The rematch for state: BA vs MBA

[steelerfan32]

This one should be good BA blew MBA out at home in mid October and both of these teams have improved since then with both having good offensive and defensive play. If BA can contain Chandler then BA has a good shot. What are y'alls thoughts on this game and who wins and why?

[ThatMan]

Like I said for BA against Baylor. If BA limits turnovers they have a great chance of winning. Also getting MBA to pass the ball will be in BA favor. MBA is built on the run game and making them pass will definitely not be part of their strengths. Can't wait for this state championship

[big red big blue]

MBA has played its best football since the blow-out loss to BA.  It's best game IMO was the Baylor game following the open date.  It was so-so against Ensworth, but then very good against McCallie and CBHS in back to back weeks.

 

They have an extra week to figure something out for BA...I just don't see that MBA (or anyone for that matter) has enough on defense to slow this BA group down.  BA doesn't take huge risks with the ball so a bunch of turnovers seems unlikely.

 

Anyways, proud of Coach Euverard and the players for a great, great season.  Tremendous accomplishment to return to the BCB this year.

[steelerfan32]

MBA has played its best football since the blow-out loss to BA.  It's best game IMO was the Baylor game following the open date.  It was so-so against Ensworth, but then very good against McCallie and CBHS in back to back weeks.

 

They have an extra week to figure something out for BA...I just don't see that MBA (or anyone for that matter) has enough on defense to slow this BA group down.  BA doesn't take huge risks with the ball so a bunch of turnovers seems unlikely.

 

Anyways, proud of Coach Euverard and the players for a great, great season.  Tremendous accomplishment to return to the BCB this year.

i agree with everything but one thing... ensworth went over to mba and almost beat mba the last regular season game.. i think if BA can get up by 14+ its over the mba qb cant beat BA by throwing the ball

[big red big blue]

I don't recall ever seeing a group like this BA team in D2.  They have WR's who can make the tough catches.  They have a high level RB who can make plays...and the ultimate wildcard...a super athletic QB who can throw the ball very well and make huge plays with his legs...add in 3 SEC signees on the OL...and the tempo they play with...it is almost impossible to stop these guys...it was pretty stunning the first time how quickly in the 2nd quarter BA turned a close game into a blow-out.

 

Maybe MBA can sustain some drives and keep BA's offense off the field, but that also is a tall order against the BA defense.  It's going to take a perfect game on offense for MBA to stay in the game and have a shot in the 4th quarter.

[Spartan4Life]

I don't recall ever seeing a group like this BA team in D2. They have WR's who can make the tough catches. They have a high level RB who can make plays...and the ultimate wildcard...a super athletic QB who can throw the ball very well and make huge plays with his legs...add in 3 SEC signees on the OL...and the tempo they play with...it is almost impossible to stop these guys...it was pretty stunning the first time how quickly in the 2nd quarter BA turned a close game into a blow-out.

 

Maybe MBA can sustain some drives and keep BA's offense off the field, but that also is a tall order against the BA defense. It's going to take a perfect game on offense for MBA to stay in the game and have a shot in the 4th quarter.

Agreed. The fact that Baylor isn't in a state championship game shows how good those two teams are. Baylor to me could win 5 or 6 other divisions in the state (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, DII-A, and possibly 5A only independence would be favored)

[Hoopit10]

Don't be so quick to count MBA out. They are a very good team with a great coaching staff. I agree that this is probably one of if not the best BA team I have seen in my 40 years watching BA football but MBA will be ready to play.

[TnTxn]

Don't be so quick to count MBA out. They are a very good team with a great coaching staff. I agree that this is probably one of if not the best BA team I have seen in my 40 years watching BA football but MBA will be ready to play.

 

I agree with not counting out MBA.  This will be a very competitive game and likely much closer than the previous meeting.  BA took advantage of several MBA miscues the first game and played great defense.  With BA's top LB out, Chandler will be very tough to stop.  I think the key will be the BA noseguard, Adams, vs MBA's interior line.  Adams is a beast and clogs up the middle.  If MBA can slow him down (like McCallie did pretty well), Chandler will find some holes. 

 

I think MBA has more success offensively in this game than the previous meeting.  I think they will hit some big plays to their TEs, since BA's LBs will be looking to stop the RB.  But, I think BA still wins in a shootout.  Should be a lot of fun to watch!

[Taxman]

MBA was there last year and knows how to play in this game. I think MBA will be more prepared this game. Looking for a battle.

[RedRobin1]

The last couple of years have been tough for me to pick a team in this championship game - attended MBA, kids attended Ensworth and now have a nephew that plays at BA.  

 

No disrespect to the Big Red, because I am confident that I would say this about any other hs team in the State this year, but BA overall has the better athletes.  MBA appears to have better coaching, but not by much.  As always, I think the intangibles favor MBA.  My bottom line: I think this game will be much closer than the game between these two earlier this year, but I think that BA has the horses to pull it out.  Whatever happens, it should be a fun game to watch!

[KWoodroof]

The last couple of years have been tough for me to pick a team in this championship game - attended MBA, kids attended Ensworth and now have a nephew that plays at BA.  

 

No disrespect to the Big Red, because I am confident that I would say this about any other hs team in the State this year, but BA overall has the better athletes.  MBA appears to have better coaching, but not by much.  As always, I think the intangibles favor MBA.  My bottom line: I think this game will be much closer than the game between these two earlier this year, but I think that BA has the horses to pull it out.  Whatever happens, it should be a fun game to watch!

Your appraisal of the talent on both teams is very accurate. On paper, BA is a better team (and on turf, they were as well). I don't think it's hopeless for MBA, but they will have to play a near flawless game, and catch BA on something short of their best night. It's a possibility; more than one top flight team has come out too tight or too over-confident to play their best. 

 

It still seems an awfully long way to drive to play the neighbors, especially in the middle of the week.

 

And let's hope your family holiday gatherings don't break out in a civil war.

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

I remember a championship game between Ensworth and Baylor a few years ago. Baylor won by a large margin in the regular season but Ensworth blew them out in the championship. What are the odds that this goes down the same way??

 

I always thought it was interesting how the Div 2 games could go in different directions. I guess the talent is so good on these teams that different results on any given week is very possible.