SECfighter

The Canes look to be outmatched on the LOS (primarily Maryville's DL vs Mo East's OL). The glaring problem for East I believe will be that their safeties play too tight to the LOS (8 yds) instead of 12 yds where those safeties could help themselves in the passing game. They do just fine running the alley from 8 yds, putting them at 10 and even 12 yds would show the same effectiveness for the run defense.

My objective opinion after seeing film of both squads: Maryville- However many points they want to score (approximately 49 pts I'll wager) Mo East- 7 The Red Rebs LBs, DEs, and O Backfield are flat out impressive.

It is called Hudl, however an account is needed to access film.

This bellyaching is old now. Listen gov91, WB had size and good looking players in pads this season but that is about as far as it went. The week 1 game vs Mo East can simply be summed up by saying Mo East had a high revving motor from their players and WB had a lethargic puttering motor from their players. The Govs EFFORT was plain sloppy and the Canes had close to 10 bad plays in that game that let WB make it close; which those bad plays have been very seldom for the Canes in all other games thus far. You consistently have mentioned the should've would've could've plays however you forget the gifts that were given to WB in the game. The cheap hit on East QB that messed him up bad for next 2 games after that game occurred on the play where East dropped a TD pass and didn't score on that drive. I seen 1 dropped TD pass from WB in that game, I don't know where the 2nd one you mention was at, and that missed FG was not close to going in. #10 Overbay had 3 really off plays that WB capitalized on in passing game and he has been a playmaking stud this season. WB LITERALLY had 3 or 4 successful running plays during the entire game, but I must give props to the last successful run where the RB kept himself from falling after being sandwiched and he scooted to the end zone. My biggest immediate recommendation for WB program is to get in much better physical conditioning and improve on football athleticism. The Govs really did look like Tarzan and play like Jane. Maybe the Govs could have capitalized on another one of those bad plays from the Canes if they would have given better hustle.

The D-B band should always be flagged for playing music during the opponent's O series. if the D-B sideline would be penalized for that then maybe the administration would put a stop to this annoying and distasteful act.

Since D-B is in the highest echelon of the most successful programs based on wins in the state then your statement about winning solves problems is false in this case. I understand that having winning records and being put out early in playoffs gets old and frustrating; think about how upsetting it must be for coach Clark. The W/L record that matters most are the elimination games record.

Haha. The most difficult part of being a high school football coach is dealing with parents/fans.

I know what you were talking about BatmanDB. It is ridiculous that a school with such a large enrollment would have any kind of a depth issue for a stretch of years. It is nice to have numbers for practice though, just to have bodies for the look squad. Coaches need to be evaluated on how they build a program which means taking in 9th graders and molding them into guys who can play on Friday night. I have seen potential from a whole bunch of teams in very many different areas not become reality due to not enforcing the basic fundamentals a player needs to be solid for Fridays. You have to keep the kids in check on and off the field as best as possible.

How many players are on D-B's team? Greeneville hasn't needed much depth cause they have stayed healthy enough and the guys playing have done a very great job. I mean their 2010 points scored record breaking team fielded 7 seniors but they all played great. Fulton has 65 players on their roster 9-12 grade. I would assume Greeneville is around that number, but I really don't know for sure. 65 players for a 4A school in TN is decent, but it is not impressive. A school of 500-550 students that fields 90+ players grades 9-12 is. That would be what Alcoa does. Seriously though, what does D-B have on the roster now? I know East has approximately 65 players grades 10-12 on the roster which is mediocre numbers at best for a 6A school in TN.

Greeneville scheduled a solid non district schedule based on the opponent's tradition. For Mo East scheduling West Greene was to begin 1-0 and it was an easy hook based on Coach Hatcher and Case knowing each other; Coach Case is eager to build that program. William Blount had a very disappointing season based on the ability of the players. They found self-infliction to be their biggest problem; however, East was blowing that game open early until the QB Wallace broke his ring finger on throwing hand. Sevier Co is a great program and they uncharacteristically went in the tank against Maryville when the Red Rebels jumped on them quick. Knox Bearden went through a rebuilding year, but they were not disappointing. Cherokee was the second most improved team in the district behind Mo East from last season to present. Their 5-5 record is a little misleading based on their size and solid physical play. Mo West is in the same category as Bearden. Cocke Co and Seymour were weak. South-Doyle is very competitive with very good athleticism; their issue was players having to stay on the field and not much rest. Jefferson Co was very good in certain areas and very poor in others. Their inconsistency robbed them of the playoffs because they did have potential. That's a breakdown for Mo East's schedule this season thus far. I believe the matchups to watch are D-B's OL vs Mo East's DL and the decision making of both teams QB.

