Mountain 8 2026
- Thread starter MHHS"12
- Start date
All finals now:
Smoky 58 N Buncombe 35
Pisgah 24 Foard 38
W Hendo 56 Carson 27
N Hendo 15 Enka 30
congrats to Smoky & West (which we face next week)
Smoky 58 N Buncombe 35
Pisgah 24 Foard 38
W Hendo 56 Carson 27
N Hendo 15 Enka 30
congrats to Smoky & West (which we face next week)
Yes, next year’s Junior and senior class will be as much talent at the skill positions as we’ve had in probably 10+ years in terms of just shear volume and speed.
As for our staff, they bleed for this team and I’ll never doubt that. On offense the past two years we have struggled to get playmakers involved. I know that shocks some to include last year but we had Pope and he was a definite physical style player but we made some guys just non-existent in our offense when they didn’t have to be. This year we have struggled doing that as well. We ultimately run the stacked I and it has worked against weaker competition but average to good teams have stacked the box on us (tonight Foard had 9 in the box on this formation) and we just run right into the brick wall with an entirely straight blocking scheme. It’s truly Iso over and over. No misdirection, no pulls, no trapping, just straight ahead. It’s baffling to watch. With what is coming next year, we have to learn how to not let that go to waste. When we do pass most of our pass plays are deep and we throw right into the zone rather than underneath it and we never really adjusted. If we would have went to Cramer next week and ran our style, it would have been a bloodbath simply because of their personnel and how easy we are to prepare for. When we have needed to be in a hurry up style offense to close out halves or games, we have tended to just stay in our same offense and run up the middle and have no semblance of a 2-minute O. These things have to change. There is talent over the next two years to make very deep runs but we can’t kill it with play calling.
Tonight’s results were not surprising, although this was a winnable game, but I’m definitely not shocked we lost. We by far had the most elementary offense in the conference and that can’t continue.
This upcoming class will work hard in the offseason and there is zero doubt in that. The staff must absolutely challenge themselves to coach and teach an offensive scheme that doesn’t completely take our athletes out of the game because the talent and player leadership(wasn’t strong this year) is there to be very, very good these next two years.
Great summary, it kinda reminds of Coach Brooks in his earlier years. Gotta learn to diversify as a coaching staff.
Foard looked like a 10 seed and Pisgah looked like a 23 seed. How in the world did they win 6 games? Maybe they just had a bad night. Absolutely loved Pisgah’s stadium though. And #4 for the bear’s has got some dang speed. Foard’s QB was a difference maker. May go watch Franklin next week. I’ve heard they got a brand new fancy stadium.
Honestly, Pisgah was very fortunate to have won as many games as they did. Some of the games they won could have been losses and in any other years probably would have been. Very easily could have been an under .500 teams going into the playoffs .
Pisgah’s RPI was was misleading this year, IMO. Our OWP portion of the ranking was correct but misleading. Mtn. Heritage (8 wins), Franklin (10 wins), Tuscola (9 wins), and Smoky Mtn (8 wins), Enka (8 wins) were some big anchor games for it. We won against Heritage but if you look at the other games we weren’t competitive. So yes, they were “ stronger” teams but we got worn out against them. The Tuscola game’s score was misleading. Yes, it was 21-0 and a great effort by the team but we had less than 40 yds total offense for the game. The game wasn’t as “close” as the scoreboard showed. The Enka game was 100% winnable but the events leading up to that game got in our coaches heads and we played straight up into Enka’s defensive strength all night because we wanted to pound them and that wasn’t happening. Our OWP benefitted from the mountains being down and Enka having a historic year. I’m not taking away from Enka they were a greatly improved team from year’s past. I would argue that on paper we were the most “misleading” ranked team in our conference for these reasons. OWP just says you played a team with a good record it doesn’t tell you how bad/good you played against that team.
There were also some major distractions that happened on Senior night against Brevard and carried into this week and I can’t but feel like they had some effect. I won’t go into them but as I said before this team didn’t have the strongest upper leaders so that was going to be tough to overcome.
There are a lot of good ballplayers on the team they are just in a large junior class and a few Sophs. mixed in that will be huge leaders and impact guys in the future, we have just have to work in the system that will allow that to excel. This year’s offense will not be the best style to run with the personnel for the next two years.
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Listened to the wtzq radio call of their playoff game last night and Mike Morgan kept raving about him. He’s a junior, I didn’t realize how young this entire West team was. They should be pretty darn good next year as well.
That Pisgah score just floors me. I know they’re young but man.
