Storm55

History tells me that Cloudland had 16 winning seasons compared to only 2 losing seasons since the end of 1989. It took Cosby's new coach only one season to build his program solid because his players were hungry and eager to win. You can win every year, athletes or no athletes. Who did we have? Tim Clipse? Its not always about the athletes but the drive. Eye of the tiger, man. I'm preaching it. I've experienced it. Whooo!!

The key will be West Greene's line. I know for a fact that a fiery coach whose had past success can totally rebound a team in one season. The thing I'm expecting to see is an improvement on the line on both sides of the ball. A good coach will not put up with lazy lineman who stand straight up and won't stay with a block. He also will not put up with defensive lineman who won't scrap and get after the ball. You see, you don't have to have all-american running backs to have a good team. You've got to have 11 boys and a coach with the same understanding. If West Greene possesses these qualities, then they will duplicate what Cosby has done the past 2 seasons. West Greene can beat Cloudland. I don't want it to happen, but it may have to happen for everyone to wake up in Roan Mt. and smell the coffee. Cloudland has had 16 winning seasons compared to only 2 losing seasons since 1990. That is proof a program can be good every year. I don't put much stock in rebuilding, JUST RELOADING.

yeah man I hear ya. He does love it or has loved it . Sounds like he ready 2 give up on the Landers after 1 game. He may have had some differences with the players in the weight room in the off season , but that doesnt give him the right 2 give up on Cloudland Football. Thats the only way Cloudland football dies is if the community gives up on them. These guys showed a lot of heart last Friday night. This new offense is going 2 take some time , could be good in the future , or could be not so good. We just need 2 get behind them all the way . Them means all of them coaches, asst. coaches, players, everyone envolved. When we were winning so much about 5,6,7 years ago we filled the bleachers and alot of people stood on the fence or sat on the lil hill to the left in fold up chairs. People cant just come when they think were going to win or homecoming , and expect a stand-out ballclub year after year. We dont need to let storm or anyone else bring us down on Lander football. We got a coach in there that is willing 2 work and has alot of time to put in it. Just b patient . WE B BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've not given up, I'm trying to fire these boys up. I'm not going to pet them. I'd rather have them hate me than to settle for being a losing program. I didn't have no differences with players in the weight room. I left the weight room because I felt some players were doing things half way instead of 100 percent. Alot of you guys (and I know most of you and think the world of you even if you hate me) you don't understand unless you've sit back and payed close attention to every detail of the program for the last 16 years. I know times change, but I also know the attitude of a winner has been the same since the beginning of time. I want these guys to get some killer instinct and stand up for themselves. They could have done a lot better last effortwise last friday. Hopefully, they will have the eye of the tiger tonight.

Sometimes I'm in utter disbelief at the dillusion of the Elizabethton fans. They must still be lost in the Witten glory years. Well, those days are over. We are talking about Elizabethton teams that have been beaten on their home field by HV and Unicoi in recent years. Hampton is on a par second to none and anyone who thinks that Hampton would wear down by playing both ways don't understand how tough mountain boys can be. Hampton would beat SH, TH, and would name the score against Elizabethton. I'm willing to bet everything I have on Hampton against any of these schools. I guarantee I'd be a rich man by the end of this season. Whooooooo!!

I'm really excited for WG,this team is very different from teams of the past.I no Cloudland is down this year but it will be very hard for WG to beat them.I just hope this team will get better each week.So many folks are talking about WG football and that is so good for these kids.Good luck Buffs!!

I hope you guys have a good year. It may be hard for the WG fans to understand where we come from as Lander fans because we were once a great tradition of power. Now that its gone, there is an emptiness in Roan Mt. that has really took the life out of everyone who has ever been associated with this program. I'm not normally this negative, but I'm deeply hurt at the lack of pride and willingness to sacrafice their own bodies to put Cloudland football back on the map. Last week we had several players walking around in street clothes. Thats the difference. Back in Cloudland's glory days, if you could walk, you could play. Just talk to some of the guys that played with 100 degree plus fevers against Oneida back in 91'. Or the guys that tore up shoulders and waited til the end of the season to have surgery. Thats the difference. If there are any Highlanders that read this forum, its time to do a gut check. Do you even care that people are laughing at you? And Cloudland is known now for being a powder puff team instead of the feared reaper on the mountain? West Greene is coming hungry. Teams are getting the eye of the tiger and if Cloudland don't start standing up to these challenges, then rock bottom is coming. Eye of the tiger, man.

