topper55

The Toppers can be physical with most teams IMO, so hopefully we rely more on the physical game plan and less on the finesse. If our D can keep their composure this week we should be in good shape but if they continue to give up yards to the senseless PF/unsportsmanlike conduct penalties we could be in for a long night. I like the make up and demeanor of this team and look forward to seeing how they respond to last week??™s loss to Bearden. Good Luck Toppers!

There was some good size on the JV O-Line but as far as I could tell the only freshman player with good size played on defense and he looks like a good prospect to get some playing time. How big are some of these kids coming up that you are talking about? Overall the size of the OL was smaller than it has been in the past 4 or 5 years, (the tackles had good size but the middle was somewhat undersized compared to the rest of the league).

Never really thought about that, I guess the assumption (I know what that means) is that most would have season tickets but that is something worth checking into.

In the past I have posted about the line and you thought I said they were doing a poor job which was you putting words in my mouth. On this thread I was talking about the JV TEAM which played so aggresively Monday night that Jeff County players were losing their cool. My posts are in the vain that the program in strong in the feeder system right now and we should not be in a panic. I do think that some of the underclassmen should be getting a few series in the fishbowl, not as a unit but one or two in with the starting line. This years line spent two years playing JV with the exception of one player and were not afforded the opportunity to gain varsity experience. The same thing will happen next year as the entire line will graduate. Coach Miller is getting them ready and the future looks good not only for the O Line but for the entire program. I really don't know why you want to put a negative spin on other peoples comments but that is your right. Remember there are others that have followed the Toppers for years and not only when they have kids participating so there are some objective comments being posted. Good Luck to all the Topper teams! Everyone needs to be patient as I believe the system will take hold soon.

That is the only game they have lost this year and it was a shocker like the varsity TH game. Last play of the game and a pass that went for a TD. The freshman team is also doing very well.

I'll be around, will you? The JV talent they face this year will be the varsity talent that they face next year and the freshman are facing freshman talent that will be JV talent next year, kind of like the circle of life. I for one want to see the program continue to develop and I make no apologies if I see some upcoming talent in the younger groups and post about it. Be objective, go to some of the other games and see for yourself.

I agree, the play calling is no better now than before as there does not seem to be any strategy, use the pass to set up the run or vice versa. The Topper teams under Coach Bowles were stronger, more physical and in better shape then most teams they faced. Play calling cost them most often and it seems that that remains the same at this point. Don't give up as it took Coach Bowles a few years to go from 35 players that could not bench over 200 pounds to a group of over 70 players so Coach Smith needs time to develop the program. The JV group is a much more physical group right now and given the extra year in the weight room the future looks promising.

Norris had 1 series with the JV yesterday and did fine. I would not bet the house on Norris to be the starting QB next year or the year after as he is not committed to becoming the starting QB at this time. Next summer when he needs to be working out full time for football, look for him to be on a baseball field somewhere.

66 total yards of offense should just about say it all. The defense was forced to be on the field way too long as the offense simply did not show up last night. Solomon was hit 2-3 yards behind the LOS on just about every carry and any yards he gained came from his effort. The receivers dropped some balls that should have been caught and from what I could tell quit running their routes on many plays. Neither QB was afforded much time to set and make a throw so the debate will continue for another week as to who should be taking the snaps. Give Bearden credit as they are a good football team and earned the win.

I did not say they were doing a bad job rather they have yet to take control of the line of scrimmage but to say they have done a temendous job is way over the top. Take the time to watch the game in the trenches and you will see what I am talking about as there is little to no surge. As far as play calling is concerned Coach Smith has done a good job in bringing consistency in the offense and defense philosophy from the 8th grade to the varsity ( and I hear the 7th grade but I have yet to make it to an Indian Trail game) which will pay dividends in the years to come. I don't post much but rest assured my posts come from an objective point of view and from what I have observed the Hill has talent in the OL that is being groomed and will help the offense in the years to come. Once some of the kids get into the game I'm sure you will see what I'm talking about or come out to a JV game and see for yourself.

One area that seems to be ignored is the OL and the starting group is not the same calibur as has been at the Hill in the past, they are a smaller, lighter group that has not controlled the line of scrimage yet. There is hope on the horizon as the JV starts a line that is already more physical than what lines up on Friday nights. Once some of them are given a chance to play on Friday's like the "skill" players then they will be mentioned as part of the future. Time will tell but from what I see this group has the potential to help the offense start living up to the potential that everyone is waiting for.

Thanks for the feedback, the SHHS schedule did show SS but maybe someone assumed that the game was scheduled... Again I appreciate the information.

Interesting comment based on pipe dreams. The only thing I could question on South's decision making Thursday night was keeping the starters, including Curt Phillips, in on the last series of the game. (leading 27-7). Good Luck with the rest of your season.

I hope that SHHS can feature more than one receiver this week, if that happens I believe the Toppers will come out on top. If they continue to feature one receiver I hope that they add a fullback and two tight ends to help give some protection and open up some running room. They did play a lot of players at the "skill" positions against South yet it seemed like every play in the second half a SH player went down with cramps. The O-line has yet to take command of the line of scrimmage and must do so in order for the offense to be effective. Unfortunately our JV will not get a chance to play this week as South informed SH that they would not be playing them Monday as scheduled. Those kids need a chance to play soon as I feel they have as much potential as any group that has been at SH in some time and right now they are putting in a lot of effort in practice with no "game-time" experience. I look for a hard hitting, emotional game Friday night with SH coming out on top in a close game.