fairplay2121

Well the uniforms looked good but the players wearing them looked better. Wishful thinking can come true sometimes. Great quarter Halls. Keep learning and getting better. P.S. And stay healthy.

Ironman, I agree with your assessment except there may not be time to play better at the end in one quarter. Halls has given up loads of points in the jamboree over the last several years. (Webb and AE) I think this is due to the speed factor and the fact that Halls usually tries a few things and tries to make it fun. A great night for Halls would be one long drive that uses up alot of clock followed by a 3 and out for the defense. However, that is wishful thinking. I have heard that Fulton is young at some positions but very athletic. Either way, I hope we come through tonight and tomorrow night injury free and we work out the kinks. Coach Kerr used to say that the Jamboree wasn't good for much but showing off uniforms. Well, we've got new ones this year. I can't wait to see them.

yes and yes

Someone told me that Garrett could still be out. It depends on a Dr. visit this week. Perhaps there has been an update?

I was not attempting to alarm anyone or doom and gloom the situation. I really think Gresham's injury hurts the most. I hope he is able to return, even with a cast, by Maryville. Turner (not Taylor) looks to be an improved runner. He does need to become a solid passer to balance out the offense. Our defense is pretty sound. However, DB was able get several good runs against us. CAK will test us against the pass on Tuesday. The jamboree is this week. It is almost here!! Go Big Red!!

With Maryville less than two weeks away, we should all be very concerned about those injuries mentioned. Most of those would contribute on both sides of the ball. If some new guys do not step up, it could be a rocky ride. We have 3 scrimmages this week counting the jamboree. We need a injury-free week.

I can not think of anyone who has stepped up and made a huge impact in the first two weeks in pads. However, I have seen about 2 practices and 1 scrimmage. From what I have heard, there is a long list of injuries. Many are out for the season. I think two more could be. There has been plenty of street dressed guys at practice every day. Halls will need to prove to me that they will be able to score enough to win games this year. The offense needs to come together and find some playmakers. Right now, I see a 14-3 Maryville win. I hope the offense will catch up to the defense. If this happens, it could be a great ball game. On another note: Are any Soph. going to make an impact this season? Have any looked promising in practice? I know #6 is going to play alot. Is there anyone else? I was just thinking about the future a little bit and wondered if we should worry.

According to different sources, Maryville struggled against OR, Powell struggled against Catholic, Halls is struggling period and has had a plague of injuries, and Central destroyed DB. Is 3-4A down this year? Does this change everyone's predictions? I didn't think so. Early scrimmages prove very little in the season outlook. Every team subs alot and is trying to evaluate talent and situations. The scrimmages in the coming week or two should tell us more. IMO. I still think 3-4A is one of the toughest, if not the very toughest region in the state. This year more than ever. It should be a fun year.

Interesting discussion. I will throw some thoughts out there. I have seen several kids held back in elementary school due to athletics. Sometimes it is blatently to gain an athletic advantage. Other times it is due to a child struggling in studies because they are in year round baseball, basketball, and play football, leaving little or no time for studies. I think it is a potentially dangerous thing to send the message that athletics are more important than academics. Usually, this is done by parents that do not realize how few actually get scholarships or go on to play on a professional level. A few other parents in this camp are those ridiculous parents trying to achieve the popularity for their children that they wanted when they were young. The question becomes, Is the extra year for those held back helping a child struggling with maturity and academics or is it designed to make him look like a man amoung kids in middle school and high school? I am not trying to judge their intentions or whether it is right or wrong. It is a parent's call. For the sake of fairness, I am not sure that a senior that has graduated on time should be lose a scholarship to a child who is a year older than him because he was held back. However, that is up to the University. My experience is that the extra year looks huge during puberty, (6th grade - 11th grade) but levels off later on. However, the only fair thing would be to change the age for start up for all kids. Let the ones that want to accelerate academically do so. Those that can't keep up should be excluded from extracurricular activites so that they can focus on school. It seems like that would make for a level playing field.

