big red big blue

That can't be right. They are already committed to the Blount County Bowl next year. Now, if they can't find a suitable opponent for the BCB (BC has informed us that MBA, MUS, and BA have all said no to the BCB), then it would seem like a good idea for Alcoa to accept this offer (I'm sure--no sarcasm--they'd be approached about playing in it), and let Maryville play in the BCB next year. The Herbstreit thing is a 1-time deal.

Because we believe that anyone should be able to play varsity sports regardless of how much their parents reported on their tax returns. That's been explained to you personally probably 20 times, at least 5 or 6 times by me personally. It's you and your BFF Gary that are so worried about the annual earnings of the parents of everyone at our schools. I have no idea why catholic and CAK do what they do. We aren't changing what we've done for decades and decades all because your BFF got mad because BA beat him in the clinic bowl in '95.

You understand that your idol Gary Rankin is the one responsible for pushing us off into this "lonely corner of Tennessee Football" right, Pepvol? I'm sure you understand that none of this was our choice. Next time you and Gary are having a couple of Shlitz together, tell him how much it bothers you that he and his cronies created the split and denied you the opportunit to "SETTLE IT ON THE FIELD!!!!!!!"

boy did you nail it RRR... How you an individual chooses to interact with "the real world" or, I guess you would call it, "groups of people different from you" is going to have nothing to do with high school and everything to do with what you want to do in life when you actually have choices to make. Plenty of people--private school types, and public school types of all varieties--choose never to leave the cocoon, whether that cocoon is the small rural town, the inner city, or the country club white-bread world. Nothing wrong with that-- I doubt any of these people are less happy or less productive members of society because of that choice, but their lives are less rich for it, whether they know it or not. It's all about what you choose to expose yourself to, and how much you care to learn about and respect the people who are different from you. I'd say the parental influence here is no less meaningful here than it is in the case of academic work. Does it matter if you are surrounded by diversity if your parents aren't encouraging you to take advantage of it? When I look back at my time at MBA, I'm not sure what it all meant in this department. Many of the people who were the most "different" from me and whom I could have benefited the most from spending time with, were, on paper, just like me (same economic background, same ethnicity). Some of the people I played sports with were completely different from me on paper, but the same in reality. Sports are really valuable in that way, but I'm not sure they are a real cure-all. Same with my time in the military...a complete melting pot culturally, but yet otherwise farily homogenous (attitudes, politics, interests, etc.).

Even with my D2 bias, I do really love that group of Rutherford County schools and what's happening in that district. I guarantee that somehow the TSSAA will figure out a way to break them up so that they aren't competing with each other for play-off spots every year. I also really admire that the flagship programs--Smyrna and Oakland--have put D2 teams regularly on the schedule...though I suspect with these preposterous tie-breakers those days will end, as Riverdale will start every season with a leg up on the competition by refusing to play (as Adeylott said at Hillsboro) "all those teams that recruit." I bet that's the most fun league to be in in the state. Every week you can look forward to a high quality, meaningful, local regular season rivalry-type game...with a play-off berth a highly contested prize. I certainly "wonder" why Gary Rankin left Riverdale to take over an established title-winning program several classes down when I read stuff like this.

The whole thing is sad (though I'm not really going to lose sleep over it). I went Friday night and you can tell what this series has devolved into. The people at Ryan at this point can't really invest a ton emotionally into a game you've lost 13 straight times, however much you don't like your opponent. MBA can't really derive a ton of satisfaction over beating a team you're now into your second decade of consecutive wins over. Throughout the game most of the conversation was already about the BA game. I guess the days of fighting in the parking lot, painting cannons, bon fires, etc. are long gone. I don't know if anyone around there really understands what this game used to be like. If you are a senior at MBA, and 17 years old, you were 4 years old when Ryan last beat MBA. They grew up in a world where BA was the only game that mattered. I suspect someone explaining to them what "Ryan Week" used to mean is like describing what it was like to travel by horse and buggy to work every day.

Of course the high comedy factor from you people is that at least part of the reason for ehs founding (and a huge hunk of the money that was behind it) came from MBA people who were so unhappy with brad gioia. And why were they so upset at him? Because he had the gall to say things like "our history is our greatest strength and our greatest weakness.". Recall the banner flown over MBA commencement referring to mike drake? All those people were so unhappy with gioia for having the gall to seek greater diversity at MBA and trying to overcome some of our unfortunate past. So they went to ehs and built their own school. And now I guess they've gone the other direction and love throwing around racist accusations at us. Post away, by all means. Thousand of out of work comedians couldn't do this stuff.

Just curious. Can you point out where some one was called a "thug?". You crushed that straw man. Well done. This hypersensitivity and desire to connect a lot of dots in your own heads says a lot about you people. How about just "we don't consider a hair code useful?" Say whatever you want. It's your school. Doesn't affect the rest of us one way or the other.

I'm actually surprised it took someone from EHS as long as it did to go "there." I don't recall seeing any BA players, regardless of cultural background, with hair hanging out of their helmets or wearing earrings. I have no idea why you people are so trigger happy at EHS with this stuff...

