jethro

I've got a question for those of you who are more familiar with the rules. WB got several calls in our last possession (pre-overtime) that Farragut accepted. The bottom line is that for 5 yards or so, we ate 5 seconds off the clock, plus the 25-second clock was reset. I wasn't sure that the clock was supposed to start after a penalty, but it did. Two questions: 1) Wouldn't it be advantageous to get a few more minor penalties (holding during a run play, for example) so that the 25 second clock gets reset in order to chew up the clock. 2) I think there was too much time, but I don't recall Farragut sending anyone after Kase Whitehead on our last punt. If he had just run around toward the endzone and stood there until someone caught him and/or he downed it, it could have eaten quite a bit of time off the clock. Since Kase would then free-kick from the twenty with no rushing, I'd bet he could boot it about as far as he did. My thought is that the Farragut team (again, I don't think they rushed the kicker) would have been caught off-guard while he strolled to the endzone and dodged tacklers to chew up time. Thanks for your input.

Agreed. His stats are great, but the most amazing thing is that quite a few of his punts have been shortened by placement within the opponents "coffin corner".

What are this years penalties for home games vs. away games?

I can say the same thing about Ooltewah. I'm from Blount Co., and I WAS at the game. One of my very good friends IS the chaplain of the WB team. I AM a deacon at my church. My pastor who helped try to get Coach Meadows off the field to prevent a fight was cursed at. The WB side was flipped off by several of the Ooltewah fans (one young "lady" and two young "men") at the end of the game from the field. None of the fans around me went onto the field, cursed, or did any of the things that we are accused of. But they still flipped us off. My thought is ... where is the shame? I'm sure both sides did stuff that they later regretted, or asked forgiveness for, or whatever. We are all sinful people. But I wonder how many from both sides actually felt remorse that it got so out of hand. The WB/Ooltewah game has probably moved to the top of the rivalry pile. This is one of the best games, as far as rivalries go, to be at. From Ooltewah being upset about the outcome last year, and now us this year, this has the makings of a rivalry. Think about it, the game this past week went a long way to determine the outcome of our region. Just one game did that! Not saying that Farragut and Oak Ridge are going to lay down for either team, but I wonder if both WB and Ooltewah aren't better than them. Oh yeah, someone will jump up and throw a loss on one or both of us during the season, but I'd pick WB or Ooltewah against either of them (barring injuries). Best of luck to all! Go Govs!

Am I the only one, but did the ref seem more animated (eager, excited, etc.) whenever he called a foul against WB? He seemed to throw his arm out in a more animated fashion.

Why don't you address some of Coach Meadow's concerns, instead? Examples: Why weren't the chains reset with 2.9 seconds? Why didn't the ref answer his questions about who the calls were on? And what about this? "They called a dead-ball foul, but the flag was actually thrown in middle of the field during the play. That's on film"

Excellent post! I have a question for you gurus about the final play. I was on the WB sides so can only go by what others have said about Mo Baskin being tackled inbounds. Given that premise, I understand that the ref is supposed to signal the clock to move forward, but the stop it to reset the chains. As I looked at the clock, it kept moving. Why didn't the ref stop the clock to reset the chains? Also, when the chains are reset, doesn't the ref move the ball to the hash mark and wind it up again. With 2-3 seconds left, WB could have spiked the ball and got one more snap. Admittedly it would be an extreme low percentage play, but it seemed to me that with the Ooltewah fans on the field, the ref just let it go. Did anyone else notice this?

And the Ooltewah fans wonder why we think some of their fans are classless. Thanks for proving our point.

How many of those yards were running/passing? Not all seventy. You don't need to show your ignorance about how Ooltewah moved the ball, when the refs (good or bad) moved the ball for you as well during that drive.

You make it sound like Ooltewah just sat back and let it happen. Is that what you mean? "By far the better team" ?? Get real. The score shows that you won, but WB lead the game a heck of a lot more than you did. Yeah, the final score went in your favor, but an unbiased observer would show that you got more than you could handle. And about your comment on the big bad D ... I thought you guys posted how WB hadn't run into a real team so far. You gave up 24. With you guys barely getting by WB and McMinn keeping you on your toes, I'm not sure that I would be making reservations for the Clinic Bowl just yet.

