DBGRAD70

This thread is a hoot. From GO_DB: “I thought it funny that the band left for the Jeff Co game before the football team so they could drive out of the way to eat at the mall - (what about the cost of gas then???) missing an academic class to do so.” Your avatar says it all. It’s diesel, not gas. So you tell me, where near Jeff Co. do you find a place to feed 350+ people - fast. A food court perhaps?! I wonder if there’s one closer the stadium? If so, share your info. Eating is a significant logistics problem with that many teenagers. Oops! Sorry, over your box. --- From GO_DB: “Then, the band leaves school early for the Sevier Co game and only about 50 get out to play!” Wouldn’t that have looked and sounded nice in Atlanta(where they were headed Friday nite) the next day? Woodwinds that won’t play well due to water damage and shrunken wool jackets. I’m not sure the judges would love this new look and sound. Music Doctors would love Lafe Cook and the band parents would hate him (they would pay). --- From KHStenor: “But give DB's band director a break, it sounds to me like he did the right thing.” One of just a few on this thread without a box on his head. --- From rolltriberoll: “I love the band - just not as much as they love themselves.” Still apparently has his box on too. --- From Tribal: “(how many people would go to J. Fred just to see the band if there were no FB game?)” The only time I remember them trying that was after football season was over in 2001 –believe it was early December, a very cold night – they played their half time show to a stadium of at least as many as attend football games. It was to honor those in the military and public service (police/fire/etc). --- From Tribal: “After the Science Hill game last year (away) the band actually loaded up and left after halftime, …” Here we go again. They had to be in Raleigh early the next morning – as rested as possible. I hereby award you – a 3”x3”x3” box. --- From topvol98: “but then again this is the age of "everyone wins and there are no losers" maybe that has something to do with the sizes of these bands at these schools” You need to go to one of your own band’s competitions. At WNC Saturday, of the 24 bands competing, 14 lost out completely by the time the day was half over. Neither DB nor Science Hill were part of those 14. But you wouldn’t know that because of your narrow focus. Not worth awarding a box. --- From BoxofKtown: “A high school band's sole purpose is to do one thing: support the athletic teams.” LOL , broken record. --- From BwAnG: “Band members are nerds” I’ll bet you still put salt on snails, don't ya son? --- TO ambiguousrock: Relax man, I AM HERE! You have to toy with these guys. Wait till you see the reactions this post generates. And frankly, I don’t give a rat’s _. As already said, on to week 9 - finally at home again.

I understand. I would have liked to have seen them there too but as far as convenient is concerned, it is never "convenient" to get 340 kids on buses with their equipment in a semi, with over a dozen adults doing logistics, and go anywhere. Its done in spite of those facts. If the game were scheduled for September, there would be no chance of conflict since competition starts in October. Perhaps the athletic directors of each school can be influenced to make a schedule change happen in 2007. The full band has been at every home game and went (all of them) to away games at Elizabethton, Sullivan South, Jefferson Co., and Sevier Co. This was the only game that was supposed to have a pep band. At Sevier Co. the full band was there but it was raining so all but the tubas and drums stayed in the buses - 'cause water damages woodwinds as well as wool uniforms. You just weren't at the right away game to see that the band does support the team. They are scheduled to be at the remaining home games with Campbell Co., Science Hill, as well as whatever playoff games DB plays in - full band at home, pep band away. I think they are doing a nice job supporting the team. Wish you could but understand if you don't. nuf said.

The point you failed to get is that the band has their program and their own competitions as does the football team. It's been this way for a very long time. The band does everything reasonable to support the football team. Mr. WaCoJaCo has hit upon an interesting idea. Perhaps the football team should support the band by going to the band's competitions. But they don't and nobody really expects them too. Seems a little lopsided tho. Do you think the football team would miss one of its competitions to support the band in that situation? You make it sound like you would have the band go to the football team's competitions and disregard their own.

