leectn

Too funny!! A great story, but not a great football night for mikey.

I believe this Sullivan South team is a special team (MoWest fan). You do not average 42 points per game and allow 14 points per game without being a special team. However, West was that team the last two years. We did not have a talent like Curt Phillips and he could be the equalizer, but I do not see Maryville losing this game. I am wishing for the best for South and hoping they can pull out the win, but it is hard to describe the level of play of the Maryville teams. Historically, Maryville has a few extremely great players on their teams yearly and many extremely good players, but all of these teams have one common thread: George Quarles. I am not going to say he is a king (just cannot bring myself to do that with any coach), but he is a motivated and extremely good coach. He has his team ready game after game after game and no one in the state can argue with his success. This year Maryville has averaged 34.8 points per game and allowed 12.7 points per game. This is a down year for Maryville?!? I am sorry, but how many other teams would like to have this type of year and proclaim it a great year. The seniors of this team have not lost a varsity game (perhaps not a freshman game either, but I do not know about that). The experience they have in the big games cannot be matched by any other team in Tennessee. I have had the privilege of seeing Maryville play in the past against two undefeated MoWest teams. We were extremely talented. We were heads and shoulders above every team we played in Region 1 or Region 2, but we were no match for Maryville. Does that mean South cannot win? NO, and that is the reason the game is played. I am hoping that Curt will have the game of his life and show the Knoxville area that good football can be played in NET. I am hoping that when the dust settles and the clocks ticks to zero that South will be headed to State. That is not because I have anything against Maryville, but it would be nice for a NET team to get a win and get back to state. However, based on the experiences that we have had, Maryville will have a game plan to stop South (not just Curt - that is not how they play). They will have a game plan to exploit South's weaknesses (something no other NET team has done -- and I do not care about the Greeneville loss -- that was an aberration and served to wake South up and put them at a higher level), but that higher level may not be high enough. I hope it is, but Maryville is...well, Maryville. I will say this, if (and only if) South can get a lead (14 or 21 points) Maryville will lose. South is a good enough team to beat Maryville if Maryville is playing catch up, but I do not see Maryville allowing that to happen. Quarles will at least exchange TD's and find the win if he cannot blow South away. But again, this is only speculation and observations. The game will be played and the deserving team will win. Good luck South!! Play your best and make it to the next level! On a side note, the Maryville setting for a football game is great! You South fans will enjoy the atmosphere and the game. The Maryville fans that we have been around were alway gracious and respectful. Hopefully, the stands and the hill will be full so that you can experience all the emotions that come with playing Maryville. Again, Good luck and know that no matter how the game turns out you have done more than many other Tennessee football teams.

I tried to tell the Red Bank folks earlier that Maryville was Maryville (I will also spend this week telling Sullivan South the same thing), but I think Jim Croce said it best: You don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Maryville, da do da do... Again, I am a Morristown West fan and would love to see the giant beaten, but you cannot argue with success.

I am a MoWest graduate (1981) and fan. I remember the dread we had of playing Cocke County because we always knew it would be a hard game. It seems to me that back then Cocke had the numbers to play with anyone but that does not seem the case now. I know that numbers can be deceiving, but if you can get the players on O'Line and D'Line rest the team will do much better. Also, it helps to have some subs for special teams so that the starters do not get hurt. Numbers also make practices easier so that you can have a scout team to mimic your opponent. So, I think if they can get the numbers up that would do a great deal to help the team. Unfortunately, I do not know how to get the numbers up. Perhaps instilling pride in the high school and placing importance on playing for that pride, but I am not sure if that is even a key. Also, the kids need to believe they can win. After coaching rec league sports a number of years I have noticed that winning is catching (losing is also catching, unfortunately). It will take a paradigm change to get the players to expect to win. I would love to see Region 2 4A strong from top to bottom and would like to see Cocke in the mix again. Another reason I feel it is a number's game is due to the fact that the basketball program and the baseball program are competitive most years. It obviously takes less players for both of these sports for a team to be competitive.

