OwlPride

It was controlled to the point that the coaches weren't allowing tackling to the ground and were blowing the ball dead rather quickly. On some of Marshall's "td's", they would blow it dead once he broke into the secondary. I wouldn't want Marshall tackled to the ground either. He's proven himself and why risk losing him?

I got there a little late but I watched William Blount scrimmage Baylor and Cleveland. The Walker kid is a freak and I find it hard to believe that he's not listed amongst the top college prospects in the state. Blount plays alot of 3-4 and Walker lines up at DE. He also plays tailback. He's probably 6'2" 210. Their qb was also impressive, is nifty in the pocket and has a very good, accurate arm.. Baylor didn't have Tyler Massey but I was not impressed with their overall athleticism. Cleveland was simply over matched when they scrimmaged Blount. Right now, Ooltewah,Farragut, and Blount will be a three horse race, but I left the scrimmage being more impressed with Blount than I was before. Ooltewah and William Blount is going to be a war!

The first thing that jumps out at you is the number of great athletes playing for Ooltewah. They have four sophomores staring on defense but all are incredibly gifted. It's just a matter of time before Ooltewah wins a state title and garners alot of D-I interest. Remember the names Johnny Myricks and Sammy Seamster. These guys run sub 4.5 forties as juniors. As far as the scrimmage is concerned, I felt Conner Pepping helped himself the most, although Reed played well for a sophomore not familiar with the system. I'm not ready to concede that qb will be a strength, but it's a relief to see that they're making fewer mistakes that will get you beat. Granted, we're also talking about Walker Valley which is light years behind Ooltewah in terms of athleticism, but they competed and played hard.

Fatsak, I promise that Ryan Williams and Hunter Hydas were both told by Bennie Monroe that they were too short to play cornerback. There is another current player that played qb and tb on the freshman team last season that has long been viewed as a phenom who is no longer playing qb. His father recently said that at 5'6", he is too short to play qb. I hate it for kids who want to play certain positions, but the reality is that mother nature will dictate where the kid plays. Let me make my self clear that no coach at Oolltewah is taking money underhanded. However, it is going on in the middle school ranks as parents get creative in paying off coaches. It's pathetic that parents have to resort to payoffs and character assassination to get their kid an edge, but it happens.

i dont think you understand what i am saying...this is REGION 2-5A FOOTBALL! the toughest region in the highest classification in the state. Especially, when you go up against Farragut and Oak Ridge who have guys up to 6'6. no longer can you come into Ooltewah as Rudy (undersized and unexperienced) and expect a Cinderella ending.If so, you best be top shelf athlete in the skill postion. Too many athletes on the team now are running under 4.6 and receivers average 6'1. In fact, Ryan Williams did not return for his senior season because of his size. 5A football is about size and speed, the best of the best.

Hmmmmm.....I smell a rat because only the doer of the deeds would understand my cryptic message. I believe you, 2 seam and a few others are one in the same. And yes it's kissing up if somebody seeks out the coach after every practice, calls them on the phone incessantly, and continually has their face in front of the coach. Coaches aren't stupid and believe it or not make comments about these annoyances. Why do you continue to insist that size doesn't matter? It may not in Single A, but it most certainly does in AAAAA. Ask former OWL Ryan Williams if Bennie Monroe told him he was too short. Ask Hunter Hydas if Bennie Monroe told him he was too short to play cornerback. Ryan was a great little football player in middle school but he never got much bigger and it hurt him. Lastly. the last time I checked, Hamilton County does not have open enrollment. Why don't you ask them why it matters? That's the problem with people today. They want to make up their own set of rules or they think that rules don't matter to them.

The depth chart is fluid at this point in the season for various and sundry reasons. I would say nothing is etched in stone. They haven't had their first scrimmage and the qb's have not faced any live bullets. That will all change tomorrow afternoon when Walker Valley comes calling. I wouldn't make a big deal over starting positions along the defensive line as they will rotate seven or eight players. They'll play backups at linebacker and db as well. He'll pay five or six receivers. He won't play many o-linemen and does not like to play his backup qb, although I suspect that Reed will get some meaningful snaps if he doesn't start as he is viewed as the qb of the future.

Let's get something straight hayseed. Some of these seniors have worked their tails off, and are model students and citizens. It's not all about the wins and losses. I want people representing Ooltewah who are going to be leaders off the field as well as on. Some of these seniors have played by the rules and actually attend the school where they are zoned. Imagine that! Their parents also don't park next to the coach and go out of their way to stink up. Nor do they pay the coaches in an underhanded sort of way so as to gain an advantage(not saying it's going on at Ooltewah). The seniors also don't sprint to the middle of the field to gather up the footballs for the coach either for if they did their team mates would pound them into oblivion. And you don't know what you are talking about if you don't think Coach Monroe considers size. I know for a fact that Coach Monroe told two db's that started for Coach Gatewood that they were "too short". Both were outstanding athletes with off the chart speed and were plenty aggressive. Both signed baseball scholarships. One was actually the MVP of the freshman football championship game! So, you are delusional if you think Coach Bennie doesn't consider size. That's ridiculous.....! Go Owks!

