chindit

tonight, Sweetwater and Sequoyh play another way; at 5pm, Carson newman women's soccer team ( with Mo Gruenenfelder, Melissa Morris of Sweetwater) scrimmages Tn Tech U (Mary Gray Johnson of SQHS). see how far the other football game in Monroe Co has come!

Gentlemen, Gentlemen... Let's change the direction for a moment; those that want to take pride in SQHS athletics, join me, just for a minute. Go to TTUsports.com, womens soccer, 2008 roster, down towards the bottom, #21. I know it's a football thread but give me this 45 seconds of pride and thankfulness and let me share it with all the SQHS faithful.

I for one, vote for the game to be played, anywhere by anyone. Cheamilion makes a point about $40.00. Think about that, 7 or so home matches x $40.00 in a school forced to make tough financial decisions every day? Maybe they pick up wrestling or something and dump soccer over $280.00... I was in Johnson City over the weekend at the McDonalds tournament with my team (U12B); and an Englishman made a point I hear a lot, (mostly away from High schools) that "Americans" (that's us) have turned Soccer into a game of the privileged. Some look down their noses at the backwater high schools with cowpasture fields, unskilled coaches and 2-3 reasonably tallented players... and 2 refs. I applaud those enclaves of well played HS soccer, (going out on a limb here) but it's enjoyable to referee the Grace, McMinn County or Cleveland matches. I don't work them but I attend occasionally, Bearden or CAK; and it's great high school soccer. But they don't work harder or do more with less than Tellico, Rhea Co, Harriman or Sweetwater. In Tellico, there is one man that practically single handed keeps the game alive.... Sorry about the rant, don't know how I got off on that...., ok, 2 man crews works well if the 2 are in sync- 3 is better. sela

what's the point in playing the game if it's been decided? Don't. There will be other kids that want to play. Also, don't waste your batteries filming. There is an Assigner for each region, (Chatt, Knox, Nash, etc.) Ask the next official or your coach who the assigner is for your region, his email address will be remarkably easy to uncover. Email chapter and verse, tell the assigner every slight, (real and percieved) and every "bad" call. I know for a fact, MY assigner particularly enjoys getting rambling, poorly structured missives about the acumen (or lack thereof) of his referees. As a coach, I tell my players to let the referee's referee and players play. If they believe the game is being called against them, play harder, it is in THEIR power to win against all odds, great opponants, bad officials, cold, rain, lousy pitches..., this is Soccer, not baseball. As a referee there are coaches I don't like, it happens. Mostly I decline their games. If I take one, I take the fan side instead of the bench. There are coaches that don't like me. It happens. I do my best. I realize that most players and coaches (and parents) know more about soccer than I do; they're just too busy to be referees and use that valuable knowledge for the betterment of the game. If you are a referee, when you step on the pitch 100% of the people present; players, coaches and fans do not like you. If you are successful, 50% do not like you a little less. At ease, I'll be in the area all day.

As an official, and being the ultimate authority on the field, I would not stop the match because team A was really good and team B was not. A coach that is known to encourage his players to put up goals with impunity has said, "If you don't want to get drilled like that, don't play us. If you can't compete, get out. I train my teams to win, and to win we score." Again, I've not been a HS coach, but in competitive, if my kids can win 9-0, we will as sometimes goals scored and shut outs count in tournaments. I do put restrictions on the players as soon as, in my opinion, we are the better side in a mismatch. The other day, the boys had to (a) string 5 passes ( the center mid could only play back to a defender © the only shots taken were a combination through ball and cross.

