SiderBlood wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 2:48 pmWell you beat me to the point about Waverly. We have beat Burg the same amount of times since 2010, so it's not like anyone else in the SOC has really been up to that level. Their is no question they are the gold standard of football in this area. I also never said we would beat them.Jeaux Burreaux wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 12:40 pmThis is a game that Burg is accustom to and it’s what defines their program. Teams thinking they have it together just to get beaten by the team that has been the gold standard. Look at Waverly just last year, retained a lot of important players from the 2020 team and lost in 2021 when they were more than capable of winning. I see the same with West, more than capable of winning it’s just a matter of putting it together for 4 quarterswobycat wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 11:25 am
Last year was a great playoff battle but I took a peak for this year, and my early prediction is another lopsided victory for the pirates. The one thing that I think West has to worry about in this game is special teams and depth. Burg should have favored field position all night. Also this will be West's toughest game as of yet so the starters will have to battle the entire game. Burg doesn't have too many two way players, if they do go both ways, they get rest with backups. If Burg makes a few mistakes and allows West to get a couple of easier scores, then it could get close. But if Burg plays mistake free, they should pull away in 3rd.
11 on 11 we have just as good, if not better players. They can reach on the bench and get better than we can though. They are very well coached, know how to win and expect to win. Special teams and fresh legs could very well be where the game gets decided, into the 4th. West will only win if we have 0 turnovers, limit the penalties, play field position, and play efficient pass coverage.
To say West has no chance is stupid. They are a very talented group and we are proud of them. Everyone always says don't get mad at other programs for being good, try to make yours better. Well that's what we are doing. Whats scary is when you look at the talent we have lost to other schools, and then we turn around and beat those schools. Really head scratching when people say bad things about the program, leave for "greener grass" and then lose to us. Imagine if we had both the Hurds, Hart from ND, Sanderlin brothers etc.. We are 8-1, and going to be playing for an SOC championship at a beautiful stadium. Do you want us to tell the kids they have no shot? West has a proud football program. Had some very good ball players through the years. 2nd in SOC championships. Been to a state championship. All time winning percentage is above .600 which puts us in the top 10 percent of teams in Southeastern Ohio. Might not be Burg or Ironton, but it is a proud football town, and we want it to be at that level. It went through some hit or miss years. And alot of these kids didn't experience the winning attitude and expectations as they were growing up through the feeder system. We want to bring those expectations back to what it was in the past.
So yeah their has been some let downs in the past 10 years. But that doesn't mean they aren't capable. One thing this age does have, is success against Burg in years prior. I dont necessarily think beating them in middle school makes them better. But alot of teams are beat against Burg before they step on the field, because it says Burg. This group knows they can beat them.
I really do hate even talking about it with an Oak Hill team to beat before but it is what it is. I hope for a huge crowd and playoff environment. I'll be there cheering them on, got to believe you can win or it will never happen. Go Siders
Never once did I discredit the history of West’s football achievements. They have a very prideful tradition and should embrace it. I referenced the last few match ups bc it seems anytime this game gets the billing it never delivers for a fan of neither side. That’s what I am I have no dog in the fight.
Absolutely West has a shot to win this game, do certain things have to go right yes, that’s why they play the games. I hope it’s a great game would love to even see West win but I don’t see it happening as of today.