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With young men like this I feel very secure in our future. Keep those feelings and stay true to what you have been taught and you will go far young man. BTW Ringworm11 the next time you see Shawn Pope and his mom ask her to show you her scrap book, you will see some of the Bulldogs of the past.

Just a quick comment from an OLD Bulldog..... Smyrna High School Football history goes WAAAYYYY back further than 00, 90' 80' or 70's . If you want some good reading look up the true history of the football program in Smyrna. We had some real Hoss's back when. Ask Mr. Raikes he could probably name all of them. This is not to take away from the present teams, only to let the younger folks know that they are continuing a very deep and talented tradition in Smyrna, that I pray will continue forever.

Thanks!!! This is a great effort you folks are doing for your players. I only wish my son's would of had someone to do something like this for them here in Seymour. Go Bulldogs!! Class of 79

Would using neutral sites for playoff games be feasible in TN? Even if it is only for the Qtr and Semi final games. It would allow for bigger venues and possibly more fan participation. This was the way that the UIL in Texas used when I was stationed there. Made for some very interesting and memorable games. Like on Friday Night Lights. Just a thought and wondered if it had ever been discussed here. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Hey BulldogHacker, do you have one of those posters for each player???? Looking for #50 Jeremy King. Just out of curiosity.

I do not post much, and the last time I did I stuck my foot clear to the groin in my mouth. But here we go! I graduated from Smyrna a LOOONNGGGG time ago but am still an avid fan. I now live in east TN and keep up with most of the teams in the Knoxville area. I have followed Blackman very close for the past 3 yrs while my nephew played there so I have seen Smyrna play a few times. I have seen Bearden play a few times. In the past year I have seen both play. And in my humble opinion this will be one knock down drag out fight. As far as I have seen they are as evenly matched as you can get. Many will disagree, but I have physically watched both teams. Forget the QB's WR's and RB's it's the trenches that will make the difference. The OL and DL from both teams will be what brings home the bacon. Thats all I have to say except that I will be at the game (I was at the semi's last year as well) and will be cheering for my alma mater, but I will be watching two players especially. #50 Jeremy King (Great player and person as well) from Smyrna, and #88 Aaron Gray (Same as Jeremy) from Bearden. Good luck to both teams and may God bless us with an injury free game. RQ out

I have not been able to make it to a game yet this season, but I have been paying attention to everyone that has. Seymour has a GREAT group of athletes this year and the coaches seem to have them motivated. The Seymour/Rutledge game has some history to it though. It has been one of those games that sneaked up and bit very good Seymour teams before. I don't see that happening this Friday. Rutledge will be bringing their usual game Smash Mouth Football, I've never seen anthing less from them. If Seymour can handle that, and I think they can, they should come out on top. Both teams have a lot of heart. GO EAGLES!!!!!! Seymour 28 Rutledge 14

Sorry about that -- Not a parent, or a parent of a parent. Just a long distant Blackman Fan. The young man has made no TD's (not given a chance) and correct me if I'm wrong, he was special teams player of the week against LC. So I think Brentwood probably remembers him from spring scrimmage. HE WAS THERE! and from the game film from LC. Just my humble opinion

You obviously do not know "Pope's" dad. He won't touch a computer. And no player should expect that a position is theirs because of their seniority. But a player that has proven himself in battle should be given the chance to show himself before he is told to "stand there till someone screws up" (notice the quotes) I don't even live in Murfreesboro, I just have travelled to see Blackman play for the last 3 or 4 years and yep Pope is one of my favorites, so if you have a problem with his dad I suggest you be man enough to confront him about that. Other than that let the young men prove themselves on the field and give those that deserve achance to play their last year of football a chance. ENOUGH!!! GO BLACKMAN!!!!!

After attending the Blackman/ Brentwood game I will have to say that Blackman had better bring their "A" game if they want to even want to come close to wining. Learn a few more offencive plays (That work) and get a little more experience on the field when you can. I find it VERY humorus that the Brentwood coaching staff was more concerned about number 31 Shawn Pope being put in the game than the Blackman coaches were about putting the young man (A senior with 2 years of varsity experience) in to play even a down in the first half. Wake up and learn how to utilize your talent and experience! Smyrna will probably win but hopefully not by much!

After watching the Blaze for the past few years I noticed at the Cookville scrimmage that there are a few Seniors missing from the lineup. What happened to them? A few of the younger players on the defense seemed a little overwhelmed at first and out of place (a linebacker should never have their back to the ball during a play). Also overheard a Blaze COACH inform a young lady that they had gotten rid of the losers attitudes and working on more, he then told her that the best players on the field now were the sophomores, not a very uplifting quote for a coach in the public. Just a few thoughts from an outside observer.

