rockytopfootball

I agree with your post "glover" he (your highlighted player) certainly LOOKED "the part" at Tryouts. We look forward to him representing Tennessee in this game.

Great and congrats on him being selected!! Yeah we feel both teams should be really strong (especially the 8th Grade) they had alot more to choose from. Kentucky had great turnout at their Tryouts so we expect them to be pretty stout. Should be interesting.... I've been too Tryouts in 7 states (8 states this weekend in South Carolina) and our talent at least in t-shirts and shorts looks no different than any other state. Our (Tennessee) OL / DL tryout #'s are triple what every other state is.

There posted now! I can't provide the link b/c the site won't let me. Look on Football Tech Camps dot com under the link Future Stars and you can see them there. Selections and Testing Times.

Yes much deeper talent pool tried out this year meaning several good players were left off the list b/c of limitations. Saw some GREAT talent at both locations. Some H.S. programs (too many too list) are going to be getting some outstanding players soon. Pretty much every area of state covered except Memphis (no one tried out from there) but even Northwest Tenn has some representation: Union City, Paris (Henry Co) and Martin. Going to be alot of fun! Come support the "future" June 11 at Carson Newman College. To view the rosters look on Football Tech Camps dot com website (Future Stars link).

2011 Tennessee Future Stars rosters and combine stats are posted online (info below). Come out catch a glimpse of the "future" June 11 to support the boys in the big game versus Kentucky's Future Stars. The game will be at Carson Newman College. More than 300 kids tried out statewide only 90 were selected! The selections were tough (especially in the 8th Grade). View Rosters at Football Tech Camps dot com under the link "Future Stars"

Last year we took nominations from coaches but they didn't carry any weight when selecting the team, the teams were picked by the "Evaluator" at Tryouts of that position. The "Evaluators" had no clue who was nominated and who wasn't. Only the director knew who was nominated; there were several "non" nominated kids who made the team last year. Many of last years Future stars went on and started Varsity at their respective high school this past fall. This year we didn't take nominations, no reason as to why just didn't do it!

It was an Open Tryout last year as well! Some coaches just choose not to let all their players know. The teams haven't been selected yet we have the Middle / West Tenn Tryout this weekend in Nashville @ David Lipscomb High School. If you know a current 7th and/or 8th Grade athlete tell him to come out and give it a shot! He'll have a good time! And if he's fortunate enough to be selected then he'll have a football experience to remember forever in (June). Cost is $30 and they can sign-up up Sat in person. 7th Grade 11am 8th Grade 12 (noon) 2011 Promo Video:

Great turnout this past Sat at Powell High! If you weren't there hate you missed it! Next (and last) opportunity to Tryout for Tennessee Future Stars is this Sat at David Lipscomb High School. 7th Grade Check-In 11am 8th Grade Check-In 12 (noon) Cost is $30 per athlete and includes Future Stars T-Shirt. ALL athletes will participate in on-field drills and in mini style Combine. You can sign-up in person Sat. See you there! Come to learn, compete, get noticed and have fun!!!

Unfortunately I have the sun burn to prove it as well! GREAT turnout! Good to see some much talent gathered at one venue. All in all great day! Athletes had a good time! Picking the team will be a chore to say the least but will be fun to watch TENN Future Stars take it to KY June 11. Next up is the Middle / West TN Tryout make sure you're not out done by the East who came out in waves. Please inform any current 7th & 8th Grade athlete about the upcoming Open Tryout this Sat @ David Lipscomb High School (you can sign-up in person) Cost is $30. 7th Grade Check-In 11am 8th Grade Check-In 12 (noon) We had four athletes run 4.7 (40). Will post names later this week! Athletes ran 40 on natural grass in cleats and was timed "Electronically" - very impressive.

Yes! The game will be June 11. We're in final stages of securing Carson Newman College as game site. Last years game (in Louisville, Ky) drew a large crowd with 1/2 of the attendance being from Tennessee. KY Future stars just completed there Tryouts last weekend they had double the #'s this year so they're expecting to field much better teams. If you know a 7th and/or 8th Grade athlete make sure you encourage them to attend one of our two Tryouts.

