utvolzfan

Oh boy, where do I start?? Do I even have the energy to make this post after a long day at work? Heck yes! Ok, so I'm a former Karns player and obviously a grad (from the 80's)who grew up in the community and I have a pretty good understanding of why Karns has failed so badly for over 40 years. Additionally, I had a family member playing a key role(s) for Bearden during Brad Taylor's last couple of seasons. First on the Taylor hire, I wish I could give BarneySox2007 a "like" on a few of his thoughts. May people thought Bearden was loaded aespecially in 2012. An example of why Taylor was let go(Basically a repeat of not giving Devrin the ball on the 2) Trent Waters, Bearden RB and LB was 6' and 230 and ran 4.6. Was being recruited by a lot of schools and for various reason ended up at Arkansas St and then Dean College in Boston a Jr College. Against Maryville, he had 90 yes on 5 carries in the first quarter and DID NOT carry again until the late 3rd Q Maryville's coach even wondered why in post game. This was typical of his game management. Therefore, even though Brad is a great guy and good man, I don't see him as a strong coach. It would be a surprise if he turned Karns into a winner. As for the "why" behind BarneySox2007's wonderingly about the Beavers perpetual losing. It is complicated and the answer has changed over the years but there are multiple factors. 1. As the 70's began Howard Wells, who won Mississippi State Titles early in his career built Karns into a winner. This was 68-74ish. After, Coach Wells retired the problems began. 2. Through the 80's Karns had trouble hiring a keeping a coach more than a couple years at a time so there was a lack of consistency. Karen's youth programs repeatedly won Championships at John Tarleton and when Middle School ball existed they won as well. The problem was that many kids became apathetic after a year on the freshman team and did not play after that. In many years Karns had enough good players sitting in the stands watching to win the games being lost each Friday. The spirit was lost and the facilities were not great. 3. During the 90's this continued and there was coach after coach every two years and the best athletes transferred to other schools or did not play. Karen's did bulld a new stadium but weight room etc was behind. 4. During the 2000's the new issues were Hardin Valley and Grace as well as Catholic building a West Knoxville Campus and CAK growing into a much larger school. As these things as well as Webb recruiting Karns best athletes occasionally was hard for a school like Karns to overcome. Many Karns "legacy" athletes played for either Grace or Hrdin Valley or Webb. Karen's simply wasn't a winner and didn't have a charismatic leader. This continues today. That's the short version of a what I could have written 50 pages on. Solution: 1. Charismatic Young coach who wants to be at KHS. 2. Donor with Karns heritage stepping up and infusing some money into the program. 3. Rebuild Karns youth programs that could feed the High School program. 4. Just get a break and have a big year so the energy begins to build. Ok I'm done. Tired of typing.

Here is what I know. Taylor had a loaded team 3 years ago and refused to innovate or use his best players to their greatest strengths. He was eventually asked to leave. He is a good guy, a good man but not a very good coach. As a Karns fan and grad who had family playing for him at Bearden I am not overjoyed at this hire. Maybe it is the best Karns can do right now, who knows. Just not very excited. Will probably be the status quo at Karns.

Thanks for the summary. I have not seen the Middle TN teams play but I do know Hamilton even without their player lost to eligibility issue is going to be difficult to beat. I watched them dominate #1 (at the time)Oak Hill Academey. TheStae Titleis going to have to go through Memphis Hamilton I think regardless of what current AP rankings say.

What was the Bearden v Maryville game like. Score seemed out of line with their past meetings. Was Maryville just on fire or was it Maryville playing well and forcing Bearden into poor shooting and mistakes? What was the game summary per say?

This is a terrible hire, JMO.. Coach wasn't well liked by the players on the team the last several years. He totally mishandled he running game when he had several very good backs.

