boneal52

I see......well I think his sophomore year Al was injured alot more and that opened the door for Phillip, but also, there wasn't as much talent around him, so he was forced to do alot more. This past year, Tracy Beech was the main guy and the line was much improved and with Tommy Buchannan and Al Veach, Phillip didn't have to do as much. This next year I think that Phillip will be back in the mix offensively as he is the most dangerous weapon the Cougars have. He will be the go to guy this year, as Tracy was last year. And even more scary, Phillip has found out that he has a little break away speed. In the scrimmage against Blackman (who aren't exaclty slow pokes) he broked a few nice runs and pulled away from the defense. Team that up with his tenacious attitude and....well, I guess we'll see in August. As for the playbook, that is Coach Gregory. He knows that in high school, you have to be able to run the ball. And when the talent is subpar, as it was in past years, there isn't much use in trying to open it up when you have kids who can't throw tossing it to recievers who can't run if they catch it. Not to mention that we never had a line who could protect for a passing game. So its more effective from a coaching standpoint to get kids to play out of their heads emotionally and give a great effort in a physical setting as opposed to just taking advantage of God given gifts. CHS hasn't had those gifts in the past but its coming around. Now they have a stout line, some speed in the backfield and they've already learned how to give that effort. It could be a bright time for the Cougars.

Do you think Bates played poorly or was just more quiet last year? From what I saw I thought he had a great year. He was an oustanding LB. Offensively he wasn't as big a part of the offense, but was still a key component.

Last I saw, Taylor Scott was running QB.

CHS will have a pretty steady rotation of backs this fall with Phillip Bates at the front. Tommy Buchannan, Curtis Steele, Grant Horton, Jason Kahn and others will join him.

BigDogDaddy, great way to think about it....but I'm sure you see my point. Just because someone is large or small, it means nothing about how they play. A kid can be massive and be awful or incredible. And yes, I remember that BHS line. Well coached, they were. As for the All Star game kids, if there's kids out there that much better than the ones in the game, that's impressive. Because the years that I've seen the game, the boys in the trenches were top notch players.

Why does every time a post like this gets started, someone immediately says that size doesn't matter and they can't always play because they're big and all that. The post was to find out about size, and nothing more. And really, wouldn't you rather have a kid who's mean and quick, and massive?

I remember those plays all too well. I was the starting OG and DT for that team. Those games would have been my sophomore year. Actually the kick against Franklin was a field goal attempt. We'd stopped them on a fourth and one situation and managed to drive within field goal range for a shot. The Shelbyville call was just crap. A great fake by Tommy and Landy Mattison fooled even the refs.

1997 --- 13-7 1998 --- 21-20 1999 --- 35-24 2000 --- 14-7 2001 --- 26-12 (Not positive about this one) 2002 --- 28-7

That's unfortunate that he wont be playing anymore. I broke my leg this fall in the exact same way, with a guy rolling into it. I guess I have a decent idea of what he went through. Ironically, I still have never seen my tape either. Something about seeing yourself get hurt doesn't sound too appealling. I trust he's doing well and has found a way to fill the void in his life. Good luck, Nick.

What are the summer scrimmage schedules looking like for Brentwood and Franklin?

Wow...I guess I've been working too much lately. You guys are getting antsy for some football to be played and its showing on the boards. I dont know him personally, but Rebel27 seems to be a good guy and has alot of well thought out posts and you've got to love his pure and honest bias. He loves his Rebels, plain and simple. I, personally, was taught to hate them, but I have alot of respect for the program and the team they produced last year. I hope they have another class act team that wins games (minus the Battle of Franklin) because its great for Williamson County football. FHSTE84, however, I do know. We've become friends over the past few months and I'd say that Wildcatfan, you may be taking him a little too literally. He's quite mature, very intelligent, and an outstanding football player to boot. Doesn't matter who went to what school. You'd have to ask him to be sure, but it would seem that he doesn't care for the BGA stigma, and that's fine. People have opinions. He can express his however he feels. But like I said, you'd have to ask him. I can't speak for him. Wildcatfan, I had know idea you were who you are. I remember doing our old Sonic radio show on thursday nights on 96. You hosted a few of those. And did a good job I might add. BGA has a stout team pretty much every year and you should be proud. They play who they play and the rest is just debate....but having said that I'll give my opinion on BGA vs. Franklin.... I'd say that if these two teams played last season or this season, it would be about the same outcome. I think they'll both be fielding pretty similar squads as last year with BGA challenging for their state title and Franklin being one of the top teams in 5A again. I'd guess that the outcome of such a game would be about 42-24 in favor of the Rebs. Almost purely on depth. BGA's eleven on the feild would be not quite as talented and fast as the Rebs, but overall, I'd say just as effective. But when you've got 1600 kids to choose from versus 300 or 400 ( I dont honestly know the number at BGA, somebody fill me in) there is just going to be a natural gap. The Rebels would have fewer guys going both ways and that makes a huge difference. Also I think Franklin's level of competition is higher. BGA can play with the big boys, but isn't used to doing it every week. There's alot to be said for that. So I think BGA would make their plays and hang tough, but in the end Franklin's speed and special teams would be the difference by a few scores. Now, Region 6-5A will be tough. This early, gotta say its Brentwood's to lose. Franklin will fight them for the title and Centennial will be right there with them. Centennial and Dickson Co have about the same odds for the region title, which are good but they've got ground to cover just like everyone else. It'll be great to watch though. Centennial will mature alot early in the year with a lethal non region slate. WIll be fun.

