CAK vs Austin East (AE)

[FootballDad]

I normally would wait a day till getting this thread started, but hey, Milan and CPA already have 5 pages going. This will be the first ever meeting between these 2 schools in football although they are located within 15 miles of each other. Both have beaten Alcoa this year. AE has played a tough schedule. Both teams have lost close games. AE has a stout defense, CAK has a stout offense. How does this one shake out?

[BCsportsfan]

CAK 35

AE 18

[shootermcgavin]

CAK 35

AE 18

CAK 45 a e 13 wont be close.

[reaction]

Good luck CAK.

[EHSTrack06]

CAK big

AE is good but they scored less than 20 on EHS and North, 2 teams that are not as good as CAK this year.

[cyclones1]

no disrepect AE but i dont think you will beat CAK, good luck to both teams

[FootballDad]

You must always have respect for the athletes that Austin East can put on the field. They will line up and play anyone regardless of strength or classification. So they are fearless in that respect. I also know they have great pride in their defense and rely on speed & athleticism from their skill positions on offense. Special teams is a specialty for them. I can't imagine CAK even considering kicking to them. Pooch, squibb, or hope you can boom it into the end zone, but don't let them get a clean opportunity to return it.

[coachrus]

This will be the first ever meeting between these 2 schools in football although they are located within 15 miles of each other.

 

Interesting. Why is that?

[FootballDad]

Interesting. Why is that?

My best guess would be that the schools are in the same classification and that they would prefer to not play each other knowing there is a good chance of meeting again in the playoffs. Another factor would be that this is just the 11th season of CAK having a football program and until the past couple of years CAK has been in a lower classification. I would not be surprised at all to see these 2 teams start playing more regularly as CAK is having more and more difficulty in finding games outside the district. Another issue is that neither team would be considered attractive if looking at what they bring to the gate revenue for each school. CAK has a devoted fan base, but that base is small due to a student population of around 420 students, and that doesn't equate into the same size revenue for AE when they host larger schools such as Powell or West. Likewise for AE, when they travel they do not traditionally bring a big crowd.

 

Not sure what the true answer is but I would suspect some or all of the above have played a role. Both teams have demonstrated they are willing to play good competition outside their districts, so I doubt that has anything to do with it.

[coachrus]

My best guess would be that the schools are in the same classification and that they would prefer to not play each other knowing there is a good chance of meeting again in the playoffs. Another factor would be that this is just the 11th season of CAK having a football program and until the past couple of years CAK has been in a lower classification. I would not be surprised at all to see these 2 teams start playing more regularly as CAK is having more and more difficulty in finding games outside the district. Another issue is that neither team would be considered attractive if looking at what they bring to the gate revenue for each school. CAK has a devoted fan base, but that base is small due to a student population of around 420 students, and that doesn't equate into the same size revenue for AE when they host larger schools such as Powell or West. Likewise for AE, when they travel they do not traditionally bring a big crowd.

 

Not sure what the true answer is but I would suspect some or all of the above have played a role. Both teams have demonstrated they are willing to play good competition outside their districts, so I doubt that has anything to do with it.

 

When you look at how the districts are divided, one would perhaps think that all the Knoxville schools would be in the same district similar to what the TSSAA did to Nashville.

[FootballDad]

When you look at how the districts are divided, one would perhaps think that all the Knoxville schools would be in the same district similar to what the TSSAA did to Nashville.

While it would make things even tougher than it already is, I would like to see AE & Grace be added to District 4, 3A. CAK already plays Grace every year anyway and Grace has proven they can compete. Grace is not there yet by enrollment numbers, but with the 1.8 multiplier they are getting pretty close. They just got bumped from 1A to 2A, so they don't have to move up just yet, but I would like to see our district get more teams. Taking AE away from their district would hurt the number of district games for those schools, thus requiring them to find one more out of district game, but I would say they wouldn't mind the trade off.

[FootballDad]

I've been waiting on "ColumbiaBlueNScarlet" to post or any of the other Roadrunners for that matter. Our two schools have never met in football and I'm excited to get a chance to play AE. I know AE loves to hook horns with Fulton and Alcoa, but this is going to be an interesting game. All that speed, size and athleticism for the Roadrunners on one side, and one of the most prolific passing offenses in TN high school football on the other. A short trip to Cookeville for a chance at a state championship is on the line. Will AE be able to get pressure on the CAK QB? Will they be able to cover 3 or 4 very good receivers simultaneously? Will CAK be able to limit the offensive speed of AE? Can CAK manage special teams well enough to prevent big Roadrunner returns? Lots of things to debate. I'd like to meet some of the AE faithful Friday night and get them a good burger and nanner puddn.

Edited November 21, 2011 by FootballDad