SurfingPatriot786

One thing I am really excited about as a side note. Both of these schools have a chance to win their first state championship. Both of these schools come from small communities. It’s truly a great night for good football.

As I sit here this morning, I feel so much excitement for the page football program. No matter what happens this night will go down in the history books. The first trip to the state championship. I’m so proud to be a supporter of this program. This coaching staff, team, and support staff is so deserving of this. I know Powell has some dudes and they are a very good football team. I know they are going to come ready play. I know it’s going to be a fight to earn this thing. Having said all that, I also know these Patriots are going to surprise Powell a little bit too. It’s going to be a fun game, but just like in the old days the fighting Patriots are going to show what they’re made of. It’ll be a close one that goes down to the wire but I can’t wait to see the Patriots pull out the win. I predict Page 31 Powell 28

I’ll grant you that. I went on NFHS and watched the semi-final game against West. It’s an all around good group of guys in that offense. Page will have to account for all of them.

I’ll say this much about making Jake run for his life. Jake is best on the move and throwing on the run. I’ve been extremely impressed this year by his ability to keep things alive and make plays when you least expect it. This will be his toughest test yet, but he’ll be ready.

To explain better. I just think the Page defense matches up better from a schematic standpoint. They have at least seen a few teams this year that also run a variation of a spread. Where as Henry County was different then any team they had seen yet. I think they can defend spread teams better, then a team that’s just going to line up and run a smash mouth offense. Based on my research they will still have their hands full because Powell has some good athletes, in particular a wide receiver that looks to be pretty dang good. They will still give up some plays, but hopefully can be bend but don’t break. I’m also still assuming the Page offense is going to have to find ways to score points and win the game that way. That’s my biggest concern because that defense on Powell’s side looks really tough well beyond Walter Nolen. I think you said it best. When a team has a dude like that it also makes the other players better.

Bump. Just curious if anyone else has heard anything about this one. I imagine some great options will be available. Greg Burns just resigned at Dickson County. He used to be on Blade’s staff. I wonder if he wants the job? Who else applies? Derek Rang? Trey Perry? Kit Hartsfield? Justin Palmer?

I think it’ll be closer then the experts predict. Summit will hang around and give Oakland a good fight. I think they’re good to win.

Coach Rathbone has done an outstanding job this season leading this team. It’s been a long time coming and this season, we are witnessing it all finally come together. 12 years as the head coach and it has all been building to this. Many alumni and former players are proud and happy to see Page finally get over the hump. Now, they get to slug it out against another great team for the gold ball. I think based on Powell’s style of play offensively, the Page defense matches up well with them. Walter Nolen is a hoss, but I think McNamara and these guys will be ready for the challenge. I think it’s a going to be a tough game for Page , but I like the chances of the fighting Patriots being able to pull another one out.

I just wanted to pop back by real quick. It took awhile to come back down from that game and the experience of watching it. I’ve seen a lot of Page games in my day, but never a game as wild and entertaining as that one. Hats off to Henry County. They played an unbelievable football game and I have so much respect for everyone in that program. The fans traveled in big numbers and appear to be very supportive. That’s what high school football is all about. I love to see that the coaching staff is made up of several alumni. I love seeing guys working and living where they grew up. It’s always a special thing. Good luck and I’m sure these teams will meet up again down the road. Now, congrats to the Page Patriots. I am so proud of that team. The kids never gave up and kept fighting to the bitter end. Jake McNamara’s performance in that game will go down in the history books at Page. So happy for Coach Rathbone, the rest of the staff, and everyone else involved. This is so cool getting to see Page go to the state championship for the first time.

Thanks for the reply. That’s interesting. He sounds like a good candidate, and I’m sure he’d be a great fit at Indy then. I imagine with their next head coach, they want someone who will help get them back to being competitive in that region and be a winner. They’ll be ready to what they need to assist with that.

I have many fond memories associated with Giles County and the old days when my Patriots played the Bobcats every year and we were in the same region. It’s always been my honor to root for them to this very day. Best of luck in this one, Bobcats. It’ll be a big challenge but hopefully you can pull the upset. I will be rooting for you while we play too.

This is going to be a fun game. I’m really excited about it. Henry County is a great program with a history of great tradition. This is not new territory for them playing in the semi-finals. Page has a special group this year. The kids play with a lot of heart and togetherness. I felt they played with some nerves in the first two rounds due to the pressure of knowing what the expectations were heading into this season. This is a program that has historically always stumbled and struggled to get over the hump in the playoffs. Yesterday night showed me that now that they’ve gotten over that second round hump they are playing with a lot more confidence. They look like believe they can go all the way to Chattanooga now. They have what it takes, but this Friday night is going to be the biggest challenge they’ve faced yet. My biggest concern is Henry County’s size. Hopefully Page can utilize their speed to counter act that a little bit. Can’t wait for Friday night.

