NWTennSports

Thanks .... That'll get me there. .... Hope to see ya there.

I wanna tell y'all how big this game is: I'm coming all the way over from Northwest Tennessee to see it. My brother and I looked at the brackets when they came out and saw an opportunity to see Maryville vs. Tennessee in the semifinals. So, we've been planning this for four weeks. When we realized the semis and the UT-UK game were on the same weekend, we decided to go if things panned out. In essence, the college game on Sat. is SECONDARY to seeing Maryville-Tennessee on Friday night. That's how big this game is. Now, for the two biggest questions coming into the game: 1. How do we get to Maryville's stadium from Chattanooga? 2. What kind of uniforms will we be looking at?!?!? Looking forward to the trip!!

I just want to thank Maryville and Tennessee for winning and keeping my Thanksgiving weekend plans on track .... My brother, his two sons and I will head East on Fri. morning to Chattanooga and then up to Maryville for the game. We have been looking forward to a Maryville-Tennessee game since the brackets were drawn. .... So, THANK YOU to both teams. Now, can someone give me directions to Maryville's stadium from Chattanooga?? Thanks.

I think Liberty is an up and coming power in West Tennessee. Gonna be fun watching that program develop. ..... Looks like another tough sked, which you need to toughen up for the playoffs. .... Henry County is a 5A school in Paris that has been down in recent years but made a good coaching change last year and could be on the rise.

Back in the old days -- before 2-8 teams could make the watered-down playoffs -- games were played at neutral sites. In 1976, Union City played Memphis Mitchell on what was considered a neutral field: UTM's (don't laugh; it wasn't always in bad shape). .... I don't mind the first three rounds being played at one of the team's home field, but I think we have enough good stadiums, be they nearby high schools; small, mid or large colleges; or even a pro stadium, to play the semifinals at neutral sites. ..... When you look at Liberty Bowl and Rothrock in West Tennessee, Vandy, MTSU, TSU, APSU and even The Coliseum in Middle Tennessee, and of course The REALLY Big House in K-ville, plus all of the smaller colleges and large high schools I didn' mention, there is more than enough places for neutral site semifinal games. ..... Just a thought. (Pssst, if someone ever tells the Lords of the T$$AA that more seats can translate into more money, they just might take this idea into consideration. ..... $7 for a ticket, jeez)

I attended the game with my brother and the older of his two sons. We saw a hard-hitting, exciting playoff game. But, I want to say one quick thing about the game (and, apologies to JSS fans beforehand) -- The game wasn't as close as the score indicated. Greenbrier missed two relatively chip-shot field goals and then was stopped on the goal line. The score could have easily been 27-7 b/c JSS really didn't threaten to score other than their one TD. Greenbrier is a wel-coached team that plays a solid ball-control offense and has a strong defense. Teams like that are hard to beat. Congrats to both teams. The quarterfinals is farther than a lot of teams made it, and the semis bring Greenbrier one step closer to The 'Boro. This week, we'll travel East to Maryville to catch the Maryville-Tennessee game on Friday night and then the UT-UK game on Sat. ..... Semifinal night should be a blast all across the state.

Del .... Let me know how I can send my mailing address without it getting all over coachT .... I'm not a "Plus" member (someday soon, hopefully), so let me know how I can contact ya. .... Thanks

Mayor Bumparoo of Bump City

Del .... Just wondering what you've found out about sending your school's game night programs to those of us who have asked. ... Thanks

It should be noted that the new UTM coach and his staff are trying to recruit West Tennessee players, but they are also battling that mind-set of UTM being a loser program. I know from a person entrenched in the UTM program that the school is trying to get local talent for football, but many players refuse to go b/c they don't want to be associated with UTM. ... And, there are West Tenn H.S. coaches who still carry a grudge and a chip on their shoulder about treatment from past coaches. There is one area coach who absolutely refused to even talk to UTM about one of his stud players. So, instead of asking why UTM isn't recruiting locally, why doesn't someone ask that particular coach if he is going to pay the tuition of his stud player, who went on to walk on at another program. .... UTM has a bad reputation, and it will take time to get past that. But, if UTM's coaches are wiling to make the effort, then the H.S. coaches in this area should be willing to do so, too. A scholarship at UTM, an OVC school, is better than no scholarship at all.

Having sat right beside occhsfan in the front row in section GG, and having known him for many many years, I agree with his assessment. UTM is just not a quality program right now. Hopefully, someday.

Three blades of grass .... That's funny right there. ... And true.

