leectn

West can win this game, but the following things must occur for that to happen: 1) the defensive backfield will have to play better than they have any game this year 2) the defensive line must be able to put pressure on SC's QB 3) the defensive players must wrap up their tackles 4) On offense, West's receivers must catch the ball 5) West must minimize turnovers. If these things happen, West will be in the game and will probably find a way to win (it seems that is the MO for this team this year). If they do not happen SC will run away with this game and West will not have a chance. West by 3 (late field goal by Jose for the win)

I cannot get the stream to work. There must be too many trying to listen.

I have watched the film and the kicker was run into, but I do not know if I would say it was enough for a roughing the kicker call. However, the kicker did as he should and sold the hit. Also, the officiating was horrible throughout the game. Boone had illegal formations on 8 plays in the game and 2 players moving on an additional 3 plays that were not flagged. West had at least 2 blocks in the back and 3 holds that were not flagged. Overall the officiating was horrible. However, I cannot bash the refs. I have never officiated football and believe it would be difficult on the best days. And of course, we as fans cannot be pleased. If the officiating crew calls everything they see -- we tell them to let the kids play. If they are not making the calls for our team -- we tell them they stink and to start making the calls. So, it seems like a no win situation for them. I am also not going to defend them. They are being paid to ensure the fairness of the game -- to make sure both teams are following the rules. If we can see the penalties, then why can't these seasoned "professionals" see them? I realize it is hard to see everything, but there is no excuse for some things not being seen. And to Boone, I feel your pain (at the East game we felt certain our receiver in the end zone was pushed down so that the defensive back could make an interception -- the officials did not agree and East was able to run out the clock). I am glad for the West win, but know that Boone played well enough to get the win. As I stated in an earlier post, Boone's coaches had a fantastic game plan and the team did a great job making the plays to make the game plan work. Unfortunately, they did not put West away and that is what came back to haunt them more than anything else. The argument over the time is moot due to the fact that the officials felt there was time.

I guess you are counting this Friday as a win for Greeneville? I hope your team is looking ahead also.

The offense is very balanced. The line needs to provide a little more time for the QB to pass and the QB needs to get rid of the ball a little faster. Our backs are getting the job done in most instances. Overall, we are sound offensively with a little tweak here and there needed to make us better. Defensively, we have played well enough to win most of the games we have lost. A few breakdowns have led to most of the losses (not counting Catholic). We have made adjustments too late in some of the losses and the DB's have allowed some receivers to come open (or not even covered them). Again, a few tweaks and we would be much better. I am worried about the effect of the Boone game on the team -- very emotional and very physical. Overall, I feel we can play with Greeneville, but your passing game has me worried. I know that Greeneville's spread and passing opens the field for the running backs. In order for West to win, we will have to be able to shut down the passing game with the DB's and allow the line and backers to handle the QB and backs. It will be extremely important for us to play assignment football to limit the opportunities that Greeneville has to move the ball. I am expecting a close, hard fought game.

I could see that if it was a TSSAA site, but this is independent of that organization and full of opinions. Any comment about a ref or a coach is an opinion. I understand the officials and coaches not wanting to be subject to unfair abuse, but unfortunately, that is part of the position. Also, this is the place that many people vent their frustration. If we refrain from calling names I do not see why it is shut down.

I am a West fan and I am glad we got the win. I did not see the roughing penalty either, but did notice a Boone player that stayed down a very long time after the kick. So, I thought it must have happened and he was the one that committed the penalty. On a different note: Boone played a great game. I was extremely impressed by the offensive sets and plays. It was very obvious that Boone's staff had found West's weaknesses and were trying to exploit them. However, West did make adjustments and were able to get back into the game. There is no doubt Boone did everything they could to win the game and perhaps even deserved the win (hard to say that). However, I was also pleased to see that the West players did not give up. They played hard and did what they had to do to get the win in the end. Good luck to both teams this week and into Friday night's game.

But the East fans state emphatically that they are not a one person team...No matter what happened in the Crockett game.

