BigTuna

Karns played well most of the last ten minutes until the game was on the line. Then the coaching and the playing went in the toilet. Why you try to draw the other team offsides when you're already at the 1 1/2 yd line is puzzling? Getting a delay of game penalty immediately after the 1st mistake is a major coaching error. Then the sophomore QB fumbles twice in a row to end the game. I appreciate Coach Morris's fondness for playing young players, but he's got the senior QB Naumann who's a lot more poised (and better able to pick out his receivers) than the sophomore. Naumann may be a bit cocky and sometimes a hot head but I believe he's got more desire to win than anyone out there. We really don't need more excuses. We need some offense and some wins!

Since it's so close to the season, maybe Coach Witt had a successor lined up before he resigned. I hate it for Karns. Starting over again with a new principal, (another) new AD, new football coach. Hopefully thay can achieve some continuity with this latest group.

Well just because Uncle Steve bought you guys a brand new fancy stadium, you don't need to get the big head. Stewart was a Sr but there was a sophomore waiting in the wings who has MUCH more potential as a drop back passer. It was hard to move up the pole to "middle of the road" and will probably be even harder to go further. I've heard the Beaver's 7 on 7 play was pretty successful but we'll just need to see. I guess we'll both be watching Maryville play on ESPN next month. What a "lucky" team.

Beavers finish 6-4 in 2011 and come close to beating the Hill in their 1st playoff game in awhile. Can they step it up even more this year? I really liked that young kid Naumann at QB last year. Is he the man? So what's up football analysts?

Well I'm hoping all you Science Hill guys will be so busy analyzing your situation that Karns will sneak into town, win a big one, and head on back to K-Town. But I can certainly relate to your comments about discipline, motivation, and a refuse-to-quit attitude. Last week against the evil Hardin Valley was shameful and the Oak Ridge game was equally a joke. But if Karns gets up early and their mojo starts cooking they can be tough to handle, especially on defense. If I come 100 miles for the game I'm looking for a good one with a good outcome. Karns 21-14.

Give it up. That horse was beaten to death a long time ago. The real Karns (offense and defense) shows up this week. Karns 21 SH 17. Does Science Hill still play downtown?

This game was one of Karns crappiest performances all year. In a grudge match no less. If the play calling isn't a little more diverse (Stewart left or Stewart right was pretty easy to diagnose) it could be a long night at Steve Spurrier field. I'd actually like to see the sophomore QB get a shot to move the team. Who cares about next year. If you're not giving it all for a W this Friday you shouldn't be playing!

HOW ABOUT THOSE BEAVERS!!! Who knows which Karns player got thrown out of the game late in the 4th qtr?

Yeah, the Dragons gave us a real beating two years ago at your house during the Stone/Hazelhurst era. I was down at the tunnel at halftime and your guys were rubbing it in pretty bad. Our seniors were sophomores then. I'm sure they remember. I'm excited. I just love Friday Night High School football!

Speaking of motivation, a most unKarnslike thing happened last Friday night in Corbin, KY. The Beavers led 14-7 in the 2nd half. Corbin scored to tie it at 14. Karns threw a pick and Corbin scored to lead 21-14. Now this was vintage Karns - do well for awhile, do something (or a few things) stupid and give the game away. But this time it wasn't over yet!!! With a few minutes left the Beavers move down the field and take it to the house, making it 21-20 Corbin. The Beavers talk it over and decide to GO FOR 2. THEY MAKE IT. Karns wins 22-21. These guys don't have Maryville's talent but they will be coming to Clinton believing they can win. Bring it on Dragons; it could be Beaver time in Tennessee.

So are you sure a Karns player got arrested last week? At school? I don't see anything at all on the internet.

I wondered if you were still around Mr. Go. As was demonstrated last evening against a pretty weak team (even Mr. Chandler picked Karns as the favorite), the coaching isn't nearly as significant as the talent and "tradition". The big time players for the big time teams just seem to come up big when the ballgame's on the line. It was really an important game for the Beavers to win. Very disappointing. There are some young players on the offense. But here's another aspect of tradition that's noteworthy in this particular situation. The sophomore quarterback that Karns invested everything in last year had a pretty good arm and surely learned a lot as a starter. Things looked really promising for this year, then he decides to quit football in order to play more golf. It's certainly his choice but how many times would you see that happen at Maryville or Dobyns Bennett? Let's hope for better things this week. If we're gonna beat these other guys to the championship hotels we'd better get on it!

You're right Sweet. It has to be something realized and embraced by the players. It's hard to get started when you've been a loser (inside and outside) for so long, but I believe Coach Witt knows how to build a positive attitude. I've been following the program pretty closely for the past 4-5 yrs and I've never seen them even win the Jamboree. Even if they would have played a Middle School, it was a start.

