UpperCumberlandMan

Macon by 14

What is out of zone? Some counties are open zoned school choice so thst wouldn't help anything

Here is the thing folks can't comprehend. Putnam is split into 3 bus zones. West Putnam-Upperman, Central Putnam-Cookeville, East Putnam-Montery. So the fact Baxter has 1600 residents or not, Upperman is a west Putnam bus zoned school. That is literally from Buffalo Valley to almost Willow Ave. Only a fraction of the students are "from Baxter" city limits. Now let say a county like Macon, in general numbets, built RBS a new bigger school on the west side of thier city limits. Enrollment jumps from 180 to 450. Macon drops from 930 to say 680. And say, Macon sports programs continue to thrive, RBS does not. So the say the same team MCHS has now, is playing in 3a. That's the basic math of what's happening. Better programs draw atheltes in open zoned systems, which is 80% of all schools in Tennessee. You build it, they will come. But, what is the solution? Go from 9 playoff brackets to 12? Cancel all school choice within all counties over sports? Special multipliers? Give rual counties 7 point advantage to start games? Back in the day, you had 3 divisions. 3 champions. Teams like Macon were in same division as teams from Smith County up to teams like Springfield. Folks lined up and played ball. What is the solution for all the cry babies so they feel completely equal and not disadvantaged? Pointing out a problem without a solution is simple being a crybaby, not a problem solver.

UHS wins by 8

With Tigers being in a opened zoned County, the Macon County all star team will be way to much for H20 to handle. To many advantages on Lafayette's side. Macon by 14.

Neither team much on offense, both have solid defenses

Original

My early gut feeling is UHS by 8-14 points. If, big if, Stone can't put up points, might be an upset. I don't see UHS winning any shootouts. But hard to get onto a shootout with the D The U has. It will happen at some point, sorta iffy if Stone can be that team.

Needs more downfield passing plays. 3 yards and a cloud of dust won't always get it done unless you have a stud next level RB, and several all state type lineman. More balance is needed

Hope little bitty Baxter, population 1,264, can hang with the whole Smith County, except that little corner called Gordonsville. Now, see how ridiculous this all sounds. Upperman squeaks out a narrow low scoring victory.

Original

I say 20-14 Upperman

Average offense will eventually come back to haunt Upperman if not fixed

York by 14

If it's based solely on fans, it mimics UT.....they didn't like schools choice of coaching hire and cried till they changed who they were hiring

Lol

Exactly. Not enough skilled athletes or practice time for 99% of HS to put in and run and top notch passing attach. Much easier to get mean and pound the ball or run simple pass patterns to get skilled players the ball in space. Both are needed.

Same great athletes can play defense that play offense. Sometimes it's a teams focus. Look at the college level, lots of explosive teams but championship team also has the #1defense. A team has to be balanced to be a champion.

Way more to the game than just offense. Sounds like teams have the opposite problems. UHS needs to be more explosive, Sparta needs better defense and special teams

If UHS offense the same as last 2 weeks, White pulls the upset.

If UHS scores 20 or less, White Co pulls the upset. Offense needs to start getting explosive

I am thinking 28-24 Lebanon wins a tough game

Surprised White didn't rack up more points. Big win for Stone

No alarms yet, they already beat a good Lebanon team and Macon who was the preseason favorite. Just need more offense, opening up the playbook.

Seems the Bees play up or down to thier competition. Dominated a now 3-1 Lebanon, then look average vs both Macon and LA. Team needs more explosive plays on offense