Big D.

didn't Smyrna almost upset that great falcon team from last year in the playoffs? oh yeah, oakland almost did too.goes to show that a cocky team looking ahead vs a team that has a great game plan and pure heart.......can get a win even in hostile territory. hate to tell you but riverdale was picked to win it all the last 2 yrs and didn't pull it off either year. i predict an upset along the way.

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You raise good points sir, and I don't disagree with your logic. Yes Smyrna almost pulled the upset on LC last year. We had a good team but we weren't as deep in talent. Last year, if we lost Michael Edmiston or our tailback, we didn't have a suitable replacement. Riverdale could probably just plug another in and keep on going. I just believe this Riverdale team is on a mission this year. I wish all the luck in the world to the Bulldogs and hope that they can pull the upset, but again, they have to play a perfect game, and Riverdale has to have an off night

This has been said before but I'll elaborate on it again. With the exception of last nights playoffs, the big fenced in section of middle seats on the home side of LC Stadium are reserved seats. Half the time, those people don't show up for the games even when we have a good team. As many of you have found out when coming to the PIT, a majority of LC Fans sit on the visitor side from at least the 50 yd line back towards the scoreboard. Now if those people sat on the home side, it would be filled for every game.

I was in one of the first classes to attend LC High in 1980 when the new school opened under consolidation. We started the tradition of sitting on the visitor side in protest of the reserved seats believing that the school reserved too many not leaving many for the students.

So, when you come to a game in the PIT, that is why it looks so bare on the home side. Now last night I will agree that there weren't as many LC Fans at the game even on the visitors’ side

Sorry, I just can't see Smyrna winning this game. They may have improved, but don't have enough horses to match Riverdale. You did whip our LC Falcons last night but your no where near as good as last years Falcons that Riverdale beat in the second round, and Riverdale has improved tremendously since that game last year. I say Riverdale by at least 14 on an off night. Smyrna has to play a perfect game to win and that may not be enough to pull the upset

I think Rdale not playing anyone to the wire will hurt them just like it did LC last year.

I understand your logic but have to respectfully disagree with you region 4 fan. Lincoln County lost to the eventually state runner up. From what I saw tonight, I just can't see Smyrna proposing a problem for the Warriors. No disrespect to Smyrna, it is just my honest opinion

Smyrna came in ready to play, which is more than I can say for our Falcons. They hung in there for the first half. The turnover bug bit the Falcons often in this game. They just couldn't get anything going. We were just out manned in this game. Smyrna was just the more experienced team bar none. Smyrna has 2 really good players, but I just don't think the bulldogs will have enough to slow down Riverdale. I haven't been around to see many high school football teams this year except for those that came to the pit and the ones that impressed me most were Riverdale and yes, Hazel Green Al. Riverdale would have to have an extremely off night and Smyrna would have to play a perfect game to pull the upset. With that being said, a perfect game may not even be enough. Good Luck to you Smyrna against Riverdale.

Keep your heads up Falcons! This was a rebuilding year and you finished second in your region. You were just young this year. You don't have anything to be ashamed of thumb

plus we gave u the game by about 1000 turnovers

Looks like we had more tournovers than you did 4 -2. Also, the one touchdown LC scored that was called back was questionable. From my view, the ball had crossed the plain

Does this win put Cookeville in the early driver's seat for a region crown?

Yes, I would say so! A friend of mine from Franklin County and myself were talking about this one at work today, and thought the winner of this one would be in the driver's seat of this region. I'd say that Franklin County will be your biggest test. Our Lincoln County team is young this year, but you can't count them out.

Good job coming back Rebels, taking Gregory out of the game, and chalking up your first win. After the first half, I thought you guys had some serious issues-but superior coaching made the difference. Mikrut definitely gives you more options than the starter (one attempted pass in the first half-Franklin football?).  Secondary had trouble all night. I also think your side outcoached the visitors, particularly the second half.  And your kicking game is the best I've seen since Bliss/Vaughn at BA.  That will prove to be a HUGE weapon going forward-particularly with a young team.

 

Lincoln County-is less than one dimensional called "fractional-dimensional?"

 

Problem 1: Absolutely no kicking game and a grade school punting game forced you into some pitiful options-that all blew up in your face. And the protection schemes looked like you drew them up before the game. With no kicking/punting game, you gave up field position routinely. Give anyone a short field enough times-they will score on you.

