Wk 3 of the Playoffs: Rhea County at Oak Ridge

[PassiveAggressive]

 is number 5 playing for sure?

IF HE IS HEALTHY AND CAN PLAY...HE WILL DESTROY RHEA'S WEAK SECONDARY..

[oldgeezer]

A couple of clarifications.  Yes Rhea beat Soddy by only 10.  But they were up 17 at halftime and 17 with less than a minute to go.  They game was never in doubt.  Maynor got HIS yards as he did against O.R. but the game was in control from the get-go.

 

Ooltewah's quarterback didn't just have a bad night in a vacuum.  Rhea put in a new defense, dropping one of the LB's back as basically a third safety to clog up the middle.  They rushed three most of the time, allowing the QB to complete well over 50% of his passes but averaging less than 10 yards per catch for still a bunch of yards.  The idea was to give them a long field and they would make a mistake before they could complete 8 ten yard passes in a row for a TD.  Rhea tackled well and the Owls couldn't make a big play like they usually do.  The QB was flustered because A, there were 8 guys back there in the secondary.  And B, about every 3 or 4 snaps they would bring a backer and torment him.  And as the game went on, the three man rush was flushing him out.  They scored one touchdown on offense.

 

If you put any college recruiter on the 50 yard during warmups, they would look at the two teams and tell you that both Ooltewah and Oak Ridge would mop up the floor with Rhea Co.  But Rhea plays assignment football, they're never out of place and every player on the field blocks and tackles with near perfect fundamentals. 

 

Rhea County is very beatable.  The two teams that gave them the most trouble offensivle all year were mostly big slow white guys who stayed at home.  Fast players they can handle. 

 

But Rhea has manhandled the 5-5 and 12-0 teams they met in the playoffs Oak Ridge struggled for three quarters against a 4-6 team and probably should have lost to a 5-5 team.  Rhea is playing their best football of the year.  Oak Ridge has to snap out of a funk.  Should be very entertaining.

[Foxman43]

A couple of clarifications.  Yes Rhea beat Soddy by only 10.  But they were up 17 at halftime and 17 with less than a minute to go.  They game was never in doubt.  Maynor got HIS yards as he did against O.R. but the game was in control from the get-go.

 

Ooltewah's quarterback didn't just have a bad night in a vacuum.  Rhea put in a new defense, dropping one of the LB's back as basically a third safety to clog up the middle.  They rushed three most of the time, allowing the QB to complete well over 50% of his passes but averaging less than 10 yards per catch for still a bunch of yards.  The idea was to give them a long field and they would make a mistake before they could complete 8 ten yard passes in a row for a TD.  Rhea tackled well and the Owls couldn't make a big play like they usually do.  The QB was flustered because A, there were 8 guys back there in the secondary.  And B, about every 3 or 4 snaps they would bring a backer and torment him.  And as the game went on, the three man rush was flushing him out.  They scored one touchdown on offense.

 

If you put any college recruiter on the 50 yard during warmups, they would look at the two teams and tell you that both Ooltewah and Oak Ridge would mop up the floor with Rhea Co.  But Rhea plays assignment football, they're never out of place and every player on the field blocks and tackles with near perfect fundamentals. 

 

Rhea County is very beatable.  The two teams that gave them the most trouble offensivle all year were mostly big slow white guys who stayed at home.  Fast players they can handle. 

 

But Rhea has manhandled the 5-5 and 12-0 teams they met in the playoffs Oak Ridge struggled for three quarters against a 4-6 team and probably should have lost to a 5-5 team.  Rhea is playing their best football of the year.  Oak Ridge has to snap out of a funk.  Should be very entertaining.

In summary...Any given Friday night. I am sure Coach Gaddis chewed some butts and woke these guys up this week. Oak Ridge is a better team than they showed last week. If they play with the passion they had for the District Championship, Rhea is toast. Oak Ridge held the #1 running back in the state to 143 yards rushing in 4 quarters. He was averaging 205 and really only playing 2 to 2 1/2 quarters up until then. That speaks volumes for the defense and is a huge game changer. Everyone predicts a very tight game. Something inside of me says 1st half is close but Oak Ridge opens it up and handles Rhea in the 2nd half. Rhea hasn't met a team or coach like this yet when the machine is clicking. Top talent everywhere!

[oldgeezer]

"Rhea hasn't met a team or coach like this yet when the machine is clicking. Top talent everywhere!"

 

Much the same could be said about Oak Ridge.  The Rhea coach also has a state championship on his resume.  And loading up to stop the number one running back in the state is impressive.  But tonight, they will have to load up to stop three different running backs averaging 7 or more yards a carry.  Rhea has had nine players rip off a 50 or more yard gain this year.  Yes, not great competition...but the weapons are numerous.  Again, Rhea doesn't have a single D-1 recruit on the roster, but they have the most fundamentally sound team Oak Ridge will play all year.  

 

If Oak Ridge plays it's best game of the year, they should win at home.  If they play like they've played the last two weeks, they won't.  It's as simple as that.

 

And having seen West a couple of times this year, if they beat South Doyle and play their best game of the year next week, neither Rhea or Oak Ridge will need motel reservations in Cookeville.

[Foxman43]

"Rhea hasn't met a team or coach like this yet when the machine is clicking. Top talent everywhere!"

