Twing

MUS is not out manned...if u look at the number of division one signers from must each year u will see that the owls rank in the Upper tier of privates...they r not out manned in any regard...and yes theIr staff does a great job.

I dont know how Tim Hart (LB 6'1 215) is not on this pre-season team. In my opinion, he was the best linebacker in the league last year....especially in the championship game vs Ensworth.

Who does MBA scrimmage this week and next week? That will be a good measure of how they will do in the first few games with so many new players.

Taxman, I agree about Ty Chandler....I think he was the best running back in the entire league this year; I don't know why Marty EVERY takes him out.

Owlbooster makes a number of good points. I watched all of the game and thought MUS played inspired football; especially on Defense. Ensworth also has a terrific defense. As for the MUS coaches, I think they do an outstanding job. Looking back though, MUS was in total control of the game; even though they had no running game. And given how MUS was defending Ensworth, in my opinion, it would have been difficult for them to put together 2 scoring drives. When you live and die with a passing offense, interceptions are part of the deal. But we are all great armchair quarterbacks especially after the fact. MUS and Ensworth both have great coaching staffs and are the best in all of division II - and the state -- not close.

Certainly, MBA Ensworth BA (locally) and many other privates state wide all operate using the same model - though Ensworth seems less apologetic about its methods. There is nothing wrong with a private school doing what it takes to be good (in sports). Budgets for these privates are paid by tuitions; typically each school sets aside a defined amount of money earmarked for financial aid. I personally see nothing wrong with what Ensworth is doing. Full tuition payers are not forced to attend Ensworth - the school is good enough to attract plenty of tuition paying students.

In MBA's offense last season, the QB was there primarily to hand off - although their QB's were really good at the bootleg passes - MBA had a good offense because it was a dual threat offense....and all the runs were complemented with passes off the same run action; no option threat from the QB position; also really no downfield passing threat because the "just average" arm strength of the QB's; MBA's passing game was good only when the run game was assisting and being mixed in with the run; by itself - not so much. But running the "MBA offense" Hall was very effective. Brentwood Academy: certainly the BA passing game was dangerous due to the excellent talent of the BA receivers; also, the BA QB could deliver the ball downfield; again, not too much run offense or theat from the BA QB position; Yes he did have good numbers; but I am not sure that either one of the QB's at MBA or BA could carry a team or really scare an opposing defensive coach.....by himself - as Rodgers could - On almost every running play, Rodgers had a read....give or keep (when MUS was in the GUN which was about 80% of he time) so he had decisions to make on most plays, even run plays - and on passing plays, Rodgers made MUS go - MUS has the best passing offense in the league (and probably the state) hands down; and when pressured, and moving around Rodgers was even better - and it really takes a good player to not only make the reads but also to execute the throws; I am not saying that Rodgers is a college prospect but for high school in DII last year he was terrific Take Staver or Hall out of the MBA or BA offense for a game and MBA and BA will survive and beat most teams; not true w Rodgers - I am not sure that MUS could have functioned without Rodgers last year.

Again, Ricky has been running the same basic offense since 1996. Yes Paul Wade is a great football coach and does a great job as the OC - no one works harder; but that is all Paul has to do....no classes, nothing against him, still great, but I wanted to note this (Jonas teaches no classes either - so Ensworth has 3 fuil time football coaches not teaching any academic classes) . Paul and RIcky had similar offense beliefs even before they worked together at Ensworth....2 back, iso, off tackle, and stretch play + some simple play actions -- the magic is in Wade's skill as an O Line coach - But ensworth is running the same bacic but effective OLine schemes and plays that Ricky and Paul have both run for years - and this year Ensworth did not run the QB as much or get into the stack I.

Ricky has run the same basic offense since 1996; that's one of the reasons why he has been so successful - He does not change his offense.

Rodgers at MUS was the best QB in the league hands down - he carried his team and MUS overachieved this season.

