tornadogold

HA!!! Alcoa has an excellent chance of going back to the 'Boro! Rae Sykes will be ready to go, the 2 MVP's from the championship game will be back, an awesome quarterback (who, by the way, got lots of playing time last year, so he can't be called a "rookie"), a very talented Senior class, plus a lot of talented underclassmen!!! I see Alcoa back at the 'Boro with Rankin at the helm!

If you are really from Hopkinsville, then you are to be commended for your class! It was a very poorly called game last year. Hope it's better this year! Glad it's the 1st game, it was too darn hot last year!

I don't think Rankin was "taking any shots", he was just stating the facts as to why he's not scared of Maryville. If you perceive that as taking shots, then you're entitled to your opinion. The fact remains that MHS is a 4A school (close to being 5A), and Alcoa is a little 2A school, so MHS should have more of a base to choose from. So, of course they should win. I hope he instills some fire into our guys to make them believe that they can beat Maryville and not get out there like deer in headlights (again). Now, that being said, this thread isn't Maryville-Alcoa, it's about our head coach. I think Maryville fans can't stand it when they aren't in the limelight, even on a forum that has nothing to do with them (see top: 1A-2A-3A).

If you have to ask why Alcoa and Maryville play each other every year, then you haven't been a rebel fan very long. The tradition behind this rivalry is probably unparalled anywhere else in the state. Painting the bridge, egg fights (okay, they've put this to a stop), pranks on the other school, the bonfires, pep rallies, chants ("M-u-r-v-u-l, murvul, murvul, ___ like ___, the rebel flag burning, etc., are all what makes this rivalry so fun. If they didn't play each other every year, what would Marville fans have to gloat about (other than beating the other 2 county "teams" and winning another championship)??? It would definitely be a sad season to see this rivalry gone. I suspect that some day it may be, but we older "kids" have our memories! Once again, here, on the 1A-2A-3A forum, it's become "all about Maryville"!!! Alcoa is looking forward to a great season with our new coach. The kids are excited, the fans are excited. The kids are ready to get working to bring home another gold ball. Beating maryville would be icing on the cake, but it wouldn't take away from being at the 'Boro again.

Your kids must be homeschooled. Either that, or you don't have kids, or your living in a dream world.

Point taken. Can't blame Reid for not being able to beat Murvul. If anybody did, they'd have to blame every coach Alcoa's ever had. Do I wanna beat Murvul??? Heck, yeah. Would I rather have another gold ball without beating Murvul??? You betcha. I don't think pressure is being put on Rankin for that one game. I think if you asked most Alcoa fans, they'd tell you they'd rather have another gold ball. Beating Murvul would just be the icing on the cake. At least this year if Alcoa loses that game, nobody'll be able to say it was because of bad coaching! We're looking forward to a great year.

Okay, I'll bite: How can you play up when you're already a 5A school??? I read a post somewhere on here that said once Murvul moves up to 5A the region will be really weak. But, this isn't about Murvul at all! Alcoa is really excited about hooking this caliber of coach, and even Rebel fans aren't gonna bring us down on this one!!!

Nothing against CAK, but obviously you haven't heard who the new HC is. He's keeping the same coaching staff plus a new strength & conditioning coach (it's rumored some college S&C coaches have applied). Look for Alcoa to be in the 'Boro.

Well said Catback and AViper! At least this year if we get beat by MURVUL, we can't blame it on GQ being a better coach! As Rankin told us in the Booster meeting, we don't have to play Murvul, so Alcoa is to be commended for playing up. And, as he also said, Murvul never called Riverside asking for a game, and they don't have Oak Ridge, or D-B on their schedule. The only games they play "up" are Willy B and Heritage (no brainer there why they continue to play them!). It is pretty arrogant of Murvul fans to assume that's the only reason Rankin was hired. Sounds like they might be a little scared of Rankin!!! We just got extremely lucky that we got Rankin at a time when he was looking for a better way to raise his kids. He's definitely impressive. Looking forward to a great season. Things are getting exciting around this lil' town!

We were told last night at the Booster meeting that he will be the assistant principal. If there were any doubts about him being hired, Rankin pretty much blew those away. He answered all of the questions thrown at him the right way. I think most (if not all) of the parents left there feeling really excited about him coming. We were also told last week that one of the assistant coaches that teaches in a different school system would be coming to work at Alcoa. I don't know if that's a definite, though. Hopefully the other coach will get the weight training job and will stay.

They promised one of the asst. coaches an interview. This asst. coach has gone above and beyond his duties (he doesn't even work for the school system) such as having before school study hall for some kids before he goes to his regular job. I for one am disappointed in how this was handled. Rankin may very well be the best man for the job, but promises were made and the admin. seems to have chosen not to honor these promises. I hope they talked to this asst. coach ahead of time and he didn't just read about it in the paper like the rest of us. Also, the boys were promised that they would be listened to. Supposedly the interviewees would have a chance to address the upcoming seniors and give their input. I suspect the admin. is really going to hear about it from a lot of parents. I'll support Rankin and I hope he can get the job done. I'm excited that we have a coach, but at the same time disappointed in how it was handled.

Not a ticked off parent, but glad to hear he won't take the crap from parents or kids. That's exactly what we need. If this is true, it's going to be an interesting year! Oh, and, TURBO: The colors are maroon and gray/white, not silver!

Just assuming, that's all, taking into consideration he'd be going from a 5-A school to a 2-A. Plus, there's a lot of work that the hc does that he doesn't get paid for. If he already did get offered the job, there'd be a whole slew of ticked off parents, that's for sure. I don't think the admin is that stupid (I would hope not, anyway).

Sorry to burst the old rumor bubble, but applications are still being received until tomorrow. Interviews start the 10th. Of course, I'm not one of the "important ones", but I don't see how Alcoa could pay Rankin his asking price if they couldn't pay Reid what he was asking for. Don't think many people in Alcoa want a coach who is ready to retire...I understand they're looking for someone who will be around for a while (meaning more than 3-4 years). Also, I heard they're looking for somebody with ties to Blount Co. to increase the chances he'll be around for a while. Could be wrong, but hope I'm not.