Sommers

Congrats to Coach Ramsey for his coach of the year honors. You worked hard for that. Congrats to Lester and now Bray for their profound leadership and motivation to being Tullahoma's talent to the level they are at now. Congrats to both Morris and Kennedy for MOW's. Well deserved!! Fianlly, thanks to Harman/Hamm for their dedication and hard work. I must say I was impressed with the 11 or 12 going to state having consistent b+ averages, I believe all were 3.4 and up. This is unheard of in most programs I've seen over the years. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Ummmm.... nahh, too young, (he knew Tommy coached at Franklin in the 90's) but you may be close, brother.

Any ties to Williamson Co. and Indianna, but not a great supporter of Blair's G.P. West?

Hey, I don't want to start anything here, but as faR AS INDIVIDUALS, doesn't Hixson have more NCAA medals/qualifiers than any other TSSAA school since 1960's?

It was the food in the hospitality room. /hungry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":hungry:" border="0" alt="hungry.gif" /> Seriously, they earned their keep at Blackman, esp. when I was the towell tapper. /bored.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":bored:" border="0" alt="bored.gif" />

Good post. I suggest anyone that cuts an official needs to go out and try it themselves for a year or two; and after that, see how your perpsective changes. It did for me in the 90's.

I thought I was the master of the obvious,,, Mr Young just needs to do HIS thing and the MOW is his. As for Hixson.... I can't say enough for my baby brother. Way to go and it would be very difficult for Blackman to win in a dual now, and perhaps even out score Hixson next week. Bro, you said early on you had some goals to help Garrick and bring back some of Hixson's winning ways and it appears you didn't hurt things over there. Way to go!!! The Soms

Congrats to Garrett and now my bro for reuniting and bringing back some of that old Wildcat tradition!! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> I see Hixson in the top three sooner than later.

Brother Jeff, I too am very saddened by this outcome of the little Taco Bell dog barking. You have shown us all an example of keeping your head up and supporeting others while dealing with pain many don't even know... Jessy was supposed to be the most skilled of all your boys and as a soph. he may never compete due to his injuries as well. There's really no way you go 100's of matches without injuries without some luck involved while competing, training or otherwise. Cael Sanderson has always amazed me going 4 years flawless - with that "any given day" factor. Perspective is clarified and proper as you compare yourself to others like yourself and you increase in gratitude, something America needs more of and may be forced to learn. Thanks for your Faith and friendship!! The Soms

Amen, Brother Henry!! Hey, look what Smyrna did two yers in a roll by finally getting past Riverdale in football and then they get the easy games against 13-0 teams like Ooltewah. Well, I'll take that bck cause The Owls really did look tough a couple of years ago and coulda shoulda... Anyway, you get the point, WV and those Blue Raiders can move right up after getting by their toughest competition in the same county. Sort of like Florida over some other SEC teams to take on a big ten school every now and again. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

You got a fairly nice facility there. Promoting an event like I'm suggesting could have some serious ROI for somebody.

Congrats, Legman!! We know that you, with Turner's foundation and Al Morris' feeder made this happen, but not without lots of long hours and sufficient blood, sweat and tears... Now, go read my post under MJ Bears, but don't let BrickHouseChick hear about it /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

Yes, I have been guilty of an attitude on this board once or twice. My point is just pointing out that being the top "Bear" doesn't come easy as I have watched and participated in practices all over the country. I have seen no workouts that exceed what happens there at Bradley day-in and day-out, although some of the orther top programs in our great state may come close - but we fans may never see the battle on the mat, i.e., D-1 vs. D-2. /sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" /> Imagine... 5,000 fans coming down to UTC from Bradley Co + another 10,000 fans from all around the Metro X $10 + concessions (4,000 X $5) just to see a few teams in Red, Blue, and BC compete. Think of the possibilities,,, Hey Alan Jones... You out there? How bout Brick House Chick? /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Any idea how Laney and Patton matches up?

