Village Idiot

You are both correct and incorrect. Yes, I'm basing my opinion on Howard on two trips there, both more than two decades ago. I'm not sure that's completely fair to Howard. As for my opinion of Chattanooga, no I'm not basing it solely on the Howard experience. I don't believe I shared an opinion as to Chattanooga as a whole.

WOW! Wonder who reported whom? The other half is that I'm willing to accept Coach Rector's explaination, especially considering his willingness to take responsibility and accept the sanctions. But, boy, what a mistake. Hard to believe. Speaking of hard to believe, the original poster on this comment caught some pretty good shots from folks...guess those and posted (and some that didn't) who did not believe owe an apology. Partner, here's mine. And congratulations on a scoop! VI

If it's the same one, Rhea County was "upset" by Overton in the 1981 AAA championship game at Vanderbilt. Chris Coutras was the QB, Charlie "Fruit" Bell the big dog RB and a host of others. Final Score: 3-0 Overton as Rhea County missed a 60+ yard FG attempt at the final gun.

I think a lot of it has to do with "metropolitan" areas, that is, areas that have 1) heavy cable subscription and 2) fiber already built in. You can't get these games on sattelite. Knoxville has one broadcast team/schedule, Chattanooga one, and Nashville another. Not sure about Memphis yet...don't think Comcast/Charter is in that market. As for the Chattanooga schedule, having played basketball at Howard a couple of times, I'm not sure I would welcome a football trip. Not being ugly, just a couple of memorable trips 25 years ago.

Great List! A couple are missing, though....... Fred Lane-Franklin Corey Fleming-Stratford And I'll miss even more.....

Don't know about the East State, but Comcast in Middle Tennessee is pretty concious of game flow, etc. Most of the games I've seen where it's broadcast, the coaches and teams seemed to appreciate the extra few seconds taken. It's not like a college or pro game where they are going to break at X:XX of each quarter, no matter the situation. Saw one game last year where there were NO timeouts, TV or otherwise, in the entire first quarter.

Wingman--You've obviousy been around a while. You obviously have a strong opinion on the matter of crew. Why? What drives it? Call it research for me, but your's is the first negative and seems to be vehement. I'm a little suprised. Help me out with specifics. Thanks VI

Okay, I'll bite. Is there a specific beef with the crew, the production, or just personal opinion? Not that any are bad, just the first negative I've ever heard about the coverage.

See, I knew I'd miss one or two. Blanche should shoot me. What about Taft? Was it ever big enough to rate a high school? And Ardmore High is still going, right?

This is unofficial because the powers that be have not released this officially. It's based on the best available information at the moment and could change after the half-way point of the season. WEEK 0 8/18 LaVergne @ Smyrna WEEK 1 8/25 Brentwood Academy @ Ravenwood WEEK 2 9/ 1 CPA @ DCA WEEK 3 9/ 8 Goodpasture @ Pope John Paul II WEEK 4 9/15 Ravenwood @ Brentwood WEEK 5 9/22 Lebanon @ Mt. Juliet WEEK 6 9/29 Wilson Central @ Riverdale WEEK 7 10/ 6 MBA @ Brentwood Academy WEEK 8 10/ 13 Maplewood @ Hillsboro WEEK 9 10/20 Gallatin @ Hendersonville WEEK 10 10/27 Greenbrier @ White House Same crew (Fulton/Sperduto/Williams) expected back for all eleven games.

Afraid I may repeat a few, but several years ago a group of us listed about twenty from Nashville alone. Let's see....... West ???? North Yankees East Eagles (go red and grey) Goodlettsville Trojans Madison Rams Dupont Bulldogs Pearl Tigers (Now MLK Magnet (Knights?)) Cohn ???? (Now a part of Pearl-Cohn Firebirds) Cameron ????? Litton Lions Haynes ???? Central ????? Howard?????? Donelson Dons Two Rivers Pirates Meigs Mavericks Columbia Military Academy (Replaced by Columbia Academy) Castle Heights Military Academy In southern Middle Tennessee Lincoln County replaced Flintville, Central (Fayetteville), Booneshill and I think Petersburg. Sad part is that with consolidation, it means there are kids who will not get the opportunity to play. Not great players, but students who should be able to participate. I learned more about life on the field than I ever did in the classroom. I learned enough in the classroom to get an academic free-ride, so don't attack with a jock-syndrome kind of thing.

A couple of thoughts on Murphy's book. First, I remember when he was first starting in Carthage some twenty or so years ago. It was next to impossible to get information from coaches and schools, but he kept plugging away. Now, for the most part, they are coming to him. As the prep sections of newspapers (at least in Middle Tennessee) continue to shrink, he's been a life saver. If you can't get the book in your area, keep asking the bookstores. Maybe they will learn next year to get them on the shelves in time for your fix. Middle Tennessee was available middle of July. Kudos to Murphy for his passion and all HS football fans for theirs. Some things just never get out of your blood. VI

sbt is both a wordsmith and a wise man. For once, especially parents, listen.

Congratulations to the Lady Bears. Excellent game today, though, obviously, I would have liked a different outcome. Kudos to MJ for both the hospitality and the grounds crew. Despite the rain delay, I thought they did a great job of keeping the field playable. I thought it had a lot of "old school" charm, and I mean that as a compliment. Congratulations, too, to the Centennial Lady Cougars. What a season! The seven seniors will be missed. I am honored to have shared at least this season with them. Now, on to next year.

