pressman

Thanks...somebody has done some homework!

Probably not the best post for me to reply to b/ce I don't know much about Memphis football, but keep in mind that in the event of a three way tie (if that is what is the case), the number 1 tiebreaker is overall record. I have seen Melrose at 4-3, I have no idea (pre-post of course) about Fairley or Kingsbury, but I wanted to throw that fact in the discussion. Update: If correct, a Fairley loss to Melrose puts all three at 5-3 (assuming Kingsbury wins). If they turn out 7-3, you better get out the books then, because I am no help.

Thanks...ditto.

Echo to 2P and wish the best to Oakland.

I assure you MJ is more worried about Rossview than Maryville or anyone else in 4A for that matter. Rossview is a good football team that beat the Bears a year ago. Check my post history and see if I have made a single prediction about anyone making it to a championship game. I have already stated this once. WC beat MJ on August 31, that's the only night they play other than JV or freshmen...they get the right to say they are better. Has MJ proved anything since then? They are 4-0 with 2 wins against respectable 5a teams...but you are correct, seasons are judged at the end, not the beginning, just as WC will have to go out and prove that they are a good football team (which I have no problem admitting they are). Finally, know better than to group "you guys" with a small population of people that probably have never owned a set of shoulder pads. I assure u I am not one that shoots off at the mouth, and I wish Wilson County football tons of success in 07.

Check your history, boss. There would be no WC if there were no MJ, so don't talk to your big brother like that. Take the series for what it is worth. MJ crushed you the first couple years b/ce you didn't have the people yet. Then you crushed MJ for a couple of years b/ce their enrollment crashed. This year, MJ has about 100 less students (which practically is a wash) according to the TSSAA web site. Having said that, the game was a great one, and I will agree with you on one thing, that will be a first game that people will look back and realize that it wasn't two average teams playing a rivalry game but two teams from the top of their respected classes. Wilson County football is alive and kicking this year, I did read your post, and I appreciate the candidness, but MJ is a little sister to no one, and as for the never beating WC, that gets to be said for a period of time...enjoy it. Lebanon does have a tough football team and this should be an excellent game. Those of you trying to predict a score should beware, b/ce this will be a battle between two great football teams.

Let's see, Lebanon is the toughest opponent WC has played thus far...WC has played MJ and MJ beat Lebanon by 2 TDs...yeah, that's about right. If you'll just admit that you were wrong and that MJ has gotten better (referring to that "they're still the same team bit") then you'll actually make your team look better for having beaten them. It's ok to miss the mark every once in a while...just admit it, and you'll feel better.

Good post...good clarification...and good luck.

Did you read my entire post? It's okay to also read BETWEEN the lines. I've forgotten more about those hallways than you know...

This is definitely a positive message about the Panther's future and good to hear. However, I must caution both the poster and fans in the great city of Portland to not compare Jacoby to Gerald...most importantly, because it is not fair to Jacoby, nor was it fair to the middle brother, Tyree. It is an age-old mistake that we all (and I do mean we) make, but one that could have negative consequences. It is hard enough to measure a young man's talent in high school, much less middle school. Please understand that I have never seen the boy play, and I hope that he is successful in whatever he tries, but I believe that success can only begin when the comparison to Gerald ends. Don't forget...Gerald Turner is the best athlete to ever grace the hallways at Portland High School (and yes I know who was drafted by Minnesota-all the more reason for the casual reader to know just what he was). When the records books are updated with Gerald's stats (by the way, someone needs to get on that), you will see his name in the top eight in three different categories (total scores-92, total yards from scrimmage {in the upper 5000s}, and rushing Tds {a little gray on those numbers}. I wish the Panthers the best this Friday and in the future, and wanted to pay my respects with a hint of caution. Gerald Turner was special in every way imaginable, nothing ever said of him was negative by teammate or opponent, and there will not be another one that will ever fill his shoes. Let the young boy be Jacoby Turner, and you'll be doing him and his family a favor whether he wins a Mr. Football or decides to sit in the stands and watch.

We encourage it...we are blessed to have great working relationships between our coaches.

What was Arent's jesrey number, out of curiosity?

What was Arent's jesrey number, out of curiosity?

