medman

I, too, think this one will get ugly. My guess is West by 35.

I think Halls will take this one by a comfortable margin. Clinton is just not playing to the level of the "better" programs, yet. I don't think Shattuck should be on the hot seat at all. They are much better off than they were with the previous staffs. For Halls, this is big to keep the momentum and to get a region win. I think Halls will score some points and wear them down as the game goes on. My guess is Halls by 21.

I got to thinking back over the last half dozen years at all the really good players that have played in this series. The number of D1 players has continued to grow over the years. Carl Stewart, Cassen Jackson, Gary Tucker, Cade Thompson, Lonas Seiber, AJ Nance, (Terence Scott next year, probably So Carolina), Baron Huber, Lee Smith. I may have missed some. This year, Maples and Maryville's big TE, Douglas. This doesnt even mention the kids that are playing division II or III. It also doesn't list all the players that are all region from these 2 teams every year. There are probably a dozen from each team that get some sort of post season recognition. This is why this game is so interesting for the fans and media. These two schools are not really rivals, but this game has taken on a life of its own.

First off, a lot of credit has to be given to the Bulldogs. They played better than Central. They remembered what happened to them last year. They had a good game plan and they worked it. The defense for Bearden was very good all nite and the D line played great. Congrats to them. From a Central perspective, I will agree that it was as bad an offensive performance as I've seen Central have in a long, long time. This is maybe what a lot of people expected out of them with all the new starters this year. It all starts with the offensive line. They have had some good games this year. Last nite was a horrible one. In talking with some recent former players, these guys need to take this as a personal challenge and develop a lot nastier attitude when they are on the field. Jamie Wilson is a outstanding back. But he needs holes to run in. There just weren't many last nite. Clark had defenders in his face as soon as he turned around. Central's recievers, except for Blair, were bad. They need to also get a tougher attitude and be ready to catch the ball in traffic and take the hit. On defense, I really thought the line and linebackers played pretty well. They were put into some tough spots by the O and they were on the field way too much. The D backs absolutely cannot loose concentration and let a reciever just run by them. That happened 3 times and it cost them big. The positives from this for the Cats is this was not a region game. They got their weaknesses exposed and they can work on them now for the future.

Alcoa and McCallie. No Doubt

Boy, the Clinton crowers sure are quiet after last Friday

It is really hard to get a gauge on Bearden. They played a very good KDB team tough, but lost to a decent Farragut team by a bigger margin. I don't think it will be the blow out that it was last year with the Bobcats having over 50 by halftime. Bill Wilson is a good coach and he is very familiar with Central and coach Helton. Everyone is saying Central is young and inexpereinced. They are on the offensive side of the ball. Our defensive front is a senior dominated, expereinced unit and they will have a lot to say about the outcomes of Central's games this season. I don't think they will let the rest of the team lose focus. You could see in the game against Lenior City that the offense started to do that as the game wore on and it was apparent the LC could not really challenge the Bobcats. I know coach Helton did, too. He was not the happiest camper on the sidelines. I think the challenge the Cats have this week and this game is to play a complete game. Clark has to make good decisions, which for the most part, he has. The O line has to stop blowing assignments and getting holding penalties. The DBs and linebackers will need to work on pass coverage because Bearden likes to throw it around. I think Central will have a solid win. My guess is by 24. Congrats to Cory Jefferies on being the defensive player of the week.

A very solid win for the Bobcats. The 1st half, Central looked very good on on both sides of the ball. The D was great and the offense was crisp. McMillian managed the game well and got the ball to his playmakers and made some plays himself. He needs to do a little better job with those late pitches on the option. Jamie Wilson had a nice game and Taylor looked great at WR. The offensive line continues to have some problems. Some busts on blocking led to a couple of bad losses and there were at least two holding calls against them. The 2nd half, it looked like the O lost their focus because they had a sizable lead. You could see Joel was not too happy about it, either. The D continued to play well until late in the 3rd. It looks like they lots some intensity, too. They righted themselves and held LC out of the end zone. Several reserves got to play and did very well. For LC, #29 White is a really nice player. LC also has some size on the lines. I did not understand the coaches for LC not trying to throw the ball more, especially after they were down by 28 at half. Cusick is a decent QB and it seems like they threw the ball a lot more last year. I thought that was the only way they had a chance to get back in the game. Maybe the coaches thought that they couldn't protect the passer against the Central pass rush. That was a very nice and touching tribute to Mandy Harrell. The wrist bands the coaches and players wore were great. On to Bearden next week. Good luck to LC the rest of the year.

ProVol--I'm in 100% agreement with you on those guys that do the TV broadcast on WMAK. They are an absolute joke. The worst I've ever heard. As far as this game, I was not surprised that West won. I was surprised at how easily. West has established themselves as a serious threat to Maryville and Central. I think West will do no worse than 3rd in the region. That last playoff spot is kinda wide open. For Halls, a tough, tough loss. The staff has lots of thinking to do after this one. Do they stay the course and keep with their philosophy, or do they scrap it and try other things? That wing-T O worked pretty well at times last year with a senior team, but this year's team is different. I wonder if the coaches are thinking that staying with this will payoff in the next couple of season's ahead.

