NWTennSports

UH-OH! .... UH-OH! .... UH-OH! Did anyone see Memphis Manassas hanging around in the Class 1A football classification? If I saw it right, that is the only Memphis public school in 1A. The sensible thing to do would put Manassas in a region that included Middleton and Fayette Academy. But, again, when was the last time anything like that happened at the TSSAA headquarters??? Don't be shocked if the TSSAA comes up with a region that tries to connect Union City, Halls and Manassas (remember what I said about Hwy. 51). After all, this same brilliant mindset at the TSSAA that currently has a basketball district that includes Middle College of Memphis, Trenton Peabody and Lake County. Maybe Manassas will play up. It's not like they're ever gonna win anything anyway.

OK, I'm writing down all your picks b/c they sound pretty good and b/c I'm in about 153rd place in the Big Ones Contest.

Ok, first of all, you are all assuming the TSSAA will do something that makes sense. When's the last time that happened? .... All of your alignments have merits, which mean none of them will be used by the TSSAA. Remember, this is the same organization that said it was basing its football alignments for postseason on the least possible travel in the opening rounds and then had a region-region pairing that would have potentially put Stewart County (near Ky. border at Land Between Lakes) in a first-round football matchup with a team EAST of Chattanooga. .... The TSSAA will use, again, Highway 51 as its dividing point for all things west of the Tennessee River. .... The idea of a North-South split with Jackson as the dividing line -- an idea that makes perfect sense -- is one the TSSAA won't consider unless all other options fail. And, don't be surprised if USJ gets a free ride in the new alignment. After all, doesn't Ronnie C. have a relative on the coaching staff there? ...... Again, all of you who have posted came up with great ideas and scenarios .... which means none of them will be used. As far as UC moving down to 1A .... I'm back-and-forth on this one. I think it's probably about time for the basketball team. UC's current hoop situation reminds me of the early and mid 1970s, when the classes were Large and Small and UC, which had good teams, could not advance b/c they were playing the likes of JCM and Haywood in the regionals. Now, a small UC school has the likes of Haywood, Covington, etc. (schools twice its size) in the regionals. So, 1A in hoops with flexibility in the sked to keep some of their traditional rivals is good. Besides, it will help the competitiveness and scheduling of the other NW Tenn. 1A schools. As for football, UC is way down right now and 1A might be the short-term answer to get the program going again. But, UC is a 2A school in football. It's facilities are built for 2A and above. Its a shame to see them drop down from that standpoint. And, I've been told that the school's enrollment numbers are being brought down by one class -- this year's senior class which has less than 100 kids. All other classes in the system right now, except for one in the elementary school, have over 100 kids. So, a 1A move might not last long.

Yes, I'd be interested in a fantasy league. Someone here in my town has put together a league the last two years and I've meant to join both times but never get around to it. ..... Just one thing, though: Is there a special prize for someone being so bad that he/she finishes last in both his own league and someone else's, too, b/c I'm sure that person would be me.

Well, you can bet the OC fans will be trying to pick up those McKenzie stations broadcasting the game, if possible, since the brainiacs at The Station Formerly Known As The Voice Of The (OC) Rebels have decided that a roundup show in one of the state's most rural areas beats play-by-play coverage. .... That noise you hear is the sound of that OC radio station's profits going down the drain. .... Thanks for the info on the McK radio stations. Good luck to both Rebels Friday night. I'll be there ... in the Rebels' section .... cheering for the Rebels.

WOW! .... Kevin, that's quite a tradition going on there in the mountains of NC. Makes me want to go check out some of those teams. .... Thanks for all the info.

I think the person is wondering if Milan will rebound from losing in the semifinals last year after being generally considered the favorite all season to win the2A state title. Ya see, a semifinal loss makes for a very disappointing loss at Milan.

