trapped

(I tried to post something earlier and had computer problems. Sorry if it ends up displaying and I say basically the same thing twice.) Lipscomb has ~65 players on their grades 10-12 roster. The 9th graders have their own team, but 7-10 moved up to play w/ the varsity after their season concluded. So Lipscomb dressed around 75 players. One related and intersting note about Lipscomb. An old coach once said, "You have to be lucky to win a state championship." Call it what you will, but Lipscomb had no injuries to speak of, therefore, all players dressed for the game. No telling what might have happened had they had a few key injuries towards the end of the season.

I always enjoy your work. You put a lot of time, effort and thought into your post. It's hard to argue with your stats, but I will argue with your prediction. Nothing in your assessments can lead one to believe the margin will be that substantial by either team. Lipscomb is on a roll, but Mitchell has not exactly been struggling through the end of the season and play-ofs. It seems people on the board are picking Lipscomb as the favorite, but I still contend that if you compare the two teams position-by-position then you would see that Mitchell holds the advantage. Speed kills and they (Mitchell) definitely have that advantage. I predict a close game that will be decided by field position and penalties.

Yes, I can give you some facts on Mitchell. 1. They are far better than most on this board seem to be giving them credit for. You don't make it this far without being a quality team. 2. They have a defense that is absolutely swarming. People in Memphis say maybe the best in the city. They put 8 in the box, man on the corners and dare you to snap the ball. 3. They have the leading rusher in Memphis with over 2,000 yards. He is small, but is an unbelievable player. 4. They have as much speed as anybody Lipscomb has seen this year. Good thing this is not a tracke meet because Lipscomb wouldn't score a point. 5. They, like Lipscomb, are peaking at the right time. They have beaten some of the best, most tradition-rich programs in west Tennessee to get here. 6. They will come out and run circles around Lipscomb if the team overlooks them the way the fans on this board seem to be.

BGA is NOT overrated. They are the best team in DII-AA. They are a solid, physical team. In my opinion, they are a better TEAM than a year ago. They may have had some better players last year (Soderquist), but they seem to have unified around the fact that they are a somewhat smash-mouth, ugly (that's actually a compliment) team. I know, I know; I saw the Goodpasture game, but I think that was a bit of a misrepresentation. No excuses, but playing a Saturday game at 4:00 in the afternoon can mess with you when you're not used to it. I know, I know; Goodpasture didn't seem to be bothered by it, but like I said, no excuses. I think Coach Moore has done a very good job this year; he has seen what they can do (run, run, run), and has made it his offense. People seem to think you have to pass to win a state championship. Well, if teams don't stop Karl and Hickerson then they might as well never even attempt a pass. However, do not count out Harding. They are very well coached, but have struggled to find their identity. Last week's win over ECS may have been exactly what they needed to bring it all together. They also have some athletes that can make the big play. Believe me, Coach Simmons and his staff will have the team ready to go. This should be a good game. One question: Why are they playing in Memphis?

GP is actually in Madison, but I wouldn't exactly call Madison suburbia. It is on the north side of the city, so anyone driving up from Chattanooga will have to endure some traffic. I would encourage you to exit onto Ellington Parkway and go north until you reach the traffic light at Due West Ave. Take a left, and the school is on your left.

Indian, Let me preface by saying something. I do not agree with all that you say, but respect what you say anyway. I do wonder what you saw in Tyner (or maybe did not see) that makes you think GP will beat them soundly. Where will GP get them? Tyner seems to be just as big, physical and fast as ever. Just curious.

EzellSoftball04, I think boyd09 was talking to SCRAPPY, not you (Tell Coach Fruedenthal hello). Lipscomb does have a good defense, but Boyd WILL be a good match for them. Boyd will never be outcoached, and there's no denying they have talent. The great thing about this board is that we're able to state opinions regarding upcoming games - that's fun to do or else there wouldn't be so many hits per day. However, remember, they're just opinions. I would imagine Boyd's going to go ahead and play Lipscomb next Friday no matter what the fans or polls or anybody else says.

I am in need of some info (especially rosters & stats) on teams from the Chattanooga area (especially Tyner and Boyd Buchanan). Last year I could get it from the paper, but this year it appears I must subscribe. I will happily pay a reasonable rate to get the information, but I am wondering if the website still posts rosters and cumulative stats. If anybody would like to help me out with a roster on these 2 schools that would be even better.

Lipscomb can beat GP - they squandered a great opportunity in week 2 - but I am not suggesting they will win a rematch. However, to get back to GP they must beat Tyner at Tyner. Lipscomb has never won at Tyner (3 losses).

I am a middle Tennessee guy, so that's about all I can comment on. Of teams I have actually seen this year, here are the speediest: Marshall County, Trousdale, Springfield, Overton. Based on last year and returning starters, I would also say Tyner and Hillsboro would be up there.