The real thing about that game that puzzled me was that Maryville had no answer for Trent Waters at TB. He had close to 90 yds on 5 carries in 1rst quarter then carry the ball again until fourth quarter. If Taylor would have run the I with that kid instead of that stupid split back set the Dawgs might have pulled and upset. Of course he did play entire game at MLB which is what he plays now at Arkansas St. Shinlever coached RB's and never had the sense to run Waters 20+ times a game. Makes me wonder if Bearden is in for mor 7-3 and 6-4 types yrs with him at the helm.

As a former Karns player and lifelong member of the community I can say Karns has deep, deep problems that are not easy to solve. These were made deeper with the emergence of HVA and especially Grace, Webb(recently) and even Catholic. Most good players zoned for Karns don't stay, many other strong athletes give up football for other sports instead of playing in an historically losing program. Having Kilgore is a positive but I personally think Karns will only succeed if we get a Coach who is young,charismatic and willing to stay. He will also have to rally the community and get some folks to invest personally in facilities etc. Karns is a sleeping giant that for years in the 70's, 80's and early 90's competed at the top of the youth leagues until the Pilot type teams started recruiting and youth football changed fundamentally in Knoxville. I wish him the best, we can only get better because until 2 yrs ago when we had a winning season it had been over 30 yrs since the last one. Even South Greene and Red Boiling Springs we better than that. Good luck coach, we need it.

I would like to better understand why Vic Wharton, CBJ 2014 commit has played for three different high schools in the last 3 yrs? Why did he leave his school in Knoxville to go to CPA and then why did he leave CPA to play at Independence?

In response to the DB fan asking how they might compare to Maryville....I will give you an opinion...I thought Bearden played Maryville hard and really it was close until start of 4thQ. The DB game looked like it should have been closer but the two early turnovers deep in DB territory swung momentum DB way so the shoot out didn't really happen..but it should have.. I think both teams DB and Maryville can score and both are suspect to strong running backs on D. I think Maryvilles QB makes more mistakes passing than their past QBs have...but he is more seasoned each week. Maryville has great great discipline and the coaches play calling is worth 7 pts. frankly, either team could win especially if one makes a couple of mistakes. I will say Maryville might have an edge in sheer confidence and belief in themselves. DB has classy fan base, at least to us...Maryville fan base has won so frequently that they get a little obnoxious but I guess they have earned the right. If I had to pick it I say Maryville wins if at home and DB wins if they are home barring major unforeseen injuries.

DB played well and Bearden went back to mistakes they were making in early season. Need to fire offensive coordinator for not running the Waters kid cause DB couldn't stop him when he touched ball. Should have carried 15-20 times. DB has a good chance to go far. Good luck.

Well I have not read through all the posts but as a "casual" Bearden fan I will give my thoughts. 1. I don't pretend to know a lot about DB except that they have several playmakers at QB, Rb etc and I understand that they score a lot by getting to the edge and breaking long runs. I understand they held SH to a lot fewer rushing yards than SH was averaging. I can tell you Bearden has a number of strong players but we have a tendency to shoot ourselves with penalties and dumb play calls. Personally I feel Bearden should run Waters as their primary RB instead of part te RB and pastime FB. Nobody has stopped him especially from the I formation. He avg 10 yds a carry and look like a man playing w boys at 6-1 230 but since he starts at LB too I guess they try to rest him . I think the D containing the edges and the kicking game will decide if Bearden can win. Dawgs will score but can we stop DB is question.

Naw we were not stealing signs...we were waiting after the game though for the free "how to recruit ALL of Blount Co. Seminar " being given by the Rebel booster club members who do the weekly traveling seminars..

Space3, unfortunately..I feel like you will get your wish. Losing to Campbell Co is bad enough not to mention how O Ridge beat us down..but what I saw against Central..we are just not very good..talent or scheme wise..the talent probably limits the schemes. If I could suggest anything to the Karns coaches it would be to walk the halls between now and Christmas and get all the athletes that simply are choosing not to play to suit up next year and give it a go in the spring..that's the only quick fix.

