doesn't know what they're dealing with.

Easily a tie with Hillsboro and MBA. I dont see anyone else quite in their league.

Michael Smithson of Centennial stands 6-3 and 315 with pretty decent feet and great hands. Has camped at UT and Mississippi State this summer so far and recieves regular correspondence from them as well as MTSU, Ole Miss, NC State, Nebraska, Louisville, Western Kentucky, and others that I'm sure I just can't recall now. Also the senior to be will have his way with guys that are physically ahead of him this fall, as he is only 16.

I've heard good things of Demonte Bolden and Corey Mills.

Well let's see.... Marcelle is one of the top sprinters in the country at MTSU and is hoping to make the Olympic squad some day. He's got a great shot at it. Sherman is a cornerback at Miami Ohio. I believe he's got two more years left to play up there. Bates is a working man now. He comes around to catch games and watch Phillip (little brother) as much as he can, but he spends most of his time at work. He's hard to catch. Sheldon is also working. Last I saw him, he was working with his dad landscaping. Scott Powers landscaping in Franklin, TN if ya ever need work around here. Sean is at UT, and should be graduating soon. Danny is a sales rep and works with his older brother, traveling alot. Overall, everyone is doing well. And the guy who did all the flips was Michael Reynaga. He was a WR of ours, class of 2000 but aged out and played his senior year in 99. He was an unbelievable athlete and a stud WR. A tough guy.

Good points guys.

From Williamson County..... Jared Fugate - Brentwood Phillip Bates - Centennial Ryan Karl - BGA David Holbert - BA And I wouldn't be surprised if there's a talented young back wandering the hallways at Franklin High as well.