lionsports

25 Hours and 40 minutes until 2015 season kicks off, but who's counting. Go Lions.

Since the Hodge brothers have been involved with our program Dresden is competitive year in and year out. We are no longer anyone's Homecoming game sure thing. The players now believe they can compete for wins every Friday night. Chad has been one of the primary architects of team motivation and player success. Chad made that commitment to their success as a non-salary volunteer coach after already working full days at his teaching position and drove for thirty extra minutes to prepare them. There has been no "step back". In fact, Keith and Chad are probably responsible for developing more All State athletes in the past four years than all of the years before that combined. The last three quarterbacks were all three First Team All State. The current quarterback is on track to be next one for years to come. Receivers, backs, line, DB's, and special teams, same development. Middle School athletes are actually excited to come play for them. That is the recent history of Dresden's Football program. I will just say a huge thank you to both Keith, Chad, and their fellow coaches on staff. Chad is a proven entity that we have all watched be instrumental in building this program from the ground up.

Coach Hewett came back from an already legendary status among most lion fans from a coaching career long ago to stabalize a floundering program in 2008. He took the job when nobody, and I mean nobody else would consider taking on such a task. He brought back some old school football style and surrounded himself with a coaching staff that obviously knows what they are doing, from in school recruiting to the X's and O's of play calling on both sides of the ball. Both Hodges, Gomes, Killebrew, Evens, and Matt Hewett contributed for the "perfect storm" of coaches mixed with better than average players over those years who I will not name because there are so many. Coach Hewett deserves to go out on a tremendously high note. He has been the anchor that held the program together through these trying times. I would like to thank all of the coaching staff and current and former players for bringing competitive football back to Dresden...... Without the past three years the program would not have experienced the high of three years in a row of competitive football that makes players want to play and fans want to attend the games. Thank you coach, and no matter who takes the helm of DHS in the near future, keep the intensity up and continue to inspire this community. I for one appreciate all of the time and effort. The players are each better off for having all of you there at DHS. Thank you coaches, and keep up the great work.

No excuses. McKenzie wins. Congratulations to the Rebel Nation. I hope we see each other again before the season is finished. You can't eaven beat a bad team with that many turnovers. Both teams played well and may have a good record before the end of the season. Both offenses need some serious work. Closest game in many years for DHS. If we can't have the win, we will take the major step forward in being competitive for our program. Hate the loss, but it is a long season. Good luck Rebs until we meet again. You have a great program.

Concerning the topic of this thread which is McKenzie at Dresden, It is my opinion that as the old saying goes "to be the man you have to beat the man" and McKenzie football has without question been to program to shoot for in our district in the recent past. McKenzie has a community following and a team mindset that truly believes that they can not only compete, but win on any given Friday night no matter who they play. We have tried to set our sights that high in Dresden for the past few seasons and hopefully continuing into this season. The proof will surely reveal itself this Friday night in Dresden as to whether or not we have come close to reaching that goal. The Rebels are a surmountable opponent and a tough hill to climb. We hope to win on Friday night, but realize that the competition will be tough. As far as the numerous comments by GCPioneer goes, he has been falsely labeling our team since at least the 2009 season regarding knocking a player of theirs out during a kickoff in the 2009 season. He paints the Lions as having "intentionally" hurt that player. It is simply not the case and I challenge him to post the video he says is so clear. I watched the game in question and have seen first hand the block in question. The block was a legitimate downfield block by number 34 of the Lions on GC player number 3 at that time. He blocked the player from GC, that player lost his helmet, and unfortunately he took one step and was unconscious before he hit the ground. That seems to be the play that has stuck in his mind as the most egregious. The rest of our meetings have been primarily hard hitting games with the occasional penalty by two teams trying to hit hard and compete. Please stop crying over hard fought losses and attempting to label one team as cheap shot artist when there is enough of that to go around in any given game. Provide the proof if you have it. I look forward to letting the people on this thread being the judges concerning that play. Please post a link to the video as your proof. If you don't then I will try and find it myself. The coaches at DHS teach hard nosed football within the bounds of ethical play. Some of them have children that have played the game and would never condone the intentional injury of opposing players.

Dresden continues to work hard and prepare week by week. Lions do not seem to be taking any team lightly and are preparing for Gibson County as it would any serious competitor. If Lions Defense continues to perform then they should be competitive this week. Best of luck lions. Keep up the hard work and continue to have faith in the coaches plan of attack. Best of luck on Friday night.

I watched McKenzie perform at the Jamboree at Humboldt and attended the Dresden and Westview Game. If Westview continues it's reluctance to pass the ball and remains a one dimensional offense then they will lose to the Rebels by two touchdowns. McKenzie looked good both in the running and passing attack in the pre-season. It is one fan's opinion that Westview is a well coached team with athletes that take pride in their performance. McKenzie also has a consistent and proven track record of preparation combined with a solid will to win, especially at home. I am open to the possibility that I could be wrong, but I predict McKenzie wins by at least two scores. Dresden knows they have their hands full in the following weeks......... Good luck Lions.

Great game Dresden. That is the way to start the season. Remember that the season is long and it pays to be humble in victory. We have a long hard schedule ahead of us. Be grateful for the win and continue the hard work that got you there. You have the talent to be a special team. Good luck against Gibson County and beyond. Great job to the coaching staff. Congratulations on being 1 and O.