Bearden had a couple of injuries last Friday against Farragut. One out for year and another key player that seems uncertain. Should still be favored heavily though..would like to hear from Heritage fans. I know they had a few strong seasons a few years back but they have struggled last couple of years. Last year dogs won decisively.

Pepvol, I go to Karns games as I can..my son is zoned for West Valley and he wants to go to the games for his school. I'm not so selfish that I chose my school over my 13 yr old. Many people who live in the Karns zone do chose to send their kids to private schools though which is their choice. I understand that many public zones lose kids to private schools but Grace is exceptional at pulling Karns kids to their school because many people who attend church there send their kids to the academy. This impacts Karns.

I tell you what, I know Kicker's are not considered a lot in this type forum but went to the Bearden v Farragut game last night and TN needs to sign Farraguts punter, I saw all 4 colquitt's in HS including Craig and Jimmy and this kid, I think his name is Nick King(not 100% sure) repeatedly boomed kicks, changed the field and was good at landing them inside the 10 yd line too which TN can't seem to do. I know Spurrier has been after him, have not heard much about Dooley.

Wow, what a game, wonderful win for the Bearden program. Now I am a Karns fan( we are terrible as most people know) but living in Bearden and having a son in West Valley I go to the Bearden games a lot. This was a whale of a game. First, Farragut is tough, they have a punter TN needs to sign..we are stupid if we don't..he repeatedly changed the field position in the game. both teams played with a lot of guts tonight..hand it to all the boys on both teams..you all played your hearts out..not too many penalties or crazy calls either..just good football. Farragut is better than their record, a lot like Lenoir City is. Admirals tough up front. Bearden's qb was the hero for Dawgs, made a few bad decisions on throws but got it done in clutch in OT's. The big mystery with Bearden to most fans is why they continually play Waters at FB and block for Walls. Waters had 94 yds on 3 carries..yes 3 carries, I'm a stat junkie and he averages like 11-12 yds a carry and gets 5 or so a game. Bearden needs to rest him at LB and run him at TB more, they would win easier. Overall, beautiful night for a game, a lot of fun to watch even if my Beavers did get killed by ORidge.

As a long suffering Karns fan I know we lost a lot from last year but there just seems to be no hope for Karns football. One winning season last 40 yrs last year and this yr we are back to the usual ways. The problems are deep seeded. Lack of money for upgraded weights etc and pay to get a decent staff, apathy in student body..most of the better athletes sit in the stands yr after yr..class after class ....and most of all, the best youth players get out of the Karns system before high school, they go to Grace, Catholic, Webb or simply find a way to attend another public school..not to mention Hardin Valley zoned off some catchment area. Finally, the staff we need needs to be vested in the community and needs some creativity. We need a few more wealthy boosters to kick in some money..they exist..they know who they are..oh..well..maybe next yr or maybe just move to Oak Ridge Haha

Please..give me a break...now the Maryville fans feel the need to get on threads that have nothing to do with their team. Don't you guys have anything better to do. hilarious...

Very tough game. Very easily could have gone Bearden's way. Tough spot on the opening drive in 3rd deep in Rebel territory turned momentum. I though Dawgs were robbed of that first down. Great play call by Maryville on 2nd TD. 3rd TD was meaningless after Bearden was pressing on 4th down with under 5min lft. In my opinion the Bearden boys played tough, just as many good athletes as Maryville but offensive coaching edge goes to Maryville. Here is why, Waters played a lot of fullback for Bearden but in 1rst half had 3 carries for 54 yds. Maryville could not stop him, actually nobody stops him this season except Bearden's coaches, he got no more carries..what the heck. Twice on key 3rd and 4th down and 2 yd situations they did something stupid instead of just handing Waters the ball from the I..he had 9 tackles on D and played entire game both ways so maybe they thought they needed to save him for that but but here is my opinion. We can beat the easier teams with him at fullback and running the other speedy backs but Waters has size and isn't slow, it always takes 2-3 guys to tackle him. To beat West or Maryville in a rematch he needs 15 carries..something has to give or we will get close but no cigar in big games.

