pseudophobia

You are correct...I missed that one. Teams can look so different from game to game. That's what makes soccer such a great game. Somehow a team has to figure out how to play great all the time- almost impossible. It makes the victories all the sweeter. I will say this about Karns- they have a great coach. Mike McClain does good things with whatever team he is given. I hope to see them play a game.

Sorry about that...I was being sarcastic!!!! My point was that I see the shots on goal and it seems like the numbers are a little inflated one way or the other. I can't figure out how the numbers are what they say in the local paper- especially after I just watched the same game and wonder who is doing the counting! I can't wait to see the report in the morning.

Excuse me Akula, but if you look at my post from earlier today- I called this one!! I have seen both teams and this was not a good match-up for Farragut. Every team has an opponent that will give them fits and tonight that was the case for Farragut. I watched the entire game- it was a great game for Oak Ridge. They do play some good soccer, and they are not a kick and run team. Farragut played a good second half, but their first half was a disaster. The frustration was evident as Backstrom was complaining to the ref, and his mouth got him a yellow card. It showed no poise on his part, but the score was 3-0 before the half and he was mad about being put down just inside of the 18 at the corner. While the play went on, he stood and complained. As usual in Farragut games and as I have posted many, many times about the same ref- that bald headed guy named Chuck- he was again in the center. The ref's were very good and the center did a great job. I can't figure him out, some games are great- some are not. It most be me!!! Good job Chuck!! The score was 3-1 at the half with Farragut getting a late goal- maybe with 2 or 3 minutes left. I can hear the talk about this game- it sounds about the same all the time "We controlled the game, blah, blah" It is true that Farragut clearly dominated most of the 2nd half....with possession. Oak Ridge scored 2 times and Farragut 1. That say's it all. Backstrom played a great 2nd half and was clearly the best player for Farragut. They had some good chances. I am sure that the local paper will have 354 shots on goal for Farragut and 5 for Oak Ridge. I can never figure out what people call a shot on goal?? Someone help me here- if the ball is kicked 50 yds above the goal, but it was aimed at the goal, is this a shot on goal?? I always thought that a shot on goal is one that had the potential of actually going in the goal unless something on someone stops it? It was a very bad game for the keeper at Farragut...it happens! Everyone has a bad game and that does not define a season or a career!! Just forget about it and make the next game your best. Oh well, I am done.....except this prediction. I had said early in the year that I think this is the year that Farragut or Bearden gets beat in the region by either West, Oak Ridge or South Doyle. I stand by that prediction...I have a feeling!!!

I think everyone will be in for a shock!! To "gooner" who said that Oak Ridge only kicks the ball.......you haven't seen Oak Ridge play, have you?? Besides, controlling the entire game with a bunch of passes between 7 players...and then missing the goal is not any better than a team who can smash the ball 80 yards and get 1 person to put the ball in the net! Oak Ridge moves the ball well and they play smart, controlled soccer. They look a lot like Maryville and Farragut. This should be real close. I will call the upset and say that Oak Ridge wins this one in a hugh upset.... 2-1!! Yeah, maybe I'm crazy, but I have a feeling about this one. I have seen them both play and I think that Farragut has some holes that can be filled. It is at Oak Ridge on a hugh , very nice field!! My only concern for Oak Ridge is the pressure that Farragut is about to put on them. It should be great!!!

To dins8...I enjoyed your comments about the Maryville Vs. Bearden game and agree with most of it. Bearden has South Doyle- (the most under-rated team in the area) left in their district. This should be a great game! The SD players were there at the game(vs Maryville) watching. They aim to get some respect, and the only way they can, is to beat Bearden. After that game Bearden has Webb and Alcoa still to play. Can you say...battle hardened!! Look at Beardens schedule- it has been very hard. I think this is the key to their success- tough games all the time. I was looking at the eurosport.com site. So far 13 of the teams that Bearden has played have a winning record. If you look at Brentwood- I think they played 5 or 6 teams with winning records. The schedule that a team plays during the year could have something to do with the success in post-season! Thoughts about schedules??? Anyone?? As far as predictions go I say Bearden 3 South Doyle 1. Good luck to both teams!! By the way Maryville looked very, very good last night- they will be (are) dangerous going down to post-season!!

If anyone has the scores from this tournament- would you please post them?? Thank you.

