Augielio

I think you are right. I watched Lipscomb-Mitchell tonight. This is definitely the weakest Lipscomb team of the past three.

It has come to my attention that my post on the Lipscomb-Mitchell game was cut off just as it was getting started. I don't know about others, but here, Coach T was crashing, creeping, crawling and stalling--from at least 10 P.M. until now. The result of the abbreviated post was to make it appear that I was calling the game sloppy (it certainly was) without offering evidence. The remainder of the post--the 90% that never made it onto the site--offered the evidence. 1. Mitchell came into the game with the best and most exciting spread QB in the state--Ken Torry--and spent most of the game in a Pro-I using two 200 backs to pound Lipscomb between the tackles. Mitchell had a huge weight advantage on the Lipscomb defense, so the pounding worked--to an extent. Mitchell had a thoroughbred but chose to use 2 mules instead. When Torry and Mitchell got in the spread, their 5 and 10 yard runs began to lengthen. Mitchell knew that they had a size advantage and decided to exploit that. They also had a great speed advantage and did not exploit that. 2. Memphis schools lose many games--some crucial games--because they stubbornly refuse to develop place kickers. Mitchell scored 3 TDs (same as Lipscomb), went for 2 each time. Result: 0 for 3 and end of the season. Just last week, Melrose collapsed and lost to Henry County 27-26. Melrose attempted 4 2-point conversions and made 2--and lost by one point. It happens every year to Memphis teams and they never seem to get the hint. 3. Lipscomb faced a defensive line with 8 in the box (and I do mean in a very crowded box), came in with 2 running backs who weigh under 180--and decided to run inside. The result was predictable--and ugly. At least, neither of the two got maimed. Only when Lipscomb employed Rogers on the sweep did they gain any yards on the ground. Lipscomb which throws passes around as often as Fox News endorses Democrats, scored its final two touchdowns after passes of 73 and 75 yards. 4. The final two minutes of the game were particularly out of control. After the 73 yard pass set up Lipscomb first and goal on the Mitchell 2 yard line, with Mitchell ahead 18-13, Lipscomb, a veteran playoff team, huddled with 12 men and got a 5 yard penalty, then did the same thing on the very next play, though it went uncalled. Holt ran outside for what proved to be the winning touchdown, the penalty unseen or unnoted. 5. Both coach staffs used all their timesout before the final 2 minutes, and both needed them desperately after they were gone. Mitchell began its final possession with about 1 and 1/2 minutes left--no timesout. Lipscomb remarkably helped them down the field with a 15 yard personal foul penalty. Torry completed a pass into the Lipscomb end zone--and beyond and was called for being beyond the line of scrimmage--15 yards and loss of down. 6. On two plays in the final franticness, Mitchell linemen walked back to the line of scrimmage--with the game clock inside one minute. Old habits die hard. 7. In the end, Lipscomb prevailed and moves toward what is almost certain whipping by Fulton. Mitchell ends the season and Torry goes back to point guard on the basketball team, where he has even more talent than on the football field. Once again, Memphis football falls short. Certainly, no other coaches in the state squander as much talent as do the Memphis coaching staffs. It is remarkable how many talented young men rise from mediocre Memphis teams to become outstanding college players. Many of those players deserve better. 8. It ws an exciting game but a sloppy game. I strongly suspect that both coaches would say (after they praised the efforts and dedication of the young men) that their teams did not play well. Exciting does not mean excellence. My first effort at sex a half century ago was exciting; I can assure everyone it was not a study in excellence--at least not as many people were watching as saw Lipscomb-Mitchell at J.P. Freeman tonight.

My apologies. Only the long version was supposed to be on. Coach T crashed and crawled from at least 10 o'clock on. I wasn't sure if any post about the game made it through.. Just as I am not sure this reply will make it. I drove 100 miles to see the game, and was very disappointed. I am sure that if you asked either head coach if his team played well, they would reply in the negative. I was for Lipscomb but did not like the way they played.

Mitchell and David Lipscomb met tonight at J. P. Freeman Stadium in south Memphis, and, though it is hard to find much definite to say about such a sloppy game, it seems likely that one thing CAN be said: The Knox Fulton coaching staff will sleep well. Lipscomb won the game 20-18 on a two yard run in the final two minutes, which were like a comedy of errors. Another Memphis team lost a crucial game because the Memphis schools stubbornly refuse to develop place kickers. Melrose would have beaten Henry County last week if Melrose had had a kicker. Lack of a kicker caused Mitchell to go for 2 after all 3 of its TDs. Mitchell went 0 for 3 and can clean out the lockers Monday.

