critterdoc

Lewis is way down, Giles Co. is a consistent underachiever. Giles County's defense hasn't been able to tackle well for the last four or five years. Bobby Sharp is a steadfast practitioner of the run game, while Jackie Smith relies on his talented players to hopefully win him a game or two. Critter's Pick: Lewis Co.-28, Giles Co.-7

CBarkley, It appears I know this rivalry a little too well. Off by one on the prediction isn't too bad. Critter Bites: It doesn't matter what scheme you run or what trick plays you can contrive, in the end it all gets down to size and LCHS made Loretto look very small. Loretto was unable to pass protect in key situations and in the end it cost them the game. This was due in large part to the discrepancy in size on the lines. Both teams benefited from untimely errors and this single thing probably kept Loretto from being embarassed, as LCHS turned the ball over several times when they were on the verge of scoring. Loretto outscored LCHS 7-0 in the second half. It was looking ugly at half-time as LCHS was up 21-7. However the single most important factor of the whole night was that Eli was a non-factor. LCHS controlled the inside of the line and that is where Eli does the most damage. If Loretto had a small speed back to bounce it outside then maybe LCHS would have had to spread out to defend that and soften up the middle. They did not so Loretto tried to go up the middle against 8 or 9 men on most run plays which is always extremely difficult.

Wildcat79, I tend to agree with you that Loretto has not faced an opponent like LCHS so far this year. None of the teams we have faced this year had any offense to speak of. However, Loretto players, fans, and coaches are not "used to" a 3-7 record. Last year was the worst record Loretto has had in over a decade. Believe me, it was an exception, not the norm for the Mustangs. I expect a closer game than last year headed into the fourth quarter and I can guarantee that Loretto will not "blow out" LCHS. If Loretto plays mistake free, then we can win this game, but Loretto's ball control offense is not made to pile up points. We will have to win by scoring on long drives and then stopping them or recovering turnovers. Wildcat79, who is Lawrence Co.'s backup QB?

Don't get me wrong C, I love the Mustangs more than anybody. However, LCHS beat us last year by 30. I realize we are better this year and they are not as good, but I am trying to be completely objective. I'll definitely be there cheering on the Mustangs and I hope that Saturday morning I can be the first person on here saying how wrong I was!

Friday night Loretto will finally face an opponent with a strong run game in LCHS. I hope they can stop the Cat's shifty runningbacks. I don't expect the Cats to pass as much without their starting quarterback, but who knows. The backup QB adds another area of intrigue to an already heated rivalry. Over the past seven years the Cats lead the series with Loretto by a margin of 5-2. With Loretto wins coming in 99 at Lawrence Co. and 02 at Loretto. The game comes down to who can stop the run as both teams will try to pound it behind large offensive lines. The defense who can tough it out the longest will when this grudge match. Critter's Pick: Loretto 13- Lawrence County-21

CBarkley, I don't know much about anyone other than Loretto. Sorry. However, I do know that Richland consistently overrates themselves in the preseason.

I'll have to go with Loretto by a score. If Loretto's runningbacks can keep from fumbling they can have some very good yardage behind an offensive line that averages 250 pounds. They had 5 fumbles in a 20-0 win against Speake, which only had 27 players listed on their roster. Take away the fumbles and the score could have gotten ugly for Speake. On Collinwood's roster it looks like their biggest player is maybe a shade over 200 pounds and I think by the end of the game the difference in size will be enough to decide the outcome.

At the Loretto game friday night I talked to some players from Shoals Christian who said they had played in a jamboree against Collinwood. They said they handled them pretty easily. However, I don't know if I believe that because I have never seen a team easily handle Collinwood. I look forward to this game all year because it is always a hard hitting one. Loretto people have much respect for C-wood players and fans and I'm glad this is such a healthy and friendly rivalry.