Umpires (and all officials) are reviewed by the coaches each game. Most of the time it's a rubber stamp "okay", but coaches can also "blackball" officials to keep them off their schedule. Two things can happen; either the officials are treated very well (facilities, etc) and they want to work the area, so they sometimes give a break here or there or, especially with young umpires/officials, they are anxious to please and build a career. The third thing is straight intimidation by a coach, and hopefully that does not happen very long. I have known both coaches and officials who literally hated each other, but I've never seen an umpire/official intentionally work to change the outcome of a game, even in those hate-hate relationships. Having said that, there was this one time, twenty five years ago, we were playing basketball in Chattanooga......

That's one reason I hestate to single out players, especially on this team. You are exactly correct about the other six seniors and the sophomores, too. The freshmen are coming around, but you never know what the next year brings. As for pitching, the school has been extremely blessed to have Thomas for four years and Sarah Marlin has done a good job in a back-up role this year, we just haven't seen enough of her. As for the future, there are two freshmen (one righty, one lefty) that, if they get committed, could be pretty good. They are just unknown quanitities right now. To sbt---sounds like a heckuva first round game, no matter what, huh?

Congrats to the B'wood Lady Bruins for taking the Region 6-AAA title with a win over Centennial. The Bruins made no mistakes and took advantage of every opportunity they were given or created. Nice job and good luck Friday. I would be remiss if I didn't mention an appropriate celebration at the appropriate time by the victors. Timing is everything and today's was superb. Very seldom will I single out players, but Morgan Thomas has become one of my sports heroes (heroines?). Having covered professionally from pee-wee to the majors, her performance today was one of courage and heart and impressed me greatly. The sheer joy she has playing the game will be greatly missed with her graduation. Finally, to those guessing...I know him and he knows me, but he is not me. If you don't understand, don't worry. The ones who should will. FRIDAY Wilson Central @ Brentwood CHS @ Mount Juliet Good luck to the Cougars and Bruins.

You are probably right-especially the last sentence!!!

Bear--don't misunderstand the post. B'wood is "deeper" in pitching, meaning they have three or four they could go to. You're right, the starter was pulled early Saturday, but the reliever was as good. CHS can go two deep, but after that it's all very underclassmen. As for the finding a way to win comment, it was meant as tremendous praise! These kids take care of each other and play with an enormous amount of heart. They seem to play for a love of the game, their team and their school first. The seniors have shown true leadership on and off the field, and it appears the sophmores and freshmen are taking notes. Next year might be tough, with seven graduating seniors and no juniors, but the year after that, watch out! But that conversation is for a later time. Today there is a more important task to complete. Biggest question: Will the Bruins continue to try to pitch around Adair Hewitt and if so, which other Cougar(s) makes them pay for it this time?

Actually, BB, you're right on the money as to the eveness of the two teams. B'wood holds a 3-2 edge so far this year, while the teams have both scored 10 runs each in the five games. B'wood is deeper in the pitching department and solid all the way around. CHS just has a bunch of players that seem to find a way to win when they have to (3 B'wood games excluded). Both teams won on the road in the regular season. Hoping that's a good omen at your place tomorrow.

And I graciously accept your notation on the spelling of the name. Remember, no matter what they write, just make sure they spell the name correctly. Hopefully, you can share with us the knowledge you withhold so that the same mistake might not be repeated. I do apologize if I have stepped on a rather exposed nerve. I am looking forward to the game tomorrow, as I believe it will be even more enjoyable than this little exercise today. Seriously, though, tomorrow let us all, fans, parents, and coaches, remember to let the girls play the game and the outcome will be what it will be. While you and I may enjoy the vicarious thrill of internet "gigging", for the girls there is a little more to it. Hopefully we'll all follow the classy example set by the players on both sides, before, during, and after the games. Good luck tomorrow, BB. I'm hoping "ya'll" are going to need it.

OMG-and I call myself an "Idiot." You were doing very well right up until that last sentence. Another example of ten seconds of bad judgement (along with poor spelling and punctuation). But that's okay-I've had my ten seconds before and probably will again. I just try very hard not to do it publically. P.S.--from the last sentence I'm going to guess either you haven't seen the CHS coach or else you are waaaay behind on that visit to the optometrist.

Not really. And it's not the team or parents, either. It's just that booty shakes and cartwheels should come AFTER a coach has rejoined the team, not in the middle of the post-game handshake line. I haven't been around here long, but where I come from, that's not an accepted practice. Like bbl said earlier, "...that includes shaking hands when the game is over, win or lose." It doesn't include the aforementioned booty shakes and cartwheels and other antics. I hate to see a good coach, a good team, and a great rivalry overshadowed by a few seconds of poor judgement, but right now, IMHO, it is. Maybe tomorrow will be the start of something more positive--you know it's gong to be a great game, no matter what.

Boy, bbl you are correct. Hopefully the B'wood A.D. has chatted with Jaime about her antics.

Looks like one more time for the Bruins and Cougars. Still unsure of time, though the game will be at Brentwood. Hopefully, no matter the outcome, sportsmanship will prevail.