After a well-played game between two worthy opponents, spectators and sportscasters often say, "It's a shame somebody had to lose this game." As the chilled fans filed out of the stadium at Brownsville tonight, many must have felt as I did: "It's a shame that someone had to win this game." It was a poorly-played and error-filled game by both teams by any standards, shockingly poor for a playoff game. Ken Torrey, the heralded Mitchell QB, completed one pass in the first half and had two picked off in the game. Haywood played a 5-1-5 against the Mitchell spread, with an umbrella of DBs, lined up 9, 12, and 15 yards deep and backpedaling at the snap. For some reason, Mitchell decided that the way to attack this conservative defense was to try to throw bombs over it. Haywood attacked the Mitchell 6-2 alignment by running at it. Neither offensive efforts worked. In fact, it was poor kick coverages which decided the outcome. Bradley Witherspoon, the one shining light in the frigid evening, returned a Mitchell punt for the first Haywood touchdown. Then, after a second quarter TD gave Haywood a 14-0 lead, a poorly-placed and poorly-covered kickoff was returned to the Haywood 30 by Mitchell, their deepest penetration of the game at that point. Robert Redmond replaced Torrey at QB and hit on two rollout passes. Mitchell punched it in just before halftime and Torrey threw his first completion--for the two point conversion. It was 14-8 Haywood and halftime. The first half saw other notable low points--a Haywood player managed to get himself hit on the foot by his own team's punt, giving Mitchell possession in Haywood territory. Mitchell tried to take advantage of the field position by flinging 4 bombs as far as Torrey's strong arm could cast them--in spite of the fact that Haywood's secondary was retreating into a different zip code. For its part, Mitchell had one of its tackles wander downfield on a long pass, nullifying a pass interference call against Haywood. In the second half, Haywood continued its extremely loose coverage, gambling that Mitchell would self-destruct before they could hit enough short passes to take advantage of the gift. They almost won the gamble. Torrey connected with is slot men for a string of 7 to 9 yard gains, moving the ball into Haywood territory. Then the temptation to throw the bomb overcame him and the successful strategy was abandoned. In the 4th quarter, Torrey drove the Tigers to the Haywood 3 with the short passes. Then the ball was given to a big linebacker to take it into the endzone. Unfortunately, 250 lb Donald Holloway went into the end zone, but the ball did not go with him--it squirted out of his hands before the was hit to be recovered by Haywood for a touchback. Ball out to the 20. Haywood remained with its conservative offense and was stuffed after one first down. A poor punt gave Mitchell field position in Haywood territory. Back to the short passes, Haywood still lined up loose and deep. Whenever Mitchell had less than 5 yards to go for a first, they simply extended the snap count and the Haywood right side oblidgingly jumped into the neutral zone, giving Mitchell the first down. In this drive, the payoff came when Torrey was able to elude the pass rush by tired Haywood linemen and scramble out of bounds down deep. Mitchell tried to pound it from the 5 without luck, a short fade failed when an official failed to see a Haywood defender bumping the receiver just before the ball arrived. It came to 4th down and Torrey scrambled right and extended the ball over the goalline just before he was knocked out of bounds. TD and tie game. Mitchell went for two and Torrey faked a run up the middle from the spread, then jumped into the air and passed to an open receiver. 16-14, three minutes left. Passing is not Haywood's game, and the Tomcats had wasted their timesout. QB Stoots did connect on a couple of short ones but managed to get only to midfield before 4 throws in a row went incomplete. Neither team played anywhere near its potential and the fans realized it. Brad Witherspoon was the exception. He returned the punt for a TD, ran the ball well, played well on defense, made a wonderful diving catch for Haywood's longest play from scrimmage, and even took a turn at QB in a couple of crucial situations. Maybe it was the Thanksgiving holidays, maybe it was the sudden cold. Whatever it was, this was a game with very few highlights, a most forgettable game, underwhelming, one that must give David Lipscomb a warm feeling as it awaits the winner.

It seems to me to be quite simple--if you don't want to read about Noel Devine, don't click on the thread--instead of berating the guy who posted it. I'd as soon read about Devine as about lacrosse and cheerleading myself, but "to each his own" said the Frenchman as he kissed his cow. By the way, Devine is at West Virginia, backing up Steve Slaton. He has played a great deal this season, has 42 rushes for 390 yards, a 9.3 average and had 136 yards against Maryland when Slaton could not go. He is the heir apparent to Slaton when Slaton goes pro

We'll talk after Friday night. I will be attending the game. I'll have no more to say until then.