Inviting ALL 7th & 8th Graders (today in school) to Future Stars Open Tryouts. Last year was a HUGE success! Many Future Stars went on and started Varsity as 9th Graders at their respective school (three started in state title games) George Porter (Chatt Baylor RB) Shawn Prevo (Maryville RB) and Todd Kelly Jr. (Knox Webb FS). The Open Tryout is a great way for the athletes to learn, compete, get noticed and have fun! Its a great way for athletes to "see where they measure up". We have a very diverse mix of coaches and ex Vols/Pro Players leading the Tryout. We invite ANYONE to attend to get a glimpse of the Future Stars in our state. The selected players are treated like young stars as they report and stay on a college campus for four days, they attend events and hear various guest speakers throughout the week and cap it all off with the game (June 11). Take a look below at some of last years highlights. At Tryouts each participant will go thru a variety of position drills, 1-ON-1's and mini pro style Combine. Here are Tryout Dates and locations East Tenn Powell High School April 23; Middle/West Tenn David Lipscomb High School April 30. Athletes CAN register in person day of Tryout; Cost is $30 includes Combine Stats, Future Stars T-Shirt and good football workout. For more information please email knoxfalconsfb@comcast.net 2010 Tryout Highlights: 2010 Game Highlights:

Inviting ALL 7th & 8th Graders (today in school) to Future Stars Open Tryouts. Last year was a HUGE success! Many Future Stars went on and started Varsity as 9th Graders at their respective school (three started in state title games) George Porter (Chatt Baylor RB) Shawn Prevo (Maryville RB) and Todd Kelly Jr. (Knox Webb FS). The Open Tryout is a great way for the athletes to learn, compete, get noticed and have fun! Its a great way for athletes to "see where they measure up". We have a very diverse mix of coaches and ex Vols/Pro Players leading the Tryout. We invite ANYONE to attend to get a glimpse of the Future Stars in our state. The selected players are treated like young stars as they report and stay on a college campus for four days, they attend events and hear various guest speakers throughout the week and cap it all off with the game (June 11). Take a look below at some of last years highlights. At Tryouts each participant will go thru a variety of position drills, 1-ON-1's and mini pro style Combine. Here are Tryout Dates and locations East Tenn Powell High School April 23; Middle/West Tenn David Lipscomb High School April 30. Athletes CAN register in person day of Tryout; Cost is $30 includes Combine Stats, Future Stars T-Shirt and good football workout. For more information please email knoxfalconsfb@comcast.net 2010 TN vs. KY Game Highlights: 2010 TN Tryouts:

Inviting ALL 7th & 8th Graders (today in school) to Future Stars Open Tryouts. Last year was a HUGE success! Many Future Stars went on and started Varsity as 9th Graders at their respective school (three started in state title games) George Porter (Chatt Baylor RB) Shawn Prevo (Maryville RB) and Todd Kelly Jr. (Knox Webb FS). The Open Tryout is a great way for the athletes to learn, compete, get noticed and have fun! Its a great way for athletes to "see where they measure up". We have a very diverse mix of coaches and ex Vols/Pro Players leading the Tryout. We invite ANYONE to attend to get a glimpse of the Future Stars in our state. The selected players are treated like young stars as they report and stay on a college campus for four days, they attend events and hear various guest speakers throughout the week and cap it all off with the game (June 11). Take a look below at some of last years highlights. At Tryouts each participant will go thru a variety of position drills, 1-ON-1's and mini pro style Combine. Here are Tryout Dates and locations East Tenn Powell High School April 23; Middle/West Tenn David Lipscomb High School April 30. Athletes CAN register in person day of Tryout; Cost is $30 includes Combine Stats, Future Stars T-Shirt and good football workout. For more information please email knoxfalconsfb@comcast.net 2010 TN vs KY Game Highlights: 2010 TN Combine / Tryout Highlights:

