Lawrence Co vs Columbia Central Week 0

[lexi]

I know its a week away but lets get this conversation started! What a huge game this is for a week 0 game. Last year Columbia went to Lawrenceburg and escaped with a 21-13 victory. The game literally went down to the final seconds. I believe that game propelled Columbia to the season they had last year. With that said this years game could have the same effect on either team this year.

The difference though is that Lawrence County has to travel to Columbia and play at the historic Lindsey Nelson Stadium where the Lions haven't lost since October 2008. Reports from Lawrenceburg state that Lawrence County may have some early season injury issues from a scrimmage against Hendersonville and Mt. Pleasant.

Tonight Lawrence County will be playing Spring Hill in the Columbia Jamboree and Columbia will be playing Franklin Road Academy.

In my opinion, baring any set backs tonight, Columbia would have to be the early favorite with a offensive line returning 3 starters and All-State Running Back/Linebacker Tra'Darious Goff. What are your thoughts?

[lexi]

Tonight both teams were to have played in Columbia's Jamboree but due to rain and lighting the contest was called off during the 1st quarter of the second game between Friendship Christian and Mt. Pleasant. I was really hoping to get to see both teams play to try to gauge were they are both at. I will still say that Columbia has got to be the favorite. With all they have coming back I say that Columbia is at least a 2 touchdown favorite playing at home. Also talking to a Mt. Pleasant parent whose son plays for the Tigers, they said that they thought they got the best of Lawrence County in their scrimmage between each other last week.

[carlosthemonkey16]

columbia may be the favorite but do not count out the boys from lawrenceburg. i have seen there scrimmages this year and they are still very talented. yes, mt pleasant might have got the best of LC but they boys seemed extremely sluggish coming off back to back scrimmages. with that being said, i also witnessed LC scrimmage a top ten hendersonville team and looked very very good an they also dismantled mcnairy central, flat out. the defense has got to be one of the best i have seen in a long time. very fast and very physical. the d will carry the team this year not the vaunted wing T that dominated most teams last year. like columbia, LC has there on all state player in garland and the irizarry kid can just flat out fly, great speed and vision. next friday night should be one of the best games of the year, no doubt! im gonna go ahead an say that the defense prevails and the boys from LC head back to the 'burg with the W

[lexi]

columbia may be the favorite but do not count out the boys from lawrenceburg. i have seen there scrimmages this year and they are still very talented. yes, mt pleasant might have got the best of LC but they boys seemed extremely sluggish coming off back to back scrimmages. with that being said, i also witnessed LC scrimmage a top ten hendersonville team and looked very very good an they also dismantled mcnairy central, flat out. the defense has got to be one of the best i have seen in a long time. very fast and very physical. the d will carry the team this year not the vaunted wing T that dominated most teams last year. like columbia, LC has there on all state player in garland and the irizarry kid can just flat out fly, great speed and vision. next friday night should be one of the best games of the year, no doubt! im gonna go ahead an say that the defense prevails and the boys from LC head back to the 'burg with the W

Carlos I agree, Lawrence County's defense should be pretty solid this year. I would expect nothing less than a hard fought contest between these two old rivals. But there are 2 things going against LC. The first is the offensive line of Columbia. I would argue that they may be the best in the state of Tennessee in any division. Secondly the game is being played at Lindsey Nelson stadium. One of the most historic stadiums in the southeast region. Since the renovations to the stadium, which they finished last week, it is beautiful. You will see next Friday all of the amazing work they have done to the place. Back to the game though, it should definitly be a classic. It can't get any bigger for a week 0 football game!

[wingman10]

Columbia to get the w

[volunteercat56]

Carlos I agree, Lawrence County's defense should be pretty solid this year. I would expect nothing less than a hard fought contest between these two old rivals. But there are 2 things going against LC. The first is the offensive line of Columbia. I would argue that they may be the best in the state of Tennessee in any division. Secondly the game is being played at Lindsey Nelson stadium. One of the most historic stadiums in the southeast region. Since the renovations to the stadium, which they finished last week, it is beautiful. You will see next Friday all of the amazing work they have done to the place. Back to the game though, it should definitly be a classic. It can't get any bigger for a week 0 football game!