Well this a Karns thread. Let's let those second rate Blount County teams fight it out among themselves. Has anyone out there actually been to Karns' practice, scrimmages, or the Jamboree? I see the Sommers kid (Brian's little brother) has rejoined the team this year. The backs and several other receivers are seniors with 2 years starting experience. Could this be the year that Karns can actually break even or better? What about the new (no longer interim) head coach Witt and his totally new staff - do they seem to know what they're doing?

Well I'm glad you got that championship location thing straightened out before it's time for Karns to book the hotels. Hey a win's a win. Besides, how long's it been since you beat that 2A school over there in your county?

Well who says "New Tradition" is an oxymoron (as opposed to a Karns moron). Anybody see that Jamboree last evening? From the paper it sounds like the Beavers not only won but came back to clinch it in the last 1:09! Anybody see this outing? Give us some stuff to get excited about. Should we be making those hotel reservations in Murphreesboro?

I'm not sure what all you people are talking about but anyone who bets against Maryville in a big game usually loses their money. It'll be the same this week. And watch out for those trick plays.

Anyone been going to practice or know if 26 (Dixon) has been working some with the offense? I know he's had some turbulent times on the team but I think he's one of the stongest natural athletes they have. He's had decent success running kicks and is a good tackler as a DB. Anybody think he might get (or need to get) a chance to catch a few screen passes or pitches and try to gain some yards?

Well turning the ball over and getting a few stupid penalties has been part of our game plan but I guess it's not too late to make adjustments. Our DBs have been tested but they haven't seen a really good QB yet. Hopefully the Beavers will rise up and take control of this one. I often go down to the concession stand a few minutes before half time to get a snack. I have been known to miss a good play or two. But with the Mt. Everest Campbell County stands I think I'll pack my goodies with me when I make my initial ascent. It will be interesting to see if the Beavers bring out the Wildcat again this week. And when they do play with a QB under center who will that be? Hello out there Karns and/or Campbell County fans. What do you think about this "entertaining" game?

So do you mean entertaining such as "The circus is coming to town later this month and it should be very entertaining!" I appreciate the comment about the (Un)Boosters. The past three years the Booster leadership was clearly focused on benefiting the program, even when they had differences of opinion with the coaching staff or administration. Unfortunately this years's club leaders seem to have set their primary agenda item as trying to banish the Head Coach. Even more unfortunately, they were successful. Entertaining? This could be enough to motivate me to head north Friday evening and hike to the top (or at least near the top) of the world's steepest stands.

Mike, Thanks much for taking time to share your thoughts. I agree that quitting should not be an option. I once told my favorite athlete that it was his decision as to whether he played but there just wasn't going to be any quitting in the middle of the season. I also think that the criticism becomes a constant destructive force after awhile. We all pretty much know what's good and what's not about the program at this point. So perhaps we should just put as much energy as possible into winning a game or two and let the other stuff alone? Even though it's not an acceptable approach in the public school system, I also believe the true motivation and answers come from above. Surely we can beat these Campbell County boys! So did your son get a football scholarship?

Thanks for the info. Sophomore QBs can be a risk at times but I'd say your guy grew up some against DB. I don't see Karns bringing the same type of relentless pressure. Five running backs should help keep people from leg cramps/fatigue. 6/6 PATs is pretty strong. I'm just a Karns guy and that's the way it is, but I'm not highly optimistic. If we can get a break or two early perhaps we can make a game of it. And by the way, I'll NEVER root for OR when you guys are playing them!

So 92Dragon, you guys lost Stone and Hazelhurst (and a bunch of others). Who's the Qb? What grade is he? Did he get any meaningful minutes last year? Can he throw the deep ball anything like Stone? Who's running the ball? How many yds did he/they gain so far? Anybody with an exceptional amount of speed? Got a kicker who can make PATs regularly? Has he ever kicked a field goal? Thanks.

Maryville Coach George Quarles is one of the most respected coaches in the state. Thursday night his team trailed Alcoa by 4 with a minute to go. George probably called a high precentage play but George wasn't on the field. The players (QB & center) simply didn't make the play when they needed to and the rest is history. The point is that winning or losing ultimately was in the players hands. Friday night Karns missed play after play. Six turnovers. One TD on a trick play but no sustained drives. The loss wasn't the coaches' fault. Go - all your posts sound pretty much the same. Maybe you need to just give up your anger with some of these coaches and move on? Work on that UT degree and get a more positive view of life. In the "football is a fashion designer sport" category, I thought those gold coaches shirts looked very washed out compared to the crisp blue and white previously worn. Plus the cheerleaders appear to have new uniforms with blue and yellow instead of the "gold" the coaches are wearing. I feel really bad for Karns, but until people quit bickering about almost everything and move from the past to the present, things may just remain the same.

Go, I didn't get to see the game but it sounded like a real defensive struggle. I seem to remember you and your haters continually bashing Reeves for making excuses as to why the team didn't win. Sounds to me like you're doing the exact same thing. Did you notice that the newspaper article didn't make a lot of excuses - it simply said the Beavers were 4-17 over the last 21 games. It's either a W or it's not. Period.