Excuse me please? Having been involved with the band board I know that it costs thousands of dollars to send the band to football games. The plan from the beginning was to not have a band at this game. Reason, not enough money and the band's schedule for today (Saturday) was just too long. Here is where your Dobyns Bennett band is today.... Schedule for Saturday Oct. 15, 2005 - Western Carolina University Competition Buses arrive 5:00AM at DB in front parking lot near Fort Henry Drive. Load buses at DB 5:30AM Warm up 9:15-10AM Compete 10:15AM Prelims awards 4:15PM Finals warm-up 6:00PM Finals competition 7:00-9:30PM Award Ceremony 9:45PM Depart immediately following Awards Ceremony Arrive Kingsport around 1:30-2:00AM http://www.dbband.org/?BISKIT=2470934979&C...T=cat&cat=10000 Now at one point Mr. Cook gave in and planned to send 1 bus load of band students to the game. I think that was going above and beyond the call of duty. But then some idiot called in a bomb threat and helped wreck a practice session Thursday afternoon. That meant they had to practice too long Friday afternoon - thus made it too late to go to Knoxville. They would probably not have arrived back here until midnite. These kids started loading their buses at 5am, got on the bus to leave at 5:30am this morning and will not be in bed until probably 3am Sunday morning. Isn't that reason enough to miss 1 (ONE) football game? AND, the band's main reason for existence is NOT to support the football team or any other athletic program. The band program teaches teamwork, hard work, and what it takes to achieve exellence. Just like Coach Clark teaches. Band bigger than any single sport or even several sports combined with 337 marching students. They win their competitions too. They were grand champions at Tusculum College's competition 2 weeks ago and 1st place band of class AAAAA at the Lassiter competition in Marietta GA last weekend. They came in 2nd over all to one of the finest bands in the south. So just like our football team, they're winners too. Oh, and all the school pays for is for the band directors. The band board (boosters) and students raise all the rest of the money for extra staff help, equipment, uniforms, semi trailers to haul the stuff, competitions and trips. I believe the Activities Office pays for buses to football games. That's 7 - 8 buses I think. It is such a strain on the school system, isn't it? Sorry if I came on strong but you apparently hit a nerve. I think the football team did great. We should be proud of them.

This thread seems to be a little slow so ... I'll try to stir both sides of the pot - if that's possible, and duck. To the DB team insiders, will the DB team mess up like two years ago and not take Karns seriously? I'm sure the coaches won't, but getting that across to the team could be difficult since most weren't there during that former "disaster". To the Karns fans, any chance your team can get it together and beat the #1 team in the region? Is anybody there fired up or not - like 2 years ago? Any shaved heads promised? If you think we're bringing a QB who can't QB, best reconsider. Is the trip to the game worth the $25 - $30 in gas it'll cost round trip? BTW, last minute change - the DB band was originally not going (low on money) but (because a competion was canceled) it has now been decided to take the pep band. I'm sure the team will appreciate that change.

I agree. Sam told my better half that he was going back in as receiver, not QB after the 1st injury. Her thinking, possibly incorrect even tho she is a RN, was that his shoulder needed less action than a QB gets so as to finish healing (normally a minimum of 4 weeks if the injury was as publicized). It was surprising to me that he went in as QB last game but I guess his doc must have turned him loose - yes it has been more than 4 weeks. But then he did get hurt pretty quickly again, didn't he? The young man needs to heal. And from what you're saying, if Sam heals, Bo is not as serious as feared, and Bart doesn't get hurt, we could end up with 2 or 3 good QBs going in to playoffs - if Bart is allowed time on the field. That would be a nice ace and now would be the time to try him out. I hope we go with Bart and see what happens.

If I recall, that field has EXTREEMLY good drainage. The center of the field is much higher - read that visiably higher than the outer edges. So I doubt it will be very muddy even with lots of rain. Does anyone in Sevier Co. have a read on that - likely condition of the field? I recall that the DB band has problems marching on it because the band members in the rear can not see the drum majors because they are below the band members in front of them - a very unusual problem for them.

I like WaCoJaCo's prediction: DB 24 SC 21 The kicking squad does it once again. It'll be a hot time in Parton's Korner Friday nite. But the majorority of the smoke will be com'n from the Bears. As dry as it is, we probably need to take a few extra fire extinguishers.