It is kind of wild the year he resigns at Indy, that Gaddis is retiring. Funny timing. I still bet you Blade is ready to step away from coaching and pursue other interests though. This is a really good job in a really good location that will have some attractive applicants. I’m really interested to see what direction they go. Anyone here care to share who Ligma is? Not familiar with that name.

As far as I know the Hendersonville community is top notch and the football program is ran by really good folks. I would say the same for the Summit program and the community around them. This is a great match up of teams. I’m sure it’ll be a great game. Hendersonville is going need to play fundamentally sound football and really slow the game down to beat Summit. This is going to be a tall task. Summit is really good. Best of luck to both teams. I lean Summit by 10-14 because they’ll ware them down in the 4th quarter.

What a game for the Patriots. I’m so proud of this program. It was another well played football game. A few mistakes here and there, otherwise Page could have won by more then they did. Regardless, this is the playoffs and the goal is to be winning on the scoreboard at the end of the game. The kids played with so much heart and effort once again. This is a special group. The coaches did a heck of a job preparing them and getting them ready to play too. I am so proud of everyone in the program and thankful they get to play one more. I still want to say hats off too Coach Crouch and his Green Hill team. This is just their second year of varsity football and they are making huge strides already. I imagine they are just getting started and will be in the playoffs again. A well coached and classy team from what I can tell. Best of luck down the road.

That is correct. He is actually graduating high school a semester early and enrolling early at Colorado State as early enrolled signee. He’s going to be great at Colorado State.

Great job by Lebanon. I was dead wrong about this one. That’s a great win for their program. No matter what happens against Oakland, this has been an excellent year for them.

It’s been a fun couple of weeks. Big credit to Columbia and that coaching staff. They played a great football game and left it all on the field. They’ve had a great year considering how it started. Green Hill has a great program and they are just getting started over there and it’s no shame for Columbia losing to them. It was so exciting to see the Patriots get it done Friday night. First time in 22 years that Page high school has made it to the quarterfinals. Great job by the coaching staff and players. It was an outstanding football game and well deserved victory over a good Nolensville team. They looked well coached and the kids fought all night, just like the Patriots always do. Now it’s another big challenge this Friday night. A business trip to Green Hill. I’d love it for that team to get to keep playing for 3 more weeks. I bet Green Hill has not seen a passing game like Page has, and the Patriots will be ready for this one. Hope they represent this region well and clinch their ticket to the Semi’s.

The way that whole situation was handled with the removal of Coach Hoath looked very odd, and I still don’t think it seems like it was handled very well. With that being said, the changes they made paid off in year 1. Credit to the new head coach and his staff for doing the job they did this year. Columbia had a good year. I’ll be interested to see how things continue to go in the future. That school and community is built to have an outstanding football program that can be a contender year in and year out, if they have the right leaders in place.

I’ll predict Warriors to win, but it’s close. This Lebanon team is rock solid. They are good enough to win the game. I think Riverdale’s defense just ends up being the difference.

This Friday night is a big one for the Patriots. The Knights are getting hot at the right time. They are playing much better then they were when they played Page the first time. They have good players, they are well coached, and they are going to be coming to Page with a lot of confidence. This is going to be a good football game. I think it’ll be tough, but the Patriots are going to be ready. This has been a great year and I’m excited to see them keep this thing rolling for another week.

I agree with all points stated above. The fact that he’s young, hungry, and energetic is probably very helpful right now. He’s also a native of the town and a former student. That goes a long way to motivating some individuals to stay invested and keep pushing forward. For their sake, hopefully he’s finally the guy they leave alone and let fix the program.

I agree with that. My concern has just been whether they were going to work with him and be patient. My hope is the season goes a long way to helping the school want to keep letting him build this. I most certainly agree with that. It is essential to schedule tough and get ready for the playoffs. Case in point. I think Shelbyville’s non region schedule prepared them for Rockvale.

I was sitting at the Page game and following the other scores in between. I was super impressed with Franklin County. It sounds like you guys absolutely had a shot in that one. For a young coach in his second year, this could absolutely serve as a great learning experience that paves the way to future success for your program. Hopefully it’s just the beginning for you guys in getting back to having a strong program again.

I have to admit I was one of those that would not have predicted it. 3 winners and Franklin County also put up a good fight. Very proud of this region. It sounds like your Lions put on a clinic and controlled that game all night. Congrats and good luck in round 2.