Every city has a tourism group ours is called KTSC; there jobs are to bring events to town; events that attract "outsiders" not locals. Our event is considered "city wide impact" in the tourism world. Just like the Super Bowl (ours don't even get close to that obviously), cities bid on these events trying to bring them to there respective city b/c "events" generate dollars for local businesses which in turn pays taxes to city/county off business they generate. Events is one major thing that helps keep local taxes from rising so rapidly. My facts are always straight b/c when your honest and do things the right way you have no worries of covering tracks. As far as the T$$AA I could care less - I'm not affliated w/ them in any manner. I don't teach, I don't coach in a T$$AA affliated program so they have nothing on me. They can call me all they want and what they want but at end of day they have nothing over me or on me b/c I do nothing wrong. Keep doing good in your community and I'll keep doing good in mine. I can pocket as much as I want since it is my event!! Thats like asking how much of your coaching supplement do you pocket. I can tell you that not only do businesses profit off our events but so do area high school athletic departments who help host the event at there school - so theres many winners off the event (too many to name). But u would be surprised at the outgoing expense of an event this large I'll say that and no more! The tournament is about the kids (the money off it sure isn't worth it) u have NO idea how much planning and prepping it takes to host the biggest youth football tournment in the Country!! How many guys would waive over $5,000 in entry fees to local teams every August - guess what I do. I could charge $500 per team and still end up with close to as many teams as we get now b/c we put on a quality event. But since I'm not greedy we keep our entry fee very affordable and free to local teams - man I'm such a bad guy huh. Lastly, I know more than just the "locals". Keep throwing the stones "Coach Cat" enjoy your 4th...

I live in reality everyday!! I'm not sure what empire your speaking of but I know I do things right so I sleep just fine each night. I wasn't needing a pat on back but thanks anyway, I was trying to prove to you that theres much more to the tournament than just a weekend of football - I did'nt know any other way to do it over a computer message board, to be honest P & R didn't want the tournament few years back but they were policitically forced too by above officials b/c the event is such an ecomonic boost for the community; now they support it.. Other cities approach us all the time about re-locating the event (only b/c the ecominic impact is so strong) it produces more $$ impact to the city than TSSAA Spring Fling & State Championship Games do.. I could shift event to Chatt, Murfreesboro, Nashville, etc tomorrow and it be just as successful. I've flirted w/ idea many times but never pulled trigger. Thats great there playing in it; they will be better for playing in it, as u know u get better by playing better competition. The 13/14 y/o division will be as deep and talented as its ever been at my tourney; u will see some future SEC players to say the least. We have 2 HUGE National All-Star Games directors are coming to scout talent at the tournament maybe one of the Central kids will get selected - there alot of fun and some great exposure!!! Let me know day or two before tourney and I'll get u a pass save u a few dollars. Yes I heard Pilot had some teams fold too; I haven't heard from a credible source yet but I have had rumblings. I could care less what they do; all I worry about is my team, I never worry about an opponent. An old wise man told me many years ago "prepare your team; don't worry about the others". We don't even film nor scout our opponents; sounds stupid I know but we don't.

Good luck with this Cat; wish we could come support it but we can't. Not trying to tell you what to do or nothing but I would think if you moved it up (in date) you would attract more teams. By then all sanction middle schools are in pads (alot have scrimmages Fri July 30 and/or July 31), some Knox Co teams are in pads as well at that time. Just a little food for thought. Again, good luck w/ the event!! If you need any help w/ getting in touch w/ coaches let me know. I have about 90% of the coaches contact info across the state for middle school football (and a good bit of youth too).