You didn't see the Dyersburg-Mitchell game. What about Dyersburg's 5 scores on 6 offensive series? 392 yards of offense, with 352 on the ground. Dyersburg punted once and had one turnover. Dyersburg played "power football" against Mitchell, 352 yards worth, but Haywood does not match up well against Mitchell at all. The huge Haywood defensive front will run itself ragged chasing Torry. Haywood has run a 5-man defensive front for most of the year. When Mitchell comes with 4 and 5 wideouts, which they will do virtually every play, that puts safeties and linebackers into coverage against wideouts. Haywood's defensive front is better that Dyersburg's, but the Dyersburg linebackers are faster and more mobile. The Dyersburg defensive secondary had more speed than Haywood's but may not be as good at coverage technique. Dyersburg ran 45 offensive plays against Mitchell, not counting penalties and the punt. The normal high school game will have between 75=85 plays, so it wasn't a question of ball control. Haywood's best hope is falling outside as I write this--pouring rain and a slow field. Mitchell is the best 3-A team in West Tennessee--losses to Daphne, Alabama (6-A in Alabama), Whitehaven (5-A) and Fairley (4-A). Haywood's offense is very suspect moving into the caliber of competition it now faces. Against Dyersburg, Haywood netted 50 yards on 30 rushing attempts, and averaged 2.67 yards per snap during the game, the lowest total against us this season. Haywood's only TD in regulation came on a 3-yard "drive" after a long kickoff return. After that, Haywood did not get inside Dyersburg territory in regulation. The Haywood defense is clearly a lot better than their offense, but I don't see any logic in hoping that Haywood's offense can play ball control and keep Torry and the Mitchell offense off the field.

Vandy 1-assuming you to still be Bayron Binkley--contact me for info about Bolivar and Mitchell. Have seen them both several times--in person and on tape. I worked with you at Dyersburg game last year, but we, unfortunately, are out. Mitchell will pose a very real threat to Lipscomb. I sent you E-mail but have not received a reply. Try the E-mail route first.

Steve--and Haywood fans--I did not intend to imply that I was pulling for Mitchell. I would lik to see Haywood win--7 3-A solidarity. I just don't think it's in the cards. Incidentally, Torry is a point guard on the basketball team and is in line for a basketball scholarship if he choose to go that way.

"run away with it"? Are you kidding? 40-31 is not a runaway. 31 points is at least 17 more than Haywood will score. Dyersburg led at the half and only punted one time, had two backs who rushed for over 100 yards,and had 392 yards of total offense, more than twice what Haywood will get. Ken Torry did not play QB in several of the Mitchell games this season. Mitchell's losses came to Whitehaven, a higher-classification team, and to Daphne, Alabama, a nationally-ranked high school team. I watched tape of the Daphne game (in which Torry played less than half the downs), and Daphne could beat an all-star team out of 7 3-A--much more speed than Mitchell, Dyersburg, or any other teams around here. Daphne's QB is Coley White, the younger brother of Pat White, the current West Virginia QB and Heisman candidate. They have at least 5 D1 players, including an offensive tackle headed for Auburn. I watched 4 of Mitchell's games on tape and witnessed the Dyersburg game. They are the best 3-A team in West Tennessee, and the best 3-A team to come out of Memphis in several years. Mitchell has very good size (equal to Haywood), excellent speed, and 19 seniors--they have been pointing for this year, since Dyersburg beat them last season in the playoffs. They have clearly the best set of receivers in West Tennessee as well. Prediction? Dry field and good weather--Mitchell--38; Haywood-13

Here at Dyersburg, we ran the Midline against Bolivar (and everyone else). Key feature was the option. Lipscomb's Wing T is completely different. Lipscomb by as much as they want it to be.

It was an offensive explosion. Mitchell had 352 yards passing and 178 rushing yards--530 yards of total offense. Dyersburg had 352 yards rushing and 40 passing--392 yards of offense. Together: 922 yards of offense--over a half-mile of running and passing--in 48 minutes! Mitchell never punted and Dyersburg punted once. Ken Torrey had the kind of game you never thought you would see, are happy you did see, and are sad it had to be against your team. He completed 19 of 24 for 352 and 3 TDs. He also ran for 129 yards and 2 TDs. If there is a greater offensive threat in Tennessee high schools, I would like to have him pointed out. The Mitchell receivers were incredible. For them, being covered didn't mean you were covered. They--especially Malone--made numerous catches in a crowd. For Dyersburg, the ground game was simply awesome. Caldwell--44 yards, Liljenquist--68 yards, Taylor--132 yards, Parker--108 yards. And Kyle Youmans also kicked a season-long 41 yard field goal. As a Dyersburg fan, there is one other consolation in the loss. There were absolutely no grounds to criticize any coaching decisions--the offense or the defense. Nothing our coaches did could have made a difference last night. We lost to superior offensive talent. A final note about Mitchell hospitality and class. We were all well-received and well-treated. The Mitchell players played with class. Torrey knelt down for the final 3 plays deep in Trojan territory to avoid another score. In short, if you gotta lose, this is how it should be.

