coachjohn

That same score is showing on the coach t game map????

My understanding of the rule is that he may not participate at the new school for 12 months after his last participation at the prior school. Participation also includes other some other sports including basketball. Does anyone know when he last participated at Mt. Pleasant? What date did they finish their season last year? Did he play any other sports last year?

Open enrollment = two words

Why is east lit playinig a jv schedule? are they goiing to have Juniors and Seniors?

I had the pleasure to watch Eric play every game for the past two seasons. Eric is the real deal. He has played like a "man among boys" since his sophmore year. He is a strong kid with great speed and and instincts for the game. Plays defense with a mean streak and loves to be a big hitter. Eric Gordon is a true shut down corner but also played safety and linebacker. On offense he has great speed and great hands and often turns a one yard pass into a long gain. Hard to find any faults with Eric's game. He will certianly be a top recruit.

I saw Kerry Oakley pitch for Ensworth last night. He may be the best pitcher no one knows about. 6'4" 230lbs and just throwing the ball past kids. He had great command of the strike zone and was confident in three pitches. Probably had ten strikeouts in four innings against an improved MLK team. I will not be surpised if he leads Ensworth to some wins against teams in his division.

Please don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of PC and Coach Brunetti and I hope they win every week. I was honestly surprised that they didn't score more points and I was hoping to hear more about the game.

As expected the burros easily handled Hillwood. Matt Arent threw for three touchdowns and Jaquese Seward rushed for three. The burros are off this week but you can expect to see this story again as Hillsboro moves through It's remaining region schedule and into the playoffs

How did Pearl only score 18 v. Stratford? I watched Hillsboro put up 56 against Stratford and it could of been 200 if they would of thrown a pass in the second half. At 18-6 the mercy rule never even shortend the game??

Ensworth (or any school) will never have a better coached group of seniors and coaching could win this for the Tigers. Coach Caudill will have his guys in the right place blocking the right guy and considering the speed of the two running backs at Ensworth they only need to hold their blocks for a moment. My guess is that MBA will need to bring up their safeties to help contain the run and Coach Bowers will pick exactly the right time to throw the ball. MBA will control the ball and limit each team??™s number of possessions and I think that works fine for Coach Bowers. If game is close in the fourth quarter, all of the pressure is on MBA. I can't wait to see this game.

Most blatant and ridiculous abuse by officials was the Hillsboro v. Franklin game. Lightning begins in third quarter with Hillsboro in lead 14-7. Officials did not decide to stop game until Franklin had the opportunity to tie the game. The final Franklin drive was aided by doubtful pass interference call on fourth down early in drive and then Franklin was given a new set of downs after terrible "roughing the passer" call on fourth down at the Hillsboro goal line. It was obvious that the officials wanted a tie before stopping the game. Otherwise they could have stopped the game before point after attempt. Game was stopped immediately after the Franklin extra point to tie the game. Most severe lightning all night was just prior to the snap about five plays before the Franklin touchdown. Clearly the officials felt that they could "call the game? and everyone could go home if the game was tied. We all know how that worked out??? I could also question two ball spots on third and fourth down during the Hillsboro v. MBA game but that is a whole other story. It seems to me that some high school officials are considering circumstances beyond the play on the field (score of game, location of game) when making decisions. Throwing flag on fourth down to ensure another chance to tie the game is a new low in officiating. I guess my vote is that officiating so far this year has been less than good.

I am not sure I understand why you question the coaches using 3 step drops to get the ball in these guys hands quickly. MBA was bringing preassure so you call plays for the ball to come out quickly. Sounds like good coaching to me. I was at the game and Arent got the ball to Eric seven times. You are the only one I know who was at the game and did not think Eric showed his true potential. Eric is clearly a division one prospect on either side of the ball. Hillsboro also has dangerous recievers in Corey Jordon, Demetrious Garret, Jarett Blihovde, Nick Hill and Jacquese Seward. Since they can only play with one ball, it would not be reasonable to expect Arent to throw to Gordon more than 7 times in a game. If Maplewood does decide to load up the box and stop Seward then Arent will continue to get the ball quickly into the hands of Eric and the other guys and it should be a big night for Hillsboro. If not for a holding call and a couple of questionable spots on third and fourth down with Hillsboro at the MBA 18 yard line, 17 completions would of been good for four TD's last Friday. I said earlier that 17 completions equals a four TD win for Hillsboro and I stand by my assertion. MBA's defense was well disciplined and they kept Jaquese and the Hillsboro recievers from any big plays (one long pass in first quarter to Jordon and one run by Jaquese for 25yds). I look for Maplewood to miss some tackles that MBA made, and a couple of passes will turn into TD's with long YAC. I also expect Jaquese to break at least one long touchdown run. Maplewood has a good defense and it will be a good game, but Hillsboro has too many options. Not to mention the Hillsboro defense who in spite of losing, did hold an MBA team that rushed for 447yd vs Antioch, and 375yd vs Baylor to 198yds. Not the number the Burro coaches were looking for but respectable given the good game plan for MBA mixing runs and passes. (not to mention running one for sure D1 signee and a couple of other backs who looked pretty good, behind perhaps the best lineman in the state and a couple of other guys who could sure find and hold a block) Chris Simpson will need to complete more than the three passes he did against Hunters Lane or the three against Pearl for Maplewood to have a chance in this game. Of course, every time he throws the ball that is another chance for Eric Gordon to "show his true potential" Not to mention Garrett, Davis and Crutcher who wil all be happy to "show their true potential."

