PoppyDitto

I agree completely!

My old friend blitzinbuc, I had a feeling I would hear from you on this game. I suppose that district 5AAA is probably down again like it was LAST YEAR, huh. That's probably why McMinn and Bradley are tied for the district going into this game. Or have we both risen to the top again? I know you hope your precious Cherokees will prevail Friday night but the x-factor will be at quarterback and # 10 from Bradley Central will lead the Bears to the district 5AAA championship. Blitz him if you can... Oh by the way, I hope the Cherokees will be as spirited as they were in July during 7 on 7 drills in Athens. Good Luck...Blitzinbuc...good luck!

Another interesting sidebar to this game could be the focus of each schools quarterbacks. What most people don't know is Bradley Central's Bryce Copeland and Cleveland's Chad Voytik have grown up together, played baseball and basketball together and played football together until each went their own way. Friends off the field but fierce rivals and competitors between the lines. Chad has had to deal with all the hype of being a top national recruit that seems almost as a distraction for him personally and has earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. However, Bryce has done nothing but help lead the Bears to wins and to the playoffs. Also,, Bryce was awarded the top quarterback award for district 5-AAA for the 2010 season and by the way he has been playing this season, may very well win the same award again. Chad and his Cleveland team of 2010 was able to defeat the Bears 33-18 at Bradley while the Bears won in overtime at Raider field in 2009. Each gunslinger has one victory over the other but Friday night will be the tie breaker of the series between perhaps the two best quarterbacks to ever play in Bradley county at the same time. Bradley and Cleveland fans have been blessed with such fine talent.

I really enjoyed watching Cameron Tallent lead his Rhea County Eagles on the field last season also. However, Bradley did finish the season with a 9 and 3 record and the afforementioned Bryce Copeland was the quarterback of the year in district 5AAA and Cam Tallent was the offensive player of the year in district 5AAA. Copeland has earned his hype. He takes a backseat to no one in this district and the best part is he is healthy this season and will perform with two good legs underneath him.

The I Train will probably get his yards and touchdowns. The Bradley coaching staff is smart enough to understand the obvious. However, It will take a # 6 team effort to beat a # 7 team in 6A. I cant wait to get to Murfreesboro friday night to enjoy all 48 minutes of this game. This is definitely one of Bradley Central's biggest challenges of the season and after viewing Blackman's schedule, If they can run that gauntlet and win out, the only team in the state in their way is probably Maryville.

I have been watching video of I'Tavius Mathers, (aka the I Train) and he is absolutely the fastest back I have seen all year. However, the Blaze's offense seems so one dimensional. This game will definitely be a high scoring game because of Bradley Central's multi dimensional offense. All State receiver, James Stovall and sophomore Cal Pickel are both outside threats. Justin Houston is averaging 17.4 yards a carry and is shifty and running downhill this season and the glue that holds it all together is junior quarterback, Bryce Copeland...he can run, throw and lead. If Bradley Central can get defensive penetration they might have a chance to stop the Blaze and Mr. Mathers. Bradley Central 42- Blackman Blaze 38.

Well said Mothball, pure sanity with no emotional attachments...love it!

Thanks OKridgeKat! Finally the sane voice of reason steps up to the plate and hits a homerun. Oops, wrong sport analogy. Congratulations on a fine season and good luck with Riverdale Friday night.

Bradley could only play the teams on their schedule and won 8 of those contests. Nothing I see was delusional. Bradley's two losses were to playoff teams; one was it's most hated rival and the other loss by three on the road to a very good 8-2 Loudon squad. Bradley also beat a 3rd ranked Polk County and a 10th ranked Soddy Daisy squad on the road. Bradley didn't win the district anyway, Cleveland did. It's not Bradley's fault that Ooltewah and McMinn and Walker Valley were weaker than the Bears. Credit should be given to the teams that worked the hardest and won all 8 of those games instead of crying how weak others were. Besides, I stated how weak "your game" was, not Bradley's opponents. I have not accused you of hating anybody. Anyway you choose to spin "the facts", 9 wins and 3 losses was miles ahead of anyone else in the district; weak or strong. My opinion was formed by watching every game on the schedule and my hometown paper The Chattanooga Times Free Press accurately predicted the three playoff teams from district 5AAA: Bradley, Cleveland and Soddy Daisy. Good job Gene Henley! Let me make it simple for you Blitzinbuc: A 9-3 record for the 2010 season IS stronger than the 2-8 your weak Cherokees could muster. Keep on spinning the negativity brother, you are not only a math whiz and a history professor but also a yellow journalist. You have quite a list of professions. However, you still never answered the question, did you ever play the game?

