pressman

I agree with portions of your post and think that it is well thought out. However, I must point out that both Hillsboro in 4a (as I know has already been stated) and Portland in 3a (2000) have won championships since the turn of the century (there are probably more in the smaller classes but I realize the intent of the post). Portland's championship in 2000 was very dominant (43-0 win/15-0 regular season) where they scored nearly 600 points and had a back go for 329 in a game. Also, in the year prior (granted they fell one yard short of a title against Milan), Gerald Turner was a 2000 yard rusher and 2 time Mr. Football finalst. What's interesting about 1999 is that Murphy Fair and others left the championships saying Portland and Milan were the two best teams on the field in any class (of course, that's debatable). Although a feature back is not consistent year in and year out, but if he's a stud, he's a stud, and he'll get the yards (Turner rushed for over 5,000 in a career where Portland was 25-3 during one stretch). Bottom line: Is it improbable to win it with a wing't in 5a...no way, Coach A can and most likely will. Is it impossible to have a feature back in the wing't and still be successful at the top level...no, I wouldn't think so. Having said that, I still think there is much credibility in your post and for the most part, could be just as right as this post. That's why they play, I guess.

So the lowly Yellow Jackets of Springfield and Golden Bears of Mt. Juliet are grounds for firing a coach...guess those two teams have a lot of proving to do, esp. MJ if they are to play 5a ball in the near future...

In reference to those weak little 4A schools, do them a favor and run them down a little more...thats helpful (or maybe motivational is the right word).

Thanks for the link...is that score right? The golden Bears in an upset?

we got a final yet?

"Portland, however, was not a powerhouse underneath him, including eight straight losses at one time to White House." Which is the second longest streak in that rivalry...Portland owns the longest at twelve straight victories over White House.

I'd like to address 'pulling guard 67' on his earlier post regarding Coach Perry and Portland Football. I saw from an earlier post where you played for the Panthers from around 2002 to just recenlty (didn't give exact dates). Several things about your post are bordering on ridiculous or humorous (I can't quite decide)...let's start with the beginning...most players that played under Coach Perry afford him that title (as do most people on this thread that don't know him from Adam), and it tarnishes some credibility in your post when you begin by addressing him by his first name (there is a football code of ethics, which among other things seemed to not sink in for you during your career). Second, the statement, "I mean, he only won one state title"...sir, do you know how many hundreds of coaches you just offended by that remark that haven't gotten that opportunity, but for arguments sake, let's pause for a moment and talk about what Coach Perry only did. He only won 151 games at Portland in 16 years (averaging over 9 per-more than any in Portland history). He only went to the postseason 15 times out of those 16 years. He only won six regional titles in an eight year span, and he only made it to the round of sixteen eleven years in a row. He only did all of this with zero division 1A signees during that period. But I digress and for this reason, he'd be the first to tell you he did nothing by himself...he'd be the first to say we and include people like you in that statement as well as the best assistant coaches around. Portland won becuase they worked harder than anyone else and bought in to the program, the tradition, and the family. As the gentlemen stated in an earlier post, what a wonderful retrospecitve to send Coach out by one of his former players than to call him by his first name and critique his play calling. Speaking of which, if you played during that recent of a era, I have no problem calling you a bold faced liar when it comes to the three plays statement. Let's see, in the last two years alone I've seen them in the Gun and under center with no backs, in a spread with one back, in a double tight wing formation, in an unbalanced I formation, in an unbalanced wing-t (se-over), in a flex tight end set, in a trips set, and that is just the formations. Let's talk about the three plays logic. Which one of those three was it that was used to beat Smith County at Portland in 2003 (looked like some kind of fake reverse, fake jet, fake belly, pass that went 80 for the win), or what was the formation not used before that they used on White House in the second half of the 2003 game that had them on their heels, or which of the three plays was it when the faked the punt on Chattanooga Howard that was the difference in the game in 2002. Which of the three plays was the double pass that was the difference in the Springfield game just this year. When you got your report card as a player, did you always receive 100% on mental assignments...I mean, I would if it were only three plays. Check out the stats on TSSAA's website and take a look at the amount of points they scored in 2000 (the year of the three play system),if they indeed ran three plays and scored over 500 points, then I'll tell you this much...that must have been the strongest, most physical team in the universe, and if that was the case, then did they just wake up that way...NOPE, they worked like champions for a championship coaching staff. If your sources are as reliable about the hire of the next coach as they are about your first paragraph, folks, don't look for anyone from Goodpasture to take over the reigns...I would personally like to wish the Panthers the best of luck on their new hire and in the continued pursuit of excellence. As for pullin' guard, I hear the local paper doesn't have a letter to the editor lined up for Dec. 2008 about the getting rid of the coaching staff, hang in there and you just might get published. In the mean time, look loyalty and respect and honor up in the dictionary and put up your purple and white pom poms until you can find out what that means (go watch a Goodpasture game, I hear they opened it up against Alcoa!).

nm

Yeah, Portland has really choked it up in the playoffs. They have been in the final sixteen teams 11 years in a row, with an awful playoff record of 27-12 (with five of those twelve losses to state champions) since 1990 and an even worse home playoff record of 17-2. Portland has really choked it up....