CORRECTED FINAL SCORE: Dyersburg--49; Trezevant--26. Dyersburg 37 points in first half.

Probably good enough to make this the most competitive Region 7 vs. Region 8 game. Won 7 and lost 3, losses being to Granada and Olive Branch, Mississippi and to powerful Mitchell (31-12). Talented team with some real weaknesses, however.

I just spent an hour and a half this afternoon (Wednesday) with Rashad and the coaching staff. It is Rashad's period off and he often spends it with the coaches. All was kidding, joking, and teasing, as it always is. There is absolutely no problems or disagreements (unless all parties are able to do the greatest acting job in history). I have never heard a disagreeable word between Rashad and any coaches at Dyersburg. That account is clearly crap

Harrison Smith was not moved to LB. That is Brian Smith, a freshman recruit from Kansas. Tate has a bright future as a receiver/returner. Willingham left no recruits to man this year's junior and senior classes. Notre Dame is pathetic this year, but don't shed any tears. Weis recruiting classes have been #8 Nationally, #8 Nationally, and so far this year, #1 Nationally.

Agreed. Let's get this thread closed down and concentrate on Friday night. Someone start a Dyersburg-Trezevant or Dyer County-Frayser thread. The odds on Choctaws and Trojans meeting again this year are very slender. One game at a time.

Not to contradict anything you wrote, but just to set a record straight: Lipscomb did not contain or shut down Caldwell last year. He had 16 carries for 129 yards and a TD.

I have no knowledge of any of that. I am sure things were emotional after the game, but I would doubt that Caldwell has left the team.

Several of you have been asking for some DHS-DCHS stats. Before I post them, let me congratulate Dyer County on a tremendous effort and win. Clark was tremendous, as was Hunter, Millan and several others. The outstanding achievement--a 90 yard drive for the winning TD in the 4th quarter. You deserved the win. First downs--Dyer County 17, Dyersburg 14 penalties--Dyer County--2 for 20; Dyersburg 4 for 25 (not a penalty on either team in the second half Passing--Dyer County: 27 out of 45 for 274 yards, with 3 INTs (Clark 26 of out 44 for 237; Davis had the HB pass in first quarter for 37 yards. Dyersburg--4 out of 14 for 70 yards, 1 INT Rushing--Dyer County--21 carries, 79 yards (Davis 10 carries for 15; Clark 8 for 55) Dyersburg--47 carries for 279 yards (Taylor 6 carries for 108) Total offense--DC--66 snaps, 340 yards; Dyersburg--61 snaps, 349 yards Hunter--He carried twice for 13 yards and caught 8 passes for 107 yards, had a fine game. Now, for the only negative: Several fans have posted about their activities during and after the game (tearing up signs, running off opposing fans, etc). YOU SHOULD NOT DO THAT. It is not because it is not all in good fun, not because you may have been right--YOU SHOULD NOT DO THAT BECAUSE THE NIGHT IS ABOUT FOOTBALL--THE NIGHT BELONGED TO BERNARD, CLARK, DAVIS, HUNTER AND THE CHOCTAW PLAYERS--PLAYERS, not fans. YOU ARE DISTRACTING FROM THE PEOPLE WHO DESERVE THE SPOTLIGHT. Overall, a great night for football in Dyer County

Steve, greetings to your Dad, who is a very good friend. Hope the weather clears a bit and we get in an injury-free game. We Dyersburg fans spend a lot of time apologizing for people like 56. Obnoxious (and ignorant) fans are like sorry relatives--everyone has them.

