CheckerboardEndzone

that I'm not sure of...just got it on good authority that it's the opener. No other details.

Let's get it...then we can meet again to see who plays West.

what stats would you like? The CHS "O" was running a very conservative package due to injuries and a new QB. Wasn't pretty but good enough to win.

The deal is this, FYI, their offense was running a very basic package due to the starting QB going down and the backup having not played a snap until the second half of the last game. One of two starting RB's was out, the third string has been converted to a wideout to fill an injury gap there. So what you saw was about as vanilla as it gets for Cleveland...so don't pass judgement on their offense just yet. Defense has really stood tall the last few games especially...and against Clinton they had 3-4 defensive players who were playing their first snaps. Hoping we're healed up a bit before the trip up... I know the two coaches have a healthy mutual respect and friendship, and it looks like we open the season against Oak Ridge next year.

I feel your pain on the travel issue. Just a real unfortunate twist of fate that there are no other closer schools of that size. Next count, I predict Walker Valley will be in that mix...maybe others, the way this area is growing. Doesn't seem fair to the kids to make them travel that far..and the costs to do so will also be painful. Best of luck to the Bears moving forward. Looks like the crosstown rivalry will continue though... See you week 3!

Yep...I've got Ooltewah winning this one, and not in a close one. Rhea's schedule comes back to haunt them once again... 35-14

He said in this quad... South Doyle is not in this quad.

Good job, Bradley...way to get in and stay in the game when nobody thought you could/would. Looks like they found something for the future, and got a little confidence-booster for the "Big 6" moving forward.

Yeah, not sure why the game had to go ugly there at the end. Frustration, I'm sure, but hated to see it go downhill after such a good game sportsmanship-wise. Heard things went bad on the handshake...coach(es) from Clinton yelling at Cleveland players, and even one Clinton school admin on the field exchanging words with one of our injured players. Should never end up that way.. Hate it for all involved. Good luck to Clinton next year. Raiders live to see another game!

Don't think Cleveland suffered any significant injuries this week. Hopefully, the ones out can heal up and at least some be ready to return next week. Defense will have a bigger challenge and offense will need to be a little more creative and less predictable if we're to have a chance.

Seriously...5 starters out again. CHS is cursed this year... Eager to see the adjustments though.

Rest your starters...seriously. Although I know Quarles isn't apt to run up the score on anyone...especially in the first round of the playoffs... I'd like to see the mercy rule in this one, early and often.

"....that's where we go a ridin' into town, a whompin' and a whoopin' every livin' thang that moves...within an inch of its life. 'Cept the women-folks, of course..." Classic.

The system is really goofy if you're not familiar with it... Well, it's goofy anyhow! Thankfully, this is the last year of it. Next year it's back to the top two in the district advancing to the playoffs. Keep it simple and everybody knows what they have to do to get in. Ooltewah should have no challenge this week...then things get interesting thereafter. Some good football yet to be played in the area. Best of luck to all.

Easy now...don't hold all that Ooltewah chatter against the more realistic members of our fine district!

The WV bunch are a piece of work...have to watch/hear them all year, and every year the result is essentially the same. They start out playing some lower-level teams...get a few wins and get an attitude, then get to the district and get taken to the woodshed. All bark, no bite. Don't worry yourselves too much with them... Do 5AAA a favor, though...put a whoopin on them so they can't talk about how they "ran with Maryville" all winter/summer. Name your score, really. They have no weapons y'all can't match. They're here on a technicality. Make sure they leave remembering that... Thanks. Go Rebs!

Well..if they are both really out, that could result in a true simplification of the offense...which may not be a bad thing. Getting to basics and gaining your yards in methodical bites is what has generally worked best for this year's team. Almost every opening offensive drive has been a "chip away" effort...a few yards at a time, then a score. Why they didn't stick to that and just grind, I don't really know... So, I'm gonna take the glass half-full approach and say that an emphasis on the run to set up the short pass, peppered in with a little Monroe-like misdirection may actually make the Raider machine run more efficiently. Keep the defense off the field, and have them at their best when they're out there...could be a recipe for success!

yep...no "McMinn Miracle" this year... This won't be close. Senior night at Ooltewah and all that.

TSSAA has the updated quads listed with the "natural" quad maps posted. Quad 1 has 12 teams. 4 will have to bump down to Q2. If you go strictly on "as the crow flies" geography, South Doyle, West, Central, and Oak Ridge would move down, which would bump the middle TN schools out of Q2. Still games to be played, and the geographical lines are subjective by the TSSAA. Can't have more than 8 in a quad, though...so something's gotta give. Where she stops...nobody knows... Until Saturday morning.

All the morning projections had us traveling to West. I sure would prefer hosting Clinton instead. Also glad we've got this week off. Need to heal and regroup...again

OK, does anyone know if advanced sale tickets are available anywhere in Ooltewah...or if CHS will have any for sale at the school?

our 9 weeks of sandbagging is coming to an end next week... #bringontheowls

good game, good win...still yet to put 4 quarters together. penalties, play calling, substitutions...all play into the sluggishness this team shows at times. Turnovers not so bad this week...just the bad snap, or was there another fumble? Would be great to watch them hit on all cylinders for 4 quarters...lots of bright spots if they would just shine together and for longer...

two frustrated teams on different paths right now. McMinn is on the tail of their schedule, getting wins and gaining confidence. Bradley struggling to find an identity and running out of games to make it respectable. this one could go either way, but...as usual...I give McMinn the home flag...er...field advantage. And, PS, I think this game will be the casualty of Bradley moving to the Super 32. They'll keep Polk because the gate is actually better.

Not biting... we have a game to play this week, and it's not witih Owl2Wall.