Obion Central (2-3 0-1) @ Covington(3-3 1-1)

[Purple & Gold Standard]

Obion Central continues their 4 game road trip after this week's open date with a visit to Covington....The Rebels look to start off the second half of the season on a winning note in a place they have won only a time or two,if any...I'm not sure if they have won a game in Covington to be honest...

 

The Rebels and Chargers game has become a pretty good rivalry..The Chargers have the more storied tradition for sure as they have two state championship game appearances since 2000...The Rebels however have three wins during this time and have come within 8 points of a win three other times...OC owns two big wins in Troy when the Chargers were the #1 team in the state (2003 W 14-7 & 2005 W 17-7)..The Chargers have fallen on hard times as of late..They have suffered through three consecutive losing seasons where they posted a combined 8-20 record with no playoff games...They do have a 3-3 record this year and are 1-1 in the district...

 

OC has been a little disappointing in the first half of the year...Coming into the season fans of the program had really high hopes for this team...When yopu look at who they have played this season you can actually see why they stand at 2-3..Crockett County, Sikeston and Cape Central are ALL still unbeaten with a combined 15 wins between them...OC has a real good argument that they should have beaten both Sikeston and Crockett County..OC's problem in the first half of the season has been turnovers and a whole bunch of penalties and a very porous defense and some injuries...OC has improved somewhat on the defensive side of the ball...Even though they did get blown out in Missouri against Cape Central they made improvement in that game...They did a much better job on first and second down in the game..They messed up on some third and long situations but they did make improvement...Then in the Union City game the defense finally came to life in the second half of that game...The Rebels totally dominated the veer offense of the Tornadoes to the tune of allowing only 23 yards the last 24 minutes of that game...I have heard the defense is playing with much more confidence and had a very spirited week of practice during the bye week...

 

The OC offense seems to be trying to find an identity...They want to control some clock and run the ball but their strength is their passing game...Everybody wants a good balance...If they ever find that balance they will be very, very hard to keep out of the endzone..They have 6 good receivers and a good QB..They have shown alot the first five games that should keep coaches trying to gameplan for them busy..they have alot of weapons offensively...

 

Every game from now on is a playoff game for the Rebels..They probably have to win every game to get in..They may could get in with 6 wins but it will be very close...The best way would be to take care of their own business and let the dice roll where they may...

 

Good Luck to the Rebels and have a great week of practice...Let's fill up our side like we did last Friday in Union City...Give these kids the support they deserve...Union City isn't the only game on the schedule...

[Tornadopride]

Good luck to the Rebels. Hope the mistake bug stays aways and if the Rebels play like they did against the Tornadoes, should be a Win for the Red, White & Blue.

[ocucsf]

Time to dig deep, and fight hard all four quarters! They have it in them and everyone should see a different rebel team this last five game stretch. Like a coaching friend of mine put it you gotta show some intestinal fortitude! GO REBELS!!!!!

[tbiggs]

Chargers were improved Friday night against Jackson South Side. Very crisp and sharp in the first quarter. The thing I don't understand about the Chargers is, it seems every week they grab momentum and the coaching staff calls something to kill it. For third time this season they have called for an onside kick after scoring and it absolutely kills Moe. Because you give field position away, Or going for it on 4th and long Once you get across the 50. "Coach" it aint nothing wrong with punting and making something happen on defense. I also don't understand how they can have a soccer program and not find somebody to kick extra points, I thought that was the reason for a soccer program. Make an announcement at school, do something to get a kicker! You'll need it if they make the playoffs.

It will be interesting Friday night @ Covington. Covington is improving but still a long way from playoff type team but even in Covington's hay day for whatever reason Obion had their number. Obion will be well coached and fundamentally sound and they come to play. It will be a close ball game and whom ever wants it the most and doesn't turn the ball over will win!

[justaOCfan]

This should be a great game. Covington is always athletic, and are having a better season than in recent years. Obion County is a good team that has yet to reach their potential. The Rebel defense managed to step it up against Union City, and while the offense was not perfect, they were effective. The Rebels need to bring that same intensity to Covington and realize that the remainder of the season will be magnified in importance. The Rebel's need to learn to put their foot on the opponents throat when they are down and finish off good teams. I like that the Rebels have shown they came come back after being behind but would like to see them set the tone of the game early Friday night by getting out front and having the killer instinct at the end. Covington may be a tough match up for OC as their offense will move the ball. A couple of good stops by the Rebel defense with the offense taking advantage early in the game could make the night more pleasant. I don't expect the Chargers to quit, they never have. But if the Rebels can get up early and force Covington to play catch up, the Rebels will improve their chances for a win.

 

I expect a really good game with an Obion County win by 10. GO REBELS!!

Edited September 28, 2010 by justaOCfan

[coachdmac]

I look for a good game between two improved programs. Big for both teams, obviously, because playoff spots are still up for grabs. Hope to get to go see some of my old Grizzlies(now Chargers) play this week. Good Luck!

[Purple & Gold Standard]

The first installment of the T.$.$.A.A Playoff Standings just came out and has made this game mean even that much more...As it stands right now,the Obion Central Rebels are the 32nd team into the playoffs...That means they are the last team in...Covington stands in at #19....A win over Covington is a must...The only other 4A team on the schedule that is in the playoffs as of now is Ripley and they come in at #7....Dyersburg is on the outside looking in at #38...

 

Each week from here on in is a playoff game for Obion County and they have to look at it that way...No losses and they are in...The only automatic qualifiers are the top two teams in the district...Right now Crockett County, Ripley and Westview (3A) are 2-0....

[redbirdfan]

The first installment of the T.$.$.A.A Playoff Standings just came out and has made this game mean even that much more...As it stands right now,the Obion Central Rebels are the 32nd team into the playoffs...That means they are the last team in...Covington stands in at #19....A win over Covington is a must...The only other 4A team on the schedule that is in the playoffs as of now is Ripley and they come in at #7....Dyersburg is on the outside looking in at #38...

 

Each week from here on in is a playoff game for Obion County and they have to look at it that way...No losses and they are in...The only automatic qualifiers are the top two teams in the district...Right now Crockett County, Ripley and Westview (3A) are 2-0....

[redbirdfan]

excuse the my previous post- which was merely a copy and paste of the first post.(acting a little slow today)

 

The OC Rebs were in the same position last season with an off week before the final five games against the same five opponents. The off week was definately the right time for some of the banged up Rebels to heal and scout/prepare for this road trip to Covington who already sports a district win under their belts.

Hopefully the defense can continue to rise to the occasion as they did in the 2nd half of the UC game and improve each week. Coach Jackson is very creative on the offensive side of the ball and will make sure the rights players are in position to make plays whether they run or throw out of the spread set.

It just seemed to be in the UC game that Phipps looked more relaxed at QB, made good reads, and played well.

 

These two squads always seem to play close games in the past and more often than not- low scoring games, This could come down to who limits mistakes and plays the better defense. Best of luck Rebs as you begin your journey to back to back seasons of being playoff bound.

[GCPioneer]

Good luck to OC. That coach has done an awesome job in turning that program around!

[ocucsf]

GCPioner, yes he has. Him and his staff do a tremendous job with the kids both on and off the football field. They also host a great camp open to the public every Sumner.

[GCPioneer]

It's showing. If you guys can knock off an athletic Covington team, you guys should be set for a playoff run.