My annual story... a few years ago I coached at Hiwassee College. In my 3rd yr of the program, the first with any scholarships, I innocently took a match with a brand new NAIA, Va Intermont. Their coach told me, "It will be a good match, all my guys are freshmen..." I was not ashamed of that team, I just choose to put my efforts into E Tn kids and not so many foreign nationals, so my line was a McMinnCentral sweeper, a Lenoir City forward and wing, a Karns defender, that kinda thing. Well, his team was all freshmen alright, most of the Ugandan National Team!! The ref told me at the half, they had searched the rule book and the only way they could call the match was if they tossed me, as I had no assistant. They were willing, if I was, it was probably 13-0 at that point...but I have been nothing if not a believer in the dignity of the game... I was mad at the other coach but mostly at myself and durn skippy, we played on. I don't remember the final, it is an insignifigant footnote to my College Coaching career. The team got better, we won some matches that year, The young men grew up and a couple of them are now coaching highschool soccer and probably reading this story right now and laughing at the memory. The undefeated Va Intermont lost their National ambition bid to Kings College on a goal scored by some kid from, I think CAK. My point is, that their was something to be taught and learned, even in the most mismatched 90 minutes. How I dealt with that was seen by 18 young men, I refused to quit and refused to let them. If I had it to do over, the only thing I would change, would be the uniforms. We played in black and it was hotter than the 7th level that night...........

well, it's true that everyone has an opinion about officials. When I started working matches at the HS level, an old hand told me, "Just remember, when you step on the pitch, 100% of the players, coaches and fans don't like you. If you have a good game, when you step off, 50% will not like you a little less." Armed with confidence of my ability and knowledge that good officials are essential, there are still places I do not choose to go. Renumeration nonwithstanding, If I want that kind of abuse, I can just hang around my house and tell my wife I'm gonna sit and watch the NCAA tournament all day. She'll take care of that.

As to the earlier question about soft red vs hard red, I expect in the eyes of TSSAA, a red is a red. The coach and the AD have to defend the ejection to TSSAA, not the referee. Ask yourself, a year ago, did 2 yellows result in an ejection and a suspention? I think it needs saying, The referees work for the Game, not the HS, not the District, not TSSAA.

The week ban was instituted by TSSAA for the reason given; I was in the Officials Meeting when it was announced. IN the opinion of the governing body TSSAA, the example I gave earlier about football was cited as a reason to suspend for 2 mathces. As a coach, I have on occasion thanked my last defender, when they were sent off for a last desperate tackle. I've even had my keeper sent off for a tackle outside the box, with no defender behind them. I was wrong in insinuating earlier that a defending player would be automatically sent off for a handball in the box; BlackmanSoccerdad has it correct. I apologize for that. I think, in the opinion of TSSAA, a red card is similar to, when a HS basketball player shoves an opponant to the court, he is ejected and suspended for a week. I know it doesn't hold water, I'm just telling what I've been told, by them what are in charge.

The 2 match ban is a result of equity with other sports at the HS level. If, for instance, you are tossed from a football game, you sit a week, since HS soccer generally plays 2x a week, thus the 2 match ban. Sportsnut- an intentional handball in the box is one of the first rules we teach little kids. It's also an easy infraction to call as a referee. I would think that knowing you are gone for up to 3 full matches and the balance of the one you are playing would be an incentive NOT to stick your shoulder out to direct a high ball. Just sayin'........

UNC- I know that it is your intent to compliment the referees for their mid season form. It's easy to find out who it was. I'll tell you, or just say what you want. We can handle it, we have cards, you know.....

Merry Christmas to all!! I'm too lazy to start my own thread for a question, does anyone know the All region III and/or All District V teams? Sadly, we are in a non-speaking relationship with the coach and considering the HS record, I doubt any of our girls made it, but I was curious. My Daughter "seniored out"; and I will miss the boards. Soft grass pitches, blue skys and fair ref's to you all. Chindit

Kickgrass- excellent!! Thanks for clearing the soapbox, I'll get up here, and if I might say, I intend to use the "Prom dress" line, and will credit you appropriatly. I said last night, this is an officials issue, the rules exist and can be enforced. But hey folks, the halls are empty where the lines of young, healthy, qualified men and women should be lined up to put in their applications to become the referees everyone wants. I say, certify referees to a higher standard...but...pay...them.

