jcolter

I really enjoyed the game. It was hard fought and well played by both sides, as an old man who tries to pick a good game to watch each week, I enjoyed it. Conditions were nasty, but thats football. I have watched TN High play four times this year and that is the first time I have really seen them play as a team and play smart. TN Highs intensity reminded me of past great Viking teams. For the most part they were mistake free, and that is a big part of winning the big ones. The Vikings could be peaking at a good time, but they must stay poised and focused. They have to play one game at a time , and they can not become over confident (like they did against South). Vikings continue to get better each week and just maybe you will see South again. As a fan of the Mountain lakes that would be special. Johnson Co you must regain your focus, because Betsy will be inspired. You are a tough football team, and how you handle this loss will say alot about you. Good luck to both teams and I would love to see both of you still playing in the 2nd round of the TSSAA playoffs.

The Horns will enter this game as heavy favorites. I watched them play Tennesse High this past Friday, and despite the loss they are a good, no a very good , team. It was only the second time in my life that I have seen them play, but they had more speed than the last. Their QB made some bad throws but he was under some big time pressure. The field looked like a mess and I think it slowed their tailback a bit. Elizabethton has some good things going. They have won a couple and I know they will battle for a play off spot. The Horns must regain their focus after a tough loss. Could be a good one.......... Johnson County 27 Elizabethton 18 Good luck to both

Speed kills and thrills. The Rebels have it and the Raiders lack it. I think South will start playing their best football this week. If the Raiders have a chance they must chew up the clock, which is unlikley against a stout Rebel run defense. Rebs 41 Raiders 14 Good Luck to both

The Cyclones should have a speed advantage. Good win last week. I enjoyed on television Saturday. Cougars must come ready to play. Cyclones 24 Cougars 20 Good luck to both

Oh my! I sense a bitter little fan. I am no die hard Viking fan, but I have seen them play on numerous occasions going all the way back to the late 90's. Cap, it would not have mattered what coverage they played against mighty Maryville. The bottom line is the Rebels had better athletes. The Viking staff does a good job with what they have to work with. Pick up a Murphy Fair and see how many Vikings are playing at the next level (very few) and compare that to a Maryville or Mo West. Pick up a THS football program and examine all the current defensive records. Wow! many were set by defenses coached by this very staff. Support your program and in a couple of years when South loses their QB you guys will be back on top in the conference, but you will never have Knoxville type players. Just a fact.

Rebels 27 Vikings 17 Longhorns 28 Patriots 20 Cyclones 41 Blue Devils 12 Raiders 30 Cougars 15 Just my opinion good luck to all

I am going to drop in my two cents as an outsider. I enjoy watching northeast TN football, and I usually select a 4A or 5A showdown to watch. I have seen both of these teams play this year, and they are two fine teams. The Viking faithful seem very confident, maybe too confident, going into this contest. Curt Phillips is one of the best high school QB's I have ever seen. In my opinion he ranks up there with the Maryville QB in 04'. South has a solid line, and so does THS. Both programs have great coaching staffs. This will be a hard fought contest, and I do believe the Vikings to be over confident and this will cost them dearly. South always elevates their game when they face THS, remember the playoffs of 04'. South almost shocked the world. Vikings you are a fine team , better than I expected at the start of the year, but you are not close to 04 team, no Zak and Whitten on this team................The MLC crown WILL STAY IN DEATH VALLEY this year and next Rebels 27 Vikings 17 good luck to both

I do think the Tennessee DB game will give South an advantage. The Vikings will most likely be a little beat up. They will have to expend a great amount of energy to stay on the field with DB. The Rebs get two weeks to get healthy and put together a plan. Remember they are the defending champs...... not the Vikings.

I have not seen Greenville play, but I have some friends in Greene County that say their not bad. The Cyclones have athletes and a real play maker at QB. This contest will come down to the real battle ,the trenches, who wants it more? Hard to say Cyclones 26 Devils 21 Good Luck to both

This looks like it could be a great match up, but it will not be close. Advantage goes to the Indians, and in a big way. Speed will be a major factor. DB has a wealth of it, and the Vikings have enough to be competitive in upper East TN 4A football. 5A vs 4A another huge advantage to the Indians. Both teams are very physical, but if its any thing like last year the Vikings will not hold up for a game. I'm sure the game will be hyped all week, and I will make my way to the stone castle on Friday evening to see..... DB 37 Tennessee 14 Good Luck to both

Interesting match up. Many people are down on the Rebels, and they seem to have been hit hard by injuries. I still consider them the team to beat in the conference. They are Conference Champs until someone proves other wise. I admire the Longhorns I have not seen them play very often but they are always physcal. They have an outstanding tail back. As much as an upset would be sweet for the out manned horns it will not happen. South will stuff the Longhorn ground game, and Phillips will launch a major air assault. The Rebel line will be dominant on both sides........ Rebels 34 Longhorns 12 Good luck to both