I gotta admit that I'm real surprised at this one as well. I think this is great for the kids at S-D. After all the negatives surrounding the program, this must feel like a 1000lbs gorilla is off their backs. S-D has a good shot at 2 in a row against a very weak Gibbs team next week, For Clinton, I hope they do improve, but I just don't see them winning much this year. This one has to be a real slap in the face.

nobody seems to have much interest in this one. I think Central has several areas to work on, primarily the O line and putting in more of the offensive playbook. I believe this one should be a win for the BobKitties, but they need to play well to keep things going in the right direction. I hope that LC at least brings a few fans My guess: Central 42 LC 7.

I'm also going with West in this one. I don't think that West will look past this game at MoWest. This is a region game and the one that really counts. Cummings is an excellent coach and he has plenty of athletes and a very good QB to work with. Halls got a taste of victory so their confidence level will be up. However, there is a world of difference between Gibbs and West and the game is at West. I don't think it will be a blow out for West, but rather a solid win. My guess: West 28 Halls 14

So says DragonRon

OK here is mine: 1. Maryville--I think they are a couple of steps ahead of Central right now unless they have more injuries. 2. Central--everybody thought they were going to be down. They are a lot better than the rest of the teams in the region right now. This is where it gets tricky 3. West--defense hasn't impressed anyone, but the O has some weapons and they have plenty of athletes. 4. Powell--decent defense, no offense. They are used to being in the playoffs and that experience will get them in. 5. Halls--not sure they have enough experience or offense to beat the teams I have listed ahead of them. Beating Gibbs last week was fool's gold. Gibbs is really weak. 6. Clinton--I think they will upset LC and beat SD. They are headed in the right direction. 7. Lenior City--struggling playing in this region. 8. South-Doyle--what can ya say??? feel free to bash away

I don't think this game will be that difficult for Central if they keep focus and work on trying to improve. It is a region game so it is very important to keep winning. I saw Lenior City on TV against Campbell Co and was not too impressed. That being said, they did keep Powell to 21 points, so they must play some pretty good D. This Friday nite, I would be willing to bet that most of the boys will be at the visitation for Mandy Harrell. Very, very sad situation. My prayers to the family.

Actually, I think Central was the no.1 seed in the baseball districts last year.

Before the season started, I would have picked Halls. Now, I think Gibbs will give them all they want. If Large can get time and pass the ball, I think Halls is in big trouble. The only team on Halls schedule that you can say they are a sure favorite is the South-Doyle game. While I always pull for the region team, I think Gibbs gets the upset in a close one, 21-13 Eagles.

I think Clinton gets their 1st win of the season by 21.

I've always been impressed with Sonny Moore's listings. He does a nice job. Some of the teams he has in the top ten that haven't been mentioned yet are Melrose, Alcoa and Knoxville Central. These are all a matter of opinion.

Central has a lot of inexperienced players, too. Getting game time is important. Coach Helton took the offensive starters out with 8 minutes to go. They were subbing some defensive players in the 3rd quarter. What are you complaining about?

yes--35-0

For the most part I agree with you assesment of the game. Watching Halls offense is like watching paint dry. Its' horrible. I also think they should go to the I and let Kitts run the ball. He looked like he has some pretty good speed and it would get Dayton more involved in your O. I thought the Halls D did a good job in slowing down Wilson. It was obvious they were concentrating on him. Central's option plays and quick hits to the wide outs were very successful and they were giving the wideouts way too much cushion. For Central--I thought they were very sloppy. The offensive line needs work and discipline. Far too many holding calls and poor blocking for the running backs. Pass protection was good. McMillian continues to improve. Good results with the passing game. What can you say about the Central D. Outstanding. I don't recall Halls completing a pass and they could not have had much more than 100 total yards for the game. Blair was a force again tonite. A solid effort, but the Cats have a lot to work on during their bye week. As far as leaving the 1st string in during the 4th quarter, they were changing out some kids earlier, the LBs, in the 3rd. Helton made wholesale subs with just over 8 minutes to play. I really don't think coach Helton was running it up. I thought it was clear that Central also has a lot to work on and that's what they were doing. Good luck to the Red Devils the rest of the season.

Didn't know that Catholic bought the rights. Interesting. Central had been the team that WMNL had broadcast for the last 3-4 seasons.

Maryville definitely has a run going. But nobody has beaten them lately, regardless of classification. They have had several tight games with Alcoa, Central and Powell, though. If it weren't for Maryville being in the way, Central would have played in some of the championship games that Maryville played in. And I know rankings don't always mean much, but look at which school is rated 2nd in 4a.

boy, is that a dumb statement. Region 3 is always listed as the toughest 4a region in the state and not much has changed this year. If you are talking about MoWest, I think MoWest is a good team, but probably no better than number 3 if they played in this region. As far as this game goes, Maryville can name the score.