orangemoundwest

Rebel9, I hope we can do our part to get there. The good thing is that if we can handle Fairley this week, the chances are excellent that all playoff games until the final wouild be at home this year. The tough part is that this is a very young Melrose team that has to learn to get out of its own way. Playoff mistakes are often unforgiving as the quality of opposition gets so much better along the way. This is a heck of a table to run. I have been following Maryville and Coach Quarles has the Rebels as tough as ever. It would be nice to meet again, but the road to the 'Boro is filled with issues.

As reported in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Fairley players are fired up for this contest. The Winner will be in the driver's seat for the region title. In their last outing, Fairley was out gained in total yardage 337-302 by previously undefeated 3A rising power Sheffield, but won going away 36-8. Some feel that Fairley has only played one quality opponent, a 13-0 loss to Whitehaven, and is not as good as their 5-1 record would indicate. However, a young Melrose team has found ways to make some games closer than they should be. I expect a tough road test for my Golden Wildcats. What are your thoughts?

Yes, Former Melrose Coach Tim Thompson has been the coach a Fayette Ware for the past two seasons.

One thing about inclimate weather is it is inclimate for both teams. You have to make plays regardless. The kind of self inflicted penalties we are getting are mostly concentration related. As Coach stated in the paper, we lost complete focus, especially in the 4th quarter and expected Hamilton to let us have the game. This is a team of mostly 10th and 11th graders that has to mature. With that being said, I don't see this road any more difficult to find than before. One thing for sure, if Melrose takes care of business against Fairley, all playoff games before the finals, come through Orange Mound.

Well Big Country....We will see.

TraderB As you know, I was concerned with this game as stated in the Melrose -Hamilton thread this week. This was a perfect trap game. Long running rivalry with an improving much lower ranked team coupled with a big game the following week for region control. When you combine this with a young team, it can be a recipe for disaster. As for Melrose and playoff advancement to the 4A title game, there is a lot of football to be played before then. I remember statements regarding Melrose last year predicting a pre championship game demise. I am not buying tickets yet, but the past illustrates that we know the way to the 'Boro. I am going to wait an see how it plays out. Fairley is next for region control. This is the biggest game of the year and Fairley is fired up! As OMN would say, "Two fingers around, and three fingers down."

I agree, on paper, it looks like a mismatch. Rivalry games sometimes don't go as planned. The game with Kingsbury was tied at 0 in the third quarter before we blew it open. Hamilton held Germantown to 3 touchdowns last week. Hopefully it will be as lopsided as you guys think.

Hamilton appears to be getting better every week although their record does not reflect the improvement. This has been a big rivalry for decades. Any thought on Saturday's game out there?

On paper, this looks like a very interesting matchup. Maryville has a long history of doing well in big games and have earned my respect the last two championship games. William Blount looks like a worthy appointment by looking at their success this year. I am looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

OK

Ouch!!!! KDub SMU NEVER came back from that. Living in the Dallas area, I see how bad SMU football is viewed now. I hope East fairs better. That is a heck of an analogy.

KDub, It is not hard to see that 5A region 8 is a tough region. A team can come out with three to four losses and still be a good team. Any attempted due diligence wil recognize it SCN08FearTheSpear looks like he ran out of things to do today and wanted to see if he could stir some stuff up.

On the bright side, they appear to have been more competitive in the Fairley game last weekend. Fortunate for East, 4A region 8 is not very good overall, so it is not far fetched that they could make the playoffs before an early exit.

Clearly, you were trying to invoke a heated response with this statement. What facts form the foundation of your assessment?

Looking at the 4A region 8 and 7 standings, there is a chance for Munford and East to play in the first round of the playoffs. Now THAT would be a matchup for the ages!

Would it be safe to say that the kicking game was the difference in this one?

I've got to go with JCM in this one. They appear to be the more talented team. Courtney does not fit the normal QB prototype. From my understanding, Munford will be using him more as a running back/flanker and kick returner. Honestly,IMO that is more aligned with his skillset. As a QB, he does not have a strong arm but is capable of making plays especially when things break down. Does anyone know how his ankle is? It was reported that he left last week's game injured.

This is a must win for Whitehaven. Two region losses at this point would more than likely make playoff chances slim. A convincing Wooddale win would go a long way toward gaining respect and cementing their status as a bonafide championship contender. IMO, if they get past Whitehaven, the true tests for Wooddale will come in their last four games against Houston, White Station, Germantown, and Collierville. In reality, Whitehaven is a good .500 team with victories over 4A Fairley and winless 3A Trezevant. They played a young Melrose team ,which is struggling to find it's true identity, tough and lost convincingly to Germantown. I don't know how good Whitehaven really is. Hopefully this game will answer questions regarding both teams. Good luck to both and I am looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Yes I heard about that. Woo's uncle told me. He was a good brother. Always cool when I would come home and run across him. Alvin Wright and I were talking about him earlier today.

I played basketball with John Hill @ Melrose Jr. High

'74

Great game TraderB! This was a good gut check game that should really help a very young Melrose team develop. In the past few games against CBHS we have found ways to lose. It's good to see the running game become more established. Now if we can combine both facets and learn to take what we are being given, defensive coordinators will need to put in some overtime. On paper, the remaining schedule is not as tough as the first 4. I hope that both the players and coaching staff will continue to grow and "gel" before the playoffs start. OMN & Melrose58, Man I am glad to have you on this board. I am an old school Golden Wildcat. I was born and raised in the Mound and had the pleasure of playing a total of 6 years Jr. High and High School football for the Maroon and Gold. Two Fingers Round! Three Fingers Down! TraderB and KWC, You guys keep it real and really help a brother out way down here in Texas to keep up with Memphis and Melrose Football.

Well, we are a couple of hours before kickoff. Melrose finally got a few tickets to sell at the school but sold out quickly. So there will be a lot of Orange Mound walk up business at the Christian Brothers ticket booths. The history of this matchup goes back into the late '60s and has historical significance in a major way. I am very happy that this home and home series is being played and hopefully will continue to be scheduled every year. I hope both teams don't have any serious injuries and the game lives up to its potential.

Looks like it will be broadcast on TVTW Live.

Yes, Corrtney was the QB in the Jamboree.