Cap1

I agree.... EMBARRASSING! While you have to take your hat off to Halls because they did what they do to get the W. But in all reality they are as one diminutional as we are offensively. Did we even watch ANY film of them!? And even if we didn't you would think that we could have made the simple adjustment in the secondary to prevent the deep toss, which is how they scored all of their offensive touchdowns. I have to say personally that I'm very disappointed in coach Mays for not giving this team their best opportunity for success. To see athletes like #16 and #36 only being inserted as major contributors to this team in the last two games of the season makes you question his motives, but more importantly his ability to utilize the talent at hand. Both of these athletes should have been major contributors from day one. This year we had the athletes, we had talent, we had the best line since I can remember, we only had three teams on the schedule that should have been favored over us, but we had our first LOSING SEASON in over twenty years!!!???? If there aren't changes made to this staff then there should be changes made at an higher level, because this season has exposed some obvious shortcomings (most noted would have to be play calling regardless of who is on the field)!!! The leaders of this program seem to have become VERY comfortable with being mediocre. Hopefully they will learn from the mistakes made this season.

This is his senior season and potentially his last competitive football game at least in high school, so if there is anyway possible he could play (even @ 80%) he will be out on the field. But I have to say IMO he is doubtful. We have played half the season without him with a record of 1-5. While we have played much better teams the second half of our schedule our record is a direct result of his absence. There is no doubt that HE was the plan for offense this season and we have struggled to get another direction since his injury. With that being said... I think we drew our best chance in the first round to extend our season one more game. ROW VIKINGS

What does any of that have to do with Tennessee @ Halls. Which is the topic of this thread in case you missed it on your way in.

This is a game that we should win even with the injuries to several of our starters. Halls has lost against every team that has had a half decent defense. I have to say that if the Vikings don't bring any more energy and determination than they have shown in the last two games they will inevitably go down as the only Viking team in 20+ years to finish with a losing record. That's not my opinion... that's a fact.

Wow... I have to say that I'm as excited to see the first offensive possession of this game for the Vikings as I was to see the opening kickoff of the season!! Call me optimistic, but I really think we can give the Trojans a run for their money with the right personnel on the field. I'm really hoping for the seniors on this team that our coaching staff bond together and put our best foot forward to end this season with the respect they deserve. It would do wonders for the anticipation for the next two season!! JMO Row Vikings!!!!

Exactly...

"Performance is only a reflection of preparation (at this level), and preparation is a reflection of leadership". So you're saying you don't agree with that statement? The coaching staff is not only responsible for the play calling, but also physically and mentally preparing the players for competition at ANY level. IMO coach Mays would be totally responsible for this loss to Crockett for the very reason that you stated you think we lose. If "the players just walked in expecting to beat Crockett" then there wasn't enough urgency stressed to them during the week of practice by the coaching staff. Xs and Os are the easy(er) part of coaching. Preparation is what separates a program like Maryville form EVERYBODY ELSE. With your point of view.... I'm curious as to if you think that starting #16 would improve the performance of this team, or if you think it even matters?

If that's the case than I have to say that my frustrations from day one have been misguided. And for that I owe the Viking O Coordinator an apology. I only know of one man that was able to turn water into wine, so coach Proffitt was set up to fail form the very beginning if in fact Mays MADE him start 15. SMH I should have known.... and again I apologize. Starting (and sticking with) 16 will give him many more options for this team to succeed! One can only hope that Mays can feel the noose he has put around his neck and stays the course of the fourth quarter of this game. If I could just pick the mic up and say... WIN GAMES Coach... the money will follow!! If this kid's parents really care about his future they would refrain from pushing their influence to pave a way for him in which they know is impossible for him to succeed past the extent of their M O N E Y. Case and point... I have had two sons that have been very successful and accomplished athletes. So I fully expected my baby girl to follow suit. After her first year at attempting to play competitive sports... she came to me and said, and I quote "daddy I don't want to play basketball.... I want to be a cheerleader"! So that's what she did and that's what we do now. And I'm as proud of her and what she does and has accomplished as I have ever been of the boys!!! Plus I still get to go to the games!!

