big poppa

Last year I flooded the coacht football forums with endless conversation about the quality of the program. As a long time fan and resident of Dickson I was so excited about the direction that the program was heading. (just for the record, a previous post read that Dickson had not won a region championship in years. Actually they were co-champs last year accompanied by Franklin and Brentwood.) Anyways, I am disheartened to see Coach Pearson go. He is the symbol of high school football. Many people do not know the charisma of this guy on the sideline. The players liked him tremendously and enjoyed playing for him. This fact and acknowledgement brings up my point. A previous post brought up a good point: The post said something to the affect of 'bringing in new blood.' I think it is time for the Dickson faithful to look into the realm of reality and realize that there are other coaches out there who can do an outstanding job on the field and also find their place within the Dickson community. New people move to Dickson everyday and they have no problem adjusting to Dickson cultures. Our school system is one of the best in the state in regards to academics, atmoshere, school safety, and surrounding environments. Why would it be so hard for an "outsider" to make that adjustment? I realize that it is all political and my views are extremely literal, but lets look at the scenario. The administration wants to keep it in house and fill the vacancy with someone already working in the system. Why? They can give you theoried answers that sound good but really lack evidence. Sorry to buck the system, but I do not believe the opening should be confined to Williams, Daniel, or Bledsoe. Here is why: Consider the fact that Daniel's father is the superintendent of schools, Williams family has something to do with the Booster Club, and Bledsoe is a long time friend of the staff and former member of the staff. The path I am going on here is obvious. The main problem here is that I have yet to hear anyone ask about the interes of the kids. You know, the ones who are out there playing on Friday nights. As the leader of an administration I would want to know how my candidates relate to the players, do they respect him, will they give it their all for him? Sadly it seems to me that these ideas are lost in the shuffling of political prowess and the tug-o-war match between Creekwood and Dickson. Granted, each of these names have adequate football knowledge and reserve the right to be considered, but limiting the ballot to those three names is a travesty. As a matter of fact, fans like myself who have seen games for the last twenty years are ready for a change. Not that we are disappointed in our past because our history is phenominal and worthy of the respect it has earned. It is just sad that the only question on a resume and application that matters is the space where you put in your last name. The kids, the program, and the community deserve better that what is being offered.

I couldn't agree more. That year they were never tested until the state championship game against MBA. That game alone had 11 division 1 players in it. Don't forget that MBA had a great team that year as well. Steven Bess, the high school pitcher of the year that season (12-0 0.25 ERA), was slated to throw the next day if MBA had beaten them that night. MBA lost that game 6-5 and left the bases loaded in the last inning. The public and private split really hurt the progression of that rivalry because during that stretch those two teams met quite often. That 1995 MBA team had a record of 36-2, both losses coming in the state tournament. Bess, Michael Frey, Franklin Jarman, and Dave Sifford all made all-state that year with Frey and Bess making Mizuno All- Americans. Germantown had three make the Mizuno team as well. That match-up was tremendous.

Cory Phleiger from Dickson is averaging 34 points a game and averaging six threes a game, white boy about 6'3". Numbers do not lie. Ask Hendersonville how good he is. He lit them up for 30 points, in the second half. He is only a junior and he is being recruited by a school that is not too shabby, STANFORD.

Phleiger is averaging 34 points a game. I dont see little brother doing any upsetting tonight. As far as a record scoring night, I dont know that he will play long enough. In essence, Dickson roles by at least twenty.