That is a good point and smart by the Farragut coach to know of these things. If goal differential comes into play, is there a maximum goal-per-game rule? Because if there isn't, then it wouldn't be fair to Bearden since WB will not play them. Same thing with Heritage. I would like to know the rules on this subject.....if anyone knows the scoring/tie-breaker rule, please post it. As far as the scoring thing goes, I believe what someone else posted- it isn't Farraguts job to stop the scoring. I would rather get beat badly than to have my opponent slow down for me. That is the worst thing to do. I say pull the starters, let the younger players get some experience....at full speed! If it ends up 20-0...so be it!!!!

to "keez" and to dins8....I agree. If Bearden is going to lose a game it should be after this weeks tournament. If Bearden happens to lose a game in the McMinn Tour- then I think it will be a different story. 5 games in 7 days takes it's toll on anyone. One thing that I think everyone should know is this- Bearden is aware of how good a team South Doyle is! And I agree that the Cherokees deserve some recognition. 8-1 is a good team no matter who they play. Why are they not ranked somewhere! You can only play your schedule. They will not be overlooked- Turner will see to that. Bearden needs no other reason to be mad at Maryville- they lost to them last year at Maryville- they believe in paybacks!! This should be an interesting week all around. Another team that is under the radar seems to be Carter. I would like to see them play a game but it is hard to find their schedule. Any help would be appreciated!!

I don't know the exact rule on schools that don't offer a particular sport- example Campbell County High School does not have a soccer team- boys or girls, so if someone from that school wants to play- they can go to the nearest school that does have a program. For them I think it is Anderson County High. I am not sure about this rule, so anyone who knows...please help us out. I wonder if this may be something they would let a student at Hardin Valley do.?? Opinions??? Remarks?? Someone help out!!

This is scary stuff. I have complained about the dangers of going up and under a player that is airborn. It can be life-threatening. This should be something that all players should be concerned with and aware of the possibilities of this action. I was not there to see this, but it was a good thing that some medical professionals were there. Just so that everyone knows, when a person "passes out" of is just plain knocked out, the body has it's own defense system. If a person is placed with their head even slightly forward at the wrong angle, mostly with the chin tilted down, the body takes this as a threat to the airway and will put you into a seizure. This usually causes the body the straighten out and stiffen, breathing will increase and the body will start to shake. This is one of the scariest things in the world to watch. If this ever happens, it is real, real important to do a few things- 1. Make sure the airway is o.k.- don't let the head tilt forward. 2. Don't move them, other than positioning the airway- any time someone hits the ground they may have a neck injury! 3.. TALK to the person that is injured...they will hear you before they can answer you or speak...this will help them to relax. 4. Get professional help quick- there are usually doctors at the games, 911 isn't bad either. I hope for the best for this player!!

I say Farragut- 4 Maryville-1 I think that Farragut understands the importance of winning this game- it is almost a must win to stay in the hunt in the district. I beleive that Bearden now has to tie 1 and lose 1 for Farragut to pass their district record. I can't see that happening, but Farragut must stay ahead of the rest of the district to play at home until they are re-matched with Bearden. People should not forget South Doyle!! They are quietly sitting back and continue to win games. It should be an interesting finish.

I have to go with SouthDoyle by 5 goals! They are getting better and everyone seems to just overlook them. Somebody that thinks they will be an easy game is gonna get beat!! I think at 7-1 they are for real!!

Are you kiddin' me???? I'm not convinced they are the best team in the state! In case you haven't read remarks about this subject- I have always said that "National Championship" talk is a bunch of crap!! Bearden in 2002 may have been one of the best 10 teams in the Nation- but since they have no game to prove it- it is a matter of opinion. I don't believe Farragut was the best team in the State the year they won in 2004. Sounds crazy right?? They beat Oak Ridge 5-0 in the Championship game...destroyed them!! They, in my opinion were not as good as Oak Ridge that year. I was at the game- watched every second of it. It was the most unusal 5-0 game I have ever seen! But were they the undisputable champions...You dang right!! Not of the NATION!! This is a pretty big nation and I don't think they would be in the top 20 that year- yet they have some claim of a national championship because of some poll somewhere made by people who have no clue about the team, their talent, their ability- all they usually get is there records!! If your 23-0 but you have played a weak schedule, does that automatically make you the national champs if all the other states have good, close competition?? It is a simple ranking system, and I believe rankings are usually wrong! Before this week both West High and Farragut High were ranked above Bearden. Are they better- results say that they are not. The season will run it's course and eventually, we will have a champion of the State of Tennessee- that should be the goal and it is all that anyone could ask for. Forget rankings...they mean nothing- we have a tournament...could you imagine if everyone just played thier schedule and then we just choose a champion by a poll?? Well, that is exactly what happens with the "National Championship" poll. It has it's flaws!