SMH .... I have to say that for me... this is by far the most embarrassing loss the Vikings have suffered in my 11 years of closely following this program!!! This is followed closely by the 7 to 56 BLOWOUT to Greenville in 2010 (which would have been MUCH worse had they not called the DAWG off in the early stages of the 3rd QT), and the VERY disappointing loss to Boone in the first round of the Playoffs in 2009 (aka Our Year). It's obvious that the coaching staff as well as the Viking players took this Pioneer team lightly and suffered a beat down as a result. I hear some on here trying to blame tonight's dog stomp on the players performance. But performance is only a reflection of preparation (at this level), and preparation is a reflection of leadership (or lack there of)!!!!!!! If this was at a higher level than high school football this coaching staff would be escorted to the door solely on tonight's performance of this team!! This team is not lacking of athletes, size, speed, ability, depth......... but we are struggling to stay 500 with a schedule with virtually 3 and one half teams on it (if we're being honest). Why is that???! I have always felt like this O cordinator was only as good as his best player year after year, but I now have to question the person that allows him to make these decisions that he makes (15 before 16).?? I could go on and on.... but now that they have unleashed the YOUNG dragon, we are all left shaking our heads and wondering..... what do they have on this guy to make him play 15 over 16........ !!!!!!!!!! I just dropped the mic...

I sure hope you're right! Because even though the Vikings have never lost to Crockett, and last year was the first time we've had less than at 4 touchdown victory over the Pioneers; I have to say that this is the first year I've actually been worried that we could possibly lose the game.

One would think that this game would be a perfect opportunity to try a different approach knowing that if we don't change it up offensively West is going to no doubt pitch us an embarrassing shut out.

By the way if no changes are made on the offensive side of the ball, we will strugle this week to beat CROCKETT!!!! COME ON MAN!!!!!

QB You took the words literally out of my mouth! You touched on the very same points that I did in my last post before I edited it and uncharacteristically erased all but the first line. It's painful to sit through a Viking football game seeing a team with the tools and weapons to at the very least be competing for a conference championship be reduced to struggling to have a winning season. I'm in the same boat as you are in that I no longer have a dog in the race, but as a fan on the outside it looks like the quick and easy fix for mediocre football at THS is to REPLACE THE OFFENSIVE PLAY CALLER or whoever had a part in putting together this boneheaded offensive scheme!!!!!! But as you also mentioned the "buddy-buddy" coaching system has made it to were the powers to be have excepted mediocracy for the entire program instead of MANNING UP and making the hard decision to replace one of their own. With all the great strides that this coaching group has made to bring the Viking program UP to where it is now, we will NEVER be the championship program we COULD be until the decision makers are willing to make the best decision for the sake of the program instead of settling for what is comfortable. This OLine has been coached up to be one of the best I've seen in my 10+ years following the Maroon Machine. Our defense is legit and even the secondary has stepped up and performed well against competition. We just need someone that is able to play the hand that we are dealt on the offensive side of the ball. With just a QB change you would open us up to a killer option and play action strike force. I'm just sayin.... I'm no coach... but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I feel ya Spetre7!! SMH

GV33 said it best "Sevier does the one thing that THS has a hard time doing and that is defending the pass". Although our pass coverage has improved quite a bit since the beginning of the season the Dbacks still have trouble running with the receivers and then turning to make a play on the ball when it's well thrown. I have to finally say that I believe that had the coaching staff gone with the backup QB as the starter this season and designed the Offensive scheme around his athletic ability this team would have been in a much better position to contend for a conference title if not more. I've hinted at this since my first post this season, so I had to just get that off my chest and let it go, because it's obvious that it's not going to happen at this point. I hope #16 proves himself this coming off season so we don't have these brakes on next year. It is what it is..... so expect us to put the saddle back on #22 this week with him returning. Should be a good contest till halftime. Like ET said, look for the Sever coaches to make the adjustment and shut the Viking offense down after halftime. We lose a heart breaker for lack of being able to score on offense in the second half.

