Augielio

No, MAHS is NOT Manaassas. What WAS Manassas still IS Manassas. Out on Firestone in North Memphis, hosting Lewis County in th 3A opening round. MAHS is a new school, played 6 games in 2009 before 10 game schedules the past two seasons, lost to Manassas (and a bunch of other people). They are terrible but consistent. The TSSAA should give all spectators $5.00 for attending, $10.00 if they stay for the second half.

Union City by as many as they wish, in spite of the fact that UC is a very weak team (No wins over any team with a winning record and the worst tackling team seen in these parts in many years.) However MAHS is a horse of another color. I have seen them on tape this year and if they are able to get on and off the bus with their entire squad and their equipment (and possibly some of yours), it will be a successful night. Ironically, the Memphis Area Health Services (or System or Something)may be able to treat their injuries and yours both. You may want to bring in some extra bleachers for the team followers (most likely confined to the bus driver), and record some random gunshots for the PA system to make the Lions feel at home--they are located out on Chelsea in North Memphis. (You'd be bitter too, if you had had been subjected to the MAHS-Douglass tape.) The Lions most definitely sleep Friday night.

I am usually very good-natured and genuine with fans who make unreasonable predictions in favor of their home town teams. Optimism, and it's good for the game. Parents and relatives are also excused; they have no obligation to be reasonable; blood is thicker than statistics. But, 48 to 0 Dresden!! 48 in one game is more than Dresden has put up against anyone else on their schedule (which is a weak schedule, 3 out of 9 teams with winning records), yet you are picking the Lions to put up 48 against the only unbeaten team they face! On the other side of the ball, you are planning (prophesying?) that Dresden, which has shut out no one, will shut out top-ranked Huntingdon. I have seen Dresden play twice (once-Union City--in person) and once on tape. Huntingdon I have seen twice in person and twice on tape. I would say likely score about 41-7, maybe 41-14 Huntingdon. No comparison between the two teams. Dresden is a good offensive team, average on defense. A finesse team more than a physical team; Huntingdon, a physical team with the best offensive line this side of Henry County. Gatchall, Raymer and especially McPeak are excellent football players, but right now, they'e in harm's way.

A MOST UNTYPICAL MILAN TEAM Milan's football tradition is well-established. amd Coach Morris' record and his reputation are solid and should not be challenged. They both stand for excellence. Yet, this is the worst Milan team within recent memory, not just in terms of talent, but, disturbingly, the Bulldogs this year do not play smart football, do not seem to be in the bast of physical shape, and are a major disappointment. They are likely the weakest 9-1 (after next Friday)team in the state and should not be able to advance deeply into the playoffs. Covington had good backs but average offensive and defensive lines, yet they outscored Milan 19 to 7 in the second half. MILAN HAS ONDOUBTEDLY THE WORST PASS DEFENSE ANYPLACE. Covington has no passing attack, but in every completion they made, there was not a Milan defender within 10 yards of the receiver. In a crucial 4th and long situation late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line, the Covington TE was open 30 yards down the field with no defenders anyplace near. A photo would not have had a Milan defender in the picture. Milan's own passing attack is non-existent; they did not complete a pass against Covington. Huntingdon administered a physical beating earlier this season, whipping the Milan defense and wearing them down. But most troubling were the mental errors and the seemingly-unmotivated efforts. A Covington rceiver got 20 yards behind the Milan secondary for the first score, a fake punt resulted in a 30 yard first down run, and the Bulldogs passed up numerous opportunities to let Covington get back into it in the second half. The two point conversion attempt to tie the game was a fiasco, because the head linesman made a premature (and incorrect signal) that the run was good, tieing the game. Why he did this is not clear, but it led to celebrations on the Covington side and great disappointment a moment later when the umpire overruled the call. For a district championship between two teams with a single loss each, it was a major shock. W

I stand both humbled and corrected. That score was 35 ro 7,

First, allow me to congratulate you on your recent ecclesiastical promotion. Sainthood is beyond the reach of most of us. I understand that you think Covington is coming over to Johnny Hale Stadium and putting a 28 point defeat on the Bulldogs on Friday. Some facts: 1. Covington has won 3 games by 28 or more points this season, beating Bolton, Haywood, and Gibson County, teams that are not exactly Milanesque. In fact, these 3 teams have won a total of ....2 games this season. 2. It's been 29 years (1982 since anyone beat Milan by 28 points, at home or on the road. 3. Every year we see this kind of thing happen; its inevitable and I think it is good for football: a school which has been down comes up with a good team (and Covington IS talented) and a bandwagon effect occurs. Will we see the team that put 36 on Obion Central in the second half or the team that was held scoreless by Dyersburg for 3 quarters and was limited to 7 points for nearly a half by Obion Central? In short, Covington hasn't been in the chase this year long enough to know just what kind of team you have. I've seen Covington play twice, once in person and once on tape. I've seen Milan play 2 times (Huntingdon and Westview) and also in a preseason scrimmage against Mayfield. I think Milan by 7 to 10 points. For whatever it is worth, 90% of those entering the "Big Ones" also picked Milan. Sometimes in our exuberance, we can allow one part of our bodies to overload another.