I will say this...the turnovers were not really fluky. Or even hard hits that jar the ball loose. Really, they were a product of the EHS defense taking BA out of its comfort zone and forcing them to do things they probably didn't want to do. The BA ground game really couldn't get unleashed with the exception of the two drives to end the half. This will be the key for MBA against BA...if BA starts hitting the edge and picking up big chunks on the ground, they can pick their spots to pass. If we can slow down the running game, there will be interception opportunities. Of course the same goes for us on offense.

great game....one of the best I've seen in a while. This one was played at a really high level on both sides. BA's campus is terrific. When was the new building on the opposite side of the stands built? It looks terrifc with the lighting. Great crowd as well...of course, the whole night made me laugh about some of the comical "debates" we've had on the public-private board with guys like Rick regarding the status of D2 and the absurd Tuesday and Wednesday night championship games, like of TV coverage, etc. The stands were packed with 2 of the biggest brands in the biggest market in TN (I'll leave the "affluence" factor out). The game was covered on both TV and radio. I've watched all those Thursday night games and that's by far the biggest crowd that's been on hand for any of them. It was truly standing room only. That is an advertising/marketing goldmine, but I'm sure we'll hear great "theories" from Rick about how the advertisers checked the attendance of D2 the BCB in Cookeville and decided not to televise our championships... Potter puts a lot of pressure on the QB position. I think #10 for BA is really a good one. He has a lot of responsibility every play with option reads, passing, etc., especially with the hurry-up offense they use. Maybe too much; hence the mistakes early. BA seemed to have the game in hand after the early misues and seemed to be wearing EHS down. I thought BA would run away with it in the second half but credit the EHS defense for hanging tough and bottling up the speedy BA backs. They are so fast and physical on defense. Still I thought Potter's gameplan was a good one as they were putting a lot pressure on the EHS defense with so many snaps. EHS looked gassed at the end of the 1st half. Bowers is so much like Flatt. They play hard, disciplined football and sort of bide their time until an opponent makes the mistake. Ricky keeps it simple on offense. And Potter/BA flinched late in the game with the last int. The long hair and earrings and all that...I guess that's what Tommy Frist and Ricky want over there. It is what it is, I suppose. Glad to hear the BA folks I sat with noticed it also, and generally share the same opinions about EHS that I have.

Didn't realize the game was tonight...I'll be headed over to Granny White to take this one in, wearing the brightest red shirt I can find in the closet. Ought to be a good one.

Looking forward to the game tomorrow, and my first ever trip to the new BGA capmus (which obviously isn't even new anymore). Can anyone share what the Beathard (sp?) family's ties to the Nashville area are? His grandfather Bobby, apparently recently relocated to Nashville, is the former Redskins/Chargers GM. Just wondering how they came to Nashville. CJ is having a great season and will really challenge this MBA defense. Should be a good game. Looks like BGA played BA pretty tight for 3 quarters.

I never said that. Don't start going pepvol on me and making stuff up. I couldn't comment on about half of those teams. I respect the teams like Oakland, Smyrna, LaVergne, Ravenwood, Maplewood...and yes, even Alcoa (pre-Rankin) that are playing us. BC seems to think this is all some sort of pecker contest. I don't care if we win the games. They are just....hold on a second....actually fun to play! Like the 2 game series we had with Hillsboro...I guarantee you not one person--player, fan, or parent--walked away from that series saying, "that was a bad idea."....except apparently the Hillsboro decision-makers. And where did I say Maryville had accomplished nothing? You are probably confusing my stuff with pepvol and BC who love to belittle everyone else's accomplishments. Everyone was obsessed over Maryville playing D2 teams when it was running off 70 wins in a row. In fairness, aside from pepvol, none of the Maryville fans are talking about it any more. The D2 teams have played the last 2 champs from that size. Obsessing over Maryville doesn't make sense anymore, when we can get the actual champions on our schedule. Nor would Maryville (or anyone else for that matter) caring about MBA or BA right now. If you want to talk about playing MUS and not either of us, that's fair too. MBA, BA, Maryville, and Riverdale should all be playing because it would be fun for everyone involved...that's it, period. Have no idea who would win the game. Only BC seems to have this obsession with "mine is bigger than yours." Usually those people are the ones "lacking" anyways.

Just make sure I'm drinking bottled water and not whatever you guys all are drinking.

Lol, seriously. My two boys, pepvol and bcsportsfan. I love you guys!

interesting of course that Rankin wouldn't play in the Clinic Bowl in '05 against private schools when the proceeds went actual charity.......and now, all of a sudden, he's going to PAY US to come play him? Is he paying the money himself? Or do the boosters of the program have to come up with the money? and I thought the reason you at Alcoa wouldn't travel for out of area games was because it was cost prohibitive. But now you want to give us money to show up and play you? Why not just keep the $3500 (use it for travel), play a home/home, and pocket your home gate and share of the road gate? That makes a lot more economic sense. And why do only one of Alcoa/Maryville play this game each year? Are you two that joined at the hip? Is other team not going to have a game in week zero so the whole community will support the "Blount County Bowl?" How about one of you play in the area in week zero (e.g., Alcoa hosts BA) and the other out of the area (Maryville travels to MBA), flip-flop it the next year, and have the collective proceeds be split between both of you? Also, why should say....we at MBA travel 2 years in a row in week zero to Blount County for the Blount County Bowl? Heck you guys wouldn't travel one time (Maryville) to Nashville for the Clinic Bowl, and now to make this happen we have to go there two years in a row? you guys need to huddle up and come up with a better version of this story, in my opinion. This one is too full of obvious holes.

