Honest to God first I've ever heard of it. I knew the Alcoa thing, but I've never heard Maryville before tonight.
I admittedly have no clue, but I know Hat wouldn't put that out there if it weren't true. Pretty damning, imo.
The only one I know that fell apart was that for the 11/12 schedule cycle, Maryville and MBA/ensworth (forget which) were in talks. Maryville/Alcoa were trying to get a week 0 doubleheader kickoff scheduled annually and those teams didn't want to come east both years.
At least one of two. They were willing to play here one of huge years, they just wanted Maryville/Alcoa to do a return trip in an effort to revive the old clinic bowl.
Who's for punishing talent? But when one school can recruit and assemble the talent - and away from the same opponents who cannot do the same, and against whom they will later compete - is ridiculously unfair.
I watched Fulton stomp Greenville last year, a team that is at least on par with Maryville Academy, and with my own two eyes. I haven't seen this season's squad, at least as of yet, but I will.
Powell is far from god-awful. How come Maryville has steadfastly refused to play Fulton? Last I heard, they even offered to make the trip to Maryville. Quarles was not interested. Why?
So, you think it's fair that one team can recruit and accumulate the best talent from anywhere, including away from their opponents, and who cannot do the same? Here's what people like you, who defend the current system should do: 1. Save as many Maryville tshirts as you possibly can. This is truly their golden-age. 2. Watch what happens when TSSAA answers this exact same question, within the next year. 3. Jump up your own asses.
Are you talking about the legislative council meeting in December where they are going to vote full public/private