Predictions for the the District of Death (D.O.D)

[silverfoot]

Well put dins. I thank you on behalf of everyone who reads these boards for typing your argument out so we didn't have to. Besides, this thread is for predictions in a single district, not for needless debating. Quick correction of your post though, I think of an upset as defeating a team. Lenoir City has not defeated Bearden, only tied them the past two seasons.

1. Farragut 2. Maryville 3. Bearden 4. Catholic 5. West 6. Lenoir City 7. William Blount 8. Heritage

[gameball]

Hellooo all. I played in Middle Tennessee and use to be on here all the time, but then college and I graduated and I had to do the grown-up thing and get a real job. I have occeasionally been on here but travel gets the best of me and I have not been on the way I would like. I have been to east tenn and seen some games and definitely have an opinion on them and wish to share it from an unbiassed watcher. At one time I was on the National Ranking Committee for the old Rivals so have some creditablity of my view.

 

I see this DOD as most people say for Farragut's to lose. They have the talent and Coach Culbreth has certainly proved with any team he can make them winner's no matter what. My second place for this District is Maryville not Bearden..... While I believe Culbreth and Turner to be better most than any other Coaches in the state, I have seen Beearden and Maryville and I don't think( but Turner is a great Coach) they can beat the scrappy in your face Maryville. The talent is close to even but what I saw out of Maryville is what I saw out of Farragut last year a young team that really wants to win. Catholic is an upstart in this District and I haven't seen them yet and am thinking this step up may be to big for them but Coach Leader seems to have found some right combinations as eveidenced by their early success. West is good but will beat themselves, by far the worst attitude of players I have seen in years and if things don't go their way they scream all the way down the field. I recently talked to an area ref and he told me NOBODY wants a West game, to much trouble from the West Players. Coach McCoy is a good coach and has proven that in Club but is way over his head unless discipline becomes the norm instead of the occassional response.I watched West and it was exactly as I was told and while a heap of talent is there, they will beat themselves! Bearden as usual has the great defense Turner is Known for but not enough Offensive Punch to win in the big games down the road, but never doubt turner he is always pulling rabbits out of his hat as in the State Championship Bearden won in 2006 with not the best team at the tournament.

CAK as usual has enough Club players and talent to be in the AAA division where they would be a good team but not a great team. In their division they are playing with more talent than most schools and again should make a run for the title. I watched them the other day and they are good but not of the caliber of past CAK teams. Alcoa, I suspected this year to be better than they are. They had aenough coming back to make a strong run but as of yet, the game I watched, they have a LONG WAY to go, but still could get there if the coach (can't remember his name) gets their act together the way they should play. Last year their run was a great and wonderful surprise and the coach should be praised but now needs to get on his heeels and wake his team up. Noone else in this area has been seen or up until this time warrants me looking at them , but the seaason is young.

I will be back in this area in a couple of weeks and will give an updated opninion at that time. I will be putting this format together for Middle Tennessee as well. The powers I see there are Father Ryan, Brentwood and so far a surprising Centennial.

[popo23]

hmm the only disagreement i have is about west and the coaching staff there(not just kyle mccoy.) the fact that a coach has had success at a club and ODP level, but is "over his head" at a high school coaching level does not make sense! Correct me if i am wrong but he coached a certain club team to a regional semi final, or the furthest a team from knoxville has ever gone. (losing to CASL, probably the south, if not the countries strongest club) and has had only one year to mold the exceptional talent at west. Do not know how this will leave a coach "over his head."

[akula21]

Agree with alot of what gameball said, not all, but think he has a good grasp of the teams in that district.

As far as CAK and Alcoa, I think you will see both look completely different by the end of the season. I know CAK lost a dozen seniors or something crazy like that so its not easy to come out and open the season as strong as they will be when the younger guys have 20 games under their belt. Also know the injury bug has hit them BIG TIME and when they get everyone back fully healthy they will claim their annual spot in murfreesboro. As for us, we only lost 5 seniors, but that group was relied on heavily. Hope you don't judge my team or myself on a preseason match if that is when you watched us. I don't coach much inside of scrimmages b/c I feel its a chance to let the players grow by making them figure things out for themselves. Obviously, we failed to do a great job of that during our preseason, but I'll trade that experience to help me and the other coaches see the "wrong" things to help us teach the right ones come May.

 

Again, love the insight and opinions, Gameball, if you make another match please stop by real quick and introduce yourself, like meeting the folks behind the names on here! Oh, and I'm Coach Gorman.

[soccrfan]

Agree with alot of what gameball said, not all, but think he has a good grasp of the teams in that district.

As far as CAK and Alcoa, I think you will see both look completely different by the end of the season. I know CAK lost a dozen seniors or something crazy like that so its not easy to come out and open the season as strong as they will be when the younger guys have 20 games under their belt. Also know the injury bug has hit them BIG TIME and when they get everyone back fully healthy they will claim their annual spot in murfreesboro. As for us, we only lost 5 seniors, but that group was relied on heavily. Hope you don't judge my team or myself on a preseason match if that is when you watched us. I don't coach much inside of scrimmages b/c I feel its a chance to let the players grow by making them figure things out for themselves. Obviously, we failed to do a great job of that during our preseason, but I'll trade that experience to help me and the other coaches see the "wrong" things to help us teach the right ones come May.

