GIJoe

DB was very impressive with such a young team. They always believed they had a chance. They believe in their coaches.

Speaking of money and academics, didn't we spend tens of millions of dollars and the high school renovation?

Grest post. Oh yea that will be the last I talk about the government. It's all screwed up National, State, County, and Municipal!!!! Back to Oak Ridge Football.

My grandson goes to Oak Ridge High School and he says the reason there was such a problem with communication with snow day was that the school superintendent had to wait for the bus company (who is now under contract but when I was here last was with school system or city) had to get back with him and it really caused logistics problems cause they were not prepared. 

I'm telling you the goal is to get Oak Ridge Schools in Anderson County system.  Just remember your test scores will be mixed in with the whole system. Food for thought. I seen it before!

Yes I heard over a week ago that the guy was hired. But protocol that has to be done. I hear an Oak Ridge guy. I hear lives in New Jersey now.  I know of him from Oak Ridge and an offensive minded guy. Kids really respect and like playing for him. Great hire. Don't ask not giving name. On Monday we will all know for sure. HOPEFULLY

I don't like calling people out on boards but Bladerunner what's your agenda.  I'm not even from here and I hear nothing but antagonism when talking about current Oak Ridge Football. Just my opinion, so help me figure this out. Are you a current fan of Oak Ridge Football? Are you a family member for Scott Blade (great coach), Gulmires, or a true Farragut, Clinton, and/or Kingston fan. Is this Ron Gray? Could it be Mike Mullins? Or is it Joe Gaddis wanting to hear people respond back to his defense? I just want to get a true representation of yourself and I promise I'm not trying to start anything negative. I just want to know to respond to yo with a healthy debate or just laugh and look at the next post.

Question I have is when the new renovation went in why didn't they make these upgrades then?  I mean the basketball arena is great!!! But from what I heard football has always been the bread winner at Oak Ridge.  Even helped with some of the academic purchases through the years not to mention funded many other sports. I've been here long enough to have an opinion.  Keep up with the Jones .. Well if you don't keep up parents and kids will go to the private schools. It makes the program appear to be going backwards no matter the records and because of the private schools actively recruiting you will start losing kids and parents looking to relocate. Oak Ridge school board is under the thumb of city gov't. The city gov't has an agenda.  Think about it. If Oak Ridge schools go under the Anderson County Schools list then it takes the burden off of them. 

Oak Ridgers I've been other places and seen it before!!!!

It was hard and took a lot of thought. I talked to several people about it. But I just gave 10 points for each of the skills and this is how it played out.  One thing that could effect it was I didn't attend every game for any of these kids.  But I was at the big games. 

Prosseer or Rosser is who I heard at Central. I hear it would be a great hire.  I doubt Stevens leave I hear he has one states best players in LaVergne. Central is a great opportunity to any coach. Hope they get the right guy. 

I hope not Kwayu Graham, his character shouldn't be questioned. I'm pretty sure some people in the Central area would love to have him. Great knowledge of football and even better with dealing with kids. I researched the team in NC. He actually went 3-8, Gaddis went 4-8 year before, this year they went 1-10. At 3-8 he won Carolina Panthers Coach of The Year for his work in the community, students academic achievement and getting kids motivated to play. You say anyone can win at Austin East, the last 2 years they won 2 games. Not to mention Graham played Red bank, Ooltewah, Morristown teams, Webb, and in the same conference as Fulton, Catholic, and Anderson County. He beat Fulton more than beat him, he beat Catholic and never lost to AC. Glad he is at oak Ridge. I don't think he stays there long but glad they have him now. 

I hear it was a Coach from the Blade staff. Are they talking about Kwayu Graham? 

Here's an interesting topic. Rate these modern day running backs. Forgive me if I leave out your favorite and by all means feel free to add him to the list.

 

I'm basing my opinion on just pour running skills. Power, toughness, speed, balance, vision, acceleration, and ability to make people miss. Understand I came to the Ridge around 1985 the first time then left and came back so don't blast me.

 

1. Shawn Bohanon - Played the position in an S.E.C. school. Only one on this list I think that played RB and at SEC school. Enough said.
2. Jamie Redmond - Ranked highest in acceleration and ability to make people miss. Closest resemblance to Gayle Sayers I seen. I remember in 1987 a game at Cleveland he made 6 people fall on the sideline where we were standing. If he ran an offense that featured him (Gaddis I) he probably would have set every record. No one was built like him in high school his senior year. (I recently seen a picture of him in HS on Facebook). No doubt the fastest on this list. Very strong in weight room also. I think he wanted to focus on defense though. O line was not as good as any other backs on this list.
3. Shawn Summers - Great high school player. Ranked the highest in balance and vision. He had the will to get it done. Was very tough and had good speed and was agile enough to make people miss. For a little guy was very powerful. Winner. His line was much better than Redmonds. He could be #1 because he brought home the Gold ball. 
4. Spencer Gulmire - Ditto Shawn Summers comments (He could be #1). Except Gold Ball.(fake punt away from winning one). Ranked #1 in Power and tied in toughness. I don't think his line was as good as Summers but he got'er done. Didn't have the big time speed as Redmond or Bohannon but didn't get caught. Question their schedule and the toughness of the teams they played.
5. Shawn Williams - Ranked #1 in toughness and #2 in balance. He ran wreckless.  He could make you miss but many times said to heck with it and ran the guy over. He was my favorite to watch with Gulmire being a close second. 
6. Corey Booker - Blended Power, speed and acceleration. Had to share carries but was definetely the horse. Look up and he's running down the sideline.  He like Redmond could have been unbelievable in an offense that the "Shawns" and were in.
7. James Booker - "Duke" was a king of excitement. Played with some other talented guys with him. He came on the scene and gave the cats a big play guy. Tough, fast, and could make big plays.  I think if he had been under this system for many years he could have been higher on this list.
8. Eric Menefee -  What I remember was this guy had good speed and played on some pretty good Oak Ridge teams. slippery runner that you would think was down but then he pops up and breaks a run. I think he played against some tough compeitition.
9. John Elam -  Track guy that played on a talented team. I think his rating has a lot to do on the team he was on.  He had 3 or 4 other running backs that were darn good. A D1 QB with ample of WR to throw the ball too. However he ran tough and seperated himself by the middle of the year.
10. Joe White - Very similiar to John Eleam.  He was tough runner with good balance. But waiting in the wing was one of Oak Ridge's Best Players ever. Mr. Shawn Summers!!!!