This thread has degenerated into a disgrace. One thing is obvious: The young men on the field will have more character and self-control than some of the cheap-shotting adults who post on here. I am a Dyersburg fan, former coach and teacher, so you know where my sentiments will lie. However, I am pleased that Dyer County is having a good year. Ab Davis has been a close friend for years, a fine man and an excellent coach (who also coached at Dyersburg, as many will remember). All this talk about run-over jeries and bounties is disgusting--kind of redneck determination to have a say in something which we fans will not have a say in--thank goodness. I hope we have clearing weather and a playable field, that no one gets hurt, and that there will be a few souls around who will remember that there are things in this world beside football games. Players, cheerleaders, and coaches, you deserve better fans.

If you hang around Coach T long enough, you will read anything. This is a most remarkable post. "I am a d'burg grad...." So what? Lots of Dyersburg grads go to our games. This does not confer on a person any special ability analyze football (as you have preceded to make clear). "....and went to lasyt nights game" You didn't know what you were seeing apparently. "...any good noseguard will stuff a inside trap when a back crosses have the line to get the ball" Point one: we avoid that by blocking the noseguard; point two: we don't trap noseguards, point three, most teams we play run an even front and do not have a noseguard. When Dyersburg runs either of the A gaps, it is with the fullback quick, not a trap. In another post, you said that the Dyersburg offense this year is like those which have been run by Crockett County, Covington and others. Not even close. Those were Wing T and Double Wing offenses--without the midline option. Those offenses relayed on 3 basic plays--FB trap, Buck Sweep, and a reverse commonly called "Sally." In recent years, a 4th basic play, the "jet sweep" or "speed sweep" has been added. Bowling's offense inclues the midline option. Our QB's read the inside defenders and give to FB or pull the ball out. It is an entirely new dimension to the formation. Those schools you named did not "read" the defense after the snap. You called for a "true I" formation or a spread. Let's see, "true I" would give us, Parker or Taylor at QB, Cunningham/Ellis at FB, and Caldwell at TB.--Taylor or Parker would be on the bench. With a spread offense, either Parker would be on the bench or Taylor would be a receiver. We would have no fullbacks either. Fact: Dyersburg is averaging just over 6 yards per running attempt and has had 22 runs of over 20 yards. The team is averaging 39.3 points per game, best of any 3-A team in the state. Dyersburg also averages 35 points for the first 3 quarters, when the regulars are usually in. Here are the season stats for Dyersburg's rushers using the offense you call "offensive." Caldwell 39 carries, 382 yards. 9.79 avg Taylor 48 rushes, 348 yards, 7.25 avg fullbacks, 55 rushes, 347 yards, 6.30 avg. Parker, 48 rushes, 247 yards, 5.14 avg. You will notice that our FBs have more carries than any other position and they run exclusively between the tackles. Many of Parker's option keeps are in the A and B gaps. We run north-and-south a great deal. Notice also the balance by position. Parker's rushing against Ripley speaks for itself--104 yards on 16 carries and a 32 yard scramble included. Of course, Ripley tried to take away the pitch man--if they were Taylor and Caldwell, wouldn't you? So they took away the pitch man and we rushed for 318 yards!. You do, indeed, have a right to dislike the Bowling offense. I suspect the real reason is because you can't find the Trojan with the football--Parker is very deceptive.

If you hang around Coach T long enough, you will read anything. This is a most remarkable post. "I am a d'burg grad...." So what? Lots of Dyersburg grads go to our games. This does not confer on a person any special ability analyze football (as you have preceded to make clear). "....and went to lasyt nights game" You didn't know what you were seeing apparently. "...any good noseguard will stuff a inside trap when a back crosses have the line to get the ball" Point one: we avoid that by blocking the noseguard; point two: we don't trap noseguards, point three, most teams we play run an even front and do not have a noseguard. When Dyersburg runs either of the A gaps, it is with the fullback quick. In another post, you said that the Dyersburg offense this year is like those which have been run by Crockett County, Covington and others. Not even close. Those were Wing T and Double Wing offenses--without the midline option. Those offenses relayed on 3 basic plays--FB trap, Buck Sweep, and a reverse commonly called "Sally." In recent years, a 4th basic play, the "jet sweep" or "speed sweep" has been added. Bowling's offense inclues the midline option. Our QB's read the inside defenders and give to FB or pull the ball out. It is an entirely new dimension to the formation. Those schools you named did not "read" the defense after the snap. You called for a "true I" formation or a spread. Let's see, "true I" would give us, Parker or Taylor at QB, Cunningham/Ellis at FB, and Caldwell at TB.--Taylor or Parker would be on the bench. Same is true of the spread--Caldwell and Taylor/Parker back--Cunningham/Ellis on the bench. Then you complain about our running wide (east-west) instead of north-south. Here are our actually rushing stats for 5 games: CALDWELL 39 rushes