fernando9

I think you are right on about Houston and the bottom 2. I actually think the Bearden/Collierville winner will give Station Camp all they want. But I haven't gotten to see Station Camp play ... just wasn't terribly impressed with their schedule and scores other than their record. What makes them a favorite?

I might disagree with this. Who would you say are the top teams?

So the AAA final 8 is set. I'd put Houston as the favorite, period. I think generally that teams won't want to draw DB or Bearden, as both are playing very well on my side of the state.

4-1 Bearden over Oak Ridge. Good crowd and good afternoon for soccer. Hopefully both can win their substate games Saturday.

What's the outlook from Middle TN? I know at least Houston/Collierville/Barlett strong in the West and maybe 2-3 East, but who is good enough to do serious damage from the Nashville area?

Wow. Great win for Oak Ridge tonight! For those there, was the final score a fair result for how the game went?

Good to hear. A strong team with strong players. Watched you guys a bit at Knoxville tournament earlier in season, and also heard reports back when Bearden came your way.

Booger or other NDers ... meant to ask this from earlier in the season about your team when I watched them. Can't remember his # anymore, but the strong midfielder (blonde/brown hair) ... seemed to be the best player on the field when he wanted to be with tons of speed and quickness but also seemed very unselfish. What's his story? Senior? Playing college somewhere? As good as he seemed to be?

Jose is excellent, and him getting loose is the best chance they have against Maryville. Between him, Farragut's striker, and the couple at Bearden and Maryville, I believe the scoring options in the area will drop off significantly next year. This "98" class in the area was spectacular ... arguably the best ever because of the accomplishments of the 98 Alliance team and the few remaining 97s that were also seniors. But you are right. Vinyard, the two mids at Bearden, and younger talent at a couple of other schools proves that there will be some very strong midfield talent next year, and it will be interesting to see how they are all used.

I suppose, but every team has ebbs and flows year to year with seniors. Maybe the same was said last year about Oak Ridge and Hardin Valley. The primary goalscorer for each of Maryville, OR, Farragut, and Bearden this season are seniors. Each team has seniors that matter greatly. Maryville has excellent seniors, and quite a few of them, but they also start or play at least two-three sophomores and several juniors. Each of the four teams have excellent senior players that will be missed.

Osunut2 is correct. Having watched many teams from 4-AAA and 3-AAA this season, I would argue that there were at least 6 teams in 4-AAA better than the 2nd best team in 3-AAA. Bearden beat Halls in Region semis 10-0 last night. With a good player for Maryville out with a red card, anything can happen in their other Region semifinal tonight against Oak Ridge, but my money would still be on a result for Maryville. No disrespect to Oak Ridge, as they always have a wonderful program, but this year at full strength Maryville, Bearden, and Farragut were all better teams.

Who won the Oak Ridge v Maryville game last night?

Saturday: Hardin Valley 2 Gallatin 0 CAK 5 Morristown West 0 CPA 2 Knox West 0 Science Hill 2 ND 2 Maryville 4 Hendersonville 0 Bearden 3 Webb 2

Morristown West 3 Gallatin 1: Caught last half. Not much to talk about. Science Hill 5 CAK 0: CAK evidently was missing a couple of key players but Science Hill absolutely dominated in a game I assumed would be very close. CAK continually fouled just outside their own 18 and Science Hill made them pay with 3 free kick goals. #11 for SH is about as good of a high school player I've seen around here for a single game. Bearden 6 Hendersonville 0: Bearden was up five 20 minutes into 2nd half. Had all the run. Would assume Webb and Bearden will be great game tomorrow.

And almost forgot ... beautiful clear evening and field in very good shape considering 3 hours of rain earlier in the day! Who'da thunk a Bearden Tournament could ever be played without howling rains and wind?

CAK 2 Hendersonville 1. Bearden 4 Gallatin 1. I was only around for 2nd half. All Bearden and only very good goalie play by Gallatin and lack of a final pass a few times by Bearden to keep to that score. CPA 3 Hardin Valley 0. Only saw 1st half, so BigG can comment on apparently breaking it open in the 2nd half. In first half, both teams had a few very good opportunities that just couldn't be converted. CPA established some more control the last few minutes of half and then had nice individual slash and score by striker to score 1st goal with 8 seconds left in half.

I think I get that inside joke . Just saw him a few times but was fun to watch ... congrats to him (and you!) and hope he is still playing and enjoying it! Great to see the OR support on the board, and hopefully other schools will jump in. We should start to know a bit more in next couple of weeks in east side with teams starting to play after breaks and (as I remember) Bearden's tournament hosting many of them soon.

Sounds like OR and Farragut playing some great competition from the Atlanta teams and will only get better for doing so. HVA lost probably the best striker and best defender in the county to graduation as well as other strong seniors. But they (like OR) will always be good, even if a bit "down". They have two very strong goalies and lots of good underclassmen.

Haven't gotten to watch Oak Ridge yet this season. Know they lost some very strong seniors including a wonderful scorer. But they have another playmaker back and strong group of juniors. May overall be a slight step behind the Farragut/Maryville/Bearden group this season, but should still be the class of their district.

Watched (Knox Catholic) Irish last week in scrimmage v Bearden. 4-0 Bearden. Mostly seniors in starting lineup now after being younger last year, but no true attacking threats like they had last year. Unfortunately my lasting impression of game was nasty/dirty tackle from Irish player with 5 minutes left shattering Bearden's defender's leg and ankle. Incredibly unfortunate and incredibly uncalled for. BigG is right about CAK. Has arguably both the best senior (forward) and junior (midfielder) player in Knoxville, and 2-3 other strong attacking players. If they can get strong defensive play, will be very tough to handle for anyone.

What's the outlook for top returning AAA teams the season? Curious if Houston is still very strong and can repeat. I have seen a bit already scrimmage-wise around Knoxville/East TN, but don't know what's out there in middle and west TN this season ...

Anyone catch Farragut-Bearden last night? Very impressed with the big crowd turnout and although a bit choppy throughout, was good game to watch. Both have strong records. What's the thought from anyone as to how either (or the possibility of Hardin Valley or Maryville) can compete statewide this season?

Agreed as to Hardin Valley ... I'd guess Bearden and Maryville are both probably top 10-15 AAA teams in the state this year and HV made short work of both of them. District of Death indeed. Did anyone see OR v Farragut last night? Was told Farragut won 3-2 scoring last 3 goals but didn't know how game played out. Have been pretty impressed watching Farragut couple of times but haven't seen OR yet and know some of you guys watch them.

A lot of soccer on that field over the weekend. Amazing how it held up, especially after the rain Thursday. Didn't get to see CPA and Oak Ridge so my apologies as they sound like very good teams. Hardin Valley as advertised. Most/oldest talent in area if they can keep it all together and share the wealth. CAK very strong up front. Hadn't seen Science Hill but their game v CAK looked very close to a high level club game. SH forward bent a free kick on the ground around the wall for a goal. Haven't seen a ground bender for a while. Bearden played lesser teams but looks like a completely different team style than years past. Impressive group. Farragut very talented in the middle and on the wings/up top. Young as well and lots of speed.

3-1 Bearden. Score was a reasonably fair indication of game. My understanding was first real game for Webb and 2nd for Bearden, and looked a bit like it, as not strong possession by either team. Bearden off cross/header, PK, and long pass and run to score, then Webb with good individual effort by forward to work through guys and score.