Tornado89

Very logical young man. This is silly! Alcoa's players/coaches cannot count their chickens as they will most likely be playing at Tyner in the Semifinals. That will be tough.

What are you hearing on the street? Any changes?

The job is a gold mine. Coach Carlton Flatt felt as much in 99 when George almost talked him into coming up here.

No offense, but I think your barometer should adjust Science Hill to below average. It amazes me to NO end. They have so much talent. There was no heart shown by the kids last night. Somethings seriously wrong with the program. I just hate if for the community. Bearden plays hard but if you think they are "all world" then you should drive down to Maryville or Alcoa to see what you are talking about. Science Hill can have this also with the right system. No flame, jmho.

Knoxville Central will almost always have more athletes than Science Hill ever has. The Bearden win looks to be an impressive one. I think I heard on the radio however that they have 3 starters injured....don't know that for sure. I would put my money on Bearden. It is starting to look like Science Hill can only beat the area 4a schools not including Tennessee High. It is really a mystery to me as I have followed this program for 12 years now. They have some many athletes but not all of them stick around once high school rolls around. Also, there is never any consistency. Seems like they change offensive schemes every couple of games. JMHO>>>>

Thanks FBE...you are a stand up guy!!! Here's some of what happened: Turnover on their first Off. Poss. after driving 50 plus.....fumbled inside Alcoa's 25 I believe. Another fumble later in the game I believe. Drove at the end of the first half down to around the 10 or so and after a kid missed a BJ lazer, they lined up and attempted a FG and Brian Sommer laid "flat" out and blocked the kick. Most athletic play I have seen him make. I may have missed much more but that is what stands out to me. They did a lot of driving and to come away with no points.

Kyrus Lanxter headed to West Virginia and Brian Sommer with offers from UT and South Carolina.

I think I now know who you are. You were one of the "few" that was fired up with the way the school board hired Coach Rankin without interviewing "your boy." Why don't you find a new team to follow, because Coach Rankin is going to be our coach for a long time!

It has been my argument to the school board chairman, especially with open enrollment, to move up to 3A sort of like Elizabethton does in 4A and Trousdale Co. used to do in 3A before dropping back to 1A. Alcoa could easily do it. The overall enrollment is not an indicator as to how "deep" the program is. 90 players from the Freshman Class on up!

49-0 Alcoa. CAK's kids are no where near believing they can beat Alcoa, especially after they watch the game film from last week's Maryville game. I'm with Ron; Alcoa is better than last year. They may not have the athletes but they still have a great group of lineman, especially for 2a football. CAK had better be physical, because you can already see that Coach Rankin will stomp you in the ground if you are not up to the task. JMHO.....otherwise I totally appreciate the mission of CAK. My kids attend Providence Academy in Johnson City, so I know.

: Yes I agree with you. I guess what I mean is that Alcoa maybe small in enrollment, but they play much "bigger." Your point is taken......thanks

No offense taken. I don't live in Alcoa, but I was at the game. I don't have a problem with your views though. I am concerned about second guessing Coach Rankin this early, especially against Maryville. The most important thing to me is that the program becomes an envy of others in regards to developing young men and instilling discipline. If you have been around the program then you know what I mean. But I do respect your views......thanks

What is wrong with you? Do you have some kind of "beef" with Coach Rankin? He had Alcoa within a couple of bounces of beating Maryville last night. The QB had "deer in the head lights" in the first half. Are you a part of the "fence gang" saying "we should go deep" on every play? You need to get a grasp and be thankful we have a man who is willing to move to Alcoa and make a difference in the young men's lives around Alcoa. He is going to do great things for the commuinty like no other coach has done at the school. Just my honest opinion, and I know a little about the tradition since 3 generations of my family have played for Alcoa, including 2 State Championships and 2 captains!

RebelRon you are a class act. Maryville has an outstanding program. I cannot wait to see Tyler at UT. I think he will have a great career if he stays healthy. He is very explosive and most importantly; he always shows up in the big games. I agree with Shiverdecker. You cannot tell me Rogan or Hawkins have anything on him. He is an awsome talent. I don't know what the deal is with UT. I think I will call David Blacburn this week. I am also excited about Douglass. He does a nice job of blocking in addition to having great hands. Sykes is going to have to get "tougher" in my opinion. If Hicks were 3 inches taller! He is one tough kid that's for sure. Lanxter has all the tools but takes too many plays off. Sommer didn't play his best last night. Burnett is a D1 player IMHO.

I was a 9 year old (pee wee) in 75. We won 1 game I believe. After that, we were in the Super Bowl three straight years. The year you were talking about, I believe Isaac Kirkland and Harold Damron also played with the midgets. Funny, how talented we were my 12 year old year. Andy Long, Lamar Warren, Mickey Gorman, Andy Cannon, Chris Whitehead, Chris Stevens, Henry Love, Steve Olivera and myself....I will remain a mystery, ha, ha. I don't remember the Saints though.

The Westside Raiders were started in 1975 by Don Rawls, Jimmy Fox and Ronnie Lingenfelter. I played on the original teams. We practiced at Bungelow School and later across from Bassel School. We were always a "melting pot" made up with kids that would go on and play at all four area high schools.

Is it really necessary to single out a kid and call him average on this forum. You guys preach "class" but that was a low blow. Why don't you show some class.

For those who attended: What do you think?

What about the line play? It is going to have to holdup against Maryville, Fulton and McCallie. Also are the numbers up? I was told there are over 90 players when you include the Freshman. Thanks for any information.

I am sorry, but I don't see "great" at all. I talked to a former player last night and his brother plays. He has some concerns. I was jogging around Liberty Bell the other night and stopped to watch practice. As usuall, I am shocked with the numbers. Maybe 50 players. With Science Hill approaching 2000 students I just don't understand it. I really hope I am wrong though. I just don't see the athletes on this team.

Thanks for the informative post. Maryville is really undersized? That surprises me. I agree about the athletes though. Outstanding group of WR's.....

Wingman, do you know Gary? He seems like a good guy. His family is very excited to be in a "smaller" environment. I can understand. I graduated from Alcoa over 20 years ago, but lived the Boro for years and still have friends and business associates there. Just too dang busy for me! Still great people at Riverdale. I know many teachers there. I used to live next to Ron Crawford years ago before he took the job at Manchester. I can remember when Coach Gardner was just a little boy at Church.

Who's his father? Not Barry is it?