I think I will pass up going to the game and go to the county fair....seems like winner already decided so why go to the game

You probably should go on to the fair because Hampton just can't be beat this year. The Dogs are only going to get better and better and by playoff time, no one will stop them from obtaining the gold ball. It will be a special moment for the Lunsford (father and son duo) along will uncle pujo. Hampton will not be beaten.

Yes I said it, the Highlanders better not overlook the Buffs. The Buffs will be different than what they were under Barry Carter. THeir new coach has been in very successful programs and he knows what it takes to win. I'm not saying who will win, but I am saying it won't be like the games of old between these two schools.

I am from Roan Mt. and have been a strong supporter of the Highlanders for years, however I am brutally honest. I think this game will be over in the 3rd quarter. That is in WEST GREENE'S favor. Our team just don't have the tools and more than that, they just don't have the heart to play the game at the level a Highlander should play. I'm going to say West Greene wins in a route 42-7.

Cloudland is a much-improved team. I'm bettin' the farm on a Cloudland victory.

 

Okay, so I have a very small farm. Good Luck, Highlanders!

YOu are going to lose your farm. I only call it like I see it. There will be a lot of shocked faces in Roan Mt. this Friday. Mine won't be one of them.

The Bulldogs have my support. They are not only the best team in the state, but I feel that no one in 1-A can stop them this year. They are a weather worn and battle tested group and the more the year goes on, the better they will get. By playoff time, they will be completely unstoppable. Crazyness, I'm actually starting to like you. Keep up the good posting.

Yes, I have went out on a limb for them. I'm the only one who has ever stood up aggressively for this program, but it has never been appreciated. If you want to see how bad things have gotten, come to the game Friday. It would'nt surprise me if West Greene didn't win 42-7.

Pujo, no one would have ever thought that Unaka would destroy Cloudland by 3 TD's on their home field and that Jellico would dominate the line of scrimmage to also defeat Cloudland at home. They were also destroyed by Cosby at home and should have lost to North Greene. What once was an indestructible dynasty is now only a shadow and a thought of what once was a proud football program. This past Friday was one of the saddest I've ever witnessed. Everyone says to give the new offense time to work. Well, it will never work until the kids on the team learn to block and tackle. Tradition is a forgotten thing with our community's teenagers and families. The opposition used to shake with fear when they saw our gold jerseys coming on to Orr Field because they knew they would have to go through hades to acheive a victory over the mighty Landers. Now we dodge blockers instead of taking them on. We dive at runningbacks ankles instead of putting a shoulderpad in their guts. Now we let offensive lineman push us all over the field instead of driving them back into their own running backs. Now we are dazed and confused instead of motivated and focused. You see, love him or hate him, coach Lunsford instilled all of these qualities because he was a war machine. Until that kind of aggressiveness and pride comes back to Cloudland, then other teams will keep on marching on to Orr Field and embarrassing Cloudland in front of all their cheerleaders and parents. Sorry if the truth offends but this post cannot be argued with.

After what I witnessed Fri. night, West Greene will easily defeat Cloudland. In fact, I say by at least 3 touchdowns.

I agree foreveranole. Cloudland football fans have only one thing on their mind Friday nights and that is the task at hand. We have too many winners in this community that is behind this sport for us to stay in this slump. I look for complete domination over Avery Co. CHS 38 Avery 14.

I also played for Cloudland and have lived in Roan Mt. my whole life, but I have a lot of ties to Avery Co. My dad preaches in Avery Co. and my mom was raised there too. I have to drive through Avery Co. every morning to get to work. I do know personally some people who think very little of Cloudland and Roan Mt. I've got into several altercations in the past several years because of things that have been said about our town. I know for a fact that Roan Mtn. is first class when it comes to Carter County. Its not like we are the creek or something. This is an elite town and football program. I'm looking for a good game next Friday. I hope our boys show which community is elite in this area.

I never could understand why Avery viewed Roan Mt. as lower class people. There is no industry or good roads to drive on in Avery Co. You could get a speeding ticket on a bicycle in Newland. Back to football, it should be a good game. I'm with Cloudland all the way.

