RedSwarm10

Scrimmage tomorrow against Arlington. I won't be able to make it but I'd love to hear how it goes.

Excellent basketball player. He also plays quarterback on their football team I believe. I agree with the Shaka Smart comment. If VCU is after this kid, then he's for real.

Excellent hire by Henry County. Any time you pick up a guy with head coaching experience at the college level, it says a lot. He was also a very good high school coach at 3 different schools. I do expect us to be back on the map in District 10-AAA sooner rather than later. As patriot04 already pointed out, there are plenty of athletes at Henry County. We have a rising junior who will be one of the best players in the district next season. Up-tempo offense and pressing defense is attached to Mike Greer's name. I'm excited to see the direction this basketball program goes. Best of luck to Coach Greer, and good job by the admin for reeling him in.

How are spring drills looking?

Having worked over 60 hours this week I haven't had the chance to get over there and catch any yet.

Having coached for a good while I know that things can happen when dealing with teenagers. We were fortunate last year in more ways than one in that respect, and we were far and away the state's best team. At this moment I see no team out there who is close to us. We will win another championship. The field is likely weak, and we are strong. If a few teams are better than I expect them to be, then we will beat them.

I guess I'll bite.

I love your confidence, but nobody in the state is even close to us? We just lost 18 starters. At the very least, I would like to see some of spring practice before that talk begins.

In response to the bold, we proved we were the state's best team, but it wasn't by far and away. That was one of the most tightly contested championship games I've ever seen. I agree that we were fortunate last year, in more ways than one. One of those ways was the fact that the state, over all, was down. We didn't face a legitimate challenge until week 15. We played a 9-4 Ridgeway team and a 9-5 Hendersonville team to get to the championship game. It won't be like that every year.

We can and will compete for more championships, especially with this crop of talent coming up through the ranks, but too many factors are in play for me to sit here and say we're that far ahead of the pack with a straight face. Not after losing almost the entire starting unit to graduation.

It was a big success,SEC.Nice crowd on hand,beautiful weather and much enthusiasm. I spent all evening watching the runners so I don't know much about the lifters though I heard several bench presses announced in the325 to 350 range.Best time in the 40 was 4.31--WOW! There was a 4.45, a 4.5 a bunch of 4.6's, 4.7's and4.8's. Overall speed seems better than last year. Size,strength, and numbers are comparable to last year at this time. 2012 could be a pretty good year!!

 

GO BIG RED

It was a great event with very nice turnout. We all know the talent is still there.

Now lets hope they can put it all together and play as a team. If they can, look out.

powerhouse? look, i saw hc play twice last season and yall did have a very good team that was very deserving of that title. but still, you have one state championship. henry county isn't exactly what i would consider a powerhouse.

We haven't always been a powerhouse, but here's a few little fun facts for you:

Since 2007 (the past 5 years), Henry County has the 3rd highest winning percentage in the entire state(.895), regardless of classification or division. The 2 schools ahead of us? Maryville(.946) and Alcoa(.904). Some of the schools we're ahead of? Milan(.888), Greeneville(.847), Ensworth(.864), Trousdale(.873), and South Pitt(.871). In those 5 years, we're 6th over all in total wins, with 3 trips to the semifinals or beyond (which isn't even including the semifinal we went to in 2006).

We may have only 1 state title during that time, but those are powerhouse numbers if I've ever seen them, waveyard. And here's the best part: We ain't even close to done

I don't think it will change anytime in the near future. Its not exactly even competition when School A has twice as many students as School B, and they compete in the same district which is the case right now in some districts. I would like to see it be broken down into four public school divisions and two private school divisions. I think it would be best if you broke it down into increments of 500.

A - 0-500

AA 501 - 1000

AAA 1001 - 1500

AAAA 1500 +

 

Furthermore, there would be no privates playing against any publics in the post-season. If you pay a penny to go to school, then you play in the private division. It's as simple as that IMO. Cut the number of private schools in half and go from there.

 

 

 

Some really good ideas have been thrown around here on this thread.... but like i said i don't think the T$$AA cares enough to change anything.

I love the way you have the classes broken down. I posted the exact same thing over on the football boards a while back, including those same numbers. All of the major sports could thrive in a 4-class system. Baseball needs another class, basketball needs another class, and football has too many classes. I think the TSSAA should really look into it.

you sure he's not going to Crockett County?

Crockett? What happened to Kevin Ward?

You said "Only 11 people can be on the field at a time" "If you can compete or you cant" and by that you make it sound like there should be one classification which is SILLY! You then compare small schools (S. Pitt and Wayne Co.) that could beat Large schools (Memphis Central and Arllington) those 2 large schools you named are much larger than Alcoa, Greeneville, Powell, Henry Co. etc. By your own logic S. Pitt and Wayne Co. should be able to compete with the schools I mentioned before since "only 11 can be on the field" and "either you can compete or you cant". Sorry it doesn't work that way! Thats why every state in the nation has different classifications

Where did you get that? He was talking about Division I privates and the fact that as long as a school puts forth the effort, they CAN compete regardless of whether or not they are public or private. And he's actually making a good point. Look at all of the Division I private schools who missed the playoffs last year. There was a TON, but we don't hear NEARLY as much about those schools and how they need to be put in a separate division. Wonder why?

The truth of the matter is, these Division I private schools, over all, are no more gifted talent wise, support wise, and certainly not enrollment wise than their public school counterparts. Yet somehow, every year, as soon as a public falls to a private in the playoffs we all hear the same thing, "Put them in Division II!" or something of that nature. Most of this public/private nonsense is nothing more than sour grapes being spit out because somebody's team wasn't good enough to win state.

If a school is giving out athletic scholarships, then by all means put them in their own division. But for these small privates like CAK and Friendship Christian, give me a break. Those kids and coaches worked every bit as hard for that championship as any public who's ever won it.