As I wrote on the other thread on the D2 board, MUS' victory over S. Panola might be the most impressive win ever for a TN team over an out-of-state opponent. Among all of the impressive out-of-state victories amassed by TN D2 teams--BA over Pascagoula, MBA over Moeller, Bolles, Trinity, etc.--this is probably atop the list. Anyone who wants to disparage that victory is simply embarassing themselves (but that won't stop them). As for Alcoa/Maryville, whatever fairy tales they want to spin, who cares? Maryville hasn't even won the past 2 years and we (MUS and MBA) own regular season wins over the teams that beat them for the titles (White Station and Hillsboro, respectively). So Maryville doesn't really command that much signifacance anymore. When they were at their peak, they chose not to play against MBA/BA in the Clinic Bowl (2005). Rankin and Alcoa are in either single A or double A or something like that. We'll keep looking for games in the 5-6 A range with elite teams like Smyrna, Oakland, Ravenwood, etc.

There definitely is a Blount County Bowl. I definitely believe you all. It makes perfect sense. Also, I'm a Nigerian Prince writing from a prison cell in Nigeria. If either Pepvol or BCsportsfan could help me, I just need a cashiers' check for $500,000. I will happily give you a million dollars if you could just advance me the initial $500k so I can escape from prison. No strings attached. This is a RISK FREE WAY TO MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS!!! Just send me the check and we can arrange details when I get to the states.

Don't ask me...Ask Gary. He's the one who keeps trying to get the jobs. Including JP2 last year.

Oh he's courting them all right....as long as by "courting" you mean calling 2-3 hundred times any time any one of them has a job opening.

I just love these games. Have to hand it again to the REAL MEN of D1 like Smyrna and Oakland who will step up and play these games. Also have to hand it to Ricky for putting Oakland and Smyrna on his schedule for this year. EHS is sort of frisky; they killed themselves against MBA. I think all of our 21 points came from turnovers and short fields. They also committed a key turnover in the red zone. MBA capitalized on EHS mistakes all night while not making any big ones themselves. EHS is young, thin, but talented and well-coached. Should be a good match up with Smyrna emerging the winner by 10 or so. On a different note, any chance I get I have to express my admiration for Smyrna alumus and current Vanderbilt ace Sonny Grey. A recent Baseball America draft forecast has him as the #5 overall pick in this next baseball draft....and with the adversity of losing his father as a young man. Just an inspiration for everyone. Sonny Grey won at least one title as starting QB at Smyrna (was he QB for both title teams?) and is now poised for a lenghty pro baseball career (I'm cheering for him for sure). Michael Fisher at MBA won a title and had a solid baseball career at Ga Tech, and is now in the Braves organization. But Grey's future is a lot brighter...especially considering what Corbin's players are doing in MLB right now. Todd Helton would be a good comparison for Grey coming out of college. Helton did not win a title at Knox Central as QB as Grey did. anyways, regardless, Sonny Grey is a Tennessee legend already. I hope he becomes the star his fellow Rutherford Countian David Price is right now. Go Bulldogs and Go Sonny Grey!

That train has left the station and is never coming back. We lived with that uncomfortable situation for a lot of years (i.e., 4 scholarship students could play varsity football). The coaches had to make some really really hard calls under that scheme. E.g., does the 4th spot go to a senior financial aid player who's paid his dues at practice and in the off-season (while never getting to play in games), or a bright hotshot sophomore with loads of potential? Saw it many times throughout my time there. Coach Owen, being the guy he was, always left that spot for the senior even if it might hurt the team's chances. Once we were shunted into our own division, we happily got rid of that limitation. That's why (if if such a big deal to the pepvols of the world) we should just keep everything as is and try to meet up in the regular season. Lots of teams around TN have embraced this, though there are obviously a few hold-outs that never will.

Riverdale is a championship program that won't put D2 teams on the schedule. Hence, I wrote "have to love those two elite championship programs and their willingness to put D2 teams on the schedule for some great football games." Hence, Oakland and Smyrna. I can't speak for anyone else who's a D2 fan, but I will always be rooting for Oakland and Smyrna, epsecially against Adeylott and Riverdale.

National rankings are meaningless when one of us is in them, didn't you know cheezitz? MBA needs to really get better on offense to compete with BA right now. The defense is there, but the offense isn't. I do think MBA's best shot, however, COULD be facing BA twice. I don't think BA has ever completed a 2-game sweep over MBA. Regardless, well done to BA for YET AGAIN taking the mantle of Tennessee High School Football out of state and bringing home an impressive victory. MBA, BA, and MUS continue to be that standard bearers for TN high school football.