Fatsak from page 5: are you all retarded? ooltewah is the team to beat,until someone in that region beats them,this year. they have everybody comming back,except the qb,but they are deep there.,also their jv and fresh teams are loaded,and that part of the county is booming with talent,and it seems everybody is moving there,so they are only going to get better each year! I like how you contradict yourself on here Fatsak. You talk the Owls up and some freshman kid that no one cares about then you bash the Owls and their fans on an Ooltewah Post when you are the one saying how they get better each year!

Well, what about 2005 when Ooltewah lost Z. Woods McDade Burke Caldwell Lowe Hydas Hill, all of their impact players, to graduation: a year ago we were facing the same question. How are the Owls going to replace this group of Seniors? Turns out the Owls had their best season in school history.And again this year,people ask how do you replace Jeremy Woods and Darryl Turner and an offensive line? In addition to 2000 students, the Owls off season program is one of the best with workouts improving agility and strength enabling the Owls to improve their performance on the field. They find the best athletes who are dedicated and do whatever it takes to be successful. Plus, Monroe uses his system to suit the talent on the field in order to run it to perfection.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't think the qb position is still up in the air. Football is played in pads, right? Besides, the point of scrimmages is not to win, but to see how certain players perform in certain situations. And it is mazing how there are some that say things when they obviosly have no clue. There were only two qbs participating the other night and both have never taken a snap at the varsity level. Pepping throws the best ball and is a senior that knows the offense and he wasn't there. Even if elgible, I doubt the sophomore transfer will learn enough in such a short period to be the qb.

I wouldnt buy anything unless its Nike. They hold up for years. UA cleats are the cheapest made cleats ever made! We went through atleast two pair a piece last year. and adidas is just as bad, my sole came off during practice!

The last jamboree the Owls played in was against Bradley @ Bradley back in 01 or 02: I was there.That was back when Bradley was a juggernaut with the Michigan Helmets which they need to bring back! But lately, there is too much injury risk in a jamboree game which is only one quarter and a kind of waste of time playing a team that is a classification lower than you.

Perhaps you could see an Arkansas Offense this year with Marshall at QB running a few plays, they practiced it and used it agasint Soddy last season.

September 21st: Owls and Govs what a heck of a game that will be. Can't wait!!

Recievers will be one of the best receiving corps in the State. Linebackers are back with two seniors Taylor and Caldwell who have started all three years and still searching for a WIL which shouldnt be too difiicult with all the talent. The defense will be the strength of the football team because everyone is back and have improved with the offseason workouts. Very fast! And the defensive line is strong with McReynolds and Oliver Seniors, and Greer and Smith who have seen plenty of playing time.

2007 Ooltewah Football Preview: Offense: The two biggest concerns heading into pre-season practice is finding an offensive line that can protect favored starting quarterback Brantley Smith. Two all-region lineman are back with 3 spots to fill, which have coaches scratching their heads trying to find somone to step up in the trenches. Brantley Smith transfered from McCallie last season as a sophomore; however built like Jeremy Woods, has never played a down of varsity football under center. With this said, The Owls will more than likely play more smash mouth football with SR Brian Marshall,JR Matthew Polk, and SO Brandon Beryll. Both Polk and Marshall Run under 4.5 40s and Beryll is a punshing runner on short gains. If passing game improves, the Newcomer this year and will make an imediate impact is Junior Sammy Seamster. The 6'2 wide reciever was featured on the school's track team with Tim Williams 2nd fastest player and Johnny Myricks and Gino Norwood both 6'3. In addition to the speedy recievers will be veteran Ryne Shumaker who is one of the most dangerous wide recievers with his velcro hands and ability to break into the open field. Defense: The Defensive line will be led by 3 year starter Justin McReynolds who has a nose for the football and JaMichael Greer. THe ends will be Jaques Smith and Brock Oliver both saw plenty of playing time behind Darryl Turner and Leach last season both put alot of pressure on the quarter back. The linebackers will be back with returning SLB Stuart Taylor and MLB Garrison Caldwell and the WLB spot is still open. The Secondary will be much much improved with new secondary coach and with Nathan Swafford, Sammy Seamster, and others. Coach Greene led his defense to 47 turnovers last season and this defense is much more athletic and faster than last years team. With this being said Ooltewah will be younger but much faster than last years team. They will be tested early with a trip to William Blount and later to Farragut where they lost both games in 2005. But with a 13-1 record last season the Owls are the team to beat in 2007. Strengths: Speed and Defense Questions: O-Line and QB Pass Skel Tomorrow Night vs. Red Bank East Ridge Hixson and others at Finley 6 o'clock.

