danwastheman

I would say the 95 team was the best team I personally ever saw at P-Town. I'm not saying it was THE best team. On the offensive side you had a lightning fast quarterback (Taylor) who could throw the ball pretty good along with Hodges, Schmidt, and Rippy as the running back trio. On the defensive side we had a dominating linebacker duo with Jackson and Daughtry. They layed bone crushing hits. The defensive line was as always undersized but lightning fast. The 94 team was probably the most memorable "Cinderella" team. After a lack luster 6-5 93 season, expectations were not so high for 94. The win over White House to begin our season in 94 set the pace for the rest of the season. It was clear after the state championship game against Marion Co. that we were winning games with a lot of heart and determination during that season. It was fun nonetheless and we were able to witness athleticism at its' best in the Clinic Bowl...Eric Westmoreland. Simply amazing! I was in the military during the 99 and 00 campaigns. So, I wasn't able to watch any of the games during that time. I do remember reading about the games and seeing the scores. It appeared as though they dominated most teams they played, excluding Milan 99 and that was a close one. Don't forget about the teams from the 80's. The competition was tough with only three classifications...can you imagine. I think the 81 team finished with a strong 10-2 season, not positive. They were put out by Brentwood Academy in an early round of the playoffs. That team could possibly be a contender for the best when you take into consideration there were only three classifications. Had the state been divided into seven classifications, they likely would have dominated one. Portland football will always be fun to reminisce about. I hope to catch a game soon. It has been years since I've watched a game in P-Town. It is a great program with many colorful stories to tell about seasons past that you don't always see reflected in the historical scores. I'm sure an entire book can be written about summers in Nacome. If you've ever been there you know what I mean. I hope a history of Portland football paperback is published again, similar to the one put out in the early nineties. Teams always go through hard times and losing seasons. It's inevitable. Portland will return to dominance. An exceptional football program must be built, not assimilated to a previous mold. Portland football is truly being rebuilt and redefined. I believe a good man has started that tedious process. Hang in there coach. Dan

chsOL68, Of course, it is you my man!

No doubt, Franklin will be the biggest underdog. Riverdale is unstopable. Has there ever been a better high school football team in Tennessee?

It's all in good fun folks. I have no idea what Portland has in store for Smith County. I do hope Portland wins. You have got to admit it will probably be a close one.

Just wait and see Smith County Owls, ohh my goodness, just wait and see what Portland has in store for you. When you anger the Mighty Panthers (6-0), and hope to meet again....eventually your luck will run out!!!!

When was the last time Greenbrier had a 9-1 regular season? I'm just curious. They sure have improved over the years. I'm pulling for the Bobcats, as well as my alma matter, the Mighty Panthers of Portland, TN. The playoff season is great isn't it folks!

Westmoreland by 7

PPride, I love Portland. In fact, I played for P-town. I'm sorry, but the statements you are posting are ridiculous. Please be willing to accept that Portland 2003 is not the best team in the state. Fulton clearly proved that this year. As you and I know Portland 2004 is a different story. Let us keep it on the DL until next year, and accept 2003 as being a down year for the Panthers? Please cease in posting those ridiculous comments. Dan

What have you been sippin on PPride? Let us recap. In the playoffs, Fulton beat Macon Co. Macon Co. beat Smith Co. Smith Co. beat Portland. So, it doesn't make since to say as you indirectly put it, "the road to the state championship leads through Portland." Dan the concerned Portland fan

Huntingdon v. Germantown...I personally believe Huntingdon would destroy them. They are in my humble opinion, truly the best team in the state. And no, I am not a local, merely an observer. I have never seen a high school team so aggressive on defense, and my goodness that kid Bell is lightning fast and untouchable on offense.

Let me be the second to say that I was wrong about Huntigdon. I've never seen such a one sided state championship. With that said, Milan must truely be the second best team in the state.

I know the Dekalb County field in the 90s was terrible. The ball would often get lost in the grass. I haven't seen it recently though. They may have improved it.

Young bodies take a beating. That is why. I too am saddened when the season comes to an end but I think a short season makes football all the more special.

I have to say coach Quarles' record mentioned in the above post is quite impressive. How old is he? Coach Roger Perry from Portland has compiled a 136-41 record at Portland since 1990 (1 state championship and 2 runner up years). I'm not sure what his total is including his years as Westmoreland's head coach. Before coach Perry arrived in Portland the team was hit and miss throughout the 80s. I think he has helped provide stability and consistency for Portland. He will be the first to tell you though that he has had great assistant coaches to help him along the way.

I'm too young to remember. Was there more controversy as to who the best team in the state was when there were only three state champion teams, compared to now with eight?