lasal2000

I agree, for Whitehaven to have a chance they must finally realize that they are a passing team this year and not a run-centered team like they are used to being. I don't think Germantown will be able to score on whitehaven's defense which has improved since last year. Should be a good game with a lot of hard hitting and great defense!! This game is crucial for a playoff spot.

What I saw was Whitehaven's coaching staff play-calling was centered around their running game which was clear to everyone (except the coaches of whitehaven) was ineffective. When whitehaven did throw it was a strike almost every time. The point is: Whitehaven should have thrown more and run less, thats why the passing numbers aren't that high-not because of melrose's DBs. The Whitehaven recievers was literally catching over the undersized dbs of Melrose.

As much as I hate to say this but you are right. Regardless of all the talent or skilled players that come through whitehaven, if whitehaven coaching as a whole don't put ALL the pieces of the puzzle together we won't ever reach that next level. Furthermore until we prove otherwise and beat melrose, we have no room to brag or word to stand on, almost winning wont cut it. One thing that I will admit is that the success of the melrose football program has indeed been CONSISTANT. Melrose will succeed as a prerineal powerhouse like South Panola or Riverdale, as soon as yall get over the hump (Maryville). On the subject of Maryville and Hillsboro, are both teams just that good or the previous struggles with these particular teams due to bad luck or coaching moves. How would these teams match up against teams like CBHS and MUS.

I certainly hope that Coach Saulsberry and his coaching staff has grown and become more tactful in their coaching decisions. We are waiting for things to return to the Whitehaven of the past. I only have three points in response: 1) If I can remember, the last 3 times that Whitehaven and MUS have met Whitehaven has come away with victories. However, those victories were under coach Marice Harris ( who now is on the coaching staff at Ole Miss), and Vincent Hunter (Principle at WHS). 2) Within the last 3-4 years some teams like White Station, Ridgeway, and MUS have done a great job to improve their programs. These schools have reached a winning tradition that Whitehaven WAS used to. 3). My third and final point, Melrose has done a great job also with reaching a level great heights. However, melrose fans must realize that Whitehaven is in a much, much, more competitive region in 8-5a with Germantown, Collierville, Houston, White Station, and even Wooddale is improving. In this region you have to fight to even get in the playoffs, it is not a a given because you have 5 quality teams fighting for 4 playoff spots. Now I am not saying that Melrose will could not win our region, but I am saying that Melrose could not dominant year in and year out like Melrose does in 8-4a. Now for the most part, 4a and 5a are pretty level except the fact that from what I have seen on the way to state, Melrose won't meet a great football team until the semi-final or even the championship game, where in 5a you can expect a brawl in the second and third round. Don't get too proud Melrose fans, you have a great football program, just remember we will be looking to come out hard looking for an "upset". We will return to our winning tradition and when that happens, melrose fans look out because with the talent coming trough Whitehaven and our coaching get back on track we will dominate the memphis area once again.

I did go to the Fairley game and for the most part Fairley has a pretty decent team. Their passing game is pretty strong with a great tall QB and very talented receivers that did not drop a pass all night. As far as Whitehaven, they have some good looking players who are big and tall. Their defense was somewhat productive that seem to fold at times though. Whitehaven ran 80% of the time, so we did not see much of the receivers. The times that they did pass, they were strikes to some talented receivers. One of touchdowns resulted from a 60 yard catch with fairley's db glued to the reciever( I don't know how he caught it). When whitehaven mixed it up in the second half, they were very productive. However, in the first half they were very predictable- run, run, pass every play. As far as Melrose fans, enjoy the bragging rights you have right now, you deserve it until we turn in a victory. Whitehaven in the past 3 or 4 years is not the whitehaven that most of us are used to. Once we get coaching back on track(with or without the present coaching staff) we will be dominant again.

Some points to consider, I am also a fan of whitehaven football and it has been very disappointing to see some of the top talent in tennesse to not reach their potential. With the talent that whitehaven has they SHOULD go undefeated. However, coaching (specifically their offensive coodinator) will be the factor that will determine if they are successful or not. In the past whitehaven has never had a problem scoring. however, this new offensive coordinator has managed to turn a offensive powerhouse into an offense that struggles to score on teams like fairley. IF the offensive coordinator can mix it up, melrose WILL go down. All and all, it should be a good and exciting game. I will be there.