RebelAtHeart

Look at Sonny Moore PR: Greeneville 152 and Oak Ridge 140 vs. Elizabethton 122 and Ooltewah 122 (DB is at 120) DB has one of the better QB's in NET; no blazing speed with receivers but plenty of guys that can catch and make plays; one of the best running backs in NET but in desperate need of a solid backup - which he will have in #4 when he returns; their line is always big and solid. No Malik Foreman in the backfield but they have the tools to move the ball and score - especially against a mediocre defense like SH (but hey its early). I think SH may be getting ready for some more humble pie... if not this weekend then certainly when they face the Devils! Score early and often and you probably handle the beat up Injuns. Better sneak in some guys from ETSU when prepping for them Greene Devils!

Good breakdown... I can agree with the bottom line too. I'm not sure the running game depth is a big factor with DB's ability to throw it.

Unless there are 12 turnovers shared between the two... don't see the score staying this low. SH found 34 points against a really talented EHS - no way DB defense can compare. DB should score more against SH (IMO) as they are not playing against one of the top defenses in the state like GHS and OR. DB has the talent in skill positions and the O line to move the ball - even against top defenses - but this week they finally finish drives against a mediocre SH defense and put up points. I still think SH gets the win... but I expect it to be with lots of points to pull away from DB late.

Bearden D looks strong and offense is building steam. JC can obviously run the ball but I think their first two opponents were weaker than Bearden’s. Probably a close one here. BHS 20 JC 14

Painful but true reminder... #anygivenfridaynight I expect this to be a high scoring, back and forth track meet for two teams with offensive weapons and weak defenses. With the game in JC... Carter’s team prevails in another close game. Turnovers probably decide this one - or simply whoever gets the ball last. SH 38 DB 35

HVA has a few on the mend after Friday... I’m gonna go ahead and predict this one at HVA 35 and HHS 6. Wet ball on Friday might favor HHS or at least hamper the Hawk’s air attack, but I expect HVA to find some rhythm on the ground. Could be a big night for #’s 5, 7, and 10.

You are right... top speed and Tebow weight didn’t save him that night. SMH... Never provoke the home team! (Especially with GQ on the sideline)

LOL... sorry.

Kinda cold is putting it lightly... it was probably warmer in Wisconsin that night! Curt was something special and that was when Coach Carter and the Nelson brothers were still coaching at South. Now they are all at Science Hill. Back in the day, I used to catch passes from Stacy and tried ever now and then to block him at free safety from scout O - he was a great player and competitor even then. Oh the memories! That you in the picture? A little higher up and you would see me in the stands - bundled up and shivering!

That's what happens when a "Track School" builds a football stadium!

Only time I have seen the Red Rebels play in person was when you took my alma mater to the woodshed in the semi-finals back in 2007. Probably the best team ever to come out of South and you guys looked like an NFL team (not size) as I watched the machine dismantle my hopes. Like I said... great respect!

He (great respect for the mighty Red Rebels - but I played at Sully South up in the Tri-Cities)

That's fair... and you are right that scrimmages can be misleading. My point was that I think the OR game was NOT a good representation of the potential for this Hawks team. As they improve and come together through the remainder of this year, they have great potential to do something special within their conference - would be a great reward for these seniors and the school to make post-season play (even if that means they have to visit the Black Hole! ). Especially if it includes a conference title! You can be certain that Coach Jones will not let this team walk in Friday night expecting anyone to lay down... and despite the score last year, Heritage fought hard all the way to the final buzzer! I think the skill players, confidence, and tenacious D for HVA will set them up for the W. I just hope they can use the next two weeks to sharpen their talons for their first district competition on 9/14. I think HTV reps the Hawks from time-to-time... I grew fond of CoachT following my Rebs up in Kingsport. Many times I considered posting but didn't really have a dog in the fight (other than my alma mater). Now with a son playing - and more that will hopefully play HSFB one day - it felt right to jump in to the vacuum of HVA support here. Big school, great community, and lots of fans - but for some reason not much banter here.

The Hawks are clearly relying more on the pass this year... and through 2 games there is still much to improve (but definitely saw improvement from week 1 to 2). HVA was coming into this game last year at 0-2 after two tough losses but similarly trying to figure out their passing game. They finished the night with 3 passing TD's and 3 rushing TD's (and none by Dykes - all the points from guys playing again this year). HVA's D has been their strength so far this year and I expect they will make it a rough night for Heritage - hard to milk the clock with 3-and-outs. If the O that put up 35 points against WB (1v1) in 2 quarters this summer shows up Friday... it will be a running clock most of the second half. If for some reason wet balls or lack of rhythm forces them to look more like the OR game, then your prediction may be more likely. But that's why they play... #anygivenfridaynight

Heritage should talk to their county cousins over at WB to see what they thought about the Hawks' offense... no time to watch moths that night while the chain gang was running up and down the field with the Hawks O. Seems like that scout report would be a more fitting comparison to Heritage - pretty sure the OR defense is a little more stout. But that's why they play... #anygivenfridaynight

I hope them boys at Heritage have the same tunnel vision while they prep for Friday!