On the Pitch.....Nice reply! I thought the game was fantastic!! I agree with what a lot of people have posted, but see some things a little differently. First off, I can see why the Farragut fans like Ben Backstrom...the kid can play!! I thought he had an outstanding game last night and his shot was wicked!! I have not seen him play like last night, but great players usually step it up when they have to... and he did. The rest of the Farragut team played well also. I have no idea about their defense- but the one a saw last night was very good! If the 2 play again it should be interesting! I did not like the dance Backstrom did after he scored a goal... but these are still young men and emotions are high. I understand it- but don't like it. Bearden then did the same thing. Again, didn't like it. I think that the game was played well by Bearden- Big G has it figured out with what Beardens defense gives you- and most teams take what is given. Farragut couldn't figure out how to beat it and didn't all night. Great defense by Bearden, they must have had Farragut offsides 10 times or more!! That gets frustrating!! All that work, all the passing and the possesion that they have- it all goes down the crapper when the defense gets you offsides! This is no accident from Bearden- this is what they do and they do it very well. I hear very little credit for them. The simply fact is this- Bearden has played 12 games and won 11 of them. These were not easy teams, West and Oak Ridge can beat anyone if they are on- Bearden beat both of them away. Farragut has played 10 games and won 6 of them! That's not the potential "National Champions" that some people thought they would be. As far as the record goes you can call the game they had with CBHS a tie if you like- but when the game goes to a shoot-out and you lose.....well then....you lost! They have tons of potential....could they beat Bearden 3-0 in their next game?? Sure they could, but while everyone else is injured or they haven't gelled yet or whatever, this Bearden team keeps on winning. Also, I hope that people who watch the game on channel 7 tonight take a close look at the foul that Tom Webster received with approx 9 minutes left in the 1st half- it was close to the players sideline, near the Bearden bench- I believe he was taken down from behind with no chance to see the foul coming, it is hard to see from the other side, but this should be right under the camera. I believed it was a dangerous play and possibly a red-card- yet the ref called nothing. Maybe it was a poor angle, but I will see tonight as the game was good enough to watch again-without all the noise from everyone else. Other than that, I think the refs did a great job!! I was so glad to not see the other bald-headed ref there!!!! I think that Webster is a man among boys most of the time and I saw that kid get abused all night with few calls. Some of them were not called because, in spite of the fouls, he still maintained possession! Him and Backstrom are clearly the cream of the crop! I doubt Backstrom no more!!! The next game should be just as much fun to watch...and I will be there!

I love this topic!! I think this should be a great game. Both teams have some really good players. I have seen West play 4 games this season and I have seen Maryville play 3 games this year. They both have their players, but the player that I have seen be the most consistent for Maryville is that short defender for Maryville named Pugh. That kid is incredibly smart and he starts play for them nicely all the time. That could be the problem, the ball gets down to him a lot. On the other side West has a lot more players that stike out. That Tanner kid has a dangerous throw in, but that is not the only thing he does well, that kid is very strong on the ball and can rip one when he gets the chance! The outside mid named McElroy or Cat, is another very solid player...and I am glad to see that he hasn't went under any players in the last 2 games I watched. (This had me really agitated and mad) The player that stands out the most...and seems to have a lot of comments, is the McCoy kid. I have yet to see him play a weak game, he is very smart with the ball, he is not selfish and he can crush a ball! He is way, way better than I thought he would be!! It is because you this that I predict: West-3 Maryville-1 Good luck to both teams!! (Sorry for the prediction Maryville)

Why would that surprise you?? This should be a very close, exciting, hard-fought game. Anything less would be disappointing!!! By the way..it was the law of averagesthat I said would be on their side. I have offered no complaints about Farragut or their players. I paid compliments where they are due and when something is "nothing special" I make that statement. (I think that is the closest thing to a negative comment that I have made.) I can never, ever recall making any statement about Bearden being Gods or anything close to that. I will say that they are an effective team at their style and I think their defense is getting better. I don't see how that makes them Gods. How did you come up with that?? Enlighten me with your vast wisdom!!!!!

Akula- thank you for the reply. I totally agree with you. Let me say that I do not blame a particular school for the filed situation- and if anyone thinks I was taking a jab at Farragut High or West High school...that is not the case. I think they are both great teams and I was impressed by them. However, that doesn't mean that I have to like seeing a game played on those fileds. The easiest, and probably smartest thing to do for this area......is. ...build fields ( yes...a complex) that the whole area can use!! It seems to work in every other state. It is hard enough for one school to build a field and it takes a whole lot of work- but if all the schools got together and pooled resources...it could be done. Maybe this should be a nice new topic!!!

Wow!!! Wow!!! That is quite a push for Farragut! I guess I didn't realize who I was talking about!!! Man oh man.....with players like that and all that experience, their superior skill level- coupled with the fact that they are "gelling" so early.....well, I guess they should be unstoppable!!! Why predict a 1-0 game??? I mean...with all that you mentioned I would think this shouldn't even be a game!!!! I guess they will have a bunch of near misses or something. Oh well, I will still watch this 1-0 beating you are predicting.