There is no way this state or any state needs 8 state championship teams. 3 in basketball seems to work. I am for no divisions and 3 classifications and that is it.I will also say that championships today do not have near the meaning they used to with just 3.

I agree that 8 is entirely too many, but 3 classes would be ridiculously compacting the system. There is a competitive reason that the state expanded beyond 3 classes. Look at the difference between the largest AAA school and the smallest AAA school. Clarksville Northeast currently plays in 5A. Their enrollment just barely hovers around the 1000 mark (their latest numbers are actually slightly below 1000), meanwhile you have some of the Rutherford County schools with consistent enrollments that exceed 2000 students. Do those schools really need to be competing in the same class? I don't think so, but you're entitled to your opinion. I think 4 classes would be just fine, and would compact the system just enough to keep it from being watered down without over-doing it.

Talking to some of the boys at the fundraiser on Saturday, and heard some interesting news. Word is that Coaches Southerland and former Jackets Coach Inman have applied and will interview this week. Does anyone know who all is interviewing, and if Southerland is going to interview? When I talked to Coach he said he is moving back home. We would sure love to have him if the rumor is true. Are there any other coaches that will be interviewing this week?

Southerland? Is this not the same guy who just resigned so he could be closer to his family?

It's more like having a steak in the fridge but settling for the bologna sandwich because it's easier to fix for dinner.

Well then blame the administration, but don't punish the kids because of it. They're more than happy to have that bologna sandwich, even if their parents (the admin.) don't want to cook the steak.

I guess there's nothing wrong with that, but generally football is meant to be played for a little more than a "Certificate of Participation."

Not every school is going to have an equal level of commitment to football. This is true in both Division I and Division II. It's also true at the collegiate level. The fact of the matter is, there are at least some kids at every school who want to play football. I'm sure these kids go to practice, work hard, and try just as hard as anyone to win. They obviously haven't experienced a great deal of success, but that doesn't mean the school should just drop the sport. It's the same thing as quitting, taking your ball home, and saying "well if we can't win, then we're not playing". Nobody likes that mentality. That's like saying just because a family can't afford to have a steak dinner every night, they should just stop eating.

Will they hire somone from the inside or a nearby county? There are some successfull coaches at nearby schools that could be successfull.

Who would those be?

Kelly Meyers' services are available. Don't know if he would go there or if he would even apply, but at the very least it would make for an interesting sub-story in District 10-AAA.

So are they seriously considering a middle school coach? Who else is on the short list? Spring practice is coming up awfully quick.

Although I'm not thrilled with 6 classes, I actually prefer the current system to the 5 class system. I was not crazy at all about the top 4 vs. top 4 playoff format under the old system. I prefer the quadrants, and I also prefer the current regular season district setup.

HOWEVER, I also believe that the system is watered down, and I would have no problem if they lowered the number of classes. But they should NOT go back to 5 (that system was watered down too), they should go to 4...If they really want to improve the quality of the post season (I believe the state is too big for only 3, but is not big enough for 5 or 6). Too many 5-5 and 4-6 teams getting into the playoffs right now, and it was no better under the 5 class format. I remember us playing against a 2-8 Raleigh-Egypt team in the first round of the playoffs back in '06 or '07. Making the playoffs should be an accomplishment in an of itself, and it just doesn't feel like that anymore.

Either keep the current system, or go to 4 classes with 10 or 12 districts in each class. Keep the quadrant format for the post season. And the only way you should be "locked" into a playoff berth should be a district title. After that, the remaining playoff spots should be filled and seeded based on record, with strength of schedule being the primary tie-breaker.

With all this said, I highly doubt they downsize in any capacity. Too much money flowing in with 6 classes.

Good luck to coach Woods in getting that program back up. Our recent playoff matches against Melrose were some of the best high school football games I've ever watched.

Word that I got, is, they are moving John Offit from Northwest to West Creek as Head Coach, and Lee Atkins is going to be the OC. Just wondering what is this move for, and who gets the NW job?

Interesting to say the least.

Condolences sent from West Tennessee. This happens too often, and I hate hearing about it equally every time it does.

The incoming freshman class for next year is pretty good, too.

 

I could see next year's sophomore class winning back-to-back championships their junior and senior years and feel confident predicting that this early. They'll definitely have the ability to compete.

I watched all but one of Grove's home games last season, and that was the best freshman team I've ever seen come through here. I say that with no hesitation. I know a lot can change and anything can happen, but I agree that we will be strong competitors in 5A over the next few years, and we will definitely have some more shots at winning the gold again.

In regards to this year's team, It's also worth noting that our JV was undefeated last year as well. There was plenty of talent that didn't even see the field. A lot of those kids will be moving up to the varsity, so I wouldn't sleep on this upcoming team. They're gonna be young, but they will be a handful by the time the playoffs roll around.

You know the program is on the up when the varsity, JV, and freshmen all go undefeated the same year.

Thanks....really shocks me. By the end of the year, this group could be great again. I see some hiccups early next year....Brandon Donaldson is gonna be a Jr though, not a Sr

Agreed with this. We're gonna be young in many spots next year. The senior class has some very good players in it, but it's not very big. So there will be a lot of underclassmen on the field next year, very different from this past year. Luckily for us, the junior class is very good, and the sophomore class is loaded.

Hey ParisRiverRat, it is a lengthy article but definitely an interesting read for any 5A football fan. HC is rated #1, but as a Beech fan, I am enjoying our possibilities this year too.

We should know how good we are pretty quickly next year when Beech comes to town week 1. The Buccaneers will be stacked with what they return. I'm looking forward to that one.

Either way, the principal must have had his eye on somebody for the job. I'm curious as to who exactly it is.