To the Rev. at Mitchell .... Congrats on all you're trying to do there. You havea tough and uphill job. So, keep up the good work. But .... Isn't Mitchell in the TSSAA doghouse for running illegal scrimmages; hasn't there been some sort of coaching scandal at Melrose nearly every year for the past decade; isn't it common knowledge at the inner-city schools that a college football coach seeking the service of one of those school's studs has to grease the palm of the player's H.S. coach before he can even get in the door; and isn't it a Memphis inner-city school that is the epicenter of the current U. of Alabama football scandal, which has the FBI wasting its time investigating that instead of catching terrorists within our own borders? I'm not saying these things don't happen everywhere, and I'm not jumping on the MIAA, but it seems those incidents are common in those schools. And, back to the point of the board, if these schools want to change their image and the way they do things, quitting in the middle of anything, football game or whatever, is not the answer. Now, since I am the one who steered this board off the topic, let me apologize for that. And, being a fair person, I will say there are many good things about Memphis: Beale Street and Graceland, The Pyramid and FedExForum, AutoZone Park. And, perhaps the city's greatest gift to its people, the people of Tennessee and throughout the nation: St. Judes. They do great work there. I take back what I said about Memphis falling into the Miss. River. I don't want the whole city to go under ..... just Orange Mound.

I agree with the post that said its tough to compare teams from different eras. Back in the old days, there were no classifications and players wore leather helmets. But, just about all of them weighed under 200 lbs. That 1925 Point-A-Minute MBA team was, w/o a doubt, dominant for its era, but would it beat the MBA teams of today? I know of schools in my neck of the woods that had undefeated teams and played when there were no classifications, but those teams would be hard-pressed to beat a mediocre single-A team today. Nothing against any of those teams, but the eras have changed and the game has changed. .... Also, the playoff format has kind of skewed the argument as well. I know of some very good teams from the 1970s and 1980s who didn't get to show their stuff on a statewide stage b/c the state only took one team from each DISTRICT for the playoffs. Of course, had those teams been truly worthy of mention, they would have earned that one playoff spot when they had the chance. .... That said, if a list is compiled, any of the Brentwood Academy teams in the 1970s, '80s and early '90s have to be considered. After all, this is the program that made the TSSAA change its classification philosophy. The public-private debate has its roots planted firmly in Carlton Flatt's front yard. If his teams had been just so-so, do you think we'd be debating public-private to the extent we are now??

Well, I think it's something like this: The first three rounds pit two regions against each other (Reg. 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, and 7 vs. 8). That means you have eight teams, four from each region, facing off in the first three rounds. The first round is hosted by the higher seed, and the following rounds have a designated host, unless two teams from the same region play each other, which means the host team is the higher seed. Your semifinal games pit the teams that come out of those first three rounds, meaning the winner of the Region 1-2 matchups faces the winner of the Region 3-4 games, and the Reg. 5-6 winner plays the 7-8 winner. The TSSAA doesn't really say it (maybe b/c they don't want to admit that it's similar to the Kentucky format), but the first three rounds could be called the Sectional. ..... I think.

@38230 .... Thanks for the info on Camden's stadium. It's been a long time since I was there, and you've given me a reason to go back. Thanks again. Also, I understand K. Ward's doing a fine job with the team this year. So, there's another reason to go. I'll make the trip there soon. ...... Also, as far as me mentioning some of stadiums as being a little plain, it's not meant as a knock. I'm just a fan of those old concrete stadiums.

Two more great sites with the Owls and Blaze. I wish every Tenn. H.S. had sites as informative and attractive as the ones that have been mentioned on this board. Good luck to all those schools.

Rebels - 41 Rebels - 31

Greenville and WH. .... Two more great sites. ..... BTW, to WH, in another post, I mentioned my favorite stadiums. I had forgotten a trip many years ago to White House. Great place and atmosphere. .... Never been to Greenville, but there has to be a pretty good story about that corner of the endzone that goes uphill.

Tell ya what, after the last two bowl games by UT, I'll take Drunk Johnny over Fat Fulmer any day. .... Must have been happy hour at the scrimmage.

If you want to see a team that has pulled off the Purple and Gold look, check out the home uniforms of Union City. It's one of the best H.S. football uniforms I've seen. The gold is Vegas Gold. Purple jerseys with a thick gold stripe on each side, gold pants and a gold helmet with purple facemask. You oughta head out to War Memorial to take a look. The road uniforms will look good, too. .... Also in West State, Obion Central's new home uniforms are good. I normally don't like black in a uniform, especially when it's not a school color, but it looks good as trim on that jersey and helmet.. ..... Lake Co. has new ones this year and the home has a green-on-green that I didn't think I'd like but looked pretty good in a photo I saw. I'll reserve full judgment until I see in person. ..... McKenzie has a nice look, too. ... I'm not a fan of the same color pants and jersey, so I'm no big fan of Huntingdon's all-gold, but their home uniforms are good. ..... Westview used to have nice ones, but the screwed them up a few years ago. .... Humboldt has really screwed up a good look if what I saw them wear in a recent jamboree is the new look. Talk about taking a nice color scheme and uniform look and screwing it up as much as possible. UG-LY. .... I agree with the person who liked USJ uniforms.

