jethro

Hey TPoole! Yep, you're right ... we need to keep our focus on tomorrow nights game. Heritage will probably be a tougher game than some are thinking. In the past, even when we were predicted to win big, it was closer than what conventional wisdom suggested. This is a heated rivalry and I'm sure the Mountaineers would like nothing better than to hand the Govs a loss.

Actually, OwlFanatic, if you win a round or two, you might could host the game. You'd have to beat out some good teams on their turf, but it is possible for you to have some barbecued possum, polecat, or whatever you OWLs eat. Isn't Round #4 at the Region 1/2 winner's house this year?

I do. A WB #1 seed gives us home-field advantage. I think it gives it to us for as long as we win. so ....... GO WILDCATS!!!!!

I think next year will be a down year, but not back to the cellar. Meadows will be at WB whippin' the next class into shape. I don't believe anyone would have thought we could have improved this much year over year when Meadow's started. He and his excellent staff have taken good players and made them much better. Think back -- there were very few of this year's fine crop of players starting, say 2, 3 years ago. They were talented, but not so great that they jumped over the Freshman/JV teams. (Probably a few did, but very few). And look where they are at now. Same thing can happen again. I would say that Meadows and his staff will work the same sort of magic next year and beyond. Plus, some of the talent we should have had say 3 years ago, won't transfer to other schools. There is a genuine excitement in the small lads that play ball. When the young midget-leaguers want to grow up and play at WB, then you're starting to accomplish something. Plus, I'll remind you of one other thing. When Meadows first started coaching at WB, about a third of the team quit during the first year. I heard complaints that he was working them too hard. Too many drills, too many workouts, that sort of thing. Well, that weeded out the ones that thought football would be an easy way to get a letter, look like a big man on campus, etc. What we were left with were the ones that we have now .... the ones who are dedicated and believe that they can win some games. I believe that attitude might just stay. I think the best is just beginning. Yep, we'll be a little down, but we'll still make the playoffs next year. Comments, anyone?

All part of that quality edumacation you get at William Blount!

I'll go with recent history and say region 2 takes 3 of the 4 games. Of course, not knowing the exact match-ups hurts this sort of prognostication.

You are mistaken. It was the 04 season. (Had to have been, since the 03 game was played at Heritage). In fact, I just searched the Daily Times website and found this article.

TVGov, thanks for the update! I also appreciate your daughter getting on here and speaking her peace about the issue. BTW, I think I met bumped into your daughter at Friendsville Mkt one Sunday after church. Is she M.T.? If so, she is very nice and friendly. If not, I'm sure she's very nice and friendly, anyway /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

A technical note, StarPower .... Ooltewah has to win to be 4th. If they win, then yes, 4th is the best they can do. However, as your Farragut boys almost found out, it is possible that Soddy pulls an upset and puts McMinn in 4th. (Unless of course they lose, and it is immaterial). I think the Soddy vs. Ooltewah game may be closer than some think. I've posted a whole bunch of reasons over in the Ooltewah vs. Soddy thread, if you are interested.

I wonder how many of the WB seniors remember the incident 3 years ago when they were freshmen. Heritage students (players??) came and painted the scoreboard with vulgarities, and even painted over a section of the sod. We beat them that year, but it still smarted having your home turf messed with by a rival. Oh, and by the way, what is it that this rivalry exchanges .... a bell?

Yes, they will be the #4 team if Ooltewah loses and McMinn wins. And he is also assuming that WB will win. Even with a loss they can fall no further than #3. Recap: Spots 1, 2, 3 will go to Farragut, Oak Ridge, and William Blount (in some order) Spot 4 goes to Ooltewah if they win, or McMinn if Ooltewah loses (assuming a McMinn win)

Out of curiosity, who comes up with the slogan on the sign? ... the cheerleaders, or the cheerleader sponsor-teacher, or whom?

Anybody have an injury update on the two teams?

TVGov, this fan thanks you for doing the legwork to remedy this situation. I wasn't at the game, so I am going on what posters on the board said, but if it is true, it has no business at WB. I'm sure no real harm was meant, but we need to show some class. And 0-7 was just 3 years ago, by my recollection. It hurts to be the region's whipping boy.

