RebelAtHeart

Heck, why not setup a super 32 for each division... take the top 4 seeds from each district this year and make that the "32 bracket" for the following season. After the next season finishes, replace the bottom 8 teams in the "32 bracket" with the 8 district champs left in the "Lessors bracket" from each division. Rinse and repeat every year. Force schools and coaches to hire extra staff to manage the scheduling headache this would create every year. Give gold balls to the "32 bracket" champs from each division and to the "Lessor bracket" champs in each division. More gold balls... more champs... more $$ for T$$AA. I'm sure it would be awesome and sustainable!

Work landed me in Knoxville 20 years ago... moved back to Kingsport for 5 years also related to work... been back in Knoxville for a couple years... my son plays for HVA.

You are right. I do hate DB and it does spawn from my own experience when I was a player. Never have liked losing, but there was always some kind of extra pain and misery accompanied with losing to DB (yes I went to South). Science Hill and Betsy curb stomped us a few times too, but I didn't have to sit with them at Church on Sunday! Always felt like DB bragging back then was like an SEC team bragging about beating a SOCON team. I know fundamentally you are correct that they have not "recruited", but I know first hand of many kids that have been "lured" into the school over the years. But you are correct that the parents are central to the shift - honestly that's how most "recruiting" is done. Convince the parents little Johnny will be a pro some day if he plays at this program. Why else would a kid drive extra miles, pay tuition, or parents buy a house to rent out in Kingsport if there wasn't some kind of incentive being promised to them? Not saying it is always the coaches... other team parents do a lot of the "luring"? I get it though... no official recruiting ever happens at DB. Clearly this 1-6A conference has 5 teams with a lot of parity. DB beats SH... SH beats HVA and Bearden... Bearden beats DB and Farragut... and Farragut beats DB and SH. Hopefully HVA will continue to prove this parity with a win over BHS or FHS or both. Bottom line is there are no SEC vs. SOCON matches between these 5 teams. Glad the Hawks are in the conversation - unlike last year. Now which one has what it takes to beat Marvul?

I think HVA is similar... when they are hot they are hard to stop, but unfortunately they are not always hot. Hoping it is a well fought, injury free battle. And for both Bearden and HVA's sake... I hope it is not impacted by any controversial calls late in the game.

Hawks have thrived and died on the passing game this year. Running game seems to be getting better. Even though we struggled to stop the run at Jeff Co and Science Hill... found a way to slow down #30 for DB after a couple series. Very impressed by Bearden in game against Farragut. I saw some similarities in the HVA and BHS teams. Think this one will likely come down to the final series like the Farragut game.

My issue was not that DB chose to play the weaker schools but that they "recruited away" talent from those same schools reducing the chance for said schools to win against DB and then bragging about how good they were because they destroyed them. My harshness is toward the arrogance that has been DB for so many years. When all they had was talent oozing the hallways - they still went out and brought in talent from outside the city. One of their current starters came from Gate City... another lives is Gray (Boone territory)... and I believe several are from Colonial Heights (historically South territory). Even bringing in outside talent to one of the biggest schools in the state they turn out 2-6 results. Impressive to me is when you take mediocre or limited talent - or at least the kids that are rightfully within your zone - and turn out championship performance. DB has become the complete opposite... tons of potential with little bang. And apparently they are too proud to admit what the problem is... even though most of their fans here see it clearly. I do hate it for the kids that bust their butts and get nothing in return. But after years of watching my alma mater get pounced by DB... when we never had anything near the talent pool of Kingsport... it has been refreshing to finally see them experience the losing side. Who knows... maybe this bump in their storied history will somehow make them better (clean house). Meanwhile, I am sure I am not the only one from South, North, Central, East, Boone, or Volunteer that enjoys seeing them struggle. I'll extend the players all my support and sympathy, but I'll laugh as the arrogant fools running the ship burn it to the ground!

