Father Ryan vs MUS

[bigred22]

Father Ryan was the last team to beat MUS two years ago in the playoffs. I think if their offense can play like they did against Briarcrest they have a chance. Thoughts...

[owlbooster]

There is ALWAYS a "chance." But don't get your hopes up too high. The Owls are the "real deal."

Here is what you will have to confront and overcome to win:

 

MUS Offense - when healthy, scores at least 35 pts. Last night against Baylor, the star QB Brunetti is "off" on accuracy (overthrows 2/underthrows 1 TD passes), the star RB McBride exits early in the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury, and an 85+ yard TD punt return is nullified by an (idiotic) block-in-back penalty, yet they still score 38 pts with one TD by the reserves.

 

MUS Defense - average 10 ppg; has given up more than 2 TDs only twice. Gives up yards not points.

 

Turnovers - practically nonexistent. Total 5 for season (ZERO interceptions). Last night's 3rd quarter lost fumble was FIRST TO by a starter.

 

A "Kicking Game" that is second to none in effectiveness. For example, punt last night that hit at the one yd line, spun around and died at the one ft line. I know you have a good KG also.....

 

Home Field Advantage - though this is overrated in my opinion (right, Ensworth?)

 

"Payback" Factor - this year's seniors were sophomores on the team that lost to FR in 2007

 

Hostility Factor - more for the fans than the players, depending on how much they have heard. Many of us remember the rude treatment we received when we last played FR in Nashville. It started during pre-game warm-up when FR entered the field running through the MUS formation and bumping into MUS players. Other "stuff" happened in the game too. (FR seems to have a tradition of trying to start fights) But that was a long time ago....

 

So, basically, IF you can score more than 35 pts, you CAN win. But that's something nobody has been able to do yet. (White Station scored 35 but lost 55-35 and Brunetti only played the 1st quarter)

[shakinthefat]

MUS can go ahead and make those Cookville reservations

Father Ryan should save the 3+ hour trip to Memphis and just stop in BUCKSNORT for a BBQ dinner.

 

The score will be dictated by MUS's coaches, so it is hard to make an accurate prediction.

[nosidj]

no hope? you have to be careful with that word.

 

 

When hope is hungry, everything feeds it. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. ~Lin Yutang

 

yet......

In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments. ~Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human, 1878

 

It's a tough call.

 

FRHS will celebrtate the season no matter the score friday nite.......but MUS can only celebrate a state title. Anything less is a failure.

 

But the longer they(FR) hang around on Fri. night the more they are going to believe in destiny and all that good stuff.

 

Thats what happened to BA and Ensworth. Both teams totally dominated the first half of their games against the Irish but left a crack in the door.

 

MUS is fantastic......but there is always hope.

[PurpleIrish0x0]

FR seems to have a tradition of trying to start fights

 

What? Ever since I was a student there (2000-2004) until now I have never seen Father Ryan try to start fights. How is this a tradition because of one incident? Sounds like you're just bitter because Ryan was the last team to defeat the Owls.

 

Also as for the kicking game, Ryan definitely has the advantage over MUS.

 

As for the game, I realize MUS is more talented and should win this game. Anything can happen but I expect MUS to win probably around the score of 38-24.

 

No matter the outcome, as someone mentioned above, this was a great season for the Irish!

[cbg]

no hope? you have to be careful with that word.

 

 

When hope is hungry, everything feeds it. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. ~Lin Yutang

 

yet......

In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments. ~Friedrich Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human, 1878

 

It's a tough call.

 

FRHS will celebrtate the season no matter the score friday nite.......but MUS can only celebrate a state title. Anything less is a failure.

 

But the longer they(FR) hang around on Fri. night the more they are going to believe in destiny and all that good stuff.

 

Thats what happened to BA and Ensworth. Both teams totally dominated the first half of their games against the Irish but left a crack in the door.

 

MUS is fantastic......but there is always hope.

Why would Father Ryan celebrate the season no matter the score Friday evening? Would the Irish not also feel that anything less than a state championship is unacceptable?

[owlbooster]

PurpleIrish0x0 - you need to read more carefully. I said that was "many years ago". In fact, it was NOT the last time we played FR in Nashville but the last time I went up for the game, which was in 1997 or 1998. And at that time FR DID have a bad reputation and DID pull that provocative stunt before the game. I lived in Nashville for 14 years and know what I'm talking about. Apparently you've cleaned up your act. Good. We can put that aside. I have never been "bitter" over ANY sports loss in my life. That's juvenile. Disappointed for a day or two - yes.

