SOC2 Lucasville Valley (7-0) vs. Portsmouth West (7-0)

[QB4]

Seriously, if West's first offensive play is a half back pass or statue of liberty play... touchdown. Valley would be totally confused. West needs to mix it up to win this game. Also, how about lining the Pendalton boy up under the center and set the QB in the slot? Wow! Totally unexpected. The West fans would go crazy.

The Wildcat would work for sure.....but if Tripplet didn't think of it, then it won't happen! He is very set in his ways!! A major issue I have with his coaching...other than that he's ok

[bad breath]

^He's got to catch Valley off guard. Throw in some razzle, dazzle plays to mix it up and keep Valley guessing. Being predictable this week might not work.

[QB4]

^^yeah, and even if it does work for some reason....I know in week 11 and so on it will not.

[sider_alum03]

lets be honest both teams 1st half of the season were weak, west didnt get tested till last week, and won a close one in the 4th, but they faced a team that didnt just give up (minford)...game went back an forth, valley hasnt played a defense yet, coalgrove was prolly the best team..soo valleys QB prolly hasnt been hit yet, an they havent been in any dogfights yet...sooo i guess we will see what goes down at the rock on friday...west DB's will def get tested...west by 2 TD's

[truth-hurts10]

WEST WINS!!!!!!

Great insight!

Looks like we are going to have amazing weather Friday night. The field conditions should not come into play at all.

That is great news!! it plays in valleys favor for sure.

[osu 77]

Why would you say that?

[Westfan]

West doesn't need to nor should they try to trick Valley. They are going to line up and test their manhood. Most spread teams do not like to get hit in the mouth and the best way to negate speed is to go straight ahead. The film I saw, Waverly early was quite successful running dives at Valley, and we all know that Waverly isn't good at all running the football.

My opinion, West will bend but don't break. Valley will score points.

West will run the ball for big yardage and wear out the undersized front lines of Valley and pull away in the end.

As far as that goes, in the future, a spread formation with Pendelton and his great vision as the Wildcat would be awfully tough to stop.

[Bo_Diaz]

This game features two contrasting styles for sure, but I think too much is being made of the "strength" vs. "finesse" aspect of the game. I realize that West is a "power" football team that likes to go foot to foot and run the ball... And I know that Valley runs the spread uses the speed of their skill position players to make big plays instead of long sustaining drives. I just can't help but remember the same things being said about last year's game and all of it isn't exactly true. But most people forget that Valley beat West last year and lost their top tackler on the first offensive series.

West has speed and athletes that can match up with Valley, and Valley isn't exactly a team that just gets blasted up and down the field (see the CG game). In my opinion the winner of this game limits mistakes, (penalties and esp. turnovers). West needs to get to Yates and find a way to hit him, but they better keep him in the pocket because the guy is a true dual threat QB. I think they have force him to scramble through the the line of scrimmage and not let him break contain. Valley has to stay low on the defensive front and keep West's Oline off the linebackers. Pendleton can punish a D if he gets through the line with a full head of steam.

I don't think either team should be overly confident going into this game, because this is an outstanding matchup that should be decided in the 4th quarter. And it sure doesn't hurt the Indians that the weather is supposed to be very nice this week.

[Westfan]

You make some good points, but remember last year West had that game basically in the bag until we fumbled it away with turnovers. Usually if we have a more than a TD advantage in the 4th quarter the game is over.

Second I'm sure Valley is better, but West is much better in basically every facet of the game this year. Our line struggled last year. We were 1 dimensional, and that 1 dimension was basically Pendleton. If you stopped him we were hurting. West has shown, that isn't the case this year.

[jungle cat]

Is Trevor Pentleton playing Friday night, it was be sad if he couldnt play. Re-guardless the Indians are going ot have to play at the Rock. That is not a easy place to play?

[Seops Guest]

Valley is going to be in this game till the end. Whoever has the ball last, wins.

[sleepy floyd]

I heard at work Indians had 14 players out with either injury or flu bug bad time of year for flu.

[Orange and Brown]

West.

[Orange and Brown]

West.

Hey.......You better stick to PEE WEE prognosticating.......

[sider_zone]

Can't see Coach "T" using any razzle dazzle plays, Don't think He'll have to!IMO
I think long sustaining Drives to eat up the Clock and keep Valley's O off the field will be the Key in this Game. Putting pressure on Yates and Containing him will also be the difference. I think Valley will score on some Big plays like Minford did, but I think West will get the Win.
West 35
Valley 21

Valley seems to be a Tougher Team than Portsmouth is!!!!!!!! Should a Good One!!!!!!!!!

[Curious George]

Valley seems to be a Tougher Team than Portsmouth is!!!!!!!! Should a Good One!!!!!!!!!

I'm so thankful that someone pointed that out. As I was reading over this thread, again, I noticed at least one post that referenced Portsmouth as some sort of barometer for how West's D would stack up with Valley's Offense and I'm glad to see someone else point out what seemed obvious to me. That makes me feel as if I'm either 1) not a complete idiot, or 2) I'm in the same dummy boat

I still really believe that Pendleton and Yates are going to make big plays in big moments, because that's what great players do and I believe both are great players. I also agree that whichever team makes the fewest mental errors will most likely win this game. I think this is one of those games where one team or the other could absolutely dismantle the other team if they make too many mental mistakes. I don't see either team being able to get by with any let-downs. Those games are in the past for Valley and West only has one more such game remaining on their schedule. Other than those type of teams, games like this won't allow for mistakes. You'd better bring your "A Game" or you could get absolutely blasted.

I think there are some very gifted players (other than Pendleton and Yates) on both sides of the ball for both teams and I can't wait to see which of those kids really steps up and makes a big contribution. Man, I'm really excited to watch this game!!!! This is going to be a lot of fun, watching this year's SOC II race unfold!!!! Good luck to BOTH teams!!!

[val13]

It surprised me about the attitude of Coach Tripplet after the Minford game. He acted as if they dominated the game. THEY WON BY 3 POINTS!!!! That's not domination. He said it with a cocky stuck up tone of voice that really made me mad. He will only be satisfied untill Valley comes down to the Rock. Things are going to get ugly. PREDICTION: Valley 28 - WEST 24

[seasick80]

Is Trevor Pentleton playing Friday night, it was be sad if he couldnt play. Re-guardless the Indians are going ot have to play at the Rock. That is not a easy place to play?

I hope he plays. But if he doesnt, deal with it and move on. As for the Rock, why is it such a hard place to play? Grass (i like) and its 120 yards long. Same as alot of places! LOL.

One thing about the Rock, when west is doing good, the place is normally packed!

[val13]

Just some Valley stats.

PASSING - Yates: 68/102 1,087 yds 20 TD

RUSHING - Holcomb 42 att 630 yds 8 TD

RECEIVING - Dwyer 16 cat 260 yds 7 TD

[Curious George]

Just some Valley stats.

PASSING - Yates: 68/102 1,087 yds 20 TD

RUSHING - Holcomb 42 att 630 yds 8 TD

RECEIVING - Dwyer 16 cat 260 yds 7 TD

That puts Yates at a 67% completion rate with 0 INT's and Holcomb at 15.0 yards per carry. Very, very impressive. I said to one of my friends at the start of the season that Holcomb and Yates could end up putting up "video game" type numbers in this offense this year...so far so good!!!

Also, Dwyer's numbers put him at 16.3 yards per catch and nearly a touchdown per every two catches. Also very impressive!!

Do you have Holcomb's receiving numbers? And, how about Yates' rushing numbers?