Once again Waco was the voice of reason with his prediction for this game. Possibly the only DB fan to consider this a possible loss - well maybe Batman saw this possible scenario. Now they all want to fire the school board, the AD, the coach, and his grandmother! Me thinks the Hawks were a little better than the DB faithful assumed - better watch out or Mo West and Jeff Co might pile on too. Oh and send your game plan to the Bulldogs please! HVA ended with around 280yds passing with 4 TD's through the air and 190yds rushing with 1 TD. #2, #3, #7, and #10 played lights out all night. Apart from an end-of-first-half heave in the end zone that led to the only turnover, the Hawks' O looked pretty strong - especially looking at the size of the Indians' front line. More impressively the Hawks D finally figured out where #30 was running and held the Tribe to 160yds on the ground and 120yds in the air. Throw in 3 sacks, an interception, and the absence of the band parents after the half and the Tribe didn't stand a chance in the second half. Key stat of course was the 35-17 on the scoreboard that was immediately turned off at the sound of the final buzzer. "Hate to see a giant tumble" - said no rock slinging King David ever! IMO... DB is getting what they deserve after years of pillaging the county for top athletes and then turning around and bludgeoning the mediocre teams that they left in their wake only to lose to real competition in the playoffs. Humble pie for all those that saw this game as an automatic. Hoping the momentum and underdog status continues to drive the Hawks through post-season play!

It seems the consensus from Friday night is that DB and it's program just sucks. Not many talking about the major momentum swing and domination from the Hawks from the 2nd quarter on in J Fred Stadium - on both sides of the ball. Bearden used 47 minutes and 52 seconds to catch up and beat DB in the same setting. I think the Dawgs and Hawks look very similar on paper especially comparing strengths and weaknesses. Can the Dawgs lock down their number 1 seed? Can the Hawks keep the momentum and setup a district champ game with the Ads? Expect it to be a very physical game with both teams hoping to delay their run in with mighty Murvail in the post-season - and bring home the district title.

That was awesome! Hawks didn’t quit when it got really tough tonight. So proud of their persistence and team effort!

Agree that DB probably scores 4 to 5 times. Hawks have been really unpredictable and both lived and died with the forward pass. Hearing what many have said about DB's defense, this could be a high scoring shootout. Looks like most have counted out the Hawks, but then again about 95% or better had Farragut beating Bearden last night too. That's why they play... #anygivenfridaynight

Gonna be a tough battle... but I'm thinking HVA 31-28 at the final buzzer.

According to Maximum Preposity... 1) Murvail 2) Ootwah 3) Brad Cent 4) Land of Cleve

Knox county on fall break this week... I think Kingsport is next week. DB loss likely knocks them out of playoffs. HVA win puts them in. So this is a playoff game for both teams - in a sense. I think the teams are fairly evenly matched with their respective strengths and weaknesses. HVA has been really up and down from one game to the next all year. Tribe will have advantage with their ominous home field. Special teams may be a factor in this one.

Respect... some things should and do rise above the game! #54 was a special kid! Sounds like you raised a great son too! I had the privilege of coaching several of the seniors playing for DB this year when they were in late elementary and early middle school. I will be rooting against them for 48 minutes this week, but as soon as the clock stops they resume being like sons to me. So blessed to watch them grow into men and despite how their season turns out... I pray that they go on to be very successful in life!

Loved or hated... the New England Patriots turn out a championship quality team year in and year out regardless of talent. Coaching is a huge factor in dynasty success. A lot of people hate Bill Belichick but have to watch in awe when his machine is hitting on all cylinders. I am amazed how many times he has taken mediocre talent (at that level) and turned them into champions. Look at the teams in TN at the high school level that are year in and year out contenders - the main constant is typically coaching and a strong community backing. Unfortunately this goes both ways... teams that suck year in and year out or even those that are perennially average tend to have sucky or average coaching staffs. I think a travesty in high school football today is the lack of loyalty (just like college) to a community and a program. But in fairness, if the program in your community sucks - then it is harder to motivate kids to stay home. Recruiting and "next level" focus have spoiled high school FB to some extent IMO. I get it... its about the kids' futures and potential money for college, but many from this generation have lost the concept of pride for their community and following in their family's footsteps. Great positive example last night watching Drew Brees break the all-time passing yards record playing for "his" team... a team that has certainly seen highs and lows... but nonetheless a team that he stayed committed to and passion about.

