fernando9

Man, afraid to jinx the season by saying anything. But why not? Who you got? I'm especially interested on my end, the East TN side. Red Rebels, you think Maryville will be really strong again this season?

Red Rebels, that's a tough bracket for Maryville. I think they will have the advantage on grass v Science Hill, but that's not the "try to at least get a good first round matchup" you hope for, as I've been impressed by SH this season. Then likely Brentwood Rd 2 and Houston if they get to finals. Very impressive run for Maryville this year after losing so many from last year. Not easy at all to come out on top of Bearden, HVA, Powell, etc. Hope I am proven wrong from my statement earlier in year that middle and west TN are still on top (which I unfortunately still believe) and that they can make some noise at State from East Tennessee. Good luck to your girls.

Thinking Maryville and Bearden aren't too happy to have to be playing each other again prior to state. Two good teams.

OR and Bearden play next week I believe. OR playing really well now it appears, so should be another good one. With OR at the top of their game, that's really going to be a tough Region to get out of in a few weeks. Maryville very strong, HVA starting to get results again, OR, and Powell all battling each other.

Memphis and Nashville girls club teams have (generally) had the advantage recent years over those from Knoxville ... translates as well to the AAA high schools. Houston has a top level boys team, but Station Camp and Bearden have been just as good or better the last few years soccer-wise for boys. On the girls side, I still say I will have to see a Knox AAA girls team beat the best from Nashville and Memphis before I believe it. BUT ... Maryville was in range at state last year against Houston, and I wouldn't put a ton of stock into the lopsided score last week for Houston against Bearden. Bearden was playing their 3rd game in 3 days and was without 2 top scorers ... I would still assume Houston is better, but they aren't steamrolling (yet) like a couple of years ago. Red Rebels isn't wrong. I expect Houston, Brentwood, and probably Bearden and Maryville (if HVA doesn't get healthy) at state. The draw is the thing.

Ridge, I've watched Bearden quite a bit and I hope you are correct. They are quite good, but will have a few things to work out before they are taking the next step (like winning state as the boys did). But it's possible. As for the future, at least in the Knox area, you are correct. Bearden for whatever reason has a disproportionate number of late middle schoolers and early high schoolers who can play compared to other area schools. But Knoxville AAA for girls for recent years has not been like the boys ... I am all for a Knox team to win it all , but a girls team will have to prove to me that they are better than the traditional middle and west powerhouses at Houston/Brentwood etc. first. Maryville and Bearden both were very close last year, so maybe this can be the year.

HVA and Bearden will be good as both return strong key players. Maryville lost a ton, but they have some good returners this season, and the same with Powell. I think Farragut will be down this season and possibly for the foreseeable future. Some good AAA around Knox, but I'll have to be shown that they can beat the best from Nashville or Memphis areas. Don't think that they are the level of Brentwood/Houston/etc.

Bearden Invitational coming up this weekend, Thursday - Sunday (April 4-7). Should be a bunch of good games. Appears Farragut playing in for first time in a while, as well as all of the usual suspects in Knoxville area, plus Greeneville, McCallie, Hendersonville, Mo West, Science Hill and others.

I think AAA has quite a few strong teams this year, most being the usual suspects. From west to east, at least Houston, Rossview, Station Camp, Hendersonville, Farragut, Bearden all should be very tough this season. From east side of state non-AAA, I think Greeneville, Webb, and GP will all be very good in their divisions. I know Alcoa lost some firepower, so not sure what they have back.

DC, no knock on Jeff Co and hopefully it didn't come across that way. They have some strong players and are doing a good job with that program. But it's also the first time I can remember in all my years that they have beaten Farragut. More just saying it's going to be tough for Farragut, as multiple other programs getting stronger (Powell, Karns) and other strong ones staying strong (Maryville, Bearden). All programs have ebbs and flows, but for a perennial power like Farragut has been for as long as I can remember, I believe this is going to be tough sledding going forward, as most upcoming high level players are at other schools currently. Now see how much I know when they promptly go out and beat Maryville and Bearden later this year.

Congrats, Willie. That's always a great rivalry game. Farragut lost to Jeff Co tonight. It's going to be a long season and few years going forward I'm afraid for the Ads.

