CheckerboardEndzone

Sorry to break it to you, but the information contained in your post is entirely erroneous. Also, we see migration away from the CHS program because kids who may not start at CHS believe they can go to Bradley or WV and step right in and compete for a starting position. Been happening for a while now.

Back to WV vs Rhea... Rhea sits its starters in the second half. They will score as many points as they choose on WV. Mustangs will score once or twice on big plays, but not much more than that.

Should be a good one. Cleveland is much improved. Their O-line is huge and their team speed is pretty impressive. Hate I'm gonna miss it.

IMHO, Bradley always seems to be rated well pre-season. Replacing the QB will be no small feat, and their schedule is challenging. Time will tell whether they earn the attention.

Hats off to "Dreamfields"...the manufacturer/installer of CHS' new surface. If you've encountered turf fields, I encourage you to go down and get a good feel for this one...it's very different, and far more "natural" feeling than any I've been on.

Actually not... The 2015 graduating class had, I think, 22 seniors covering most of the line and primary skill positions. 2016 only had a small handful of seniors. 2017 team was beaten up by injuries and attrition...then graduated a large number again. So, yeah...the cycle continues. Not a lot of size or experience...but they do have a good bit of strength, speed, and skill. This will look a lot like the old West teams Cummings used to coach up, I think.

FYI, from a quick search on the subject: "A 2010 study looking at collegiate football injuries showed that FieldTurf may actually be safer than natural grass for injuries in general. This study also found no significant difference in knee injuries between surfaces. Another study in 2013 looked at injury rates between grass and artificial turf in female collegiate soccer players. This study actually showed a significantly lower total injury incidence rate and a lower rate of substantial injuries on FieldTurf. This study also showed no significant difference in knee injury rates between the two surfaces."

Brendon Harris (5 D1 offers) and Walker Culver (committed to Colorado) are both from Baylor and the only two showing up on the "big" recruiting lists. There will likely be others offered and signed, but for the Chattanooga area, those are the two already in the spotlight. No other kids from the area in the top 50 in the state...but these lists are a lot of comedy when you go back and look at them and who actually signed where...or not.

Lots more to know about the turf deal at CHS. Alan Jones had zero to do with it...not a penny of his money will go towards turf...directly or indirectly. Contrary to popular belief, he supports the wrestling program and not much else. Turf has been part of a longer-term plan that was to come in phases. Turf was included in the last phase, but the company approached CHS about putting it in and made them an offer they couldn't turn down The company is in Rhea County, and had a part in Rhea's turf...but weren't the primary manufacturers or installers. The company in Rhea (I forget the name) now makes and installs sports fields and needed a "showplace" nearby. One of their primary salespeople has a CHS connection. Also, the new Cleveland jetport made it easy for folks to visit and have a look. The money the City School Board allocated for the turf was in the "discretionary fund" already...but wasn't earmarked for anything. Some say it was a holdover from the new city elementary school that never got built...but that still needs doing and will happen, so that doesn't make much sense. Cleveland Schools are far from "rich", and spend an inordinate amount of money dealing with children below the poverty level and children who don't speak English as their first language...those numbers are exploding in the city system in comparison to the Bradley County system...so, no...to say the city system is "rich" is not close to true...they are over-crowded and under-funded. CHS varsity athletics are largely funded by parents and boosters...and corporate donations to the general athletic fund. This is pretty amazing, considering the low numbers of boosters for each sport (especially football) compared to the number of players. (Last I heard, less than 50% of football parents were members of the booster club) The original plan for turf was to mount a large private effort to raise the funds. That program was put on hold during the period that the new gym was being built and funded. Good on CHS for finding a way... A quality turf surface will benefit more than the football team. It'll benefit the band, PE classes, track, the middle school, and the community. Now...for the jumbotron..

So... who would be on the short list to replace him?

McMinn beat a very good Oak Ridge team. However, they succeeded in rustling the QB all night...if you can't throw the ball to Tee Higgins, they become a bit more "average". McMinn also succeeded in just grinding it out. OR's defense was exhausted by the end and their body language showed it. I believe they can do much the same with Ooltewah. McMinn has figured some things out at the right time and will keep their momentum rolling. Watch out PA!

McMinn is suddenly no joke. Will feast on owls. The PA meltdown is on...

You are correct sir. Hats off to the kids who have chosen to stay and play, regardless of circumstances. There is a strong character-building exercise in that. Also, they'll get a chance this Friday... Cleveland is coming in wounded, confused, frustrated, and dejected. Good time to catch 'em before they figure something out.

Got up this morning...still sad at the turn of events on Friday because they are re-lived in the Cleveland Daily Disappointment paper. However, I also remembered that Ooltewah got woodshed-whooped and sent back south and I felt a little better.

When do we get to start turning kids away?

Welcome to 2016. Benny gone...

So, the CHS offense hasn't scored a TD in nearly 8 quarters. Better find a spark somewhere or they may not win another one this year. Still puzzled how they can about-face like that.

Raiders bounce back, get momentum, make a run. This ain't over yet

There were plenty enough flags to go around last night. Bradley just never thinks they deserve any because they're so used to not getting any at home.

I just said the same thing. One win and fire up the bandwagon! Feels like 1976!

Trust me when I say it was way worse in person.

Or maybe just lots of fast guys running and catching...

This game is generally unpredictable. This year will be no different with both teams unbeaten, untested, and playing pretty well. Some predictable injury rumors floating that could make the difference on Friday. Guess we'll have to see who dresses and who actually takes the field. (surely neither of these teams would stoop to Ooltewah desperation tactics like the year they put Pittman out on the field during warmups in street clothes, then trotted him out to play in the game)

Ha Ha Ha! We don't even get a break from the refs when we play at home. Remember that game with WV a few years ago that we amassed more penalties than the whole rest of the season combined? I've never heard of Cleveland being known as a "uncle ref" place... That's just silly.

Well, the local media is pumping this game hard. One morning radio guy said this may be the biggest crowd ever to watch a Bradley-Cleveland matchup. I'm not so sure, but it's got the makings of a good one. Weather is projected to be good. Two unbeaten teams. They started selling tickets last week for the first time ever. Parking at CHS can be a bit of a challenge if you're not there early, but there are options nearby. Plenty of seats on both sides, but get there early if you want your pick. This is what "small town" rivalries are all about.