2009 was the year South was certain we were going to scalp the Indians and ended up getting beat down by several TD's. Pretty sure the refs had nothing to do with that one - but I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of the excuses at the time. SMH

Having played years ago in J Fred and grown up around DB culture and football... I do not expect the refs to play a factor any more than a typical Friday night game. The "big house" and big band of high school football probably plays a bigger factor in home field advantage for the Indians. Bottom line is that DB has all the tools and talent to win big in this one. At the same time, the Hawks have the ability to win this one as well if they execute - especially through the air. I put a slight advantage to the coaches at HVA, just because their system is set (however that may actually be their weakness too). At the end of the day it will depend on how the boys from both teams play and I expect this one to be a tough 4 quarter battle.

5A is exciting because you don't have a Greenback, Alcoa, Greeneville, or Maryville staring you down in the east. In 1A, 3A, 4A, and 6A your reward for making the playoffs is to get bashed by one of these legacy powerhouses. At least in 5A - this year anyway - the field is a little more even. From the east I could see Crockett, Tenn High, Boone, Knox Central, South Doyle, Fulton, Oak Ridge, or Catholic pushing through to Cookeville. Powell would likely be in the mix if not for the elgibility-gate that set them back. I think it will definitely make the post season more competitive and fun to watch.

That was fun. They both also played Oak Ridge where DB lost 41-12 and HVA lost 23-7. Unfortunately you failed to mention that 324 is also the reverse of Kingsport's area code of 423... meaning your prediction is probably also backwards.

I would agree with under coached, average talent, a "track school", or even undisciplined... but I think "not good" should stay reserved for teams like Sullivan Central, Heritage, and Jellico. If your basis for "not good" is Friday against the Toppers - then you haven't paid attention. Plus... if HVA is "not good", then what does that make SH for barely beating them. Again... if you paid attention the game Friday could have easily swung in HVA's direction all night. But then again the Hawks failed to secure the win against a beatable 2-5 Toppers, so it does make sense they will be "beat soundly" by a 2-5 DB. Sounds like a "slam dunk" to me.

I think this is the strongest 1-5A has been in a while though... and then coupled with a relatively down 2-5A puts them in good place for post season. Knox Central and SD will be tough for region 1 to get by IMO... but that's why they play!

Mo West won this one Friday against JC. JC is now officially out of playoff contention - but they play the spoiler role for SH and DB. Mo West has a playoff shot, but really long shot and would require a significant series of upsets to finish the season. But that's why they play...

I'm guessing the early exit of #18 with an injury is what kept this one close?! Hopefully he is healthy for the SH and DB games... going to be tough for JC to compete without him.

Friday night the Hawks laid an egg! First game this year without a touchdown but I'm not sure I credit SH's defense. The Hawks were playing against themselves most of the night with several dropped passes, fumbles, bad snaps, costly penalties, two TD passes dropped or just out of bounds in the end zone, and two big defensive mistakes that both led to SH TD's. Loss to SH was definitely a winnable game that got away. HVA is certainly capable of beating DB, but they have to get out of their own way and play to their potential. Expecting this will be another tight 1-6A game with playoff hopes on the line for both teams.

On the T and in news feeds there was mention of a player that moved into Karns zone but applied to attend school at Powell - was my understanding that was the player in question. I say that the HC and AD at Powell botched this - seems the T$$AA would agree. I sometimes watch PackerVision on Thurs day but didn't really see the point last night. A date night with my lovely bride seemed more attractive! Again... my point here was that "whoever" blew the whistle appeared to wait until late enough in the season to be both painful and potentially (depending on who it was) favorable to their team's ultimate playoff standing. It was mere speculation on my part and friendly banter. The Powell adults are being held responsible (as it should be) but those Powell kids that busted their butts to win 6 of 7 games so far are the one's truly paying the price. And I say that is a shame! FYI - I did read somewhere AFTER my post this morning that Jesse at 5 stars apparently said it wasn't Karns.