sheppy

I am asking for any and all opinions on when a youngster should be allowed to play tackle football. I have been to various meetings/conferences/conventions and heard many different opinions, but I would like a state wide sampling of opinions. I have 2 sons and did not allow either to play tackle football until they were 10 years old. The oldest played in Clarksville and the youngest played in Mt. Juliet. Additionally, tell me how your youth leagues are constructed, i.e., flag football (what ages), tackle football (what ages). Does anyone have any experience in the USA Heads Up Football Program, i.e., flag, modified, tackle. Define ages for each. All information will be sent to the National High School Football Coaches Alliance. All opinions are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance. Gary Shephard, Executive Director Tennessee Football Coaches Association

Sorry to see Will Hester leave our state. He has done an excellent job as a coach at multiple schools. Wish him well in his new venture. Glad to see the administration at Nolensville give an excellent young coach his first opportunity to head up a football program. Worked with Coach Derrick at APSU and found him to be very knowledgeable, hard working, and caring coach/person. Good luck CPD!

Coach Conley is one of the really good guys in our profession. Best of luck.

How many football players will sign scholarship papers during the early signing period?

Agree with HTV, 4 public and 2 private classes, 6 Champs is plenty. Going to Georgia games this coming Saturday, they only have 8 champions. Class A public, Class A private, then 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and they have more total schools than does Tennessee. They divide the state into 4 quadrants. In theory, there could be 2 teams from the same region playing for the State Championship, KINDA LIKE FBS PLAYOFFS.

Went to Georgia State Championships last year. 1st game - 9 am I think. 10 years ago they played 5 semi final games on Friday and 5 on Saturday. 8 am - 1st game

Think Clarksville actually bid more $ than Cookeville.

1A, 3A, 5A schools will be playing with 1 less day of practice since they play on Thursday. Bet the gate $ is way down this year.

That has been done before. But they decided they wanted all the games on 1 weekend.

Private Schools don't have enough teams in the 3 classes to play 5 playoff games. Therefore some have bye's week 1 and they play their semi-finals games on Nov. 17. Public Schools have 32 teams in every class and play 5 consecutive weeks. If you win your semifinal game, 6 schools will play their championship game 6 days later, 6 schools will play their championship game 7 days later.championship Private schools will play their championship game 15 days later.

I just looked at the brackets for the championship games in Cookeville. Did I read that the public schools are playing on Thursday and Friday and the private schools are playing on Saturday? WTH

Class at its highest by both teams. Heard that this young man never missed a meeting, workout, or practice. Wish others could say that!

Maybe wrong, but I think Columbia Academy still plays Division 1.

I'm ALL IN for the Halls HS Red Devils!

Unbelievable. Just wonder what in the heck young adults are thinking. I would have changed my vote had I known. Tried to listen to the CHS game but was not on radio. Is Henry Co. the only winner from our region.

kwc, Was just repeating info that I was told. Don't know if it is fact or fiction. Good luck to Coach S. and The Haven tonight. Might be some more rumors floating around but will have to wait and see.

Pilgrim, Longtime since you posted. Believe Henry, Northeast, Clarksville win tonight. Rumor mill is that Southwind has two 4 star DL and a couple of outstanding WR's. Anxious to see if NEHS plays Antoine and Cross on defense in an effort to cover those star WR's. This weather may not be good for throwing teams. OL better step up in these conditions whether you thrown it or run it!

dadriot12, The reference about officials was not about a football game between HC & NE. The situation came up many years ago. mikelowery, sorry to make you wait, but what does that have to do with officials?

People always complain about the officiating. I have never heard a winning team say the officials were terrible or the officials sucked. Having said that let me tell you a story about officials. 1. We win coin flip and defer. Officials ask home team which end of the field they want to receive. Can't do that, either you receive or you choose an end of the field. NOT BOTH! When I question the referee about it, he said he didn't think it would make much difference anyway. 2. At half time, I hear the white hat (referee in charge) say, guys (the rest of the officiating crew) take your hats off that is your school's alma mater being played. 3. When I asked a question, the head linesman turned to me and said, "coach maybe you will understand better than your assistant coach, we'll officiate you just coach." 15 yards when I asked if I needed Vaseline while he was officiating. Don't think he liked my humor. 4. Same crew from 4 years earlier when I asked one of my assistant's if they played by TSSAA rules in this county?

Pilgrim, When I look at R8, I see a 4 way tie for 1st with Munford, Southwind, Ridgeway and Brighton all 4-1 and Kirby dragging in at 3-2. 7 - 1, 4 - 1 Munford plays Kirby & Brighton 6 - 2, 4 - 1 Southwind plays Brighton & Ridgeway 4 - 4, 4 - 1 Ridgeway plays Bolton & Southwind 4 - 4, 4 - 1 Brighton plays Southwind & Munford If I'm looking at it correctly, in theory all COULD END UP 5-2 IN REGION PLAY.

5A - Gus Antoine - WR -Northeast HS, Clarksville, #1

Don't think they play till the 20th.

Pilgrim, CHS shot itself in the foot this past Friday night vs. NEHS. Actually both teams had mistakes that did/could have cost them the game. CHS has now played both of the region leaders, at this point in the season, so they should be able to take of business and make the playoffs. I always wanted a home game, but you never have a chance for a state title when you finish 5th or worse. Doesn't matter where, just be in the top 4. Question...why are they playing on Thursday night?

QB's will decide the fate of this game along with the defense. NEHS 4-2, CHS 3-3. On paper NEHS's toughest opponent in region play is Henry Co. CHS has faced Henry Co. and came out on the short end of the stick. This is the 2nd straight week NEHS has faced an option attack and that is always an advantage. Should be a good crowd, lots of spirit, hopefully a good hard fought game. There is one other question...

'97, Knox Halls HS gave up 12 points to Gibbs (did not score on 1st team), 10 points to Cumberland Co., all in the first half (Only points scored in the first half in regular season), 18 points to Pearl-Cohn in State championship game, all in the 1st half, 6 shut outs in 15 games, Mary ville, Cocke Co., Anderson Co. and Central all scored 1 TD each in regular season. Baylor and And. Co each score 1 TD in the playoffs