The only back way that I know of is to take I40 to Newport, then US411 to Sevierville. Dolly Parton parkway, Correct? If anybody knows a better way, I'm all eyes.

I heard a wild rumor the other day that someone is adding testosterone to the Colonial Heights water supply. I thought it was a fabrication but after reading this thread ... may be true. Think I going with plan B and sit on the TN High side tomorrow. Go Vikings!

I'm sure Coach Clark won't let them forget any of this but just to answer your post, seems to me that the team can't let the TN High game go to their heads. Otherwise there could be an different kind of embarrasement at the Sevier Co. or Karns game - sorta like 2 years ago. The Sevier Co. game will likely determine whether we play Oak Ridge at The Ship or in Kingsport during playoffs. They need to realize that they aren't there yet on the Offensive side of the ball (even though they've drastically improved) and Defense has room to grow too. The learning curve must continue. The team has had to prove to all those who thought that they would loose to OR 1st game, that they are a good team. They've said it to the press. They are a good team and that determination is what made them improve so much. They still have to prove themselves and to do that stay focused. I think they can do it if they stay focused on Sevier Co. and sorta make believe that SCo is as good as OR.

DB does seem to have a well balanced team now. Hats off to the offensive players. They have been on a very big learning curve but they have continued to learn rapidly in the last couple of games. Of course the defense and kicking squad continue their excellence. I hope the whole team makes valuable use of a week off. You just can't relax this week. Good luck in 2 weeks against Sevier Co. Them Bears have sharp teeth. Get your bows and arrows out. (Not as sharp as them Wildcats however.)

Art, I would assume you get your article info from the public library or the Times News' own archive. But those wonderful stats you come up with - where do you get them? Man, you must either work for the newspaper or the school system - or have access to their records. I've admired your ability to pull this data together for some time. I don't know where else you could get it.

If you can, try to be there by 7pm. The band does a pre-game show featuring "Rocky Top" similar to the way UT performs it. Pre-game is as much a part of the show, and tradition, as the ball game and half time shows. Nice to have you in Kingsport for the 1st time. I will wish your WildCats well for the rest of the regular season, but for this game - well you know how it is. I just hope neither side has injuries. They can happen in a game like this one.

OR nole, Yes the stadium is right beside the school. In fact you will possibly park in the main school parking lot which is just to the left of the statium - if you get there by 5:30. But if there are really 10,000 there you may have to park in Fort Henry Mall parking lot and walk a ways. There is a little bit of parking behind the school. Some people park in the grass in a park across the street from the stadium (may not be legal tho). Also parking at Food City and other lots on the south end of Eastman road. A map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1800+Legion+...,0.049494&hl=en Ya'll folks have a safe trip. I'm seeing gas up here for $2.84/gal so decide to either fill up before you leave or tank up here before going back. So TankTalk writes for the OakRidger... I like to read your DB vs. OR articles every football season. Sorry about the chuckle I got out of your article the other day. Thought it interesting that some in OR might believe that DB can't really be having a slow start. But the O appears to be improving fast. We'll see tomorrow.

I notice in the Oakridger article from the main CoachT web page that some in the Atomic City don't believe DB is just a little down this year - young, rebuilding and all. I quote: "And despite the whispers of DB being down, don't believe it for a second, Wildcat fans". Okay - I give up. The hoax is over. You found us out! This week there's going to be a totally new looking offense on the field. One with a finely honed tomahawk looking for anything that goes meowwww or even tries to growl. (or so we hope). Good luck to both teams. I look forward to a good game, win or loose. Let's hope everyone stays healthy. Hope ya'll bring your marching band. Would be good to see your half time show too.

thegreatest20, I take it from your ID and from your comments that you are on the team. If true that would probably make you Josef Throp. You are a very good player and we DB fans appreciate your contributions to the team. If that is not true, disregard my previous comments. "stonewall" appears to be an older DB fan, much like myself. My ID describes myself - a 1970 DB graduate. It is of concern that you question his loyalty as a DB fan just because he is being realistic. This world is made better by people who are realistic but strive to do better than realistic. Frankly, a little more respect for him seems to be in order. He is just stating what he believes, not what he wishes were true - which is what you were doing in your post. It's fine to think positive and expect to win. I hope DB does win. I will be screaming my lungs out Friday night - you can count on it. But I am realistic too. Oakridge by 24. Make me eat those words. If you get fired up enough, a victory may be within grasp.