Well lets not get into name dropping RTF because I assure you, you dont want to that!!! The kids living with coaches were from Lonsdale and their mother was sick and since passed away so not argument their! Do you really want me to start naming names of kids that were not zoned for Fulton High that you had on your team this year...I dont think you want to go there!!! And if it is about winning them why did all these kids not play for Central or Powell middle teams...there is not a team in town that would have beaten that Powell team this year and there is no argument there! So you tell me is it legal for a head coach to go sit in a kids living room and talk about coming to another school when that kid is not zoned for their school and by the way they did not go. There are things in writing and just waiting on some more things to get this thing worked out and I do not think you want to go to the details and start talking about kids that are out of zone...that would not be on your side!!! So why do you all play in the Independent league again? Better competition...right!!! So that Powell team and That Central team that played for the Ship were just average...and Carter and Catholic were just head and shoulders better than those teams...please. I know where the funding comes from and so do about 10 other league commissioners and the "BOMB" is about to drop at Parks and Rec...I am just going to stand back and enjoy the show. Let me say this I am all for the kids and have coached before, but at what expense do these unpaid coaches coach for a different program than where they grew up...why? What is in it for those guys that do not have kids...If you knew half of what I do for kids it would blow your mind but I dont need a pat on the back! I have no problem of a kid living w/ a coach thats great that the """"coach"""" took 'em in. Your trying to throw stones at my 8th Grade program and all I'm doing is having fun with ya and stating the facts - we do nothing wrong; sometimes good things can be done right. The whole team could live with you and I wouldn't care nor would I complain to anyone; I think its great you did that seriously. Keep doing what your doing for kids thats great, I wont throw stones nor criticize what you do on message boards. NO team could beat Powell huh??? Come on Coach Cat you need to get down to Tarleton more often and watch other teams. Carter did beat Powell out of league play; btw who we mopped up three times last season. Yes, the Independant is the better league top to bottom if you came and watched enough games you would see that in one evening. Powell could have competed in our league no doubt they wouldn't have been blasting everyone like they did in the weaker H.S. division. Central would have struggled in our league (except against our bottom two) - they probably wouldn't have got blew out too bad but they'd struggled for sure. Guess what this year the "Independant" league will be the best again I know that disappoints ya. All we do is RE-LOAD; come check us out this year we'd give most Freshman teams run for there money. This year to best of knowledge all my kids are Fulton zoned kids so we could play in the High School division but we wont b/c we want to play the better competition. For us its all about competition. Now if the better teams play High School division then we'll switch over but considering 4-5 of the better 2010 8th Grade teams coaches have already called me and said there gunning for us and will play in whatever division we play in so that lets you know Independant will be the best this year.. What bomb could be dropped at Parks & Rec all they do is make a schedule for the league. I'm assuming your talking about the tournaments, well guess what, you have no clue about those. You just may think u do but I can promise you haven't a CLUE. I'll educate you a small dose P & R has nothing to do with the tournament so what bomb is coming - most local teams don't play b/c there afraid to wear a whopping from the big dogs - the competitive teams in our city does play in the tournament and they enojy us bringing them great competition to play against - I get thanks and compliments from teams who get beat by 30 but enojyed seeing a new team and let them get better and showed them where they needed to get better at. The "Park" is rented out and for your info the "tournaments" only net the city over 4 million dollars (hotels, restaurants, ALL that tax money coming to the city, etc) and the MAYORS love that in case you didn't know - the tournament's estimated economic impact is the LARGEST in youth sports in our city and guess what other cities want the event but u would have never guessed that either right; but sorry thats the most I can educate you.... In tough economies money talks and BS walks so no bomb coming - some of the highly un-educated just may think it. Again, good luck to you guys. If you wanna keep throwing stones come with it, but we play by the rules. Surprisingly to you NO one is promised anything in our program other than they'll be prepared for high school ball and will be coached hard. Oh & lastly, the "All-Star" game you criticized so badly went GREAT. I told u the 90 kids would have the football time of there life; we won both games but more importantly we only have one injury (not too bad) and the kids had smiles on there faces all week met new friends, etc. You should have seen all that ORANGE in KY at the game. It was GREAT!! It went so well I've been called on to now host one for Georgia / Florida early plans are already done so you can start bashing that too since you have a problem with everything I do. There we have some ELITE programs high school coaches coaching in the game (both states). Website: www.futurestarsgame.com site is kind of un-informative right now but info will be developing and posted soon.

