fairplay2121

I don't think success late had a thing to do with #3. I think it had to do with finding weak spots on the SC defense and balance. I have said all along that there needs to be a better mix of these three getting the ball. But #3 is no better. All three run hard. That and a pretty good O-line made the difference IMO since you asked.

Nice to see a Halls fan making their first post. I am not sure about stomping and mud holes but I hope Halls can control the line of scrimmage and contain the SC passing game from making big plays. I like the series with SC. It gives the team a chance to play a great team. It doesn't pad stats, but I think it is better to play a good opponent and lose than it is to play someone that shouldn't have a chance of winning. Those games feel like "nothing to gain and everything to lose" situations. Halls has always tried to play good teams that travel well when they come to our house. It is a good trade off. I picked Halls to win, but I think it will feel like a very close and physical game into the fourth quarter.

I think the whole QB thing is over rated. Tyler did not pass much when he was in. He only ran the ball once. I think we miss Tyler more in the secondary.

I am not sure if anyone knows how Halls will respond to last week. On one hand, they appeared to fade or quit late when adversity and fatigue hit. On the other hand, I think they may have been tired. They played two full scrimmages, a jamboree and the Maryville game within 10 days in 90 degreee heat with several players going both ways. This on top of the fact that they were at the end of their 2nd full week since school started. I am not trying to make excuses but I am trying to see if evidence points to fatigue. They were not outside practicing yesterday (rain) and they had JV-Freshmen games on Monday. Both probably resulted in more mental/less physical practices and no new injuries. By gametime this Friday night they will have played one game in 14 days. I hope and expect to see a stronger team to the end. It was a tight game last year and I think both teams are improved this year. The key for Halls will be stopping the pass. Some might think I am way out in left field, but I am going to say... Halls 28 SC 14

It should be a great game if Halls 1) Get over a tough loss and 2) Get some guys in the secondary back on the field. I am sure SC will continue to work the pass as usual.

Nothing but class. Rant on.

We are very thin in the secondary. The backups are hard workers IMO, but talent and experience drops off. #2 and #10 would have helped us last night. They should be back eventually. Now #4 is out for a while too. I heard he has a high ankle sprain. Where is ZCAR? Haven't heard his take on things in a while.

You ask what we think... here goes. Yes, we could have still lost the game even with Kitts in the lineup. Fatigue on the line was a big deal IMO. I think cooler weather will show some improvement in our stamina as a team and especially on the line. I agree with you in many cases Ironman, but I think #3 is different than #6 but, not better. In the scrimmages I saw, #3 went down easier and broke fewer tackles than #6 or #23. I think #3 hits the hole when he sees it slightly faster than #6, but is less likely to make a play when there is no hole. I am also not sure how well the opposite back runs when #3 is in the game. Could blocking be an issue? I don't know. I do know that each runs a little different and I like to mix it up. Like I said on another thread, Halls needs to rotate them more. I did notice that #6 and #23 played very little if any defense and #3 played a lot of defense. Pixley and McGill played alot of defense as well. Perhaps it is an effort to keep players fresh. We are so thin in the secondary due to injury. We are going to have to throw a few deep balls, even if they are incomplete, just to keep teams from loading the box.

To me spoiled is assuming that everyone has bottomless pockets because that is all you have experienced. Halls has been leaders in test scores and in many other categories in adademics in this area. They have done this in a school that has been overcrowed and lacking in needed renovations for years. Knox Co. has different rules. Sometimes you have to be West of I-75 to get help with anything from the county government. Furthermore, privately raising money in a low to middle income region at a 4A school of 1050 is not as easy as it might be some other places. It has taken years for Halls to finally get an upgraded fieldhouse and it will furnished in stages. I have been to several games that have been oversold. I have been to several games that have seen clock and scoreboard issues. Maybe Maryville is exempt from these problems. I am sorry that many did not have a seat. I am sorry that many had to walk from Walmart to get to the game. I am sorry that several didn't get in the gate til after the 1st Quarter because of slow ticket lines. I am sure Maryville has worked hard for what they have. I guarentee you that many in Halls have worked hard as well. To me, spoiled is thinking all have because you have. America in general is spoiled. I am done with my sermon. Maryville has great fans I always enjoy the interaction when we play you guys. Congrats on the win. Maybe we will see you in Nov.

Those who are spoiled, rarely realize they are spoiled. Now to the game... Ironman, Halls faded late. It could be heart or it could be that we are playing several both ways in 90 degree heat. But "Cry Babies." We are thin on depth just about everywhere. I though #6 played hard. He had around 90 yards against a highly regarded defense plus another 80 on 3 KO returns. He had most of the yards to set up #3's TD. I like #3. He plays hard both ways when needed and he runs hard. But to assume that he would get 15 yards on every play if he got more carries is silly. That being said, I did expect to see a more of a rotation at RB to show the defense different looks. But I am not the coach. I think everyone could see that Halls threw 1 screen pass in the entire first half. Maryville put 8 or 9 in the box and dared Halls to throw. Halls declined until desperation set in late. Halls better get used to seeing defenses do this. Halls did not take advantage of the mistakes Maryville made. (And they made a few.) Lucky bounces all seemed to go Maryville's way. (tipped passes, fumbles) Maryville is vulnerable in some places. If they run the table, it will be GQ's best coaching job yet. That is not meant as a knock. They are still a good team. They played hard when they were down. Halls did appear to either get tired or give up when they finally got behind late. I thought the Halls offense self destructed. The defensive stand someone mentioned earlier wasn't a strong defensive effort. It was 1st and 10 from the 15 and Halls fumbled twice and missed throwing to a wide open reciever before missing the field goal try. Congrats Maryville. Maybe we will see you again in post season and have several players back who were out or limited tonight. I hope #4 just has a sprain and no break.

