Brentwood Academy @ Oakland

[FairInMyFavor]

If Brentwood Academy wins, big deal. They should. If Oakland wins, hats off to the Patriots. Go Pats.

[Guest region4fan]

No matter the outcome, I know that the Patriots will play with heart, skill, determination, faith, and especially CLASS!! Work hard this week, boys. Know that your fans are behind you 100%. I know that you will be ready to give it to BA .

[leadoff]

if ba plays awesome they win by 21, decent 10, not great 3 although oakland has a great team, i dont think it will be able to beat ba, i dont think anyone this year from 4 5a could beat ba but oakland would be the ones to do it i give them about a 20% chance of winning

 

this is 100% opinion

[WesVLT]

Brentwood Academy and Oakland are both very keyed up for this marquee showdown between two teams that are elite in their respective classifications, and in the state as a whole. BA enters the game following a 34-17 victory over a solid Centennial team, while Oakland plays its first game of the year. Here are my keys to the game:

 

1)GAME EXPERIENCE. Oakland may be rusty and sloppy since it's their first game, and while Brentwood Academy certainly won't be flawless, their Week 0 experience could very well prove to be an advantage. Each team handles its first game differently, and if Oakland can play conservative, ball-control football, it stands its best chance of winning. However, such a style of play lends itself to how BA wants Oakland to play, because they won't have to worry as much about the long ball or fake punt. So the Patriots need to find a healthy balance.

 

2)BRENTWOOD ACADEMY DEFENSE. The Eagles were less than superb on the defensive side of the ball against Centennial, whose wishbone exploits initially stymied the Eagles before they asserted themselves and began to control play. This time around, though, their margin of error is smaller against the more two-dimensional Patriots. If BA can dominate early, they will win the game without a problem because of their potent running game. However, if they let Oakland control the time of possession, the Pats could pull it out.

 

3)BALL CONTROL. If Oakland holds the ball for awhile, they greatly increase their chances of winning. Same for BA, whose rushing attack is arguably the finest in Tennessee with "thunder" David Holbert and "lightning" Theo Townsend. Whoever has the ball the longest will probably win.

 

It should be a fabulous contest. Brentwood Academy appears to hold the early upper hand, but the game could definitely go either way. I think both teams will score multiple times, with BA outlasting Oakland. My score;

 

Brentwood Academy 30, Oakland 21

 

My roommate's prediction (a BA alum as well):

BA 24, Oakland 13

Edited August 26, 2003 by WesVols

[itzme]

Wes, your analysis is very good, and I think it will be about the same score you predict if BA can eliminate mistakes!! That is a big if. Four lost fumbles, three dropped passes against Oakland will spell doom.

 

I hope that BA can pull this one out. I do not think they will eliminate all the mistakes however, and I will predict a BA 28 - Oakland 27 score. I will not be surprised in the least if Oakland wins.

[bigmule72]

I really think that everyone is giving Oakland too much credit. If they can stop the duo of Theo Townsend and David Holbert it will be close but who do they have to stop them? If they can not stop the duo then uh oh... Oakland does have a good offense and a good running back in Crawford whom BA will have to defend. I see both teams as offensive based teams with a decent defense. I am personally picking BA by 10 just because of the duo. BUT do not be suprised if Blackman can jump on top early and get a good lead and keep it... They do have speed... and lots of it.

 

BA 24-14

[ateyfive]

Then again, BigMule, who does BA have at receiver. The only player that I saw get any balls was Chris Buck who caught about 30% of what came to him. If they can stop the run, BA is in trouble. The one problem is that, THEY CANT, and nobody can.

[bigmule72]

I agree with you 100% ateyfive if BA can not run the ball then there will be some upset private school kids come saturday. Does BA even need to pass the ball though??? I also agree that there is not a high likleyhood of "the duo" being stopped. Especially with the offensive line BA has.

[WesVLT]

BA has some good athletes at WR, and Tyler Griffin has a very strong arm. Also, Flatt may have chosen not to reveal much against Centennial. I think you may be surprised...

[ateyfive]

Well, they definately didnt need to pass against Centennial, which Im not sure that the Cougar defense is legit to the rest of the super 7, but this is a State Championship team, and they had better learn quick cause come Halloween, the duo may not be enough.

[ateyfive]

wes, who are BA's WRs

Does anybody know who started?

[Guest Oakland]

agree that ba has live game experience, but oakland does have the defense to at least shut down ba to a degree, more to come when i give a full scouting report of oakland tommorrow.