Very funny post!! What about players "living" with coaches at an "un-named" school you forgot to mention that; thats another good discussion!!! But I won't comment.. We DON'T go out and get whatever kid we want for the 8th Grade team, surprisingly to u maybe but kids want to WIN! No its not all about winning but kids don't understand that. The kids come to us!!! There are NO rules that say you can't have certain kids on your team in the Knoxville 13/14 y/o league - if so show me the rules. We're not breaking any rules I can assure you!! Majority of our 8th Grade players are Fulton zoned year after year. I can't help we have the top 8th Grade program in town; unlike alot in our area we aren't afraid to play the top competition, that just may be a reason as to why the kids want to play with us. With what all we do at the 8th Grade level versus what others in Knox Co do, who wouldn't want to come play at our program - its like a Mercedes versus a Toyota. Your going to get exposed to much better competition and NO "daddy ball" nor "daddy" coaches like majority in our league. Btw, Cat if it were about winning to me; I can assure u I wouldn't play the toughest teams in the Southeast year after year. Because we have wore home some @$$ whippins over the years but guess what we got better b/c of it. To me our goals are to prepare them for the next level and we do that by exposing them to the best competiton out there. I assure our kids are MUCH more ready for high school ball than any other 8th grade program in town. Look at how many of our players STARTED VARSITY as 9th Graders (and no not just at Fulton) we have former players all over town. We're not trophy hunters like alot in our town. As far as giving away cleats and other stuff, included in our fees is alot of team apparel and cleats so technically they pay for them (we build all the cost into the fees). We have the highest fees of any team in Knoxville u can ask our parents they'll be the first to say that but in turn no team gets more stuff than ours either. We are unpaid coaches who are trying to make a difference in inner city kids lives. Sorry u think thats negative but we're going to keep doing what we're doing; we're not breaking any rules. Good luck to you this year, hopefully u guys can get the ship sailing in the other direction like it use to be for so long. I'll be rooting for my former guys who are on your team, theres several...

Currently Tennessee don't get alot of players sign D1-A due to lack of exposure for the state. I do think that more major colleges are recruiting this state now than ever before. Hopefully that can continue going forward, hopefully this All-Star game will help kids get on some kind of radar, it certainly can't hurt anyones chances. A group that is affliated w/ Tom Lemming will be covering the game as will FBU sending a regional scout to the game; Lemming is creating a Next Generation Report and we hope to have some of our athletes in Tennessee included in that report. FBU is sister company of who hosts the High School Army All-American Game, our state sent five 8th Graders to Jr. Army All-American Game back in January, those kids got some nice exposure..

Just got back from Louisville and KY All-Star Tryout; good time but pretty cold and very windy. They have some nice looking athletes. Should be an interesting all-star game for both grades but the Tennessee teams will represent our state well. There was around 150 kids attend...

I agree with some of the things you are saying rockytop. I just think middle school football is a stepping stone to high school. There is a difference when a school such as Jefferson or Oneida playing middle school versus a team like catholic or Fulton or Powell. The difference is Oneida has to play with kids in school and those kids have to make good grades etc, and they cannot turn 15 before Aug.1st because they are sanctioned by TSSAA, you guys in Knoxville can get a kid from across town who is 15 and have him play on your team, basically you guys are like AAU, or a really good youth program. As far your kids competing with Georgia teams, that's great. After my eligibility was up I was a graduate assistant in college, I watched a lot of films on high school kids and traveled with coaches on recruiting trips to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida and I can tell you from experience that it is different. A 3 star athlete in Florida would be a 5 star in Tennessee. I mean even Tennessee don't sign many kids from here, there is talent here just not as much as other states. Your right it is about the numbers, when is the last time a team from Knoxville had 7 D-1 guys sign off one team. Better yet when is the last time any team in Knoxville had 7 D-1 players sign in a 5 year span, teams like pahokee and Miami northwest average 5 to 7 players a year that sign D-1, I mean Florida and Miami's roster are filled with Florida kids. Your right about freshman playing on good high school programs, take Fulton for example they had some freshman 2 years ago that played and contributed but Fulton wasn't very good. If your high school team has a few freshman and sophomores playing your team is probably not gonna be very good, most of the time. Any way I'm done talking about it, again I think it was a great idea to have this all-star game and I hope Tennessee kicks that behind. I may even make the trip to watch it, so good luck to the guys playing in it. We can't have kids on our team that are 15, we have Sept 1 cut-off in Knox Co; so ours is 30 days later than TMSAA. On average I'll have 1-2 "hold backs" per year on my 8th Grade team. We run our program just like a school program except we don't have all the tedius rules to follow (we got best of both worlds). School teams have there advantage in some areas, take Brentwood Academy 8th Grade, they spanked us last year 28-14. But we got better by playing them b/c it was good competition. Numbers speak volumes, GA has nearly 600 high schools we got about 350. But our top kids can play w/ there top kids (most of the time). Football is so much more serious there at the grassroot level and that is a HUGE difference when they get to high school. They have some great grassroot coaches and most of there grassroot coaches believe just like I do, you can't get better unless you play top notch competition. Up here one or two teams dominate the leagues, down there lot more parity. Stephenson (GA) had 31 seniors sign this past Feb (6 with BCS schools), we have a winning record against there 8th Grade group dating back to 2005 (we play each year). My point isn't that I'm proud we have a winning record against them, its our kids can play with them. Take Devrin Young (Bearden) he played with us in 2005, he was best skill player on the field when we played those guys that year, they had nothing for him, I bet when rivals rankings come out they'll have 1, 2, 3 kids ranked higher than Devrin all b/c where they live. In 2007, Fulton had three Freshman start in the State Championship game (would have been four had one not had an injury). They were talented kids no doubt, there rising seniors, they all started from game 1, there good athletes no doubt but they played a brutal schedule as 8th Graders which helped prepare them for HS. Middle School is a stepping stone for HS, I'm a huge believer in that, all we build our 8th Grade program around is getting the kids prepared for Fri nights. True if you play too many young guys at once gonna be tough to win. Was good to chat back and forth with you. Make the trip, it will be worth it! Our 8th Grade Tenn team is LOADED!!!! I'm heading to Louisville in a few min to work there Tryout.

