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The pieces should be in place for a good year. I just hope the coaches and seniors can convey a sense of urgency that was not there last year. I hope the seniors can provide leadership needed by the younger players. Everyone on the team should be a part of the team. There should be no special clubs or groups. Everyone from the best to the worst players on the team should receive coaching and be held accountable for their effort and progress toward becoming better players. This team has a lot of potential. It should be fun to watch.

One thing that is not needed is disunity among the Patriot fans. Seems this discussion began on who should be the quarterback. I figure the coaches will make the decision that will give the team the best chance to win. I have my opinions, but they are just opinions. I am not evaluating the players on a daily basis at practice. Heavy C makes a good point when he says that the coaches are in this to try to win. They are not going to put players out there that will make it harder to do that. It should also be pointed out that players have certain expectations that have to be met regarding academics and off the field behavior. These should be taken into consideration as well. The team comes first. Everyone must be pulling together for a team to be successful. I firmly believe that every kid who played in a game last year, even for a single play, wanted to do well. It is possible for coaches to make mistakes, but since they see the kids perform more than anyone else, they have the most knowledge to make the best decisions on who does what. Not a disgruntled parent sitting in the stands on a Friday night.

Country boy, you finally said something right, "for the sake of the team". The coaches will decide who will best lead this team at qb. I really think they want to win so they will make decisions based on the "sake of the team" and not on anything else. You and JCSP20 really sound like you have an agenda, and it is kind of obvious.

Losing doing what is right is far better than winning doing what is questionable. UT basketball's greatest win came over number 1 Kansas shortly after 3 or 4 of their guys were not there for questionable behavior. Eliminating the thugs sends a message to the kids who are trying to do what is right. That message is that hard work and ethical behavior are rewarded. Unfortunately, there is not enough of this in today's world.

Goins should get the first shot this year. He is probably the fastest kid on the team. Bible is capable, but in the offense utilized by the Patriots a running QB is pretty important. Unfortunately, Bible has been hampered by injuries. Who is the next guy in line should the situation arise? Is Ausmus still an emergency quarterback?

As long as Jeff County is running out of the veer - gun look, last years quarterback is perfect for that system. He is an exceptional runner and I think he improved a lot on reading the defensive tackle on the inside veer and end on the outside veer. Entire backfield must work on ball security. This alone cost JCHS at least two wins. Patriots must do a better job of utilizing the slot receiver. The split end and flanker have proven they can catch the ball, but they must become much more physical blockers for this offense to really go. Hopefully the o-line will return more physical than last year. Jenkins and Stooksbury were pretty consistent last year. The left guard has good technique, but must get stronger. He has a good frame. I am not sure the full two platoon system will work against equal or superior opponents. Four or five guys may have to play both ways. Jeff County should have a decent power game with 44 lead blocking out of the power set for DK. Trey Dodson will probably be ready for some reps as well. I would like to see some misdirection out of the power set though. Hopefully, everyone is working hard to get bigger, stronger, and faster. There are a handful of guys that may play at the next level although I am not too sure about D1.

The way the schedule works with the JV playing after the varsity is really hard on the younger kids (mostly freshmen and sophomores). I know there were many nights getting home at 11:00 or later. I am sure this was to limit travel expenses, but I can tell you that it may not be in the best interest of the kids. It is so critical to get kids started out right in high school. Tough to do that when you have not been home and don't get home til very late.

What type of competition did the high school summer team play against this summer? I have heard different things. I know that Pattersons tournaments are not what they used to be with many teams that are not very good.

Pretty sure he will be a junior.

It is hard to make a judgement on what is fair and what is not fair in terms of discipline of players. I doubt any of us know all the details regarding the dismissal of the player in the spring or the suspension of the player this fall for 5 or 6 games. I do know that discipline is a requirement for a successful football team. Not having the suspended player play the first half of the season really hurt the team's chances for success. He let everyone down. I assume he made some type of restitution or he would not have played the rest of the year. Another player was suspended for the South Doyle game. Again, I do not know the details, but it would appear from the outside looking in that players are being held accountable for their actions. The sad thing is that all of these situations take away from those who are committed and work hard. It takes away, and is a distraction. Everyone saw what happened to UT this past weekend. It was a distraction. Kids are not perfect and will make mistakes. Coaches must hold them accountable. It appears the coaches are doing that. I will say again that none of us know all the details, nor should we know all the details. How many chances does a kid get? I don't know. It is hard to judge, especially without all the facts.