No, you will see the "results" of what it takes. Go to BHS and witness a practice or two and you will see what it takes. You'll notice that a typical BC team beats ya in the 3rd period+ ...Tournaments and matches are only short "drills" of what goes on at the Bears den, at least that is what I have seen/experienced on a few occasions... Am I wrong Legman?

How does this area team compare to the East (Chatt-town area/Bradley-Baylor-McCallie with NO GA. wrestlers included - RMC will keep us honest on that one /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> ) and the West of course? Anyone want to take a stab at that one?

Oh, he's about the same as he was in early Nov. after that 1st time HS practice with little Kennedy, Heath, Morris, etc., but with more information now, that's all. He'll be back for the soph year. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

WAS... "Prolific Breeder" I might add, potent and mom somewhat fertile!! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Now going on 4 grandbabies!!! The Soms will one day proudly wear a head of hair like Tex23 and RMC's one day /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

Hey PBD - the upper weights did alright here this time around, huh? State duals should be interesting huh?

Hey, BCB was just lurking around wrestle90 that's all... Legman is watching you though... /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Oh watch out for what happens the next couple of years with some of these 8th and 9th graders, and even more coming up. That 3 pounder will end being another GC piece of work! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Good night

I got to jump in on this one as I look back over the past 35 years or so when Don Elsea was calling my matches /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Baylor usually gets the top talent, McCallie has usually been close and Father Ryan third. I have been impressed with Pat and Gordon's taking their boys to a higher level many times over the years. If you saw what these coaches usually start off with and what they finally end up with - IT'S AMAZING!! Now, with that said, my hat's off to the D-1 schools in Bradley Co. and of course SD. Funding has helped (as well as Alan Morris' blood, sweat and tears) over the past 15 years or so in feeding & reloading Bradley Co (Cleveland really jump started the sport though with Al Miller (and I know one other Blue Raider-pioneer vaguely LATE 60'S-MID 70'S- forgot name /blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> please forgive me coach!!) but...then... Turner Jackson, Steve L., but over the river there's SD's Steve H. who simply got behind it and kept things steady in Trojan land... Growth and steadiness in Rutherford Co. has obviously benifited Blackman most... which has been brewing for some years now with Bill Kennedy, the Vaughns and their Sharpshooters. Wow... this is a year or two sooner than expected for our young Blackman team to beat MBA, Ooltewah, and Ryan all in the same year. Final word... The top 14 seeds of D-1 and D-2 our close IMHO - toss up year after year it seems. Skill may favor D-2 with some out of state talent and great traditions going back into the 60's. I think we can all agree that D-1 pulls ahead after that, at least 3rd - 4th and so forth. It's a larger pool - logic tells us that. The Soms /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> I was finally hitting the sack and remembered Jeff Jordan.. another of the great developers of young talent - he and Artie amazes me what they turn these young kids into.

Wow!! And James Jaberly too?? Major accomplishment!! Little Jack will be on his heals soon /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Oh, my hat's off to the man that has done much for our great sport over some 42 years now (teaching at Overton and coaching in the late 60's and well into the 70's) I believe he really feels all schools would be better off competing unconditionally from what I got from him. Is Collins Hill really any different than Baylor or McCallie when it comes down to athletics or do they do as Ross says and grab a "poor Georgia" kid wondering down the hall (i.e.,TJ Mitchell maybe)? Heck, a great wrestler came up from Alabama to help da Bear's score a few more points in state not long ago. Ronnie and I both agreed it's time to let the water flow well under and past the bridge... and not dam our great sport from what could be a $40,000 night with a big tri-match in front of some 5,000 fans. What a draw!! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Just to allow the rankings happen on the mat and NOT speculate like others are forced to do, e.g., Brandon, FL. The Soms

Double Elimination perhaps at State-Traditionals? Using the Old Big Mac to make this possible? Even Ronnie did not appear against this concept being a future move when I flew to LA and cornered in a seat right next to me /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Is Mark Reeves from Chattanooga? (former Moc wrestler?)

Is it possible a Big Blue team shows up this weekend?