Im not pouring water on anything. As I said before I think it was great for the kids. Your right this state is not being heavily recruited and it never has been. Tennessee football does not compare to other states such as Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi. Why cant you pick kids like you do in high school? I was saying that each region could nominate the best players from that region, you said middle school is not that organized well it is in the east Tennessee area, there are at least 3 associations that play organized ball, I mean they play in regions. The way it was setup any 7th or 8th grader can tryout, well what if they never played organized ball or they don't show up for school. The main problem is I have is you could possibly get a kid that dont even play football or quit during the season make the team because it was open tryouts. Maybe I'm just old fashion. I know we have some stud athletes in this state but I have seen a lot of stud players in middle school that never get any better or bigger, I just dont want to make middle something that it is not. I saw on another site that said Todd Kelly's son was an all American and a top rated safety in the nation, who picks that stuff, what website is that on because I have never heard of a all American middle school team. I just dont want kids to get the big head because they are good middle school players because the reality is most wont contribute until they are juniors in high school for the most part, you may have some sophomores that play or start but rarely do freshman play. Again I think it was a great idea and experience for the kids and I hope it continues to improve I just wish the selection process was different. You make some good points Royce but the Tryout was part of the "experience". I can't tell you how many emails and texts I've received from parents, coaches, etc that said there son/player didn't make the cut but had a blast. Royce, we prove every year that our athletes can play w/ other states. We take our 8th Grade team to Stone Mountain, GA every August and we stack up just fine playing the best they've got (Stephenson, Tucker, etc) and WE all know the Atlanta area is considered the best in Southeast next to South Florida. We may not have the #'s some of those other states have but we got some kids that can play. One reason we don't get recruited as heavy is Colleges know for sure in Atlanta and some of these other areas there going to find what there looking for. I was on vacation in Feb and met the coaching staff @ Central Florida, there recruiting coordinator told me we only recruit Florida and Georgia b/c thats all we have too, we know there's kids that can play in other states but we can find what we need there, so financially to them it doesn't make sense to recruit the Country. I'm sure other schools take the same approach... Royce, there now is a Jr. Army All-American Game in San Antonio played day after the high school game. Football University is the host of the game. Its East v/s West just like the high school. FBU sent a regional scout to the Battle In Rocky Top - back in November the 8th Grade Division was played at Knox Catholic and they offered four Tennessee kids spots in the game. My point is T. Kelly was one of the invitees, he had a good week down in San Antonio and was considered the best DB there. So thats probably where that announcement came from. And these (some not all) are the kids who will play some varsity early. Our 8th Grade program has had SEVERAL kids start varsity as 9th Graders at schools that win. True your average kid don't play until junior year but w/ this all-star game most of these guys aren't your average kid. According to some of the middle school coaches some of these kids have a good shot at starting at some pretty big high school programs this fall. And your right sometimes kids don't grow an inch after middle school, sometimes....