Union City has a great stadium and overall facility with its fieldhouse and indoor practice facility. Many colleges should be so lucky. .... Same for Obion Central. What was once one of the worst facilities around is now one of the best, also with a fantastic indoor facility and great seating sections on both sides. ..... South Fulton is building a new stadium/fieldhouse, which will make it the the class of Class 1A in NW Tenn. ..... I love the old concrete stadiums at Humboldt, Bruceton, Huntingdon and Milan, because of the history and tradition at those places. ..... Dyer County's new place is nice, but a little plain. ..... I understand some of the new stadiums in Jackson are good, and USJ has a great place, but also a little plain. Rothrock in Jackson drips with tradition. .... Lexington has a nice place, too. .... And, there are some great facilities in places like Briarcrest, MUS, Germantown and White Station. ..... Well, there's a quick tour of West Tennessee. Enjoy the trip.

Well, I'll add my whip to the dead horse: Maybe Westview, Manassas, Trenton, Huntingdon and Covington could all tell big bad Jimmy T. at Milan that they'll play their games with Milan this year only if Milan will travel to their home fields. That way, Milan could host five band competitions on those nights.

Well, my nomination would be better off in the "shoulda been great" category: Mario McElrath of Union City in 1999 and 2000. ... Had a great breakout season as a sophomore when starter in front of him was booted off team, won Mr. Football as a junior, leading Golden Tornadoes to state title game, but was then booted himself for a gun-related incident. On the bright side, he's one of the greatest running backs in the history of our state's juvenile correctional facilities.

Great post. Hope fans will follow the advice. I used to be one of "those" fans many years ago (when I was young and stupid; now, I'm not so young ). Then, a couple of things happened: I actually started to listen to those fans around me (and what was coming out of my mouth, too; and, I became a father. If my child ever becomes involved in sports, I just hope I don't have to listen to those bad things. Again, great post.

This is off-topic, but since Briarcrest was mentioned, and because I've seen posts about best and worst stadiums, I have to say that the SportsPlex at the new Briarcrest school is awesome. I first saw it when the Spring Fling first came to Memphis. Great place.

Chew.... Thanks for the info. I've added it to my favorites list. It is a great site, very informative.

You know, I'm a little tired of this classification stuff and the public-private debate. Why don't the Lords of the TSSAA grow a pair and either go for a full split or none at all. As far as classification, a state with more hoops-playing schools than football-playing ones crowning FIVE public-school football champs and only three in hoops doesn't make a lot of sense. The TSSAA should go four-classes for football and basketball and be done with it. Any postseason money lost by dropping an entire class in football would probably be more than made up with an extra class in hoops. The TSSAA needs to step up and make a decision. Maybe if all the Lords' kids didn't go to private schools in the Nashville area, the decisions would be much easier, hmmmm??? Oh, and by the way, when the TSSAA makes out the new districts and regions this fall, they might want to try looking at a map. Not all 4-lane roads are good, and not all 2-lane roads are bad. And, make no mistake, a lot of the alignments are based on the Tennessee Highway System.

Hey, that might be true, but if you've got it, spend it. And, if you're gonna spend it, then spend it on sports!!

Lets face it: When talking about Milan football, the question is not how good they'll be, but how far they'll go. Semis are almost a guarantee every year and Murfreesboro is a road trip, not a goal at that football factory. Morris is adding to the Bulldog tradition every year. .... And, I'm not even a Bulldog fan! In fact, when I was in H.S. (too many years ago to tell), it was Milan who knocked my school out of the playoffs every year it seemed. On those rare occasions of beating them, we acted like we just won the Super Bowl, which, in fact, we had. The 'Dogs, Humboldt and Huntingdon, now there's a scary trio for the rest of West State's 2A schools.