D4 R15: #1 St. Clairsville vs #5 Piketon

[st_c_dirkadirka]

I pay more attention to how a team is doing come playoff time not always what they did all throughout the season...piketon crushed Minford last week in a game that many thought they were sure to lose...until Ironton had all that injuries this year through week 5...no one in their right mind would have given St. C a chance against them...guess what..they are healthy again...however...just sayin...St C only played four playoff teams and all three got knocked out the first week...the other is a weak West Virginia school...this could be a close game...if Ironton had played cupcakes all year...they would be 11-0 right now ranked first in the region and averaged 50 points a game and held the other teams to very few points...their backs are amazing...qb is very talented and one of the best tight ends in the state along with having a huge line...however...when you play Columbus Hartley, Watterson, Johnson Central, Ashland, Gallipolis, Burg, Oak Hill and Russell who all made the playoffs and three could easily win state championships...it takes a toll on a team that doesn't have much depth...now they are mostly healthy...saying St. C played a tough schedule and being ranked in the 80s as far as strenth of schedule...really?

See ya Friday.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

HERE IN FIGHTING TIGER LAND, WE SUPPORT PIKETON BECAUSE THEY ARE MOST LOCAL TO US.
WE JUST WANT TO SURVIVE THIS WEEK, AND PLAY THE WINNER.
GOOD LUCK TO BOTH SQUADS
AND PRAYING FOR INJURY FREE GAMES.
AND GREAT WEATHER.

[john_rambo]

Cant wait till friday. Hoping for a clean safe game on both sides! After all i dont want my wrestlers hurt haha, in any event. Lets go Devils!

[NewEra]

Piketon loses big time. This is real football now.

The same NFHS OHSAA approved football is used down here. Have a nice day.

[55buckeyes98]

Last year I expected St. Clairsville to roll against Chesapeake didn't happen... We all knew they would roll Harrison Central. I will be interested to see how this game plays out. I thought Piketon was weak until they put it on Minford. We'll see what happens and we can all just let it play out. My thoughts are Johnstown vs. St. Clairsville for the finals. Good luck to Piketon!

[thill2010]

Can someone from Piketon get me a ticket for friday night

[IBTT]

It might easily be Ironton vs Piketon...St.C hasn't beaten anyone but cupcakes to this point...Ironton has proven themselves...Piketon crushed Minford...My pizza money is on Ironton this week...this game is too close to call...

[pbuck]

Piketon has no chance in this one St Clairsville's spread offense will go up & down the field on them & score at will also keep an eye on RB/LB Michael Ferns is a Michigan commit

[Jeff Lisath]

Seriously? I thought it was all about the kids? What's up with all of this weak schedule and All-mighty powerhouse rhetoric? Congrats to both teams! What an awesome experience it will be for these kids...Memories for a lifetime. I'm sure the coaches on both sidelines will have their kids ready and the KIDS will enjoy playing a football game under Friday Night Lights in mid-November. I spent four years as a player dying for the opportunity to make the playoffs...let these kids enjoy the moment and feel proud regardless of the outcome. When it comes to records, who you played, and how many big time recruits you have...yes you go into a game with being the favorite...but in my 38 years of playing or coaching High School and College sports...one thing has remained consistent. It comes down to "One Game" and it has been proven time and time again. "Never underestimate your opponent" because anyone is capable of beating anyone on any given day. I always tell my kids...be proud, be humble, play the game with passion and leave it all on the field or court, so you can walk away with your heads up saying "I gave everything I had". Piketon hit its peak at the right time and St. Clairsville is a very good football team, so let's sit back and watch these kids bask in their "Glory". Just my two cents...that nobody asked for! :122245

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

AMEN BROTHER.
48 MINUTES IS ALL IT TAKES.