If JC can come up with some quality pitching, they could be good. Good enough to win the district. It will get tougher after that. Cherokee and Cocke County will continue to struggle. Should be four wins right there. Left hander on JV had a phenomenal year last year. Hopefully, he will contribute a lot this year.

I would like to agree and disagree with the post of Heavy C. I don't think you can say all kids are lazy and have no heart. I know that 54, 10, 63,small running back, 32, all played with heart. Does JC have enough players doing this? That can be debated. I do not think this team lacked in effort in any game. I know of several who never missed a workout. maybe heart is not the issue. It is true that in the past Jeff Middle and Maury at times have dominated the Morristown and Greenville schools. However, Heavy C is correct that many of these boys do not continue to play in high school. Sometimes the dominant athletes in middle school are not dominant in high school. Boys develop at different rates. The short skinny kids sometimes catch up. I do know that our middle schools and high school have several large bodies walking the halls that do not play anything. They are not interested in playing. Jefferson County has changed a lot in the last few years. Kids were expected to work at home or a job. Most parents made an exception for athletics. There are not too many of the big rough farm boys left. Take a drive around Jefferson County and you can see how the demographics have changed.

Size is certainly an issue. I think this is more so on the defensive line rather than offensive line although more size could be used there as well. If the order of the schedule had been a little different it could have been a different year. Turnovers have not been a real problem the last 5 games. I do not know why this was the case the first four games. Turnovers probably cost us two wins. Had the Pats won the WB game, there is a good chance they would be in the playoffs. That was the craziest night of football I can remember. This year was not what most wanted, but better than last year. Next year has potential to be better. The freshman team has a few athletes and was competive. The middle schools are all down in athletes. I think there are some athletes out there in middle and high school who are not playing. Got to find a way to bring them in or the pool is going to get very thin. There were times when I thought Pats could line up with (I did not say beat) most anybody. There were times when I thought we could not beat anyone. I do not think the personell is there to run a true spread offense. I do think there is the ability to run a version of the spread option attack. The veer is designed for smaller lineman. You always leave one person unblocked to option off of. Turnovers were the problem, not the offense that was run. The size is not there to be an I team. I do know that most successful teams win by having the ability to run the football. Pats could use a little more balance in the offense by throwing on different downs. Seems like most of the time the Pats passed on first or second down they had success. I do think unity is a problem. I know this is true among fans and maybe a little bit with coaches and players. I am not a cowbell person, but if someone wants to ring cowbells let them ring cowbells. I can not say I have seen anything negative from the "cowbell nation". Fans need to be supportive in whatever way they see fit. Just be supportive. Don't tear down. Pats need to go out on a positive note tonight. Be prepared for anything tonight. Good luck.

The win over East was a quality win over a good opponent. I was really worried about the speed of the East team, but after the first quarter the defense played much better. Our QB made good reads, backs ran hard, and line blocked well. We need to tackle better, but T. Howell can make you a bad tackler. I was reading on here somewhere that there will be losing teams in the 6A playoffs. How are wild cards decided? Who would have to win or lose for JC to get a wildcard? Does anyone know for sure if JC has a chance to get a wildcard.

Monday evening the JC jv traveled to Burke Toney to play the West jv. I was working late and did not get to attend this game. My wife did. She reported that it was a good close game. She has not been to most of the jv games this year,but she was shocked by the behavior of some of the JC fans. Things like yelling at coaches from the stands. Parents talking to their sons while they are on the sideline with the game in progress. Parents of players in the stands being very critical of someone else's son who is playing and on and on. I have been around this game for a long time as a player and coach. Is this where we have gotten to? My son is not playing so I am going to run down the coaches. The JC offense does not suit my son's style so I am going to run down the program. I have not agreed with every decision made by our coaches. Guess what? I don't have to. All of them have worked hard to earn at least 4 year degrees. They spend countless hours for little pay. They want to win. They are at every practice and have a good idea of who can do what. Football is a voluntary sport, and it is just a game. Dads with D-1 dreams just seem to lose perspective sometimes. If I was as unhappy as some of the people in the stands were with coaches and other kids on the team, I think I would have my son quit and find another activity to pursue. There is no sense in these people putting themselves in a situation where they are going to be so upset. Find something more positive to do with your time.