I think you will continue to see a lot of running backs in the mix. I think #6 will emerge as the most dangerous back. I am sure he has a ways to go to learn blocking duties, but he is always a threat to break one. It looks like he is going to be returning kicks some too. I think Catholic will only continue to exploit the poor run defense. I am not sure how our offense will do. I think the "unknown" has Halls fans quietly waiting to see what happens.

I think #7 has moved from QB ot WR. That leaves #4, #14, #11 and #1 at QB (who is also mobile). Has anyone noticed if #72 Bolden is back to 100% or not. He isn't the biggest guy on the line, but he is a hard worker. Depth is the biggest concern on the OLine. I hope he can go this year. Someone asked about Zabowski. I have only seen one practice but he is coming along. He could be a major weapon when we need to complete a fade route into the corner of the endzone. Lastly, I am also glad we have a large number of capable runners. However, after watching him on the freshmen team, I will be surprised if #6 doesn't make a huge impact in the backfield and/or on returns. He has great ability IMO. Halls needs someone to step up and be a playmaker.

You guys should go start a new SD/Halls topic or just put it on hold for a few months. Lenoir City's JV and Freshmen teams looked okay last year. If the coach can get them all to believe in his system, they will improve greatly.

Unlike some Halls fans, I think SD played a good game last year and will be even better this year. I have heard great things about the offseason work they are doing. I was a little surprised that you guys went to the pass only offense so early in our game last year. I thought your run was working better. I look for 6 of the 8 teams in this region to be very close. Maryville will be a step above and LC might be a step behind but building toward the new divisions next year. It should be a great year in this region.

Yeah and somehow it was only wet when Maryville had the ball. Its amazing. I think you guys were going up hill in every quarter too. And the goal posts were always more narrow in the end zone you were facing. I don't know how those things happen. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Okay, everybody else is shooting off thier mouths so I will join in. It did rain earlier on the day of the 2004 game. Any east Tennessee resident knows it can rain in your yard and not rain across the street. However, I agree that the Halls field is one of the worst for draining. It can be wet in places days after a rain. Halls fans that are boldly predicting a win this early are wishful thinkers. I see no reason to be think Maryville will not continue to be very good. A few scrimmage games might offer some insight, but no one can be sure how these two teams will pan out. I respect both coaches and I think both programs are among the best. That being said, I think Maryville has the edge at most positions on the field based on best guess lineups. Of the 24 starting positions including kicker and punter, I think Maryville has the edge at 15. They are very deep and very talented. I think Halls is more talented than usual, but needs some playmakers to emerge. If Halls can stay healthy during the preseason, it should be a good game. I think both defenses will be strong. For some reason I expect a relatively low scoring game compared to last year. This prediction hurts because I am a huge Halls fan. I also reserve the right to change my prediction in a few weeks. Maryville by 10 or 11 (21-10, 17-7 or maybe 14-3)

Defining philosophical stances of being a fan is an interesting topic for a football board. Pessimist, realist, optimist… I don’t know where I fit. As a fan, I hope and cheer for Halls to win no matter who they are playing and no matter what the odds. I subscribe to the belief that “on any given Friday night….” I think it is wrong to “write off” any game as a loss.(Optimism) I also refuse to boldly proclaim victory before the game is played and the work is done.(Pessimism?) When looking at a game like this, I think it is wrong to lend too much weight to previous meetings. Maryville does not get a yard or a point in this year’s game for winning the last 10 years against Halls. Every team has its own chemistry, leadership, and challenges. This being the first game, we have no idea how these teams will develop or respond to adversity. I guess when trying to evaluate a team before they have played a game, I try to be realistic. I don’t think it really helps the players to have “rose-colored glasses” or to try to motivate them by telling them they are weak and don’t have a chance. My opinion of this Halls team so far… -I agree that we have depth at RB. We go 5 or 6 deep without dropping off very much. That being said, I don’t think any of these 5 or 6 bring as much to the table as #12 last year. He brought a unique ability to quickly accelerate with the strength to break tackles. This caught many teams off guard. -I think this team’s strength is the line and overall team speed. Before you laugh, I don’t mean to say this team is as fast as some teams. I mean they are better off than usual at many positions. The line could be tough but I am afraid it does not have great depth. We need them to stay healthy. -I agree that the crowd for this game will be huge. I am sure this played a role in the moving of the date along with having an open date just before the playoffs. (Halls fans better show up early or the Maryville faithful may take your seat.) I see possible scenarios where Halls wins a close one and where Maryville wins a close one. I also can see scenarios where Halls jumps out early and gains confidence and wins big. However, the same could happen the other way. I think both teams leave the game knowing they were in a tough game. I might try to make a prediction after a few scrimmage games for both teams. The one thing I know is that I can hardly wait for it to get here. I love high school football. Go Big Red!!