As I said this is my opinion of the best RB's. The top 5 could be in any order. I looked at it according to their skill set.  But I do know intangibles are important. Records speak for themselves also but if everything was even who would be the best.

 

 

 

 

Its players that start and their parents complain.  Everyone has their own agenda.  You know how many parents of soldiers that go war were against it. But soldiers still fight. I doubt Blade, Gaddis, Quarles or any other coach worries about who likes them.  Of course everyone wants to feel appreciated.  I think sometimes we think we are more important than we are. Oak Ridge has QBs and RBs. They are very talented and the difference this year versus last is they will have a lot of kids with Friday night light experience. Their defense got better each week. Their offense is explosive but inconsistent.  I just think they never knew what they wanted to hang their hat on. Special teams inconsistent but sometime very valuable. RBs they are as fast as the average backs. Remember Jones and Dunbar were sophomores. If they played JV no one catches them. #8 is a junior that played defense also. #36 Rowe is as fast as any other teams running back. If he breaks he scores. Their skill set wasn't as talented as the year before but they were young.  I just looked online and if I am right their LBs on defense were all sophomores. 

Back to Oak Ridge. QB seems to be the key. I liked the kid wanington i think you said. Never understood why didn't get more of a chance. Henderson was probably better but I think he never felt pushed so he didn't focus as much. His games were too inconsistent. Defense should be in tact. Offensive line has size and stregnth but not a lot of experience. I think the key to the oline is the center position. It is one of the most important positions in football. Hopefully this off-season they will get a lot of mental reps on film and technique reps. 

I have to say it was touching for Winston to run and find his old coach another former great QB at Auburn that played with a lot of heart right after the game.  True repect. Talented kid.

How many of the QBs play other sports.  They were all so close last year to being the QB. Do you think the edge will go to the one that chooses not to play winter and spring sports? What ever happened to the kid that started the scrimmage against S.Doyle. He looked the most consistent in all phases of the game. Didn't remember seeing him after that scrimmage.

According to the ORPD - we have plenty of speed over at ORHS.. (see the latest bust) as for the RB's.. I'm telling you-Number 8 can get the job done.

Did he graduate?

BR this is great. I hear Gaddis is great recruiter. He loved and has been compared to Jimmie Johnson of Miami U. Don't worry the speed will be there soon. lol

I hate the Rowe kid is leaving.  I think his injury had more to do with him not having a stellar year.  As for the middle school kids, Jackson is going to be a beast. I doubt very seriously Graham will be here in high school.  His dad is a head coach and from what I hear is mentioned in several head coaching jobs. He is from here but I just can't see a guy that has done well as a head coach settle for being an assistant. Hope I'm wrong.

JMO. Didn't school just go through budget crunch in which teachers were laid off.  I'm pretty sure that if the money is there they would keep quiet until time to start digging.  Just doesn't look right for teachers to lose jobs but team gets new field turf and scoreboard. I hope they do.  I always known Oak Ridge to have the best of everything. They always had that air of arrogance. Not growing up here, it was kind of much. But I respect it after living here a while.

I've been in Oak Ridge specifically for a little more than 6 years. For a post cold war military town a lot of movement is happening.  New communities and real estate are springing up throughout the city.  Closer to one of the plants(including Bojangles)  a couple of new resteraunts, Aldi and thanks goodness a gas station.  You guys may know a little more. I have seen both middle school teams and some of the boys club teams and they all have some good looking kids.

Also the plants are going through change of contract.  if you notice there are a bunch of new businesses opening up and a lot of houses being built. So what I know about government communities Oak Ridge is getting ready for another boom. What my dad says about Oak Ridge in the past was they always found some great football player to move in during the 60's and 70s.

From what I hear about the upcoming Middle school kids for next couple of years and an undefeated freshmen team, Oak Ridge will be back quick. All hinges on a great staff (on paper) mixing together, off season program, offensive and defensive system that uses their talent (and they are talented with numbers), and early success. 

I think this year is very important. I've watched Oak Ridge football for the past 6 years and see this year as a turning point of the program. They have a lot of talent over there. Loaded with talent.  Question I have is do you think they will 2 platoon? Who will be QB? How will they get 5 quality RB touches with the talent the have coming back at WR?

"Only 1 ball????????"

Oak Ridge has a couple of very fast kid. Malik Rowe and Malik Hardy are the two that if they break good by. I think they are as fast as anyone Oak Ridge will play. Then probably Higgins, Mitchell, Bonds next.