Dickson County had several make the All-region team. Grant Allen- in my opinion he should have beaten Fugate for the offensive MVP. Take a look at his numbers: Rushing: 731 (averaged an astounding 9.7 ypc) Receiving: 698yds ( 20.4 yards per reception). Returns: averaged 31.4 yards a return. Defensively: led state with 12 interceptions How does this guy not get the recognition he deserves. All of theses numbers and the guy stands at 5' 5" and weighs 150 pounds. Unbelieveable. Quentin Primm- Defensive MVP Eric Brommell- 612 yards rushing even though he missed 4 games and was hurt for the final 3. He played with a torn ligament in his knee. Jordan Tinsley- rushed for seven hundred yards on the season. Seemed like every carry was a huge gain. He had 9 touchdowns of over 50 yards. Shane Bishop- very good unheard of quarterback. He through for 1,100 yards but his most impressive feature is his ability to keep his team out of the bad play. Shane had one interception on the season and that was the first play of the year when Dickson went for the home run to start the season. Jason Swindell and Derrick Stockton anchored perhaps the best running game in the state as well as solidifying a good defensive front. They played tackles on both sides of the ball. FHS27 if you read this please respond. How can you not have Dickson in your top ten poll. Usually you and I agree on most threads but I have taken offense to your lack of respect. Granted, Dickson did lose in the first round of the playoffs to a team that they should not have; however, lets not forget that they ran through Riverdale and in addition ran through Franklin. I would think that when a team puts up 480 yards of offense (look it up) against your Rebels you would have a hard time forgetting them. Also, they rushed for 3700 yards as a team on the season. I would like to know where that ranks them in the state. Oh well, sorry guys for the rambling. I just dont understand how this team does not get more respect than they do.

Although there will never be a region all-star game, the presense of one would be entertaining as well. Faninthestand you are right, this regions all-star team would match up against any region in any classification. There was mounds of talent throughout the region and many will have the opportunity to show their skills at the next level.

This thread goes out to all those teams in region 6-5A. no disrespect to any other region but I must say that this region proved to be the most entertaining in all the state. People will say," How can you say that?" Well here is my evidence. Let's start with the fans. All season long they had a tremendous role in the uprising of every team. One game in particular that stands out is the Dickson County verse Franklin game. The atmosphere at Howard Gamble stadium was unbelieveable. The fans showed what Friday nights are all about. I recently read a high school football magazine that stated high school football was the fastest dying sport in America. I would say that the atmoshere has changed in the last handful of seasons for various reasons, but not this year. The atmosphee at the game mentioned above was concrete evidence of the resurgence. I dont know of a football fan in the world that would not have appreciated the effort shown that night. The reason iI bring up this particular game is because it is an honest representation of what this region has developed into. The game was close and both teams deserved to win. The fianl results for the season were close as well, a three way tie for the championship. Franklin, Brentwood, and Dickson County all wanted to move on, but when they didn't they pulled for their biggest rivals. To me, this shows evidence of respect. If all players respected there opposing teams, fans, and communities as much as these three schools then the resurgence would quicken. I sincerely look forward to next year and the continuence of these growing rivalries. It does not get any more fun than this.

When you said "paper" you could have stopped right there.

I could not agree with you more. These statements about beating anyone in the state are absurd. Consider this people; when you get to The Super Seven and the upper elite of 5A you are talking a whole new ballgame. These teams are filled with intelligience and organization, thus making them a step ahead of the lower classifications. I would say that if you played schools like Brentwood Academy you would be singing a different tune. If you are so segregated from any of the competition wouldn't your staff and administration want to play with your own caliber and move up a level. Do not give me the excuse that you cannot because when MBA was playing before the split they were in 5A. Keep in mind they only have approximately 250 students in grades 7-12. Speaking of MBA, I don't mean to hamper your mood but you (Maryville) do not want any part of MBA. Saturday they looked like the best team that has played at Vanderbilt stadium all year. Granted that is said in jest, but they would outclass you considerably and your recent posts are my evidence.

Just a little Did You Know segment. The largest ever crowd at a TSSAA football game was over thirty thoudand for the 1988 state championship game between Dickson County and Murfreesboro Oakland. Anyways, back to my Maxim.

You're right. I am speaking of the little point guard they had the last couple of years. I don't know why I said Tad Golden.

I accidently wrote my reply to your post on the Quarterfinals thread. Please see that!

Okay Wes, here goes! Franklin 21 Hendersonville 17 Riverdale 27 Lincoln Co. 14 (my reasoning is posted on the state predictions thread) MBA 35 BA 20 Okay, do not have a sudden nervous breakdown but my reasoning is sound. MBA lost a huge game to BA at the end of the regular season. This loss knocked them off of their top ten pedistal in USA Today. This loss probably did the Big Red some good. Now they are playing under no pressure. Regardless of the officiating scandal the bottom line is that BA went home the winner. BA fans must admit, however, MBA could have won that game just as easily. MBA has a composure about them that makes them extremely dangerous. Paybacks are "you know what", and MBA owes them one. I understand the philosophy that BA has something to prove as well but an athlete will be much more angry after a loss than a close win. Cannot wait to see it.