1) Yes, we are a NET team (MoWest) and extremely proud to be. 2) Any win against the Maryville machine is a great win no matter the year or circumstances. 3) As for the Knoxville area dominance -- the population is much greater in Knox/Anderson/Blount County, so naturally there are more athletes. There is no way a town/county the size of Morristown/Hamblen County or even Kingsport/Sullivan County is going to match the number of players located in the Knox area. 4) People are more likely to move in the Knox County area to play at a good sport school. Or even move from Knox County to Blount County if the opportunity arises. (You will not find many students changing schools for sports in NET -- it just does not happen that often). So, in summary, if the Knoxville area is (and I am not saying they are) more dominant, then they should be! However, I am wondering if anyone from Blount County would put themselves in the Knox County area? And now the argument, the classification system is supposed to even things up -- BUNCO. There is a reason so many D1 prospects end up at one school and it has nothing to do with zoning or classification. I just wish those of us in NET could figure out how to get it done.

I do not know anything specific about this year's Maryville or Red Bank teams (Morristown West fan). However, I do know about both programs reputations. I know that Maryville has a target on their backs, but if you do what they do year in and year out, you cannot expect any less. However, they wear the target better than most teams would be able to do. I noticed that both teams are extremely even on paper Maryville has scored 401 points (33.4/game) and allowed 145 (12.1/game); Red Bank has scored 452 points (37.7/game) and allowed 149 points (12.4/game). However, the game is not played on paper. There is no doubt that both teams have the ability to win this game. The difference will be the experience that Maryville has in this type of game and the fact that the game is in Maryville. The coaching staff and players from Maryville have been here before many times. And as much as I hate to say it, Quarles is a coaching genius. I have never seen a Tennessee High School team as polished as Maryville is year after year. They do not make game changing mistakes historically. There is no doubt that Red Bank will put their best on the field and will leave nothing, but I am not sure it will be enough. It is true that this is not the same high powered Maryville team as in years past, but they find a way to win. Until someone is able to beat them, it is hard to pick against them. I see Red Bank giving their all, but do not believe it will be enough. Maryville will find a way to win, just as they have in the past. Good luck to both teams. I hope the injuries last week are the last you both experience. Again, I do not have any direct experience with either team (so my observations are just that: observations -- not facts). I just know what Maryville is able to do and expect them to do it again.

After seeing and losing to both teams, I do not think either team will do much stopping. I believe this will be a high scoring game. Greeneville is going to have to play assignment football and cover every potential ball carrier on the field. While covering the receivers and backs, they will have to pay attention to Phillips or he will run to day light. The backs and linebackers are going to have to cover the pass and look for the run. They will need to help the d-line to contain. The defense West employed (most of the first half) played into South's hands and allowed them to dictate the game. I know we had a few offensive players out, but the players on defense were the starters all year. I also know that our ineffectiveness on offense lost the field position game, but it did not really seem to matter. South moved the ball at will, although the second half was much better after we made our adjustments, but it was too little too late. We simply paid too much attention to Curt's running and let him use his arm. I really cannot speak about South's defense. If our QB and WR were not hurt, it may not have made a difference, but I would be able to have a little more informed opinion. However, against the offense we were able to put on the field South played extremely well. I have said all year that Greeneville was the best team in Region 2. West was an extremely close second, but there should be no doubt that Greeneville was/is number 1. They are extremely effective on both sides of the ball and seem to do what is necessary to win. They have not had the big numbers that South has had, but they have won. Greenway is not as flashy as Phillips, nor does the Greeneville offense rely as much on him as South seems to do with Phillips. However, the Greeneville offense seems a little more balanced between the pass and run using each effectively (again, this is from one game with each team, so my impressions may not be 100% accurate). If this game turns into a shoot out (as I think it will), then I believe the nod goes to South (it also does not hurt that they are playing at home). I am hoping that Greeneville finds the gaps and stops the run to bring home the win (region pride), but if South gets going, they will score 40 and Greeneville will not be able to match the output. (South has scored 505 points (42.1/game) and allowed 168 (14/game) and Greeneville has scored 325 (27.1/game) and allowed 156 (13/game)). Greeneville does have the win from earlier in the season, but that was at home. The home field advantage will be the difference in this game. Too bad the TSSAA made the change this year. Good luck to both teams, but hopefully Region 2 will bring home the win.

