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Gotta admit I was for consolidation when I was younger, but now I see what each of these three schools mean to their communities. I'm amazed how the people of Whitwell came together to support their football team. Probably nothing short of a Russian invasion could have done it any better. You are correct when you say there are many pros and cons to this situation. I've been listening to people talk about this, with great passion, all week yet no one knows where the school would be built or how much it's going to cost. Would it open up new academic possibilities? Maybe. Some examples I've seen put forth, as a pro, are culinary arts and cosmetology, Calculus I and II, etc. I'm sure doing make-up and hair will be a popular choice but the other three, well...…………… On the athletics side the proponents argue that the new school would have new sports such as bowling, lacrosse, etc. All I can do is scratch my head on that one. Now, about the busing situation. It's all good if you live within five miles of the school but if you live on the mountains well your in for a long week. A large percentage of the proponents, I've seen commenting, will live within this five mile radius. Seems like the kids that will commute three hours per day are just casualties of consolidation. Lastly, and far from least, we have the great money issue. I saw one person comment, on social media today, that we should "max out" a wheel tax and rely on property taxes to make up the difference. OK, our sales tax is already "maxed out" and we're gonna have a "maxed out" wheel tax, and some level of increase to our already high property taxes. I guess I'll just have to wait and see which argument convinces me consolidation is the right thing to do. Maybe the fear one, "Our current schools are unsafe" or maybe the guilt trip one, "Don't you care about our children's future?" Time will tell.

I agree, not much you can do with 1A other than add some of the smaller 2A teams. At least that might make things more interesting.

I'll take the East.

If we get any more classes I'm going to open a trophy shop.

Most of you that have been posting on this thread can relax. If the TSSAA doesn't re-align the public school divisions (drop it to 5 instead of 6) it will be the same 3 or 4 teams from the east and west every year in Cookeville. This is particularly true in 1A and 2A. Saw some really weak teams make it to the second round this year which speaks volumes. I'm sure most fans would rather see more competitive games than to set through blow-out after blow-out. There's been a lot of that also, this year, and again it tells you this alignment is way out of kilter.

Losing your entire offensive line, entire defensive line, all your linebackers, your kicker, your punter and your power running back, makes it tough on any coach. Coach Mathis simply has too many shoes to fill in too short of a time. Going to take time and a lot of patience from the fans.

It's not the coach. It's not the coaching. It's not the practices. It's not the off season workouts. The way this season has gone wasn't cause by the great eclipse or President Trump. A coach has to work with what he's got. I doubt Saban could have done much better. In 1A and 2a ball it's hard to have a loaded team year in and year out. Teams go up and teams come down. It's an endless cycle. These young men need to keep their heads up and do their best.

Best of luck to the Warriors tonight. Hopefully, with the quality coaching, quality off-season program and the fact those 3 year starters provided the opportunity for these kids to have a ton of playing time, Marion can get the W.

Good to hear from you also, Roy.

Yeah, I am not surprised you are the one that picked up on it. At least I know there's one out there that reads my post. Good to hear from you.

Sad, Sad, Sad.

I can make you one concrete solid promise; the 2016 Seniors at MC did not learn one thing from Mac except how it feels to be ashamed of their coach. Latter coaches are the ones who shaped those kids.

Yeah and they were in the county landfill when he tucked tail and ran. What kind of coach, after most of his assistant coaches have been arrested for vandalism, up and quits during quarterfinals week? A guilty one! Ever seen a football team play a quarterfinal without a coach? The kids were having to call a lot of their own plays because stand-ins didn't know the offense. That's what FC has hired. The players brought MC back, and have continued to long after his debacle.

Unbelievable decision by FC administration to hire this one. Talk about a desperation move. Rebel fans get ready for pure embarrassment and probations for your football program. Best thing that ever happened to Marion County football was this one leaving!!!!!!!!!!! All I can say is Wow???????

TruthBtold, I appreciate you answering the question. And to old willie2888, who thinks it's was a "retarded question"; there's a team in Chattanooga who has several players who attend a sister school playing for them. It's not out of the ordinary. Why would asking if CR did the same be "retarded"?