Thoughts

You know it amazes me to read some of these posts. First, officiating-bad or good-is a part of the game. I was always taught playing football that you need to take the officials out of the game by being ahead by enough where a bad call doesn't affect the outcome. When the game is close, you live with the consequences. Also, I thought this was a high school football blog? Whether ND has a chance or not against Alabama has no bearing on the discussion. All you ND haters out there can't stand that they have there own TV network and do not need to be in a conference. But, regardless, they are 12-0, they beat the Pac-12 champion, the Big 12 co-champion and 10 teams who are bowl eligible. No MTSU, or Louisiana Lafayette's on their schedule. In fact, they are the only FBS ranked team not to play an FCS team. You wanted Alabama to play ND-be careful what you wish for! Congratulations to Maryville for a great season and to Whitehaven the 6A champs!

Do Linebackers fall under the "back" category or the "lineman" category?

I can think of some other exclusions as well. Some that made all-district.

so it is based on equality rather than performance?

I also noticed where some players who made All-District were left off the All-County team. Seems rather unusual. I guess equal numbers from each school is the key

Well qouted. Pray Continually.

Consider it done! I will pray for this young man. May the God of peace comfort he and his family! ROM 8:28

I do not post very often but do follow Maryville. It is obvious from reading 19 pages of this stuff that each fan base believes in their team. That is how it should be. Maryville has not faced a team this year, with the exception of Alcoa, as talented as Smyrna. Smyrna however has not faced a team this year as disciplined, well coached or multiple as Maryville. It comes down to blocking and tackling. Whichever team does that the best AND limits their turnovers will win. The Maryville defense is solid and better than last year. While not physically impressive as an earlier poster eluded to they exhibit excellent gap control and solid coverage. Reference how they handled Mr. Football Devrin young. D-Line absorbs blocks well and the LB group is talented and fundamentally solid at filling those gaps and making tackles. Secondary are ball hawks and read the QB very well. Offensively Maryville is talented and probably has not shown but 30% of its total package this year. Smyrna can expect to see things they haven't seen on film. Should be a great game, as it should be.

Anyone have a link to the District 4-AAA All-District team? Never did see this selection. This is the Farragut, Bearden, Catholic, Maryville, etc district. Thanks.

Great post pepvol! You are correct in your assessment. In fact, some of the so called "Maryville Fans" should be ashamed of the way they acted in the stands some Friday/Thursday nights. Everyone knew this team was young going into the season. It seems some conveniently forgot that fact come game time. I think many maryville people are trying to re-live their youth through the football team every year. Why don't we all realize that these boys are 15-18 year old young men who give their best each and every night they put on the uniform. Some of the criticism heard in the stands was disgusting. Even the NFL players make mistakes so let's not crucify high school boys for the same. This Maryville team has grown tremendously since August and win or lose this postseason will be that much better come next season and the season beyond that. If we are willing to tout the fact that Maryville is 137-4 since the 0-4 start in 2000, then let's also be willing to admit that the coaching staff knows what they are doing in how they shuffle players in and out, call plays and who starts. And let's not be so quick to dismiss this year's players based on their youth.

I guess someone needs to tell the Maryville boys to just turn in their equipment and not even play Rhea County! After all, even if we "luck up" and beat Rhea we are going to get "slaughtered" by Red Bank!! Also, someone needs to alert Tanner Caylor and Landon Hall and those guys that they are "weak" and have no business on the same field as those "powerfull" teams from Rhea Co. and Red Bank!! What an absolutely moronic opinion!!

Interesting talk going on. The last time I heard a team being discussed in the same terms as the mighty Red Bd we allank Lions was the Tennessee High Vikings of 2004 and we all know how they faired when they visited Maryville in the semis. Let's look at facts: 1. Does Rhea Co. have a chance to beat Maryville? Yes of course. If Maryville plays like they did against Brainerd it will happen. If Maryville plays like they are capable of playing-no way it happens. 2. Will Maryville lose to Red Bank? Possibly but Red Bank has to get pa st Knox West first. Maryville went down to Cleveland in the 3rd round in 2002 against a team that was "guaranteed to end Maryville's run" -didn't happen. Again, if Maryville plays like they are capable Red Bank will have a tough time. Maryville had an off game. That happens. Yes, their showing last Friday did remove the air of invinciblity from the program and that's expected. All the more reason for the boys and coaches to dial it in stronger this Friday. Best coaching in the state, best offensive scheme, tough and unyielding defense with great team defenders equals a tough task for any team trying to beat Maryville. Just the facts...as I see them.

