MBAalumnus

I agree RRR. If this happens, what need do we have for the TSSAA? what are they doing for us? I think eventually we can and will form and independent organization of private schools, and keep our $$ to ourselves. I mean, if the TSSAA doesn't help with our scheduling, what exactly are they doing for us? The expense is just one aspect of excessive travel...what about safety? Imagine 16-17 year-old kids driving to and from Memphis on Friday night for a football game...or Knoxville ,or Chattanooga?

I know I'm late but that is too funny!!!! someone also remind Travis Stephens about how unfair it was that he had to play MBA in '95 when he ran for about 500 yards when MBA lost to NE 42-0...

honestly, my first question would be "who exactly are they recruiting?" Maybe once a blue moon an 8th grader like John Henderson rolls around that is a "can't miss prospect," but are they scouting Pop Warner games? How on earth do you determine who the "top 13 year olds are?" Everyone "has a story" about Carlton Flatt. But, look at his teams. You can count on one hand the number of legit D1 players to have come out of BA over the years; many more have been Samford, Sewanee, Austin Peay type players. They aren't getting world beaters; they get a few above average players that play well as a team. Most of BA's kids arrive in 7th grade anyways. You'd have to be recruiting sixth graders! A lot of parents (ego driven or what) want to send their kids to BA (or CPA--where Jeff Fisher's son is, if that's not the #1 endorsement of David Pack, I don't what is) because it's a lot better than what Metro has to offer. as for Father Ryan, I just don't buy it. They beat us in baseball. They have traditionally beat us in wrestling. Their lack of $$ is no more an excuse for them as "we can't admit a lot of kids than Ryan can" is for us. it all would circle back to my original argument: we private schools have inherent advantages over public schools that are too great for them to overcome (e.g., the ability to hire superior coaches like David Pack, Jeff Rutlege, Carlton Flatt and hold them accountable if they don't perform); hence, I have no problem with the split.

once again, "hide the women and children," this thing is gonna be nasty...my oh my is it gonna be nasty...not only two great teams; two great teams in foul moods (MBA for losing; BA for having to listen to the excuses)...buckle 'em up.

I have to weigh in here...first, a little background: I obviously went to MBA; my mother was a long-time metro teacher who is now an administrator at a small private school that gives no financial aid. that's my perspective. so, 1. when I was at MBA, only four players receiving financial aid could dress for the varsity football team. Don't know if that's still the case. Certainly, not every one of those four were even starters, much less impact players. So the notion that "Ryan can't compete (from another thread) because they don't give enough financial aid" does not hold water, unless the rules have changed. It is also my understanding that Ryan could not turn away any Catholic student with a competitive profile for $$ reasons (i.e., the Church would assist as necessary). I don't have evidence to support that, so someone can defend or refute. MBA's mission is that a large % of its endowment will be used for financial aid. A second part of its mission is that athletics are an important part of the experience, so MBA will never NOT give financial aid. 2. I'd say that in all honesty, in today's day and age, the private schools enjoy inherent advantages that most public schools cannot overcome. When I was there, this wasn't the case. MBA and BA had similar facilities which were nothing special. Now, the facilities of MBA put a lot of colleges' to shame. I don't know how a public school can compete with that. But, most of all, written in MBA's mission statement is that students will not have after-school jobs. Instead, they will engage in after school activities, whether they be forensics, drama, music, varsity athletics, art, etc. This is the killer. At my mom's school, many of the kids chose after school jobs over athletics. So many opportunities at the malls, etc. for them to work. How do you fault a kid for this? When I was at MBA, I'd say 90% of the kids had cars which their parents provided them with. Most MBA kids didn't have to choose between cars and athletics. 3. Finally, public schools SHOULD be forced to play local private schools in the regular season, w/o post-season implications. It isn't fair that our parents, fans, and players, should have to shuttle all over the state (and beyond) just to fill a regular season schedule. There is no reason why we have to play CBHS, MUS, etc. in both the regular season and post-season when there is ample opportunity to play locally (ditto for the Memphis and Chatt. teams). There is no logical argument against this....JMO... 4. ....when I have no listen to the nonsense comments like, "the best money can buy," or "of course they're better, they recruit the best talent," or "trust me, I know, all the big schools recruit...I knew a guy once whose son was recruited to play at MBA." Of course, none of this has ever been substantiated, but, it's a convenient argument against private schools. Who? Which ones? Please let me know because I will hand walk it to Brad Gioia personally and recommend that we get the death penalty if we're doing it. Most BA grads I know feel the same way.

