Wheelersburg (7-2) vs. Portsmouth West (6-3)

[minfordmamma]

i wish both teams good luck, may the best team win. i think it will be burg they seamed a little better that what west did. west was suppose to be so strong but it didn't look that way.

by the way minford freshman look really good this year also. they too have been winning their games. i guess we'll see next year if you're right.

[fanatic23]

Last years game was never in doubt. Burg had 1 big play, the toss to Craigmiles. Other than that they couldn't move the ball. Coach got up 14 and went conservative. That rain hurt West just as much as it did Burg. West ran 1 play out of the pistol that had been so good for them all year for fear of fumbling. The difference was West was able to adapt because they had bigger and better backs. That was the difference.

Laugh all you want at my prediction. I'll stand by it. The whole SOC II minus Valley will take a big step back next year. Only Valley and West return their core of players. Of the OVC teams we play, RH will be better, but still not good enough. The others are bad. The only other team left is Portsmouth. That will be our toughest game.

West has not lost a Freshman or JV game in 2 years now. They are loaded with talent. Most games aren't even close. These Freshmen murder every team they play, like the 62-0 Burg game. Add them to about 17 returning starters (a majority of them sophomores), and I feel good about the future.

You always say this has it ever crossed your mind that the jv team has varsity starters on it. The reason west jv team looks so good is other schools don't let thier varsity starters play jv.As bad as I hate to say it the reason west is having problems this year has nothing to do with age.Wheelersburg seems to be able to reload each year.When the freshman are seniors there will be kids that are in the 7th grade now playing with them.I agree west will be better next year but 10-0 is asking alot because these kids and that type of offense don't mix.I think a coach should employ an offense that best suits his team.Just because it worked one year don't mean it will work year in year out.

[Westfan]

You always say this has it ever crossed your mind that the jv team has varsity starters on it. The reason west jv team looks so good is other schools don't let thier varsity starters play jv.As bad as I hate to say it the reason west is having problems this year has nothing to do with age.Wheelersburg seems to be able to reload each year.When the freshman are seniors there will be kids that are in the 7th grade now playing with them.I agree west will be better next year but 10-0 is asking alot because these kids and that type of offense don't mix.I think a coach should employ an offense that best suits his team.Just because it worked one year don't mean it will work year in year out.

I've never seen a JV team around here that doesn't have varsity players on it. Some guys play a certain side of the ball on Varsity, but never play the other. That's what JV ball is for. Experience. And to say other schools don't have Varsity players playing JV, well you haven't watched many JV games have you?

Your always very critical of the coaching. How could you say with a straight face that age has nothing to do with some of the problems this year. That makes zero sense. Do you honestly think that 15 and 16 year olds are not at a disadvantage playing against 17, 18, or 19 year olds with 1 or 2 more years experience on the varsity level? I too thought this team would mature a little faster, but they have just made too many mistakes. They're a 1 point loss to Portsmouth and 5 terrible minutes where everything that could go wrong did against Valley from being 8-1 right now. Is that really a reason to be so negative.

I'm curious, what offense would you employ?

[yabbadabbadoo]

A little FYI on the Burg Freshman. They had about 6-7 players who had played the last two years decided not to play this year. From what I was told it was almost all of there speed on the team, so hard to judge what you did against the Freshman.


Burg will have to fill some holes on offense and defense, but overall should be fine. Have most of all the o-line coming back with most of them 3 year starters.

[sider]

I do think West will beat Minford next year and will probably at least share the SOCII Title. But to say they won't lose a regular season game for the next two years??? That's either very bold or very stupid.

If we keep the same pitiful non-conference schedule I see it as reasonable, next year we have classes with 10 Seniors this year that have all played or started, and the Junior class underneath that has 10 Juniors, and 9 of which has started or played significantly, and the sophmore class has 14, 5 of which have played this year...Sky is the limit for this group...

[sider]

A little FYI on the Burg Freshman. They had about 6-7 players who had played the last two years decided not to play this year. From what I was told it was almost all of there speed on the team, so hard to judge what you did against the Freshman.


Burg will have to fill some holes on offense and defense, but overall should be fine. Have most of all the o-line coming back with most of them 3 year starters.