As a West fan I am feeling better about this game as the week progresses (and feeling much better about this year's game compared to last years). However, after speaking with some of West's players and learning of the size of the SH squad, there may be more mismatches than we can handle. I have looked at some of the information available for both teams (unfortunately no hard statistical data, but the following): West points for 86 or 28.7/game points against 82 or 27/game opponents record 6 wins 3 losses SH points for 47 or 23.5/game points against 49 or 24.5/game opponents record 4 wins 1 loss This looks like a very even game. I feel (unfortunately for West) that the game will come down to special teams. If we allow points off kicks offs or punts, we will not win this game. I feel we will be able to play with SH up and down the field, but we need to make sure we are able to stop them on the special teams and get the defense on the field. In any event, I pick West for the win, but believe it will be close to the final buzzer. Go Trojans!

I really hope that East can find a way to win this game, but I do not feel very good about it for East (again, I am a West fan, but always pull for the home teams). I have looked at the information that is available (cannot find yards per game or any of that statistical data -- which is a real shame -- someone should make a 5 Rivers Web site with the information available to everyone -- see the Mountain Lakes conference Web site it is great) and have found the following: ME has scored 49 points or 24.5/game and allowed 24 points or 17/game -- their opponents have a record of 0 wins and 5 losses. Jeff has scored 82 points or 27.3/game and allowed 80 points or 26.7/game -- their opponents have record of 5 wins and 3 losses. On paper both teams are extremely even, with Jeff getting a slight nod due to the teams they have played. If this was West's open week I would be at this game. I really think it will be a classic with two good teams playing hard the entire night. I hope that both teams have a good game, no injuries and a Cane win.

That is what we said about last year's game, so I feel your pain.

I believe that East has the better athletes, especially with the injuries to the Pats, but I do not know if they will be able to put an entire game together this early. I am hoping for a Hamblen County sweep, but know that East will have to play 4 quarters to win this one. As for respect, I respect anyone who plays the game. Any team can lose or win and that is why the game is played. I respect East for doing what they had to do to get the wins, but Jeff is not a Crockett or a Karns (again, said with respect, but also with reality). If East plays their game and takes the game to Jeff, the Canes will win. However, if East allows Jeff's backfield to get going it will be a very long night for the Canes. As for being ranked above West, I will have to wait for this game to see if that sticks.

I do not agree with personal attacks and hope that the MW ppl you are speaking about are just confident of our team and not meaning it personally. I hope West does enough to win this game. I do not doubt our ability to do so, but I do know if we play defense like last week, we will not win. We will have to have an almost perfect game and play defense like we did against Jeff. If that defense shows up West will win this game. If the Cherokee defense shows up West will lose this game. I guess the thing that holds me back from predicting a win no matter is the fact that we do have alot of new faces -- from the head coach on down. I am not saying they are not capable, but I do not know if they are experienced enough to guarantee a win.

I do not know that much about Science Hill, but after last year's game I respect them a great deal. I do feel that this will be a better game for West than last year's game, but I am not certain that it will be enough to get the win. West's offense has come together in the last two games and seems to be making strides to be a complete unit with a number of weapons. If we are able to execute our game plan offensively, I feel that the offense will be able to play with SH's defense. However, the defense seemed to have a little letdown last week against Cherokee after a stellar performance against Jeff. I realize that this happens and perhaps even is to be expected, but we cannot make the same mistakes against SH and expect to win. We will have to be extremely physical on defense and take the game to SH. If we allow them to execute their offense I am not certain we have the speed to keep up. Overall, I am looking for a good game. Go Trojans!

As a Morristown West fan, I normally root for East if they are not playing West (always try to be a Morristown fan), but after Canefan72 said the following concerning the West/Jeff game it is hard for me to root for East in this one: "I would love to see this one myself but I have to go see my canes opener. As a devoted East fan, GO Pats!! Pats by at least 14." However, I will not hold one person's opinion against the entire school and hope East finds a way to win. If Jeff finds a way to stop Tee Howell, then apparently East will be stopped (at least that is the way it sounded and read for East against Crockett). And I will be the first to say, Jeff is no Crockett!! Not having McFall will hurt Jeff, but they are not a one person team. I wish our East side bothers well, but I do not think they have the fire power to stay with Jeff (even without McFall). East has squeaked out 2 wins against teams that I feel are very inferior the the talent and ability that is on the East sideline. And again, I must say, I have not seen East in person, but I know the athletes they have on the sideline and they are very good athletes. But there seems to be something that is holding them back or that is keeping them from playing up to their potential. I do not see this game being the one that allows East to put the pieces together for a win against a much better opponent then they have played this year. To be opposite of Canefan72 and to be true to my Morristown roots, I will say Go Canes, but I do not see this being a win for them.