firstbasetn

MCHS, I agree that Soddy Daisy is tough. I saw the OR-SD replay and they are solid. It's a long bus ride all the way up to Kingsport and I doubt SD will bring anything less than their A game, but I don't see them pinning an L on the Indians on their home field. I haven't seen enough of Science Hill, but they got to 8-2 about as quietly as I've ever seen a team, but McMinn Co is tough and should be able to get the pass to round two. I don't see the Govs beating Jeff Co. Too much Scooter... If you have to play another team in season two that you beat in season one, it always makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable. They've seen you in a game and look for your bread -n- butter plays. I don't think OR will have as easy a time against the Bears this time around, but I also don't see Sevier Co coming to Blankenship and eeking out a win.

I will say that since I am an ORHS grad, that Blankenship Field is great. Good field, good lighting, the problems with the scoreboard from year's past seem to be taken care of now. Lot's of tradition every Friday night with the team walking down the steps with Jackson Square as a backdrop and all the elementary kids waiting to smack the boys on the shoulders as they take the field. Everyone works hard on Rochelle Field at Coalfield, and it's evident. I really like the Jacket logo at midfield and the facility is always clean and taken care of. Other great places to spend Friday nights (not in any particular order): Dobyns Bennett, Farragut, Sevier County, Lincoln County, Science Hill. Was out at Cosby to watch some of the Cosby-Jellico game last week and it looks good for a new facility, same thing true for CAK. Haven't seen Riverdale's new digs in Murfreesboro, but caught some of it on the CSS game earlier in the season. Their new place looks good also.

The best PA announcer I have ever heard is the late Tom Hamrick which presided over PA duties at Blankenship Field for decades. His delivery was smooth and professional, just giving the ball carrier and tackler. No play-by-play, just a deep resonating impartial voice. I remember during the 1991 semifinal game at Murfreesboro against Oakland, Tom was granted access to the pressbox at MTSU and announced his trademark traditional good luck call of beckoning the late Nick Orlando to the pressbox. It has been a Blankenship tradition that his sons have continued since his passing. Marty Maston does a great job at Coalfield. I also like Farragut's PA announcer and was up at Wartburg the other night to watch the Bulldogs play Sunbright and their announcer did pretty well also. Bobby Denton is the standard in college and makes a game at UT what it is. He does a great job at Neyland every football Saturday.

Clinton usually always plays Oak Ridge tough, however Oak Ridge has Booker and Gulmire in the backfield and ready. I think Thompson will be able to stretch defenses at WR, just a matter of getting McMahon settled in at QB and giving him plenty of protection and making sure the OL and DL jells as both lines were hit pretty good by graduation. Didn't see the game last year, but OR had a 7-point lead late driving deep for a chance to at least tie the game until a pass was picked off. Blankenship is always a tough place to play, I don't think the game this year will be as close. Wildcats by 21. Good luck to both teams on Thursday.