With all due respect to other teams, Maryville is in a class by itself. I watched them play 2 Melrose teams the past 2 years that had the best high school talent I have ever seen! Maryville outplayed them and, more importantly, outcoached them. Maryville hasn't used about 80% of their offensive or defensive packages this year-they haven't had to. Maryville has solid players, a great system, a college type offense and the best coaching staff in the state. To beat them you have to play 48 minutes-not 47, not 47 and one-half, but a full 48. That has only happened twice since early 2000. Not saying it couldn't happen again but it is highly unlikely right now. Ask Tennessee High from 2004 what they found out about a playoff Maryville squad. There are many fine teams in Tennessee, but they are not on Maryville's level.

If you mean hitting is not solid because the young talent is unproven then I agree but if you mean because they are not good hitters then I disagree. The juniors who will start this year have good bats and if they fulfill their potential then the hitting will be solid enough!

I think Maryville could be a sleeper. Lots of young, unproven players but if they gel and perform they could be dangerous. Definitely better than last year and with so many committed to just baseball, we'll see if they worked hard in the off season or not?

Who will play Third and Left Field, you need nine don't you?

As far as MHS baseball goes, the program has not arrived YET, but there is alot of improving going on as well. The players that are on the field are no doubt better than the ones walking the hall. Farragut will be a little down this year, and MHS has a good chance to advance past the district tournament. Although South Doyle and Bearden will be tough. The MHS pitching has improved and they will have a chance to be in every game they play. I think people will be impressed by the way MHS plays this year.

The show detailing the team selections is currently running on Charter Mainstreet Channel 16 nightly at 8:00PM!

It appears to me that all you guys are upset about the Maryville baseball program. If you know so much about who should be on the team and who shouldn't, then go ahead and list the names of those who are currently on the team (JV and Varsity) who should be, those who shouldn't be and those who didn't tryout and should be on the team. If you are not willing to do that because "I am not here to bash kids" then don't say anything at all in a comparative manner as to who should or should not be on the squad. When you do, you are in effect "bashing" those kids! It's high school sports, the kids are supposed to be playing for that "overall academic experience" not to please onlookers or pad some coach's record

Who can fill me in on this classic? I read about it but need details! Thanks

The key, as it is with any baseball team at any level, will be pitching. If they get some they will be fine, if not, they will struggle. Of course some timely hitting won't hurt!

As we prepare for 2005, can someone fill me in on the Rebels position by position. How are their younger players and what are their prospects for the future? Thanks

Rebelron, I couldn't agree with you more! Maryville's defense is solid and somewhat underrated since the offense is so prolific. I don't know much about Melrose but I view them as another Hillsboro-very talented but one-dimensional. I might be wrong, but if I am not they will struggle against the Rebels. Maryville's offense causes you to defend so much of the field that you cannot possibly prepare for everything and one slip-up and it's 6 for the Rebels. If Maryville can limit Melrose's big plays I think they win this game by 2 TD's. Even with the big plays, Maryville wins a close one. Hillsboro had Maryville down by 12 points with a little over 8 minutes left in the 2002 title game and we all know how that one turned out.

I would agree with Playa. Maryville has never had trouble stopping the wing-T. It is the type of offense that works best when you are ahead or even. Should Tenn.High get behind by a couple scores it will be difficult to catch-up using the wing-T. Once Maryville gets a comfortable lead they are equally adept at controlling the clock with their running game. Last Friday night proves they have 4 solid RB's and can rotate a fresh one in whenever needed. Late in the game when a defense's legs begin to get weary, fresh RB's can cause lots of havock! Central proved they have a balanced attack and still could not pull away from Maryville. They spread it out as opposed to their TE set which they lined up in Game #1. I am sure that the Vikings are a fine football team. On paper, and let me repeat ON PAPER, it doesn't look like they match up well with Maryville. But as Chris Berman likes to say.."THAT'S why they play the games!"

Let me say right off that NO ONE should ever bad-mouth an opposing team. Central is a tremendous football team that played with a lot of heart last Friday night! They have tremendous athletes, one of which is their great QB. My hat is off to that football team. Remember we are dealing with 16,17,18 year old kids who wanted to win that game just as much as Maryville's did. Also, let's remember the class that Coach Helton and Zach showed in coming over to congratulate Maryville after the game. What a great game played by 2 fine football teams. Was the big play junk? Not at all! It was a great call in a pressure situation by a great coach, executed by fine young men. Go Maryville! And best of Luck to the Rebels as they move on!