This should be a match up of two physical football teams. Boone seems to have the big red machine rolling. I have not seen either of these teams play, but based on who they have played so far...............in a brawl Boone 27 Cherokee 19 Good luck to both

I had seen DB on television, and last week I saw them live. They can play! They have speed all over the place. #1 comes to Jeff County and cruises. Indians 38 Patriots 14 Good luck to both

This should be a good one. Tennessee High will not simply overpower Science Hill. I think the linemen (both defense and offense) will be fairly even. Science Hill is bigger and stronger than Elizabethton. Number 77 for Science Hill may be the best lineman in East Tennessee. Tennessee played with a tremendous amount of heart and emotion last Friday. Can they duplicate that? The Viking ground game is bruising, but the Hilltoppers will counter with a tough ground assault. Can the Vikings throw? I was told the answer is yes, that they are waiting for the right time. Should be a classic, sorry I'll be at DB / Oakridge, tough to choose. My guess Science Hill 5A - 22 Tennessee 4A - 21 Good Luck to both

Well I'm eating crow today. I did not think the Viking defense could handle the Cyclone speed. Great job Vikings you looked like Vikings of old in the first half. Glad to hear the Smith kid is ok. I wish both of these teams sucess the remainder of the season.

look for South to be fired up. They have to prove themselves and they will. South - 34 Central - 12 Good Luck to both

I had a chance to see Science Hill in their opener, and I thought they looked like a solid football team. I was impressed by the offensive line, 77 is tough.

Great job DB. You left no doubt.

After the Indians hammering of South, I believe one of these two teams may have a real shot at the conference title. (I'm still not counting South out) I saw Tennessee High play VA High. The game was much closer than the score indicates. I watched the Cyclones play DB tough on television. This is a hard game to predict. First, the Tennessee coaches do a good job preparing for the wide open gun offense ( ask East 2004 ), but the best I remember the Viking defense was much stronger in 2004. The news reports claim Tennesse will have a top notch defense, but in my opinion they are not there yet. Elizabethton has a real playmaker in P. Smith, but they to seem to make mistakes in crucial situations. I was also told by a Tennessee fan that Elizabethton was the last team to win in the castle during the regular season. Both programs have great tradition, and I really have enjoyed watching both teams play the past few years. I did not live here when the Cyclones had their power houses of the late 90's, but I did see several Viking games in 2004. Who wins? Elizabethton Cyclones 38 Tennessee Vikings 21 Good luck to both

I watched a very good Cyclone team make too many mistakes to beat a sound team like DB. If the Cyclones make fewer mistakes ( and I think they will) and their o line can handle the Topper pressure. I do believe it will be close, it usually is in this rivalry. Cyclones 20 Toppers 17 Good luck to both

I enjoyed the jamboree. I do think Elizabethton has improved. The defense looked quick. Tennessee made some mistakes, and I agree they are not the force they once were. They will most likely battle the cyclones for second place. South looked very strong, and barring a major let down should win the conference, but I can not rule out Tennessee or Elizabethton upsetting them. I was a bit surprised by the strength of Johnson County after they lost so many players to graduation. The Atwood kid is a real threat. Sullivan Central looked big, and could cause some problems for people. Looking forward to kicking off the season. Good luck to all.

Bearcats vs Vikings, they tell me this was once a huge rivalry. I can't remember VHS winning since I have lived in East TN, but I could be wrong. The Cats will indeed be an improved team. The Vikings have been dethroned in their conference, and they may have lost their strut. The Cats shock the Vikes......no not really,but this will be a hard fought contest. Vikings 15 Bearcats 14 Good Luck to both

The Cyclones will be a much improved football team, but the Indians will take this one. The Tribe will most likley beat all three of its Big 9 opponents (Betsy,South,and Tennessee). Elizabetton will fight hard, and the cyclone QB will make some plays , but they will fall short. Tough way to have to open against the mighty DB. Good luck to both.

I watched South play four games last year. I very much enjoy their style (physical and confident). If the QB is healthy they take the mountain lakes easy. The Game vs Dobyns Bennet should be an all out war. Who else will they play that can give them a test. I like to pick a good Friday night game somewhere in northeast Tennessee to watch. Any advice?

My best guess goes like this: 1. South. All state QB and great coaches. 2. Elizabethton. Just a feeling 3. Tennessee. 4. Johnson County 5. North 6. Central 7. East 8. Unicoi County From what I hear South has had a great summer so far. They seem to be a very hungry team that wants to stay at the top. Good luck to all.