AAA v. A/AA

[akula21]

I'm new to CoachT, but I have seen a huge difference in the level of play since I was a player in the mid 90's at Oak Ridge and Coach at Alcoa now, so I have seen both sides. A/AA has become much stronger and I want to pose the question, who is stronger now? I see ties and close matches in games that a decade ago would have been unthinkable. I'd also like to hear opinions on the strongest area for soccer in TN. I still think East Tn is the toughest, but there are great teams all over the state. Thanks for your time.

[mtnman]

Historically, A/AA has only been about 5-7 deep on quality teams although that is changing.

 

AAA has more quality teams.

 

I believe if you took the top five teams in A/AA and the top five teams in AAA, AAA would get the better of them.

 

THose are my thoughts. I am sure some may disagree.

[IrishLegacy]

I know this thread is about the AAA vs A/AA gap, but if we are going to talk strength, historically the D2 teams have always had the strongest teams year in and year out in the state. The gap has closed between AAA and A/AA simply because AAA is a little bit down in my opinion.

[arsenalisgarbage]

well at youth state chamionships U14-19 there was something like 0 memphis area state champs, 1 chatt. area champion, 2 knox, and at least 8-10 from middle tn, this is boys and girls. high school is really hard to say middle and east are about equal.

[Hoya]

I know this thread is about the AAA vs A/AA gap, but if we are going to talk strength, historically the D2 teams have always had the strongest teams year in and year out in the state. The gap has closed between AAA and A/AA simply because AAA is a little bit down in my opinion.

 

I agree that DII has been, most years, the strongest division of the three. I also think AAA may be a bit down this year and the move of Notre Dame and Knox Catholic from DII to A/AA has helped the competitive level in A/AA.

 

mtnman, I don't know who the top 5 teams in AAA and A/AA will end up being, but I'd stack CCS, CAK, Notre Dame, Knox Catholic and FRA up against almost any five of the traditionally strong AAA teams this year. Catholic has already played and beaten Farragut, Bearden, McMinn Co., Science Hill, Lenoir City and Oak Ridge this season. Admittedly, the majority of those were pre-season, but allowing a total of only two goals in all six of those matches says something. I think it's a pretty good year for A/AA. I also doubt the parity goes much deeper than the top 10-12 sides.

[ah20]

well at youth state chamionships U14-19 there was something like 0 memphis area state champs, 1 chatt. area champion, 2 knox, and at least 8-10 from middle tn, this is boys and girls. high school is really hard to say middle and east are about equal.

That can usually change from year to year. I remember some years when I played club when Memphis would dominate, but I agree that Middle Tennessee has been strong lately.

 

On the subject of the gap between AAA and A/AA, I think that A/AA is a little bit closer this year because they have some really talented teams, but AAA is usually stronger year in and year out because they have so many players to choose from while some A/AA teams don't even have to make cuts and take whoever tries out. The top teams from each division might be close, but after that I would say AAA is definitely stronger.