HVA had 6 touchdowns last year... my understanding is Heritage is down from last year. I expect at least 35-42pts from HVA and Heritage likely won’t score - maybe something in garbage time. Gotta keep getting better... only a few more weeks until district play starts for the Hawks.

If you need them - I came across some great crow recipes last week after HVA couldn’t generate any O against OR. They all taste great with humble pie! I’ll say again that it only becomes “Hopeless” when you quit or put more emphasis on the halftime show. This is a team sport and it will take a team effort to attempt a turnaround - including the coaches! HVA found some O last night against another tough D at West - what a game! Hawks showed some improvement from week 1 and I hope each week it continues. Chin up Indians... no time to sulk or point fingers. Gotta get better cause the next one counts! Learn and improve... drop the excuses.

I think that was the only year Curt Phillips played against DB and everyone at South was anticipating a beat down. If my memory serves me, the 44 points were for the visiting, underdogs from Kingsport (DB). For some reason DB fell off of South's schedule the next two years when they probably had the best seasons in school history. I'm not sure where to look but I think you have to go back to 1992 or 1993 to find the last time South actually beat DB (sad!). Of course they eventually stopped playing each other once South bumped down to 4A. Safe to say that South will never beat DB again in football... but maybe West Ridge will get a chance!

You know what they say... "The devil is in the details!" and oh man were the Devils all over DB's details last week! I expect similar, thorough preparation from the Wildcats this week. I think they knew HVA's offensive plays before every snap - and definitely beat us in the trenches. South vs DB 1987 was my favorite - even though South ultimately lost (as usual) - the crowd and energy felt like the Super Bowl and the contest came down to the very last play of the game. Unfortunately - like most of the county schools in the Tri-Cities - South has lost way more than won against the Tribe (I can only think of 2 or 3 wins over multiple decades). Heck... even with the crazy talented Curt Phillips and Coach Carter at the helm they could not muster up enough to beat those dang Indians! I have hated playing and watching games in J Fred my whole life and this year won't be any different when my son suits up to play there. Truth of the matter is that I respect the storied program that DB built and maintained for so long. It is actually sad to see them fall off now with such great facilities, piles of ability, and great support from their fans. Back in the day when I played, their coach was the sly Silver Fox and Graham certainly had a great run. I truly hope Coach Christian can be successful for his sake and the players - but I think he has a steep mountain to climb to get DB back on top. Still believe OR wins tomorrow night but I am starting to think the score may be much tighter and lower than I originally predicted.

Hopeless Valley - that's cute! Oak Ridge lost a scrimmage to Marvul too - if that helps you find some confidence. HVA clearly struggled to generate offense against what I believe is a tough OR defense. But in fairness - based on your wise ciphering - HVA may just suck as bad as DB this year. Too soon to tell for any of the teams though (other than Greeneville and Alcoa). And I would say it only becomes hopeless when you quit or start building Friday night around the halftime show. #anygivennight I CAN say that HVA defensively pushed pretty hard on the Wiley Wildcats but couldn't keep them from squirting out a couple times for big plays - lots of weapons and speed on O. Throw in an inopportune blitz with a backup safety out of position and OR was able to get some easy points off 1 of the 4 passes they threw. - but we all know DB has those shutdown corners and safeties to protect this week. The first half was fairly tight Friday, but OR made the right adjustments at the half and showed their coaches were clearly superior. DB has no excuse for the loss that is coming on Friday, but I would chalk it up to good coaches vs not-so-good coaches at the end of the day. I am certain there are athletes and motivation to win from the players on both sides. DB has to find someone to step up and replace #28 that graduated out (big play maker on O, D, and special teams last year). Not having #4 probably hurts worse on the D-line, but he is also a beast of a backup at running back. I predict DB loses the chess match 24 to 13.

Thanks for learnin me! I worked at the Lab for 5 years back when I still felt like a youngin and I recall some of the wise ole seasoned citizens referring to it that way - but heck... they mighta been talking about North Knoxvul too! By the way... working the chains last night at HVA and I had the privilege of shaking hands with your Coach Gaddis. Great man... leading a great program! Now don't hold back this week when the Tribe comes rolling in! (as I like to say... "around the toilet and down the bowl... roll tribe roll!")

Granted it is from Wikipedia, but... my understanding the region where Oak Ridge now resides was formally known as Black Oak Ridge. Semantics here though... beat DB!

Sweep is correct but the JV score was 33 to 26... both freshmen and JV came down to the wire. I'd say both OR and HVA have bright futures based on the play of the youngsters. Certainly much more competitive and fun to watch than Thursday night! (SMH) As a former South Rebel... I will be rooting for the home team over in Black Oak Ridge this week! After my wedding day, Christmas, and a few other special days... there is nothing like seeing my favorite old rival from Kingsport losing!

RTR and Sweet I understand your perspectives and obviously hope and expect HVA to improve. I wouldn’t consider last night getting demolished - as painful as it was to watch at times. Now 43-3... that feels more like demolished!