Talent only carries you to beating an opponent that you are much more talented than, after that it is doing the small things correctly and always being ready to play the next play. I have seen D-B multiple times since around 1996 I believe. Their fundamental flaw (this flaw is equal to all NET teams as I stated in an earlier post) is that the LOS is dominated by these more physical Knoxville area teams. Example, the 09 Cyclones gave up no more than 14 pts/game through 13 games which included matchups against Science Hill, Greeneville, Asheville (NC), CAK, and Austin-East. I seen Alcoa come into Betsy and score 3 TDs in first quarter and they honestly could have broke the 50 pt barrier if they would have kept starters in. Elizabethton was a great team that year with eight 3 yr starters; they had one weakness overall and that was a GL type of defense. Partly because team strength was not at the level it should have been and the style of players on D up front. Their Sr NT # 58 was the most athletic NT I have ever seen in high school and he had decent size. Alcoa's C, Coach Rankin's Sophomore son, had his way with him throughout. Alcoa lined up with 7 true OL (#s 50-79) and got in the stack I with the TE # 89 Tyler Wilson, I believe was his name, 2 time Mr. Football OL, and would motion him to a wing and they just ran straight at the Cyclones and moved them around all night. They used a formation advantage but regardless Elizabethton did not have an answer for their physicality on either side of the LOS. State championship caliber football teams do these following things: 1. Have a high turnover differential number 2. Execute GL/Short Yardage plays 3. Have great yardage gain/resistance on 1st down 4. Keep the sticks moving/stopped on conversion downs 5. Special Teams will flip and pin the field position battle 6. Limit needless penalties (false start/jumping offsides due to snap cadence/not having 7 on the LOS, etc.) 7. Firing off the football at the LOS 8. Flying to the football from all defensive positions while holding the correct angle 9. Taking the correct steps and blocking correct halves of the body 10. Using eyes, hips, hands, and feet when tackling 11. Great communication between players especially pre-snap 12. The secondary stays disciplined and does not get out of position 13. The blockers continuously move their feet and they strike with hands 14. Defenders shed blocks quickly 15. QB makes appropriate reads in all phases (pre-snap, pass, and run) I notice that these characteristics are harder to find from teams in NET vs the Knoxville area. Just based on observation and the number of games witnessed. Primarily with #'s 6 through 9, 11, and 14. I truly think that those 6 characteristics of difference is what separates the play of the teams in the 2 different areas. This is of course based on the high majority of teams in those 2 areas, NET and the Knoxville area, which I consider Knoxville area to consist of Knox, Blount, and Anderson counties.

It is all a mindset. They have the champions mindset everyday of the year from training to practice to how they keep their bodies fueled everyday to the game. They got it figured out and they live it. That's the difference between Maryville and everyone else in TN. Simply put TN high school football is above average at the very best. Maryville, Alcoa, Fulton, and South Pittsburg for the past 10 yrs have been the most dominant programs in the state without argument in my opinion. Take those 4 programs and put them in any bordering state minus KY and AR, they would still be powerful but definitely not at the Juggernaut status they currently set in; especially if they were in GA.

It's never good to be hoping for a win... Outside of 2009, 10, 11 Greeneville, 2009 Elizabethton (Alcoa still laid a smack down in semis), and 2007 Sullivan South (Maryville made their statement still), there has not been a team East of Knoxville in the last 10 years to match the physicality of a strong Knoxville area team. Sevier Co has been close multiple times but they have fallen short as well in that time period.

I think Mo East is at least 17 points the better now but I will make a more conservative prediction: Hurricanes 31 Indians 20

The QB is Sr # 2 Logan Wallace who has played well throughout the yr and he has very good ability as a passer and makes correct reads in the running game, Sevier Co was his biggest struggle however he was dealing with a broken ring finger on his throwing hand that occurred in the previous week's game. It is a shame that # 8 Bryson Stephens is out till next yr based on him breaking his hand in 3 places against S-D; this sophomore is a VERY special talent who had been starting in the secondary all season and his role was increasing on O as the yr progressed. He also was a talented returner with a couple TD's. The OL has been the second biggest improvement behind the secondary from a yr ago. There have been a couple of injuries to the OL starting from right before the season began, but fortunately there was adequate depth there to survive. There has been good production from WR all year in the passing game with good depth as well across all grade levels, again Sevier Co was their biggest struggle just based on too many dropped passes; blocking still needs to be better from the WR in the running game. Onto the 2 studs on offense that are a backbreaker for the opposing D... Sr RB # 1 Matt Thompson has All-State ability and production, especially in his Sr yr. He is a 5-11 200 lb experienced baller who has avg over 130 yds/game and scored around 25 TD's this year. He broke the school career rushing record in game 7 this yr, contribute that to a stellar Sr season thus far and being a full 4 yr starter. He is currently setting at third for school single season rushing record. He has the lethal triad of vision, speed, and power to make him ultra dangerous as a runner. He will also haul in a few catches if needed too. Lastly, the most overlooked player on the whole team and he is definetly that player who puts the team on the next step up is Jr ATH # 7 Chris Logan. He will line up in various places on O just simply executing positivity. He is smaller in stature but that is the only glaring negative that can be said thus far. He has big play ability and is close to being automatic for FG's, and he also puts the majority of KO's in the end zone. This 2013 Mo East football team has a stingy turnover producing D, and what makes them overall so dangerous is their ability and productivity of being able to score quick and in bunches from O, D, and in the kicking game. The only thing they have not shown is 4 dominating quarters against a competitive foe (Seymour does not count as a competitive foe); however, they have shown in multiple games the focus, patience, and fight to come back from being down on the scoreboard including a 2 possession (10 pts) second half comeback against a solid Cherokee team. That game was won with about 4 minutes left on a 74 yd drive which put the score at 23-20 with a little over 1 minute left in game. Confidence is going to play a major role in the flow of this matchup, and this team has shown confidence all throughout the yr. It has to continue on...