I think the coaching schemes in their run game are poor and they play vanilla to much on offense and defense, they don't change or adapt much. I also think the coaches let them get away with too many penalties without helping them see that this is a sure way to lose against better teams, turnovers have been a factor this year too. Talent wise I think they stack up well with almost anybody in TN public school leagues but all the other stuff kills them..L City was pretty good, especially their lines so that game was a good game, the other teams Bearden has played have been average, not terrible but not great. I say Maryville by 28, if its 10 or less or even a 4th quarter game I will be amazed because that will mean Bearden has been disciplined as a team which I have not seen.

Well you guys from Maryville kill me...I was being serious..not whining..apparently a lot of folks ask you that same question..I actually am loyal to Karns..imagine that..the worst team in the state the last 30 years. I do live in Bearden area and my kid goes to middle school in Bearden zone so I follow them...I am just curious to hear an intelligent response to a legitimate question..

I will tell you one player who I think hasn't been mentioned so far..probably not the "best" player in the state but very under the radar. He is being recruited heavily now by Louisville and Arkansas, Clemson, MTSU and TN was at the game vs L. City to watch him. He is getting interest from a lot of schools. He has no offers but that issue will clear itself up in Dec and I'm not gonna get into the why. Trent Waters at Bearden a RB and LB has been a major factor in most of Bearden wins the last two seasons. He gets lined up at FB a lot because Bearden has about 4 backs they can run and he opens big holes. He usually gets about 4-6 actual carries a game but is averaging over 10 yds a carry this season, just over 8 a carry last yr. I really feel Bearden doesn't run him 15-20 times a game because he starts at LB and plays a lot of special teams snaps too. He is 6-1 and 230 and is legit 4.6....very athletic and catches a lot out of the backfield too. Against Rhea Co 2 weeks ago he had 175 all-purpose yds, 3 Td's on 6 touches, had 7-8 tackles, 2 were sacks and an INT. He is listed only as 2 stars by rivals but he is getting a lot of attention.

Well there are only a handful of Bearden fans on the site/board. I have already given my opinion as to what I think the outcome will be and why. I will say this...I don't know the history of Blount County football but I do know Maryville has always been a good team and won a few state titles...then for the past 10-12 years they have been a dynasty.. Why is this?? Someone help me understand why Heritage stinks, WB stinks(most years) and Alcoa and Maryville are always so powerful..do the best players zoned for WB and Heritage find a way to go to either Maryville or Alcoa because of coaches and youth programs?? I wish someone would explain it to me.

You know what, I think I will amend my original post about the "talent" being about the same because I think the Maryville folks for some reason take that as me "slighting" them a little bit. I mean at the skill positions(except kicker..edge to the Rebs) I think the Offensive line the Rebs have is their real strength..now I have no idea what year each starter is or their past performance or injury or whatever. I have seen them just twice this season and their line is what makes them go...funny how that is the case in most football games on any level. The D line edge goes to Rebs as well. The Dawgs have been pushed around especially by L City( they were above average in size though). Bearden has playmakers especially in Waters but the coaches run him at Fullback more than tailback which is a mystery to me. He scores and gets more big chunks of yards whenever he has the least bit of blocking. Robinson and Walls are good backs too but Robinson doesn't start over Walls because he fumbles too much..Walls(Marlons brother) is fast and tough but is a little small and get pounded on and dinger up a lot. I'm interested in whether the Bearden coaches actually adjust at all to what they do based on film. I never see them do much of anything different. I see Maryville do all sorts of stuff different season to season. To me, this is a between the ears game and Maryville wins that one hands down. By the way, Stars and Bars..I love me some Ron Wright " mouth of the South" you get him to the game and I will call up BlackJack Mulligan..he sent his boy to Karns and he played some with me..we can put on a Rasslin show at halftime.