Well look at it from this perspective. I was in the University of Tennessee weightroom not too long ago and noticed a really interesting thing. They have the max of every lift by every player in the athletic department. The basketball team was obviously posted and to my surprise the lowest max on bench press was 325 pounds by Tad Golden, the smallest player on the roster. That stat should tell you that regardless of what spotr you are playing lifting weights is highly important. Your football coach is right in his belief. It is a myth that basketball players should not lift weights.

Bowers won three state championships in eight years with a pretty innovative offensive mind.

I have your back FHSreb27. Let's be honest yet critical at the same time. Lincoln County has an unblemished record that cannot be taken away from them.However, they do not play in a tough region by any stretch of the imagination. As a matter of fact, their region is awful in comparison with say Region6-5A. Franklin and Brentwood and Dickson all had great football teams this year and Franklin is still standing. Riverdale played a tough out of region schedule and got better each week. The Warriors start somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 sophomores and juniors. Well, as we all know, these sophomores are now juniors and the juniors are now seniors (figuratively speaking). The last time these two teams played Licoln never allowed Riverdale to get in cinq. Now, eight weeks later Licoln is playing a much better football team. Don't think for a second that Rankin will not have a different defensive scheme ready for this ballgame. Lincoln may have gone undefeated this year but not against quality opponents. Granted, Riverdale lost two ballgames this year (Dickson and Lincoln), but sometimes a loss is better for a team than one might think. Lincoln fans do not get mad but I have to go with FHSreb27 on this one and pick Riverdale. My prediction: 27-14

I couldn't agree more,but don't you think his calibar of athletes is much better than his competitions year in and year out?

In addition, who are some of the best around East and West Tennessee?

If you had to pick a coach to take over your program which one would you prefer? Personally, I would have to go with Bowers. Coach Bowers has a knack for getting the most out of his players, even if they are below average athletes. Many will say that he is a product of Flatt and that statement is true. However, there is a cliche that discusses the student teaching the teacher. Any thoughts? I am aware that there are other coaches who deserve to be on this list (Crawford, Pearson, Hatfield) so feel free to make a case for them.

I do not see how you can. Only one team walks off the field with the trophy.

I will definitely be there. We scrimmaged Lincoln early in the year and of course we played Riverdale during the regular season. We were fortunate to beat them at Tomahawk Stadium 36-29 in what was an unbelieveable game. For the record I am not a player or student but I have my way of being at every game and having an exceptional seat. From knowing a little bit about both teams allow me to say this, Lincoln will try to administer the knockout punch early. If Riverdale can withstand the initial impact then we will have a trmendous game on our hands. As always Riverdale is extremely fast and athletic relying on the big play. They better not this week. There gameplan should be to maintain ball-control much like we (Dickson) did against them and Franklin. Running the play clock to zero on every snap can pay huge dividends. I'm not sure they are physical enough to pull it off though and for that reason I am going to pick Lincoln in a tight game 19-13. I look forward to an exciting game as my blood still runs orange and blue even though we are unfortunately finished.

BigDogDaddy, Finally we agree on something. Your version of the class 5A team is pretty legit. Would you agree that the tandum of Solima to Allen would have been one for the ages. Nobody in the state knows how to get open like Grant did. It is a shame that size is so much of an issue because regardless of the size you still have to catch him. Anyone remember David Palmer of Alabama and Craig Faulkner of Tennessee. For that matter, Dante Hall from Kansas City is only 5'7". Grant is plenty capable of playing at the next level and people always say he is too small.

FHS24, Imagine how we feel in Dickson!

Good point SENSATION! I couldn't agree with you more. You have to respect the Green Wave fans even though they are a huge rival here in Dickson.

I am so glad that I can be of some assisstance in propelling you guys through your tiring workday. I just feel like I am on Jeopardy battling intellect with this genius.