Few reasons, we wanted to kind of know what kind of talent is coming, who to look for. Sometimes kids can look good in shorts but not so much in pads, so we wanted to make sure we didn't pick someones backup RB and leave off there starting RB, hope that makes sense (I may not have gave a good explanation). Nearly every kid who made it was nominated. The "non nonimated" kids had a legit shot, I know of a couple that did enough to impress and made the team. The "Open" Tryout was for the experience, atmosphere and so the kids could go thru a one day mini-camp / Combine.

I agree with you, kids can get hurt from playing hoops or playing backyard football but that's different from lining up and playing a whole football game, The point is to get these kids prepared for high school football which is what matters in the big picture anyway, I want my kids to get out of that middle school football mode as soon as school is out because that is when their high school careers start. Thats why they play the high school all star game as soon as the season is over. Again I think it was a great experience for these kids and I think it was a good idea, I just wish the selection process would have been different. Your right the high schools do have stats, film and articles to go off of, and thats what makes it unique. They are selected off of the entire body of work instead of one year or based on whether you can go through agility stations better than the other kid, that's why I said coaches should have been more involved with the selection process because they have seen these kids play an entire season and some when they were 7th graders. I know that politics are involved in a lot of things but this was very obvious to me. It was filled with mostly local teams or city leagues teams because as far as I know Knoxville does not have any sanctioned middle school football teams except for Webb and CAK; what I mean is they don't represent that school. I also noticed Powell had two QB's made it, how wonderful would that be to have two guys that play the same position make an all star game, I noticed that the coaches that helped out, their kids made the team also. I'm not saying that they shouldn't have made it just saying the process should have been different. I would trust coaches input more so than one day agility drills. Your right it has been months before spring practice that they have played but spring practice is getting those players prepared to play a season not one game, my school we practice 4 days in pads before our first scrimmage which is a lot different from a game, scrimmages are controlled by coaches not by refs. I just think it means more to let coaches select the players instead of having them tryout because I want a kid to play for me that does what he is suppose to do at school and have a good attitude and represent their school in a positive way and when you select them the way that you did I think none of those things are important because your basing the selection off of a one day performance in shorts and t-shirts, nevermind what they did the whole season. I think this was a great idea and a way to motivate kids to work harder but it was also an opportunity for someone to make a little money; which is fine by me but don't try to say it was all about the kids because it was about both. Thanks for wishing us luck this season we will need in the region we play in. Your right the kid does not become officially part of that that team until the 3 days practice; what i was saying is no matter what school they go to they are officially high school students when school is out whether its the 21st or June 1st. Coach you make some good points, the selection was kinda tough b/c your going off shirt / shorts BUT man we have some studs in this state - I had dinner other nite w/ a UT coach and told him I'll make him look like a hero of judging early talent - so I gave him a few names of some "freak athletes". I'm sure we missed on some but I failed to mention the middle school coaches had the opportunity to "nominate" there own players, we used those notes when making the final selections. The thing about coaches only selecting is they all want "there own" to make the team which nothing is wrong with that; there just trying to help out there own. But we wanted to be fair and have a level playing field. The Tryout / Combine experience was a positive and great atmosphere... One reason the coaches on staff all have selected players is "most" of those coaches had successul seasons last season and usually to have successful seasons u have a stud or two. Most of those coaches on staff had over ten kids from their team tryout. Some of the coaches on staff had some kids NOT make it that they thought were definites - talent was so deep in certain positions. Yes Knoxville don't have sanctioned Middle School football, but most all Knox High Schools are involved with their 8th Grade program. There is some awful good talent in Knoxville just like everywhere else, in high schools these kids go all over the city. With us having the event in Knoxville we had alot more Knox kids tryout then other areas. If 100 more West Tenn kids would have come then you would have thought "well all they kept were West Tenn kids"; 50% of the West Tenn kids who tried out made the team, they passed the eye test like none other. We sent all the middle school coaches "demographics" on how many tried out from each area and how many were selected from each area; there was nothing to hide about any of this event!! The percentages worked out good (and those percentages weren't even in the equation when selecting the team). Knoxville had one of or the worst percentage and that was b/c well over 100 kids who tried out were from Knoxville. I agree about two qb's from same school making the team, very odd situation I agree but if you would have seen the two play you would certainly understand why both are on the team. There VERY good for their age, about as good as it gets... They both can fling it w/ some awful good accuracy. The QB from Cleveland who is the lefty in the highlight video throws the most beautiful ball. We did position drills, 1-on-1's, etc. We had planned 7-on-7 but when we moved indoors less space. The OL/DL did 1-on-1's and they got down. You would have been stoked if you could have seen some of those battles; they were the most intense and loudest group in the building. Good thing about playing a tough region it will have you prepared for playoffs if you can get there. I'll keep everyone informed on how Tennessee performs in the Bluegrass State. There working on a deal now where the game will be broadcast live online. Soon as I have that info I will share...