I noticed the news sentinel tried to build some drama for the game by talking about Maryville's injury issues. I am afraid Halls has more injuries for this game than Maryville. I don't think Halls has the depth to overcome injuries as well as Maryville. I hope both teams can get through this game without additional injuries.

Terrible News!!! Please offer prayers on behalf of the family of the student killed as well as the family of the shooter. Both families must be distraught.

My understanding is that the gates will be manned early. The concession stand has been serving some pretty good Bar-B-Q at the scrimmage games. There should be hot dogs and hamburgers as well. Kobe's and Gondolier are probably the best restaraunts in Halls right now but there are plenty of options. As for the game, I hope it is a good game that showcases a great region. I think these two teams could likely meet again, so win or lose I hope Halls doesn't get too high or too low afterward. There is lots of football left to play. With Maryville's better passer out, I will change my prediction a little. Maryville 21 Halls 10

I love the enthusiasm. I hope Halls plays inspired football. It is the first home game. It is against a great team on an incredible streak. It will be a packed house. However, Emotion only lasts a couple of series at most. Eventually, Execution and Endurance play bigger roles. (That is a lot of "E's".) Halls has a tough up hill fight.

I thought I read in the paper that Fulton was headed to N.C. to play in a boarder war kind of game on Friday night.

Hey look.... There is a whole new thread just for Maryville and Alcoa fans to bash each other.

Have at it you guys.

How did Fulton do in N. Carolina last weekend?

Amen on the rezoning. Halls was not affected this time like the Gibbs/Halls line redraw a few years back, but the north is commonly impacted negatively by the west. On the two-platoon...It is not a true two plattoon where each player only learns one position like in college. I mean when Halls scrimmaged CAK, the QB's wore different color jersies. Some of those blue jersies played some defense. Do players learn positions on both sides of the ball? I would assume that they do. A first team defensive lineman might be the 2nd or 3rd team offensive guard, right?

You guys are working hard to make Maryville sound weak. You guys must be a little spoiled. Your freshmen team could play the varsity schedule and finish 6-4 or 7-3. The only issue I see is the fact that the last senior class was so good, that the the incoming class is less well known and proven compared to them. Injuries for Halls have halted my earlier hopes of a close game. Maryville 31 Halls 10 This is my best stab at an objective prediction. I am not writing this game off as a loss. I will be there and cheering Halls on, but the only chance Halls has is for Maryville to turn the ball over. That usually does not happen. If Halls loses, I hope they can get some guys back and make a run for the playoffs.

Not that I would ever doubt your word STARS... but I doubt DB fans were very impressed by Halls since they drilled us in our scrimmage and you guys beat them soundly. Halls has improved some since then but we all know who the favorite is in this game. By the way, I have called Faye and asked if she will save "sprinkler" money for Halls and bring some tropial rain for Friday.

I think this game will be a much lower scoring game than last year. Defenses for both are better. Halls will hit hard and both teams will be beat up for next week. That could bode well for Alcoa.

Yes, there are plenty of injuries for Halls. It may be unclear which ones could affect the outcome. Halls had at least 6 players on the sidelines in street clothes friday night for the scrimmage with Carter. At least 4 of those are starters or would see playing time if healthy. Two more starters got hurt during the scrimmage and did not return. I am not sure about the status of any and would not reveal it here anyway. But Halls has had the worst rash of injuries that I can remember in recent years. That is kind of strange to me considering I thought the earlier game date would help both teams arrive healthy. However, injuries are part of football. I am sure Halls has a chance. I am not sure that it is a great one. I think Halls will play hard. I think Halls will make some mistakes typical of an early season game. If the turnovers are even, Halls may be in the game. If Halls gives Maryville a short field to score from, it could be a track meet like years before and Halls will leave with a loss and a great gate. Show up early Halls fans or you may not get a seat. From what I have heard, Maryville travels well and many get there early.

All you have to do is borrow his Red Devil tinted glasses and you will see that too. Halls looked much improved over the last couple of scrimmage games. That was good to see. Congrats to the bobcats on your win.

Halls played well. Got the ball first and scored in 5 or 6 plays. Then defense gave up a couple of first downs and then forced a punt. Halls was driving again but fumbled around the 20 yard line going in. Final score 7-0. Halls Other games: I think King's Acadamy beat TSD. Hardin Valley beat Cosby. I think Carter beat Central but I am not positive. I did not see the Gibbs, Grace quarter.