Thank you, now I can read this, and as I said, I appreciate your opinion... Heaven knows I give mine often enough. No, I don't coach my daughter. I watch her play, and, for instance, 2 years ago at State in Memphis she was going around in the semi's with a Real Madrid player; and finally hit her from the side and clocked her. She was appropriatly cautioned for that, but the tackle was excessive. Thats what I mean by paying for sins... Don't change the game, ever. It exists, if we change it in TN HS, how will the players play with the Ghanans, the Japanese, the Figi Islanders? As referee's, we bear the responsibility to correct bad slide tackles. If it is slide, no ball, from behind, it is an ejection; fines and wailing of coaches and fans aside. How many letters does an AD have to get before he calls the coach in and says, "teach this correctly, tell your players not to do it or YOU PAY THE FINE." That's all I'm saying. I'm a little bitter today, the coast of slide tackles cuts deep in my house (and my pocket).

As a post it note "atdenton" I recognise you have an opinion and want to express it, however, this is not texting. For the sake of some of us old people, please consider a paragraph, a capital letter to begin a sentence; something. The reason that whole pesky English stuff exists is so others can read what you think. When you run every sentence together as "stream of thought" it, frankly, gets boring and hard to decipher. I want to read your opinion, but constituted as it is, just can't. Having said that, I believe as a father, a coach and a HS referee that scouts take the arrows. Yes, the better players have a higher incident of injury, but statistically the better players have their foot on the ball more often and are more likely to inflict damage on their opponants. I camped on another thread about Lara the other night, sorry bapride, to report an injury to my daughter, taken down in a bloody small town rivalry. We won't know the outcome of her MRI till tuesday, but club ball, maybe HS basketball, heck- driving her own car (a stick) is all gone for now.College Soccer? maybe not as a freshman. She will go to Senior night on crutches. Why? Because she's a center mid, because she's a senior, because she wears the same number year in and year out. The coach didn't have to tell his girls to shut her down... they all know each other. They don't like each other. It's like that. There's also a bit of paying for our sins, she is not guiltless in ball challenges and others have been helped off because of her over the years. Slide Tackle? if it can't be done right, be done away-and it is our referees responsibility. A few (dozen) ejections, nice letters from TSSAA and fines will either force better coaching technique or a ban. Thank you, that's my opinion.

So sorry to hear as well. My families thoughts go with her; Mary Gray Johnson, Sr midfielder for Sequoyah went down Thurs against McMinn Central. Her MRI will tell the tale, but her MCL is most probably torn, according to the excellent men at TOC. Though not ODP, she is pretty well known around the SE part of the state, She played at Elite and SMSC for Luchi and her last competitive season with Rex's Impact team. For the last 2 yrs has been all Dist 5, all region III. I understand better than most how you feel today. rehab well.

I know, I know... but you caught me on a bad morning. You rant... and you rave about yo' districts, that your worst could beat somebodies best; a' itsux an all... here I am tootin my little (slightly sharp) horn. Go to a tournament . Sequoyah looses to 3A Dobbins Bennett and beats 2A Creekwood and Chucky Doak. Sequoyah HS,from Madisonville TN is 9-4, going into district play this week againsy Silverdale and McMinn Cent. Ranked.?. ugh, no. Do I care? Ugh... some. we gotsa win the games. All'y'all big pro's say, play somebody and then we''ll talk about you.If FRA and JPII and CCS and a bunch'a other initials lose to GPA and GPS and Webb (no initials.. do'nt stop me, I'm on a roll) then have your OWN state. You ac' like it's ok to be crowned 1st in state; and you should, but theres a 'hendred or more girls out here playing like we care. Ok, I'm done. Thank you. don't forget the WAR on PBS. If yo' ain't watching this yo' a.............. and as the guy said when I joined the army back in the dark days, " sorry son, you can't be in the navy, your parents are married. Viet Nam? It ain't that big a deal..."