I get so tired of our fans using the "young" excuse. The boys basketball coach said that for three straight years. Our football team has 47 total players, 14 seniors and and 17 juniors. So 31 of our 47 players are "upper classmen!" Juniors and seniors are not young, they are experienced and have been in the program since middle school.
#4 should have got more touches this year.I know he was hurt the first of the season but not in the last five games.At least he will be back next year.Only good thing about this is we want have to play Stuart Cramer .Anyway good luck to Ford ,you were the better team.I just saw on Facebook that #42 got hurt again last night and might have to have surgery on his foot.He won three state championship in track and field last year.He's a fine young man and hope it's not as bad as they think.
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Yes, definitely as explosive of a kid as we’ve had. I think trying to manage his load is a delicate balance. He’s a really good football player, has some unfortunate, unique injuries, and ultimately has a very bright collegiate future in track that is his focus. Attempting to keep football from messing up track. Hopefully, this injury is minimal.
Yes sir. The kid has almost instantaneous acceleration and deceleration.
Hi BiltmoreCANE. I watched the Franklin vs W Henderson game on YouTube. Great channel BTW. I know East Lincoln has to focus on Forest Hills but couldn't help but look ahead lol. EL and Franklin are starting to have a little playoff history having played a few times recently. I was at the 2014 game which was an awesome western final. Both teams undefeated 14-0 and your Panthers had pretty much pretty much put everyone on a running clock out west and were a tough team. East went on to win the title.
Anyway the team this year looks good but how would you compare them to that team? Also looks like you guys have another Young at RB and I believe wearing the same number #36? Hoping both teams take care of business and meet at your place this time.
Anyway the team this year looks good but how would you compare them to that team? Also looks like you guys have another Young at RB and I believe wearing the same number #36? Hoping both teams take care of business and meet at your place this time.
That 2014 team was probably the best Franklin team I’ve ever seen. That was a great game and we just couldn’t overcome the Surratt’s. It was a well deserved title for you guys. As far as this year’s team we have a better throwing QB, some decent WR’s, and yes another Young (Nephew) on the team RB/MLB. He was injured (ankle) in the next to last game vs Smoky Mnt. We have decent lines & a pretty good kicker. This team has more speed than the 2014 team, the 2014 team was probably more physical. As you said neither of our teams can afford to look ahead, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t snuck a peak. Let me know about EL & GL Friday night.
Going to be some cold games in the mountains this Friday night!
Great playoff weather on Friday and deer hunting on Saturday! Wish my squad was still in it but probably going to Tuscola’s game this weekend.
Might as well get some chatter going, thoughts on these 2nd round matchups…
West @ Franklin
Maiden @ Tuscola
Smoky @ South Point
West @ Franklin
Maiden @ Tuscola
Smoky @ South Point
The way Pisgah played Heritage earlier in the year I thought they'd be 9-1 and a competitor in 4a... boy was I wrong lol
There is no patience in today’s world. Everyone wants immediate results. Unfortunately most times in HS sports it takes time to build a culture. As a Franklin fan I feel like Pisgah has a solid foundation for football. The coaching staff (from an outside perspective) has an agenda they want to follow. No matter how smart the coaching staff, wisdom comes with age. I would hope they wouldn’t make any changes at this point, but I certainly don’t understand the complexity of the bears boosters & fan base.
I was just about to say this. Seems like Chappell is doing very well in SC. Buyers remorse for Pisgah fans?
Where is he at now? He sure was a thorn in Franklin’s side, both at East & Pisgah.
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You're not wrong
Brett left for several other reasons as well though to be fair, but those are definitely on the list. Our community and sports programs in general in Canton, have always had a big presence with the good ol' boy system. I know others have these same issues as well, but I'd venture to say most are not on the scale we do here. However, several things can be true at the same time. Yes, our current group of player parents and fans alike are more snowflakish, whinier, and less patient than ever before which just brings it to light more. Yes, the good ol' boy system runs everything around here, including the youth, middle school, and high school athletic programs (I'd estimate that 95% of our athletic staffs attended and played for Pisgah) But, the reason that comes to be though is because people around here just don't move away very often, if they do, they usually end up returning. Which at the same time does speak volumes at the pride and love people have for this community, which in return creates or has created a good ol' boy system. With that said, I havent heard a damn soul say anything the last couple of years when everything was going much better and we were overachieving. So, don't start bumpin' them gums now. When we were running Pope a hundred times a game and everyone else's little Johnny wasn't getting the touches, no one cared because we were winning the majority of the time. Now, we go and lose some games and all of a sudden, the same staff that y'all we're just praising now needs to be fired because they're not using the Johnny's right (Yes, I have admittedly criticized some of the staff and playcalling myself, that's what fans do, but never would say anything egregious such as a person should lose their job or be ran out of town, or any other crazy stuff I've heard this weekend) Lastly, I love my alma mater as much as anyone else, but sometimes you gotta take those rose colored glasses off and call a spade a spade and get out of the clouds. This unsubstantiated self imposed sense of us always being world beaters every season is kind of baffling. For the record, Brett Chappell is a hell of a coach and I personally wish he never left. My interactions with him were positive and reflected great character. I didn't play under him, I was there when David Pressley was but from what I seen nothing he ever did or would've done would have made him "from here" and a lot of people could never see past that. So, in the end, we must live in the culture that we've allowed to be created now.
