crystal5puppy

Another highly informative and intelligent post from a JC student-athlete. If it takes a post on a message board to fire you up for a region game, than you are clearly in the wrong sport. Does JC offer intramural sports? Maybe a chessclub? Please do your school a favor and look into something a little less competitive.

Gee, was the sun in your eyes too? Please whine and make excuses elsewhere. The bottom line is we have beat JC 3 years straight. My response was merely to point out that the poster that indicated that assuming JC will beat Karns in 2007 is ridiculous. In fact, assuming JC will beat anyone in 2007 is ridiculous. You can cling to the past as much as you want (JC4life), but the bottom line is your program is closer to the likes of Campbell County than DB at this point in time. If JC is in the position to predict wins and talk trash, then Karns is certainly in position to do the same. By the way, the JC team we beat in 2004 was a pretty solid team. You had your phenom back and some talented players. Cry all you want about the decision to go for 2, but we beat you up front on both sides of the ball that night.

That is ironic. Karns has handled JC the last 3 years, and we have that game already circled with a W next to it for next year. The time for JC to beat Karns was this year, when they had a very young team. Counting on wins against anyone except for Cocke and Campbell county is extremely wishfull thinking in my opinion.

Great post WaCoJaCo. I think that we all discussed the fact that reion 2 was stronger and deeper than region 1. I am not at all suprised that WB knocked off DB. As a Big East fan, I have a lot of respect for the DB program and its tradition. I have said before that the head coach, while I am sure a great leader of young men, consistently get less out of more than any other head coach in east tennessee come playoff time. In my opinion, Coach Clark coaches "not to lose" instead of coaching to win. I also think he is subpar when it comes to making halftime adjustments. I distinctly remember sitting in the stands during the big upset game against Karns, discussing with other fans our hope that Coach Clark would continue to pass virtually every play, instead of running the draw plays that were consistently working against our defensive front (we where rushing 3, sometimes only 2, and dropping back into zones to stop the pass). Sure enough, the passing continued, fumbles and interceptions ensued, and the game was over. DB has the talent to go further in the playoffs. I am not sure that will happen with this staff. Great won/loss records and region titles may or may not be a sufficient consolation.

I am a tried and true fan of the Big East and I will be rooting for all 4 teams to advance to the next round. That being said, I think we need to be realistic. Region 2 is much stronger and deeper than Region 1. Has been this way for a few years now. DB does not have the benefit of an easy #1 vs. #4 matchup. Every game from here on out will be difficult. I do not question DB's talent, but I do have a couple of concerns. First, I do not think DB has played a tough schedule. The only win of significance this year would be against a solid Sevier County squad. The win against Oak Ridge (QB healthy or not) does not count as impressive this year. OR was way down this year, and IMHO did not post a quality win all season. The defense for DB is very good and should keep them in games. I do question whether their offense is good enough to win against a quality opponent. They are very vanilla on offense, not to mention conservative. The offense will have to step it up significantly if they are going to make a run deep into the playoffs.

Good post osunut2. Fair question but there are no easy answers. My son started for 3 years at Karns. His sophmore year (the last year under Kesselring) the team went 1-9. Fulkerson came in and the next 2 years the team went 4-6 with the team making the playoffs in his senior year. Both of the teams in his junior and senior year were competitive, solid football teams with a fair amount of talent. Couple of breaks here and there and they could of been over .500. Those teams had some nice wins over traditional power programs (DB, Jefferson County, Sevier County, Science Hill, Powell). When a program is on the bottom, it takes a tremendous amount of energy, dedication, and patience to turn things around. You cannot build tradition and sustained success over a few years. Karns does not have a middle school program and that is a negative. Hopefully, the coaching staff can remain intact and some stability and continuity will pay dividends for the program.

As I have previously posted, DB will roll in this one. This game always triggers a fond memory for the Karns players and parents that were present for the upset of the #1 Indians a few years back. David rising up and punching Goliath squarely in the mouth. The Coaches put together a beautiful game plan and the kids executed with emotion and precision. The framed headline and story reside on the wall in my sons room to this day. There is nothing like highschool football.

No worries DB fans. Karns is very young this year. The team we had that pulled the upset was a veteran laden team that played physical football. Lots of underclassmen on this years team trying to learn the wishbone. DB should roll easily at home.

Looks like this game (if both teams beat Campbell County as expected) will be for the last spot in the Big East. Should be a interesting matchup. Karns is improving as the season goes along. How are the Toppers playing at this point in the season?