I have to say... I'm curious as to how you guys were able to play the Hill to close with it being such a mismatch on paper?

I actually do agree with his points. I think the Vikings hold an edge up front and we have the more athletic team this year especially if #22 plays, but even if he doesn't. I also agree that if #22 doesn't play we are going to have to do something totally different than we have shown up to this point in order to win. We have struggled all season long to get any kind of cohesive flow on offense (with the exception of the Mo East game), so we have resorted to what has worked and that is to put the saddle on #22. Kinda like you guys did last year only you had a QB that could make things happen with his feet to keep teams honest. We could also have that option but our coaching staff chooses to go another direction and they've been able to get away with it because we haven't played anybody but DB this season up to this point. I've seen flashes of greatness by the play caller on occasion like the Mo East game and a few unexpected plays in the Virginia High game. So I'm hoping he's just holding his cards close until this half of the season and we're not going to continue to be this "predictably timid" with our play calling.

I have to agree on all points.

Defense gave us the W last Friday. Those of you that have known me on here over the years know that I'm fairly blunt with my posts and you usually don't have to wonder what Cap thinks about a subject or situation. However I'm trying to turn over a new leaf this season (mostly because my wife made a strong request that I stop pissing everyone off), but I do also realize that some people have thin skin and simply can't handle the truth. With that being said.... I had to rewrite the rest of this post several times before I came up with something "politically correct". So here it goes. I was disappointed with the plays that we ran in the Boone game and would like to see us get a little more creative. Possibly using the starting QB for more than just a turn key. Heck... Even a moron would know at this point that if #16 or #5 are taking the snap they are going to run the dang ball!! Who's calling these plays anyway, Mickey Mouse?!!! I guess I better just stop there. I said I was TRYING to turn over a new leaf... I'm obviously not there yet. Somebody tell my wife that I tried....

I'd like to add that #5 and #44 have been impressive on both sides of the ball!! As a Viking alumni and fan from waayyyy back I can honestly say that they are truly representing the numbers they wear. Knowing the standout players that have worn these numbers in the past I would say that they would be proud. #5 is playing with so much passion it brings chill bumps seeing him make plays, and who knew #44 had hands like 2006 #44 Zac Morton!! Hats off to the coaching staff for sniffing that out! I know that doesn't mean a hill of beans to most of you, but the true maroon Vikings can feel me. I'd like to see the goal for the lil db game this week to be SHUTOUT! Lil db ruined our most resent best chance at a Championship in 2009 with a freak loss to them in the first round of the playoffs. We owe them a BEATDOWN!! Row Vikings!!!!

IMO the Vikings will have to beat themselves to lose this game. With that being said I have a couple of critiques. #22 is going to have to stop dancing like he's a star and start running down hill. I know he has been impressive for the most part, but just think if he started running ever play with some purpose instead of doing a ballerina impression. Also #15 is going to have to become more consistent with the passing game or he's really not relevant in this offense. If he's not more accurate with his passes then he simple doesn't separate himself from the other two he shares time with and they both bring things to the table that he doesn't posses. I know there is someone out there that doesn't agree and if so I would love to hear your thought process. Just Keeping It Real (JKIR)....

You should probably be more concerned with your trip to DollyWOOD next week on your quest for a .500 season this year.

They're really not that bad. IMO their coaching staff simple does not give them the best opportunity for success. They have two studs in the backfield that are under utilized. If the coaching staff would get a little creative in getting either or both of them the ball in space, they would give their team a better chance to compete. I would also use them on D. They cripple their D trying to platoon. Just my opinion. You guys seem solid, but we are tracking to be up to the challenge when the time comes.

I must have missed the punch line. What's so funny??

Well coached game and good win for the Vikings tonight!! I love the offensive scheme we used tonight... utilizing many weapons and capitalizing off of everyone's strengths. If we could just have a little more success with the passing game and gain our confidence we would have a total package. I was very impressed/excited seeing this TEAM's big gain in momentum tonight. I have to upgrade my opinion from "we will compete in every game this season" to we have a chance to win in every game for the remainder of the season. Row Vikings!!!