 

I am not disputing your claim to superiority in the kicking game. I implied that it was equal. I just would like to know WHY you are so sure that it's superior. Anyone can read the "stats" and see they're virtually equal. I see no advantage for either team here. Both placekickers are Mr Football nominees. Our regular placekicker hasn't missed a PAT or a field goal all year. He does not consistently put kickoffs in the end zone, especially since the weather has cooled, but that's not a negative unless the opponent consistently runs it out past the twenty yard line, which it doesn't. The punter doesn't have the greatest distance, but he has great placement. Booming the ball into the end zone from 40+ yds out gives you great stats, but dropping it inside the 10 gives you great field position.

[rollredroll]

PurpleIrish0x0 - you need to read more carefully. I said that was "many years ago". In fact, it was NOT the last time we played FR in Nashville but the last time I went up for the game, which was in 1997 or 1998. And at that time FR DID have a bad reputation and DID pull that provocative stunt before the game. I lived in Nashville for 14 years and know what I'm talking about. Apparently you've cleaned up your act. Good. We can put that aside. I have never been "bitter" over ANY sports loss in my life. That's juvenile. Disappointed for a day or two - yes.

 

The rep still exists. Personally, I don't care - I'd say most programs have a nitpick or two about how they play the game - but that is still considered to be a calling card in many circles.

 

In fact, as an MUS fan, you may appreciate this. If memory serves, another fan told me on this board that CBHS and FRHS were in a tussle a few years ago (some time within the past five years) and, after yet another play in which FRHS had some extracurricular activity, a CBHS player pulled a FRHS player aside and said, "You guys give all of us Catholics a bad name."

[itzme]

PurpleIrish0x0 - you need to read more carefully. I said that was "many years ago". In fact, it was NOT the last time we played FR in Nashville but the last time I went up for the game, which was in 1997 or 1998. And at that time FR DID have a bad reputation and DID pull that provocative stunt before the game. I lived in Nashville for 14 years and know what I'm talking about. Apparently you've cleaned up your act. Good. We can put that aside. I have never been "bitter" over ANY sports loss in my life. That's juvenile. Disappointed for a day or two - yes.

 

The rep still exists. Personally, I don't care - I'd say most programs have a nitpick or two about how they play the game - but that is still considered to be a calling card in many circles.

 

In fact, as an MUS fan, you may appreciate this. If memory serves, another fan told me on this board that CBHS and FRHS were in a tussle a few years ago (some time within the past five years) and, after yet another play in which FRHS had some extracurricular activity, a CBHS player pulled a FRHS player aside and said, "You guys give all of us Catholics a bad name."

 

Right story...wrong schools. It was a Catholic player for BA that said that to a CBHS player. Ryan does have that same rep however. I just thought that was a very funny anecdote, and the BA player that told me thought it was pretty funny too. Stuff happens in football games. Not that big a deal.

[rollredroll]

Right story...wrong schools. It was a Catholic player for BA that said that to a CBHS player. Ryan does have that same rep however. I just thought that was a very funny anecdote, and the BA player that told me thought it was pretty funny too. Stuff happens in football games. Not that big a deal.

 

That's what I get for trying to remember at 6 in the morning. Thanks for clarifying.

[PurpleIrish0x0]

Well, I have lived in Nashville 23 years and have watched Ryan football since my brother started there in 1992. Maybe its a biased opinion but I havent seen Ryan play any dirtier than any other high school football team. Also of all the hardcore high school football fans I know, none of them have ever mentioned this "dirty" tradition that some of you claim they have.

 

As for the kicking game. Of all the high school football Ive seen, I have NEVER seen a more accurate and powerful kicker as Nick Pollard. Based on that, I believe Ryan has the best kicker in the state.

[KWoodroof]

Well, I have lived in Nashville 23 years and have watched Ryan football since my brother started there in 1992. Maybe its a biased opinion but I havent seen Ryan play any dirtier than any other high school football team. Also of all the hardcore high school football fans I know, none of them have ever mentioned this "dirty" tradition that some of you claim they have.

 

As for the kicking game. Of all the high school football Ive seen, I have NEVER seen a more accurate and powerful kicker as Nick Pollard. Based on that, I believe Ryan has the best kicker in the state.

Ryan's reputation for "after the play" nastiness was an article of faith through the '70's. Nothing I saw in any of the games i attended or the one in which I played suggested it was overstated at all. If you say it's changed, I'll take your word, but....

 

As to kickers, I'll take Andrew Fletcher over anybody, especially late in the game from long distance. Ask the McCallie and Ensworth folks for their views.

 

Slightly off the topic (don't write in all caps, Shakinthefat), how has your new stadium worked out in terms of getting large crowds in and out?