The teams they have beaten are a combined 3 wins, 16 losses, and all 3 wins came against each other).Halls scored all 20 of hits points in the first half, and had the lead. Greenfield, I do not know. But for most of this season, Union City hasn't had enough players to have second and third units in games.

If UC hands the ball to Fair, it will be the longest handoff in football history, since Fair plays (and plays very well) for Obion Central and not for UC. UC has the worst defense I have seen all season; Huntingdon, Dresden, even Halls ran through them. Tackling is terrible. Their pass defense would be terrible also, except that no one has to throw. Except for Trenton, every team on the Union City schedule scored their point highs for the year against Union City, even Greenfield had two touchdowns. As far as Union City throwing the bll a lot...not on this planet, not in this century. Only a dedicated Union City fan could look at this year's team and think about playoffs.

I think the Jackson Sun had Titanic over the Iceberg by 2 touhdowns. You can rest assure that the Sun reporers have seen neither team and cannot name a starter for either team.

Did anyone ever wonder why Union City scrimmaged 4 teams in 2 days, why they scrimmaged Perry County and Brighton back to back? I suspect that the Union City coaching staff knew about, approved, and attended these scrimmages...with their small numbers of players. What will bring about the turn about? Hyde will die of overwork, what then. The situation with Obion Central is now firmly reversed. Union City has lost 7 of its last ten games and a second straight losing season is all but assured. If Union City loses to Halls, consider changing the team nickname to Wisps.

Union City doesn't have 2 offenses; Union City has NO offenses. It has Keylon Hyde and an inferior supporting cast. The loss of QB Rutland was the last straw for a team which did not have much material anyway. It wasn't a missing QB which allowed Obion Central to run and pass at will. Union City has no material, period. As far as a UC passing attack, Union City doesn't throw the ball..now then, not now, not next weekend. If Wayne County has a team resembling any of those of recent years, they can name the score.

Does anyone know the order of the 3 games; who plays first, etc?

I suppose from the points in my post, readers who didn't know me would assume that I am anti-Dyer County. Not at all. I worked with the Dyersburg High football team for years, but I always favored Dyer County when DHS was not involved. I attended the DC games this year hoping they would win. I wish they could compete with Northside but I don't see it happening. I would comment that your observation about responding to a different kind of coaching could go either way. I think you are correct, and your point is a good one, but a lot of players have gotten away with a lot in the past few years. (Wallace Milam)

I have seen Dyer County play 3 times in person this year and one time on tape. Like more and more West Tennessee teams, the Choctaws have gone to the spread--in fact, they probably went there first, several years ago. Here is what I see in Dyer County: 1. No team discipline, which of course becomes the kiss of death. 2. Medford averages 8 + yards a game BECAUSE he only geta few carries. Teams defend Dyer County with 6 in the box. If Medford were in the back of an I formation, he would average closer to 4.0 yards a carry. He is a good back--an excellent back, in f act--but to suggest that he is the best back in West Tennessee is absurd. 3. Dye is not an outstanding spread QB. His completion % is too low. Spread QBs are supposed to aveage more than 60% completions and are supposed to be able to run the ball. Dye is erratic and has likely reached his peak. 4. Dyer Couny has no defense--against either the run or pass. 5. Finally, on the question of what Dyer County players would do if they had Ward or Comer at the helm, most would be in the study hall, having quit football because they were having to do real, strenuous practices, or because of insubordination. Northside will beat Dyer County handily. They are well coached, and Craig is a far better spread QB than Dye. Beware the second half. (Wallace Milam)

I've seen Brighton 3 times and have not seen Germantown. Brighton has talent, an overrated QB and an underrated running back. Brighton has the poorest coaching I have seen, and defense seems to be in short supply. I can't see how they can advance far. If Germantown can practice ball control and avoid turnovers, they should win.

[someone posted this: There is no local team that can cover 6 receivers when a QB is as hot as Trey Phipps was Friday ,That is certainly true, since it is impossible to have 6 receivers in a legal pass play. Five ineligible offensive linemen plus the QB as the passer. Maybe we have in mind "Phipps to Phipps" or something like that.

I have seen Crockett County play 3 times this season (Obion Central, Dyer County, and Dyersburg. They have been clearly overrated and are not a top 20 team, to say nothing of having been ranked #2. They managed to slip though in several closes games, due to a great FB and great coaching. The defense against the run was always crippled, and there were no defensive backs or ends. Dyersburg came in with a very glood offensive game plan: run wide and throw deeply. Dyersburg had over 400 yards of offense and led 35 to 13 after 3 quarters. The 4th quarter was butt ugly football: Dyersburg didn't know how to win and went crazy, the officials knew the home team was undefeated and tried not to have the first loss on their watch. The result is that Dyersburg incurred 95 yards in penalties IN THE 4TH QUARTER ALONE, including 2 roughing the kicker, 1 roughing the passer, 2 unsportsmanlike conduct (with an ejection), 2 pass interference calls, 1 defensive offsides and 1 false start. Dyersburg could not stok Crockett County and all the penalties and with a minute to play, the Cavaliers had tied the game at 35 to 35. The Dyersburg quarterback Alford connected with wide receiver Warren for a 55 yard pass deep into Crockett County territory. Alford scored on a QB keep with 37 seconds left, making the final score 42 to 35. Crockett County is a legitimate .500 team in a competitive 3A region.

