Brother Of "BIG TY"

Leonard, I am curious as to why you would pick Ooltewah over Oak Ridge in Region 2-5A? Is it due to the coaching situation? Oak Ridge has 13 starters returning.

A overwhelming majority of the players coming back next year support Gray. Why not Gray Bounder?

I agree with you both (BHS and TDC). I know very little of COach Rankin other than he flat out wins ballgames and he is a GREAT coach. But I do think it would be a tough fit for Coach Rankin. It does not seem like a situation he would not like. The community does expect a lot from their football coach, some would say too much. I am just not sure if Coach Rankin wants that. Would he be successful? No doubt about it. Would he enjoy being a head coach at Oak Ridge? Probably so, but it would be tough at first. Would it be a better situation for Coach Rankin than what he currently has? Only in the aspect of not having to compete for players (with the likes of Blackman, Oakland, Siegel). I think Coach Rankin will apply and will be a finalist that receives an interview. I am just interested to see if the search committee will be willing to take a jump and hire a coach outside the Oak RIdge family. It will be fun to watch.

Jefferson and LaFollette have played 3 times. LaFollete won the first matchup (on their home court) and Jefferson did not have Demarcus Rogers. The next two (on Jeffersons home court) were won by the eagles and Jefferson had Demarcus. LaFollette will go down once again and the Eagles will be District and Sectional Champions and finish the season with a 25-2 record (there only losses were to LaFollette and Northwest in a Christmas Tournament). There last loss was on December 21. Great season Jefferson, we look forward to seeing the eight graders at Oak Ridge High school next year. This group of guys will be fun to watch over the next 4 years.

Actually I have heard he has applied. But you know how rumors go. It may be totally false.

My fault ORCAT. I meant to put him on there. That would change my TOP 3 to a TOP 4 because I think he will get serious consideration. It was my error to leave him off. I would still say he would be in a tie for the 3rd spot with Coach Rankin.

Here is my TOP 3 list of coaches to fill the Oak Ridge Head COaching position: 1. Ron Gray, current offensive coordinator/assistant head coach at Oak Ridge This is the logical choice. With a load of talent returning in 2005, this would make most sense. He knows the system, the Oak Ridge tradition and would have the commitment from the players. This would be the easiest transition. 2. Tommy Laurendine, current offensive coordinator at Southern Arkansas Univ An Oak Ridge native who was an outstanding quarterback at ORHS. He also has college experience and college contacts that would only help the young men that want to play college ball. Knows the tradition and commitment it takes to make Oak Ridge fans proud. 3. Gary Rankin, Head coach at Murfreesboro Riverdale Would this not be an interesting choice. He wanted the job 6 years ago and wants it again. How would the warrior faithful feel about him leaving for Wildcat country. I think this would be the most difficult transition for the players, fans and community. Bottom line, he wins championships and with the talent ORHS has returning there is no doubt he would give them a great shot at the clinic bowl. Honorable Mention: George Quarles, Head Coach at Maryville Jimmy Gaylor, assistant coach at Maryville (former head coach at Clinton High) Andy Schattuck, Head Coach at Clinton Jon McBrayer, Head Coach at Union Co Joe Gaddis, Head Coach at Henry County (former head coach at Oak Ridge)

I have to agree with you Leonards. Although I think the team would love to have Coach McBrayer as the Head Coach, I think the lack of experience will hurt him. What about Coach Quarles at Maryville? Any chance he will put his name in the ring. Oak Ridge does not approach any candidates, so the only way for Coach Quarles to be a candidate is if he puts in for the job. I think he is happy at Maryville.

b lambdin, do you know the times of the games on Thursday?

I think they will look either at current assistant coaches or former players, first. They all know or have played in the Oak Ridge system and will continue that tradition. Not to say someone outside the OR family could not continue the tradition, I just think it would be an easier transition from a coach that had been with the school for 24 years. I have been thinking a lot about this and I just have a hard time seeing the search committee selecting Coach Rankin. I believe he interviewed 6 years ago, I mean why would they go with him now? Believe me I know he is an outstanding coach and think he would continue the winning tradition. I just wonder if the OR search committee and all the politics that go into selecting an OR football coach will take that kind of leap (like they sort of did with Coach Gaddis). Like DCCAT said, it will be an interesting Spring.

Jefferson Defeated Science Hill 44-38 after trailing 22-14 at the half. Way to go Eagles. One down, two to go. One more win and we going to the 'ship.

