big red big blue

it's been a rumor about Ensworth for a while...they certainly have the money and land to do it, if that's what they want to do. I don't see MBA or BA going down that road, but again, anything is possible these days...

yes, it's a shame because it didn't used to be like this. Privates and Publics used to be a lot more similar than they are today. The playing field was much more level and our state overall was better for it. I mean I still root for my alma mater but I really hate what this D2 thing has become... I don't think anyone will become a boarding school. I think data has shown over the years that boarding school attendance is way down from previous generations. I guess anything is possible though.

Just my two cents here...during the MBA-BA game, Steven Hargis, columnist for the Chattanooga Free Press, tweeted "watching the level of talent between these 2 private schools reminds me why public schools won't schedule them anymore." The gap between D2 and D1 has never been wider than it is right now, and that's why there is a split. We are playing with COMPLETELY different sets of rules. There's no comparison, and nor should there be. Imagine if George Quarles were drawing players from all over the Knoxville area? Or if kids could follow Creasy to Oakland from anywhere in Rutherford, Davidson, or Sumner Counties? OR Blade at Independence had 11-12 players from Nashville? Then it would be a fair comparison. MBA, BA and ENS now all 3 have players from all over Middle TN. All three have basically unlimited financial aid to give out, and since the TSSAA erased the limit on the # of financial aid recipients who can dress out for football, there are tons of players receiving financial aid playing football. Take a look at the facilities at those 3 schools, or the number of staff members. It's like college football. Whitehaven, Oakland, and Maryville are like Alabama, FSU, and Ohio St. We are like the NFL...totally different set of rules.

When BA can only put together a 9-game schedule, 3 games of which are with out-of-state opponents, the TSSAA has pretty much forced their hand. Just remember--the public schools have to be appeased and coddled under every scenario, so there is zero possibility that the TSSAA would intervene and facilitate regular-season scheduling between publics and privates so that this wouldn't be an issue...that's the obvious solution that will never happen, because it's too important to the publics to not answer the phone when the privates call to schedule a game, even when no championships are at stake. Agree with the above--BA and Ensworth will still have the regular season games with MBA, and maybe Father Ryan also. So what's the benefit of playing up? Regular games with Baylor and McCallie? The chance to play MUS and CBHS in the play-offs? I do hope they both stay where their #'s put them, just to shine a light on how absurd the TSSAA and their quest to appease public schools has become.

Wow that is a big hire if that's what happens.

He has certainly applied for every d2 job that has come open over the past 20 years after leading the charge for the split following his loss to BA in '95.

in the D2 era, this team is up there...mainly because they ran the D2 table with a fully functioning Ensworth High School. The 3 best teams from the D2 era up to this point (IMO) are 2012 Ensworth, 1999 MBA, 2009 MUS. If you are going pure accomplishment, I'd say '99 MBA and '09 MUS rank higher because they ran the table with impressive out of state wins (MBA Jax Bolles; MUS S. Panola). Those would be the top 4 of the past 20 years of D2. This BA group would be up there with the '95-'96 teams. Those teams had not only talent but incredible depth where the 3rd-4th RB would have been a 1000-yd rusher for any other team.

MBA's defense is what it is...I've watched it all season, and it's just not as good as some of the defenses from past years. The kids play hard, and have had some good performances, most notably holding the previous two play-off opponents to 10 and 14 points. But BA put up 49 on them in the first game, so last night was actually an "improvement" to hold BA to 45 in regulation. So we are talking about the BA defense, which means we are talking about Ty Chandler. Honestly people are welcome to think whatever they want, but the BA defense isn't bad. It sure wasn't in the first game. Chandler is honestly that good and put up a herculean performance that stunned everyone, including most of all the BA defense. Add in some timely plays in the passing game, which weren't there in the first game, a lot because IMO Montgomery Owen was out, and it was as good an offensive outing MBA has had in many years, considering the competition. But it's still about Chandler. He did that last night against a really good defense. It can and will be lazily dismissed as "bad defense."

It was no question the best job he's done since arriving at MBA...I thought after the BA blow-out in October, there was a chance this team would lose to both Baylor and Ensworth and have a quick exit in Memphis from the play-offs. But he rallied those guys, won 4 straight against 4 very good teams, and was 1 play away from one of the great MBA wins of all time.

