WK 6 Portsmouth (1-4 0-2) @ Gallia Academy (3-2 1-1)

[loyaldevilfan]

If Portsmouth can throw against Gallia they should be in this game.

I believe Portsmouth will be in this game whether they can throw or not. I dont believe either team will run away from the other. Of far greater importance to me is how well Portsmouth RUNS the ball. To this point GAHS has not shown the ability to stop anyone's running game. Only Athens in week 1 ran for less than 200 yards (184). We give up an average 225 yds per game on the ground, and 314 yds combined. Only Logan has successfully passed on us, but then most of the teams we have encountered to this point have been run first oriented teams.

Turnovers have been pivotal in our impressive wins over quality teams like Point and Jackson; even though we were -1 in turnovers to the Ironmen and had a pick six go against us.

Every team we have played thus far has put up at least three TDs against us, so 21 or so by the Trojans would not be a surprise or anything out of the ordinary. I believe this could be very much like the Point Pleasant game which we won 28-21. Nothing has come easy for us this season, and I know the quality of kids Portsmouth will bring to the Old French City Friday night. I'm thinking comebacks like we have had over Point and Jackson are doing wonders for our kids confidence and their belief in themselves.

By my count we had five kids out last Friday, and I'm not sure of the timetable for their return. I know two are gone for the year; Soph Dalton Jarrell with a broken leg, and Jr QB Kruize Wandling with a lacerated kidney.
Jr Paola Astiquipan hasnt been available since suffering a shoulder injury at Athens in the opener. Soph Jared Golden missed his second in a row, and I believe Soph Austin Smith is still out.

If this Gallia team keeps this up we will have to start calling them them "Cardiac Kids"....lol I love there never say die attitude..and you right 4ever it has to be good for their confidence knowing they are never out of a game...

[Army]

If Portsmouth can throw against Gallia they should be in this game.

I believe Portsmouth will be in this game whether they can throw or not. I dont believe either team will run away from the other. Of far greater importance to me is how well Portsmouth RUNS the ball. To this point GAHS has not shown the ability to stop anyone's running game. Only Athens in week 1 ran for less than 200 yards (184). We give up an average 225 yds per game on the ground, and 314 yds combined. Only Logan has successfully passed on us, but then most of the teams we have encountered to this point have been run first oriented teams.

Turnovers have been pivotal in our impressive wins over quality teams like Point and Jackson; even though we were -1 in turnovers to the Ironmen and had a pick six go against us.

Every team we have played thus far has put up at least three TDs against us, so 21 or so by the Trojans would not be a surprise or anything out of the ordinary. I believe this could be very much like the Point Pleasant game which we won 28-21. Nothing has come easy for us this season, and I know the quality of kids Portsmouth will bring to the Old French City Friday night. I'm thinking comebacks like we have had over Point and Jackson are doing wonders for our kids confidence and their belief in themselves.

By my count we had five kids out last Friday, and I'm not sure of the timetable for their return. I know two are gone for the year; Soph Dalton Jarrell with a broken leg, and Jr QB Kruize Wandling with a lacerated kidney.
Jr Paola Astiquipan hasnt been available since suffering a shoulder injury at Athens in the opener. Soph Jared Golden missed his second in a row, and I believe Soph Austin Smith is still out.

The Portsmouth Trojans have the backs to run the ball, that's for sure.

Good Luck to both SEOAL Schools

[Army]

I know the dowgg was really disappointed in the performance of play Friday night by the Trojans.


I'm sure he'll be at practice this week raising heck!!

You have a big one this week.

Best of Luck to your Cavs.

FIDO,

It's gonna be a dandy. We have Ironton coming to town. Have you had an opportunity to watch any Texas H.S. Football games yet? When I was stationed at Fort Hood, TX in 1985 there were some great games I got to watch while assigned in Texas.

I heard Biggdowgg and Ohioozzie where grilling chefs at the game last Friday.

I think Portsmouth if they run the offense they ran against the CAVS, will put some yardage on the stats come Friday against the Blue Devils.

Good Luck to both SEOAL Schools

[loganlocos]

This game will come down to which team makes the fewer mistakes IMO. Both teams are young and have good athletes at the skill positions.

Both teams have struggled defensively.

Can Portsmouth put it together after a humbling loss last weeK? Can GAHS "get up" again after an emotional game last Friday?

[91blue14]

we cant become to full of ourselves. we are playing young kids and are not yet proven. battle tested yes can they bend but not break is to be seen good luck blue

[loyaldevilfan]

Potsmouth is alot better than there record shows..this will be a good game....Good luck to both teams.. I hope it is an injury free game and .....GO BLUE

[2old]

I picked jackson last week. It is still hard for me to believe in the Devils. problem is Ptown has n ot met expectations. The line and talented qb has not translated into victories. i will pick Ptown. Heck it keeps it interesting.

[noreply66]

Portsmouth starts to put things together this week

[Ironman92]

I'd bet Gallipolis to win......but I must selfishly root for Portsmouth.


Either team can win...but I'll take Gallipolis by 14.

[oldschoolblue]

Gallipolis got Friday night just what they needed, CONFIDENCE. I expect them to come out and play hard. I hope our game plan calls for a whole lot of the same. We mixed in the run with the pass as well as i have seen us do in a while. I realise it is just one game but Ethan Moore was exceptional in a big rivalry game not to mention that he really has no experience at QB. I think he will continue to mature as well as several other sophomores . I say 28-19 BLUE.