Big Red Blue - the rich get richer and the poor get poorer it seems, in every way....weight rooms, uniforms, # of coaches, a certified strength coach (Ensworth has 3 or 4 on staff now), new pads ?? and Ur right, the teams who play city publics just write them a check and they play. Wes - you make a good argument for a great league; but the league would need some kind of governing body, officials things like that - I would be in favor of

Remembering when publics and privates (alot fewer) played in the same classifications (QUOTA RULE - ruled unstitutional - for privates who gave financial aid, there was a quota (limit) on the number of players who could participate in varsity games (4 in football); and then remembering the LAWSUIT and the ultimate SPLIT into DII -- and now, the big privates especially in an arms race competing for the best players and coaches - and trying to always upgrade any facility that a competitor may have gotten first. All this makes me think about the process: Who have been the winners and who have been the losers? Sure, I will agree that some kids have been introduced to private school education who would not have been without recuiting for football. But in my opinion, the real tragedy is the effect that the SPLIT has had on the city public high schools. The city schools are pathetic in every way. Any parent who can (pay for) get their kid out of the public school system and into a private will do this. Many of the better athletes have left the public schools over the last 18 years (more and more). But many great families with great kids (leaders) have left for the privates for reasons other than athletic. Disclaimer: certainly, there still are many great people in the public school system but I am sure we all will agree that the problems are almost insurmountable. Something I also do not like that private education seems to develop (unintentionally) is the sence of entitlement and priviledge that many kids develop.

good point

You are taking what I posted out of context. I wrote the earlier post in response to earlier comments that Ensworth has no weaknesses on Defense (and really no defense has "no" weaknesses). In response to comments about E's defense giving up so few points, I suggested that the league was down a bit this year. The E defense is not the best defense to ever play in this league: again -- MBA 1999 AND 2000, Ryan 1997 are two i can remember - However, I will certainly agree that Ensworth has "some" very talented and experienced players and are very well coached and have really improved during the season. This is my opinion but let's not take posts out of context and manipulate information. I do not have a dog in the hunt and comment objectively. When people are on this site merely pumping their team, it is annoying.

The TSSAA has neither the money or the manpower to investigate possible violators among DII privates. The only time that they will look into a situation is when there is a definite paper trail (like there was at MBA 2 years ago) or when it is public. If the TSSAA wanted to go by the letter of the rule, it could catch all of these schools - but much of what is done (in recruiting) is very subtle and maybe not really against the rules - but maybe against the spirit of the rules. But to me, who cares? if BA or MBA or Ensworth or any good private offers an opportunity for a kid who can help the school (athletically or academically or in any other way) and the kid is a good kid - then its a win - win deal.

The clearing house ? does decide the maximum that a family will qualify for.....then the school will decide whether or not to award to the maximum or less or none. I agree that all private have learned the importance of marketing the school - and having a good product to sell - but we are not talking here about normal marketing - we are discussing specific recruiting of athletes. The model that Ensworth is using is basically the same as BA has done for years.

Meritage - I am not close to the current BA situation so I really cannot argue your points posted; although you may have factual information about no students being bussed in Like Ensworth does; I am not so sure that your comments about who is on financial aid and how much they are getting is accurate UNLESS you work in admissions at BA OR you are on the committee that decides who gets financial aid and how much... but BA recruits like all schools (Una ????). But this is not an indictment on the morals of the school. It is ok to recruit kids to your school who have talents to help the school - and certainly BA does this for football; whether Cody is in the know or not - yet. For BA to compete with Ensworth, it must continue to fuel the program with good athletes who come from areas outside the natural draw of the school (simply bc there are not enough boys in the school to naturally compete at the top in DII)- and again, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong here - although you may take offense - not my intent. Director P - I agree with you comments about the administration and board - I do remember in the early 1990's when Kurt was the coach....he had a terrific staff around him; Jemison and Pittman were among them - and I thought that Kurt was a good coach and certainly really good at promoting the program - unfortunately the administration did not do the things necessary to allow Ryan to continue to be good - it was and is -- unfortunate and sad.

