mneerpapaw22

Talking with some Clinton Folks, they seem to think 5-5 would be about the best they could hope for and build off that for next season.

Heard they have hired the offensive line coach from Grace, but he can't start until he can find a teaching position. If he is able to come up here the 'Kees will have a very solid offensive line cause this guy can build some bulldozers let me tell you!

Talked with the Coach I metioned earlier last night, said that the Staff at Clinton was a little confused by the kid's decision but the coaches and players all love him to death and while they can't wait to see him on the field they also pray for him to get everything that God is putting in his path. Again I didn't want it to look like I was bashing the kid, just saying that sometimes it gets frustrating to see young men leave a program (not saying this is why he did) because of bad seasons and fear of getting lost in the shuffle. If I could have played for the University of Tennessee I would have played if they went undefeated or never won a game because it would have been a dream come true. Now high school is different but kids still grow up dreaming of wearing a certian uniform on friday nights too. I hope the best for the Pyke kid, and after talking to coach again last night I'm sure we will see him on Saturdays in a couple years. Go 'Neers! Go Dragons! Go Mavs! Go 'Kees! and let's getting another title in Blount County! And I hope the Rams suffer!

Let me start over.....I am not bashing this kid. I hope he wears orange and white someday. I am speaking as an outsider looking in. Here's the facts. Clinton went 0-10 and I bet that last season was no fun at all for any of those kids. This kid attempted to go to a private school but the red tape was too thick so he ends up at Clinton's rival school, as school that has to potential to make the playoffs this season and take a run at state next season. On the outside, it appears that the fear of another couple of bad years would make a DI prospect seek other opportunities due to the fact that if Clinton were to have a couple of bad seasons he might get lost in the crowd as far as schools looking at him. We see it ALL THE TIME up here in Blount County. There are two DI prospects that live exactly right behind Heritage (literally) but goes to Alcoa. Like I said, I follow Heritage, but mostly all Blount Schools but I have become a follower of that coach too and whatever team he is coaching at the time. It's hard to type feelings in text, so to make the record straight I am only saying this as an outside observer and I am in no way bashing the kid.

Well, I will make a small defense, he wasn't "let go" from Grace. That coach has nothing but great things to say about the Pyke kid. Was excited that he was going back to Clinton but disappointed he wouldn't be able to coach him again. He always speaks highly of him and his family. This is strictly my opiinion. I have no intentions on bringing someone else in it. You say you are a Clinton boy, he is too, why don't you ask him why he left Grace and what he thinks of that kid. I'm sure he will praise him to you as much as he did to me.

I'm not trying to start an arguement. Here's what I know. My coworker is a former Grace coach's father in law. That coach is now back at Clinton. I am speaking from what I know of the situation from that coach. This is not his opinion, this is mine. He went back to Clinton and was hoping to get another chance with the Pyke kid however he learned he went to A.C. and not Grace where he would have been his coach. This is what I know, and this is the opinion I formed.

I have no doubt he is an awesome kid. I have been told several times that he is a great kid by coaches that have coached him. What I am saying is that Clinton went 0-10....he tried to jump ship to Grace and it couldn't happen, and now he's at A.C. I don't see the "pride" for Clinton anywhere from a kid that grew up his entire life in Clinton. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure he will have a great season at A.C. and I'm sure he'll end up at a great school in college. I truly hope he does. But if he had pride he would stay with the boys that he grew up with no matter what kind of record the team had. This is my opinion, I think there will be a college or two out there too that asks him about it as well.

No pride...just like up here in Blount county kids not going to Heritage. I have heard the Pyke story, but one question...Doesn't he still live with his Dad in Clinton. I don't know...seems to me that you should stick it out and have some pride. If you are good enough, colleges will notice whether your team goes undefeated or defeated.

Don't want to give it away because it's not official yet. May not be for a month or so.

Found out over the weekend that after today there just might be a stir up in your'alls region, maybe a little fuel added to an already blazing fire. We will see though.

I guarantee that Grace will not defeat them by 40 this year. One coach Ridge will have more returning starters this year from a team that competed with Sough Pitt. Two, he may just have a few suprises for that Grace Coach this year. But I say that and they will win by 50, lol.

They didn't get better...they were loaded last year. From what I understand they were counting on a big lineman to transfer but he ended up not coming. I was told that this was the year for a championship but I just don't see it. I'm in Blont county anyways so I know there will be at least one championship won this year. I was beginning to like following Grace, even wore their hat for a while but I didn't like some things I heard lately. Greenback is the biggest threat, I might see that game.

Greenback should hire their old offensive line coach...that'll definitely give them an advantage. I work with his father in law and he is teaching at Fulton now but not coaching.

They have a new offensive line coach too and that was their bread and butter last year. We will see how well their run games stacks up now.