Let's not forget to give some credit to th defense for MBA and Franklin. MBA may be the best defense in division two coming off shutout victories over Independence (37 yds rush 22 yds pass) and Baylor (35 yds rush and 105 yds pass). I also believe before the end of the season everyone will recognize the Franklin defense to be one of the best in 5A ball. Franklin has not given up many yards in two loses to McCallie (80 Yds rush) and Ravenwood (32 yds rush). In their wn vs McGavock they gave up just 79 yds. Hillsboro will need to score more and they should if they can start converting on short yardage downs and cut out one or two penalties that really hurt. Hopefully these games against top defenses have prepared the Burros for an expected to be good Maplewood defense. If so, then the loss and the "tie" will be worth every bit of anguish the team has suffered.

It would also be foolish for any Ensworth opponent to under estimate Harrison Ballard.

I don't think Maplewood can put more preassure on Arent than MBA. MBA is big strong and disciplined. They played well on Friday and deserve credit for winning a close hard fought game. Now I am trying to figure what you consider "rattled," in the first half against MBA, Arent was 10-13 for 140 yds with one passing and one rushing TD. (also threw one TD that was called back due to penalty) He finished the game 18-27. If Arent can go 18-27 against Maplewood, the Burros win by 4tds. Seward will continue to get yards on screens (especially if teams continue to blitz and preassure Arent). However, if you don't think he runs between the tackles then you have not been paying attention. Most of Seward's yards come through the middle. Watch the game this week and you will notice that #5 hits the hole as quick and hard as any back in the state and then always seems to be coming out of the other end of the pile(sometimes for 30-50yds). Maplewood is a good team and deserves respect as the second best team in the region. Still, my guess is that a focused Hillsboro team opens an early lead and never looks back. Arent, Seward, Gordon and most of the Hillsboro starters are taking off tape and cheering on the younger guys by the end of the third quarter

No, the penalty was on fourth down and moved the ball back to the 40 yard line. Hillsboro punted into the endzone and MBA took over at the 20yd line. Hillsboro stopped MBA then scored at the end of the half.

My understanding is that metro schools have an annual open enrollment period. (I think it is Jan-Feb). Incoming freshman from outside of a school's zone can apply for admission to any school as long as there is space available. There is also a provision for moving to a school outside of a student??™s zoned school if the zoned school does not offer a particular class or group of classes that a student is interested in taking. I don't think we should ever feel sorry for metro coaches. My point was that Hillsboro, and the top private schools, attract kids they do not recruit kids. My other point was that most of the kids who are attracted to Hillsboro are attracted to the stronger academics as documented by USN&WR. For the kids who play football, the attraction is even greater because of the tradition of a winning football team. Open zoning is a good thing because it is about the kids and their families. It is not about the coaches or the football teams. If a coach ever promoted a rule that prevented a kid or his family from an opportunity in order to ensure he could keep "his players??? that would be a tragedy. Build better schools and better programs and you will attract kids. Kids who live in a particular zone do not belong to any coach. If they choose to attend another school (public or private) it is because their family felt it was the best opportunity for them to have the best future. This is good. Sorry, this post is about the Tigers. They are ready and they will make the playoffs.