OK, ok, I bite. I can't resist. I tried, Issssssssswearrrrrrrrrrrrrr..... Region 3 District 5 yea, win this one obewan. Grace/Boyd/SQHS/McMinnCent/CSAS/Silverdale/Sweetwater... and others who wins???? I win

from this past weekend, there have been a few threads about running up the scores, how to work in a mismatched game, etc. My daughter's team was in McMinn Co Tournament and drew DB first thing saturday morning; and our girls were outmatched. That ol' goalkeeper that's coaching DB did an impressive job of keeping up the pressure, allowing our girls to stay in the game, and did NOT run up the score. I don't believe I'm giving him too much credit, it was little things they did like, good midfield development, corner run, cut back and a finish, right to our keeper. The same striker had shredded our defense early, and it appeared to ME (I could be wrong) apparently "choosing" to not put one up. Most of our team didn't get the sense they were over their heads and played as hard as they could. I might add, the DB girls played with dignity. Congratulations to them for their tournament finish and good luck in their post season. And Congratulations to Bobby and the McMinn County Cherokees (is that PC?) for doing a superior job on the weekend. Most of our girls had never been in a Soccer tournament and really enjoyed themselves; and we won 2 out of 3.

Mustcoach- Eurosport has McMinn Cent 3 Boyd-1 which makes a huge difference in Region 5, and not just to McMinn Cent. Let us know if they are wrong and you are right, we await with baited breath... Since neither Jeff or Bill like to post their scores on Chattanoogan.com or anywhere, in our district this is really really big...

I concur, there DonC... although I do like to make up names for the initials...

Big G- Coachin' wise...today, I was at the SMSC tournament with some younger guys; besides them I've been refereeing the last 2 years or so. It's one of the worst kept secrets on Coach T since I put my name and photo in my profile, but I coached 7 yrs in JUCO (jr college). Thanks for the high fives Superdog; correct- one small town team with 3 big time club players ana lots hard work made it into sub-state one year. I don't think that cracks my premise, in fact, that's the reason the girls I'm talking about keep showing up; they will never beat "Christian Academy" (I made that up) but they might beat Ridgeville High... In 1943 a brigadere of Royal Artillery, Orde Wingate convinced General Wavell, comander of the all British forces in the Far East and his superior Lord Montbatten that he could operate a large intervention force behind the Japanese lines. He took 3000, mostly Sieks, Gurkas and Burmese but some Black Watch and some of Her Majesty's Guard (Regulars) and went into Burma. They blew up railroads, etc. fpr a year loosing 1/3 of the force mostly to disease. They were not able to carry wounded with them because of the speed they moved; remember the movie Bridge over the River Kwai? The story was taken from this . The Expedition was known as the 1st Chindit expedition. There was a second- I'm a student of the Wars and found this little chapter many years ago, liked the name and kept it.

Like most all, I come on here and read, with great anticipation, the posts of knowledable soccer heads like mjuhb. I hope that my own "star" would be on the list, but she is not, and I posted and erase several times today wondering if I am motivated to say something because I think she should be there. But I'm her dad and am disqualified from evaluating- obviously I think she should be at the top of every list... And then I think, is she better than Megan Satterfield? (on the list) or Claire Duncan? (not on the list) probably not... but she's known them all and played with a bunch of them and I can't say who belongs on mjuhb's list. usually, when someone complains, it's put up here; "hey, make your own list".... So I will. Here's the list of the top 50 girls whose parents buy the uniforms, have coaches that work free and drive the bus, play on teams that hope for 500 and maybe 3rd in a district and region governed by powerhouse AAA publics or A/AA privates. The girls on my list can't play club, they have to work. They don't go to tournaments, they pay their own car insurance. They learned the game from AYSO in hay fields, with football dads that didn't know any more than them. It's a simple game for common people that requires no expensive equipment and sometimes, with the "90 this team" and the "92 that team" and the "ODP alt pool"; it just all sounds so "exclusive". well, that's my two cents for friday, it's raining like heck and I gotta go cancel my practice...

The occasionally maligned Sequoy-aH has 1 girl that spent a year or so in the old "Tony" school (K'ville knows what I mean), 1 that played club age 10-12 and 1 that was playing U17 last spring. Madisonville and Vonore are a long way from anywhere...

We beat Crooked Creek, not 10-0, but handily but those heathens from Mid-Winter scored on a last second corner and took the day, 3-2... That's why WE'RE not ranked!!!