Also Wes remember 20 years ago BA beat MBA in 2ot at MBA. 1996 5a playoffs. Always thought MBA should have gone for 2 and win at end of regulation.

oatsvall and chandler are two amazing players. Guess we we will see it again next year. Those two guys....never seen anything like that before. Ali-Frazier or something like it.

Like watching Johnny Manziel at Texas a&am is the only thing I can compare it to.

These two kickers are amazing.

Equal horrible calls for both sides BA personal foul no first down. MBA inexplicable delay of game. Bad for both sides.

It was bad last year but even worse this year.

Sadly I think you are right.

I think the big difference is the QB position...just the balance of run/pass..and the QB runs mixed in that Oastvall brings to the table. A defense has to respect pretty much everything going up against BA....

I watched a lot of those games in the past, where rematches occurred in the play-offs, and the team that lost round 1 ended up winning round 2. This one doesn't have the same feel as those in the past. Even as good as that 2013 BA team was with Chris Sanders and Derek Barnett, you could see some cracks that night when they hammered Ensworth. I remember Ensworth just looking flat and exhausted that night, playing in front of a raucous crowd, and thinking that the rematch would be different. I also remember Ricky playing it really conservative once they got down. I think he was saving his bullets for the rematch. There wasn't much of anything in that first match-up between MBA and BA that indicates to me round 2 will be different. If there is anything at all, it's that the BA receivers made so many amazing catches that night, including a bunch on 3rd down, that maybe some of those fall incomplete this go round. Or maybe Ty gets loose for some big gainers early on...BA set the tone early by forcing a bunch of MBA 3 and outs. MBA has to keep the chains moving and the offense on the field to have a chance...

I am as big a private school homer as there is, but I think you guys are way underestimating Maryville. If you watched that team last year....they absolutely would have competed with the two D-2aa finalists, MBA and Ensworth. They have beaten handily 2 really good Oakland teams the past 2 years. They haven't been on tv in middle TN this year so can't comment as much on this year's team but assuming it's a lot of the same.

As an objective private school fan, it is my opinion that last year Maryville (6-a champ) was better than MBA (d-2aa champ). Watched both extensively and that is just my opinion. This year...this BA team is the best team TN has seen in a long time. Maryville is the only team in the state that could give them a game.

don't forget Cedric Wilson, Melrose HS...national champion at UT, Super Bowl Champ with Pittsburgh.

I don't recall ever seeing a group like this BA team in D2. They have WR's who can make the tough catches. They have a high level RB who can make plays...and the ultimate wildcard...a super athletic QB who can throw the ball very well and make huge plays with his legs...add in 3 SEC signees on the OL...and the tempo they play with...it is almost impossible to stop these guys...it was pretty stunning the first time how quickly in the 2nd quarter BA turned a close game into a blow-out. Maybe MBA can sustain some drives and keep BA's offense off the field, but that also is a tall order against the BA defense. It's going to take a perfect game on offense for MBA to stay in the game and have a shot in the 4th quarter.

MBA has played its best football since the blow-out loss to BA. It's best game IMO was the Baylor game following the open date. It was so-so against Ensworth, but then very good against McCallie and CBHS in back to back weeks. They have an extra week to figure something out for BA...I just don't see that MBA (or anyone for that matter) has enough on defense to slow this BA group down. BA doesn't take huge risks with the ball so a bunch of turnovers seems unlikely. Anyways, proud of Coach Euverard and the players for a great, great season. Tremendous accomplishment to return to the BCB this year.

I think BA fans have a good appreciation of GQ. They made a run at him at the time Potter was hired, and by all accounts, GQ listened to the offer before turning it down to remain at Maryville. I for one am thrilled he did not take that offer. Good lord, can you imagine what he would do at BA?

Ensworth is still really, really good, even despite their record...don't be surprised if they win the next 2 games and are playing BA for the title in a couple of weeks. They are still Ensworth and Maryville smoked them in a scrimmage....only BA has handed it to Ensworth in an actual game like that. MBA at 9-1 needed a last-second stop at midfield to seal the win. BA and Maryville are the 2 best teams in the state by a very wide margin this year...