 

Much the same could be said about Oak Ridge.  The Rhea coach also has a state championship on his resume.  And loading up to stop the number one running back in the state is impressive.  But tonight, they will have to load up to stop three different running backs averaging 7 or more yards a carry.  Rhea has had nine players rip off a 50 or more yard gain this year.  Yes, not great competition...but the weapons are numerous.  Again, Rhea doesn't have a single D-1 recruit on the roster, but they have the most fundamentally sound team Oak Ridge will play all year.  

 

If Oak Ridge plays it's best game of the year, they should win at home.  If they play like they've played the last two weeks, they won't.  It's as simple as that.

 

And having seen West a couple of times this year, if they beat South Doyle and play their best game of the year next week, neither Rhea or Oak Ridge will need motel reservations in Cookeville.

That is fair, but West you just never know about. They are on one week and off the next. Everything I've seen about them is fold under pressure. Considering the teams Rhea played, I'm not so concerned about the 7 yards per carry average as Oak Ridge has shown they can diminish that. You can let 10 guys run the ball, but it's always 1 guy carrying it at a time. There might be one big run, two if you are lucky, but the outside really won't be open. Rhea will have to win up front.

Edited November 21, 2014 by Foxman43

[PassiveAggressive]

"Rhea hasn't met a team or coach like this yet when the machine is clicking. Top talent everywhere!"

 

Much the same could be said about Oak Ridge.  The Rhea coach also has a state championship on his resume.  And loading up to stop the number one running back in the state is impressive.  But tonight, they will have to load up to stop three different running backs averaging 7 or more yards a carry.  Rhea has had nine players rip off a 50 or more yard gain this year.  Yes, not great competition...but the weapons are numerous.  Again, Rhea doesn't have a single D-1 recruit on the roster, but they have the most fundamentally sound team Oak Ridge will play all year.  

 

If Oak Ridge plays it's best game of the year, they should win at home.  If they play like they've played the last two weeks, they won't.  It's as simple as that.

 

And having seen West a couple of times this year, if they beat South Doyle and play their best game of the year next week, neither Rhea or Oak Ridge will need motel reservations in Cookeville.

YOU CAN SPIN IT HOW YOU WANT IT GEEZER...THE OWLS QB HAD ALL DAY TO THROW THE BALL TO HIS WIDE OPEN RECEIVERS...THAT BIG DUDE WAS NOT FAZED BY THOSE SO CALLED HITS YOU SAY.....HE SIMPLY HAD A BAAD NIGHT AT THE WRONG TIME...GO LOOK AT THE HUDL...

[PassiveAggressive]

In summary...Any given Friday night. I am sure Coach Gaddis chewed some butts and woke these guys up this week. Oak Ridge is a better team than they showed last week. If they play with the passion they had for the District Championship, Rhea is toast. Oak Ridge held the #1 running back in the state to 143 yards rushing in 4 quarters. He was averaging 205 and really only playing 2 to 2 1/2 quarters up until then. That speaks volumes for the defense and is a huge game changer. Everyone predicts a very tight game. Something inside of me says 1st half is close but Oak Ridge opens it up and handles Rhea in the 2nd half. Rhea hasn't met a team or coach like this yet when the machine is clicking. Top talent everywhere!

OK JUST ASK WEST...THE RUNNERS UP IF YOU CAN WIN BY RUNNING ONLY...

[oldgeezer]

Rhea won't get 7 yards a carry against Oak Ridge.  But you only need three and a third per carry.  And don't discount the big plays. In the first half last week Ooltewah had 14 first downs to Rhea's 3.  And almost three times the time of possession.,  But Rhea led 27-7.  Ooltewah was giving up about the same number of points per game Oak Ridge did.  And they played a much tougher schedule than Rhea County, and pitched the same four shutouts Oak Ridge did.  They had no answers.

[Dart]

WHERE TO PARK

Google Maps for Jakson Plaza, use earth view to see the field, higher up, and parking all around the Jaxckson Plaza Bldg.  More parking  to left of that  across street.  Parking at the field is full quuickly. 

 

We will be there..excited now! Have a safe drive up and enjoy the game. 

[Foxman43]

Rhea won't get 7 yards a carry against Oak Ridge.  But you only need three and a third per carry.  And don't discount the big plays. In the first half last week Ooltewah had 14 first downs to Rhea's 3.  And almost three times the time of possession.,  But Rhea led 27-7.  Ooltewah was giving up about the same number of points per game Oak Ridge did.  And they played a much tougher schedule than Rhea County, and pitched the same four shutouts Oak Ridge did.  They had no answers.

You've never been to Blankenship have you? I'm excited for the post game. I truly think this is going to surprise several.

[Foxman43]

Time to head to the game...Gotta get my spot on the rail. Cats eat birds ya know.  Go Cats!

[PassiveAggressive]

Rhea won't get 7 yards a carry against Oak Ridge.  But you only need three and a third per carry.  And don't discount the big plays. In the first half last week Ooltewah had 14 first downs to Rhea's 3.  And almost three times the time of possession.,  But Rhea led 27-7.  Ooltewah was giving up about the same number of points per game Oak Ridge did.  And they played a much tougher schedule than Rhea County, and pitched the same four shutouts Oak Ridge did.  They had no answers.

THE OWLS HAVE A LETHAL PASSING GAME THAT WAS OFF...THE QB HAD NO PRESSURE AND THE RECEIVERS WERE OPEN.....BADD NIGHT FOR THR SIGNAL CALLER .....