You don't need to see the film because that would prove you wrong. I was there as well. I never made an attestment to who won or lost, I just like to get the facts stratight. In fact, I brought up the fact that Portland lost the game. Just for the record: I'll decide who ends my discussions. If I could show the tape right now on this thread I would, just to prove you wrong, but this looks like one of those things where you would be in a room with 50 people and say "did you see that, I told you it was blocked" as the other 49 people shake their heads and wonder what you were talking about. Your post said "you lose", I didn't lose anything. Portland lost, and then proceeded to win five in a row against Livingston. I haven't heard response to that portion of the thread...just picking out insignificance and making light of it. But if you must, it was not blocked. The ball was spotted on the left hash from the eight yard line after an defensive offsides penalty moved it form the 13. There was pressure from the right side but the kick was about five feet off the ground and lined into the back fence (at that time) of the stadium. The time left on the clock was 7.8 seconds. If you want the kicker's shoe size I'll work on that but I want to prove to people that when I make I post, I can back up that post. It's not just empty trash. I don't care where you were standing "the big eye in the sky don't lie". Put the film in slow motion, digitally remaster, flip it, rotate it, reverse it, do whatever you like but that kick was missed, not blocked. I'm satified and feeling a little stupid about being baited to respond. These are my last comments on this discussion (if that is the end of discussion you were referring to, you would now be correct). PS I do apologize for saying Porland drove the ball 93 yards...it was 92. Give me a little slack, it has been eight years.

I'm sure this has been started before but I'll bite. Austin White of Portland High is starting to make a case for it. He has hit all six of his field goal attempts (including 3 of more than forty yards and a game winner). He is also twelve of twelve on extra points and places the ball tremendously on kickoffs. Best part for the Panthers, he's a junior!

Watch the film, if you can dig it up...I have it it and my original statement stands true. Portland drove the ball 93 yards to the seven, and missed the field goal. It wasn't close, and looked like it was blocked but never got any height on it...just a point of reference.

{Posted by shine: "P-Pride I am so sick of u running your mouth. Ever since I was a freshman in high school u have been getting on here and running your mouth. I wish u guys played Livingston again this year so they could hand u another loss. And I'll tell u right now I don't think u guys could beat Trousdale either, u know just like I do they aren't a regular 1a team. They could play in 3a and be a contender in most regions right now. So i'll tell u what why don't u just shut ur mouth about Livingston, because u don't have any room to talk. I wasn't gonna say nething until u said, Well u guys did lose to a 1a team. I would tell Portland to put their money where there mouth is, but I guess they were 2 scared to schedule us because I know for a fact the coaches tried. I guess they didn't want another beating on homecoming. "} Shine, I take issue with what you reference here in more ways than one. First of all, PPride has been nothing but classy over the last few years and as a fellow Panther fan I am proud of his attitude toward high school football. Find all the posts where you claim he is running his mouth. He simply, like 5000 others, posted a prediction based on what he has seen from past scores. He used no classless phrases, made no references to the past, and certainly did not demean the program in any way. You however, do not return the same courtesy. You have went on the attack several times in the past, and this is what I find comical. You bring up the last three years, which were three hard fought wins for Livingston and they should be commended. However, your selective memory ends there. In order to talk about a series, you must talk about the entire series. Portland OWNED Livingston 5 times in a row before those contests, including wins in the playoffs and a 53-0 ripfest at Livingston. But you won't reference that, will you? If you are looking for someone to toy with, try me on for size. I like looking at the whole picture. And yes, before you bring it up, Livingston did win the game in '97 when Portland missed a last second field goal to win. That makes the series 5-4 Portland, does it not. So, look up the definition of ownership before you go tossing that word around. By the way, Portland is currently 3-0 in 4A, and I do agree with you on one statement, I wish the two could get together this year. Now, let me show you how to end a post with class...best of luck to the Livinston Wildcats this week, we are pulling for you to take Region 2-3A.

I also heard Westmoreland shut White House out 14-0 in a freshman scrimmage...Westmoreland looking up for the future?