I agree Burg will be Burg, teams with old o-lines win games, I think they will be around the top...but West and Valley will be also

[seasick80]

Burgs 7th an 8th grade squads are pretty good. In 2 years these kids will be sophs an frosh and the sophs may be playing varsity. The frosh team this yr was definitly missing Massie and a few others that dominated 8th grade play. So be it. The Varsity coaches make or break kids when they get to that level. All things considered, BUrg has a good chance of taking these 14 and 15 yr olds and molding them into a team that returns Shank, Whitley, an awesome oline, etc...It doesnt end here. #60 Scott(?) is doing a tremendous job at LB. Where did he come from? Like Reipenholf (sp). Thats the way it goes at Burg. Wests State team had the majority of their team start as sophs and they played to their senior yr. but thats not a reload. Thats 2 yrs of ouch and one yr of AHHH. Same thing as last yr, good players but bad records then they are seniors, great job. No reload, just 2-3 or 4 yr go getters. Minford is the same. Heck, my wife is a sider and she even said that. And she is a Tipton girl till the end!! I dont know why Burg does what they do. I havent lived in Burg for 30 yrs. Dont want to. But I played football for Burg so I want them to be strong, win every game. Something Ed instilled in all of us. All things said, This will be a war like it is against West every year! burg just needs to make the reads, tackle good, and take care of the football. Limit the TOs and we can get the win!

[Westfan]

I've heard that the schedule may change a bit. Whether that can be done for next year or not I'm not sure. Would be good to drop one of those OVC teams.

I just don't understand everyone being so negative and critical on the season. Last year they won big. Now it's like the bar has been set too high. Right or wrong, very few teams with as few a seniors that we have win on a high level. It's just the way it is. Next year and beyond will be different.

Wheelersburg wins all the time because they expect to win and they have support from the community and the administration. Kids on all levels are winning now at West. You could see it in the Fairland and Portsmouth games. They expected to come back and never quit. West would have never did that in the past.

[Bushy Tail Butcher]

To everybody talking about season's 2010, 2011, and so on. I am not a Burg fan, and I know that they are a little down this year in their freshman class. But I know what they have coming after that, and after that. And they will be fine, they have some real good athletes in jr.high, and below. The Burg has always used anybody they need to make their varsity better. I don't see them falling off that much, in the next few years.

The same with Minford, we have some young kids that will make a good mix, and a good football team. I think we will see the SOC II be very good for the next few years. With everyone bringing up good talent.

It will be just like it has been the last few years, it you do good in SOC II games, you will do good in computer points.

Proud to be a Falcon!!!

[TAR HEEL FAN44]

Good luck West...Just hope Minford loses Friday night.

[E_Waugh]

Burg wins in a slobberknocker......

Wheelersburg 35
Portsmouth West 14

[smurray]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

[sportsmr]

I think West will have trouble matching up with Wheelersburg speed. imo

[Neutron Man]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

Sorry, Burg is good for a 1 or 2 game win then exit playoffs.
They always run into a team who knows how to stop the run, and then they don't know what to do.
Cause they can't pass the ball. No arguements from Burg fans cause u know its true.

[Bleeding Red]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

Sorry, Burg is good for a 1 or 2 game win then exit playoffs.
They always run into a team who knows how to stop the run, and then they don't know what to do.
Cause they can't pass the ball. No arguements from Burg fans cause u know its true.

I would have to disagree with you. Burg CAN pass, they just dont do it. Then when they HAVE TO, they cant because they go to the pass very few times during the regular season. Same with a couple other SOC II teams. They can do it, but they dont so in turn it is hard to turn it on when you have to!

[NICKNEVADA]

BURG 35-19

[Bushy Tail Butcher]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

Sorry, Burg is good for a 1 or 2 game win then exit playoffs.
They always run into a team who knows how to stop the run, and then they don't know what to do.
Cause they can't pass the ball. No arguements from Burg fans cause u know its true.

I would have to disagree with you. Burg CAN pass, they just dont do it. Then when they HAVE TO, they cant because they go to the pass very few times during the regular season. Same with a couple other SOC II teams. They can do it, but they dont so in turn it is hard to turn it on when you have to!

I have to agree, I think that The Burg has a good passing attack. But they just don't use it. They have some very good ends, and a good QB. And if it was me, and I know it's not, I would be throwing some passes to the backs. Maybe, fake a hand off to one back, and throw a pass to the other in the flats. With their speed, they will make things happen.

It has happened to our SOC II teams every year, we go all season and run, run, and run. Then when we get into the play-offs we have a hard time passing. Maybe this year will be better??

Proud to be a Falcon!!!

[sider]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

Sorry, Burg is good for a 1 or 2 game win then exit playoffs.
They always run into a team who knows how to stop the run, and then they don't know what to do.
Cause they can't pass the ball. No arguements from Burg fans cause u know its true.