Believe me, Lipscomb knows they still have to travel to Chattanooga to play a very tough Boyd-Buchanan. Nobody on the inside of the program is overlooking the Bucs. They (Lipscomb)have nothing but the utmost respect for B-B. It should be a very good game. Furthermore, Lipscomb also has to travel to Cross Plains this week to play a dangerous East Robertson team, and ends the year with Houston County. With 3 games remaining, nobody is looking at the play-off schedule yet.

How is the new coach (Cohue) at JCS doing? I see their record is good, but was just curious as to how he's doing with the team.

Well, it was blacked out in the middle Tennesse region because only 94,000 of the 98,000 tickets were sold, so I missed it (Rumor has it ESPN's Thursday night crew wanted to carry it over MSU/Auburn, but Fowler refused to come to "trailer-trash-ville" and Corso was also scared the fans would retaliate after the derogatory commercial). Who won?

Harding will represent their school well, their coaches are too good of men to accept anything less, but it could get ugly. I too believe Harding may be better than Briarcrest this year, but there's another way to look at it. MUS beat HA pretty soundly, and BA beat HA pretty handily. I know anything can happen, but I'm afraid it won't. Good luck to both teams; I know people at both schools and they are all nothing short of class.

pantherfanatic, I know you know a few of them (Flatt, Perry). Chuck Ross and Billy Davis are two guys that have been around Lipscomb forever (especially Chuck). How can I say this politely? They are both mentally challenged and are sort of like "mascots," if you know what I mean. Roller, Pugh, McCadams and Jordan are all listed on the TSSAA Lipscomb site as administrators, and Meyer is the legendary college basketball coach. Sorry that it was too Lipscomb slanted, so I'll add to it. Furthermore, apparently the rivalry between the two schools is growing somewhat ugly. William Barham (Portland coach) told his wife, Kim (a Lipscomb employee) that if the Mustangs beat the Panthers again then he is not going to cook dinner for a week, nor will he do any more of the wash. Mike Duncan said he would shave his head if the Panthers win, but was quickly reminded that he was prematurely balding and would be worse that Lipscomb's Tim Taylor in a few years anyway, so not to bother. Duncan has since recanted and declared he would change his last name to Perry (like every other Portland coach) if the loss occured. Roger Perry refused to comment because he was busy with Chuck Ross bugging him about the bathrooms being unlocked.

No, it will not be the CSS game of the week, but ESPN 2 will carry it. There seems to be a contractual loophole that CSS overlooked, and thus will cost them over $1 million in revenue. There was a clause that stated Lipscomb and Portland reserved the right to nullify the CSS contract if a higher bidder came calling prior to August 1st, 2002. Reportedly, CSS will air their second choice: the Fairview 4th grade game as they take on archrival Charlotte. According to usatoday.com, there has been much controversy surrounding this decision by Lipscomb and Portland to "weasel" their way out of the contract. Lipscomb attorney Chuch Ross denies any wrongdoing, citing Carlton Flatt as legal precedent. However, Billy Davis, a partner in the same firm (Meyer, Roller, McCadams, Jordan and Pugh) as the aforementioned Ross, claims Lipscomb may not have broken any laws, but chose a rather unethical route. Roger Perry, David Morris, Ross and Davis will all be on a special airing of "Outside the Lines" Sunday on ESPN at noon. Quite an ugly scene.

Was Marshall County looking past Lipscomb? If so, for whom? Looks like Marshall County should win out.

Carthage (Smith Co.) is tough.

Boyd fans, Almost every team that keeps getting mentioned as a possible loss (Ezell, OS, DL) is not even a region game. Worry about getting better, learning from the season (win or lose), and winning region games. The rest will take care of itself. Good luck to you guys; you have a classy program.

The Tennessean stats reported Lipscomb as 1 for 5 passing for 8 yards last week vs. Goodpasture. One player (RB?) had 150 yds. rushing. Santiago had over 70. Stinson (QB) had another 45 (All 3 outgained Goodpasture's Buggs, and he's the real thing). I would say they are not relying on their passing game quite as much. Not surprising; they did graduate Flatt, a Ole Miss signee.

Thanks, Ramtrain. I knew you'd come through. Anybody else in the region going to pose a threat? I think I read where Sequatchie beat Meigs; what does that mean? Meigs down? Sequatchie up? How's Marion?

I am also curious. Surely somebody knows what happened. Ramtrain, where are you?!?!?!

Polk is indeed much improved. I saw them play two years ago and it was pitiful. Last year, I couldn't believe my eyes. Maybe one of the best one year turnarounds I've seen. Their staff deserves a lot of credit, and the players and community too, of course. BUT (and a big but it is), Tyner is head and shoulders above the rest. I keep waiting for the magnet school situation to hurt them; I'm wondering if it was all just a myth. I wish both teams a safe game.

Disregard the outcomes of most scrimmages and all jamborees.

Actually, the Owls handily beat Lipscomb 16-0 in '99.