[Runner00]

Piketon has no chance in this one St Clairsville's spread offense will go up & down the field on them & score at will also keep an eye on RB/LB Michael Ferns is a Michigan commit

I don't think St Clairsville will stop Piketon either. Could be in the 40's-50's

[IBTT]

I like the post about kids...however...I don't get into the mentality of give every kid a trophy because they played hard...etc...however...I do believe in gelling at the right time and strength of schedule does help a team prepare for tougher competition...if you don't play the best you don't ever know where you stand...every good team can look great against weak competition...as I said earlier...if Ironton had played St. C's schedule...its my opinion that they would be 11-0 and had averaged 50 points a game, only giving up very few...with minimal injuries...but they would be untested...in my playing days...when I was playing in one on one sports...I found that if I had played up against weak competition my game would go down...way down...I stopped allowing myself to play anyone that wasn't a challenge...I wouldn't play weak competition at all my junior or senior years of high school or in college...because I knew it would only make me lazy and play down to my competition...that's why I believe Ironton has it right...they might not win all their regular season games...but they stand a chance every year come playoff time because they are tested and their kids are playing up to the higher level...been there...done it...I'm not saying a good team can't win on any given day...but the odds are against teams who play weak schedules...

[st_c_dirkadirka]

I like the post about kids...however...I don't get into the mentality of give every kid a trophy because they played hard...etc...however...I do believe in gelling at the right time and strength of schedule does help a team prepare for tougher competition...if you don't play the best you don't ever know where you stand...every good team can look great against weak competition...as I said earlier...if Ironton had played St. C's schedule...its my opinion that they would be 11-0 and had averaged 50 points a game, only giving up very few...with minimal injuries...but they would be untested...in my playing days...when I was playing in one on one sports...I found that if I had played up against weak competition my game would go down...way down...I stopped allowing myself to play anyone that wasn't a challenge...I wouldn't play weak competition at all my junior or senior years of high school or in college...because I knew it would only make me lazy and play down to my competition...that's why I believe Ironton has it right...they might not win all their regular season games...but they stand a chance every year come playoff time because they are tested and their kids are playing up to the higher level...been there...done it...I'm not saying a good team can't win on any given day...but the odds are against teams who play weak schedules...

Then using your logic, St C is favored big in this one. St C's schedule was better than Piketon's.

Not sure why you are continually bringing Ironton into this thread. This is Piketon vs St Clairsville. I will be the first to agree that Ironton did it right. Their schedule this year was ridiculous. If you search the small amount of posts that I have put on this website, you can go back a few weeks and find that I echoed many of the same thoughts you have regarding Ironton's scheduling for this year.

Trust me, you have not seen an offense like this one. I'll make a deal with you, give me the 2+ hours of travel time to get back to Belmont county and I will get back on this site to eat all the crow you can dish up on Friday night if I am wrong.

[StCRedDevils]

Nice write up in our local paper--thought I would share.

http://timesleaderonline.com/page/conte ... l?nav=5012

[knowledge]

Best of Luck to the RedStreaks!

Good article btw, it is a nice read.

[The Oaf]

Let's go Streaks! Throw this region in disarray!!!!

[IBTT]

I like the post about kids...however...I don't get into the mentality of give every kid a trophy because they played hard...etc...however...I do believe in gelling at the right time and strength of schedule does help a team prepare for tougher competition...if you don't play the best you don't ever know where you stand...every good team can look great against weak competition...as I said earlier...if Ironton had played St. C's schedule...its my opinion that they would be 11-0 and had averaged 50 points a game, only giving up very few...with minimal injuries...but they would be untested...in my playing days...when I was playing in one on one sports...I found that if I had played up against weak competition my game would go down...way down...I stopped allowing myself to play anyone that wasn't a challenge...I wouldn't play weak competition at all my junior or senior years of high school or in college...because I knew it would only make me lazy and play down to my competition...that's why I believe Ironton has it right...they might not win all their regular season games...but they stand a chance every year come playoff time because they are tested and their kids are playing up to the higher level...been there...done it...I'm not saying a good team can't win on any given day...but the odds are against teams who play weak schedules...

Then using your logic, St C is favored big in this one. St C's schedule was better than Piketon's.

Not sure why you are continually bringing Ironton into this thread. This is Piketon vs St Clairsville. I will be the first to agree that Ironton did it right. Their schedule this year was ridiculous. If you search the small amount of posts that I have put on this website, you can go back a few weeks and find that I echoed many of the same thoughts you have regarding Ironton's scheduling for this year.

