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The right hander you are talking about is Brenton Bates. I agree with you Rico, and when you add in Jacob Turner this year they are really going to be tough to handle. The deal with Gibbs will be whether or not they can score some runs. I agree that the deal with Gibbs will be if they can score some runs. Pitching will definately be their depth with Willis as the "ace", Bates, Turner, Lucas Shropshire (another quality lefty whom beat Cleveland last year with a one hitter), plus they have one more pitcher that is converting to sub for this season.

Interesting. Any idea whom?

With the multitude of views and the quietness of this subject, I'm to assume that nobody knows of any in Tennessee?

I thought I read somewhere that he has a sidearm release. Did he go lower this year (ie.... thigh level, knee level, or lower)?

I'm hearing through the grapevine that there are some submarine pitchers out there (in Tennessee) but have no idea whom they are or where they play? Does anyone know?

Justin is a quality pitcher for them but I don't think (just my opinion) that Pigeon Forge will be as good this year unless they can replace the offense they lost through graduation. They might have to play more small ball if they can't get their hitting going. Gibbs should be loaded as everyone is back except for 1 that graduated. Jacob Turner returns to the team after a year away and should be another quality player to add to the mix if he can get back to playing shape. It will be a very interesting team to watch if they improve offensively from last year.

Chattanooga Brainard to Claiborne has got to be in here. 150 miles - 2 hours 48 minutes

For Gibbs, this is the fourth year in a row they have drawn the #1 ranked team in their classification.

I would agree that Gibbs is better than they have been in the past. In the last 9 seasons, they averaged 2-3 wins a year with no more than 4 wins in a season. Having said that, Gibbs is still Gibbs; they are 6-4. I don't think they will compete with Austin-East year in and year out, and I think Red Bank will not have any problems with Gibbs. With a new coach and the work habits they have brought in for the players, only time will tell. For Gibbs to compete this Friday, they will need to make big plays happen on both sides of the ball.

I'm not disagreeing with you (as those overtime games are counted in the loss column too). I believe that they are emphasizing that Gibbs is a much better team than in previous years and for Red Bank to not take them lightly. FYI... last week was a really good game for fans to watch AE and Gibbs play. I'm sure both squads earned each others respect.

But who have they played besides Fulton & A-E? Besides Fulton & A-E, all of the AA teams they played have losing records. Total w/l of combined teams on schedule: 36-53. Not stellar stats. I would like to correct your last statement as you can add Gibbs (6-4) to the list of teams G-P played with a winning record.

I was at the cak scrimmage and Gibbs won that one. Gibbs is a 8-2 team with a 6-4 record so dont be so confident RB this team has not yet played as well as they can. 8-2 team with a 6-4 record... What does that mean? I would assume they are talking about the two games that Gibbs lost in overtime (ie single overtime loss to Grace Christian and triple overtime loss to Gatlinburg-Pittman).

Part of what has made Gibbs successful this year is the fact that they rotate a lot of players which allows them to wear down other teams. There is not much drop off between their ones and their twos in certain positions. They can strike fast with a big play after lulling you to sleep somewhat (ask Claiborne about one of their losses). Their special teams can make a big play happen and their kicking game is better than average. They all live the motto "Never Surrender". Win or lose, they will give all they have for 48 minutes.

For this conference to be successful, it's not whom you play in the conference but whom you schedule your non conference games with and try to get better. You can't schedule many "easy" games to pad your wins column if you are trying to get to state.

All you have to worry about is Grainger for the most part as most of the other programs are not as competitive.

Sorry I meant to type Stone Memorial instead of Livingston but I do see both sides of this. Will be interesting to see how this works out.

Since the Scott County/Livingston winner is from District 4 and the Chattanooga teams are in District 6, I would think that the District 4 winner would be lumped with the rest of the east tennessee teams. Just my two cents worth.

Here's my two cents worth on this. I won't pretend I know too much about Quads 2-4 as I took my predictions from current standings and any remaining games in each teams schedule. Quad 1 Strangely enough, this is fairly close to what I envisioned happening. I don't agree with the matchups/seeding but agree concerning the 8 teams picked to be in. The splitting of District 6 is an unfortunate reality because Districts 1-5 really only have 6 (or 7) teams playoff eligible (if all things work out). (My thoughts are 6 automatics and two wildcards) The only way this might change is if Sullivan North qualifies which means probably the Claiborne/Greeneville loser or Carter would not be a wildcard). Quad 2 Would consist of the 2 remaining District 6 schools (one automatic and one wildcard) plus Districts 8-10 (except for the wildcard that would come out of District 10). (7 automatics and 1 wildcard) Quad 3 Would consist of the District 10 wildcard and Districts 11-13 (6 automatics and 2 wildcards) Quad 4 Would consist of Districts 14-16 (5 automatics and 3 wildcards)

In my opinion (and from seeing both teams in the past 2 weeks), Fulton should win this hands down. Speed is not an issue in this game as both have talent, but the lack of a QB and inconsistant line play at Carter is their downfall.

Grainger should be one of the top teams with the new district (ie... Pigeon Forge and GP moving to District 3). I saw Greeneville play last year and they only had one quality pitcher and didn't play well. I would be surprised if any other team (other than one of the Greene County teams) makes any noise whatsoever.

Weather reports are predicting rain all week. It definately will make this more interesting.

Good maybe....... definately not with the better players. Didn't have much effect against Gibbs last week. he didnt have the best game against gibbs,but he doesnt have a whole lot to work with right now,espcially last week,the whole team was sick and even if they arent sick,they have no depth and r very very very young on the team. He doesnt have near the tallent around him as does most of the ppl listed on here. Sorry, I just wasn't that impressed with him.

Good maybe....... definately not with the better players. Didn't have much effect against Gibbs last week.

Now photoman, didn't your Momma teach you not to mess with the pot when somethins a cookin? Now seriously, the Falcons have some good wins and have played a somewhat stronger schedule than Gibbs. They have every right to strut and crow their necks from past games until they get knocked off the roost. Just don't take the Eagles for granted. They just don't quit. They will fight all 48 minutes of the game (and more if needed).

The way that I see it so far is as follows: District 1 - Only has Sullivan East and I don't think they will qualify. (0 qualify) District 2 - Has 3 teams. Probably will be Greeneville and either Claiborne or Grainger if they qualify. (2 qualify) District 3 - Has 4 teams. One of the stronger districts in the East. Will get 2 in for sure and maybe a third as a wildcard. My guess would be Fulton and either Gibbs or Carter. (2 qualify + a wild card) District 4 - Has 2 teams and neither are very good. Flip a coin between Scott and Stone Memorial. (1 qualify) District 5 - Only has Sequoyah and they probably won't qualify. (0 qualify) District 6 - Has 6 teams and three will qualify automatically. My guess would be Red Bank, Chat. Central and either Brainard or East Ridge. (3 qualify + a wild card) District 7 - Has only Notre Dame and they should qualify if they win one more district game. (1 qualify) District 8 - Has 2 teams. Livingston should qualify and Dekalb might. (1 qualify + maybe 1 more) I'm looking at roughly 12 to 13 teams that would make the playoffs from the east.