HC116

I honestly have no idea on the AHS front, just repeating what I heard. I always expect Alcoa to be in it in the end, would be a fool to think that stopped now.

Just got home from the UHS scrimmage vs Kingston at TN Tech. Takeaways: Starting Defense: The UHS defense is the strength of the team. They looked sound, filling their spots. They have several returning starters on the front seven, and McCallister is a high-level safety. The biggest ? Is at corner. They appear to be trying out a few different players to see who sticks. It will be extremely hard to move the ball against them, maybe even more so than last year. Starting Offense: The Bees live and die by McCallister. I expect him to be in the Mr. Football conversation at the end of this season. He looks like he has put on some weight and can throw better than anyone else in Region 4. He’s also likely to be the leading rusher. Expect him to dominate in the regular season. Looks like Stewart will get the bulk of carries. He was the back up last year and I would say he is a serviceable starter but obviously not Metzgar from last year. The line has several returners, and are strong as ever. Depth: There are some decent players but definitely a drop off. Kingston scored all their points against the backups. Outlook: Sorry York and Sequatchie, this team is the favorite in Region 4. Their defense will likely give up less than 10 points a game and McCallister is the best player in the district. Plus they are in the second year of Caine’s system. With Cookeville still down this year I expect this team to go 10-0 again and won’t be surprised at all if they are making the drive to Alcoa in the semifinals. I’ve heard AHS is slightly down but I don’t know that for sure at all, but the Bees were a bad onside kick call away from having a chance to play in Cookeville. They are legit.

I’ll be at the scrimmage vs Kingston on Thursday, will update with how the Bees look.

I won't say I told you so, but I'll just say both of these teams are really good. Upperman is just on another level. It looks like they may get the honor of losing to Alcoa.

Cumberland County is awful, no doubt about it. But UHS could have come out slow (like York did last week), and have it be around 21-0 or so at halftime. Instead they led 49-0 at halftime, which was larger than York's total margin of victory against the Jets.

You certainly could be right, but IF York has a slow start like they did last week, it'll be over before they know it. Upperman could have had a trap game last week and they rolled 63-0, that says something about their squad. Also, don't forget Upperman has only given up 19 points and they've played Smith County, Cookeville, and Livingston. York hasn't faced an offense with anywhere near the firepower of UHS.

I made an account just to comment on this game. This is, without a doubt, the biggest game in this region this season. I have watched both York and Upperman play this season (full disclosure I have seen Upperman two more times) and I don't think York has the weapons to slow down the UHS offense, or score enough to keep up. York will have to shut down Blake Metzgar, which is no small feat as he is firmly in the Mr. Football conversation. Even if they do that, Donoven McCallister at QB can run and really sling the ball, especially to their speedy WR Cole Bush. Meanwhile, the three-headed monster at RB for York will take a huge effort to stop, but the Bees defense has been dominant. Shutting out Livingston was impressive, as was only allowing 7 to 6A Cookeville, even though they are down. Last week's game against Oneida is not a good sign for the Dragons. OHS is a good 2A team, but York trailed them 10-7 at halftime and UHS is miles ahead of Oneida. Without a doubt, York could win, but the stadium will be at capacity and the Bees are rolling. I'll pick the Bees by 21, but it wouldn't surprise me if this one gets out of hand.