bulldawgs#1

Cobb is a an absolute Don and fun to watch. I realize this isn't "UT's backyard" like Blount County but Avery Williamson is getting some PT as a true frosh as well. He's already the strongest LB on the team. Lot of TN talent that has made it else where. Being a Texas fan I obviously keep up with their recruiting. It's funny to see how Rivals or Scout will rank a kid and how that changes after Texas offers them. I'm not really sure how much expertise they have or how much work they put in ranking kids or allotting "stars." If Texas offered him he must not be a 3-star, better give him another.

This game has a similar feel to the 07 game. Milan was coming in off of a poor performance the game before. Milan was young and everyone picked Camden to win the game. J.W. Williams and Jobronski Gilbert both had big games that day, really the game that started the Gilbert era. Us Milan fans can only hope it turns out the same way. Who has the advantage? Milan has several players that have started in 2 state championship games, but also a few kids who are starting in their first quarterfinal game. Camden has never made it past here and is the elder and favored team. Milan's kids have played in front of these huge crowds time and time again but Camden is playing at home. IMO(not exactly profound) the teams are probably pretty similar in ability, ergo the team that makes the fewer mistakes and performs the best on special teams will win. Who folds under the pressure? Also, lots of good info over at Milan Bulldog Football Stats/Rosters/Newspaper Articles etc. Kind of an old Milan/Huntingdon feel here. Good to see some parity in West Tenn this year.

Camden will not be going to Nashville for Thanksgiving. I Promise.

Do you really want to see the Wing-T again?

Milan will certainly have to play much better than we did tonight if we're to come out on top in this one. Give Fairview credit. They came out with a good game plan and executed well. They had a couple of good athletes (80 was a heck of a player) and some big linemen. The kitchen sink, Les Miles play calls were fun to watch. They also did a good job keying on Finch on the reverses and keeping it out of his hands on the kickoffs. Having said that, Milan did not look focused until Coleman got a little vocal on the sidelines late in the 3rd. Nance did not look anywhere near a 100% tonight. I look for Trey Milan to have the big game this week. The young team is going to have to quit committing the penalties and start executing better. Sounds like Camden played well tonight. I look forward to seeing all the 4.40 backs I've heard so much about. This may be Camden's year to come out on top and get over that quarterfinal hump. Camden sounds very seasoned while Milan is very young. I like everyone else have questions about their offense. I'm seeing where they average about 5.5 pass plays per game (43 total) with the QB being 26-63 570 5/3. If they're not able to pass it might be hard to run against the defensive front of Milan. No one has blocked Christian Coleman this year. I don't know, hard to get a feel for this one. This is the first time we've been an underdog against a team not named Alcoa since probably the 06 semis (first road playoff game since 2nd round @ Humboldt in 06). All the pressure's on Camden...Looking forward to it.

Soooo what kind of offense does Fairview run? Wing T? Their defense? And how good is their special teams? How fast/big are they? Anyone know anything about them?

I agree QB, sounds like Fairview has already lost this game. We had to make the trip down to Memphis in the early rounds several times a few years ago. Coach Morris would have never said these things, especially not in the paper. He's blaming what he's already conceded as a loss on the TSSAA. I also agree about the ticket prices. Who wants to pay $8 to go see a Milan play a 4-6 Lewis Co. when its 30 degrees?

Anybody have any information on Fairview? After seeing how their carries (&yards/touchdowns) are spread out I'm guessing they run the Wing T, something that a lot of teams in that area seem to run. Looked at their schedule and it appears to me that Milan should win this one. But, Milan is still a very young team with a few injuries. If we turn it over a few times we could come out on the wrong end of it.

34-0 at the half. 40-7 final. Clock ran from 10 mins left in the 3rd until the end of the game. Lot of players Milan needs to get healthy.

Milan would have a better chance of winning a gold ball in 6A than in 3A, and certainly in 4A and 5A. I don't know if you saw the last two Alcoa/Milan games but very few teams play with Alcoa like we did. But I think playing Alcoa has made Milan that much better of a program.

Noted. Milan played and beat them for years. This year UC isn't very good. Milan is about the only team to be good year in and year out. How is Coach Morris supposed to know ahead of time which teams are going to be really good and which ones aren't, for him to schedule?

The level of play in West TN is not what is has been in the past. In the 90's and Early part of this decade 2A Milan played and beat (rather handily) 5A Henry County. Milan played and beat JCM and South Side in their heydays (though they each beat us as well). Truth is, outside of McKenzie in 1A and Milan in 3A no one from West TN has challenged for a gold ball recently - or really even come close. Milan has always been a program that played the top teams in West TN, just not many successful programs around here anymore. Milan is the smallest school in the district, however.

First of all this is ridiculous topic. Milan has 4 weeks of elimination football before worrying about Alcoa. Alcoa is the only team anyone should bank on making it to Cookeville. Camden could see a Westview team in the 2nd round. It wouldn't be a stretch for Westview to win that game. Having said that I expect both teams to be playing in Camden in 4 weeks. I think Milan is more talented than some realize. I don't think it's accurate to say that Milan is "down" as far as talent goes They are however very young, which could keep the Dawgs from a 3rd straight trip to see Alcoa. I've thought all year long that Nance has been as good or better than Gilbert was. Not the power back that Jobronski was but a step or two quicker/faster with better vision. You obviously can't replace an Avery Williamson but Arkel Coleman will be another all state LB/FB for Milan. Caleb Powell will be one of the (if not the) best QBs to play at Milan. Kevius Finch as another one of those Daylan Walker/J.W. Williams types. But the young team hasn't really played young yet (there's been good SR leadership). Sophomores can be a little unpredictable. If we show up to Camden in a few weeks as a Milan fan you can only hope they continue to play as if they've been there before.