I would have to disagree with you. Burg CAN pass, they just dont do it. Then when they HAVE TO, they cant because they go to the pass very few times during the regular season. Same with a couple other SOC II teams. They can do it, but they dont so in turn it is hard to turn it on when you have to![/quote]
I have to agree, I think that The Burg has a good passing attack. But they just don't use it. They have some very good ends, and a good QB. And if it was me, and I know it's not, I would be throwing some passes to the backs. Maybe, fake a hand off to one back, and throw a pass to the other in the flats. With their speed, they will make things happen.

It has happened to our SOC II teams every year, we go all season and run, run, and run. Then when we get into the play-offs we have a hard time passing. Maybe this year will be better??

Proud to be a Falcon!!![/quote]

I think this is why Valley had some decent playoff runs in the recent future, they have a balanced system...they can run and fast...now I doubt they make the playoffs this year, and if they do I doubt they have the personel or experience to make a deep run (not degrading the kids just my opinion), but they have a good balanced system...However, their is nothing wrong with running the ball...you don't necessarily have to pass the ball (three out of of 6 six state winners were run-option oriented, and not spread either, I formation)...but, you have to be displinced in committing penalties (you can't be facing in situations when you have to pass), you must win first down to make it second and at least 6, you better diverse in play-calling, and you need some sort of option to incorporate in...thats just my opinion...and it doesn't hurt to be able to pass either though, but spread passing teams leads to passive lines most of the time, and when they play a physical team they tend to get outworked.

[Bleeding Red]

Hoping Wheelersburg wins and makes a deep playoff run so they get a late start on roundball, lol.

Sorry, Burg is good for a 1 or 2 game win then exit playoffs.
They always run into a team who knows how to stop the run, and then they don't know what to do.
Cause they can't pass the ball. No arguements from Burg fans cause u know its true.

I would have to disagree with you. Burg CAN pass, they just dont do it. Then when they HAVE TO, they cant because they go to the pass very few times during the regular season. Same with a couple other SOC II teams. They can do it, but they dont so in turn it is hard to turn it on when you have to!

I have to agree, I think that The Burg has a good passing attack. But they just don't use it. They have some very good ends, and a good QB. And if it was me, and I know it's not, I would be throwing some passes to the backs. Maybe, fake a hand off to one back, and throw a pass to the other in the flats. With their speed, they will make things happen.

It has happened to our SOC II teams every year, we go all season and run, run, and run. Then when we get into the play-offs we have a hard time passing. Maybe this year will be better??

Proud to be a Falcon!!![/quote]

I think this is why Valley had some decent playoff runs in the recent future, they have a balanced system...they can run and fast...now I doubt they make the playoffs this year, and if they do I doubt they have the personel or experience to make a deep run (not degrading the kids just my opinion), but they have a good balanced system...However, their is nothing wrong with running the ball...you don't necessarily have to pass the ball (three out of of 6 six state winners were run-option oriented, and not spread either, I formation)...but, you have to be displinced in committing penalties (you can't be facing in situations when you have to pass), you must win first down to make it second and at least 6, you better diverse in play-calling, and you need some sort of option to incorporate in...thats just my opinion...and it doesn't hurt to be able to pass either though, but spread passing teams leads to passive lines most of the time, and when they play a physical team they tend to get outworked.[/quote]


You are 100% right. Not getting into 2nd and long situations is the key. False starts, illegal motion and all the other stupid 5 yard penalties cant happen to a run based team.

[sider]

Thats one of the things that killed West last year against Ready, probably more than anything...Anyway, about this years game...there is a lot at stake...if the siders win, its 7-3 season, a win over our biggest rival, and it keeps us in contention for the playoffs...if Burg wins then I would imagine it sends them to the playoff's and scores a victory a rival as well...If West can play like men and not boys this game and that means, know their formations, be able to recognize stunts (Burg will loop and slant at our big linemen all night), stay at home in the zone, and read their keys, I believe talent wise we are on similar levels, they might be somewhat faster, but I think we are stronger...Now if the coaches hold up their end of the deal, and get our kids in the right places, and I think they will...we can win...I have been patient with this team, and told everyone to wait, and I have a feeling that this will be the one game that everything starts to click...They need to sell out, but the best 11 on the field and tell them to play, I'll take West 21-14

They just need positive thoughts all week, and to have an agressive physical week of practice and carry it down 52 to Ed Miller stadium, give everything they got, finish with a respectable record, knock Burg out of the playoffs, and try to get in theirselves