John B

I hope Cane is right about a 3 man line doing the trick. I always called a 3 man line a prevent defense. What was East running last year against Sullivan South when they scored 41 points in the second half ? I am more inclined to think the offense will in better shape than the defense I think the place kicking is in better shape than the punting. We can tell more about the team when they scrimmage Bearden.

I don't discount Greeneville as they are always tough. It is hard to tell what West will be doing any different this year that will help or hurt their place in the Conference finish. If East does not have early problems like last year , I would put them as the leader this year. East looks bigger,stronger,and faster than last year. I do think they will throw the ball enough to stop the overloading of the line of srimmage. The team with the best defense and can make half time adjustments will be hard to handle.

If there is one team that can beat East--West--and Greenevile I would think they would be the dark horse and also controling the conference. On August 22 we will see two teams play out of ccnference games , West--Catholic and Greeneville--Jeff County . There is not a lot of difference in the teams from the top to the bottom and any team can win if they get the breaks. East--West-and Greeneville I believe are the 3 teams to beat to win the conference.

If it is decided by numbers on the team it will be MW in first place. I wouldn't throw Greeneville out if they decide to play ball . ME is hard to figure out . I believe they have more players in the skilled positions in the Conference but if you don't have your mind on playing ball for 48 minutes you might as well stay home. They played 24 minutes against Sullivan South and was leading 21-0 before they quit scoring and playing defense. ME had more fumbles last year than any other two teams combined and that is hard to over come. I would guess ME will have to play some kids both ways at times. They have enough players returning on offense to put up points if they do a better job holding on to the ball. They can get through the line in a hurry . We will know more about ME on Sept. 5 when they play David Crockett who always fields a competitive team. We will also know more about MW on the same night as they will be playing Cherokee at home.

Cocke County always have some good players but their numbers are down compared to most other teams. They are usually pretty strong the first half and the other teams keep throwing fresh players in the game. There is not much you can do except get in enough shape to play strong in the 2nd half. Let the coach be the coach and don't bicker with each other as football takes a team effort . Help each other on every play and don't stand around watching what the other players are doing. Good luck and play to win--never give up.

72---Is East planning on fielding a Defensive and an Offensive team ? Most teams it seems plays less than 20 players unless it is a blow out . East has several kids with good speed in the go to positions and overall I would think they should be a stronger team than last year. Shane H. needs to pick it up and open some holes . I don't have any idea who will be the running backs but I hope they hang on to the ball.

S. South hasn't faced Maryville type competition this year and should be at least a 28 point underdog. If Maryville hits them hard in the first half it will be over. South has been slow out of the gate and has been playing catch up . South does have some good players but I don't believe they have enough to match up with Maryville. The Toyota " Big East selectors " left the South QB ( Curt Phillips ) off the East squad for whatever reason --oversight or ?? Maybe his 33 TD rushing and 10 TD passing wasn't enough to get their attention. It did get Wisconsin"s attention so all is well that ends well. South you have nothing to lose --play loose -- the ball may bounce your way. GOOD LUCK !

Congratulations on your win. Keep it together and bring in another win next week.

All this blather will come to a head tomorrow night. Greeneville thinks they have a chance to win They are basing their chance on a win over South 2 months ago. South is claiming that win has nothing to do with the game tomorrow night and I agree with South . Curt is holding a hot hand and isn't about to let this game get away from South and he will force Greeneville to play his game. Of course miracles do happen, but not tomorrow night . Good luck to both teams --put on a good show.

P.S. Do not forget Greeneville --stop there and play before heading to Maryville. South played tough tonight. Curt was on top of his game. 6 td's in a game is very good --of course he had a little blocking help . The bottom line is : We will get to see if Greeneville's win over South was a fluke in the regular season. Congratulations to both , South and Greeneville , and may the best team win next Friday night .

The dogs are foaming at the mouth now.

Those DOGS are barking loud tonight.