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I, for one, was not in the “Get rid of Chappell” crowd and ultimately, thought we didn’t offer him the proper respect upon exit. After Pressley, Chappell was my #1 pick to go after. I also wasn’t in the “Go get Brindley for head coach” group partially due to his style of play at Smoky and also because, I know him, like him, and didn’t want him to most likely, eventually be subjected to the “run him off, U-haul” comments at a place he loves. Sometimes it is easier for the outsider. Woody Fish and Brindley have been the only two Pisgah alums to ever hold the head coaching position.
I am in the we have a smart, gives a crap about this program coach group but there needs to be some adaptations in order to meet the potential of this team’s strengths, not last years. If the team of the next two years meets its potential it will be almost a Polar shift of the team from last year. Not completely but close.
The one group, I am absolutely not in is the “Fire Brindley” group. I just don’t want the results to get to the point that that group gets so loud, they eventually win.
I’ll say this. The good ol’ boy system can go wrong and does many times. However, in almost every town without the good ol’ boys and dads you would probably have no youth sports. The good side of the good ol’ boy system shows up at the drawdown ( started when Woody Fish was the coach), booster club, and momma’s making Wednesday night meals and churches doing it on Fridays.
Like everything, it just requires management, oversight, and proper vision.
I am in the we have a smart, gives a crap about this program coach group but there needs to be some adaptations in order to meet the potential of this team’s strengths, not last years. If the team of the next two years meets its potential it will be almost a Polar shift of the team from last year. Not completely but close.
The one group, I am absolutely not in is the “Fire Brindley” group. I just don’t want the results to get to the point that that group gets so loud, they eventually win.
I’ll say this. The good ol’ boy system can go wrong and does many times. However, in almost every town without the good ol’ boys and dads you would probably have no youth sports. The good side of the good ol’ boy system shows up at the drawdown ( started when Woody Fish was the coach), booster club, and momma’s making Wednesday night meals and churches doing it on Fridays.
Like everything, it just requires management, oversight, and proper vision.
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I do agree that the smash mouth running game wasn’t working. But, I never saw evidence that the QB (either of them) could make accurate throws either. I think it was one of those rock and a hard place situations when it came to the offense. They had some talent in places, but no real “playmakers.” QB last year was going to make a play when needed, whether it be with his arm or his legs. Same could be said about probably a half dozen of those seniors from last year. This senior class lacked that leadership. I’ve watched this group from the time they were pups and you could see that coming from a mile away. It made a difference when #4 came back from injury. Poor kid just couldn’t stay healthy. Hopefully his foot isn’t as bad as they think.
Yes, this team’s ceiling was definitely should have beat Enka and I think we should have beaten Foard and then be “competitive/not blown out” in the rest of the games with losses. I agree neither qb ever really grabbed the reins. It may just be two different types of philosophy but if I have two kids that are pretty equal in most things and one is a senior and one is a junior, I’m starting the junior every time. That’s an opinion, that everyone doesn’t have to follow and I’m good with that. Never been a huge fan of QB by committee unless the two have major noticeable differences in strength. I agree on the “rock and hard place” comment and I don’t think it should be there next year but I could be wrong. Team Leadership should be good next year from what I see/hear.
I’ve never liked the QB by committee either. My guess is they expected someone to rise to the top, but it never happened. Probably should have moved to the junior, but who knows what happened behind the scenes. Hopefully they don’t do that again. I agree we should have beaten Enka. The punt killed us. When #11 went down against Foard, it was pretty much over. He’s the leader of the defense. The throwing QB getting a concussion made it very difficult to play from behind. Looked like the tight end was open and behind the D multiple times and just couldn’t hit him. Again, playmaking just killed us. I’d say QB development is high on the list of off season goals. The freshman JV QB looked good at times. He definitely has the legs. Or maybe the junior steps up. Lots of time to find out.