I agree with you. Every school should have a sports website, if for no other reason than to post rosters, schedules and scores so fans not in the immediate area can keep tabs on their alma maters, favorite teams, etc. .... Most newspapers, radio stations and TV stations have sites that cover those topics, but more and more of these are going to online subscription, and who really wants to mess with that junk??? Several weeks ago, right here on CoachT, a regular to these boards put out a feeler about a West Tennessee prep website, with info on all of the teams West of the Tenn. River. I love that idea and have promised to send him info on the three high schools in Obion County. I'm hoping something comes of it soon. Again, you're right on the money. All schools need sports websites. Let's keep this topic rolling, and hopefully it will draw some attention and interest. That said, CoachT and other statewide websites dedicated to high school sports link up to the many sites already devoted to particular schools. Keep on looking; you'll find some good ones out there.

Ya know, I started reading this post, not realizing what dates were on it at the beginning. After four pages, and seeing one of my own posts, I finally figured out how old this post was!!! Anyway, I'll also be interested in seeing how the new regions shake out. The Jackson Sun is anticipating Houston County to be moved into Region 6-2A next year, so I wonder what that would do to SC and the rivalry between those teams. Anyway, just to let y'all know a little something about SCHS. I went to see two of their games this season -- one on the road, one at home and both were losses. But, I saw some kids who looked like athletes in their uniforms. And, I'll say something else about SCHS and its facilities: EXCELLENT. If my wife and I ever plan to move, Dover would be a pretty good place to go. The school is fantastic and run by some outstanding people (and I'm not just saying that so they'll buy more of my products), and all of the athletic facilities are top-notch. Good luck to the Black and Gold!!

I think this is the second time Oak Hill has been at this event. It's a great showcase of high school basketball put together by a true friend of the game in Coach Steve Woodward. He used to be at Massac Co., Ill., and had the event there. But, despite Massac Co. being a fairly good-sized school and gym, the event simply grew too big. When he was hired as the AD at Marshall Co. Ky., he moved the event the Marshals' gym, which has around-the-court seating. They bring in some of the best local, regional and national talent. I think Woodward has an agreement with Oak Hill to bring in OH about every two years simply b/c OH is in such demand to play in events all around the country. Anyway, if you get a chance to go to this event, do it. It'll be worth your time. Great event, and Woodward is a great guy.

I think the Lady Rebs will be very good this year. It might take a little time to really get rolling under a new coach, but I'm a Suiter fan and think he will do a good job if people will give him a chance to develop his program. I think there's some good established talent on the team now, and don't be surprised of some of the younger players push seriously for playing time. If nothing else, they're presence will make the vets better. My favorite player is JD, so I hope she has a great year, and if Abby can keep that knee healthy, she should provide stability and leadership.

Union City won AA titles in 1990 and 1992 and got to the substate in 1991 with what was probably the best team of the three (two injuries to top players in the regionals proved too muh to overcome). .... And, perhaps the best team NOT to win a title was Union City in 1960, led by future Vandy star John Ed Miller was 31-0 going into the title game.

Sometimes, I use "bumparoo" or "bumpola" or "bumpski" or "bumpenstein" or "bumpster" or possibly even "King Bumperman of Bumperlonia" ..... sometimes, I just go "bump" But, I agree: The bad language has gotta go.

bumparoo

We're gonna have to go see Dorman (SC) or Valdosta (Ga.) sometime. .... Lex-MC was a fun game, good atmosphere and some pretty cool fans. I really did my best to set your son up with that cute little blonde Oh well, maybe next time. .... Looking forward to this week, wherever we go. ..... Oh yeah, Liberty vs. Murray. Again, congrats to Liberty. Gonna be fun watching that program grow and get better.

Regular season, my friend. Regular season. I actually have a playoff one from the Lexington-Marshall County game.

It's becoming a landslide for Westview-Milan. .... I'll keep checking as the week moves on.

Dittos on that Grundy game program thing. I'd love to have one, too. ..... e-mail me through coacht, and I'll send ya my mailing address.

Well, I'm already making plans to come see Tenn-Maryville in the semifinals, since me and some family will be in that neck of the woods for the UT-UK game on Sat. Will probably stay at my bro's Chatt. apartment and make the drive up both nights. .... By the way, someone give me directions to Maryville stadium coming from Chatt. Either post here or simply e-mail me through coacht. ..... Not to be looking ahead, but see y'all at M'ville in THREE WEEKS!!!

And, by the way, $7 for a playoff ticket and then another $3 for the program??? Don't tell me the T$$AA doesn't make a little cash on the postseason.