TnRiverRat

Welcome to the FRED Mr. Smith... This is what you were Hired for...

First off, you are wrong about how much time the area coaches put into helping kids find Colleges. Unless you have been through the process, you really do not understand how much work is involved. I am familiar with the DB staff and here are some facts. Coach Clark and staff have spent untold hours preparing video highlights for ANY Senior that is interested in pursuing football in college. Tape of my son was sent to 41 Colleges. Coach Clark spends time helping kids from other area schools too. He has many college coaches call him for his opinion about Atheletes from other High Schools and he always promotes kids from our Conference and area. Coach Clark is the person most responsible for the Coaches Clinic & Recruiting Fair that is held down in Pegion Forge after Christmas. Last year 21 High Schools(all Big East Schools and most local schools) had coaches present with Video tape of their players. 31 Colleges had coaches there to watch video and talk to the high school coaches about the kids. Kentucky was the only D1 school. Several Southern Conference schools were there. All the schools you mentioned above were there along with UT Chatt, Tenn Tech, App St, MTSU, Wofford. Colleges from Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. There should be even more Colleges represented this year. Colleges will find the Atheletes. The biggest problem in our conference and area is that we do not have many D1 caliber atheletes. But our coaches work their butts off for these kids.

When will we know which five make the final cut??

....John Bowles has resigned and the position is open......per JC Press 11-15-06

Coach Clark announced the William Blount addition this week. Setting up changes to a schedule is a very difficult thing. It is real easy to say;"I want to drop this team and pick up that team". You have to look at the slots available for change. I also believe the TSSAA does not let you travel long distances to play in state teams. Seems like we were rejected from continuing the MBA relationship because of this. Anybody out here know about that???............ On DB's schedule, the Sullivan South game has been played on thursday nights; because of the Bristol Race. The William Blount Administrators had to sign off on playing this game for the next two years on a Thursday night. At first they said no, but then came back and agreed. DB is the team that pushed for this change after South said they would not play DB any more. DB will travel to William Blount next year. TSSAA Re-Classification will happen prior to the 2008 season. It is based on School size. It is my understanding that Mo. West, Daniel Boone, and Maryville have enough students to make the move to 5A. If a schools population numbers drastically change before the next scheduled Re-Classification, the TSSAA can move them up or down but this is rare. Does anybody out there know the exact number of students at Mo. West, Daniel Boone, and Maryville??? I firmly believe that Mo. West will be 5A Region 1 & Maryville 5A Region 2. I am hoping that Daniel Boone makes it to 5A and they move Campbell County to Region 2............ As far as DB's Schedule is concerned, schools go through cycles. Region 1 has been weakened by poor play from Jefferson County. It may be a few more years before they get it turned back around. The right coach could make a big difference. Jeff County and Science have very large student Populations. For Region 1 to be strong those two schools have to get better. Bearden made great strides with their new coach this year and will be of the top teams in Region 1 next season. I believe that DB's schedule by 2008 will be very competitive.

DB's schedule will be upgraded over the next two years. Right now DB and Maryville scrimage the final week of pre-season. It was held at Carson Newman this year and while not a regular game, it is as close to one as any scrimages get. This helps prepare the Indians for the season. DB and Mo West will start playing in 2008. West will be upgraded to a 5A region 1 school in the next reclassification. Dainiel Boone might get moved up. Also in 2008 Maryville will be in 5A region 2. So two years from now DB will have William Blount, Oak Ridge, Tennessee High and Elizabethton as non region opponants. Mo west and possible Daniel Boone in the region. This is a much more competitive schedule.

How are WB's Special teams? I have heard your punter is very good. What about Kickoffs and Field goals? What about return teams? How have you done with kickoff and punt coverage? Special teams will play a key role tonight. DB's special teams are above average. Give us a preview of WB's special teams. thanks!! .

Do the Govs have the ability to come from behind? The key for WB is to jump out in front early. If they get behind can they stick to grinding out the run. Other than the Maryville game, were there any games where WB got behind early? And what are the most points they were behind? DB 31 WB 14

I am a DB grad and was at the playoff game last year. How does this Ooltewah team compare to last year's team as they enter the first round of the playoffs. I was impressed with the Senior heavy team last year. Is this year's Owl team better suited to make a long playoff run? Across the Board; Offense, Defense, Kicking game, Special teams, Depth/Injuries. Is this a better team than last year? DB is a better team than last year at this time. The Offense is much better. The defense has 8 starters back, and is the real deal. Special teams are above average, as they were last year. Only one major injury to a starter. Hopefully with our experience and home field for the first two rounds will help us make a long run this year. Even though I look ahead, this team does not. I do not intend for this to be a DB/Ooltewah thread, hopefully that day will come in two weeks. I was just wanting a comparison from the Ooltewah folks about how your team stands now compared to last year at the beginning of the playoffs.

Are schools looking at O'Conner Primarily for Punting or Place Kicking or both? .

What are O'Conner's stats for the year? .

....What about matchups of Special Teams? Does Science Hill have any kick returns for TD's? What kind of year so far for your Punters & Kickers? Have Science Hill special teams given up any long returns(TD's) this year?

Mikey Alley of Dobyns Bennett is having a geat season: 7 of 8 field goals (Made 23, 30, 25, 40, 43, 20, 39; Missed 30) 28 PAT's 49 total pts

What is the schedule of veiwing times for the CSS game of the week? I want to watch this one.

Oak ridge lost to both McMinn Co and William Blount; who play this weekend. Have both of those teams teams already played OakRidge/Farragut/Ooltewah? Oak Ridge is chasing the loser of this game for the 4th seed. Tough road ahead. I hope you make it. The playoffs will not be the same without you.