Reed is in the weightroom and is at practice with the Ooltewah Varsity. Tall, but no superstar. Brantley Smith knows the system and has more experience as a junior. Its hard for a sophomore to take over the reigns when he doesnt know the plays come August.

The reason why Ooltewah does not get press is because the majority of the writers from Chattanooga Times Free Press either have family or themselves went to Red Bank,McCallie, Baylor, or Notre Dame, explaining 5 pages of press on saturday morning. And no, ooltewah will not have a tenth game which is a HUGE advantage if you know anything about football. 15 games is brutal in a season, thats more than college football, and one less will only help Ooltewah's chances of going to Murfreesboro. To answer your ? :JV only plays 4 or 5 games.

2007 Ooltewah Football Preview: Offense: The two biggest concerns heading into pre-season practice is finding an offensive line that can protect favored starting quarterback Brantley Smith. Two all-region lineman are back with 3 spots to fill, which have coaches scratching their heads trying to find somone to step up in the trenches. Brantley Smith transfered from McCallie last season as a sophomore; however built like Jeremy Woods, has never played a down of varsity football under center. With this said, The Owls will more than likely play more smash mouth football with SR Brian Marshall,JR Matthew Polk, and SO Brandon Beryll. Both Polk and Marshall Run under 4.5 40s and Beryll is a punshing runner on short gains. If passing game improves, the Newcomer this year and will make an imediate impact is Junior Sammy Seamster. The 6'2 wide reciever was featured on the school's track team with Tim Williams 2nd fastest player and Johnny Myricks and Gino Norwood both 6'3. In addition to the speedy recievers will be veteran Ryne Shumaker who is one of the most dangerous wide recievers with his velcro hands and ability to break into the open field. Defense: The Defensive line will be led by 3 year starter Justin McReynolds who has a nose for the football and JaMichael Greer. THe ends will be Jaques Smith and Brock Oliver both saw plenty of playing time behind Darryl Turner and Leach last season both put alot of pressure on the quarter back. The linebackers will be back with returning SLB Stuart Taylor and MLB Garrison Caldwell and the WLB spot is still open. The Secondary will be much much improved with new secondary coach and with Nathan Swafford, Sammy Seamster, and others. Coach Greene led his defense to 47 turnovers last season and this defense is much more athletic and faster than last years team. With this being said Ooltewah will be younger but much faster than last years team. They will be tested early with a trip to William Blount and later to Farragut where they lost both games in 2005. But with a 13-1 record last season the Owls are the team to beat in 2007.

I don't put a lot of stock in middle school hype. Around the weight room, the McCulley kid and a kid named Oliver are putting up impressive strength numbers for their class. Both are as strong as most sophomores and some juniors. Coach Welch at Ooltewah Middle thinks McCulley can be All State by the time he leaves. The Oliver boy is about 5'9" with a very strong arm and can run. I understand he will be the qb. With that said, we've seen freshmen at Ooltewah not make the grade by the time they make varsity. It boils down to desire,work ethic, and paying dues.

i wish Ooltewah fans would stop talking about the negative in this game instead of being proud of the team. a 13-1 record with no returning stars from last season. a season that was soppose to be a rebuilding year and just so happend to be the first ever undefeated season. the team will be fine next year, quarterback once again will be left with a ? but the defense will have everyone back and the Brian Marshall will also lead the team again. Smyrna is a very talented team kudos to their play calling. Secondary problems finally came to haunt the Owls and poor tackling will get you beat on any level. Ooltewah just didnt come to play and just got beat by a better football team. But my only complaint was that Ryne Shumaker was indead across the plain by 3 steps when he fumbled for the touchback. Ooltewah would have won the game 31-28. But congrats on a good season for the Owls and good luck next week Smyrna.

Stop number 5? fine, then stop #1,#7,#31,#14,#8,#44 avg. more than 5 yards a carry and 10 yds a catch then you have a chance. Sure the line lacks size but id take them over your S-O-F-T offensive line. Disrespect no, Ooltewah take every opponet seriously. Perfect practice? what the heck is that soppose to mean? D line had 3 sacks for 30 yardsand 3 INTS for the secondary against Farragut. Owls have only had one back rush for more than 100 yards all season. Smyrna wins by 20? YOU ARE AN IDIOT! Just remeber you got your tail kicked 49-0 and barely squeeked by Oakland so you have no room to talk. And trust me kid, this will be the toughest game that you have EVER played. Be prepared to get a taste of #20 and #5 because you will be seeing RED after the game, punk.

thats why i started this topic to begin with. Sterling can be stopped. Marshall cant. And Sterling is up for Mr. Football?