Games like this present a particular dilemma for coaches. While true that this game was not an elimination game, the byproducts include, momentum, confidence, injury and seeding. Both teams are smart enough and experienced enough to realize that the real tournament begins next week. There were moments of incredible intensity on both sides: Keepers crashing into a pile of players; tackles where the thump is felt 60 yards away; sliding tackles; every inch contested for most of 80 minutes. You cannot can tell me that the game wasn't important to the players on both sides and that Baylor didn't want to win that game just as badly as Webb did.
Win or lose, each team will be facing a top notch opponent next week in Murfreesboro who's intensity and passion will be ratcheted up a notch because it is now the final rounds-win or go home! Each of the 8 teams qualifying are capable of winning it all.
Best of luck to our fellow East Region Rival!
Not related to this tread, but on a similar topic: I really feel for my counterparts at CAK/Catholic and Bearden/Farragut. For the second time in less than one week, these teams are playing each other in similar situation we faced in playing Baylor. How high to get your team knowing the situation? Balancing winning/losing verses injury, risk of travel for the sub-state game, etc while knowing that this is not the elimination game and that there is a fair chance of still one more matchup next week. I'll take my one game and be glad it's done with nobody hurt.