The News Sentinel published notes and documents regarding the alleged grade changing that ocurred at Powell. I do not know what did happen, but to read the documents one can only infer that there is a deep problem within administration at Powell HS. It seems like it was not just this Vice Principal, and it was not just lowered standards for Lee Smith. The longer this drags on and the more that is revealed, the worse this looks for Powell. HTV, what do the locals think about this mess?

Wondering what the early returns are regarding Lowe and the Panthers. Through 3 games, the lack of offense is what has me most concerned. Was Lowe the offensive coordinator for Stephens? Looking at the schedule, the games at West and at Clinton should determine the last 2 seeds. West and Clinton seem like they are improved this year. Halls and South Doyle should be wins. Either way, it seems like 5 wins might be the base case scenario this year for Powell. What does Lowe need to change for the Panthers to improve over the last 7 games?

HTV, I see your point but I am not sure what Fulkerson could change to suit those who did not like him. He is a plain talking, tobacco chewing, old football coach. His players love him and play hard for him. I am sure that he is oblivious to what he is saying that is even offending these individuals. The guy can be sarcastic and tells it like it is. I am not sure he can turn it on and off. I spent many afternoons observing practice and I never heard him curse or belittle a player. He can be animated and will let you know what he thinks of your effort. I am guessing that Knox County is pandering to the few "sensitive souls" roaming the halls at Karns.

My son played for Coach Fulkerson for 2 years. He is a solid coach and has helped the program gain some respectability. He is not a smoothe talker. He can be blunt, and is not someone that worries about being politically correct. IMHO, Karns Admin and Knox county need to either realize and accept this, or cut him loose because I don't think this 50 year old football coach is going to change his personality anytime soon. It is sad, because it seems like those that do not like him are looking for opportunies to hang him.

PantherFan87, Please don't lump me in with other posts or people on this board. I never called anyone moronic. I was not quick to criticize, merely posting facts. I apologize if I was not accurate on the seedings. As far as Karns goes, my point was not to try to compare the 2 programs. You cannot make a comparison. Karns is not blessed with even close to the talent that has come through the Powell program in the last 5 years. My point was that Powell had a chance to go in a new direction when Stephens resigned. They could have brought someone in from outside the program with fresh ideas. Instead, they chose to promote a coach off of a staff that has managed to get less out of its talent than any program in East Tennessee the past few years. Webb has no business beating Powell the last 4 years. I think if you looked at it without prejudice, all the research in the world cannot justify the performance over the last 5 years.

It is good to see that some things will never change. Coach Lowe and his determined Panthers managed to lose, yet again, to an undersized and less talented Webb team. The Powell program is proof positive that no matter how many DI players or talented transfers that end up on your roster, you still have to show up and execute on the field to win. There is simply no comparison. GQ suspends 2 starters and still manages to beat one of the most talented squads in East Tennessee. Helton takes a very young Central team and blows out a well regarded 5A Farragut team. And Powell does what..... Powell always seems to do. Underperform. No worries though; bring on Clinton, South Doyle, etc. and Powell will sneak into the playoffs as a 4 seed, just in time to exit after a first round loss.

How will Karns do this year? I am not familiar with the talent they have returning, but I am doubtful they can continue to make strides this year. They lost some talented lineman from last years team, and I don't know if they have the athletes or the team speed to continue to improve. Can someone close to the program give us a rundown on what Coach Fulkerson has to work with this year? Thanks.

Fine posts by Pigskin & ZCAR. In my opinion there are 2 seperate issues here. First, the young man involved. Of course everyone makes mistakes (I sure have made my share). But please do not compare bad attitudes and laziness with endangering the life of another human being by driving drunk. Thank God nobody was seriously injured. My point regarding Lee is that there seems to be a pattern of escalating behavior that has not been dealt with until this time. I do believe the adults in his life should have addressed some of these issues prior to the latest incident. Second, I agree with the assessment that HTV is an intelligent and factual poster on this board. I happen to believe that someone with the knowledge and intelligence that he seems to posess regarding the Powell program has a duty to be more than a cheerleader for the school and community of Powell. You can still be loyal to those you care about as well as willing to call them out when they do not perform up to their abilities. Honesty and integrity are not items of convenience tied to when times are good.

I actually have to give Fulmer some credit for his decision. Obviously Daddy, nor anyone on the Powell coaching staff ever had the cajones to lay down the law with this kid. Fulmer had to do what should have been done a long time ago. This is the exact reason that Powell needed to bring in someone from the outside to replace Stephens. Powell football trots out consistent DI talent, and then underperforms in the won/loss column with undisciplined teams. The whole program needs an overhaul. Unfortunately, HTV and the Powell fans prefer business as usual.

