It’s always hard to tell how good other teams are when they play schools that you aren’t familiar with. I think West may be a decent comp. I think Shawnee is a solid team and play very physical. They have a couple of really nice players: #51 plays both sides of the line a could cause a lot of problems, he’s very physical and athletic at 6’3 240. #25 is smaller in size at RB but runs hard, is fast enough to be concerning and is just.a really good football player (coaches son I assume based off last name), reminds me a little of Shoemaker.
Now I do believe Waverly can win, but they will have to play their best game of the year. Idk how much room Hurd will have, hopefully he is able to produce some big hitters. But I would assume Shawnee’s plans is to not let him be the reason they lose, I think Waverly’s passing game to be on point if they want to advance. The passing game has been very inconsistent all year, when they are clicking this team is dangerous. Mason Kelly will have to have maybe his best game of his career, and I don’t mean stats wise, I just mean having to make good decisions and when the opportunities present themselves, he has to deliver good balls. I do believe Shawnees pass defense isn’t all that great, so if Waverly can get all 3 phases of the passing game playing well (oline, QB and WRs) I think they will be going to week 12.
Shawnee does not start a single underclassman, and have a lot of seniors playing, I believe they will be extremely motivated. Waverly will need to match that intensity and eagerness from the beginning. They do not want to fall behind because Shawnee will eat the clock since they only want to run the ball anyways.
As far as someone stating that Waverly never shows up prepared, I disagree. I think the Waverly coaches and players do a pretty good job throughout the week installing and practicing the game plan and spend a ton of time doing it that outsiders don’t see. Now does that mean every call and idea works out perfectly? No. And at times that could be the coaches fault, the players fault, or that the opponents are just simply better. But to assume that the reason Waverly loses games is due to being unprepared, I can’t agree.