I agree that if schools in blount co. force zones and do not allow out of zone attendance it would even out the depth and talent pool. I believe in a foundation of KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid with the x's and o's. Also, the team has to expect to win and that happens through great preparation and the building of confidence.

Who are your nominees?

What is your thoughts about this matchup?

Ensworth is a private program too.

I believe that the top caliber programs from TN would win games against top caliber programs from GA. The difference is that GA has way more top caliber teams than TN has. Also football top to bottom is played better and is much more impressive in GA. The high majority of schools in GA make high school football a year round sport; it is NOT that way in TN. All other sports revolve around football for kids in GA and TN can't make that same comment. There are several A, AA, and AAA football teams in GA that will beat any TN football team mentioned on a year to year basis. Strength and Conditioning has much more emphasis placed and is more evident down in GA. If I had to pick 1 matchup I would pay to see then it would have to be seeing Alcoa play Buford.

What's your thoughts about this matchup?

TN high school football is not even comparable to GA. The reason a "Maryville" program doesn't currently exist down in GA is because there are an incredibly high number of "Maryville" programs across all classifications in GA. High school football is a lifestyle in GA, TN does not deserve to be mentioned in the same status... Real Truth

I expect at least 2 home playoff games hosted from East. My predictions for regular season in the district presently: 1. Sevier Co. 9-1 2. Mo. East 9-1 3. South Doyle 6-4 4. Jefferson Co. 6-4 5. Cherokee 4-6 6. Mo. West 3-7 7. Seymour 2-8 8. Cocke Co. 1-9

You need to read what you have typed before submitting.. This is what is irritating, someone's opinion that is really ignorant. I have to begin with last year. East Varsity last year was on the same level as a JV squad concerning size and poor execution in tackling and blocking skills. Yes this year's program did push themselves appropriately to get bigger,faster, and stronger; however, the 2008 and 2009 teams would have still easily lifted this team out of the weight room. The biggest difference with the 2013 team is stated below with these 4 points: 1. The OL has formed into a solid execution unit for a balanced style of play. 2. Matt Thompson is a RB and Logan Wallace is a QB. This is Coach Hatcher's one obvious fault in that it took too long for these two very good players to play definitely in their current position. In fact it was the 5th game last year that Wallace became the starting QB. It is important to state that when an exceptional talent such as Matt Thompson is a swing player (either East or West could claim home residence rights) coming out of middle school, and the biggest reason he comes to East is due to his desire to play QB, and his prospects of doing that are much higher at East than West; then it is wise to allow him to have the most opportunity to achieve that otherwise he could have had a maroon helmet on last night. Coach Hatcher allowed Thompson to do that but things evolved and molded the way they were meant to. 3. The defense as a whole has grown into a much better tackling and aggressive unit that has obviously been making enough positive plays to win. 4. The overwhelming change has came from a mental shift. This team is confident in the idea that they play start to finish, every play, to win it. In sports it is vital to be ready to always play the next play and leave the past where it needs to be. Defense is what controls the flow of the game. Offense is what pulls you away from your opponent. Every Special Teams play shifts the outcome based solely on field position and points scored. Coach Hatcher's Offense at East has drastically shifted consitently and almost year to year consecutively. In 2011 it even changed during the season and that was a very productive offense. East High has broken several offensive records during Hatcher's tenure. As I said at the beginning of this paragraph, DEFENSE controls the flow. The defense has really been playing well overall and it is always nice to have a KO specialist who can make the opponent start their offensive drive from the 20 yard line, Chris Logan would be the first Kicker Coach Hatcher has had to do that consistently and he is going to be the best point adder the Coach has had as well. Lastly, it is always disheartening when a player's playing days are cut short by injury/illness. Prayers will definitely be said. West fans do not jump off the Trojan Horse. East fans please keep it going in a positive way!

How about now since the final whistle has sounded?