or333

I can't verify the identity of the person behind the screen name but I do know Nick "Nicky" Orlando, Jr. He used to date my sister back in the 70s. I also enjoyed watching this team more than others in the recent past. The biggest difference I notcied was the discipline. A marked decrease in mental mistakes and show-boating produced far fewer penalties. I've heard many times of coach Paul Brewster telling people to act like they had been in the end zone before. That seems to be a theme repeated this year. I also liked the sportsmanship displayed. The players retrieving overthrown balls for the refs, helping-up the oposing players, the handshakes after the games. The only sticky situation this year was Riverdale lining up on the 50 before the game and seeing if OR would back down. A little 'jawing was all that came of it, so I guess that was OK. I'm not going to comment on previous coaches because I don't know them or for what part of the program they were responsible. I just know that I like some of the changes I saw this year and I'll be back in the stands next year.

Ground was broken on Monday of this week on a new 5A High School in the Hardin Valley area of West Knox County. It doesn't have a name yet but should start JV ball in 2008 and varsity in 2010. I grew up on Oak Ridge football, but I would have to drive by this school everytime I go to an OR game. It's only 4 miles from where I live, so I was thinking it might be nice to help build something that the whole community could get behind. Is it too soon to start working on organizing a booster club?

Just got finished reviewing the tape (DVR actually) so I might be able to shed some light. I was at the game and thought RHS O line must be holding like crazy to create the lanes they were running through. After watching the game on TV (RHS offensive plays in slow-mo) I think I have your answer. The one thing that stood out from all other OR games I've watched this year was the lack of backside pursuit. RHS's O-line did a fabulous job of cut-blocking the backside. I'm not talking about illeagal blocks (though there were a couple of questionable combo blocks) but the ones where the O lineman got into the legs of the defensive lineman and either knocked him down or created a sizable cut back lane. I also don't remember so many traps and counters run by an opponent. Another thing was all year OR used there Dbacks in run support, but by using the spread formation RHS took them out of the play before the ball was even snapped. Great scheme and execution. RHS's defensive line didn't overpower OR's offensive line. They occupied OR's O-linemen which freed-up the linebackers. RHS was able to put a minimum of 8 men in the box for run support. All of OR's passes were to the outside of the field on fades and quick outs. I don't recall them throwing down the middle of the field at all. With no threat of getting beat with the pass, RHS just loaded the box and shot the gaps. Good job. All year long OR was able to hit the pass over the middle to force the defense to respect the pass. I guess they quit trying because they weren't able to pick up the blitz and I only remember one attempted screen to a running back. Good job to the RHS staff. Enjoy it, you earned it. Looks like we now have another "R" team from middle Tennessee to overcome. In the words of the long-suffering Vanderbilt fans everywhere, "Wait 'till next year!" OR333