I think all private schools will end up playing in one classification in the not to distant future...I think BGA proved by smacking MBA last year (and almost doing it again this year) that the likes of BGA, Lipscomb, Goodpasture, CPA, and Christ the King (eventually with that coaching staff) are not far behind (if at all) MBA, BA, CBHS, McC, etc...it will be the best football in the state, IMO, and we will have no need for the TSSAA (as in, we could fill out schedules w/o outside teams). BTW, is it true that kids in Nashville are split 50-50 in public and private schools? I heard that at some point, but never saw any evidence to support it.

thank you much, commish. bring on BA.

inot2bad, I can tell you this. The best football teams I have ever personally seen (in no particular order) are: MBA 1999, BA 1995, 1996, and Lincoln County 1990. That LC team with Kelly Holcombe was not challenged from start to finish. They were as dominant a team as the old 3A ever produced.

pepvols, I think you have a real problem with something that isn't me. I'm fairly certain you aren't reading my posts. You just immediately cut and paste them and argue against whatever you are angry about... So, to RebelRon, who IS actually reading what I'm writing, this is my argument: Maryville has nothing to prove. They have won multiple 4-A titles. They have no obligation to put MBA or Lincoln County or anyone outside Maury Co on the schedule. They could play football for another 100 years and never do it, and no one could criticize them. I have no doubt that no one in Maryville is scared of MBA (which I have said 1000 times). I'm sure like the rest of us, they are DYING for an opportunity to end this debate once and for all... I just say this: if Maryville scheduled and beat MBA or BA, then not a single one of us could ever open our mouths again. They have the chance in the next few years to demonstrate that they are the best team in the state. If Maryville wants to make the claim that they are the best team in the state, they could put their winning streak on the line against LC or BA or MBA...again, they are not scared; they just have to want to make the effort to do it. We cannot fill our schedule as it is and get turned down left and right when we ask to play games...rest assured BA did this by playing 5A beginning in '95 (and I shut my mouth). I assure I'd rather play Maryville and lose by 50 than never play Maryville at all...

well said Kangaroo...congrats on the "w"

however many people Maryville has on their roster = the number of people who AREN'T afraid of playing MBA. However many coaches Maryville has = the number of coaches who AREN'T afraid of playing MBA. But, I CERTAINLY do have respect for those teams because they have ZERO to gain by playing MBA, and yet they did it anyways.

you may not want to get started here...it's more fun to hit your head with a hammer over and over...

Where exactly do I say that I don't respect Maryville? OF COURSE I RESPECT MARYVILLE!!! No one is dismissing Maryville's accomplishments...I have never, ever, ever, disparraged Maryville's accomplishments. You are obviously one of the best teams in the state, as I have said all along. state titles: apples (more important) playing private schools: oranges (less important)

this is too painful...I can't take this anymore...I didn't go to BA (hence me=MBA alumnus). Clarksville NE (public school) murdered us in 1995 (i was there). you don't get it, and I can't make you get it, so I can't keep trying... anyways, once again...D-B'ers, kudos to you for playing MBA twice and beating us one of those times...hope we can do it again, and good luck. to Maryville people, you are the best team in 4-A (and have been for the last several years). I would like to see who would win between Maryville and MBA or BA. I can't say we would win; you can't say you would win. Have I ever said that MBA or BA would beat Maryville? No, but that doesn't matter to anyone on here.

I probably wouldn't...trust me, I said the same thing to BA people in the '80's. You can be 2A champs from now til the end of time, but until you win at the highest level, you can't claim to be the best in the state...of course, when they won 5A in '95 and '96, I had to shut my mouth... I want to see a Maryville-MBA (or BA) game...man, one side would really have some bragging rights!

this is really getting painful...I have to repeat myself over and over, only to have no one read what I write. to your question, MBA has won the Super 7 in ever year but '97 and '01 (I think). We were 5A quarterfinalists in '96, and semifinalists in '95 and unfortunately lost to the buzz saw that was BA with about 10 legit D1 players (who would have murdered Maryville). So we have been every bit as good as Maryville since then (with the exception of '01). Maryville has nothing to prove FOR THE THOUSANDTH TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are the 4A champs...if want more than that, you have to earn it. D-B, Lincoln Co., and others were willing to do that... AGAIN, IT ISN'T THE FAULT OF THE M'VILLE PLAYERS, OR FANS...they can only play the games on their schedule... I just respect D-B, Lincoln County, and Cleveland for playing private school teams when they have no reason to. Maryville has not. If Maryville ever does that, they can tell us all to shut up, and we will.

if anyone on here can provide a compelling reason why Dobbyns-Bennett, Lincoln County, and Cleveland were able to schedule MBA and Maryville somehow is unable to, I will shut up.

gawd almighty calm down, Francis... you guys are all very good at the "straw man" technique: you invent your own arguments, and then just assign the position you want to knock down (like a straw man) to whoever is closest (in this case, me)... now, as you should be able to see, I have tons of respect for D-B (public school last time I checked) for playing us...you guys are a fine program...D-B fans can claim to have beated MBA...Maryville cannot...why is it that you are all so defensive? jeez...

