jsills

I believe the last regional championship Haywood won was the 4-A title in 2005. So you do have a good point. The Tomcats were a missed tackle away from the boro last year against Mitchell. You should consider that prior to 2006 we were in 4-A and ran into Melrose in Orange Mound several times in the playoffs during the period in which they had players like Albert Means and Joe Doss. Although, Haywood did go to back to back state championship games in the mid 90s, there has been a drought lately. That being said the Tomcats probably have upwards of a dozen region or conference championships over the years. I don't think Stowe is below .500 all time at Haywood. I know from 2004-2005 season to today he's 35-19. And I can recall several good seasons in 02-03, and 01-02. Just don't know the record. I'll be the first to admit Coach Stowe is no Steve Spurrier. But he generally does a good job on defense and getting his teams to play physical. Even when we had 6' 8" Carlos Singleton we didn't throw the ball much.

Could one of the reasons that Dyer County hasn't been shown much respect be a combination of perennial mediocrity and poor sportsmanship? Secondly, there's really no need to take everything as a direct affront to yourself. I am speaking in generalities, and acknowledge that there are courteous and rude fans for every team in the state. With that being said, my experience with Dyer County fans has been that many of them are boastful and rude; and as a consequence tend to eat a lot of crow. That's not to say that I haven't run across Covington, Haywood, Ripley, or Dyersburg fans that are the same way, but I tend to give them more of a pass considering the hundred or so years of gridiron history between the schools. All I am trying to say is that until Dyer County starts proving themselves on a consistent basis, some of you need to lighten up a little.

Having seen Haywood demolish their other region opponents so far this year, I'm starting to become a believer in this years team to win region. We'll see if that holds true tonight, but we all know we can expect a smashmouth game and stout defense from the Tomcats. I expect the Tomcat defense to stand tall, and can't help but think the big dumptrucks in the trenches will eventually wear down the Choctaw D to get the ball moving for Haywood. I think Tomcats take this one by a touchdown. And to add to the ongoing debate, I agree that for some reason you Dyer County fans sure do talk a lot of smack for being so new to success. Maybe it's a little-man's complex from being so close to the Trojans, but whatever it is sure is getting old. Seems like ever since the region was shaken up there's been an awful lot of smack coming from the new kids on the block. Whether that be Dyer County or Crockett. Seems to me you could use a little more respect for the old guys like Covington, Haywood, Ripley, and Dyersburg. Sportsmanship can go a long way in this region youngins. Ask any long time Charger, Tiger, Tomcat, or Trojan....we may not like each other but we absolutely respect each other.

from what i heard the officiating was EXTREMELY one sided in favor of DC. To the point where the refs had to be escorted off the court by the police. Oh well, moving on to substate..

I don't think the Tomcats can handle Mitchell to be honest. The caliber of opponents that they have beaten this year is very high, and while the Tomcats have had good victories as well, even the best teams on that list aren't as tough as some of the ones Mitchell has faced. Haywood does have two advantages though. They have a mental edge on Mitchell, as for some reason these two schools have been consistently meeting each other the past several years in playoff situations on the hardcourt, and Haywood always comes out the winner. Even when Mitchell had Thad Young they couldn't beat the Tomcats. Granted, this is now on the gridiron, but some of that luck could still be with the 'Cats. Homefield advantage. Brownsville can be a tough place to play IF the Tomcat fans get into the game. I haven't followed Mitchell this year, but I'm going to assume that if they are physical enough to handle Melrose then they will be able to deal with the Tomcat's usually biggest advantage right there. Logically, I have to think that Mitchell is going to take this one pretty handily, but for some reason I see Haywood coming out with the win over the Tigers yet again, if only because the cards seem to keep falling like that against them. Just my two cents though.

You are ridiculous. The Tomcats are one of the most storied programs in the entire state of Tennessee, and certainly support their team as such. Attendance at the Sheffield/Haywood game in round 1 was almost entirely Haywood County. The Tomcat fans outnumbered the Knight fans by at least 15:1, in Memphis; and that is not an exageration at all. Now, if by any better than Memphis teams you mean teams like Melrose, Craigmont, White Station, or Whitehaven..I guess you could say that. But if you are talking about teams like Sheffield, you are an absolute joke. I have the sneaking suspicion that all of this smack Dyer County fans have been talking is going to come back to bite you in the butt. But we'll have to wait a few more hours to find that out. Just remember, and pride cometh before a fall. GO TOMCATS! My prediction for Friday night: Cinderella loses her slippers. Haywood 14, Dyer Co 10.

Haywood travels extremely well and have been known to make a lot of noise. Watchout for all the purple in the house tonight. There will be a lot of it.

You guys need to chill out. I understand you're excited and proud about this excellent season you're having, but some people come on here trying to have a rational conversation about the upcoming game and you just jump all over them. Your energy is better spent yelling for your team than yelling on a message board. Let's just see what happens Friday, and chill.

I definitely agree. I think it will be a real dogfight also. Coach Renshaw has done a great job over there at Dyer County and I am sure the Choctaws will be very well prepared for everything the Tomcats can throw at them. It will all boil down to which team executes the best. See you Friday!

Haywood admitedly overlooked Dyer County the first time this year. I wouldn't count on that happening again. This should be a closer game for the new kids on the block.

This one is probably going to come down to the wire. Haywood has a history of being a very tough physical team and this year is no exception. The Tomcat D is one of the best around, and if they can get the ball going on the ground this one will be very close. I don't see Haywood moving the ball much through the air after watching their performance against Sheffield. Dyer Co is going to be playing with a ton of emotion considering how great a season it has been for them, while the Tomcats should be pretty composed having been to the second round last year. I still think Dyer County wins this one in a nail biter, but I wouldn't count Haywood out of it. Sooner or later the Tomcats are going to get back to being the smashmouth powerhouse of old, and with a team this physical it could be this year.

So does anyone have a prediction? How good is Sheffield this year? I've only seen the Tomcats play once and that was the beatdown over JCM. This game is at Halle right?

last update I got it was 7-7 with Haywood ball late in the 4th. Should be either over or in OT now...

it says they are covering college and NFL as well. maybe they will include the other three Div-1 college football teams in the state.... This looks to be a top notch publication.

Haywood made the playoffs last year with a 3 win record, but Ripley misses out with 6 wins. Just goes to show where the right wins count more. Covington Dyersburg Crockett Haywood Look for the Trojans, Chargers, and Cavs to have strong seasons, with Haywood edging out the lower level teams with a few key wins. The Tomcats are still limping along into the playoffs each year, though they are a shadow of themselves from decades past.