CheckerboardEndzone

In recent history, I liked 2013 and 2014 best... 2013 for the blocked PAT. 2014 for winning at their house.

I'd only heard rumors about the BCHS strategy of soaking the field as an effort to slow down Cleveland team speed. Then, I believe it was 2012, no rain all week. Friend of mine had to make a delivery to BCHS. Texted a picture of the sprinklers running wide-open. Players were saying there was standing water on the field. Even the sideline commentators on the radio jokingly talked about how unusual it was for a field like that to have drained so poorly after having no rain for nearly a week prior. I'm not making excuses. We've won there too. Just think it's silly and desperate to resort to such shenanigans. Prepare your team. Coach em up. Enjoy the environment. These games are special every time, regardless of outcome.

Bring on the Bears At least we're playing at home for the first time in 3 years, so officials and wet field shouldn't be an issue.

With all this "fear the veer" talk... Have any of you seen Cleveland play this year? (Live or on video). If so, you'd note they have actually utilized the veer very little. So far, it's looked and acted a lot more like a spread. Still polishing the true veer stuff with a new QB. If that gets clicking too...watch out

I completely concur with this conclusion.

Cleveland for the W. Although I don't believe it will be quite as lop-sided as the first two

+2

Rhea Riverdale Cleveland McMinn Bradley White Red Bank

not (just) being a homer, but I believe Cleveland takes this one. I've seen them practice and scrimmage. Lots of athletes like Cleveland is traditionally known for. They are bigger, stronger, and faster across the board than they have seemed for a few years. If they can get the pieces to work together, they'll have a very good year.

No love lost for either of these teams for obvious reasons. I expect a good game. Copeland is obviously talented, but does he have the supporting cast? WV has a good number of seasoned veterans, but always seem to come up short. Will their no-huddle offense be enough to keep Bradley's defense on their heels? Slight edge to Bradley for home field...but right now it's a coin toss. We'll know a lot about both teams once this one's in the book.

www.mymix1041.com and/or www.1013thebuzz.com be advised, their stream doesn't always work... if you have the tunein radio app, you're more likely to get it if you search for WCLE FM

I'm taking my annual "show me" stance on Walker Valley. Usually hyped. Rarely deliver. Always seem to win one they shouldn't and lose a couple nobody expects. Raiders are the sleeper. #speedkills

Here we are again! Eager to get back down to Steve Ray Stadium again myself!

Kind of like every year, personnel changes, position changes. A few surprises and a couple disappointments. They lack the polish of a seasoned unit, but they pass the eye test. Visibly bigger, stronger, faster, and more confident overall.

Veer QBs have to think lots and act quickly. Raiders struggled in the veer often due to indecision or wrong decision by the QB last season. Lots of other factors figured into the position change. Discipline, trust, and confidence in consistency may have been considerations too. New QB is a transfer but was on the 2014 team so he's no stranger. Just had to learn the veer. The misconception many have about the veer is that it's a run offense. That's not true. It's a misdirection and multiple-look offense to keep defenses on their toes. Good veer offenses throw the ball quite effectively too.

Don't delay, fear it today!

Yeah, that ain't happening. They are middle of the pack, at best. Usually find a way to lose more than expected.

Welp, Bradley... Go gettum next year, I guess.

Yup..had been ejected in the 4th quarter...I think. Some mad folks after that game... Evidently they thought they were gonna come down and cake-walk the Raiders

If they're not reading it themselves, they're being told what's said. I've heard too many coaches repeat things said here while all the time saying they don't care and don't read...

In a "normal" year this would be an away game and Riverdale would be a real challenge. This is not a "normal" year, or they wouldn't be traveling to Bradley in the first round. Riverdale has struggled a bit and Bradley has found a bit of a stride. If the Bearz play like they're capable, they'll take this one. Lots of film out there on them though..and you have to believe Riverdale will be prepared to deal with the Bradley offense. It'll have to be up to Bradley's defense to keep this game in check. Pulling for the locals. May they go far.

Raiders finished strong and deserve another game. Farragut will be a monumental task, but you never know what can happen... That's why they play the games, right?

Owls need to find the missing pieces of their highly-touted defense in a hurry. Cleveland beat Clinton on defense and penalties last year. Clinton will come to fight...literally and figuratively. Penalties go the best of them during the game last year and they went home mad. Hope for a cleaner, better game for them and the Owls this year... I'm pulling for PA's boys.

It's all good, man... Just a hobby for me at times, not a daily distraction.

They have plenty of speed, and more on the way... Getting everybody to play hard on every down is the challenge right now.