I think they would look at their current staff first (as they usually do). If they do not find it there, I think the next logical choice would be Coach Rankin at Riverdale. He wanted to be the head coach when Lussier was hired. The thought of coaching at Oak Ridge and not having to deal with all the competition for football players (like now with Oakland, Blackman, Siegel, etc...) excites Coach Rankin. We will have to wait and see. I do think if the two scenarios above do not work out, they will take a look at Coach Stevens.

Ok, it was a shocker to find Coach Lussier leaving Oak Ridge. But I believe this was the right time for Coach Lussier. From the Wildcat nation, we thank you for all the loyalty, commitment and wins you have given us over the past 24 years. Now where does the Wildcats go from here for there next coach? * Do they look at the current staff with Coach Gray getting his shot as the head man? He has led a potent Oak Ridge Offense. * Do they try to get Coach Rankin from Riverdale? Before Coach Lussier took over the head job, there were rumors Coach Rankin wanted the job badly. Does he still? * Or does Oak Ridge open it up nationally. There is no doubt there would be interest from across the country. We will wait and see. It is sure to be an interesting search. What do you think?

Jack, I totally agree. Do you know why they have decided to exclude themselves? I tell you what, I saw Northwest play Jefferson and it was close for 1 half and then Northwest pulled away. It is ashame those young men do not get to show their talent on the court against the rest of the East elite. We need to get this done somehow, so future Knox teams get to experience the sectionals. If anyone knows how to get this done, please respond.

David, I respect your opinion a lot. Do you think Coach Gray has a good shot? Wouldn't the time crunch of Spring Practice starting hurt doing a national search? Thanks.

Can someone tell me why these teams, in this tournament, are not playing in the Middle School Sectional Tournament in Pigeon Forge? It is ashame this much talent is not matched up with all the other middle schools teams from East Tennessee.

I predict Northwest boys will not lose. I saw them play earlier in the year and they have unbelievable talent. Where will the kids from Northwest MS go to High School?

Hey B Lambdin, Do you have the schedule for the entire tournament? Dates, Times, when boys play, when girls play. Thanks.

Keep us posted on the scores of the next set of games. Thanks.

I heard there is a great chance Coach Lussier of Oak Ridge may have the job. If that is the case, who will coach Oak Ridge? I sure hope they at least give Coach Gray a shot as interim coach for this year, I think he can handle the job. With Coach Gray at the helm and Coach Layton directing the defense, it would be an exciting year at Blankenship in 2005.

He punched one of OR's lineman.

Where am I? This posting on 2 threads on the same game is confusing. My fault.

You know I heard their d-line is awesome and that one of their DE is being recruited by USC,Ohio St (with scouts expected at the game) among others. I agree, our D'line has improved and without a doubt our Linebackers are pretty stout in their own right. As for mixing it up, they have done it the last two weeks I cannot see them changing a thing. When you get this deep in the playoffs, coaches know it is very hard to be one-dimensional and be successful. I think QB McMahon is playing unbelievably, WR Wells has stepped up his game and given Scott a third option, WR Coffey is always someone you can count on, the O-Line is protecting the QB and opening holes and then you have the RB's Blair, Vane, Johnson and Mr. Gulmire. After reading the 14 pages of the first thread, the Riverdale team is loaded again. But we knew that when they came to OR last year with so many youngsters playing. I can't wait to see Thomas, Miller, their defense (that has allowed like 2 points all year). It will be a classic. I cannot wait.

I defenitely think we will all witness another classic OR vs. Riverdale matchup. Both teams have great defenses and obviously many skill players on offense. There will be a lot of talent on that field Friday night. I think all OR fans are looking forward to coming to Tomohawk Stadium. It looks like a great venue for HS football. Is it true Riverdale is undefeated in the playoffs at this stadium? If so, that is an amazing record. Only 124 hours and 17 minutes till kickoff. I am pumped and ready to go to the boro.

I do think Oak Ridge can run on Riverdale. I do not think you can compare Cookeville and Oak Ridge. Now do I think we can line up and run it down your throat? No, you have to have a balanced attack as in any game this late in the playoffs. I also do not think Riverdale will be able to just run on OR's defense and win. You too will have to be balanced to come out on top. It will be a great game to witness. Two great football teams laying it all on the line to have a shot at the ULTIMATE PRIZE. A rematch of 2003, without the snow. ROLL WILDCATS ROLL