Let me try to clear up this nonsense once and for all. Matt Arent loved Ensworth (still loves Ensworth). His experience at Ensworth was better than could be expected. His parents loved Ensworth. The academics are outstanding. the athletics, especially the coaches, are outstanding. The teachers are great. He had great friends (still has) at Ensworth. It is no one's business, but it is common knowledge that Matt left Ensworth for financial reasons. His mother worked for Northwest Airlines. Northwest went into bankruptcy and their bankruptcy cut her salary in half. His father sells software to trucking companies and, with record fuel costs among other issues plaguing the industry, business is uncertain. Even after adjusted statements were submitted to the people in Princeton, Matt's family did not feel comfortable committing to the reduced cost. They had paid 100% of his tuition for two years and felt that if they could not continue to pay for Ensworth then MLK was a good (great) alternative. Everyone at Ensworth was very supportive and every effort (within the rules) was made to keep Matt at Ensworth. I truly believe and will forever believe that Ensworh wanted to keep Matt because he is a great kid and an outstanding student. Matt misses the sports at Ensworth much more than Ensworth sports will ever miss Matt. Thankfully the TSSAA did not choose to punish Matt by making him sit out a year because of things he had no control over. Matt received a hardship ruling from Mr. Carter because he met the specific criteria outlined in the TSSAA rules. His family is grateful that there is a rule allowing exceptions for kids like Matt. Regarding recruiting, Matt is 6'3" tall and 216 pounds. He plays basketball, football and baseball. He has a 3.8 GPA and has test scores in the top 2%. He is an all state football player and hit .480 and .415 in the last two baseball seasons. MATT ARENT WAS NEVER RECRUITED BY ANY HIGH SCHOOL. He was not recruited to Ensworth. He was not recruited from Ensworth to Hillsboro. He attended football camp at BA every year and Coach Flatt never recruited him. I am convinced that recruiting is a myth! Kids are attracted to schools by good coaching, good facilities and good academics. There are no "scholarships" for high school football players. The division two schools offer financial aid to every admitted student based on the financial statement provided by the family. I am sure some parents and some students represent this financial aid to people as a "scholarship". If it makes them feel better, great. It is absurd to think that division 2 schools like Ensworth (or MBA or BA) would sacrifice their integrity to attract a high school athlete. You don't have to spend much time at any of these schools to know that they are run by people who are more concerned with academics and integrity than with football. They are right to assume that a great school will attract great athletes. They spend their time and money on building great schools, great kids, including great athletes are attracted to their school because it is great. Hillsboro is a similar story. I know many of the kids who attend Hillsboro rather than their zoned schools. Most are at Hillsboro because it is a better school. Hillsboro has been lauded by US News and World Report as one of the top 100 public schools in nation. I won't waste anyone's time describing the problems at some of the High Schools these kids are zoned to attend. Many kids who don't play football choose to attend Hillsboro rather than attend the failing school that they are zoned to attend. The kids who do play football are also attracted to the success of the Hillsboro football team. Coach Blade, and Coach Adeylotte before him, should be credited for building and growing a winning tradition at Hillsboro. Until another metro school can provide the same combination of athletic and academic excellence, and as long as open enrollment continues to be the rule in metro schools, Hillsboro will continue to attract top students and top football players. Families are attracted to excellence. There is no need cross any lines or break any rules if you can present an excellent alternative to the student. I know I won't stop the whole recruiting discussion but I hope I can stop any further discussion of Matt Arent. His family is grateful to the people at Ensworth for the time he spent there. They are pleased that Matt has the opportunity to attend an excellent school like MLK and play football for an excellent program and Hillsboro. Matt is thankful to Ronnie Carter and the TSSAA for injecting common sense into a difficult transition for him and allowing him to play sports last year. (we should all be happy when the TSSAA puts the interest of the kid before the interest of coaches or schools) Last, this post is asking if Ensworth is ready for the ???big time???? The answer is yes. Ensworth has big time coaches, big time facilities, and most importantly they have big time kids. Go Tigers!

This summer I had the opportunity to visit Harvard Football. Coach Murphy told us that every year they try to invite as many faculty as possible to attend practice. Almost all are surprised at the complexity of the assignments on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. I know that many of the PhDs who visit practice can read music but according to the coach, most will admit they have no idea how to determine the blocking responsibility of the right guard, in an even front, when the mike LB walks up into the A gap. On defense, if they run 5 coverages out of five fronts, every player needs to know his responsibility x 25. These kids may not need to know how to read music but, the tuba player follows the other tuba player, follows the other tuba player, follows.... I get tired of people who have kids in music or drama acting as though their kids are working to excel at something more worthwhile or important than sports. Clearly if you are talking about giving PE credit, only a fool would contend that band is more "physical" than football

I was told that Metro schools give PE credit for Marching Band??? Clearly more physical than Football, basketball.....

Apparently Scott Brunette has told the metro coaches they cannot hold practice outside today. Thursday night's Hillsboro scrimmage with Ensworth is also cancelled (or may be rescheduled) due to expected 100 degree heat tomorrow.

Anyone know if MBA and Goodpasture are still plnning on scrimmage at 3pm today???

The burros won 3 today and are now 6-2 for tourney. They play Nease FL tomorrow am in the championship round.

The burros beeat the two other hoover teams and are 5-2 at the conclusion of pool play. Elimination tourney starts tonight.

I didn't get to see it but it sounds like the burros are off to a good start in pool play. They beat two teams from LA and the team from North Gwinett GA. Unfortunately, they came up short against Hoover. Pool play continues tomorrow morning and hopefully they will get another shot at "the Bucs" when the elimination round begins.