sportsnerd

I had to post this after being forced to look at the Goons' posts over the last year with the picture of Tyson running past the CPA defenders. I wish I had one of Hockaday meeting Tyson in the hole for no gain. Also, if you want to hear a classy post-game interview, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsTph9k5A3Y

To all the Goons: Yes, you get under other people's skin sometimes, and even go too far sometimes with bravado, but you are passionate and dedicated fans of the most successful 3A program in recent years. I appreciate that and once I learned to laugh at your posts and not react to them, I started enjoying the interaction with such passionate fans. No one took me up on the corndog at halftime challenge, so I went hungry. That's OK, the win was better than a free hotdog. We will enjoy this gold ball, get ready for next year's attempt to repeat and know there a re a lot of great teams, including Alcoa, that will be waiting. On to basketball!

Thanks, APB, we don't have 14 golds yet, but this one we have is really sweet. To be the best you have to beat the best. Two great teams and a great game. Been following CPA since their first team 20+ years ago, and this win is really nice.

Just can't give the team who shut them down any credit, can you? Alcoa got beat, pure and simple. The smashmouth football everyone said only Alcoa could play was played by CPA. Have some class and congratulate a bunch of kids and coaches who played and coached their hearts out.

I disagree, and you aren't hearing it from CPA. But you don't get trophies based on yardage - you win based on having more points. CPA (despite what some say) was not that overmatched last year. They gave up a lot of yards to a great back and team, but they couldn't throw and they were not going to beat Alcoa running the ball. They lost by 3 scores, dropped an easy TD pass in the 1st half and gave Alcoa a first down on a penalty after Alcoa punted out of the end zone. Alcoa's win was not a fluke and it was well deserved, but the two teams were not that far apart. With reasonable weather, I believe CPA can move the ball on Alcoa. Alcoa will move the ball on the ground. Mistakes, turnovers and special teams will be the difference for the winner.

About 45 I think - about 40 less than we would like to. But only about 200 boys in the school.

John Elefante, former member of the band, Kansas, has a daughter, Sami, who played on the CPA girls basketball team that won the state 2012 and 2013.

Osborne is a great athlete and plays with an edge that helps him, IMO. Not dirty, but doesn't back down. He has 3 FGs over 50 yards at CPA and kicks off into the end zone fairly consistently in the 1st half but leg gets tired a bit late in game since he plays both ways. Actually, they let other kickers do the PATs (hope we have some) to give him a rest.

Good point, Gerry. I have wondered the same thing. Coach Martin and staff have lost 4 games in 4 years so they are smarter than me or you, but I tend to believe you have to do something to take away part of the run, and roll the dice that Alcoa has to throw some and get a little out of their comfort zone. CPA DB’s are very good and I think can cover in man for the most part. Stack the box, force the run inside and hope you can turn a great ground attack into a good one. I would also shadow Tyson with Hockaday.

I really doubt it. 40 pages so far. of course, 20 of those are the boog. Now a football question. how many Alcoa starters play both ways. I know they have a larger squad and more depth than CPA. CPA has, I think, 3 or 4 who play both ways. The 3 RB's split carries and all play defense, so they stay pretty fresh. Johnson and Osborne play almost all snaps both way. They are both very underrated players and, IMO, should be All-State as well as Hockaday and Howell.

I've said it before and I will say it again. To be the best you have to play and beat the best, and Alcoa is the standard the last decade (or more). Hey, I'm old enough to remember Albert Davis. I talked with Parker Howell tonight and he is ready to go. Glad for us but also glad that a senior doesn't miss the chance to play in the title game. He's a great young man.

Ouch! Won't be playing starters for 2 quarters in those.

We do. In last few years we have played Brentwood, Ensworth, MBA, Pearl Cohn, Maplewood, East Lit, Lipscomb, Goodpasture (when they were good) and we have 4 4A teams in our district that all made the playoffs this year. I have no problem with Alcoa in 3A or with their schedule. They play Maryville every year, and they have CAK in their district.

CPA lost to the 2003 Riverdale team in the opening game of the season by about 60. Gave em a good game the next year though, losing about 42-28, I think.

I never made any claims or boasts about CPA shutting down Alcoa last year. I knew we were in for a battle in great weather, and maybe in trouble if we could not throw the ball. Go back and read the posts. As I said earlier, I have no problem with the fun the Goons have on CoachT, but I will respond when someone claims I said something I didn't.

BC, not sure Armor is a CPA fan. May be an imposter. If he/she is a CPA fan, they apparently are clueless about Alcoa and did not see the game last year. If we shut down Alcoa's rushing attack, why is he saying Alcoa will score 24? I am picking CPA as a loyal fan and knowing they can win if they score when they have opportunities. But I say 31-28 and that will take a few punts by Alcoa and maybe winning the turnover battle and having a couple of big special teams plays. Again, I would rather play the best and see what we have or don't have, then beating a team 40-0 at the half like most of the season has been.

BPM, you coming to Cookeville?

We ain't Catlick and ND. As I have said before, it is a privilege to be able to play the best 3A program in the state. To be the best you have to beat the best. We are second best over the last 4 years, so the goal is to get better.

Speaking of kickers, CPA's J.R. Osborne, SR., has been kicking for CPA since his freshman year and has broken every CPA kicking record. He has 3 FG's over 50 yards including the CPA record 53 yarder this year. He kicks off pretty consistently in the end zone, is CPA's best defensive back, the leader receiver, and a great punt returner. Quite an athlete to say the least.

CPA Mr. Football is a very good player and deserves the accolades, but that award is so subjective, there are many players that may be as good or better.No one knows for sure. I'm sure #60 is a great player if he is the best lineman for Alcoa. Remember, Vince Young won the Heisman and Manning didn't. Howell is "dinged up" and I don't even know if he will play. I'm sure if he can walk, they will have a hard time keeping him off the field, but he could reinjure himself on the first series. Actually #76 for CPA is a better run blocker than Howell, IMO. CPA's running game is not built on power pounding - it is up tempo with lots of variety, schemes, and the threat of the pass, with a QB and coaches that read defenses well. I wish all the kids well and especially that the seniors will enjoy this great experience, win or lose.

Maybe not - we'll see. I am picking CPA and I think that is what CPA will need to win. Can't see Alcoa less than 28. Except for Maryville, I do believe CPA's offense will give the Alcoa D their best test of the year.

I say CPA 31-28

I would say the biggest difference is not in different or better athletes, but maturity, especially at the QB position. Weatherly and Hockaday alternated last year and at times, Weatherly was a wide eyed soph.. This year Hockaday is one of 3 good running backs that all bring something a bit different, and he mostly plays LB where he leads the defense. Weatherly reads defenses well, is a great passer and can run when needed. This is the first senior class that has been with Coach Martin all 4 years, and they know the system and it is a good one. I also think this year's team has more overall team speed. Of course, the challenge is that it is one thing to get to Tyson fast, but you also have to get him down. Tough thing to do. CPA is more sound this year in execution and special teams, a result of 4 years under Martin and his staff. I hope Mr. Football nominee Howell is well enough to play, especially since he is a senior and he has worked so hard to help the team get this far. CPA is a bit banged up. Not a good thing when you are facing the Tornadoes, but they will not be surprised at what Alcoa brings - they saw it last year. Rain will not be a factor. Cold and wind is more of an issue and that is not forecast. That's my take, FWIW.

Yeh,but he is the one with all the money. I was going to get a loan from him if we were behind.

Blessings, Gerry! I've moved on to grandkids now, so you must be a young pup! Boy or girl?