Ok, let's assume it was three/roll. The free safety rolls into the flats and picks off a pass? If a team rolls a coverage to a set, it is the corner that would roll up to the wide receiver side and the free safety would roll to thirds. Now, if the corner rolled up and picked the pass, he played it perfect. As a matter of fact, since you'll only keep saying you played your threes and fours and you won't address the fact I keep bringing up in previous posts about defensive players playing in multiple series, I think I'm done with this particular thread. I know the people who know the game can read between the lines on these posts (like the Hickman faithful reporting in the first post that Portland scored one and then recently that Portland scored four times)...I'll just let your posts speak for themselves. I continue to wish Hickman the best of luck as well as Portland and will never try to demean the credibility of these football gurus...my sincere apologies. It was my own stupididty to post in the first place, and allow me to say finally in lieu of that fact, I think I'll let the season play out and see where the chips fall.

Then, let me clarify...the interception was a high-low route that was misread by the quarterback. Hickman was in three deep coverage and the corner was sitting on the quick out...you make the judgement on the coverage, but take nothing away, it was a good break on the football. Also, remember in my post that I said there were fumbles recovered by Portland that weren't spotted back at midfield...and in the case of Portland's two turnovers, they returned to the designated starting line. As a point of reference, Portland did not score four times, only three, and I guess the outside linebacker (Josh Brown) that came up and took on Portland's TE on their second score is considered part of the "rest"....one thing's for sure, if a player makes an impression on me, I remember him and then go home and do research. As a testament to the coaching meeting, you are exactly right...Portland's '2's are freshmen, and they were having a simultaneous scrimmage on the opposite end of the field. They can't be two places at once. Hickman should be proud of the fact that they have the #'s to platoon and play multiple units. I'm sure the Portland staff feels they need to work their ones a lot, since those guys will have to be in shape. As stated earlier, great work, best of luck to both teams, and it would be excellent to see a matchup down the road.

This is always the great thing about these posts...people witness a scrimmage and just see whatever they like and then report it as the gospel truth. They miss any one possible meaning of the word 'scrimmage' and immediately fit what happened into their own definition that neatly places their squad as the New England Patriots and the opponent as a middle school team. Having said my piece regarding that, I would like to establish (as an eyewitness) as to what took place in the scrimmage. It was a normal ten play format, with no kicking game or down and distance. In play number eight of the first ten, Hickman County scored on a pass play of about 30 yards (excellent diving catch by the receiver). Portland had some big tackles for losses but also missed some key tackles. Note: The ball was placed at midfield for both teams considering the field's conditions at camp NaCoMe. Portland then threw an early interception in their first series, in which the defender made a nice break and picked it (he didn't fall however, he was tackled). Portland then moved the ball the length of the field on a solid drive, showing some key blocks up front (which is what seems to be their strength). They barely missed a scoring opportunity on a pass play later in the series, but did not punch it in. In the second series, Portland's defense was much stronger, with the exception of one run by Hickman County's back that gave them an opportunity (about 35 yards down to the 2) to score on the tenth and final play. This was a great run, but helped by missed tackles. One odd thing, as an observation...when Portland turned the ball over on the interception the ball was placed back at the fifty. Hickman County fumbled and was recovered by Portland on play six of the second series but the ball was spotted where Portland recovered and Hickman went from there. In the second offensive series for Portland, they started to dominate the line of scrimmage and ripped off several big runs complimentating inside and outside. Portland got on the scoreboard on play seven of the drive on a short run, cutting the margin to 2-1. Portland looked to be trying a variety of options in the skill positions during this span. This series also saw an amazing catch by a Panther receiver despite great coverage on the part of the Hickman County corner. Frankly, Hickman's enthusiasm and hustle were impressive and I began to watch some of their top defensive players such as the OLB mentioned in an earlier post and several defensive lineman. Trust me when I say that both teams spotted some players as far as subs go (it was 95 degrees) but Hickman had those big guns on defense for every play of the series (the substitutions were done in the secondary on the third series when Portland was running the football for the most part). Back to the scrimmage...after a short break the third series saw Portland come out on defense and sting Hickman on two or three tackles for losses including back-to-back losses handed out by a linebacker. Hickman was very resilient and again scored on the last play of the ten play series to go up three to one. Portland came back in its third series and moved right down the field in seven plays (most on the ground) and stuck one in at that point on a good cut by their running back to cut the score to 3-2. Then on Portland's final play, they ripped off a 40 yard touchdown to tie the score at 3. It was a great scrimmage and both teams stayed within their schemes (to my knowledge) and were well coached. Hickman County is a different team. Their passion for the game is evident and they are going to shock some people. Porltand is Portland...they looked fine, especially up front and was surprisingly fresh despite being at camp for four days. I wrote this post because both teams played much better than to deserve what I have read on here so far. This was a great taste for the casual fan to both be surprised by a team that has been predominantly weak but still respectful of a program that is always strong. One last note...Hickman County is platooning some people, and we all know this could bode well for them in the fall. Best of luck to both teams in the weeks to come and thanks for a great scrimmage!