Cat thanks for the well wish, the kids need support, its not about winning its about the experience but sure will be a better bus ride back from Louisville if the Tennessee teams win - I'm going to Louisville Fri to work there Combine / Tryout. One good feather Tennessee has is it has two really good coaches leading the team - and NO Cat I'm not coaching; I wasn't good enough to get picked and I was the one picking the coaches. I'm just doing all the Tennessee planning, I figured coaching, planning and promoting would have looked little odd gave the wrong perception. We got middle school coaches across the state on both staffs, they were estactic when they were asked. The team will stay on campus and practice at Carson Newman, if u want to see some TALENT go watch the 8th Graders (9th graders to be) get it on, they look like GROWN men. Definitely some D1A-ers in that group... Cat you finally got some folks in your corner. Ok 3 disagree, there were 300 kids who agreed and thats what matters, even if 3 million disagree if 300 kids were happy then it was a HUGE success. Cat read more careful, I said coaches came to WATCH there own players partake thru the drills (some drove there own players to the Tryout), one coach from Memphis brought 5 players, u would have thought those kids were in the Caribbean when they walked thru the door, three made the team and they're coach said they were so excited, stuff like that is what its all about. These were middle school coaches who were saying that about the drills Cat and to best of my old memory all coaches who made that comment to me were middle school coaches and not from Knoxville area - a little learning never hurt anyone Cat; I try an learn more every year myself by attending coaching clinics; never too old to quit learning. Cat I know u want every coach to be invited but thats not feasible, here's what I'll do to please u next year I'll let u email all 300+ staff's next year and tell them whats going and they can come watch. There's no need to invite 300+ coaches to work the camp when only 300 or so kids are going to show up; I will say based on the response and buzz this has created we may top 500 kids next year. Cat if you new what I know about this you would think different, but I can't sell you on a message board as to why you should support this, we can keep having some fun disagreeing, I'm sure some folks are getting a kick out of it. We advertised the event in the K.N.S.. Yes injury worry sucks, we hope it don't happen but as stated before u can get injured doing alot of other stuff too. June is summer hoops time for HS b/ball teams they run the risk of injury there too Cat that would keep them out of football. The May 21 deal, that was first I heard of that. Some counties are still in school then so no way thats accurate statewide - it maybe in his county though I can't answer that. One thing I was told is that student isn't official until he attends a regular school day or has three official practices with that team - as we know official practice isn't til July 26. I'm sure if there were issues then TSSAA would have told one or both of the two guys who called and asked them about this during the planning stages way back when. The head man was asked and he said "go for it". Only kids who can't partake are ones that played varsity football as 8th Graders in 2009 (very few private schools offer that option). Yes this is legal Cat; we did alot of homework, we planned carefully it wasn't planned over a meal. Its legal in Kentucky too, they had to get approval thru KHSAA. K.P.S. has some "haters" up there but he's working thru them and looks to have a huge turnout coming Sat for their Tryout.