I thought I might weigh in a little here with some objectivity (not to say that there hasn't been-I think this is a healthy discussion). First, I have an affiliation with a team so I cannot speak for every team-please keep this in mind as you read the post. I want to address a couple of comments on this forum. #1-A comment was made that football teams only get two weeks off in the year. That is not true for my affiliation, and I feel like we push our athletes extremely hard to prepare them for football season. As a general rule, we take take two weeks at Christmas, as well as two weeks at the end of the season. For arguments sake, I'll concede that if we make a deep run in the playoffs that is adjusted, such as maybe only three weeks total, but for a general rule that 2+2 gives us four there. We are on year around school, so we have a two week spring break. We work one, take one off. If you are keeping count that gives us four or five weeks depending on the system. Then add the two week dead period and you have six to seven weeks total. Now, I am sure that some people are going to bow their chests out and say that don't take any time off other than the dead period, but I wonder about their efficiency level (another topic, another time). The same poster said that we should embrace this time to give the kids more time to play summer league baseball and AAU Basketball. Think about the common sense of that statement. Give them more time off to play something else is not time off at all. Be glad there is not AAU football, which will be coming by the way in the next couple of years BECAUSE of the restrictions placed on the 7v7 format. I don't dislike the dead period, I do think it more applicable to be the first two weeks out of school. It cannot be up to the individual coach (TSSAA actually kicked that one around in the beginning) because there is no way to police that. My soapbox would only be for the coaches that had the hidden agenda when formulating the proposal (that never should have been called that because realistically it was going to pass), if they chose to do this because they wanted to "level" the playing field I think that borders on criminal and it makes me sick. Another poster suggested it is more about having fun. Let me be clear: WINNING is fun, losing is not. God wrote the original script to either win or lose in the grand scheme of things, our society places heavy emphasis in the interview process for jobs (you can sugar coat it all you want, it is winning and losing), and I loathe the view that we are just out there to compete and have fun. My fun is outworking the opponent and hammering that tail. Parents, if that is too much for you, either let your son grow up on his own, or do him a great disservice by removing him from the sport. I, too, want Tennessee football to be great, and our young people to continue to have opportunties to have the college paid for. If they are in competition (just like an interview) with kids from other states, I want our kids to win. I owe a tremendous debt to this game, and I most certainly do not want to see it diminished in our great state. Thanks for the soapbox starter...great topic that DOES need to be discussed at the HIGHEST of levels.

How did Hillsboro do in the hour long indvidual periods that the Western KY coaches put on? I thought the coaches did a great job with that period.

And whom will be doing the ending?

Yes.

Yes.

Forgive me for not reading the 16 pages, but to chime in, I feel like RHS is making all the right moves in the coaching department. You got an outstanding worker in Ron A., and he has since hired some coaching studs to fill some gaps of quality coaches that have departed. Creasey from Trousdale County (Defensive Coordinator) is a hard worker that can put paper plans translate to the football field very soundly week in and week out. Also, OLine and Strength Coach Jordan Hankins (originally of Lewis County) is doing a great job going into his second year. Haven't seen them on the field, but have on the track (the players, not the coaches) and I don't see the big slide in talent, at least not yet. My prediction: an obvious title contender that just might add to the gold ball collection in Coach A's sophomore season.

Early Scrimmage results from around the county?

You guys have every right to be as confident (or even cocky) as you like until...

Out of curiosity...just checking on some info. for the Blue Devils. In the Sycamore game, was that the starting five that we will be seeing for the rest of the season. I know with football just ending that the roster could change with the addition of those players. I didn't see the talent level that I come to expect from the Devils, and just needed to be filled in. Also, what is the depth like? Is this a team that plays five until their tongues drop out or is there a set rotation (offense-defense, etc)? Basically, I need some roster info. Anything you've got (heights, weights, numbers, experience, etc) will be useful. I was impressed with the overall effort of this year's edition.

One big thing everyone might be overstating just a tad when it comes to the officiating...the TSSAA sets the crews for the playoff games, not the home team. That kinda sours the old' "the refs lost it for us" argument. And another thing, pops, don't act like you just got back from a pee wee game where your son didn't make all-star. Let me refresh your memory on a couple of other things that you might catch "on tape". Check out the last pass interference called on MJ to get Tullahoma in striking distance on 3rd and Long. Check out the flag that was picked up on a block in the back on Tullahoma's first punt return that set them up in scoring position. Check out the subsequent foul occuring after the pass interference on a MJ player "holding" before the football was snapped. The fumble by Barnes was clearly that. There were two intentional grounding calls not noticed, and the TB was cutting MJ's rushers which you may only do on Saturdays and Sundays. The lineMEN were downfield on the opening touchdown, and the MJ player did not twist the ankle of Barnes. In the words of the official, "the Tullahoma player was going one way and the MJ players momentum was going the opposite direction...nothing malicious". Now, this I can guarantee you...that player was not coached to do that. But, oddly enough, two of MJ's players' ankles were twisted following that play, and the only personal foul call that was made was on a late hit by a Tullahoma defender at the end of the half (which I also did not think was malicious). You want to get on here and whine...okay with me, but don't for one second play "the score would have been this" card on this one, because it could have been much worse.

What do you consider a while? Should I pull up the MJ vs. Clarksville thread a couple of weeks ago where you said Clarksville would blow MJ out? Or the week before when you picked Beech over MJ...or the week prior to that when you picked Kenwood over MJ? A Tullahoma pick this week has the Bears excited...

Thanks, Football Fan...we were waiting on your prediction.