Almost as purty as Jethrine!

Thanks for the compliment, OwlFanatic. I hope you get your chance again... it would mean we would be a couple of rounds into the playoffs (I think). I'm sure it won't be as lopsided as the last score, but the final outcome hopefully will stand. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Don't you just love it when a new member creates a new account just to rub it in? You didn't hear WB talk like this, even though you have arguably the best pizza in the state.

One more thing, Tribefan -- I believe it is 2-A that is experimenting with a modified playoff system. They will take the top 3 teams in their 9 regions and then have 5 at-large teams for the playoffs. (This is my understanding). Anyway, if that gets adopted for 5-A in the future, and Region 2 5-A stay as powerful and balanced as it has been recently, I look for 5 teams getting into the playoffs. It is a shame that McMinn might not make it (or Ooltewah for that matter) when they play in one of the more evenly distributed and toughest regions in the state. Matter of point, for the last two years, Region 1 5-A only wins 1 of the 4 first round games against Region 2 5-A. (Sevier Co. for both of them). For 2 years, their #1 team, Kingsport DB, gets bounced out in round 1 against Region 2's #4 team (Ooltewah and WB, respectively). Good luck!

Tribefan, I'm afraid you're right about being 7-3 and not making the playoffs. However, I posted a long post on the Ooltewah/Soddy thread that lists a few things about that game. You can read it over there ... I'll not bore this thread. (Plus I'm sure folks over there are tearing it up anyway!). Bottom line, I don't think it is a cakewalk for Ooltewah. Good luck to all.

Good post, StarPower. Thanks for the analysis; very detailed.

I'm going to be honest ... I think this will be a close game. Here's my logic: 1) Soddy has been amazingly resilient throughout the season when they could have given up. They have played well against some teams, just not well enough. I don't remember the exact half-time score, but it was somewhat close at half-time against WB. I also no that they hung in there with Farragut. They are not pushovers 2) Ooltewah has to get beyond their off-field woes. They have had too many distractions and are liable to not "get it into gear" if something rears its ugly head again. The sooner this incident is handled, the better. Look for some Soddy taunting about it. 3) Soddy has nothing to lose and everything to win. A cliche, yes, but a fitting one; this is their bowl game. If they are ready for basketball season to start, this will be over by the half. If there is a little fight left in them, look out. 4) For both teams, this is a major rivalry. I'm not sure either team will roll over. I think you can throw out a lot of statistics, win/loss records, etc. 5) This is a must-win for Ooltewah to play next week. Their backs are flat against the wall with a potential trip to Bearden in week 11. 6) Ooltewah may come out with fire in their eyes and whip the Trojans like a rented mule. They have something to prove. I'm not sure who I would pick. On paper, Ooltewah by 14, but with the intangibles and emotions, I'd pick Soddy by 3. So, I'm going to ride the fence. I'm sure McMinn Co., will be paying major attention to this game. Good luck to all for what looks to be a good game with lots of emotion on all sides.

Can someone post the low-down on the game? How many yards did Sterling have? Did Farragut shoot themselves in the foot? Did they play similarly to the McMinn game? What gives?

Holding Oak Ridge to 17 points isn't a bad night. Granted, the Farragut game was where you needed some defense, but 17 vs. OR is winnable. I'd worry more about offense in this game. But then again, racking up all those points against Farragut makes me wonder if you have offense problems. Sounds to me like two fairly evenly matched teams, with the better one showing up ready to play. If you have a beef, I think you ought to lay it on the extra-curricular crud that has mired your team down. Owlfanatic, I'm curious to hear your response to the initial comments.

The champion of the Blount County school system will be crowned this Friday. Thoughts, predictions, and analysis, anyone?

I think you are probably close in this prediction. McMinn is one of the best tackling teams we've run in to. It will be hard for Heritage to break loose with anything. Ditto TPoole's request for info on the player that was carted off on the Friday WB game.