BilltownIndian

I tend to agree with you from an offensive standpoint. D-B is a big play, quick strike kind of offense. That said, the fact that a lot of D-B's players play both sides of the ball combined with the fact that defense tends to wear players down faster than offense would tell you that in general, what Clark is saying is right. It will be imperitive that D-B does not allow Maryville to go on long sustained drives that wear down our players and eventually affect their offensive abilities. Somehow, D-B does have to find a way to control the clock. This reminds me of a playoff game years ago ('86?) between Knox Halls and D-B played in the ETSU mini-dome. D-B fell behind 10-0 and was driving to get within 3 early in the third quarter when they lost posession deep in Halls territory. Halls then went on this mammoth drive that went something like 85 yards and ate something like 15-20 minutes of the game to score a back-breaking TD with very little time left. I think Jason Julian carried the ball 20 straight times for 3.5 yards each time. Most frustrating game I think I've ever seen.

I don't think it matters what he weighs. If he's 250, he plays at 250 the way that Charles Barkley played at 6'4".

I know the video you are referring to, and don't let it fool you. It was a highlight video that does not show the defensive stops. For as epic of a game as that was, if D-B doesn't set SHHS up with short fields on a fumble at it's own 5, a failure to field a high kickoff, and by throwing an INT in it's own redzone, chances are that a very good SHHS offense only scores 14 points that night. Those mental mistakes are what D-B has to avoid tonight to have a chance. I don't think that D-B can count on playing a perfect game, but I don't think that Maryville can count on D-B to make mistakes either. Both teams know the plan and the stakes... we'll see how they execute. The team that executes wins tonight. BTW, if you want to see an entertaining highlight video of this year's D-B team, check out the one at the link below... This film is borderline silly (from both teams' perspectives)

I always thought of the three divisions as the section over MS, the section over AL and the section over GA/NC.

I highly doubt that would be the hold up in these two teams playing in the regular season. If for no other reason, familiarity with a team enables you to have more success. There is no sense in avoiding a team in the regular season if you know that they are likely to be in your way come playoff time. Better to play them first to see where you can attack them later when it's an elimination game. As for the beat down that Maryville gave D-B three years ago, keep in mind that was a 5-5 D-B team that was fortunate to make it to the post season. I can't recall the last time 12 win D-B team was shellacked by anybody. I expect tonight's game to be a bit more competitive.

Any last minute predictions? I predict a packed stadium.

This is about the two winningest teams in state history going toe to toe for only the 4th time. This is about the state title. This is about win or go home. This is about Michigan vs. Alabama... and it's about time.

You mean 4 local teams? ('Betsy and North)

^^This... although I will say I can't recall a Clark team that had two players as gifted as Foreman and Swafford at the same time which makes this offense as dynamic as any he's coached IMO.

That depends on how many fans can make the trip.

D-B's playoff record has been bad, but they rarely get beat like a drum... they usually lose close games to teams they should beat. The only drum beating I can recall was the year they went 5-5, were lucky to get into the playoffs and went up against Maryville in the first round. That was not a typical D-B team.

I heard that TSSAA is moving teams around next year... I assume that Maryville and D-B are both remaining at 6A? Is there any chance that these two teams could work out a home and home series for two or more seasons? I think it would be pretty cool to open the season with the Ted Wilson Bowl. I know the travel would be a little more expensive than the usual local competition, but I think this matchup would bring excellent gate money for both teams. It's kind of a shame, IMO that these teams haven't played more often (most of that being D-B's fault for early playoff losses), but why should this matchup be left to chance and why should Maryville fans be robbed of the opportunity to ever see the inside of J Fred Johnson Stadium? Think how an early season game would set up a second or third round playoff rematch if it happened. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Not to mention the fact that the 4A state title is a trophy for which DB has never competed. Kudos to G-ville for winning a couple, but why would D-B care? Guess I don't get it. Props to his steadfast hounding of D-B fans though... he's definitely got mad stalking skillz.

OK. Just curious if this was just another run of the mill title contending Maryville team or if this was a "OMG!!!! This may be the best M'ville team ever" kind of team. Of course I was kind of hoping you might say "this is the worst of the lot, I don't know how this team is still unbeaten", but I figured that wouldn't be the case. The consistency you guys have is amazing. Hard to believe that with a complete roster turnover every 4 years playing Maryville always seems to mean the same thing.

I was going to make fun of you for even bringing up G-ville in this thread (makes you look hopelessly jealous), but then I realized, there isn't a G-ville thread for you to participate in and I felt bad. So carry on as you wish, you'll get no static from me.

FWIW, DB doesn't have a track around the football field at J Fred either. In fact, DB isn't fancy enough to have separate football and baseball fields, they have to share the same space. You Maryville people are spoiled with your separate fields and tracks and such. Stop showin' off.

So you would say this is one of your average teams... not one of your best but better than the teams that didn't win state titles?

Got another question for the Rebel fans here... You all have had some great teams in this run you've been on. It may be early (with the playoffs still two more weeks from wrapping up), but how would you compare this year's Rebels to the ones of the past? Where would this one stack up against your former champs?

Looking through the season results, I see that Bearden seems to have been able to contain the Maryville offense somewhat. Is that result misleading? What did Bearden do that seems to have been at least a little bit successful?

Historical records are practically never a factor in any game. It is what it is. Scoreboard!

That's because I think D-B can be very, very good if they play their best... even good enough to beat Maryville. We all know that these are HS kids though and they rarely play their best for an entire game. I'd say if these two teams played on a neutral field 10 times, D-B wins 3 or 4. Friday I will be watching a second round PIAA game between two District 4 AA teams you've likely never heard of. We will try to stay warm, you do the same and enjoy the game. Hopefully the Indians come to play.

LOL! I predicted a 10-14 point win for Maryville and I'm drinking kool-aid? BTW, it would be a long ride to Kingsport for me on Friday since I live in PA. Wish I could see you Friday, I'll be at a local game up here though.

After I posted, I looked it up and I think I counted 6. I don't think a couple of those are in existence anymore and none of them seemed to be anyone that Maryville plays with any regularity. Point being, while D-B has the 2-1 advantage, I'm claiming it. Not too many teams can!

D-B has the talent to win this game. Maryville has the experience and home field advantage to be practically invincible. This game will come down to how these two teams perform relative to their abilities. I think if both teams perform as well as they can, D-B wins a close one. The more likely scenario for this game however is that Maryville plays closer to their top potential and wins fairly convincingly (10-14 points). We'll see what happens... I just hope the players decide the outcome and we aren't discussing the refs on Saturday.