Owlbino, Thanks for your class act. Other posters (on both sides) have been acting stupid with their comments. This was a good one. I wouldn't say that WB got cheated overall. But the refs were certainly in need of a refresher course or too. They called several calls for the wrong side and then had to correct it. Plus, and I couldn't see accurately from my angle on the WB side, it seemed like WB had 2 or 3 seconds left when the fans stormed the field. Why the refs didn't stop the clock is beyond me. I can only guess that they thought he was inbounds, but it seemed that he did. Where I think most WB fans are upset are the personal fouls and holding calls that got called on the last possession or two. There were holds that could have been called all night on both sides, but they seemed to start at the end. And I don't know why WB would get personals when they were in the drivers seat. (i.e., one first down and the clock runs out). But the fact that the ref kept pointing to the wrong side of the field just smacked of amateurishness. Also, a review of the film would probably show that he put a little more "ooomph" in his calls against the visiting team. That seemed bad. All in all it was a great game. I don't think anyone can dismiss WB this year. I would guess that the poster who said that WB would go into the cellar with Bradley, McMinn, etc., really was shocked. In fact, no one can convince me that the Ooltewah fans weren't surprised ... they were much too quiet during all but the last minute of the game. That's probably why the fans erupted onto the field .... most of them thought they were beat. In fact, to be honest, Ooltewah is not going to walk into the region championship. They have an easier path, but with WB shutting down a lot of the running game (was #5 hurt.... he wasn't a big factor after he got up a little gimpy) and with the interceptions on the passing game, I think the Owls may not get past both Farragut and OR.

You can choose to not believe if you wish. The young man who said it attended my church and was also backed up by another football player. If you were there, you might remember one of the players walking to the clubhouse during the game. He was upset with the ref ignoring it and was losing his cool. I heard it from one of the players' mom, who went down to the fence to find out why her son was so upset. When she came back up to her seat, she told us. I found it hard to believe, especially since Ooltewah has mutliple races playing. But I can vouch for the veracity of my statement and know the young man. It was quite a shock, to say the least.

I wish we were kidding. I knew one of the players involved and his parents. He was told that after the game, he would be "strung up from the goalpost, n*****". He was also called the 'N' word during other tackles and the ensuing untangling of the tackle pile. My hope is that it was just some fool kid who has since been educated about racism. I don't believe it was a team-wide problem. But for an integrated team and school it looked very bad. I'm surprised that the idiot doesn't harm team morale.

I agree with you one that one, although you are using a little exaggeration on the "5 yards out of bounds". The tackle started on the field and probably should have been flagged, although it is somewhat doubtful that they could have stopped with all the momentum of the runner/defender. Neverless, I would have called it from my vantage in the stands. But Ooltewah shot their own foot off several times that night. You don't need to blame the refs to figure out why they lost.

Still whining about a ref call. Look at the tape, it was a good call. Besides, what about the interception/batted ball caught at midfield that turned into a 50 or so yard touchdown on the next play (I think). I suppose that was the zebras too. And weren't there several other turnovers? Those darn zebras. Oh, and speaking of respect, are your good, respectful fans, and cheerleaders too, gonna start the "Refs s*&k" cheer this year? That was pure class.

You've got to be kidding. "Fighting with Heritage, Bradley and McMinn for the cellar"?? You're smoking dope. I agree that WB is heading for a rough 2 weeks. Actually 3 or 4, when you count Farragut at their home, and a sure-to-rebound Oak Ridge at WB. In all truthfulness, this week's game with Ooltewah will be a very good battle. I look for the Owls to see a very tough defense and an outstanding kicking game. The offense is a dichotomy ... running is great, passing is not (although they have shown promise in this department).

This battle is at Ooltewah.

Any update on the Mo Baskin appeal? Also, anyone have any updates on player conditions, health/injuries, etc.? Thanks!

WB doesn't need to underestimate Soddy. I do believe WB can handle them, but it will be a game, especially until we get our offense sorted out. Defense is killer, and I would put our kicking game up against anyone. The strong defense and excellent punt/kick-off game will keep Soddy on the ropes. The secondary might be a little suspect, as it seemed that Sevier Co. could have passed more but for some strange reason didn't. I'm not sure what Mo Baskin did to get ejected, and his loss for the Soddy game will hurt, but we've got some other players who should help make up the difference. Don't get me wrong, Mo is good, but it shouldn't be a game-breaker if the appeal is denied (which it almost certainly will). I'm hoping for a good steady game where we can get our offense on track. That is our Achilles heel. On the bright side ... WB has the week after Soddy to prepare for a gut-wrenching road trip at 3 of the toughest "away" schools on the schedule ... Ooltewah, Maryville, and Farragut.