edwardblake

You won't find a bigger fan West High football than myself.

Hard to blame anyone looking to leave OR. From what I've heard from my perch at West High, the former Powell coach got treated like a sacrificial lamb midseason and what do they have to show for it? OR is still bad and will they be better next year? What has to change? I've seen comments about the strength and conditioning program but does that explain the lopsided win/loss record. They have a ton of athletes.

Is this supposed to be directed at me? Am I to believe that Heritage is a sleeping giant being held back by coaches?

Who could do better? We have to get out of this Tennessee fanbase mindset where a coaching change is a cure all. Heritage and you could throw William Blount in too, both have major issues outside of who is wearing a headset. I'd like to see some of those parents do better. Hammontree has won a state championship. His brain just didn't fall out when he put on red and powder blue. Maybe some of the parents should coach the team that way they could come face to face with their own genetics being athletic deficient.

This is the best news I've heard in a while!

Building is still there but the fellowship and eating is long gone. It's sad.

Fried Fish at Sci Hill Hot Chocolate at Oak Ridge is unmatched Austin East wings Dr Pepper at Farragut hits the gullet different Nachos/Cheese/Chili at Fulton is a must

My go to's: Pizza Palace / Austin East Pelanchos / Bearden Littons / Central Sam & Andy's / Farragut Twisters / Gibbs LDS / West So Kno Taco / South Doyle I try to eat light so I can partake in the concession food. But that's a whole other thread!

There was a time when me and the Mrs would hit up the Bayou Bay before an SD game.

For all the huffing and puffing about West, I've seen the Czar suck down an LDS milkshake before one of their ballgames.

It still breaks my heart that Cardins is gone.

That makes me think of another two: Cardin's/Carter & Pizza Palace/AE. Hard to beat those AE wings though!

Sam & Andy's/Farragut Los Amigos/Maryville Full Service BBQ/WB/MHS/Heritage

I think they are lucky to have him. It's not like he forgot how to coach. A few years back I was at the Shell on Lamar Alexander parkway and picked up an issue of the Daily Times talking about how they were building a new wrestling facility at Heritage. I don't think they make football a priority at a district level down to school level. Being in the Maryville/Alcoa gravitational pull is tough.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets to hear these conspiracy theories anymore. Czar, elaborate further so you don't sound like a crackpot.

I always forget they don't take card......

I'm a huge Lamar Brown fan and I think he and his staff do a great job. The Alcoa game regardless of the officiating was proof of that, they came out and hit them in the mouth. I think the Czar and a few others here are strictly in the Cummings camp.

I know it's hard but try not to take it personal, I have the (sometimes) unfortunate pleasure of knowing the Czar. His wife makes a killer Blueberry Cobbler and she's equally as sweet. We go to at least one Farragut game a year and eat at Sam & Andy's beforehand. He means well but he gets carried away. I'm a diehard West fan and he gives me down the road about it but he will usually pick up the bill for my Bacon Vol burger so I let it slide.

H, don't get out of shape. The Czar is the kind of person who yells fire in a crowded theater.

Yes. That was Coach Cummings first game back at West. So it's 1-1 head to head.

What about common matchups? They have played each other multiple times at different programs.

To my knowledge that is correct. I'm friends with Lamar and I always do my best to stay unbiased because I pull for him and West so much. But it's undeniable Scott put West on the map. It took him a few years for sure but he changed that program. Coach Brown has done a great deal to sustain success since he's been there. Also for what it's worth I think a man's sum total is a lot more than one coaching stop that may not have gone spectacular.

Yes, I don't think Alcoa can be treated like a typical 3A team. West is a solid team with a stout defense as you saw last night. There is no doubt that there were quite a few penalties last night that's why I've been hesitating to comment on the game but that aside I think either West or Powell is the best team in 5A only time will tell.

Couldn't agree less. Coach Brown and his staff did a phenomenal job and Alcoa fought hard as well.

There is no doubt that Alcoa will be a tall order but I have faith that Coach Brown and his staff will make this a competitive game. The injury bug has gotten us and we're adjusting to getting youngsters ready to go faster than we thought. I think this will be a two score game by the time the final horn blows.