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The 90’s produced some of the best teams in state history between Cleveland, Riverdale, Brentwood Academy, Oakland, and I believe even Pearl Cohn had an all-time great team in there as well. I was in college the year we defeated Oakland and didn’t witness that one, but it would no doubt be tougher sledding nowadays.

True. The '96 team was very solid, and we did beat NE that year. Lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs to Whitehaven.

Northeast won both of those meetings. '94 was a 41-0 thumping. '95 was a more respectable 24-14. But it's hard to overstate how good NE was that year. I remember that team well. It was before the public-private split, and they lost to Brentwood Academy in the semifinals by a score of like 7-3. They might have legitimately been the best public school team in the state that year besides Riverdale.

Blast from the past for any old timers. I came across this on YouTube looking at old Travis Stephens UT videos. 1995 Northeast @ Henry County. It's just highlights. It was a loss for the Big Red but NE was a giant that year. HC was pretty dang good too. This was probably the last "really good" team we had before Gaddis. #34 for the Eagles is Vol legend Travis Stephens, whose YouTube channel this appears to be. The '94 game is on there as well.

Only won 4, but they also have like 9 runner ups. They used to be in the title game pretty much every year. That’s probably why it seems like they have more.

Not surprised at all that Oakland won, but I am a bit surprised by the score. Was thinking maybe 28-10, not a mercy rule. They really are just on a whole different level. Still think a game between them and Knox West would be interesting.

Congrats to the Knox West Rebels. They clobbered a really good football team tonight. They were easily the class of 5A this year and I honestly wish I could see them face Oakland or Beech.

Idk how long he’s been teaching, but I don’t see Counce retiring any time soon. He’s not very old, and he’s only been a head coach for 8 years. He could easily coach another 15 years if he wants to.

Agreed completely, but I like how the schedule shakes out overall. It's a pretty good mix of competition. Brighton and Ridgeway should provide a taste of the Memphis football that we would see in the playoffs. I actually like that we are keeping a Clarksville school on the schedule, especially with it being a longtime region foe like Northeast. Brentwood and Riverdale are schedule enhancers. Those are "iron sharpens iron" kind of games. Beech, Hendersonville, and Springfield speak for themselves. Depending on how long this region stays together, those three and us should be a pretty consistent quartet of playoff teams, no disrespect to Portland or Hunters Lane.

Kinda surprised Haywood didn’t make it back onto the schedule. Though it seems both sides enjoy having that as a preseason matchup.

It's been several years since I've gone into an offseason with this little insight into how the following year's team will look. I agree there is talent and potential in the underclasses. The uncertainty is honestly intriguing and a little bit exciting, simply because there are so many unknowns. One thing is for sure, whatever ends up coming together as a team next fall will be coached up pretty well. It's gonna be a tougher region, and the non-region scheduling is probably gonna be no picnic either. I look forward to seeing what Counce and company can do with this upcoming group.

I think Oakland takes this. It’ll be interesting for a while, maybe even come down to the 4th QTR, but I think Oakland prevails.

I like West in this game. Not sure by how much, but I think they pull it out. Those boys just seem to be on a mission.

Hate to see it end for this group, but they’ve had an impressive run. 3 straight semifinal appearances hasn’t been achieved by the program since ‘06-‘08. I really wanted these seniors to have a shot at a gold or silver ball, but overall nothing to hang their heads about. Page was a better team and is a worthy representative from the west.

Page is really tough yet again. But, so are we. I just want this team to make it to the big game. Whatever happens there, happens, but I want these seniors to have the chance to go the full 15 rounds. They've come up short in the semifinals each of the last 2 years. Huge game for them and the program. I do like us at home, with the revenge factor on the line. It lines up well. Here's to hoping we can make the most of it.

As long as they get their 50%

Oh, it's weather without a doubt. They don't call it "fairweather fan" for nothing. Streaming definitely does play a role, but I still say its benefits outweigh its negatives (military, long distance fans, disabled folks, etc.)

The defense was really solid no doubt. The overall team speed is what stood out to me.

This was by far the best Jacket team I have seen, which is pretty limited. How would you all say it stacks up to those teams that got a silver ball a few years ago?

Our QB can definitely spin it. I’m looking forward to the matchup. It was a track meet last year. Sounds like defense will play a much bigger role this year.

I’m very proud of this HC team. They beat a dang good football team tonight. Got another one coming to town next week. Hoping some revenge for last year is in order.

This sounds like something Red Warrior would have said. There's another guy who hasn't been around in years.

That sucks. He was having a monster year. I honestly haven’t watched a game since the first Springfield meeting. How are we otherwise regarding team health?

Springfield dominated the 2nd half of the regular season meeting. I’m sure that film has been worn pretty thin by our coaches in recent weeks with this matchup looming. All in all it should be another great game. The physicality, running games, and defenses are pretty strong on both sides. Enough so that it might come down to which QB has the better game. I’ve read several comments about Crenshaw hitting a few passes here and there being the difference, but I feel the same about Damron. If Kendall, Boyd, Duncan, and Barrick are all good to go, I’ve still gotta favor HC at home. I’m expecting a 1 score game or less either way.

I’d say it tops out with Knox West this year. They have a pretty good shot at winning the 5A title, although the other side of the bracket has some really stout teams as well. Outside of them, who else you got? Powell is good, Alcoa is good, Maryville is down but still decent. I’d still say the best football in TN is generally around the midstate, namely Oakland and the privates. But overall it’s been a great year for West, and probably the best year ever for 5A in terms depth and the number of quality teams (Powell included).