 

Problem 2:  For the vast majority of the game, either your QB couldn't hit the receiver or the receiver couldn't catch a beach ball.  No short or intermediate routes called (or run) when needed. So what does Franklin do?-dares you to show that you can beat them through the air. Franklin put 8-9-10-11 players in the box-and yet all you can do is give it to Gregory.  That's what NO passing game does to you-and against Tim Johnson, you better have more than one weapon. 

 

Problem 3: Announcers said Gregory has hamstring issues. He also wore down noticeably.  Fact is, once Franklin figured out that you give the ball to Gregory 85% of the time, shut him down and stop the run-you can't beat them. 

 

Problem 4:  With no offense (see 2,3) and no way to change field position (see 1) the defense spent too much time on the field and wore down.  Did you make any adjustments in the second half?

 

Good job Rebels, way to show them what 6-5A (and WillCo) football is like in 2004.

Better news for everyone-it was the first game and no upside/downside for Region totals.

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I'd have to say that pretty much sums it all up

this one was a good one.father ryan had a pretty good defense.still think franklin countys offense still needs improvment but defense was solid.what do you think?

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Contrats to the Rebels opening up at their brand spanking new stadium!!! If anyone deserved a new school, it was definitely you guys. I'm looking forward coming over to see your stadium when Lincoln County pays you a visit later in the year. We're a little down this year, but you know when these 2 teams get together, anything can happen.

What a game! Franklin intercepts the ball with less than a minute to go and seals the victory... WAY TO GO REBS! I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who were at the game will have more details.

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I watched it on Comcast. Both teams are very young. Lincoln County did better than I thought they would considering loosing so many starters. Josh Gregory dominated the first half with over 100 yds rushing, but was totally shut down the second half. LC QB Fraley is no Michael Edmiston, but I have to say, he played a great game, and did nothing to hurt his team until the last turnover. He threw the ball well, but didn't have the receivers to catch it at times. As for Franklin, your running back is a horse, and I'm sure the backup QB will be starting from now on. He came in the second half and changed the game. That kid played a whale of a game.

Keep your heads up Falcons! You played a good game. Congrats to the Rebels for battling back and winning the game! It was a heck of a game!

If the Falcons just make the playoffs as the 4th seed, it will be a good year for them. This is definitely a rebuilding year! Don't expect the magic from last year.

Rickey Blake from Lincoln County back in the mid 80s just punished anyone who tried to tackle him!

Overall the region will be more balanced than last year.  With 5 teams easily having a chance to win the region.  Someone will be fighting for the 4th position to make the playoffs which probably won't be decided till the very last week.  It's hard to say at this point who has an edge, except for the fact until knocked off, Lincoln is still the team to beat.

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I'm sure you are saying that about LC because of the rich tradition we have in football, and that is very nice of you. We've lost a great deal of starters from last years team. Replacing Michael Edmiston is not easy to do at QB. I see the Falcons battling for the 4th place playoff position this year but never count them out.

Now that my Falcons are out of the picture, and out of the 4 teams left, I look for Franklin to win it all. Not being bias because of the Lincoln County tie with Coach Johnson, but I think they are the most balanced team left in 5A. Riverdale may make it to the finals, but I don't think with just their running attack, will win the state. I think you have to be balanced with pass and run. If they fall behind to a team, they will have to try and do something they are not good at to catch up (pass) and that will haunt them! Good Luck Rebels!

:justwrestle: GREAT SEASON FALCONS! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! YOU GAVE IT YOUR ALL ON EACH AND EVERY DOWN. YOU WILL STILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE BETTER TEAMS THAT GRACED THE FIELD AT THE "PIT".

MICHAEL EDMISTON AND LAMAR DIVENS MR FOOTBALL FOR CLASS 5A!

I'd like to know what the time of possession was in this game. It appeared that Riverdale held the ball for most of the game! Keeping the Falcon offense off the field was a major difference in this game too in my opinion!

I'll put my same post from another thread here to cover both threads.