Now this is probably a stretch in trying to find a common denominator in previously played games but... there may be a set of games that already give some comparison of DB to OR. Both Maryville and OR have played Clinton. OR 74 - Clinton 0 Maryville 37 - Clinton 0 I also understand that DB scrimmaged Maryville and that ended with Maryville 14 and DB 0. Then the non-first and second strings played and DB tacked on 2 TDs. But really what mattered was the 14-0 score if one wanted to compare what kind of shape the two teams were in at the time. So if OR beat Clinton by 74 and Maryville beat them by 37, that says that OR just may be stronger now than Maryville. I wonder if Maryville is still stonger than DB. All teams improve as they begin to play real season games. Does this possibly indicate that OR is much stronger than DB? Yes, it's a stretch (especially using a scrimmage as input) but the only comparison I see right now. What do the rest of you folks think? There was a Maryville/OR skrimmage I think but it was unclear who looked better in that one. I am looking forward to going to the game. It will be the celebration of all times if DB wins. The DB Band looked awful good Friday nite didn't they?

I got up this morning and my crystal ball had a crack in it. Sent it off to the shop. So I’ll have to take my best guess. DB will make every extra point + 1 field goal. Bearden won’t. Our new quarterback should show marked improvement. I expect he will do a lot less of the "keeper" junk. If he doesn't, come next week he's goina get smashed. DB – 31 Bearden - 13 (mostly coming late in the game) Good luck Gentlemen Roll on

I believe you play Kingsport in a couple of weeks and assume that is to whom you refer. Well DB is usually a good team and is this year too. But they are not the team they were last year and we all know how that ended up in playoffs. I suspect they will suffer from cat scratch fever in a couple of weeks. But check back in 2006-7.

I believe you. There are only 3 out of conference games available in regular season. Ooltewah is just too far away vs. the benefit of doing it. My view is that the 2 local Sullivan Co. school games need to be eliminated for now, then add TN High and Greenville - if they'll play us. Frankly I would favor adding someone like MBA or even Riverdale as the 3rd non-conference game over either Oak Ridge or Ooltewah if we're going to make a long distance trip for one of the games. We'll play you guys (OR and OO) soon enough in the playoffs. I expect to see you both there next year.

Folks, I've attended every DB home game for over 6 years now. For the last 4 years I've attended perhaps 80% of the away games. I've seen some great DB teams and some great players. But I am really struggling to understand all the hype about Duran. He had great promise about half way through this year - through the 1st OR game. But it seems to me that something "unplugged" after that. His throwing accuracy has really gone down the tubes. Others on this thread have said that DB played a great game. True, many of those guys did but Duran reminded me of the ole Iraqi Scud missle launcher - just point it in the general direction and hope you hit something. It seems to me that he lost his touch over the 2nd half of this season. OR's QB was absolutely great. He repeatedly hit his mark with precision. Perhaps he should get the Mr. Football award. And Nottingham seems to have a real ego problem not to mention self control problem. He was just back online after sitting out a game for fighting with McCord - on his own team. He's got some real growing up to do. Lamon is a good player and he seems to have his act together much better than last year. He has matured a lot - although not completely as proven by his 1st PF in the SHHS game. (his 2nd PF that night was a joke that the TSSAA should eat) If someone can just get a ball near him, he can catch it. Perhaps that's the real reason that he and Duran have at times worked well together. But the surprise to me is the DB defense. They were somewhat of an unknown/not really experienced bunch and some folks thought they would be the weak spot this year. Turns out that it was them how really won the last few games. The way the offense was sputtering, they certainly didn't win them. Good luck to Oak Ridge. You have a good team and certainly were the better team tonight. I really hope you beat the arrogant bunch - Riverdale but I suspect that the score will be something like Riverdale 28, OR 10. But you will score at least one touchdown which is more that most teams they've faced have been able to do. Hope I'm wrong about the score.