I stand corrected, as I said Mcminn was the better team last season and I'm sure you still have the newspaper clippings to refer to. However, blitzinbuc you are doing nothing but repeating yourself...is that all you can bring to this thread? Reads as if your holding on to the past two seasons and Bradley is moving forward. Get out of the past and your "sweet memories" of glories past and compete man, your weak this season and Bradley was strong. Put that in your memory bank and draw some interest, Mr. history professor. Did you ever play? Probably not because you really don't bring much to a war of words...let alone a football game!

As I recall blitzinbuc, your precious McMinn and Ooltewah squads that graduated sooo many seniors, both lost in the first round last season. Ooltewah was ranked #1 in the state before McMinn, the better team beat the birds for the district championship. Yes Bradley lost to both of those teams last season. A real whipping at Ooltewah and a close, hard fought loss to McMinn that was definitely the class of district 5AAA. Looks to me as if Bradley worked harder over the summer and focused on beating the teams they needed to whip to TAKE their rightful spot as winners this season. Try to stay positive blitzinbuc. Give credit to those players that didn't take the summer off and worked harder in the weight room. Ask the players that played for McMinn and Ooltewah about their respective games against the Bears. They will tell you, they didn't ALLOW Bradley to kick their respective a##e# this season! You are correct blitzinbuc, Bradley lost a game. You do have an ability to read a score in the paper. You are quite frankly, a mathematical genius and I am just guessing here but you may have never played the game or actually committed to something worth doing. Well maybe with the exception of being a completely negative genius.

What team will win for district leadership

I suppose all Bradley Central fans will be able to find out just how good their young team is friday night when those Blue Raiders visit Jim Smiddy arena for first place in the district. A 20 point differential against Soddy Daisy is very impressive. Of course Cleveland has beaten everyone by 20 or more with exception to Science Hill. Go Bears...

I had heard that a very talented player from Red Bank did not play due to a disciplinary decision. However, Bradley is a very young, well coached and extremely high-energy ball club. They are also very patient on offense.

I also nominate Brock for this list. He is a fine shooter and plays hard. Was a member of the Tennessee Travelers coached by Andy Pennington of Athens, Tn. I also agree with the nomination of Will Adams of Science Hill. He also enjoyed his summer with the 14 and under Travelers. Really quick with excellent driving skills and tenacious on defense. Also a wonderful ball handler. If I am not mistaken Shannon Hale may have also been a member of that AAU squad. Big-time bigman that runs the floor well? Forgive Me Shannon if I am incorrect.

The kid for McCallie named Jamal Calvin is for real. He has played at Cleveland Middle for the last three years. They lost only one game in three seasons. Also an interesting note, his backcourt mate at Cleveland Middle was Bryce Copeland; Qb @ Bradley Central, I would also nominate Copeland as one of the top freshman in East Tennessee also. This dynamic duo complemented each other wonderfully.

I must agree with all of the positive thoughts that have been posted concerning Bradley's defense. That Bear defense was on the field nearly the entire second half. No wonder the defense as a unit began to give up one or two big plays. By the middle of the fourth quarter the offense had already fumbled and had 3, three and outs. "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging". Down 23-14 in the fourth quarter, Bradley lined up in an I formation and actually ran on first down. Just seems we have become too predictable on offense. First down, run. Second down, run. 3rd and twelve, either run again or try one pass and hope we catch it. I realize we were on a muddy track. However, McMinn made adjustments at halftime and allowed their quarterback to make some plays. I did not see any adjustments from Bradley's sideline. Bradley played conservative after gaining the lead and looked as if they played not to lose instead of playing to win. Sure there were some words said pre-game but that does not excuse all of the personal foul penalties called on both squads; more on Bradley. Bradley needs to learn to compete without blowing up and hurting themselves. The Bears practically gave McMinn their first TD with penalties. Great job Bradley defense. Next friday you get you shot at the #1 team in the state. Go Bears...

Obviously I have not been around the Bear program before this season. I suppose that so much negativity about a school or their coach and even their players that are children, lest we forget, is healthy for some folks that love to talk about their team. I have heard the talking and the jealousies when my kids played at a Chattanooga high school in the early to mid nineties. When your child is a starter, you're on cloud nine and you feel on top of the world. When they are not starters or not getting an opportunity to play it can be troublesome, especially if you are an involved parent. However, remaining negative about "your program" ie; continually complaining about playing time and play calling and who is playing, can eat up your program like a cancer. All Bradley fans and supporters alike should be celebrating that "our" program has an opportunity to be winners this season. Regardless of what grade the quarterback is in or who should be playing or what the play calls should be. Coach Floyd and his staff are professionals and are human, earning a living by teaching and coaching "our kids" to the best of their abilities so they in turn can lead productive and meaningful lives as men. I will remain positive and support "our team" for better or for worse because we do have boys on this squad that are winners and leaders. We will have fun...