Lincoln County looses 19-13. The drop Lincoln County punt was the difference in the game. That turned out to be really BIG! Both teams got a touchdown called back. I know Lincoln County's holding call was very questionable, but Riverdale can same the same for their holding call too. In my opinion, Riverdale brought all that they had and wanted this game more than Lincoln County. Also in my opinion, our coaching staff was out coached! Give Gary Rankin and his staff their due. He sought after matchups all night long. He kept our defense spread out and used his speed to his advantage. He knew who our weakest D backs were and went right at them. He played ball control and kept Michael Edmiston and company off the field. He is one heck of a coach! If Lincoln County had some slant plays in their arsenal, they could have won this game because the middle was wide open, but we don't run slants. We kept trying to throw deep, when all we had to do was throw quick short slants or anything across the middle. They kept pressure on Edmiston all night long, who didn't have time to throw, but shorter drops and quick short yardage throws would have helped him with the rush. Now with that being said, Edmiston held the ball too long on many of his passing plays that caused him to be sacked. In summary, we were out played, out coached; Riverdale had the better game plan, and deserved to win the ballgame. Good Luck to the Warriors next week as they travel to Oak Ridge.

As for our Falcons, You gave it your all, but it wasn't enough tonight. Congratulations on a great season!

Louis does what he does best. Make adjustments at half.

Nope, I disagree; he didn't make any adjustments at all!

Lincoln County looses 19-13. The drop Lincoln County punt was the difference in the game. That turned out to be really BIG! Both teams got a touchdown called back. I know Lincoln County's holding call was very questionable, but Riverdale can same the same for their holding call too. In my opinion, Riverdale brought all that they had and wanted this game more than Lincoln County. Also in my opinion, our coaching staff was out coached! Give Gary Rankin and his staff their due. He sought after matchups all night long. He kept our defense spread out and used his speed to his advantage. He knew who our weakest D backs were and went right at them. He played ball control and kept Michael Edmiston and company off the field. He is one heck of a coach! If Lincoln County had some slant plays in their arsenal, they could have won this game because the middle was wide open, but we don't run slants. We kept trying to throw deep, when all we had to do was throw quick short slants or anything across the middle. They kept pressure on Edmiston all night long, who didn't have time to throw, but shorter drops and quick short yardage throws would have helped him with the rush. Now with that being said, Edmiston held the ball too long on many of his passing plays that caused him to be sacked. In summary, we were out played, out coached; Riverdale had the better game plan, and deserved to win the ballgame. Good Luck to the Warriors next week as they travel to Oak Ridge.

As for our Falcons, You gave it your all, but it wasn't enough tonight. Congratulations on a great season!

There is one play that Riverdale runs that could cause our Falcons some problems if they are not careful, and that is the sprint draw! Our defensive front does a great job of rushing and getting to the QB but we have to watch for this all night long. If #1 or whoever they have in the backfield with speed gets past them, it could go for big yardage. We defended it well during week 3. They like to run this play a great deal.

Everyone knows its hard to beat the same team twice in one season i.e Oakland.

Franklin just proved last week that it isn't hard to beat the same team twice If Lincoln County can play well on special teams, Josh Gregory runs the ball harder than he has been running, defense continues to play as they have been, and for Gosh sakes! eliminate the penalties; Lincoln County will win this game. Lincoln County 21 Riverdale 14.

Wow, just and just imagine what Lincoln County could do if they could RECRUIT LEGALLY like BA and MBA!!!

Amen on that post brother! I don't know if it's even fair to say that Lincoln County can't beat the MBA's or Brentwood Academy’s of the world. If we recruit as they did, we could compete year in and year out with them. Yea, we inked out wins against Oakland and Smyrna, but because of that, you’re saying that we can't beat MBA! That could be said every year, because we have to play with the hand that is dealt to us, where they can choose their hand... makes a heck of a difference to me

I love talking with you guys or girls, but it is 12:26 a.m. I'm going to bed!!! Good Night

[both teams made a ton of mistakes, and L.C.'s kick coverage on punts and kickoff's needs a lot of work and I'm sure that it will get it this week.

What can you say about Chanze Bryson, that kid is one heck of a ballplayer.

None of us pointed out how our kick and punt coverage stunk up the house! Good post Statman!

I said it in a post earlier this week; Chanze Bryson doesn’t get the credit he deserves! He is a gamer! He can play on my team any day!

Yeah BigD several times tonight Gregory hit the holes flat footed and stopped before any contact was even made!And several times he ran right at the sideline instead of at an angle to gain yards!Reminds me of Eddie George!

I remember that play when he ran straight to the sidelines! I actually had to just laugh at that one I don't know, maybe we can get him some mojo juice or something to make him stop tipping and take off with a full burst of speed!

Yea, I saw the holding calls you were referring to, but still thought the game was called decent.

Congrats! to the former Lincoln County standout coach Tim Johnson and the Franklin Rebels! Keep it up, and hopefully we will meet for the prize at the end of the rainbow!