Catholic 2 CAK 1 I think that Catholic will be pumped for this game and they are past due!! Sorry Big G!!! I will see this game- then head to the Bearden Vs Farragut game. Should be a great night for soccer in Knoxville!!! Good luck to all teams!!!!!

I have problems with soccer being played on a football field...it doesn't matter who it is!! If the object of high-school soccer is to prepare these players for playing at the next level (please spare me the talk of fun and school support, etc, etc,....... because I think that is a given) then I can tell you that I have yet to see a single college or pro game played on a field that is 56 or even 60 yards wide. I think it stinks and it pains me to watch a game being played at a place like West High, where the slope of the field won't allow for a direct kicks to be taken at the spot of the foul or close to the line because the ball keeps rolling down the hill. Yes, this did happen Tuesday in the West vs Bearden game. One time a player had to kick a nice divot in the ground to place the ball in so it would not roll!! Somehow that just irritates me!!! Think of going to watch a basketball game where goals are only 9 feet high- you could argue that " well both teams are playing on the same size goals" which would be true. But the team that always practices on those goals would have an advantage!! I know this doesn't happen, but my point is .... being on your home field where you practice is always an advantage no matter the size of the filed, but some fields give distinct advantages because those teams play a style that fits the field they have to play on. I don't care what team it is- I think it absolutely stinks!!!!!. This is bad for soccer and those players who have to play on them.

They lost Ben Lawson- who was their best player and they have a new keeper! I don't think of those 2 as anyone. Also, they lost the last one 3-0. And by the way, both of there wins were at home on their football field...this game is at Bearden. Good luck Farragut.

Now that the Bearden/West game is over I predict Bearden wins 2-1. The Bearden players are pretty upset that at 9-1 the are ranked below Farragut and West. I guess that with 2 losses and 2 ties the West rankings will go back to where they belong. Even though the record shows Farragut has 3 ties- they still lost a shoot-out to CBHS. Now they can quit thinking about that, just like Bearden has there loss to Houston. I think Bearden wins because there defense is getting stronger and smarter. Farragut must have one of the best defenses, as they give up very few goals!! The reason I think Bearden wins is this- they have had endless chances to score goals, but can't finish. At some point the law of averages comes out- and I think they are due! I see them getting some crazy goal that almost never happens!! I might have seen that at the Oak Ridge game with 30 seconds. Oh well...this is a wild guess any way you look at it!! I just hope to see both teams play their best possible games!!! It should be a great one!! Good luck to both teams!!!

It was a close game, but Bearden scored in less than 5 minutes of the 1st half. I wouldn't call this a game....it was more like kick-ball that turns into 647 throw-ins!!! Most of the game was one throw-in after another. That Tanner kid for West can be dangerous- on the other side for Bearden- Ceasar Ruiz can also fling the thing!! It was a strange game, the ref was so one-sided it was a joke. He allowed West to plow through the backs of the Bearden players over and over- If Bearden had any contact--FOUL!! It was typical of Chuck...or as the Bearden parents call him- the Farragut ref!! This isn't a jab at Farragut, it's just that this guy seems to always ref their games (when they are at Farragut). I have seen him be just as biased against Farragut as he was against Bearden tonight! I can't figure that guy out, some days he is great, some days he is terrible. In this game he was the latter!!! I expect that he will be the centrer ref for the Bearden VS Farragut game.

This game depends on what happens with the Bearden Vs. West game! Playing at West is tough and they are a very good team. On a normal (by normal, I mean legal sized) field, I give West no chance against Bearden- at their own field they could win. If West beats Bearden tonight- then I can't see Farragut beating Bearden AT Bearden. To tough to call!!! I will make a prediction after tonight.

Chad C...I know you are upset, but let's face it- that topic needed to be closed. It was O.K. when the topic remained about soccer, but someone started getting very, very personal. That was uncalled for!! It sounded like a bunch of different versions of what happened, but when you are talking about someones child- it becomes even more personal. Especially when an injury happens- that is never funny, and the images stick with you. Here's an example- I saw a game between Bearden and Farragut 3 years ago. There was an unbelivable collision between 2 mid-fielders, one of them was absolutely flattened. It was a complete, unintentional collision- however the player who got ran over did not get up so quickly. The other player, began laughing- got some "high-fives" from teammates.....that is what was remembered by me and many others. Actions speak louder than words, and remember....actions are seen. At the time of the injury, no one- including the kid who inflicted the damage, knew that the other player would spend weeks with a bruised kidney, lost games, had doctor visits, etc. My point is this- if an injury happens, and they will, at least show some respect for the injured player- especially if it was an accident. No one likes to see someone celebrate the pain of another player.