Heard the sophomore class is the next big time class at Milan. Starting QB, MLB, WR, and 2 RBs are Sophs. All supposed to be very good. The O Line should also be much improved.

Milan will be fine. I really think we have benefited from playing against Alcoa. Chasing them the last 2 years has made us a better program IMO. If Coleman can stay on the field he'll dominate the line of scrimmage. Rodney Nance will be a ptp. Lost the entire offensive line but there are some younger kids who are bigger than the ones we lost. Should see some sophomores on the field. From what I've heard this years freshman class is of the '99, '03, '09 mold.

Wasn't able to watch the game. How did it turn out and what players looked especially good? Was told Avery Williamson got another defensive MVP and set another tackle record.

An awful lot of folks guaranteeing things in which they have no control over. Anyone care to talk matchups? Obviously the big question is can the Milan O and D lines get some push. However, I will also be interested in seeing the performance of some of the not so big names players. We're gonna have to show some things other than Gilbert and Williamson up the middle. Tim Adkisson could be an X-factor for Milan. I think we take advantage of his speed and versatility on offense, also could come up big if Alcoa elects to kick it to him. Need him and Trey Milan to play run support from the safetys without giving up a big, trick play. Curious how much Coach Morris will throw the ball and if he intends on running Ryan any. I think Moore, Vandiver, and Adkisson could be a problem for Alcoa in the passing game. It also sounds like we have the advantage in Moody.

Milan has been to 6 state championships, and was the underdog in every one of them.

Alcoa is the favorite here. But Milan is more than capable of beating them. IMO last years team was more talented but this one is playing better. Only 11 TOs all year. Personally, and several I have talked to agree, I would take Ryan over Coleman. Ryan takes very good care of the ball, only 5 picks compared to 22 passing TDs. He hasn't fumbled all year either. Not the 235 lb. beast that Coleman was for us but is the 2nd fastest player on the team. Very fortunate to have had both. Tonight was the first time since week 0 we had seen the pass. We were definitely a little suspect. Really gonna need CC back next week, obviously. However, we have performed very well against the run this year. I would put Avery, Moo, Bledsoe, and Nance against any linebacking core in the state. As long as our ends can match up with Robinson and Tyson(which might be a problem) and our DBs don't blow anything, Alcoa will have trouble moving the ball. The O line will need to get some push and open some holes for Gilbert and the rest of the backs. We have been very successfull passing the ball this year, but it won't happen if we can't force Alcoa to come out of the 2 deep safety. We have massacred teams in the special teams department all year. Looking forward to it.

Never thought I'd see the day when Memphis Mansassas would have a big time football player like Brown. Given the teams in that video are smaller schools he still looks like a beast. Was very surprised to hear that neither Williamson nor Gilbert were nominated but if anything it will just provide motivation. I know I wouldn't trade either of them for anyone in the state. But it's not a big deal and there is still a lot of football to be played. The arguing between 1 or 2 Milan fans and 1 or 2 Alcoa fans is getting old. We're the 2 favorites but there are 16 teams left, lets just let it rest for a while fellas. ---Avery Williamson ---Jobronski Gilbert

They most certainly can. They can also get beat by them. I believe that Milan at most spots is just as good this year as they were last year. I think Milan is the favorite, but that doesn't mean anything. Back to this game now. One guy said that Stewart Co.'s 6-4 record is no "fluke". Really? Neither is Milan's 10-0 record. I have no doubt that Stewart Co. is coming into this game to win. Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get hit." Never thought I would quote Tyson, but it is true. We will see tonight. I can't wait. I have hoped for this game for a 2 years now. Go get em dawgs!!!! That's actually one of Coach Morris' favorite quotes. Dawgs should win this one. Just don't need any crazy injuries.

Avery Williamson had 22 tackles against Crockett County, bringing him to 104 for the season. He also had another rushing TD. Gilbert had 197 yards on 22 carries for 3 TDs bringing him to 1204 yards and 24 scores. Gilbert scored his 76th career TD and went over 4000 yards. He was tied with Rod Smith before the game at 73. I think this makes him all time TD leader at Milan.

Any idea of how homefield advantage is determined after the 3rd round?

Avery Williamson had a field day with the poor throwing conditions and he was blowing up ends and LBs throughout the game. He's the best HS football player these eyes have ever seen. Jobronski had 138 on 18 carries with 2 scores in the first half, finished with 197 3 TDs not sure amount of carries, but it wasn't many more. Curious of how many tackles Avery finished with. Good to see the Oline dominate and Jobronski running LBs and DBs over and of course the signature stiff arm. Also impressed with the play of the Dline without the 2 starters in the middle.(heard from several sources 88 would be back week 3 given we make it) Guard against over confidence. Milan played very well but there will be much tougher competition down the road. Good luck to Crockett.

My point was that Avery is the best player in 3A. Of course that's an opinion. Rivals, Scout, and bulldawgs#1 share that opinion. That doesn't make us right and you wrong or vise versa. A 100+ yards rushing on 26 carries is good but not spectacular. You don't often(it was a record) see a kid get 22 tackles. Avery is leaning towards Kentucky so maybe he and Robinson will get to play together on that Cat defense. As for the 200+ statement, Alcoa and Milan have played one time and he wasn't close. Has he gotten that much better? However, we did just lose Christian Coleman(88) for the season.