Hiker

Boyd has not faced a defense like DCA's. So, the question you need to ask is can Akin and Peardon run on DCA's defense?

That was entertaining. I'm not picking sides in this little squabble, but can you really accuse someone of hiding behind anonymity on an Internet forum by calling them out in that very same forum? Just a thought.

Easy there Hobock. I didn't say they scored 28 on Riverdale at their best, I said they scored 28 on a very fast Riverdale defense. Something they did not do against DCA. You said DCA has not seen USJ's speed. I'm saying they have.

You must be joking. You don't think CPA and Mt Pleasant have team speed? CPA put up 28 points on Riverdale who has probably the fastest defense in the state. DCA has seen plenty of speed.

Can DCA find a way to play with the intensity and emotion it played with against Mt. Pleasant? Can DCA play near flawlessly 2 weeks in a row? Can USJ slow down DCA's offense? Can anyone score more than 16 against DCA's defense? How healthy are both teams after playing 13 games? If the answer to the previous question is not very, how deep are both teams? The answers to these questions will determine who plays next week and who is Christmas shopping.

A complete game by DCA and what I am assuming was an uncharacteristically down game for MP led to this "ugly" score. Interesting defense by MP; 6 guys on the line with 3 linebackers leaving the corners all alone to cover good receivers with no help from safeties. The go route was there all night. They hit it a couple of times but missed it a couple of other times. This could have been even worse. MP was definitely athletic. Webster's one-handed grab was one of the best catches I've ever seen. He was absolutely covered; well I guess if you can jump like that, you are never absolutely covered. It was imperative for MP not to get down early in the game. You just can't play catch up throwing the ball against the DCA secondary. I think they had 4 INTs. Congrats to MP on a good year. Good luck to the Wildcats in Jackson.

In almost every game I've seen this year, there have been horrendous calls by the officials both ways but mostly against the team I was rooting for, of course. Pass interference is the most overly called penalty in high school football. A DB cannot cut off a route and make a play on the ball without being flagged. Offensive holding could probably be called on every play so when one team has many more holding calls against it than the other, it seems very suspicious. I'm not saying there are biases by the officials... Oh wait, yes I am. Actually I think Grey Ghost is right when he said they are just not very good. Most of those bad calls I'm referring to were against the home team. DCA 31 MP 21

This is the case for almost any lineman coming out of high school. Very few kids at this position can compete right away in college. I don't think it is a matter of having the ability to play at that level right now, but having the potential, talent and frame to develop into someone who can play at that level. As far as having those intangibles like heart and a full tilt motor, it's hard to tell. You would like to think that someone with Thompson's ability would use sound technique and go all out every play. But it's not easy to do when he hasn't had to do that to be dominant at this level. I think it can be learned. With a red-shirt year along with a year or two more in a quality program, I think anyone with the size, talent and raw skills could become a good offensive lineman if they have the discipline and patience to go through with it

What do you think about #72 for DCA. Is he a D1 prospect? I know he was being looked at by a couple of ACC and SEC schools.

From Quikpik: There is a 4th coach who teaches at a large public school outside of Nashville who drives 45 minutes to practice each day for the honor of coaching with his son (one of the coaches on staff). Thank you for mentioning this. He obviously makes a great deal of sacrifice to coach at DCA. Do you know where he teaches?

Nice break down coach. I agree with you that MP will have trouble running to the edge. DCA's defense pursues too well. Although, I'm not sure running between the tackles at their tackles and linebackers is all that great of an idea either.

I understand the need to move your best athletes into positions where they are needed. My point was he should not be nominated for Mr. Football as a lineman with out playing on the line. It takes away from the purpose of having two categories. You end up having two Mr. football backs instead of a lineman and a back. I guess it just bothers me as a former offensive lineman to see all the accolades given to the skilled positions when that is not why the award was created.

Not take anything away from Mr. Fennessee, but how can someone who plays running back and linebacker be nominated for Mr. Football Lineman. Linebacker and gaurd, sure, but a running back and a linebacker does not play as a lineman. This seems to give un unfair advantage to a back when those who vote will likely only see the stats of the nominees.

Why does everyone automatically assume the private schools will be better than any of these public schools? They may have better athletes more consistently but they have up and down years too, just like a public school. Do you really think Ezell-Harding could have played with Fairview this year? DCA, the top-ranked team in the state in 1a, only beat East Robertson by 10 early in the year. Any of these public schools can be competitive with any of these private schools. Besides the better the competition is the better shot anyone has of making the playoffs. If you have one dominant team there is very little room for error. If you have several good teams you don't have to go undefeated to win the region. Just like in the SEC east. In the 90's it was either Tennessee or Florida. Lose that game and you don't stand a chance of winning the division. Now with the Georgia competing every year, a 1 or even a 2-loss team can win it. It will be the same in Region 5 2A.

Thank you RobJim. I have not seen MP play this year but have only heard good things about them. I have seen DCA several times and they are for real. DCA's defense is outstanding even with the game WC had against them. Someone earlier is this tread, as well as The Tennessean, mentioned any one running the option would have success against the DCA defense because of what WC did to them. That would only be true if No7 for WC (Ruddle I believe is his name) is running the offense. That kid made their system work. Both of these teams have been shutting teams down all year on defense. I believe they are 1 and 2 in scoring defense in 1A. Both teams have the recipe for a championship team: Great defense, good running game and can create turnovers. For MP to win they must play a mistake-free game. DCA is very opportunistic on offense. They have to run with success early and not fall behind. You can't play catch-up passing the ball on the DCA defense. For DCA to win they need to run well early also to open up the passing game and keep the MP defense on the field. A tired defense makes a tired offense in HS football. I can't wait for this one