I agree that Maryville should be top ... they now just have to figure out how to get to state and then make noise, which is still very tall order for East TN girls AAA teams. But good senior talent and leadership. I'd by year end maybe give Bearden a slight edge over Powell simply because that's what tends to happen, and I'd guess they may be deeper. I actually think HVA may be pretty strong this year (maybe even competing at top with Maryville), as my understanding some girls who didn't play last year are back. But will have to see with the new coach. Farragut has a long road going forward the next few years on the girls side, as most talent will be elsewhere.

MV, not sure how much to read into a preseason scrimmage. But Powell is definitely for real and now really is shaping into a strong program that competes every year. Almost made it out last year and may do it this year. Some high level players on the team. My understanding is that Bearden may be slightly down this year but should be fine, as they are having to figure out where to put people with a few graduations and some injuries (but so is every other team). I'd guess Powell, HVA, Maryville, and Bearden will be the four battling for spots out of Knoxville area in the end...

Congrats to the kids. https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/07/13/2018-tennessee-sports-writers-association-all-state-soccer-teams/781370002/

DB player didn't get straight red. Received a second yellow for diving. And he was allowed to play in state tourney.

Jasonwitten, can you tell me about Rossview? Don't know anything about them being on the East side of the state.

Sorry, Ridge82 ... couldn't resist. All in good fun and I know exactly from where you were coming from. Appears Bearden surprised everyone, but from what I have seen are strong and fast, and with some difference makers in the back and one in the middle. But them getting out to State and neither of Farragut and Maryville? I never would have guessed. Well done by Bearden. DB is loaded with guys that have played together for many years (lots of seniors), good threats up top, and also have younger kid in the middle who is very good and a fantastic goalie ... short but fantastic athleticism and awareness. They really have the ability to possibly make some noise at State.

If this is the year Bearden "isn't very good" ... yikes. And well done by DB ... still undefeated heading into State. Very impressive.

Farragut's very tight OT win over Oak Ridge and Bearden's destruction of Science Hill tonight both surprising. But best 4 teams in East TN AAA now get to face off. Will be two very good AAA Region Finals in East TN: DB at Bearden, and Maryville at Farragut.

I know no-one seems to care about the big boys in AAA, but here goes ... I think in AAA, Station Camp has to be the heavy favorite if healthy. Houston good as always. In East TN: I strongly expect Farragut and Maryville to get through their Regions into substate. I expect DB to beat West for one spot out of their Region, and the Bearden/Science Hill game should be a good one for other entry, but I say Bearden. DB has a strong group, has good skill at each level, and hasn't lost a game in the regular season. Farragut can cause a lot of trouble as they are now getting everyone healthy and have a ton of talent to choose from. Maryville has strong senior class to work with, and Bearden has surprised a lot of people this year with a fast and tough blue collar team that keeps winning in what was supposed to be an off year. Should all be fun to see. I think at a State level if they get through, Farragut and DB especially would be really tough outs.

And?

I would say so. I think Farragut if they were at full strength without injuries and possibly DB could give them some run, but overall, yes. Bearden evidently played them pretty well a few weeks ago ... and still lost 3-0 because of great set pieces. The twins are about as good as you'll find around here for a CB and striker combo, their goalkeeper is very good, and they have a strong group around them and coach seems to do a great job every year getting the best out of their players. I know Houston sure isn't used to losing, nor was that team from Georgia this weekend, and had a couple of people tell me that were at the game and Houston was stunned to get punched in the mouth by Greeneville. Not sure how anyone will compete with them in the lower division this year.

In last Sunday games: Webb 3 Morristown West 2 Maryville 0 Science Hill 0

Results from website from Friday to add to Akula's scores: *Webb 5 Central 1 *Greeneville 3 Central Gwinnett 2 *Bearden 3 Hendersonville 2 *Notre Dame 2 Mo West 1 Greeneville v Gwinnett was evidently great game ... until apparently a melee bordering on brawl broke out between players after a collision between Gwinnett forward and Greeneville goalie. Was told at least 2-3 people on each side got tossed and possibly more suspensions than that when dust settles. I was at tourney for a bit. By end of evening when they were playing Oak Ridge then Bearden games, the grass field was in pools in places. Turf field was very slick but playable. Rain all afternoon and evening. Not much they can do about the weather. All games apparently moved to turf today, except for one or two cancelled and Maryville game moving to Maryville

Annual tourney in Knoxville tomorrow evening (Thursday) through Saturday at Bearden High School. Tons of games, lots of good local teams as well as from middle and West TN, and a team from Georgia (Hardin Valley's old coach's current team). Best I can tell, here's the current schedule: http://www.gosoccerdawgs.com/Tournament