Ok! Since I am a Smyrna grad (79) I am pulling for my Bulldogs with all my heart and soul. But, since I now live in east TN I will pass on to the Bulldog crowd over there. Keep it in focus.. you have NOT played anyone like the Owls in a long time. Watch your film and get to know each players actions on the field! Be proactive not reactive with your plays. With that said I wish the best for both groups of young men and their coaches. And hope the fans will let the players enjoy the time of their lives without screwing it up by being jerks towards each other. GO DOGS!!

Good Golly folks everyone seems to think that "Mimms" is the only player on the field. I have seen him play and he ain't what he is made up to be. He CANNOT folloew a block so he gets plowed. This is also due to everyone keying in on him! There is another young man, I do not know his name, but his number is 26. That young man can run!!! And I don't remember who the young man was that QB'd the end of the Smyrna game but he did a heck of a job. Spread the assignments and use your talent. That what I was always told...

From a WAY outside observer! It seems to me that both the team and the coaches at Blackman need to realize that a team is more than ONE player. I don't care who they are or who they THINK they are. For a team to win they have to have teamwork.. And that means leaving the attitude and individualism on the sideline. When you cross the chalk it should be team business ONLY!!! Take it for what it's worth. Go Blazers!!

Well here I go, possilbly my last post on CoachT. As you can probably tell by my signon I am not from Fulton, and the last time I was in Smith County was in the mid and late 70's. So I do not have a dog in this fight. But I will stand up for the Falcons cuz they are the local team that has made it this far. We have lost to them 3 time in the last two years and I have watched them play many times. I also have been around several of their players away from the field. They are a team that desires the championship, more than some will give them credit for. I feel that they will prevail, but it will be a very well fought battle. For those of us who have not made it this far we must stand on the sidelines and watch and hope for the future. But for now Fulton know that there will be a group from SEYMOUR, believe it or not on your side hollering as loud as we can for you. Bring home boys, wait let me rephrase this "Bring it home MEN!!!" We are proud of you all. Quick's dad! thumb

I look forward to a real barn burner, but I feel that Seymour will come out on top. I also agree that Chris is an outstanding player, but if they concentrate soley on him the rest of the herd of speed will run off with the game. Aaron Lee has got speed that he can pull on when needed, I swear i've seen him shifting gears in mid field and take off like a Porche. Mike Serafine, is another threat to look for. But they will be backed up by a line that is trying to prove that they have what it takes to win. So look for a great game and good luck and Gods safety to both teams.

Just wondering what the feel is for this game. I think it means a lot to both teams. But only time will tell who wants it the most! I think in time this will be come the same rivaly game as Seymour/GP has been for years.

Can't wait to see the movie. I have not read the book "yet" but look forward to that also. From what I have seen so far it should be awsome. We moved to east TN from a small town in north TX called Iowa Park (Go Hawks) This is a town of about 7000 people, but they had a bowl stadium that was built by the towns people. And most of the smaller towns had stadiums that were just as big. An on any given Friday night, you could locate the High school in any town from 10 miles out by following the lights in the distance. It was an awsome football experience that I'm glad my son's were able to be part of for a while.

Ok I just caught this thread and had to put my 2 cents in. We moved here from North Texas, where High School Football is life. And the players are the stuff legends are made of to the citizens of every city. BUT! I never saw a game START with a fight till I moved to Seymour and watched my son play in the Seymour/Gatliburg-Pittman game. That was a hoot. Even though G-P has moved to 2A it is still an anticipated game. But I feel that the Seymour/ Pigeon Forge series will become an even bigger rival in the future.. We'll see!! Go Eagles I have faith in you all....

You obviously do not know him or have watched him play very often! Andy is a very good all around athlete who could and would play just about anywhere the coaches put him. He is not afraid to give a hit or take one. He is doing pretty good at reading the plays and plugging the holes when he can. Besides all of this he is a pretty good person all around. Sit and watch him sometime when you want to see how he plays, and try to do it with an un-biased eye.

These are the young men who work just as hard, (If not harder) than the playmakers. And get the blame if the play does not work, and give the praise to someone else if it does work correctly. There are some huge men on these line, and there are some smaller linemen that carry their own weekly. Most of them love what they do and have gotten used to being the scapegoat of the backfield. But every once and a while they too get some well deserved glory and that is a blessing. I remember a young man by the name of Dewey from Seymour who was a lineman that actually ran a fumble back for a touchdown against Oliver Springs in 1999. My son was a defensive end and blocked for him all the way up the field. THAT was a great moment!!!

Seymour will add its prayers and thoughts with those from all over the state also. i have a tie with Riverdale myself, my niece Jessica Pope was a cheerleader there. May God bless and be with the family and all those in need of comfort. He is an awsome healer!!!!

The O' line is looking good so far. They know their assignments and are coming together as a unit. The size is about the same and the talent is just as good. As I watch it is hard to not compare them to the teams of 00 and 01. My eldest was one of those big "Quick" guards. And his brother is following in his footsteps, only bigger.