Curt Phillips took opening kick off 71 yds for a td. 6-0 South 2nd possession --Curt Phillips run td----------14-0 6:37 1st quarter

DK would need to change his running style as he runs too straight up. That is a no-no as this invites a hard lick from the linebacker when he hits a hole carrying the ball. On the other hand, he might make a good fullback if he is a fast learner and can lead some blocking when needed. It is the other running backs that need to handle the ball with both hand because they are going through small holes and the linemen are grabbing at the ball. I still wonder what happened to Taylor after making 42 yards on his 3 carries after the first kick off. I did not see that play again . East was ahead 21-20 at the 8 minute mark in the 3rd quarter when the wheels came off. The pressure was more than East could handle and the fumbles and the interception cooked their goose. South did not panic and Curt just handed the ball to his halfback and let him run it in. East did not make any adjustments so slow their running down in the last quarter.

REBELTOTHECORE Nah , I am not a sore loser--I just don't like to lose. I said South had a good team and Curt looked good. What else I saw at the game was South scoring 4 td's off East's 3 fumbles and 1 interception. If you were there I believe you saw the same thing. Maybe the Greeneville loss was a fluke . I am not offering any excuses for M-East's loss--just telling it like I saw it. There is no excuse for laying the ball on the ground by a running back. And-it takes a good team to come back from what I thought was a sure winner I will say also South better not overlook M-West. Snow or no snow !

M-West it is your turn . Get your heads in the game tomorrow night and put it to South. South has a good team so you can't fool around and let them off the hook. Their loss to Greeneville was no fluke---nearly beaten by Tennessee High --and M-East's fumbles giving them a win --should show West that South is on the ropes and waiting for a knock out blow. Get in their back field and keep the pressure on their QB and RB the entire game. Make South earn every yard they get. If you want to move on you must play as a team and each player must carry out his assignment every play. Hit them hard, you are not going up thers to play flag football. Good luck M-W.

With all the problems East had from the start of the season , I believe they got as far they could go --except I don't believe South beat East , it was East beating them self. Fumbles killed East all year --not fumbles caused by a hard hit , but ball carriers not getting two hands on the ball . It may not be a record but about 50 feels like it. No matter how good you run , no college will want you if you fumble. As far as size of offensive linemen in the East system , the offensive player gets the jump on the defensive man as he knows the count and what he plans to do. Big is not always better. Bear Bryant recruited 15 fullbacks one year and put them in the line. Did Taylor get hurt Friday night ? He carried the ball 3 times on the opening kick off for 42 of the 59 yds---I never heard his name called again--I could be wrong. Congratulations East players for playing hard and putting on a good show for your fans. Stay in shape and do not fear any team you face. Play as a team and good luck.

I hope your players are ready to play. I did not see anything West can't handle this past Friday night in the East--South game . East gave up 3 fumbles and an interception that makes South's come back look strong. Protect the ball and guard your lanes against their misdirection plays Good luck from across town --Go Trojans !!

Good game South---you knew how to win--- East had too many mistakes to play a team as good as South --Curt played a good game along with the other running backs. The pressure got to our sophomores and they were not ready to handle it. Too many fumbles trying to get more yardage than you were giving us, Knock off those points and I would rate the teams about equal. South is the only team left of the Mountain Lake teams playing tonight so you can see that the 5 River teams are not push overs. Good luck--and you will need it to knock off two teams waiting to get a shot at you.

It is about time I head up to Kingsport and eat a bite. I have done all the damage to this message board I can do here. It is time M-E gets up the road and do whatever they can to South on the field. South is the big favorite --does not mean a thing--- they have been down that road before and came up with a loss. The pressure is on South to win . They may not be able to handle the pressure.

East is not coming up there to play tag football. Which one is Curt ?

The QB is doing just fine--Hint- better keep your eye on the running backs and wide receivers.

I can see the build up to this game is going to leave some in the crowd with loud crying and sad singing after the game is over. Do we need rain coats ?

East does not claim they are a machine on offense. The season started with only one returning starter and what you see now on the field is what you get . A couple of games more experience would help ease the pain although they have come a long way. East has not dodged any team as they wanted to play the best. They scrimmaged Bearden--Science Hill---played Fulton --and played two other 5A teams attempting to be ready fo these playoffs. The injury bug hit early on and East is just now recovering enough to be competitive. Go Canes !!

How about the rain situation ? Yesterday they were giving a 20% chance. Also , Are there rest rooms on the visitor side ?