FootballFan51

How did Knox Grace get so bad, so quick? They had really good teams for several years…

Bradley has no chance whatsoever to even keep it close…

Should be a good game. It won’t be an upset for either team to win.

I think we agree on most of what we are saying. One clarification is that my comment on average talent is compared to 5A teams (and other teams on their schedule), not historical WV teams. They have already exceeded the win total for the average WV team. They probably could get more games with 3A & 4A schools & have more wins, but they schedule Bradley & Cleveland for various reasons, including the gate, but also to show the kids where they want to be.

How WV people forget that they averaged 1 win per year the 3 years before Akins got there. He plays up vs Bradley & Cleveland. Rhea & McMinn are really good teams. WV talent is average at best & they will finish 3rd. Not trying to take anything away from current QB (a good HS QB) but Pope was special & hard to replace. I do have a question for WV people, why is Jackson at receiver mostly & not RB. Seems to me like they need him to touch ball 25 times per game (but honestly I don’t follow them closely).

This post not standing up too well…

You were correct on Bradley over Farragut. I was really afraid Bradley would overlook them (which they should never do) because of their record. Farragut is a really good 3-5 team.

Prayers!

A Bradley win Friday vs Farragut would basically seal up 2nd in the Region & a home playoff game. If Farragut wins, could end up with a 3 way tie for 2nd with these two & Cleveland. I still think a healthy Cleveland team will be a tough out for anyone (except Maryville) in the playoffs.

CCC “obtaining talent”… that is a good way of phrasing it.

Bradley’s defense stepped up big time by only giving up 7 points after 3 strip sacks by Cleveland in the first quarter. QB going to have to take better care of ball against good teams. Tate O’Bryan was a beast for Cleveland. Bradley lots of studs. Many are young guys. Wonder if Bradley can compete for 2nd this year & host playoff game?

LOL - ok, best team in 8 years. By the way, who was the QB in 2013 - Herink?

LOL - that’s pretty much the way it is at most good private football powerhouses…

Cleveland has to be the favorite for 2nd place. Should be the best squad they have had in 10+ years. I saw something in Cleveland Banner recently that blew my mind. I believe it said that Cleveland has had only one season since either 2002 or 2003, where they won a playoff game. (I think they won a few playoff games in maybe 2014 or so?). This blew my mind. Only 1 season with a playoff win. So much talent there. I think this is their year to shine, but as the thread title indicates, everyone is really playing for second place…

I think McMinn lost too much to stay close to what should be the best Cleveland team in 10+ years.

They probably meant Grace Christian (Knoxville). Grace Baptist (Chattanooga) did move down to 8 man, and it has been many years since they were halfway decent. I think there is also a Grace in Franklin, so kind of confusing.

I’m sure the locals already know, but Bradley hired Zack Carpenter, most recently an assistant at UT Martin. Carpenter played on the Bradley State Runner up team in 2000 with Josh Hare, Terrence Oglesby & current BCHS principal Patrick Spangler & then went on the play at UAH & then overseas.

Just from what I’ve seen on social media, seems like Bradley is going to have another super-strong group of Freshman next year. I’m not really close to the program as I once was, so not sure if they are losing upperclassman or not, but I don’t see how there could be enough basketballs for them all. Similar to Cleveland’s wrestling program, the second best team in the District will probably be Bradley’s JV team…

I know Miles moved to Louisiana with her dad, but haven’t heard much more. Who all else is leaving?

Incorrect. EH had a strong senior group Madison’s Sr year. Just ask Tony Williams if you don’t remember. Also, Cleveland was a top 10 team last year if Williams had not been injured. They lost 6 good seniors this year, so next year will be a rebuild, but they have talent.

Are athletes in these schools allowed to transfer & play 11 man football somewhere else immediately? Seems like they would be able to.

This is a classic response here! LOL

Any chance she would consider Tenneessee? Lady Vols have lost too many All Americans & Holly Warlick not going after Rhyne Howard until wayyyy too late will haunt the Vols for a few more years... (if they had gotten Howard, I think Hayes & others would have stayed in state).

I don’t think throwing shade at any player is necessary & MH was certainly one of the best players in this area in a long time. The only time I bring her up is that when outsiders say that Bradley didn’t play anyone in their current 97 game District win streak. MH won 2 Miss Basketball’s (deservingly) & her Senior Class at East Ham was very strong. They just couldn’t get past Bradley, Stone & the Region 4 (Murfreesboro) teams to get to the Glass House. Nevertheless, those East Ham teams were top 10 teams & Bradley had to beat them 3+ times just about every year she was there.

Same as this year & same as it was most years (without Madison Hayes at East Ham). it’s really crazy how bad girls basketball is in Chattanooga public schools.