Trust me, you have not seen an offense like this one. I'll make a deal with you, give me the 2+ hours of travel time to get back to Belmont county and I will get back on this site to eat all the crow you can dish up on Friday night if I am wrong.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings bubby...just trying to make a sensible post...I believe that is why you play better competition and St. C barely played better competition than piketon this year...playing three weak teams that made the playoffs and got crushed and a wv team that is weak that made the playoffs...Piketon played the best game of their season last week and finally are clicking...it just might be the wrong time for St. C to face them...they will be their toughest competition so far this season...St. C has played cupcakes all year...usually teams either get better or get worse...by playing weak teams it normally means the latter...Piketon looks to be the exception.. :122245 :aaaaa26 :aaaaa18

[mikepike]

Sounds like Coach McLean has more respect for Piketon than many of the posters on here. But then, who has the pressure on them to perform? Not the blowhards on here, that's for sure. If the Devils win I'll wish them the best going forward. But, until that happens, GO STREAKS!!!!!

[Crab's Brother]

Listen, I am pulling for the Streaks big time in this game, but there is no way you can compare these two teams' schedules. The Devils would have hosted a home game in Division 1 Region 3. They would have been the #1 seed in all but 6 regions in the state. To call the 3 teams they beat that made the playoffs weak is just reaching. Piketon was blown out by the only playoff team (other than Minford) they played this season. That team was also blown out in the playoffs.

Like I said, I am pulling for the Streaks in a major way, but I only see one impressive win on their resume. I hate to say this, but I feel that Piketon would have 3-5 losses if they played St. Clairsville's schedule.

I hope Piketon comes out and plays a great ball game and is in it until the end, but I think the Devils win this one 48-14.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I like the post about kids...however...I don't get into the mentality of give every kid a trophy because they played hard...etc...however...I do believe in gelling at the right time and strength of schedule does help a team prepare for tougher competition...if you don't play the best you don't ever know where you stand...every good team can look great against weak competition...as I said earlier...if Ironton had played St. C's schedule...its my opinion that they would be 11-0 and had averaged 50 points a game, only giving up very few...with minimal injuries...but they would be untested...in my playing days...when I was playing in one on one sports...I found that if I had played up against weak competition my game would go down...way down...I stopped allowing myself to play anyone that wasn't a challenge...I wouldn't play weak competition at all my junior or senior years of high school or in college...because I knew it would only make me lazy and play down to my competition...that's why I believe Ironton has it right...they might not win all their regular season games...but they stand a chance every year come playoff time because they are tested and their kids are playing up to the higher level...been there...done it...I'm not saying a good team can't win on any given day...but the odds are against teams who play weak schedules...

Then using your logic, St C is favored big in this one. St C's schedule was better than Piketon's.

Not sure why you are continually bringing Ironton into this thread. This is Piketon vs St Clairsville. I will be the first to agree that Ironton did it right. Their schedule this year was ridiculous. If you search the small amount of posts that I have put on this website, you can go back a few weeks and find that I echoed many of the same thoughts you have regarding Ironton's scheduling for this year.

Trust me, you have not seen an offense like this one. I'll make a deal with you, give me the 2+ hours of travel time to get back to Belmont county and I will get back on this site to eat all the crow you can dish up on Friday night if I am wrong.

the reason ironton has been brought up , is we are in the final 4 with ya'll , same region the final four is
st. clairsville vs. piketon
ironton vs. johnstown monroe
with the 2 being geographically close the winner of each game plays for the d4 region 15 title
from our perspective i think everyone os hoping for an ironton/piketon regional final
as you all are probably goping for st clairsville/johnstown game.
it matters little to me , or tiger fans. to be the best , you gotta beat the best anyway.
and we've already played the best team in d4 , in most people's opinion, in columbus bishop hartley.
they may be the best team in the state period.
and we failed that test miserably.
if ironton/hartley somehow met again, maybe with some key people back, it may be more competitive.and now we know their attack plan.
but first things first here. 2 of these teams will move on, and nobody is taking anybody for granted.