Week 8: Athens (7-0) vs Alexander (6-1)

[93Bulldog]

It was just one year ago when Alexander won this game ... The Spartans were able to gain the upper hand by controlling both the offensive & defensive lines - and they return that mamouth line completely in tact ... I think some of these Alexander 'haters' have not actually seen them play in person - I did make the trip to Albany Friday and watched them lose to a spirited Wellston team - and my perception of them has not changed because of it. I had a feeling the Spartans would struggle early because of the weaker opponents they had played leading up to the game; but I also felt they would adjust by halftime and come out and take control in the 2nd half ... The problem was Wellston had seized momentum, then Alexander lost its center to an injury (which was a huge factor) and the Spartans aren't really built for comebacks - they like to run the ball and take time off the clock ... It was like a perfect storm that hit Alexander all at once last Friday night versus Wellston ... Put them back on the field today - and as a neutral party - I would probably take the Spartans to win. (With their O-line in tact though.)

I just don't think it is going to be as easy as folks are posting on here. Ive watched both teams play and any time you have a big, strong, experienced line - you have a chance to win the game ... The big guys for Alexander had an 'off' night versus Wellston ... It happens, but I don't expect it to happen two games in a row.

[rut151]

Athens wins this by 14. Arno takes the short ride home to Albany with a spitting headache.

[A-towndogs117]

Neither team will be short for motivation this week. Alex/Athens games are always pretty hyped up and the players know each other and see eachother around town so it adds a little excitement. I wouldn't completely rule out the Spartans after their first loss...yes they played an extremely soft schedule, but those wins weren't just handed to them. In the end I like Athens in this one...hopefully by 2 TDs.

[pbuck]

Athens IMO

[nybucksgrad06]

Athens will win by no less than 2 td's...

[93Bulldog]

ATHENS TEAM STATS ARE UPLOADED AFTER WEEK 7 vs V.C.

http://trivalleyconference.com/Athens.html

[93Bulldog]

ALEXANDER TEAM STATS ARE UPLOADED AFTER WEEK 7 vs WELLSTON:

http://trivalleyconference.com/Alexander.html

[saintsfan]

I like Athens in this one. I am sure Alex will respond to the loss they suffered against Wellston. They wont be down from that game and will bring everything they have against Athens. Athens is tough at home though and sure to be a very large crowd on hand at Rutter Field. I look forward to this game even though Alex is no longer undefeated.

[whompascat]

alex 10

athens 35

[Power 105]

It's an Athens County rivalry ignited with hopes of a TVC Ohio title on the line.

Join us Friday night on Power 105 and 970 WATH for the Athens County High School Football Game of the Week for Alexander @ Athens.

Jake Corrigan and Rob Schreier bring you the action from the Plains at 7:15 with pregame coverage for kickoff at 7:30.

[93Bulldog]

Weather looks like it is gonna be fine Friday - High 64; 20% chance of rain.

It seems as if things are much calmer than I expected seeing as this is still a huge game ... I remember the days of jjhuddle; a game like this would have already had 3 or 4 pages worth of posts??? Did all the Alexander fans just vanish because of one loss? I can't believe nobody remembers how things went down after Alex lost to Athens in 2009 ... Folks would have bet their paychecks that week that Nelsonville-York would beat Alex by 3 or 4 TD's - The Spartans of course pulled off one of their biggest victories in school history that Friday.

[FANOSPORTS]

Alex had played no one that even resembled an average team until last week and Wellston is very average. Athens in a cakewalk. (Alex will fall fast in the computer ratings the last 3 weeks)

[A-towndogs117]

Athens needs to keep their focus and go one week at a time....that being said, I think they should win this game handily :122249 . Go Bulldogs, just win baby!

[Bighitsinc]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FRONTIER SCORE IN REVERSE.
GO A-TOWN

[93Bulldog]

Yea, I don't see that happening BIGHITSINC ... I know Coach Adams had a chance to score in the fourth quarter versus Meigs when the score was 56-9 but didn't ... His JV team was already in the game pretty much the entire 4th quarter - and after driving down into the red zone with about 3:00 left - he instructed the QB to take four straight knee-downs as opposed to scoring again ... I was in the stands and there were a few folks actually confused by Adams' decision, they wanted their young kids to get into the endzone in a varsity game on a Friday night ... I of course corrected them and reminded them that Meigs is in our league and eventually 'what comes around - goes around.' ... Not sure if they agreed with me or not - but I still think it was a classy move by the Athens coach.

[Bighitsinc]

YES I AGREE, COACH ADAMS HAS MORE CLASS THAN ARNO.

[rut151]

YES I AGREE, COACH ADAMS HAS MORE CLASS THAN ARNO.

Well whoopty doo, that's like saying Satan has more class than a terrorist.

[93Bulldog]

Considering what both Adams and Arno have done with the two football programs, which weren't that great, they both deserve a ton of credit and some gratitude from their respective fan bases. Yea, maybe one coach should have done this - or maybe that coach should have done that ... Whatever the case may be - the overall picture speaks for itself ... Their winning games and competiting for league titles - that's pretty darn good in my book.

[Rvbballdude]

I think Athens wins this one easily, 48-7

[gymrat88]

After seeing both teams I have to give the edge to Athens. De'von Sharp is superior on offense to anything Alexander can counter defensively, and Mitch Rider will be a dominating presence in the middle and will slow down Alexander's rushing attack. Nevertheless, I believe Alexander will come in motivated after what transpired last week in Albany, and I think this one will remain close for a while. I also don't see Trey Bennett having a repeat performance from last week, and I think he will have a good game to keep Alex within striking distance.

Athens 33

Alexander 21