SpottedGoat

I brought up this exact topic in another thread (just the point of watching from home, not these teams) and had multiple "in the business" experts try to play it all down that watching online for free does nothing to crowd size, or make them larger. There is a noticeable shift down in crowds in NW TN. Let this big Westview/Covington game be played on a rainy night & see what happens to the crowds. Yet, everyone will see it. DOn't like paying $10 to get into a game? Lets these free videos keep running & it'll be $15+ while they try and justify needing the ticket revenue.

So what will Alcoa's new region look like?

Trenton lost 80 kids in 2 years!?! Come on now........ they wanted out of that tough 2A region REAL bad.

The happiest people through all of this have to be Westview fans. Alcoa, gone to 4A. Pearl allowed to jump 2 classes to 4A. East Nashville back to 2A. TSSAA = golden brick road paving company. Westview/Covington will have to be an instant classic this year, excited to see this all play out years to come.

If Gleason could wager a guaranteed win each year in trade for 9 losses, they'd probably pick Dresden. Maybe Greenfield every third year? The Bulldogs always give 200% against Dresden & I expect nothing less. You can call on the Gleason coach getting the team ready all you want, this game is about the kids. Maybe 7 miles between the schools? They date from each school, they live around each other in the community, hunt together, ride 4-wheelers, a million things, it's simply the kids wanting that bragging right. Basketball is no different. Dresden has found a rhythm running the ball. Unfortunately that rhythm is the exact same play 40+ times a game. Mix it up PLEASE! But that O-line weighing on Gleason is going to wear them down. Even if close early, Gleason is going to have to air it out & score fast because Dresden's ground game is going to eat TD's & clock.

Whatever they do, it's unfair for these 8 team regions like Region 7 now, only sending 4 teams into the playoffs while some entire regions make the playoffs before the season even starts. That is garbage. I don't care if they had a dozen regions & cut it to 3 teams in the playoff, make it more fair. It is hard for some of these smaller schools to travel a lot to region games. Fact is, that may be the most travel they have as a team (or a child for that matter) if they don't make the playoffs or rarely make it. Traveling to other places is part of the football experience for these kids. Dresden got dropped into an oddball Region 6 playing across the river for Region games a few year back. It was odd, but they did very well with it. Covid canceled some games, but the kids will always remember the different places & teams they played. It works out

It is interesting though & could happen Doubtful SF beats Halls. If they do, third spot is theirs. If not they are Reg 4-3, 7-3 overall if the KY teams count. Lake will not beat Union City, they will finish Reg 4-3 & 5-5 Overall Dresden prob needs help to get in. IF they win out, and we should, Reg 4-3 & 5-5 Overall. If SF wins out, Lake is nearly auto in the 4 spot & Dresden is done & ended on a good note. Honestly, the prize of getting the 4 spot then having to travel to MASE for a beat down to end the season..... I'd be happier to see the Lions go to Greenfield & RUN ALL OVER the Jackets & end their season with a nice neighborhood win with momentum that carries to next year while letting that playoff miss burn in them a bit.

South Fulton's wins with Ballard & Fulton are Kentucky teams. I don't think they count in this scenario of overall W/L. I think, correct me here if I'm wrong

With Power teams like this game, or teams that are just having a way above average year (for them) I agree with you 100%. Watching a game after the fact really brings nothing to the table, these aren't production sitcoms, they're live events with a surprise around every corner. Parents are using the excuse of "my kid won't play anyways" or even general fans that say "well I'd go but we're probably going to lose" or "it's hot, or cold or, or ,or " Those excuse making people are raring back in their recliner watching from home when they could be at the game. As money & budgets keep getting tighter, spending $14-$21+ for the family unit to go see a game is in the back of their minds when they could see it from home for the monthly bill they've already paid. I love the technology & glad it's here, but add it up in any direction, years from now when Little Johnny says " Hey dad, remember that night I went in on the last play against Universal High School, & you were at home watching it on your phone..." That story is going to suck forever.

Can't speak for Covington, but in NWTN the fans have noticeably disappeared from games involving teams that live stream for free. It's great for far off family, semi- home bound elderly people watching grandkids, etc. people that can't make it to the game. But it is also crushing ticket sales & crowd numbers from people just down the street that are staying home watching their phone instead of being in the stands cheering on the kids. Kids need to see those fans that show up for them. Is this beginning of the end?

LOL! Hey, just calling it like I saw it in '21 when Dresden first went down there. City looked like UT Martin in different colored uniforms. Massive team.

Honestly I never heard of Fayetteville until Dresden had to drive all day to play them two years in a row. Just assumed they'd always been in the West and wondered why. So, if you know, City, Huntland etc; is this something that comes up with them most cycles to whether they flip east or west? Depend on if City is 1A or 2A maybe?

LOL. Completely understand. The Lake Road is tough even for locals. To be honest it probably is easier for us going your way. Once we get off the small roads its Interstate speed nearly to City Stadium for example. Heading West, the roads get smaller & the speed gets slower.

If McKenzie plays offense with 10 & don't even field a running back, no way this will be remotely close. But if it is........ kick the door open for Union City to be the new favorite out of the West.

I'm guessing geography plays it's part in some of this with mountain travel in the East making for long trips for some schools being somewhat secluded. But, Lake County isn't much better off as it's an hour drive minimum to any region team now that Union City is out of 1A. I kind of figured, City especially, was always put into the West to pave a way for S Pitt. Not hating, just politics maybe?

Glad to see Region 7 1A down from 8 teams. Too many blow out games forced to be played.

Agreed! Has TSSAA literally ever looked at a map of Tennessee? 1A schools selling sweatshirts & candy bars (that they've already hawk'd 3 times throughout the year) trying to fund a 4 hour trip across the state for a first or second round game is nuts.

Exactly what some of the pros on here said about Milan..... then Comer showed up.

Can you explain where to find this? Talk about a shake up if this happened in public schools. No more hiding numbers to stay in a lower bracket

After getting beat twice by Dresden last year, once in Union City even with their exceptional ref help & really beat when they came to Dresden in the playoffs, Tornados will be on a revenge tour extreme. On top of that, some genius in Dresden decided after canceling homecoming plans on a rainy night for the Halls game, moved it to Union City week. Will always pull for the Lions. They have some very good young talent & they've been pretty good stopping the run, but the relentless attack of UC offense style of play may be too much this young bunch this year.

Been saying this for years.

Good luck Perry County!

Incredible how weak 1A is in West TN this year compared to last. The 2023 teams of McKenzie, Dresden, Union City & maybe even MASE would put running clocks on nearly anything the West has to offer this year. The coaching carousel, graduation, everything that's happened, not even remotely close in overall competition.

A battle of the bands would be closer. It's just not OCCHS year.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna have to go with Gleason.