This MW fan (wanted to get that out of the way) is glad that there is only one Region 1 team left after hearing about their total domination the last few weeks. Hopefully, we will be able to make it none, but it will be an uphill climb. Now on to this game. I am very impressed with Greeneville. Their spread offense is working. Their defense is doing what is necessary to get the victory. On the other hand, Volunteer confuses me. After we played them, I thought Cherokee would catch them off guard. That did not happen. After the big win over Cherokee to get into the playoffs I expected a let down against TH. That did not happen. So, there is no doubt that Volunteer is playing their best football now, when it counts. That being said, if Greeneville is focused on the Volunteer game, plays to their ability, and executes their game plan, they will win this game. However, Volunteer is not going to lay down and allow Greeneville to walk all over them. Their defense and offense are capable of winning and that group of seniors is not ready for football to be over. I believe it will end up a close game with Greeneville getting the win. Their offense will be too much for Volunteer to handle for four quarters. In other words, Volunteer will fight, but will not have enough in the end.

One post and two wrong acclimations, or are you talking about basketball, baseball, soccer, chess, field hockey, am i gettin close?

After last weeks game and the injuries suffered by West, there is no doubt that this will be an uphill battle for the Trojans. We will miss both our starting QB and WR, but we do have players for both positions. Perhaps not as experienced, but athletically as gifted. The positive (from the West point of view) for this game is that South's strength will be going against West's strength--the ability to run vs the ability to stop the run. West's pass defense is passable and will stop most teams or at least make passing difficult, but our strength has been to stop the run. Luckily, this game is not played on paper or there would be no reason for West to show. South boasts an offense that has scored 464 total points (42.2/game) and a defense that has allowed 147 total points (13.4/game). With common opponents Greeneville (South Lost), Daniel Boone (South Won), Johnson County (South Won), and Morristown East (South Won); South has scored 149 total points (37.3/game) and allowed 73 points (18.3/game). There is no doubt that this is the most explosive offense West has faced this year.West has scored 267 total points (24.3/game) and allowed 170 points (15.5/game). Against the common opponents, with the same wins and losses by the way, West has scored 96 points (24/game) and allowed 51 (12.3/game). I believe this is one of the best defenses South has faced this year.If West's offense can move the ball with the necessary changes that have been made and keeps South's offense off the field West will win this game. However, if the offense if ineffective; allows South to win the field position and time game, West will lose. The dynamics of this game are no different for West than any other game we have played this year. The defense can play with South provided South is not given a short field or the ball (anymore than necessary).Overall, I see a tough fought game. I am pulling and predicting a West win, but know that South is explosive and can very well win this game. According to the bracket SS will be home.

I hope not, but you may be correct. The game has been dramatically changed.

Here is a great web site to help you WMTN: http://www.mtnlakesfootball.com/. This does not answer your question, but it will give you some additional information. The real shame is that the 5 rivers or imac does not have a similar site for our teams.

Take the TN-160 exit- EXIT 12- toward LOWLAND / MORRISTOWN. Turn RIGHT onto ENKA HWY / TN-160 W. Take the SOUTH CUMBERLAND STREET / TN-343 ramp. Turn RIGHT onto S CUMBERLAND ST / TN-343. Turn RIGHT onto Morris Boulevard. Turn RIGHT onto Hurricane Lane at stop light past Sherwood Baseball Field and across from Dairy Queen. The school will be on your left and the field will be straight ahead.

Everyone in East Tennessee (and perhaps the state) knows where South starts. If East can contain Phillips and knock him off his game, then they do have a chance to win this game. Fortunately for East, this situation plays to the strength of their team. Unfortunately for East, no one has been able to contain Phillips. On paper, South has a huge advantage: South has scored 423 points (42.3/game) and allowed 126 points (12.6/game); East has scored 134 points (13.4/game) and allowed 148 (14.8/game). However, East is an athletic team with a number of very good football players. They have just started to come together as a team. If East can keep the game close, then they have a chance to come out with the win. However, I do not think they will be able to handle all of South's weapons. I am pulling for the fellow Morristown school and hope their plan brings home a win.

If East is able to stop the running attack and keep the game close, then they will have a chance. However, if Greeneville is able to run at will (with a pass here and there) and get a big lead, then East does not have a chance. Greeneville's offense hogs the ball and is able to move the sticks and unless stopped East will not have enough time to get the win. Greeneville has scored 242 points (24.2/game) and allowed 123 points (12.3/game); East has scored 226 points (22.6/game) and allowed 191 (19.1/game). Both teams seem to be evenly matched, but East will have to play assignment football on defense to have any hope of stopping Greeneville. I believe this game will come down to who is the most disciplined. Unfortunately, I have not seen East play and do not know a lot about them. However, based on what I do know about Greeneville I believe they will come out with the win.