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Lexi... first of all don't get caught up in the fact that this game is at Columbia. Have you seen the way the Lawrence County fans travel? there will be just as many lc fans as columbia fans. Guaranteed, and they will probably be louder. Second, Lc brings back a lot of experience on the defensive line, so maybe that can slow down the o-line of the Lions. The x-factor in this game will be the O-line of the Wildcats. If they hold up and play well, Lc will win

[carlosthemonkey16]

LC does have one of the best student sections/ fan bases in the state

[District8AAA]

LC does have one of the best student sections/ fan bases in the state

Carlos I will have to admit that Lawrence County does have the best and most

loyal fans that I have seen in any district! I would have to say that the

crowds/fans will probably be equal friday night. So that means it will be the

players that will have to win or lose this battle. I feel as if both teams

match up evenly with speed at the skill positions. Columbia will have more

meat up front on the O'line but L'burg has some meat on the D'line as well.

I really feel like the defense for L'burg gives them a slight edge but only

time will tell. I was looking forward to seeing the D'line for Columbia

but the sky fell out Friday night and I never had the chance. What will

Columbia have as far as defense goes? This could actually be what decides

the game.

[lexi]

Lexi... first of all don't get caught up in the fact that this game is at Columbia. Have you seen the way the Lawrence County fans travel? there will be just as many lc fans as columbia fans. Guaranteed, and they will probably be louder. Second, Lc brings back a lot of experience on the defensive line, so maybe that can slow down the o-line of the Lions. The x-factor in this game will be the O-line of the Wildcats. If they hold up and play well, Lc will win

I totally agree that Lawrence County does travel well, but I will have to say that after last years state runner-up finish that people in Columbia are excited to see this years team. The problem with Columbia and its supporters over the years has been consistency. I believe and hope that Columbia has turned the corner on that. Last year Columbia's freshman squad only had 19 or so players, this years team has over 40! So the success at Whitthorne is finally caring over to Columbia now. This group of junior and senior players never lost a game in jr. high play and last year you could see the results of that. Columbia has been notorious for having athletes roaming the hallways or the basketball courts over the years and never stepping on the football field. That simply is not the case anymore.

Back to the game though Columbia's defense is under new command after former Defensive Coordnator Tom Turchetta left and is now the Marshall County Head Coach. From what I hear new Defensive Coordnator Howard Stone has really simplified things from a very complex defense a year ago. I believe that everyone last year saw how to beat Columbia and that was to pass the ball. I honestly don't think this years secondary could be any worse than from a year ago. Like last year though, there is no secert what Columbia is gonna try to do offensively. They are gonna try to line up and pound it down your throat and try to control the clock and like last year, when teams put 8 guys in the box to try to stuff the run Columbia will throw to one of their talented wideouts in man coverage and beat ya.

So finally I will say this. If Hayden Tate plays good, smart football and the offensive line stays injury free then watch out. Because this team has all the ingrediants to make another state title run. Unlike last year, Columbia will not be suprising people. Another difference I noticed when I went and watched them scrimmage Lewis County was that they still have that swag about them that they got during the end of last years regular season. Also every year for the past 5 years or so they have scrimmaged Ensworth. The first couple of times they played each other Ensworth really beat Columbia physically. That wasn't the case last year and that sure wasn't the case this year. Columbia went stroke for stroke with them. So to all the Lawrence County fans out there I hope your ready like I am for a physical, well-played football game!

[jvb123]

Such a shame this matchup is the during week 0 instead

of week 6 thru 10. If these two teams are as good as all

the hype then it could have a lot more energy building

at a later date. Should be a great game though!

[lexi]

Columbia 21 Lawrence County 11

A very physical football game from start to finish. Both teams looked slugish on the offensive side of things. Columbia clearly had control for most of this contest. They led 7-3 at halftime. In the second half Columbia came out and scored two more touchdowns to make it 21-3. With 6 minutes to go in the 4th a bad snap on a Columbia punt attempt put Lawrence County inside the Columbia 30 yard line. Lawrence County followed that up with a Garland TD and 2 pt conversion. Columbia was just too much up front for the Lawrence County defense.

[wingman10]

Great start by the Lions