With the changing of the blocking rules in the early 1990's, the blocking sleds (2 and 7 man) and the blocking chutes have lost most of their utility. These aides were to teach offensive linemen to come out low and fast, to keep the back straight, to stay low and get leverage and to keep the feet driving tghrogh the opponent. Today, with "blocking" replaced by "showing," these principles do not apply. There is no need to get low, no need to drive through the opponent, just grab and control him at arm's length. The sleds may have more useefulness for defensive coaches attempting to teach forearm shivers and shedding blocks. Coaches and fans do not appreciate the changes brought about to football at all levels by the new blocking rules of t he 1990s. The subject would require pages, but et it be said that the spread formations we have today would n ot be possible without allowing blockers to put their hands on defenders on every play.

This is not nearly as good a Crockett County team as those of the past 7 years, WBs not as good and QB is not a running or passing threat. Pass defense is weak. They have eacaped by the skin of their teeth several times, most of them due to Pratt's coaching. Liberty's offense is not as good as last year, especially the passing game, but their defense compares well to last year's team. Lst year, Liberty wore a plodding and slower Crockett County team into the ground in the second half. Speed still kills, but Crockett County is far too one dimensional to play with top flight teams.

Wallace Milam) I wouild like to take this opportunity to eat some crow ahd congratulate Obion Central on their effort against Crockett. I had predicted a 41-7 Crockett blowout. What I saw was an exciting--but ragged game which came down to the final 2 minutes. First let me praise the Obion Central offense. Your TB had a tremendous game. He has some elusiveness and the needed "other gear" for breakaways. He played a great game. I found your QB average for the spread formation. Has a good arm, but not a really good touch, had some drops. I don't think OCCHS completed a pass in the second half--maybe one--and Phipps is clearly not a runner, which you need to make the spread work better. I thought the Rebel receivers did pretty well in catching balls over the middle. Then there is Crockett County. This is the weakest Cavalier team I have seen in the past 8 years. Taylor is tremendous at FB, but the offensive line is not up to standards, especially at tackle; only one WB can run inside the tackles, and the QB seems only to be able to hand the ball off, not to throw it or run with it. Interesting and exciting game. Obion Central is better than I had thougjht and Crockett is not as good as I had thought. Obion Central may well have a winning record--6-4 or at best 5-5.

Crockett County should have a better offense than last season. The key to the Wing T/Double Wing is the FB. He hits inside quick as a change of pace from the HB's who run off tackle in slower-developing plays. When Jarvis Perry was at FB and the Johnson boys were WB's for Pratt about 5 years ago, they were one of the best teams in this area. In the past few seasons, the CC FB's have not been outstanding. Taylor is the best to come along, stronger than Perry but not as quick. The only team which I have seen physically beat Crockett in the past few years was Liberty in the playoffs last year, and Liberty nad speed, coaching, and depth. Crockett--41; OCCHS-7

(Wallace Milam) Only problem for Obion Central is that their offense is not going to be on the field much. CC will get it and keep it. If both safeties crowd the box, they may throw, but Coach Pratt knows how t shorten a game as well as anyone. Simplicity, execution, and no turnovers--that's the Crockett County formula, and it works.

(Wallace Milam from Dyersburg) Patience, gentlemen. You are undefeated. You dropped a scrimmage. Half a game. Do you doubt that Henry County outplayed Huntingdon or that the Patriots would have prevailed in a complete game? James Counce will do just fine. To any of us from Dyersburg, the suggestion that he would not play the best players when it counted is absurd, not worthy of even discussing. Coach T gives a certain kind of person the opportunity to "write on the bathroom wall," to criticize without revealing himself. "Unknown" ("Unknowing"? "Unthinking"? "Unnoticed"? whatever)is clearly upset that he has not been hired (or even seriously considered)for this job. You have to ask yourself whether he would rather see Counce and Henry County fail and him be proven right or whether he wants to see the Patriots win even if they don't do it his way. I'd like to know how the O line has been these 3 preseasons. Blocking is my favorite part of football, and you've got the best O line coach I know. I'm going to travel over to Jackson to watch Liberty Magnet and Henry County on Friday night. I think it will be a heckuva game. If any of you guys want to talk football-real football about Henry County, send me a private E-mail (wmilam@cableone.net)and we'll get together. I'm not referring to trash talking or who should be playing where and why; I'm talking about what Henry County has done these past three weeks.

;;J. T. Beasley is now about 310 pounds and should be a starter this year. He was `17 first year there and was redshirted. Got quite a bit of time last year. He's a great kid who made 32 on his ACT. The truth is Dyersburg doesn't get a lot of D1 types. I think you people will be well pleased with James Counce Chapter 2.