HTV, It must be difficult to see the forest with all those trees in the way. Transition year? You must be kidding me. The year Powell lost to Karns happened to be the first year for Coach Fulkerson. Apparently, he did not need the transition year. Isn't that where a great staff earns their money? Stephens transition should have been smoothe since he had such a quality, experienced staff. Agreed that no one else in the region has beaten Maryville and Powell. Of course, no other team in the region has been blessed with 5 DI players, as well as numerous other college level players on their roster. Lowe was part of a underachieving program, plain and simple. The team lacked discipline, consistency, and execution time and time again. Root for him all you want. If they choose the home boy, it will be more of the same for Powell, and the work that needs to be done will not get done at all.

I will offer one more post on the topic on the mere chance that "powell fans" will address my main question. First off, I think you can be a fan, while still expecting excellence from the coaching staff. I find it incredulous that most of the "powell fans" on these threads regurgitate the same nonsense about how great the coaching staff has been these past few years. How can anyone say that with a straight face, knowing that there has been at least 5 DI prospects on the powell roster over the last 3 years, and yet the team has not had a significant win during that time period. You can be a fan, and still face the facts head on. HTV, Kelly, etc., has Powell underachieved the past 3-4 years in your opinion? If so, how much responsibility for the lack of achievement lies with the coaches?

Leonardslosers, You have a broad base of knowledge when it comes to HS football in East Tennessee and I would love to hear your thoughts. In your opinion, has the coaching staff at PHS gotten the most out of their talent in the last 3-4 years? While football games are not played on paper, I think Powell has had the overwhelming edge in the talent dept over Webb (as well as most of their region opponenets). Webb wins because they are better prepared, and they execute better in all phases of the game. I have no problem with Powell alums having pride in their school and their program. I also have no problem with their preference in Lowe getting the job. I however, would LOVE to see some rational discussion as to the reasons he should get the job, as well as some acknowledgement of the underperformance of PHS football the last few years.

Wow. Take the time to read through the 2 threads on this topic (that have been closed) and it will be obvious to all why Powell will always be 3rd or worse in the region. The people closest to the situation (that should care the most) are so obsessed with the new coach being a "Powell" guy, that they get personal with anyone that suggests that the most qualified candidate should get the job, regardless of zip code. Apparently, once you are a part of the Powell coaching staff, you are branded a first rate football coach, and you are no longer judged on a production basis. Powell alums are very proud (they should be) of the number of DI prospects that have come throught the football program in the last 3 to 4 years. Yet, those same alums continue to bury their heads in the sand, with no explanation as to why the talent has not equated to a breakthrough in the region. "Great" staffs mold a team that is stronger than the sum of its parts. Powell teams have proven to be just the opposite. When Webb continually beats you with a team full of 5"10, 180 pound players running the veer, you cannot claim staff superiority. Hopefully the adminstration will do the right thing and hire the most qualified candidate.

HTV, Let me first say that I know you are in tune with what is happening in Powell and that you are close to the people involved. If Powell is happy with the status quo, that is fine. Please spare me with the talk about the new head coach needing to have the respect of the assistants from the beginning. Fulkerson came to Karns from Farragut. He was not the "peoples choice" to replace Keselring. Two coordinators from Karns quit as soon as Fulkerson was hired. Fulkerson came in to do a job, and do it his way, and if you wanted to be a part of it you got on board. You don't hire (whether it be a head coach or a CEO) a leader based on how happy he/she will make the assistant coaches feel. The assistant coaches at Powell may very well be top notch. Stephens was well liked and respected. But the bottom line is the team has underperformed based on its talent level the last 3 years. Anyone familiar with the skill players and Lineman that Powell has trotted onto the field lately would admit that it would stack up very nicely against Maryville and Central. Great coaches and staffs get the most out of their talent. The staff at Powell has not done that. To think otherwise is akin to further burying your head in the sand.

I am not assuming that Coach Lowe will be hired. In fact, I think that even though that is the safe hire, it would be a mistake. As far as possible bad blood between staffs, if the higher ups at Powell place a high priority on that when considering who to hire, then they might as well just promote someone from the current staff. IMHO, Powell needs to shake things up and bring in someone from the outside that has fresh ideas. Based on the talent that has been there the lat 3-4 years, the Panthers have underachieved. Powell typicall beats who they should (except for Webb), and loses to Central and Maryville every year. Pencil them in for 3 to 4 losses a year, and a loss in the 2nd round of the playoffs. That is fine for talent poor teams, but how many D1 signees do you need to have before you can break through and win a game you are supposed to lose?