let me rephrase that: the 2001 DLS team I saw could have been beaten by the '99 MBA team or the '95-'96 BA teams...that's COULD have been beaten, not WOULD have been beaten...I saw similar athletes...I hate to be pimping BA, but those two teams could have competed with any DLS team (again, based on the sample data I have: the 2001 team)...that team was LOADED with D-1 talent...maybe the most I've ever seen in TN on one team... agree re: SD football, but, during the Super Bowl week last year, they pointed out in the Union Trib that San Diego has more players on NFL rosters than any city in the country (they were liberal with their definition of SD, though)... it's interesting because one of my good friends went to LA-Loyolla...we had this debate ad nauseum in college...again, I think the DLS's, MAter Dei's and MBA/BA's of the world win for the same reasons... anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing Gutierrez starting for the Maize and Blue next year!!!

this is one take far less informed than 64TNChamp: I think BA and MBA truly can compete with anyone. I've seen some of the better hs football programs, largely in Southern CA (Helix in the SD area when Reggie Bush was playing for them)...my opinion is based on this: high school football is about discipline, technique, and strength...of course, every now and then a team with a couple of sicko athletes rolls around but I'll still take consistency down the roster... MBA (haven't seen BA's in many years, but I'm assuming this all applies) has a strength program that is second to none in terms of either facilities or methodology (LIGHT years today from when I was there). Plus, many kids start MBA in 7th grade and grow up with this program where the highest standards of technique are taught from day 1 through high school...mix in a couple of really special athletes (Ingle Martin, Hunter Hillenmyer, etc.) and you have a serious team...I think this is De La Salle's formula, whom I saw play in 2001, and I think BA of '95-'96 or MBA of '99 could have beaten...I think all three are similar... just from observing some really good So-Cal teams, they have a few really good athletes, and a couple of good players, and a lot of mediocre players... JMO...

I love D-B! Their coach is awesome (MBA interviewed him after RB left) and they embody the "we'll play anybody anytime" mentality of the truly fearless teams...I don't even care if we lose games like this; it's at least fun to play them...D-B had no reason to play us and they did anyways...I have tons of respect for you guys... Maryville has nothing to defend themselves about. They are the top 4A team in the state and have been for a few years...but you wanna be the man, you gotta beat the man... why would Maryville not want a piece of BA or MBA? I would if I were them...

if they were moving, it's a dead ball foul and the play never started...but, with the clock already moving, the game would have been over, as the game can't continue because of an offensive penalty (I think). if it's too few men on the LOS, the penalty is enforced and the game is over, as, again, time is not put back on the clock because of an offensive penalty (I have no rule book but I think that's the case)...the game can end with offensive penalties, but not defensive penalties... I have no idea whether or not either of these things actually happened, but if they did, the game is over...

Big poppa, I can't debate with you if you're not going to read what I'm writing...at no point did I say who was the best team in the state. I'm just saying if I'm one of these slighted Maryville fans, I'd be looking for an opportunity to settle this on the field...any fan should want that game...I know no player or fan can control that though; they can only play the games on the schedule. I just wouldn't want to listen to the likes of us and would look to shut them up on the field...that's just me though... Money? hmm....Dobbyns-Bennett managed to scrape together enough $$ to play MBA. Ditto for Lincoln County. One three hour bus trip? Of course what "fun" it is for our parents and students to get to drive to and from Memphis on a Friday night, thanks to this wonderful Super 7. Man, thanks Ronnie...sure wouln't rather play Hillsboro or Hillwood or one of the other teams in our same zip code...

here's my advice to slighted Maryville fans: go to your athletics director and say you are sick and tired of listening to us arrongant, obnoxious Super 7 fans, and ask him for a chance to kick either of MBA, BA, or CBHS's arses on the field. Tell him you GUARANTEE vicotry based on watching MBA-BA on tv. Make it a regular season game that won't jeapordize your post-season goals...we have to travel all over the state (and Southeast for that matter) to play our schedule, so one out of area "home and home" won't make a difference to you...If Jeff Rutlege and the Trinity coach can get a game scheduled in a suite at the Titans game less than a year before it was played, I'm sure we will have no problem getting this thing done... of course, I realize that neither you nor the players can control this, but maybe with some grass roots push we can make it happen... now, can you imagine how big a Maryville vs. _____(MBA, BA, or CBHS) game would be? it would be one of the collosal hs games of all-time...

Brandon wrote it best I think...these refs are not making any money. They're out there doing the best they can simply because they love the game...this isn't the NFL, or even college...they made a mistake, let's move on...congrats to BA and to MBA and good luck in the play-offs...