[BLUEDEVILFAN6]

THE DEVILS REALLY IMPRESSED ME COMING OUT AND PLAYING TOUGH AFTER THE TWO PREVIOUS SPANKINGS THEY TOOK ! IT CERTAINLY SHOWS SOME REAL GUTS, CHARACTER AND ATTITUDE ON THEIR PART. I HAVE WATCHED THE JRS AND SOPHS FOR SEVERAL SEASONS NOW AND THEY HAVE GREAT TALENT AND ATTITUDE. THE SR CLASS HAS GOOD LEADERSHIP AND ATTRIBUTES AS WELL. THIS TEAM SHOULD DO NOTHING BUT IMPROVE--BARRING ANY MORE INJURIES. THEY PLAY TEAM FOOTBALL----WHICH I ADMIRE.
AFTER THE EMOTIONAL WIN FRIDAY , IT MAY BE A CHALLENGE TO GET UP FOR THIS GAME, BUT BEING AT HOME AND HAVING THE TASTE OF A SEOAL WIN IN THEIR MOUTH-- I AM GOING WITH THE BLUE DEVILS IN A CLOSE ONE. GO BLUE !!

[JChipwood]

Great win last week guys, now try to go out and repeat this week. This game is always a good one and it seem like the underdog comes out on top alot, the question is who is the underdog?? Both teams have played good teams and should be battle tested enough to fight for 4 qtrs. Gallia mixed things up nicely and playcalling was exceptional against Jackson. Gave up big plays and had those tos which resulted in points and that needs to change to be consistantly competitive. I agree with locos in that team with fewer mistakes wins the game and also can Gallia get up after the big win Friday night. Seems silly but sometimes it is hard to get back up after such a high. We must stop the run better but made strides to do so against a good running team in Jackson allowing only the one big play and 12 first downs total. At least 2 or 3 coming on that last drive via the pass.

Chest thumping?? Not hardly. I guess we should demoralize the kids for playing hard and coming out on top. Shows what 2old knows when he picks totally wrong in the Gallia-Jackson game and then says chest thumping. Chest thumping = bragging and we all know who is guilty of that!!!!

[loyaldevilfan]

This is interesting the team is on a one game win streak which is nice. But i can already hear the Gallia chest thumping. I would say let this team win two consecutive games against decent competition before this chorus begins.

Can't you ever post anything besides belittling a program. How do you figure that Gallia fans are "Chest Thumping" give me a break...Our fans are happy that we have a win and wish continued success for the rest of the season....The only "chest Thumping " I have ever seen is you on everyone else's thread doing it...So let Gallia fans enjoy there win and go run your jib on another fan....

[loyaldevilfan]

Oh and yes I plan on coming to the game friday... I am excited about this matchup because Portsmouth is much better than there 1-4 record...Should be another one of them games were you are standing more than you are sitting....LOL

[superblue]

Yea I remember AG,,, AG was a great option QB. He could run, had a strong arm & he could also pitch it back to DJ..... What a combo that was..... AG was also a pretty good defensive Back..... Did you hear about the interview with the Jackson coach after the game on the Jackson radio station...... I now have a lot of respect for him... Didn't blame the loss on a couple of ????? calls, he gave all the credit to the coaches and players of GAHS for doing an outstanding job... He claimed the players from GAHS wanted it more than Jackson did.. I believe the Jackson players wanted it but were just to worn out to get the job done.... Whatever it was we need to carry that winning attitude to our next game.... 5 games to go and 4 will be at memorial field......

[superblue]

"were you standing more than you are sitting"
I haven't sat down for a home game since 2003...
I am a side line & endzone fan.... You get a much different view from there........

[biggdowgg]

akways look forward to the trip to Gallia, hope to see soem of this game with my good friend ,GAHS4EVER

[loyaldevilfan]

Yea I remember AG,,, AG was a great option QB. He could run, had a strong arm & he could also pitch it back to DJ..... What a combo that was..... AG was also a pretty good defensive Back..... Did you hear about the interview with the Jackson coach after the game on the Jackson radio station...... I now have a lot of respect for him... Didn't blame the loss on a couple of ????? calls, he gave all the credit to the coaches and players of GAHS for doing an outstanding job... He claimed the players from GAHS wanted it more than Jackson did.. I believe the Jackson players wanted it but were just to worn out to get the job done.... Whatever it was we need to carry that winning attitude to our next game.... 5 games to go and 4 will be at memorial field......

I didn't hear about the interview but it doesn't suprise me any...He is a classy guy...I think Ethan and Kruize can be an excitng duo as well...I think we will see an extremely fired up team come friday ad I am allready getting the footbal friday bug and it is only Monday....lol

[loyaldevilfan]

"were you standing more than you are sitting"
I haven't sat down for a home game since 2003...
I am a side line & endzone fan.... You get a much different view from there........

I usually get a seat there in the bleachers between the blue seats and the band but I usually am standing the entire game against the fence at the top of the bleachers...When it is game time it is hard to sit still

[trojandave]

Gahs4ever: My only point about being a "young" team is that if a team like Portsmouth is playing more sophomores and/or freshman than other teams, then the point is more valid. But about every team, especially smaller schools like GAHS(20 sophomores) and PHS are more apt to play sophs and frosh because they don't have the numbers like Zanesville, Marietta, or Logan. So proportionally speaking Portsmouth is not really any "younger" than many of their opponents.