Time to put the West game behind us. The playoffs are more than likely not a possibility, but I think the Pats have plenty to play for. Not going o--2 against Morristown. building for next year. Achieving a five hundred record which is better than a losing season. Morristown East is next, and I think this could be a very tough game for JC. Must find a way to stop T. Howell. I am sure they still line him up in about 3 different positions. I know East dominated us last year with their speed on the corners. Hopefully, the defense will come up big again, and we can control the ball on offense and keep T off the field. Thoughts?

I did not say the wet field helped anyone. I said the wet field hurt JC more than it did West due to the two different types of running games. Your defensive line dominated the JC line. Great win for West. No need to harrass OHS grad.

The wet field hurt JC much more than it did West. The veer requires backs and qb to make quick starts. The I back for West could take his time, get his footing and then explode. Give credit to the defense and special teams which managed good field position for most of the game. It is true that the Pats O-line got beat. The Pats started the second half with a couple of positive plays on offense. I thought adjustments had been made, but then they had the fumble. Never regained the momentum. Defense made some huge stops on 3rd down in 2nd half, but JC could never capitalize. JC is a much improved football team, but just could not get it done against a solid West defense. It was one of those games that whoever scored first had a real good chance to win.

The rain continues to fall. Field conditions will not be good. At least JC has a good layer of bermuda sod that will hold up for a little while. Do these conditions favor JC or West. Would any viewers care to make a prediction on this one. I really think it could go either way. Probably the team that makes the least number of turnovers. West is hard to read. I would like to know what SC did so well to shut them down to only 3 points.

I saw the Cherokee Jefferson County game on a wet field. They do run the wing t offense, but it is mostly inside handoffs and sweeps. They did not use as much misdirection as I have seen in some wing t offenses. Two big tall receivers they will try to throw to. It would be a stretch for Cherokee to beat SC. They do have a few good athletes though. Their facility is called the Big Red Valley. They have chiefs riding paint ponies and even a walking horse. Fireworks when they score. It was kind of neat actually.

Glad to see the Patriots with a well played game against Cherokee. One mark of a good team is to play well against an inferior opponent and not play on their level. I think the Pats did that Friday. Offense and defense looked solid for the most part. Jumbo package offers some real possibilities for power and misdirection. Saw the power against Cherokee. May need some misdirection out of it against West. The veer out of the shotgun is starting to gel. QB is making good reads. Receivers need to block a little better on push blocks and crackbacks and running backs will break some long ones. Team has worked hard to be in this position Thursday night. Ignore the West and Seveir County score and bet that West will be ready to play. The only team that has really stopped JC this year is JC. I hope for a good crowd and a well played game. Good Luck Pats.

A little information on Cherokee I have come across that may or may not be correct. They have very large defensive tackles. May not be as good as the ones that Bearden had. They run a version of the wing t which is what gave the pats so much trouble against William Blount. I did not see the freshman game last night, but I heard the Cherokee freshman defeated JC 36 to 12 and had an outstanding QB. Cherokee may be tough down the road. Pats need to take care of the football and hopefully things will be set up for next week. What kind of chance are people giving Sevier County against West?

It is Wednesday and I have not heard too much about Cherokee. Who have they played? What do they try to do on offense and defense? I have heard they have an unbeaten freshman team. Is it true Patriots are getting some players or player back this week?

Good win for the Patriots. All the focus needs to be on getting better. It is fun for us fans to look ahead to key matchups, but the coaches and players need to be focused on getting better. One game at a time. The Pats biggest enemy this year has been themselves, not their opponents. I really hope players and coaches are only focusing on Cherokee and being the best team that the Patriots can be. There is much to improve on before the Pats beat West. Patriots are definitly improving, but not there yet.

I have seen SC play twice. Once was on TV. I have seen a little bit of West. I would say that West is bigger and deeper. Nice running back and a strong fullback. There defense must be pretty good as well the way they stopped East who had been scoring lots of points. You can bet that SC will be well coached. Brewer does a great job. I feel that in the end West will wear them down.