Harriman 21 Unaka 0. Harriman looks big up front. LBs are solid. They need to settle on a QB. (3 guys took snaps with first team) A few of the freshmen look like they will contribute early. A lot of potential speed there for the future. OL needs to be more consistent up front and RBs needed to see holes better. Not bad though for only being in pads three days. I think Harriman will suprise a little this year after losing so much off of last year's squad. Unaka moved the ball a few times but good get in close enough for a score. It was good to see a little football!!! I missed it!

This was totally expected. Unaka will go back to its regular role in being a warm-up for Hampton and Cloudland.

I believe Robbie will be okay as long as the older know-it-alls leave him alone. Robbie knows more about offense than all of the sideline coaches combined. If they leave him alone and he doesn't buckle under the pressure, he will win and keep winning and winning and winning.

I agree. Cloudland doesn't have the line to support this kind of offense against most teams.

Foreveranole, you have to remember that crazyness was only a waterboy. You have to take his opinions with a grain of salt. Cloudland will be fine and you won't have to worry about it being two more years before they start taking care of buisness. Cloudland will have very little trouble defeating unaka this year.

Midway 25 Unaka 0. Midway is a very good team with a sound offense and a tough defense. Unaka moved the ball very well at times and others not so good. The defense is sputtering and still trying to find the right people in the right places and was exposed in both scrimmages thus far. Look for them to get it straightened out and be in the running.

This is what I have been predicting. Things are going to get back to normal routine with Hampton and Cloudland dominating the conference. I look for both teams to actually handle Unaka pretty easily.

I'd say Cloudland will turn it around and go 8-2. Cosby and Unaka will not be able to compete with a tradition like Cloudland on a regular basis. Don't be surprised to see things back to normal for this season and the next few years. If Hampton's line will get viscious, they will win the state this year. NO body can stop Hampton this year. Cloudand will be in 2nd with Cosby a distant third. I'm going to pick Grace Christian for 4th because Unaka always stays so beat up. That will be the excuse this year. "Oh well we had so many injuries". I guess they will have to wait for baseball season.

Go Landers, whooooooooooo!!

1. Hampton , until someone steps up to their level noone in this region can beatem.

2. Cosby , Defensively will be the best in the region , offense is very talented but young at key positions may hurtem , but if some younguns step up they could challenge H-town for the title.

3. Unaka , strong "D" solid coaching , they might give Cosby a run for second.

4. Jellico , Lots of seniors , good coaching should be a turn around year for the Devils.

5. Grace , depending on how many transfers they get an dhow they respond to a new coach could finish as high as third or as low as sixth.

6. Cloudland , new coaches , new system , Not alot of experienced talent returning (lots of young talent I hear) could make a playoff run on tradition alone but I see them missing the playoffs one more year before they can turn it around.

Your lineup looks the best. Cloudland could salvage a 4-6 record this year. I don't know. It depends on how the horses control the wagon. Hampton will dominate.

Its hard to get where Hamton has elevated to. When you reach that level of playing in the playoffs yearly, and play against region 4 teams, you will have more kids interested in football. Until then the rest in the region may as well expect the butt whoopin until they reach that level. What Hampton has learned playing against the tough regions is their edge against the rest of their region. Nothing can replace experience. If you think different hide and watch. They have reached the level to compete with other teams on the continual hunt for the gold ball. Hampton has exposure near the gold ball. Has anyone else over there? Expect the same year after year from Hampton. We do in region 4. Welcome aboard Hampton. You have earned your recognition.

Cloudland used to be the only super power this side of Knoxville. Now the Highlander program is not even a twinkle of what it used to be. The Highlanders are the only upper east tennessee program to make it to the final round in recent years, but now the power lies at Hampton because of one man. I don't even have to say his name. As long as the same coaches stay at Hampton, the other teams in the region might as well lay down because Hampton can't be beat and they won't be beat.

Idon't understand what you are talking about, whats the problem at Cloudland . What does politics have to do with anything thats going on right now.

And if you are getting married,congrats, you are getting a fine wife. Best of luck to you both.

Thank you, Pujo. Its coming up Saturday. As for this topic, I guess I shouldn't say anything if its not good.

Storm, it was coaches and players coming from NC. And it was local what you call politics that sent them there. It's the same unfortunately, anywhere you go.

 

By the way, congrats!

Thank you old44. I'm going to join the old married man club. I doubt I will go to any games anymore. Its just sick to see these same things happen every year.