Come on Pirateman, Ironman is a great supporter. I think he is just trying to make sure the players keep a good attitude. Fans doubting toughness is kind of like daring them to toughen up. The first game of the season is hard to predict. I think we might know more after some scrimmage games for both teams. IMO a major key for Halls will be to keep everyone healthy through the preseason, especially on the line.

These are the games involving Knoxville area teams on the 22nd according to the CoachT schedules. Knox Central @ Cookeville CAK @ Boyd Buchanan Campbell Co. @ Union Co. Carter @ Bearden West @ Farragut Cosby @ Gibbs Maryville @ Knoxville Halls Spring Hill @ Alcoa Knoxville Catholic @ Morristown West Sevier Co. @ William Blount There may be a few more. I do not know of any transfers into or out of Halls that will impact the football team.

I think you are right. Valley has two years of freshmen and JV. I will be interested to see who plays who in non-district games. Some of the local 3 and 4A schools will have to play 5 non-district games. (AE, Fulton, etc...)

I am still trying to figure this new system out. Is there a District 3 AAA champion or a District 3 AAA/5A champion and a District 3 AAA/6A champion. One example, if I understand right, Ridgeway is the only 5A school in thier district. They have to finish 1st or 2nd against all 6A schools to get an automatic bid. There are some odd senarios that become possible and the wild card system appears fishy to me. I don't see less travel or the addition of "natural rivals" for Halls. I don't see Oak Ridge, Catholic, Campbell Co., Karns or A.C. more natural rivals than South Doyle, West or Maryville. I expect Halls to always compete well, no matter what is thrown at them.

He wasn't the only running back to put up big numbers that game. The Halls' back O'Laughlin also had big yards and the two of them kept each other from breaking several more big runs while on defense. It was a great overtime game and both are great RBs.

Does anyone know if Halls will be participating in a passing league this year?

I don't think anyone is hurt to the point of missing any fall practice. The most serious is probably #72 who is still rehabing his knee. Big #75 continues to have feet and ankle issues. I liked what little I saw in Spring practice. You have to assume that adding 7 or 8 baseball players, 1 trackster and who ever else was missing this spring, will only help. There was good effort and competition. This team, more than others I can remember, is unpredictable. They have enough talent and defense to do very well. They could also struggle on offense and continue to be weak against the pass and containing mobile quarterbacks. I think a handful of young guys could provide some depth, which is always good. Given the tough schedule, (2 good 5A schools and a tough region) I think 8-2 or better is a great year. From what I hear, Clinton will be very good with great returning players and some transfer help. Central, West and Powell will be good. Even with holes to fill, I expect all three to be in the playoff hunt. South Doyle will surprise at least one team this year. Maryville will be no different. They lost a great senior class, but when you get it rolling, the great senior classes keep coming. I can't wait until fall. Go Big Red

I am not sure about the up-to-date status of the field house but this is what I have heard... The field house will most likely not be going in that parking lot. That land has flooding issues. The last thing I heard was that the land behind the middle school gym was being considered. That is if some existing utilities (sewer and water) can be rerouted.

Looking at each position, I don't think anybody on Maryville's schedule matches up with them very well. If you can find the occasional player that does match up, he is usually going both ways when Maryville's players don't have to. I hope the Red Devils or someone else knocks them off this year. I am sure Maryville is used to having everyone hoping they lose. It still comes down to the fact that somebody will have to play a near-perfect game and hope Maryville makes some mistakes.