 

Again, love the insight and opinions, Gameball, if you make another match please stop by real quick and introduce yourself, like meeting the folks behind the names on here! Oh, and I'm Coach Gorman.

 

Coach, if memory serves, your guys play this weekend in the Cleveland Tourney? If so, who do you play and what are your thoughts about the opponents? Interested to get your insights into what your expectations are for your guys and what challenges you expect from the others attending. Thanks

[BigG]

What game did you come to? Like Gorman, stop by and say hello... I like to meet the coach T'ers!

 

I'm not too worried about where we were in pre-season, more concerned with where we will be in post. I hope to get everyone healthy_ but also know that those things are out of my control. We have 14 underclassmen, so we have a good future ahead of us. We also have 5 seniors that are really strong (with 2 good juniors, too), and have a legacy that they would like to continue. Nothing is guaranteed, however, so we are taking nothing for granted. We play the pre season to prepare for regular seasonm the regular season for the post. This might mean losing a game or few, playing young guys, and being over looked (but as anyone who knows me on these boards, is something I actually prefer) but if it gets us ready for May, then it is worth it.

[DVD1]

hmm the only disagreement i have is about west and the coaching staff there(not just kyle mccoy.) the fact that a coach has had success at a club and ODP level, but is "over his head" at a high school coaching level does not make sense! Correct me if i am wrong but he coached a certain club team to a regional semi final, or the furthest a team from knoxville has ever gone. (losing to CASL, probably the south, if not the countries strongest club) and has had only one year to mold the exceptional talent at west. Do not know how this will leave a coach "over his head."

 

 

You missed the point.....

 

Coach McCoy is good at what he does. He is in over his head, because the players he has disrespect the game, and each other. Its tough to win with so much negativity

 

Best of luck to West. If they can get it together, they WILL be a team that we talk about in May !

[akula21]

We Play Ooltewah Thursday Night, Baylor Friday Night, and Clevland and Ravenwood saturday.

 

I really don't know a whole lot this early in the season, I know I've heard alot of good things about Ravenwood on the boards. I actually have a good friend on staff at Ooltewah, who hasn't shared any information and I'm also friends with Coach Blair at Baylor so I know those guys are going to be a tough match up. Also know Cleveland is a strong squad, so excited about some experience for our guys.

Sorry I can't be more insightful, but I really just don't know that much about these teams.

I do know its going to be a major test of our depth, which has always been our biggest hurdle, so I hope we come out healthy!

[soccrfan]

We Play Ooltewah Thursday Night, Baylor Friday Night, and Clevland and Ravenwood saturday.

 

I really don't know a whole lot this early in the season, I know I've heard alot of good things about Ravenwood on the boards. I actually have a good friend on staff at Ooltewah, who hasn't shared any information and I'm also friends with Coach Blair at Baylor so I know those guys are going to be a tough match up. Also know Cleveland is a strong squad, so excited about some experience for our guys.

Sorry I can't be more insightful, but I really just don't know that much about these teams.

I do know its going to be a major test of our depth, which has always been our biggest hurdle, so I hope we come out healthy!

 

Coach, could we get your thoughts about this past weekend. Looks like the competition was pretty strong and the team had an opportunity to grow from the experience. Do you think this will help you down the road, etc. Thanks.

[akula21]

This past weekend was definitely a learning experience for us. It was frustrating from the standpoint of we were very inconsistent in all of the matches, outside of Ravenwood, we were consitent in getting pounded in that one. In all seriousness, each of those matches really benefited us from seeing different styles of play and seeing teams and players that we don't normally get to play. It really helped expose some deficiencies that we have that you cannot see easily in training against reserves. I love that the tournament is played early in the season for that very reason. We still have time to make adjustments and improve before the postseason in May. While my pride as a coach took a big hit, I was glad to find the things that need to be worked on. Thats not to say we didn't do somethings well. We created some opportunities in all of our matches, but had difficulty finishing. I also know with the level of teams there, depth is huge!!! We are still lacking in that department, but we were able to look at some different combinations and some new players in some pressure situations that will only help in the long run.

 

I have to give alot of credit to Ravenwood, everything I had heard about them is true. They are a legit AAA state contender. Very solid in the midfield and seemed to bring on players without losing much, which will be key in murfreesboro. I was really impressed.

 

Overall, now that I have had time to reflect and look over postgame notes, I am very happy we went down. Would have loved for some better results, but we wanted a challenge and definitely faced 4 opponents who gave us just that. I also got so see some good friends in the coaching community and catch up. Now if only we could get some sunny skies and 60 degree weather next year!!!!!

 

Good luck to All the rest of the season!!!!!

[RHS10]

Agree with Akula regarding his Ravenwood comments and about their midfield in particular. Have seen them play on several occasions this year already and they appear to have good depth in most positions. Both center mids are legit D1 college level players. Saunders is headed to St Mary's and Linder will certainly sign someplace as well. IF Ravenwood continues to be successful I can see both of them garnering All State honors.

[Olif]

 

You missed the point.....

 

Coach McCoy is good at what he does. He is in over his head, because the players he has disrespect the game, and each other. Its tough to win with so much negativity

 

Best of luck to West. If they can get it together, they WILL be a team that we talk about in May !

 

I knew I wasn't the only one that saw the negativity in West!