Very impressive roster and I hope the kids realize what an honor it is to represent our state as the best. I sure hope all those kids make it, as I know that alot of times guys will opt out. Go Tennessee squad!

I know your pain. A teammate of mine died just a short time ago. Keep praying and remember the positives. Stay close as a team and you'll make it through. West players have to unite to stay strong.

I read the other day that he's getting better and showing improvement. Great to hear, and I hope everyone who believes in it is praying for him. Get well soon.

And Tracy Beech is no Phillip Bates. That's comparing apples and oranges, two different kinds of backs. Tracy relied on his great vision to get in the open and good leg drive to break tackles. Phillip will just run like an uncaged bull and try to manhandle his way to the endzone, not really paying much attention to who is in the way. Neither one of them has exceptional speed, but both are fast enough to break one often enough. Phillip could just as easily have the type of season Tracy had last year. Both outstanding football players, and great guys to boot.

YES......now I'd say we're reaching an agreement. Now, I'll ask you how much do you think they have to toss it to keep everyone honest and keep Brandon involved, because we have to remember he'll probably get touches in the return game too. I'd say if they get 7-8 completions a game and the completion percentage doesn't dip too low to get them, that should be more than enough. If Brandon gets 5 touches a game in any way, I really think he's got the talent to score 10 or 12 touchdowns.

Centennial takes Brentwood Academy, BGA, and Pearl Cohn in the non league slate.

chsfailure, I see your point to an extent. There is good talent at the WR spots but I think you're missing the big picture. "Outside the hashes" you have the recievers and no one else. Inside them, you have a strong core of backs and a group of offensive lineman that has the potential to be outstanding. They're physical with good size and they get after it. The offense is tailored to the most important group, which is the offensive line.

Idunno if I'd pull the moron trick out of the bag. This wishbone offense took the Cougars to the playoffs for the first time ever. And the only only other time they got close, it was with a wishbone offense in 1998 when they went 4-6 and missed out by a game. In fact, that '98 offense was the only one to be more productive than this past years with over 3000 yards rushing on the year. Phillip Bates is more of a power back than Tracy was anyway, and when you run the wishbone you dont really need power backs. That is why there are three of them. Its misdirection and scheming.

The TB at Blackman who wore number 6 in the Centennial scrimmage, looked serious. He was the most impressive of all the Blaze in my opinion. He's got a great build, and solid speed. He didn't have much room to run against the first string defense of CHS, but he ran very hard and made something out of nothing on more than one occasion.

Thanks Rebel.....that's actually the first time I'd noticed we dont have good marks anymore! Fullback, I wouldn't be surprised if the CHS kids were expecting or looking for the fight. They love the "fight" of the sport, but sometimes seem like they need to mature a little more before the season starts. And last I'd heard, the final ended 4-2 with Phillip Bates adding another score to the post I'd made earlier. But that's all just word of mouth. I think the scoring lost its importance after the first two drives anyway, since that's when the starters started working their way out of the lineup.

Good point. And I've played enough football on high enough levels to know that fighting on the field is pointless and unacceptable. I've done it myself, and it wasn't smart, it was immature. I was 14 years old as a freshman who couldn't control his emotions. Yes it is a game of emotion, but the BEST players out there, control those emotions. They save them for another 35 seconds or so until the next snap, and then they unleash them for a positive outcome. Use it as fuel. Don't use it as an excuse for not being mature enough to take a step back. I understand wanting to defend your teammate. But that never even has to come in to play, if the kid from Blackman can just be the better man than the idiot from Centennial who can't keep himself from throwing a cheap shot. To just end it, walk away, and get your revenge on the next play, the right way. I can't say that it is easy to do, because it isn't. But it is what we should strive for. And we shouldn't celebrate the fact that these two teams aren't mature enough to keep from wanting to start full team fights with one another. There's no point in thinking that Blackman finished it, and that makes it ok and it was a show of emotion. All it is, is a show of immaturity and lack of dicipline, first on Centennial, then followed by Blackman. I would have loved to have seen the kid from Blackman just get out of the situation and then on the next play plant the CHS kid on his you know what. That would have been the best way to handle it.

Why is no one talking about the actual scrimmage anymore? Is the only solace left found in talking about a fight? I thought it was a pretty good scrimmage, and surely worth talking about. The fight was immature, and not even entertaining at that, so why all the fuss? I didn't even see it start, but all the Centennial players said it was indeed a Cougar that started it. And I don't know what it means to say that Blackman finished it. The fight was retarded and pointless. The scrimmage was the focus of the day, and well played for the most part. Congrats to both teams.

Unless you factor in that they are 14 years old. Even if they're big kids, they're still just kids. 225 isn't bad at all. Its probably above average I'd say.

From a general view, I'd say Centennial was just too fast. Blackman probably had better depth. Centennial was more physical up front. Blackman was more efficient through the air. Also it wasn't obvious to me that Blackman had a clear leader on the field. CHS relied on Phillip Bates (#1) and Michael Smithson (wore #17, idunno why) for their leadership and it really showed. Phillip scored two touchdowns and played well on defense, and Michael was strong in the trenches, I'd say the best lineman on the field. But these two kept the spirits and effort high, and it showed, especially early on when it was 1's vs. 1's. However, #6 from Blackman was very impressive. Is that Kenny Merideth? Whoever it was, he's a specimen. Very well built, a solid frame, and good speed. I was impressed with his toughness also. I see him as maybe Blackman's quiet leader, as I never heard anyone really get vocal, but I wasn't in the huddle so who's to say. He impressed me though. Slim, did you make it out?