Ryan does not need to pay for a bunch of "recruits" to improve.....but what is does need to do is to develop an integrated plan designed to 1) get ALL the best kids from the feeder school 2) recruit the school and "strongly" encourage athletes to play multiple sports 3) get a system in place to "go get" 3 great athletes per class who are of high character with high character parents (2 preferably). And for the 3 athletes, the Ryan administration MUST grant the full amount that the said families qualify for....not just half - This is what the other schools (who already have better facilities, coaching staffs, and a more recent tradition of winning not losing) do now. At some point, one would think that Ryan's people will get tired of getting killed on a weekly and yearly basis whenever it plays BA, Ensworth or MBA - but apparently this has not yet occurred - when the administration get enough pressure from its constituents, Ryan will pay enough to hire a great coach and staff and agree to get a plan in place similar to the one above.

There was a question from an earlier post about Coach Ray?? This is Barry Ray who ran the MUS defense for about 15 years when MUS had some excellent teams (pre-split). Currently Barry is the principal of either the MUS high school or middle school. He is an excellent coach and an even better man, and certainly he knows football and the rules of football, FYI. Ensworth has no weaknesses on defense ?? that's a pretty bold statement. I have seen jsut a few really dominant defenses in high school (BA 1995, MBA 1999 to name 2 most recent) and this Ensworth defense is not at that level, in my opinion. And yes, the earlier post(er) was correct when he said that Ensworth has given up few points this year - and I would say that the league is down a bit this year....MBA and BA - not great teams; MUS a good passing team but certainly not well rounded. Some of the lack of scoring is a result of weaker offensive teams that the Tigers have had to defend. Ensworth is better against the run than it is defending the pass - I am looking forward to watching the final game.

From the early 1970's to 1997(8), Ryan had one of the premier football programs in the state. Why? several reasons.....good players and good coaching most importantly.....Ryan continuted to be good even after letting girls into the school which cut the number of boys in half. It was not until the late 1990's just after the split when the other private school made conscious decisions to get better players/hire better coaching staffs (although Brentwood Academy was ahead of the curve in many ways: year round strength program, college like staff, an athletic director with power, systems in place to get players....currently (in football) Ryan has many, many disadvantages...the most important of which is the fact that having a great football program is not a priority of the admistration....and given the current landscape in DII Ryan cannot and will not be able to compete regardless of who is coaching the team.

Ryan can compete in all sports except football. Things will not change for Ryan unless the administration decides that it is important for Ryan to be able to compete in DII. And unless this change is made at the top, it does not matter who the Coach is - Ryan cannot compete with MBA, Ensworth or Brentwood Academy. Having a weak football program has really hurt the school. It is unfortunate that the administration continues to accept this embarrassment. It is not the fault of other schools that have for a long time realized that a competitive football program is very, very important for the success of the school.

BA lost the game vs MUS primarily due to poor secondary scheme and execution (not because of a bad call). MUS could not run the ball at all vs BA, but BA could not keep MUS from making timely big plays in the passing game. BA gave up nearly 100 points in their games vs MUS and McCallie. Not good.

Ensworth will not beat themselves. My concern for Ensworth is that Ensworth may play the game offensively too conservatively. Corn has fumbled alot all season and of late. I have been reading the posts on this thread and I do agree with Owlbooster about fatigue affecting the Ensworth defense late in the game. Ensworth does have alot of key players who play both ways. I look for the Ensworth defense to blitz in an effort to get Rodgers out of his comfort zone throwing the ball. Both teams have 2 weeks to prepare for the game so look for a few wrinkles and tricks for both teams. MUS should improve the personnel used on the kickoff coverage team - if not, Ensworth will score returning a kick. Ensworth has the best team this year. They should win by 3 TD's.

Certainly, MUS does a great job coaching - and along with Ensworth, the best in DII. I dont disagree with much of what you say; A healthy Tucker is a great player for sure but he has not been at full strength all year; and MUS has done a fine job of adjusting its offense to the strength of the team - the passing offense. I would rather not get into a discussion of who is good, great, or not great - or debate who has the best statistics. I will stand by my point (and opinion) that the current MUS team is being carried by 2 great players - and that the rest of the team is pretty average for DII standards; please bear in mind that DII average is really good compared to the rest. MUS has always been well coached; but it was not until the early 2000's when the school made a conscious decision to bring in better athletes necessary to compete for championships at the DII level. I look forward to seeing what is hopefully a super game.