It is true that West is not quite as strong as they have been in years past, but we are still a very good team (in fact we are Region 2 co-champs, so I guess we are still in the light). I do believe we can beat JC, but we will have to begin playing at the beginning of the game and not after half time. I have always been impressed with JC. They play good football and always play to their game plan. As far as comparisons go, both of these teams seem extremely even on paper. West has scored 227 points (22.7/game) and allowed 154 points (15.4/game) the opponents record is 50-50; JC has scored 236 points (23.6/game) and allowed 192 (19.2/game) the opponents record is 53-48 (one NC team has played 11 games). If this JC team concentrates on the run, the West defense will stop them. Our pass defense is adequate, but that is the weak point. We had some special teams problems earlier in the year, but those seem to have been ironed out. Our offense is the Jekyll and Hyde of this team. The offense either comes out on fire and cannot be stopped or cannot move the ball, there does not seem to be any middle ground. The last few weeks we have seen a more consistent offense. If this offense takes the field Friday night, then JC will not be in this game. If Hyde shows up, the pressure will be on the defense to hold until the offense settles down. Overall I see a West win. I do not think JC will be able to play four quarters with this West team.

Now I guess we can talk about this game. BUMP

West cannot finish below 2nd place. It is mathematically impossible. There is a chance (if Greeneville loses) for West to be the first seed, but I do not see Greeneville losing.

Concerning the playoff posibilities, this is posted on the TSSAA web site: Greeneville is first and Morristown West is second unless Greeneville loses and Morristown West wins, in which case Morristown West is first and Greeneville is second. If Volunteer wins, Volunteer is third and the Daniel Boone vs. Morristown East winner is fourth. If Volunteer loses and Daniel Boone wins, Cherokee is third and Daniel Boone is fourth. If Volunteer loses and Daniel Boone loses, Morristown East is third and Cherokee is fourth. A definite win or stay home game.

Wasn't the final 38-14?

Randy, you can get too upset at a person who cannot count past 10 with his shoes on. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Glad to hear about Barlow. I did not realize there was another player hurt, but hope both will be available to play next week.

Please post Barlow's condition. Sad to see him being carted off.

That is exactly what I was trying to show. Volunteer is an extremely capable team and does have the ability to beat West. In fact, after the jamboree, I said that Greeneville and Volunteer would be the toughest games for West this year (even after the early stumble at Cocke). I have no doubt about Volunteers ability. However, I have no doubt about West's ability either. I just do not know which West team will show up. Luckily Friday is getting closer and we will know the outcome soon.

A comparison: West Points For 152 (19/game) Points Against 140 (17.5/game), Conference Points For 126 (25.2/game) Points Against 56 (11.2/game), West is 3-1 against common opponents, Points For 98 (24.5/game) Points Against 49 (12.3.game), Opponents Record 37-28 Volunteer Points For 183 (22.9/game) Points Against 136 (17/game), Conference Points For 99 (19.8/game) Points Against 59 (11.8/game), Volunteer is 3-1 against common opponents, Points For 80 (20.0/game) Points Against 39 (9.8/game), Opponents Record 35-28

You are correct, there is no way to predict the outcome of this game. As for Volunteer never beating West, the only positive for West is how that will play into the heads of Volunteer. To say that it is an advantage is perhaps too strong a word, but to have that sword hanging over Volunteer's heads does provide some mental advantage for West. It is not enough of an advantage to quantify, but it will be on the minds of the Volunteer team. Unfortunately for West, this is a talented Volunteer team who may be able to handle this little bit of trivia. If West's offense comes out strong from the opening possession, West will win. If West has alot of 3 and outs, West will lose. West defense can play with Volunteer, but not on a short field. I have seen improvement all year from all aspects of West's game, but it is time to put it together. If we can play a complete game, West will win. However, if we make mistakes Volunteer will take advantage of them and they will win. As the old saying goes Volunteer is not the pushover they were in your father's day (I know it is supposed to be grandfather's, but Volunteer has not been around long enough for that to be true).